I hear Phil Jackson, but to me thats just a pipedream. Is there anyone else available right now that would actually do us any good?
I hate to say it, but Phil Jackson would be great for this team. I just wish he could check his ego at the door.
Right now Phil isnt available. He is out vacationing somewhere in Eurpoe. He said if he does come back and coach it would be after this season. I heard this on PTI a couple of weeks ago.
It was a 'pipedream' to turn Francis into McGrady. Things happen. I dont see ANY better available coaching job than the Rockets for someone like Phil. Phil should be the Rockets 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice. A 4th choice might be someone like Del Harris or even better Donnie Nelson.
I would really prefer someone that is not a big name coach. The Spurs found Popavich. The Pistons/Pacers found Carlisle. I want the Rockets to find their Popovic or Carlisle. Not just get another "name" that is just hired to boost ticket sales. No more "veterans" coaches for me, thank you. Rudy was a veterans coach. Van Gundy is a veterans coach. Lets try someonthing different this time. Musselman perhaps, Donnie Nelson, or Bzdelik if he gets fired.
Thanks, I also think Phil would be perfect. I guess we need to start rumors so we can get his thoughts on the situation.
Donnie Nelson, perhaps. Mike Fratello. Who are the other candidates for the Grizzlies' job? Please no Phil Jackson. The Rox are hard enough to root for with Van Gundy at the wheel.
excellent article why some coaches work for some and not for others http://texnews.com/texsports97/nelson120797.html Don Nelson's innovative style a good fit for Mavericks By David Moore / The Dallas Morning News DALLAS -- A man with 852 victories to his name knows better than to gloat over a December win. This is the stance Don Nelson took in the wake of the Mavericks' win over New York. Still, it was Nelson's first coaching victory in nearly two years. The fact it came against the team that fired him had to hold some significance. "It probably means more to you than to me," Nelson told the questioner. "That's not to say it wasn't a little special. "But I've been in this league a long time. I've been able to beat the Knicks on many occasions." Nelson has always been able to beat the Knicks. He just couldn't join them. The paradox is that the reasons behind Nelson's downfall in New York are the same reasons that may lead to his success in Dallas. Fifty-nine games. That is all Nelson managed to survive with the Knicks during the 1995-96 season. The dismissal, on the heels of his implosion at Golden State, tarnished an otherwise Hall of Fame career. The New York team Nelson inherited was a successful, veteran group. It had developed a distinct, black-and-blue persona in its four seasons under Pat Riley. Riley talked about the painful progression all champions must undertake as his team lost in the Eastern Conference Finals and then The Finals. He preached persistence. The players took this relentless style to heart. The Knicks were set in their ways because Riley convinced them that would eventually lead the team to the NBA promised land. That didn't change with Riley's departure. His influence, coupled with the team's success, made it difficult for Nelson to incorporate new ideas. "They were a conservative team," Nelson said. "I'm not a conservative coach." Nelson wanted to lessen the load on Patrick Ewing. He wanted to diversify the offense. He wanted to bring John Starks off the bench. Ewing balked. The players grumbled. Starks went ballistic. Nelson, meanwhile, was every bit as set in his ways as the Knicks. Neither side budged. That forced New York to fire Nelson and replace him with Jeff Van Gundy. The clash of wills and style that led to Nelson's escape from New York won't exist in Dallas. The Mavericks long to break free from Jim Cleamons' Bermuda Triangle offense. They appear ready to embrace what Nelson has to offer. "I don't think he's coming back to prove himself," said Van Gundy, who slowly and effectively has implemented what Nelson tried to put in place with the Knicks. "I don't think he has to do that. I think he just believes in this situation." The situation is this: the Mavericks haven't won a playoff game in nine years. They have finished the season above .500 just once in that span. The last time this franchise tasted success, most of the players on the current roster were in high school or college. There is no winning formula in place to block Nelson's message. There is no player of Ewing's or Chris Webber's stature who Nelson must tread lightly around. This is when Nelson is at his innovative best. The Mavericks are a team of unproven clay that Nelson can mold in his image. It is a group of young and flawed players who desperately want to legitimize their careers. This makes them more receptive to Nelson's philosophy and methods than the Knicks. When the Mavericks beat Toronto last week to snap a 10-game losing streak, one of the players privately lamented the fact that one win might allow Cleamons to cling to his job a little longer. At that stage, a coaching change is essential. "I think we were very excited and very fortunate that he wants to do it and get back into the grind," majority owner Ross Perot Jr. said. "Basically, he will take his career and reputation and put it on the line one more time to get this team turned around and winning, to get it going in the right direction." The Mavericks need Nelson as much as he needs them to help restore his tattered reputation. It's an alliance that could result in both parties moving in the right direction. Keep in mind that Don Nelson was able to get good productivity out of Juwan Howard. This is the same Juwan Howard who is currently not even being utilized by JVG at all. I think it's just time for a change. Donnie Nelson should have an out clause in his contract. Maybe the son of the coach can do what his father did.
I like the Donnie Nelson choice. I think he could easily be more succesful than his dad, who seems to overlook the defensive half of the game. Phil Jackson would be acceptable if we saw results out of him. Would the entire "NY" staff go, too?
**** no. If Les does can JVG(doubt it), I don't think he'll spend money on a big name replacement coach after flushing it down the drain with JVG.
Whoever we get it would need to be someone who wants to let Yao develop naturally, and not force Yao to become something that is impossible or still a few years down the line.
I agree with you there, by the way can someone name that losing franchise that Jackson turned around? Anyone?
Donnie Nelson may be the guy. He's young. He's got some knowledge of the international game. I really like how his father has went about turning Dirk Nowitzki into a superstar. I put Dirk into the top 5 now with TMac dropped out. Someone needs to come in here and bring out the best out of TMac and Yao. I think he would not be hesitant in implementing a zone defense too. That's good for Yao.
I'm also on board for the Donnie Nelson choice. He is an up and comer that knows how to coach offense. Let's get him. Phil Jackson is my first choice, but like many people here I think he's a pipedream. Phil Jackson is going to ask for a lot of money and the Rockets won't be able to afford him while also paying JVG for 2 1/2 more years. Also, would Phil be willing to go to a lottery team?
If it is right here right now, I say Kenny Smith, totally seriously. The guy essentialy nailed Van Gundy's coffin with his 80 vs. 100 possessions for game analysis during the TNT Knicks game. It was brutally accurate, revealed an unfixable flaw in Van Gundy's coaching, and was backed by stats. Kenny is remarkably smart, and would not stand for the Moochie Norris Flu that this team cant seem to shake, no matter what who they trade, hire, fire, draft, cut or nudge out for "medical reasons." Honestly, its the same exact stench of unwatchable underachievement we have paid to smell since before Yao. New coach, new building, new players What is it - the city? The water? Les? CD? They have totally drained and refilled the pool - many times - and the water is still the same shade of green. Kenny would be a ton of chlorine. Maybe it would not make the pool entirely swimmable, but I bet we'd shake this particular fungus (aka: My Kingdom for a Decent Fast Break Algae). The fact that he could not play defense sort of gets me excited. It's be different. He would come cheap, bring in, like, Mario and Chucky as assistants (currently an assistant with the Roanoake Dazzle of the NBDL, thank you very much) and give it a shot. It would also be a semi-legit link to the glory years, maybe get two or three extra fans to watch the team. No way we are getting Phillip midseason, we might as well roll the dice, lower expectations, and get everyone relaxed. Kenny is smart as hell, I am telling you. PS Countdown to Rudy T. returning to the Rockets to coach: 4 years. PPS I hope to hell the Moochie Norris Flu is not actually the "Hakeem Curse," because that would suck and be total BS on Hakeem's part. Cursing us after doing us like he did. But timing wise, that Moochie Flu thing totally hit when Hakeem split town. Each year we're supposed to be good, but suck in the same way. Dream, if you're reading this, knock it off. Put down the voodoo dolls. Keep the Raptor voodoo dolls, but give the Rockets a break. Ralph would never do us like that.
If it happens in the next month or so, the Rox should go with an interim. That could be anybody. Kenny Smith. Charles Barkley. Clyde Drexler. Mario Elie. Craig Ehlo. Scott Brooks.
