If the Rockets get to the finals, McHale will be rated as an elite coach next time around. Conduct this poll in 2007 and Mike Brown is almost definitely in the top eight. Basing such an argument on media rankings, which are based largely on results, makes it a circular argument.
Scott Brooks in 2012? Arguably Erik Spolestra with the Heat? (In my opinion, overrated) Doc Rivers with the Celtics? Elite coaching would be nice but you need at least competent coaching to make the finals. In my opinion, McHale is competent. Its the players who are going to carry you in the playoffs. Coaching can help the players get in a position to do well but in the end, its the players who really matter.
was spoelstra an elite coach when they reach the finals all those years? people were calling for him to be fired because supposedly he wasn't a good coach for that team.
Being a good coach is a complex issue sometimes and a matter of situation. Would McHale be a good coach if he were coaching the Lakers or Nets right now? Not likely, he wouldn't be surrounded by stability and bright people. Is McHale a good coach right now, in Houston? I would say overall yes. He is an exceptional leader, good motivator and more of a disciplinarian than fans realize. McHale is also consistent and fair dealing with his players. He has had no real off the court drama and he has kept his team fairly clean. What about Stan Van Gundy? Well he really knows X's and O's. However he had a player flat out call him mentally weak {Shaq} and claim he cannot handle pressure. You had another player mock him {Howard} and a GM question his stones and replace him {Riley}. Do I think Van Gundy is a good coach? Yeah and would be even better in an organization like Houston if he could bite his tongue.
Wow! The Knicks have the worst front office AND the worst coach in the league? From the looks of it they have an idiot for an owner as well! I wonder if Carmelo Anthony slaps his wife every night before going to bed?...:grin: (P.S.) Totally against spousal abuse!!!!... ....... ....... .......
Hard to argue with the job McHale's done this season. He still needs to prove he's got what it takes to lead this team deep into the playoffs(as do Harden and Howard), but seriously folks. 48-23. A game and a half out of 2nd and the division lead in a brutal Western Conference. When their star center's missed half the season. Their starting PF has missed even more time than that. Their starting PG has missed several weeks(and may not be done for the year). And their projected starting lineup has only been together for 2 games all season.
I love how the rankings are more of a reflection of roster strength. We don't know what's going on behind the scenes. Are these X's and O's rankings, morale/rallying ability, substitution skills, etc? What has Doc Rivers done with a bad roster? Spo loses Lebron and his team is still sub .500 in the freaking east. Kerr inherits a loaded roster and he's already above other guys that have won championships. Kidd was horrible elsewhere and he's already a top 12 coach? I love Thibs, but his offensive coaching ability needs to put him out of the top 10. Terry Stotts is ranked 7th and he hadn't even finished with a team over .500 until he inherited Portland with LMA and Lillard.
...if Thibs comes available this summer we HAVE to make a play for him. We can't go into the playoffs and expect to go deep with a mediocre coach who happens to be in the bottom percentile of worst coaches in the playoffs.
No, because the Cavs are expected to go to the final, so even if Tyronn Lue will be the coach, he will be elite and by default better than McHale also.
McHale is better than 14th this year, but current ranking is not a big deal, a winning in the playoff is a key, not right now.
I really can't stand McHale but the adjustment he made last night was brilliant. Gives me a bit of hope he can learn
McHale is one of a handful of Hall of Fame Players who has had success as head coach. That tells you he can translate his knowledge. Not an easy thing. to get that knowledge, rather than that of a regular scrub player who has less to offer, is priceless.
Has anyone heard from FTW since this was released. I fear he may have hit his head after passing out when reading that the worst coach in the NBA was ranked 14/30.
+1 I finally signed up in Clutchfans because some of the posters on this site seems to have more basketball knowledge than the average basketball fan. I don't know if these posters are posting less or they're just overshadowed by all the negative nancy. Go Rockets!!!
over 5 seasons as a head coach... and never won a playoff series.... I guess 14 is about right for mediocrity...
