Head coach & GM options

[ParniValjak]

I might be more inclined to guess Jerry Sloan. I've always seen Phil Jackson as a guy who was successful in coaching a team with one or two superstars and making the role players fit around them. Since I really don't think we can style Cousins and 'Reke as superstars (certainly not as of today), I don't know if PJ is the best fit. Sloan always seemed to get the absolute best out of his teams regardless of the personnel. Not that I'd turn my nose up at Jackson or anything.

This is one of Kozi's tweets that got me believing that it is in fact Phil Jackson

@aguimar71 @sacramentokings wait til u hear who is on radar. Big name. Big winner. Wait until u c in-arena introductions. Things r changing

While Sloan is a big name and a HOF coach, one thing that he is not is a Big Winner. This implies championships and a few of them. As great as Sloan is, and he is one of the all time greats, he has never won a title in the NBA. Of course there are genuine legitimate reasons for that but one thing missing from his highly distinguished career is a title. It doesn't make him any lesser coach but it does not make him a "Big Winner" either

 

[HereWeBoogie]

encouraging stuff. Vivek is gonna put our team on the map instantly. i could see the Kings doing something kind of like how OKC had such a huge turnaround the year after they moved

 

[Capt. Factorial]

While Sloan is a big name and a HOF coach, one thing that he is not is a Big Winner. This implies championships and a few of them. As great as Sloan is, and he is one of the all time greats, he has never won a title in the NBA. Of course there are genuine legitimate reasons for that but one thing missing from his highly distinguished career is a title. It doesn't make him any lesser coach but it does not make him a "Big Winner" either

Sure, I see your point, but you may be over-interpreting the vague "big winner" comment. I could point out that Sloan is #3 on the all-time coaching wins list. (Jackson is #5) That would also qualify as a "big winner" to me.

 

[mac]

This is one of Kozi's tweets that got me believing that it is in fact Phil Jackson



While Sloan is a big name and a HOF coach, one thing that he is not is a Big Winner. This implies championships and a few of them. As great as Sloan is, and he is one of the all time greats, he has never won a title in the NBA. Of course there are genuine legitimate reasons for that but one thing missing from his highly distinguished career is a title. It doesn't make him any lesser coach but it does not make him a "Big Winner" either

Just tell me it's not Don Nelson.

 

[HndsmCelt]

If PJ is prety much looking ofr a GM gig I say let him pass. But with both JVG and Sloan out there I hope one of them is the winner of which Koz speaks.

 

[Spike]

Just tell me it's not Don Nelson.

Lenny Wilkens is out there as well...

 

[chief bromden]

I'd take Jerry West if he still wants to handle GM duties.

 

[Mass]

I just want someone able to turn this team into a defensive minded team. That's what wins playoffs games (ok, except for Golden State so far...). Look at the Bulls, they made it to the EC semifinals without Rose, Hinrich and Deng. They were playing with Butler, Teague, Robinson, Belinelli, Mohammed. The only good players they had left were Boozer and Noah. Tell me they were so much better than the Kings roster. They are not in my opinion. But they have a true leader on the bench, a coach who created a system and the players are giving everything they have left for him. With a coach like him, we could be so much better just with the players we already have. I'm sure about that. I'm also sure this team will get better in the offseason, so the right coach could do a miracle next year.
Defense keeps you in the games, defense is what makes you have a chance to win every night. You can always relay on defense, and if our guys understand it, I'm sure we will have a lot of fun next year.

There's a name I've never seen posted here. Skiles. What do you guys think about him? I know he doesn't have a great record, but he's also never had great teams. He is a tough, defensive minded coach, so if all the first options are gone, I would take a look at him.

 

[Kingster]

Jerry Sloan is 71 years old. I don't see him motivated to coach a Cousins unless he wants a short trip to the graveyard.

 

[mac]

Jerry Sloan is 71 years old. I don't see him motivated to coach a Cousins unless he wants a short trip to the graveyard.

Don't worry, Isaiah Thomas has enough heart to make the world go round. Sloan would love to be able to coach a future HOF, top-5 NBA history point guard in Isaiah Thomas.

 

[funkykingston]

There's a name I've never seen posted here. Skiles. What do you guys think about him? I know he doesn't have a great record, but he's also never had great teams. He is a tough, defensive minded coach, so if all the first options are gone, I would take a look at him.

Skiles is a good coach and would change the culture. The problem he has (the same problem Avery Johnson has) is that he grates on his players who eventually decide they don't want to play for him. Doug Collins and PJ Carlesimo are two others that have carried that reputation in the past though I believe both have mellowed to an extent.

 

[Kingster]

Don't worry, Isaiah Thomas has enough heart to make the world go round. Sloan would love to be able to coach a future HOF, top-5 NBA history point guard in Isaiah Thomas.

Silly boy. You've really got Cousins and IT joined at the hip. Part of your siamese twins-like thinking I suppose.

We'll see if the 71 year old Sloan wants to babysit Cousins. Most grandparents like the grandkids around for short periods of time, not full time. Calipari would periodically have a yell-fest with Cousins on the bench. Does a 71 year old Sloan want to get his blood pressure up over Cousins? I doubt it. Maybe if Sloan has a team ready to vie for a championship he goes for the stress and strain, but I doubt he's into 5 year rebuilding projects.

 

[mac]

Silly boy. You've really got Cousins and IT joined at the hip. Part of your siamese twins-like thinking I suppose.

We'll see if the 71 year old Sloan wants to babysit Cousins. Most grandparents like the grandkids around for short periods of time, not full time. Calipari would periodically have a yell-fest with Cousins on the bench. Does a 71 year old Sloan want to get his blood pressure up over Cousins? I doubt it. Maybe if Sloan has a team ready to vie for a championship he goes for the stress and strain, but I doubt he's into 5 year rebuilding projects.

Or maybe Cousins can mature under a proven coach? But of course, that's out of the question with you. That said, your concern is a valid one because AT THIS POINT, from the outside looking in Cousins seems like a headache to coach. Still I think it boils down to how talented these coaches think Cousins is. Many a coach would love to coach an all-time great center who will hopefully get them a ring or two.

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

Skiles is a good coach and would change the culture. The problem he has (the same problem Avery Johnson has) is that he grates on his players who eventually decide they don't want to play for him. Doug Collins and PJ Carlesimo are two others that have carried that reputation in the past though I believe both have mellowed to an extent.

Agree about Skiles and Johnson... and Collins. Those guys wear out their welcome after a few seasons without ever winning anything. Decent coaches, but they are not at an elite, or even almost elite level.

There are some elite level coaches available right now. We must lock one down now while we have the chance. If we have to settle for that second (or even third) tier of coaching candidates, I'd feel much better about Lawrence Frank or Nate McMillan over Johnson/Skiles/Collins. Carlesimo is a non-starter for me. I'd be pretty upset if he was the guy. Weird to talk about potential with coaches, but I like the potential of Frank or McMillan.

Stan Van Gundy is still my guy, and if we're competing with the Bucks for him, I like our chances. He wanted to coach here once, so I think he'd be open to it, and we have a better roster than Milwaukee in my opinion. Especially when you consider draft position this year and the fact that Jennings is most likely leaving.

 

[Padrino]

Silly boy. You've really got Cousins and IT joined at the hip. Part of your siamese twins-like thinking I suppose.

We'll see if the 71 year old Sloan wants to babysit Cousins. Most grandparents like the grandkids around for short periods of time, not full time. Calipari would periodically have a yell-fest with Cousins on the bench. Does a 71 year old Sloan want to get his blood pressure up over Cousins? I doubt it. Maybe if Sloan has a team ready to vie for a championship he goes for the stress and strain, but I doubt he's into 5 year rebuilding projects.

we will forever disagree about the potential of demarcus cousins, but i do agree that, if jerry sloan returns to the sideline, it's hard to imagine him taking on the general headache of coaching a young rebuilding squad, on top of the challenges of coaching one with demarcus cousins at its center. the only thing missing from sloan's resume is an nba championship, and while he's hardly the personality-type that goes title-chasing, i would have to guess that he'd prefer to step back into the game as head coach of a team further along in its title aspirations than the kings...

of course, vivek ranadive is proving to be quite the go-getter as prospective owner. you really get the feeling that the kings will be a competitive team under his stewardship, and that ranadive will help return both the highest order of class and a knack for flair to the operation of the franchise. add into that sloan's preference for a less-flashy market, and sacramento may be quite the desirable destination. who knows? it could happen. but i'm not sure that jerry sloan would be my first choice. i still like jeff van gundy in the role. he'd bring a defensive pedigree along with him, as well as a credibility with big men, which is something i think demarcus needs in order to further expedite his growth...

 

[Kingster]

Or maybe Cousins can mature under a proven coach? But of course, that's out of the question with you. That said, your concern is a valid one because AT THIS POINT, from the outside looking in Cousins seems like a headache to coach. Still I think it boils down to how talented these coaches think Cousins is. Many a coach would love to coach an all-time great center who will hopefully get them a ring or two.

Yes, we agree: Maybe Cousins can mature under a proven coach. See, you're unwarranted assumptions are just silly because I agree with you on your topic sentence.

Where we don't agree is that my speculation is that an older coach of Sloan's caliber wouldn't want 1) to deal with Cousin's antics in the near term, and 2) would prefer a veteran team that is both more mature and more likely to have a shot at a title in the near term. After all, if you're 71, this is probably your last shot. I do like Sloan as a coach. I just see the probability of him taking the position as rather low. We will see.

Also, no doubt Cousins' talent is going to be part of the evaluation of the team by prospective coaches. And his flaws are also going to be a part of the evaluation. If a coach was just looking at one side of the Cousins' coin, I would have serious questions about his judgement.

PS If the Grizzlies were dumb enough to drop Hollins, then I could see Sloan being interested in that job. Maybe then Hollins would be willing to take the Kings job.

 

[ParniValjak]

Yes, we agree: Maybe Cousins can mature under a proven coach. See, you're unwarranted assumptions are just silly because I agree with you on your topic sentence.

Where we don't agree is that my speculation is that an older coach of Sloan's caliber wouldn't want 1) to deal with Cousin's antics in the near term, and 2) would prefer a veteran team that is both more mature and more likely to have a shot at a title in the near term. After all, if you're 71, this is probably your last shot. I do like Sloan as a coach. I just see the probability of him taking the position as rather low. We will see.

Also, no doubt Cousins' talent is going to be part of the evaluation of the team by prospective coaches. And his flaws are also going to be a part of the evaluation. If a coach was just looking at one side of the Cousins' coin, I would have serious questions about his judgement.

PS If the Grizzlies were dumb enough to drop Hollins, then I could see Sloan being interested in that job. Maybe then Hollins would be willing to take the Kings job.

Here is the thing, any coach that has even the slightest bit of confidence in their ability as a coach, he will believe that he can get the best out of DeMarcus Cousins. If they start thinking, **** how do I handle this guy, then they are definitely not worthy of being a coach in the NBA.

Do you honestly think that someone like Phil Jackson would even think about if he could control Cousins? Here is the coach that has controlled and gotten the best out of some of the most flamboyant, "uncoachable" players in the history of the NBA.

Great coaches NEVER think about whether they can control a player. They KNOW that they can!

 

[Kingster]

we will forever disagree about the potential of demarcus cousins, but i do agree that, if jerry sloan returns to the sideline, it's hard to imagine him taking on the general headache of coaching a young rebuilding squad, on top of the challenges of coaching one with demarcus cousins at its center. the only thing missing from sloan's resume is an nba championship, and while he's hardly the personality-type that goes title-chasing, i would have to guess that he'd prefer to step back into the game as head coach of a team further along in its title aspirations than the kings...

of course, vivek ranadive is proving to be quite the go-getter as prospective owner. you really get the feeling that the kings will be a competitive team under his stewardship, and that ranadive will help return both the highest order of class and a knack for flair to the operation of the franchise. add into that sloan's preference for a less-flashy market, and sacramento may be quite the desirable destination. who knows? it could happen. but i'm not sure that jerry sloan would be my first choice. i still like jeff van gundy in the role. he'd bring a defensive pedigree along with him, as well as a credibility with big men, which is something i think demarcus needs in order to further expedite his growth...

We don't disagree at all about the potential of Cousins. And I see we don't disagree about Sloan either. Wow, maybe there will be peace in the Middle East after all.

Regarding, Vivek, I couldn't be more excited about an owner. This summer isn't going to be boring at all. TDOS will be replaced by TVOK (The Vivek Off Season). Can't wait to finalize the deal and then listen to some interviews with Vivek on what attributes he's looking for in hiring a coach and gm, and then see who he chooses. Then you have the draft, a high potential for trades, free agency. It should be fun.

 

[HndsmCelt]

Here is the thing, any coach that has even the slightest bit of confidence in their ability as a coach, he will believe that he can get the best out of DeMarcus Cousins. If they start thinking, **** how do I handle this guy, then they are definitely not worthy of being a coach in the NBA.

Do you honestly think that someone like Phil Jackson would even think about if he could control Cousins? Here is the coach that has controlled and gotten the best out of some of the most flamboyant, "uncoachable" players in the history of the NBA.

Great coaches NEVER think about whether they can control a player. They KNOW that they can!

Exactly! People ought to remember Sloan left Utah AFTER D. Will got traded. Sloan's concern was NOT D. Will it was the way upper management interfered with his coaching/team. People also forget Sloan could have left Utah many times over for more money. If you want a guy like Sloan you pay him in the the coin he values most, autonomy on the court respect and loyalty.

 

[Padrino]

We don't disagree at all about the potential of Cousins. And I see we don't disagree about Sloan either. Wow, maybe there will be peace in the Middle East after all.

Regarding, Vivek, I couldn't be more excited about an owner. This summer isn't going to be boring at all. TDOS will be replaced by TVOK (The Vivek Off Season). Can't wait to finalize the deal and then listen to some interviews with Vivek on what attributes he's looking for in hiring a coach and gm, and then see who he chooses. Then you have the draft, a high potential for trades, free agency. It should be fun.

haha, unlikely (see the "How does Tyreke fit with this team" thread)...



though i am, like everyone else, quite excited about having vivek ranadive at the head of the kings' new ownership group. this offseason will surely be interesting, as full of franchise upheaval as it will be...

 

[Bricklayer]

Me for GM! Me for GM!

The situation: Draft Day Sports Pro Basketball 3 (basketball management text sim)

The results: I take over the Kings to being 2012-13, I choose the option post-draft so I have to live with the TRob pick. While I am just the GM, not the coach, I immediately declare a new organizational philosophy for the Kings, with my personal GM philosophy favoring pressure defense, everybody crashing the defensive boards rather than trying to get out on the break, a slower offensive pace (4 on 10 scale), and favoring shorter rotations. I make 5 moves during training camp:
1) I trade TRob and Chuck Hayes for Anderson Varejao
2) I trade Aaron Brooks, Jimmer Fredette and a future pick for Eric Bledsoe
3) I trade Marcus Thornton for Andrei Kirilenko
4) I sign Chris Anderson as a 4th big
5) I can Keith Smart and hire Jeff Van Gundy, who would of course come once he saw that I was here and rationality had returned to Kingsland.
-- later on during the season Bledsoe breaks his ankle, so I sign Derek Fisher to take his place

Results: 54-28 record. Cousins averages 22.4ppg and makes the All Star team, and is Third Team All League. AK47 is 2nd Team All Defense. We're 2nd in scoring, 5th in rebounding, and 9th in scoring defense. We're the West's #3 seed and beat the Warriors 4 games to 2 in the first round of the playoffs.*

The lesson: Hire me and win 54 games and be the #3 seed in the West!


*I think its best not to mention how disaster then struck as DeMarcus tears his ACL in the second round against the Clippers and they sweep us 4-0.

 

[t-rex]

5) I can Keith Smart and hire Jeff Van Gundy

Do this and the rest should take care of itself.

 

[Jose]

PJ saying all the right things:

"Phil Jackson turned down the Brooklyn Nets' head coach opening, but he is open to coaching a team if he has influence on the roster in the organization's front office, according to a source.

Jackson wants a role similar to the one Pat Riley has had with the Miami Heat -- preferring front office control but open to coaching if he can have power.

If he doesn't have influence over a franchise, a source says Jackson might stay retired for now."

http://basketball.realgm.com/wireta...pen-To-Coaching-If-He-Has-Influence-On-Roster

 

[Padrino]

for those hoping to see the kings lure jerry sloan out of retirement:

Asked what kind of situation might lure him back to the bench, he said, "One thing is, at my age, you'd probably like to coach a team that has a chance to win some games, rather than one that's down the ladder a little bit."

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/56280879-77/sloan-coach-jazz-nba.html.csp

as much as i believe in the potential of demarcus cousins and tyreke evans to become all-star caliber talents, i'd definitely characterize the kings as "down the ladder a bit."

 

[HndsmCelt]

for those hoping to see the kings lure jerry sloan out of retirement:



http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/56280879-77/sloan-coach-jazz-nba.html.csp

as much as i believe in the potential of demarcus cousins and tyreke evans to become all-star caliber talents, i'd definitely characterize the kings as "down the ladder a bit."

No doubt it would take a sales job to get Sloan to agree to come here and maybe there is no way, but if I ran the zoo I would definably try. Show him tape, in case he has not had a good look at our boys, point out that we may be down the ladder a bit but that the team was grossly under-performing. Then offer him autonomy on the court and a strong voice in player changes. It might be enough, but I hate to think anyone who watched DMC and Tyreke in action would see this situation as anything but promising.

 

[Glenn]

No doubt it would take a sales job to get Sloan to agree to come here and maybe there is no way, but if I ran the zoo I would definably try. Show him tape, in case he has not had a good look at our boys, point out that we may be down the ladder a bit but that the team was grossly under-performing. Then offer him autonomy on the court and a strong voice in player changes. It might be enough, but I hate to think anyone who watched DMC and Tyreke in action would see this situation as anything but promising.

Isn't it true that Mrs. Sloan likes Sacramento? I wouldn't give up on him either. He has some great athletes to work with and didn't he do well with a great big man and a guard. Given that there is a new sheriff in River City, a new sheriff with a bigger pocket book and one that has all but promised a major turn around in the team, it might be interesting to Jerry. I sure as heck would love him as a coach. I suspect Reke and Cuz would love him also. Before anyone jumps in and thinks Cuz would butt heads with Jerry, forget it. All Cuz has ever wanted is a good coach who makes sense.

JVG sounds good also but would he come West?

 

[macadocious]

Sloan would work wonders for Jimmer. Just think of how annoying all the Jimmer lovers would become!!

 

[HndsmCelt]

Sloan would work wonders for Jimmer. Just think of how annoying all the Jimmer lovers would become!!

LOL, Hearing them rant about his numbers might be fun, but watching Sloan toughen him up and transform him into a spot up shooter (where he belongs) would be great!

 

[Darth Divac]

Me for GM! Me for GM!

The situation: Draft Day Sports Pro Basketball 3 (basketball management text sim)

The results: I take over the Kings to being 2012-13, I choose the option post-draft so I have to live with the TRob pick. While I am just the GM, not the coach, I immediately declare a new organizational philosophy for the Kings, with my personal GM philosophy favoring pressure defense, everybody crashing the defensive boards rather than trying to get out on the break, a slower offensive pace (4 on 10 scale), and favoring shorter rotations. I make 5 moves during training camp:
1) I trade TRob and Chuck Hayes for Anderson Varejao
2) I trade Aaron Brooks, Jimmer Fredette and a future pick for Eric Bledsoe
3) I trade Marcus Thornton for Andrei Kirilenko
4) I sign Chris Anderson as a 4th big
5) I can Keith Smart and hire Jeff Van Gundy, who would of course come once he saw that I was here and rationality had returned to Kingsland.
-- later on during the season Bledsoe breaks his ankle, so I sign Derek Fisher to take his place

Results: 54-28 record. Cousins averages 22.4ppg and makes the All Star team, and is Third Team All League. AK47 is 2nd Team All Defense. We're 2nd in scoring, 5th in rebounding, and 9th in scoring defense. We're the West's #3 seed and beat the Warriors 4 games to 2 in the first round of the playoffs.*

The lesson: Hire me and win 54 games and be the #3 seed in the West!


*I think its best not to mention how disaster then struck as DeMarcus tears his ACL in the second round against the Clippers and they sweep us 4-0.

Where can I play this?

 

[Bricklayer]

Where can I play this?

http://www.wolverinestudios.com/