My two top picks are gone. Im really undecided (and depresseed) right now but leaning toward Dunleavy. I saw this on another site and thought I'd post it... www.detnews.com/2003/pist...179401.htm AUBURN HILLS -- Rick Carlisle probably won't be without a job too long. Carlisle, fired by the Pistons on Saturday, could be signing on to coach the Portland Trail Blazers sometime this week. Carlisle's firing, after posting back-to-back 50-victory seasons in his first two years as a head coach, set off a chain reaction around the NBA. The Trail Blazers, who just this past week told the Philadelphia 76ers they wouldn't allow Coach Maurice Cheeks to interview there, have changed their minds. Cheeks, a former 76ers star and an assistant under Larry Brown, has given permission to talk to Philadelphia about Brown's old job. Brown will be introduced as the Pistons coach at a news conference as early as Monday. What sweetens the pot for Carlisle is the fact that the Trail Blazers are without a general manager. Bob Whitsitt resigned after this season. It's no secret that Carlisle, who was an NBA assistant for 11 seasons before coming to Detroit, would love a chance to both run an organization and coach it at the same time. "Maybe there's an opportunity with one of these jobs open that fits my particular profile," Carlisle said. "I don't know, but I guess I'll find out more about it the next seven days." Carlisle was an assistant for P.J. Carlesimo in Portland between 1994-97. The Trail Blazers went to the playoffs in each of those three seasons. Carlisle is known as a no- nonsense kind of leader. Many believe that's what that talented group of players need in Portland to get to the next step.
I am 'scared off' him by the reports out of Detroit. Get JVG hired, or get Doc Rivers. Get a good coach done now.
Misleading thread title. I've never seen anything like this in all my years watching the NBA. I can't recall so many coaching changes in 1 year.
No doubt. One big chain reaction going on. Good coaches getting fired right and left. This guy on TSN radio is crying that this is all set up by the NBA to keep the buzz hot for the finals and set up the teams the NBA wants to win with the best possible coaches.
It's "players return as coaches" year in the NBA. Mo Cheeks will end up in Philly after Portland fires him to hire Rick Carlisle, and Mike Dunlavy will be the new coach of the Rockets.
THE BREAKING NEWS IS WE MAY BE DOWN TO ONE CANIDATE... Van Gundy has suddenly lost much of his negotiating power now. He's either got to go ahead and accept the Rockets' offer, or try to hold out in case the Blazers job comes open. Van Gundy has been eyeing Portland since he left New York. With the word now out that the Blazers will give permission to the 76ers to interview Maurice Cheeks (both sides deny it), coaching in Portland seems to be Van Gundy's only other real possibility. If Van Gundy waits too long, the Rockets will go ahead and give the job to Mike Dunleavy.
Carlisle sounds like he would be perfect for Portland. They have a roster full of players that need to be alienated.
