Gary Payton wants in...

[King Baller]

You say this as if it's a bad thing

I actually think a big reason why we've regressed defensively since Malone was fired is that there's no longer anyone getting mad at these guys for their defensive lapses and occasionally even getting in their face about it. When someone challenges you in that way, you'll want to step up your game as much as you can to get them off your back.

See I think it is about earned respect. Knowing that the guy who is the leader has your back. Then you give it your all because you have his back. It is not about getting mad, it is about not accepting losing and all the things that cause the losses.

 

[hrdboild]

See I think it is about earned respect. Knowing that the guy who is the leader has your back. Then you give it your all because you have his back. It is not about getting mad, it is about not accepting losing and all the things that cause the losses.

Well that's true too. I was just speaking to one aspect of Malone's coaching style that I liked: accountability. But you're right, especially with DeMarcus, it made a big difference that the coach hated losing as much as he did and he was going to work overtime if necessary to at least make sure he did his best to prepare the players to win games. You could tell they all shared equally in the disappointment when they lost.