Brad Stevens. As good an Xs and Os coach as anyone in the world.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brad_Stevens
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brad_Stevens
What do you think about this idea for a new coach?
- Thread starter gpeterson133
- Start date
Might be too old.
I was watching Gortat lobby for Stan Van Gundy wiht some interest though. Not because of Stan, but I still like the idea of JVG. He's an East Coast guy and could be Brooklyn bound after the season, but if his brother was out West, there was new big money, if Big Cuz kept his head on and looked like another great center for JVG, getting to coach against his brother in the same division...likely just a pipedream, but less pipey thna it was a month ago.
I was watching Gortat lobby for Stan Van Gundy wiht some interest though. Not because of Stan, but I still like the idea of JVG. He's an East Coast guy and could be Brooklyn bound after the season, but if his brother was out West, there was new big money, if Big Cuz kept his head on and looked like another great center for JVG, getting to coach against his brother in the same division...likely just a pipedream, but less pipey thna it was a month ago.
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I'm not entirely sure Brad Stevens isn't a big-name coach. After what he's done at Butler the last few years, he could basically name his price and coach at any college in the country not named Duke, UNC, Kentucky, Kansas, Syracuse, or Louisville. That obviously doesn't guarantee he would be a great NBA coach. The other problem is that he has indicated a desire to stay with Butler and has reportedly turned down big suitors to stay there.
But if you don't follow college ball, I guess he's not a huge name. I see the suggestions above, and agree that Sloan/Jackson is probably not in the cards. Outside of those two and the Van Gundys, are there any big names out there for the taking?
But if you don't follow college ball, I guess he's not a huge name. I see the suggestions above, and agree that Sloan/Jackson is probably not in the cards. Outside of those two and the Van Gundys, are there any big names out there for the taking?
McMillan. For that matter Gentry and Skiles and a whole slew of other 2nd tier guys.
It won't be a college guy thoguh, from a small program to boot? That would be a Maloof hire. A let's prove we are such insightful geniuses, oh, and hire the next Aurebach for minimum wage, move. Big money splashy owners are not likely to take such a risk.
It won't be a college guy thoguh, from a small program to boot? That would be a Maloof hire. A let's prove we are such insightful geniuses, oh, and hire the next Aurebach for minimum wage, move. Big money splashy owners are not likely to take such a risk.
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Any new ownership group would be foolish to hire someone no one except those in the basketball community has heard of. Sacramento will have the newest arena and needs a big name coach. It's the name that counts at this point and not the skill. So brick's mention of the 2nd tier group of NBA coaches seems to be the most reasonable. I doubt if a bigger name would come here.
I think it's a bad idea.
I do however think with new ownership, JVG is a great idea. McMillan too. Sloan as well if interested. New ownership and a new arena would make this job pretty attractive imo and getting a name coach more likely. You won't see me campaigning for another experiment, that's for sure.
I do however think with new ownership, JVG is a great idea. McMillan too. Sloan as well if interested. New ownership and a new arena would make this job pretty attractive imo and getting a name coach more likely. You won't see me campaigning for another experiment, that's for sure.
I don't think Stevens would be a minimum-wage move. He has reportedly turned down 8 years, $21M from Illinois. If $2.6M/year isn't going to pry you away from your mid-major, then what is? 4M? 5M? 6M?
I can see the argument that his name isn't big enough for casual fans, but do Gentry and Skiles register that much stronger with the casuals? The college coach aspect probably doesn't help a case for Stevens either.
I'll say I doubt he's in play, but I'm with the OP on being intrigued with Stevens given what he has done with Butler.
If I had to guess, I'd put my money on a Van Gundy, though it's all a bit premature at this point. I'd like to make sure the team is here next year before worrying about who is going to coach it.
I can see the argument that his name isn't big enough for casual fans, but do Gentry and Skiles register that much stronger with the casuals? The college coach aspect probably doesn't help a case for Stevens either.
I'll say I doubt he's in play, but I'm with the OP on being intrigued with Stevens given what he has done with Butler.
If I had to guess, I'd put my money on a Van Gundy, though it's all a bit premature at this point. I'd like to make sure the team is here next year before worrying about who is going to coach it.
I don't think Gentry or McMillan are second tier guys. I think they can take a team deep into the playoffs if talented enough.
Obviously I'm all for hiring either of them.
My worry with guys like Sloan or Phil is their age and the toll of the NBA season on them. It's okay if they're dealing with vet players that can keep things up for them, but a young team is a lot of constant work.
Obviously I'm all for hiring either of them.
My worry with guys like Sloan or Phil is their age and the toll of the NBA season on them. It's okay if they're dealing with vet players that can keep things up for them, but a young team is a lot of constant work.
I still think Bob Macadoo would be a great choice. As a player he had the talent and skill set that Demarcus has, able to score 30 with 15 board regularly. He also played most of his career on bad teams and was part of the Buffalo Braves relocation fiasco, but also won a championship with the Lakers. He played in Europe until his 40s so knows about conditioning too. He has been an assistant with the Heat for 18 years, more experience with a winning program under Pat Riley, experience dealing with monster ego's like Shaq and the current Big 3, technical advisor for basketball movies and part of Sterns' outreach program to promote NBA in other countries.
Buffalo even made a song about him
http://staffannouncer.com/blog/audio/mcadoo.mp3
Buffalo even made a song about him
http://staffannouncer.com/blog/audio/mcadoo.mp3
Yeah, obviously I'm very familiar with Brad Stevens, who has done an amazing job at Butler. Butler is like the little Choo Choo train going up the hill saying "I think I can, I think I can". As you said, anyone that follows college BB knows of Stevens. The problem I have with college coaches moving to the Pro's is that its a difficult adjustment. Many have tried it with mixed results. Pitino, Calapari, and many other big named college coaches have tried and either failed, or just had fair results. Probably the most notable college coach that had success is Larry Brown.
Not saying it couldn't work, but I think it takes a special personality type to have success. Stevens does seem to be more of a players coach, than most college coaches. I agree with Bricky though, that new ownership is going to look to make a big splash. Not sure Stevens fits that bill to the average NBA fan.
Not saying it couldn't work, but I think it takes a special personality type to have success. Stevens does seem to be more of a players coach, than most college coaches. I agree with Bricky though, that new ownership is going to look to make a big splash. Not sure Stevens fits that bill to the average NBA fan.
