Dunleavy's Top Assistant to come to Kings?

[Sptsjunkie]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/spo...sistant-eyen-may-be-headed-to-sacramento.html

It appears likely that longtime Clippers assistant coach Jim Eyen will join Paul Westphal's staff in Sacramento.

Westphal was hired earlier this month by the Kings.

The well-liked and highly respected Eyen has been an assistant on Coach Mike Dunleavy's staff not only with the Clippers but when they were with the Lakers and Bucks.

It could be the first of several off-season moves involving the Clippers coaching staff. An evaluation period is ongoing, as a whole host of contracts expire at the end of this month.

-- Lisa Dillman

_________________________

Not sure if this is a good thing or bad thing. He has been with Mike at his good stops and this latest train wreck. At least he has experience though, a nice departure from some of our past assistants.

 

[VF21]

I took the liberty of adding a "?" to the title since the article contains the words "appears to be" and "could" which can mean everything...or nothing.

I wouldn't have a problem with this choice, however, since Westphal has experience in building coaching staffs and has enough knowledge to pick those coaches with whom he can have a good working relationship and who will bring a variety of experiences to the process.

 

[fnordius]

Not sure if this is a good thing or bad thing.

Yeah... he wouldn't have been on my short list, but I suppose we don't have that many options.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

I agree with both of you. Not the sexiest choice, but he has good experience and if he gels well with PW, I'm certainly not going to object. The guy does have extensive experience and has been a top assistant on several playoff teams. I guess I would just be concerned if we decided to fire Westphal midseason and he became our coach.

 

[LPKingsFan]

I agree with both of you. Not the sexiest choice, but he has good experience and if he gels well with PW, I'm certainly not going to object. The guy does have extensive experience and has been a top assistant on several playoff teams. I guess I would just be concerned if we decided to fire Westphal midseason and he became our coach.

If we fire another coach midseason we have more problems than who our lead assistant is.

 

[OptimusRhyme]

Westphal should try and get Sam Mitchell as an assistant. He really helped Bosh develop his game and could do the same with JT and Spence. Plus he was coach of the year. I cant believe this guy has fallen so far under the radar. I have no idea who Jim Eyen is but he better be a good teacher.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

If we fire another coach midseason we have more problems than who our lead assistant is.

I don't know. The annual Firing of the Coaches could become Sacramento's version of Running with the Bulls or our Carnival.

 

[bajaden]

Westphal should try and get Sam Mitchell as an assistant. He really helped Bosh develop his game and could do the same with JT and Spence. Plus he was coach of the year. I cant believe this guy has fallen so far under the radar. I have no idea who Jim Eyen is but he better be a good teacher.

The Lead assistants job is usually to be a liasion between the head coach and the players, as well as organizing schedules and practices etc. He's sort of the main gofer for the head coach. The teaching is ususally done by other assistant coaches. I would liken the lead assistant in basketball to the offensive coordinator in football.

It is strange about Sam Mitchell. I don't remember all the circumstances to his departure, but it could be that he's being paid on his old contract, so he might be voluntarily removing his name from consideration at the moment.

 

[Vlade4GM]

I wonder if he figures Westphal will get fired before Dunleavy

 

[Bricklayer]

Very exciting -- a man with vast experience at priming a team to win 20 games and be dysfunctional. When you suck, why not bring in a professional at it to show you the ropes?