Kings interview Del Negro, Jackson and Mitchell for Head Coach position (Yahoo News)
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Vogel would immediately become my #1 guy. However, it'll be hard to sell him on our team. We currently have no direction. At least in Indiana, he had a fringe superstar in George. I think Vogel goes to NY or Houston* if the Pacers don't bring him back....which would be pretty foolish. They need to give Paul George real pieces. The team around him is horrible.
As long as Phil Jackson is the GM of the Knicks he's going to want his team to run the triangle. And it's hard to say Houston has more direction. Howard is leaving, Harden is getting tons of scrutiny, Morey is apparently in the hot seat and it sounds like they envision a lot of roster change.
But Vogel would be right at the top of my list too.
But Vogel would be right at the top of my list too.
We have the same top three in basically the same order. My only hesitation with McHale is, to my knowledge, he has always had at least a hand/voice in the personnel department. I do not want him trying to make a power-play with Vlade. If he offers suggestions, no problem. If he tries to power-play like Karl, BIG problem.
Great to see additional names being interviewed. Messina has an unquestionably great basketball mind and believes in playing inside-out with lots of post touches. Blatt has had years and years of success and would return the Kings to a variation of the Princeton offense. Ewing (though not high on my list) is a hall of fame big man who has paid his dues as an assistant under some really impressive names.
Messina was always the higher regarded coach in international ball but some thought Blatt would be the better NBA coach because of his temperament. But both guys definitely know their stuff and are straight forward, no nonsense guys. Are they too dictatorial for the NBA and specifically for Cousins? I don't know.
I hope Vlade meets with or at least talks to Udoka, Ollie and Vogel too, if he leaves Indiana.
There are some really good options for Divac to choose from.
And honestly I hope Vlade spends the time to get it right even though it's hard for me to think about how the roster should be reshaped until I know who the coach is. For instance, I could see Rondo returning if McHale is the coach. I really struggle to see that being the case if Blatt is the guy. And I'm sure all of these notions are going to weigh in on Vlade's decision.
And while I love that Sean Marks confidently nabbed Atkinson as his coach almost immediately, I was thinking that it can only help Vlade in his role as GM to have all of these coaches come through and talk about the Kings roster, the players, the offense and defense that should be run etc. I have a lot of confidence in Divac but unlike Marks, who came up through the Spurs organization, it's always good to hear lots of other voices and opinions to help develop or strengthen your own ideas.
Messina was always the higher regarded coach in international ball but some thought Blatt would be the better NBA coach because of his temperament. But both guys definitely know their stuff and are straight forward, no nonsense guys. Are they too dictatorial for the NBA and specifically for Cousins? I don't know.
I hope Vlade meets with or at least talks to Udoka, Ollie and Vogel too, if he leaves Indiana.
There are some really good options for Divac to choose from.
And honestly I hope Vlade spends the time to get it right even though it's hard for me to think about how the roster should be reshaped until I know who the coach is. For instance, I could see Rondo returning if McHale is the coach. I really struggle to see that being the case if Blatt is the guy. And I'm sure all of these notions are going to weigh in on Vlade's decision.
And while I love that Sean Marks confidently nabbed Atkinson as his coach almost immediately, I was thinking that it can only help Vlade in his role as GM to have all of these coaches come through and talk about the Kings roster, the players, the offense and defense that should be run etc. I have a lot of confidence in Divac but unlike Marks, who came up through the Spurs organization, it's always good to hear lots of other voices and opinions to help develop or strengthen your own ideas.
Vlade is a guy who builds relationships. We'll have to wait and see if his coach does a great job with the Kings but I'm very confident that whoever Divac hires will be someone that he'll have a very good working relationship with. And having everyone on the same page with stability in the front office and the GM and coach working well together will pay a lot of dividends for the team and the franchise.
As for my top three, if Vogel is available, he immediately jumps to the top of the list.
As for my top three, if Vogel is available, he immediately jumps to the top of the list.
How long before Larry Bird decides Vogel decision? Hopefully, they come to a quick resolution and Vogel becomes available.
Phil Jackson still wants a Triangle offense coach.
Houston will be in more flux than the Kings this summer. But, Houston would be the major competitor for Vogel, if he is available.
I think Vogel jumps to the top of my coaching list, if he doesn't return to Indiana.
Phil Jackson still wants a Triangle offense coach.
Houston will be in more flux than the Kings this summer. But, Houston would be the major competitor for Vogel, if he is available.
I think Vogel jumps to the top of my coaching list, if he doesn't return to Indiana.
Maybe it's just me, but my theory is that Ewing will not be seriously considered as the next coach, especially with the names that have been coming out recently, and I see this more as a favor/relationship building move. Ewing, to my knowledge, has not gotten so much as an interview for any HC positions. Vlade gives him the chance, which guarantees nothing, but probably means a lot to someone like Ewing who has been scratching and clawing for his shot. Nobody will be surprised when we pass on Ewing for someone more fitting, but Ewing will remember that Vlade at least gave him a chance to pitch his case.
Not that Ewing is making any decisions for Charlotte or anything, but it is always a good idea to foster relationships, and we have heard this is one of Vlade's strong suits. You never know... we lose nothing by giving him an interview, but maybe, just maybe, we gain some good faith with Ewing and those around him, and maybe, Ewing remembers this when we need a favor from him at some point. Always good to keep relationships strong and not burn any bridges, and the Kings need all of the good faith and positivity they can get right now!
Not that Ewing is making any decisions for Charlotte or anything, but it is always a good idea to foster relationships, and we have heard this is one of Vlade's strong suits. You never know... we lose nothing by giving him an interview, but maybe, just maybe, we gain some good faith with Ewing and those around him, and maybe, Ewing remembers this when we need a favor from him at some point. Always good to keep relationships strong and not burn any bridges, and the Kings need all of the good faith and positivity they can get right now!
Kings will interview Blatt as per Stein:
Maybe this has already been discussed, it's 17 hours old so I presume so, but I didn't see it.
Blatt is a good coach, not too dissimilar to Malone personality wise. He's a straight shooter. If Cuz is on board and the two mesh well together, it could be a very good pairing.
LeBron fired him, but the Cavs were worse after his departure, so when you consider that LeBron was never really on board, you can see that he must have had some impact.
Maybe this has already been discussed, it's 17 hours old so I presume so, but I didn't see it.
Blatt is a good coach, not too dissimilar to Malone personality wise. He's a straight shooter. If Cuz is on board and the two mesh well together, it could be a very good pairing.
LeBron fired him, but the Cavs were worse after his departure, so when you consider that LeBron was never really on board, you can see that he must have had some impact.
I agree, my line of thinking is as follows.
Ecstatic - Vogel, Blatt, McHale.
Optimistic - Woodson, VDN, Turner, Mitchell, Udoka, McMillan
Angry - Jackson
So I'm happy with the guys we're bringing in for interviews. Some fit better than others but I think we're going to get a solid long term coach regardless.
Ecstatic - Vogel, Blatt, McHale.
Optimistic - Woodson, VDN, Turner, Mitchell, Udoka, McMillan
Angry - Jackson
So I'm happy with the guys we're bringing in for interviews. Some fit better than others but I think we're going to get a solid long term coach regardless.
I'd be happy with Udoka as well. Unproven, but those Pop assistants usually go on to do good things.
Also, Funkykingston has been championing him on here, and I love Toots and The Maytals, so .... That's another thing in Udoka's favor.
Are we bringing him in for an interview though? I don't believe I've read anything about it.
Also, Funkykingston has been championing him on here, and I love Toots and The Maytals, so .... That's another thing in Udoka's favor.
Are we bringing him in for an interview though? I don't believe I've read anything about it.
So I have checked-out of most of these threads regarding DMC and the coaches, DMC and the media etc because it is too tiring to run around in circles all week. I really do have better ways to spend my time and energy.
However, can you at least keep it real? DMC is not easy to work with. It was all over the scouting report before he was ever drafted by us. I do not hear anything about other players having issues with our previous coaches. All things have been quiet on the DC and Rudy Gay fronts. It is always about 1 player. Always. I would respect it more if people would just straight up say that DMC has significant issues and is difficult to work with but, given his talents we need to continue trying to make it work. Making out the issues out to be all on the coaches and none of it having to do with the difficulties of DMC is just a distortion of reality.
However, can you at least keep it real? DMC is not easy to work with. It was all over the scouting report before he was ever drafted by us. I do not hear anything about other players having issues with our previous coaches. All things have been quiet on the DC and Rudy Gay fronts. It is always about 1 player. Always. I would respect it more if people would just straight up say that DMC has significant issues and is difficult to work with but, given his talents we need to continue trying to make it work. Making out the issues out to be all on the coaches and none of it having to do with the difficulties of DMC is just a distortion of reality.
People are intimidated by Cousins. If Cousins yelled at me, I'd yell back and tell him to shut up. I'm with brick, I don't think it's so difficult. You don't get Cousins' respect by running in fear. Be honest, straightforward and have his back. Treat him like a real human being just as you would other human beings. The trouble with the unskilled coaches we have come through here, they lack a basic understanding of basketball and/or human beings. I honestly don't think he is such a mystery. If anyone here finds him mysterious, check your relationships with others and see how they are going.
You are so full of it.
Did DeMarcus have anything to do with the coaching carousel that was taking place before he was even drafted by the team? From the end of '06 through the beginning of '09 the team had 5 different coaches. They've had 5 during DeMarcus' tenure with a 6th to be hired soon.
The above shows a status quo that was well underway before Cousins ever entered the picture.
Next, of the 5 coaches that Cousins has been under, we only know of major issues with 2 of them. Westphal and Karl. Two of the other three were interim coaches that weren't going to stick with the team regardless. Keith Smart only held the gig for an extra year because of the relocation drama and the Maloofs not wanting to spend $$ on a new coach until everything resolved.
So, given the above, we're talking 2 coaches that Cousins has reportedly had issues with.
As for your comment about it always being about Cuz and that you've never heard anything about other players having issues with the previous coaches, you are flat wrong and simply haven't been paying attention.
Spencer Hawes had a public beef with Westphal. And several current members of the team have had issues with Karl. Rondo, Butler, WCS -- just to name a few besides Cuz. And let's not even mention the long list of former players that had issues with Karl.
So, again, you aren't even close to being correct.
Just as I would treat my brother. We could yell at each other but the underlying link is unbreakable. There has to be a mutual respect. I think Cousins would treat his coaches better if the coach was competent and that competence led to wins. I realize many people blame the lack of wins to Cousins. Certainly not Gay, who had a down year, Belinelli, who was next to useless, and the lack of floor time for WCS and Curry. I would have trouble respecting a coach who couldn't identify the latter two's skills.
You didn't see it? Scroll back in this very thread...it's being widely discussed.
Going to read over the reaction tomorrow when I have a chance. Almost midnight here and I have to wake at 6am for work. Kill me now!
It doesn't matter whether Cuz is "easy" or not. He has a pattern like anybody else. And discerning the pattern is key to giving yourself a shot to make it work with him. It wouldn't matter if his pattern was he hated the color maroon. If he hated maroon, then you don't hire the coach who makes maroon ties his emblem.
Cuz is only some unsolvable problem if you don't take the time to figure him out. And he's not that hard to figure out. Too many people are just like children themselves -- its all about them and the way THEY think it should be. So they'll stamp their feet and turn off their brains and pee and moan and whine and complain, when all you have to do is drop that crap, turn on the brain, and look for patterns and proclivities. Doesn't matter what you want or how you would react. It matters how Cousins reacts. And that isn't a mystery. DeMarcus Cousins does NOT rebel against all authority figures. He has rather vocal supporters amongst some of them. And when he bonds, with a Calipari, a Malone, a Vlade, he bonds hard and loyal. It behooves anybody with a brain to look for the commonalities between the successes and the failures. Once you do, you understand your star. Once you understand your star, you can avoid most of the problems. I'll even give a starter hint: "don't hire some old egotistical authoritarian butthead with a history of player conflict". Two of the three coaching failures we have had with Cuz has been people making the same mistake on that one.
Cuz is only some unsolvable problem if you don't take the time to figure him out. And he's not that hard to figure out. Too many people are just like children themselves -- its all about them and the way THEY think it should be. So they'll stamp their feet and turn off their brains and pee and moan and whine and complain, when all you have to do is drop that crap, turn on the brain, and look for patterns and proclivities. Doesn't matter what you want or how you would react. It matters how Cousins reacts. And that isn't a mystery. DeMarcus Cousins does NOT rebel against all authority figures. He has rather vocal supporters amongst some of them. And when he bonds, with a Calipari, a Malone, a Vlade, he bonds hard and loyal. It behooves anybody with a brain to look for the commonalities between the successes and the failures. Once you do, you understand your star. Once you understand your star, you can avoid most of the problems. I'll even give a starter hint: "don't hire some old egotistical authoritarian butthead with a history of player conflict". Two of the three coaching failures we have had with Cuz has been people making the same mistake on that one.
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he's not, but does that really matter? like, at all? who among superstars is easy to work with in the nba? was magic? was larry? was jordan? was barkley? was shaq? was kobe? was iverson? is lebron easy to work with? let's ask david blatt about that. how about russell westbrook? or james harden? dwight howard might have something to say, and he's hardly easy to work with himself. what about chris paul? the list goes on and on and on. by most accounts, demarcus is definitely tough to work with, but by most of those same accounts, he's also very coachable, and that's the important feature to weigh here. big cuz is more than willing to listen as long as he trusts his coach. personally, i've never found it unreasonable for demarcus to want to respect his coach, but requiring first that his coach is straight with him. calipari and malone figured it out. also-rans like westphal and karl did not...
see, someone like stephen curry is an entirely new breed of nba superstar: utterly likable, instantly marketable, rather easygoing, whose nba dna doesn't contain an ounce of feather-ruffling. and even in his prime, a former superstar nice guy like tim duncan was so insular in his process and so singularly devoted to winning that it would be terribly easy to classify him as anti-social. but setting aside outliers like curry or anthony davis, most superstars aren't "easy" personalities. their attitudes and their competitive drive often make them inherently difficult to work with. it's just the name of the game, and most franchises are prepared to deal with it, or they learn very quickly how to deal with it...
cousins may, indeed, be more difficult than most, but this kings team was decidedly unprepared to "deal with it" upon drafting him, and they simply haven't figured it out in the time since then. i don't imagine that the lakers or the celtics would have had problems "dealing with" a difficult personality like cousins. it's in their history to get the most out of such superstars. now, it's true enough that demarcus hasn't won to the degree that other top-tier superstars have, and as always, i attribute that to a kings franchise so dysfunctional that it's inadvertently written the book on how not to run an nba franchise across the last decade. so, if you put demarcus in a situation where he and his team are more likely to succeed (and i'm not even talking about a basketball utopia like san antonio or golden state, just a stable situation devoid of an endless barrage of organizational upheaval and dysfunction), then again i would ask: does it really matter that cousins isn't easy to work with?
see, someone like stephen curry is an entirely new breed of nba superstar: utterly likable, instantly marketable, rather easygoing, whose nba dna doesn't contain an ounce of feather-ruffling. and even in his prime, a former superstar nice guy like tim duncan was so insular in his process and so singularly devoted to winning that it would be terribly easy to classify him as anti-social. but setting aside outliers like curry or anthony davis, most superstars aren't "easy" personalities. their attitudes and their competitive drive often make them inherently difficult to work with. it's just the name of the game, and most franchises are prepared to deal with it, or they learn very quickly how to deal with it...
cousins may, indeed, be more difficult than most, but this kings team was decidedly unprepared to "deal with it" upon drafting him, and they simply haven't figured it out in the time since then. i don't imagine that the lakers or the celtics would have had problems "dealing with" a difficult personality like cousins. it's in their history to get the most out of such superstars. now, it's true enough that demarcus hasn't won to the degree that other top-tier superstars have, and as always, i attribute that to a kings franchise so dysfunctional that it's inadvertently written the book on how not to run an nba franchise across the last decade. so, if you put demarcus in a situation where he and his team are more likely to succeed (and i'm not even talking about a basketball utopia like san antonio or golden state, just a stable situation devoid of an endless barrage of organizational upheaval and dysfunction), then again i would ask: does it really matter that cousins isn't easy to work with?