I just read this article by Carley Rosen on FoxSports.com. From the title I expected him to explain why some of the coaches do not fit with their new teams. He doesn't stop there though. He slams several coaches and players. Check it out.
http://www.foxsports.com/content/view?contentId=1754894
New coaches: Some familiar faces in the wrong places
BY CHARLEY ROSEN
Oct. 15, 2003 2:42 p.m.
As usual, the NBA experienced a madcap summer of hirings and firings, trades and free-agent movement, as well as the requisite arrests. Let's start by weighing in on the 10 coaching changes.
In recent years, the Clippers have fielded an undisciplined and selfish bunch of talented young airheads in dire need of structure. Too bad Mike Dunleavy's offenses have historically depended on creating one-on-one situations — the worst possible plan for another roster full of immature players.
Larry Brown is one of the league's most notorious naggers, incessantly exhorting his players to follow his instructions in sharp and whining tones. While this modus operandi works extremely well in short-term situations (such as Olympic qualifying tournaments), Brown never has gone through an NBA season without antagonizing his players. Don't expect the Pistons to overachieve under Brown the way they did for Rick Carlisle.
Indiana has the right coach in the command seat, but the wrong team on the floor for him. Carlisle may lack the charisma and cutesy-pie smile of Isiah Thomas but, unlike Thomas, Carlisle is honest, knowledgeable and demanding. Unfortunately, the Pacers' hopes are centered on Jermaine O'Neal, a narcissistic NBA no-star. Another lamebrain is Ron Artest, whose considerable talents are hampered by an out-of-control belligerency that's better suited to a raucous schoolyard game. To get the most from Carlisle's no-nonsense approach, team boss Larry Bird may need to back up the truck and make wholesale trades.
Don't expect Jeff Van Gundy to produce much of a turnaround with Houston. Sure, the Rockets will play better defense and hustle more, but Van Gundy's offenses are extremely simplistic. Even worse, Van Gundy is arrogant, secretive and manipulative. But he's so rumpled and pouty-pussed that he has convinced too many media muppets that he's really a hard-working underdog who made it big.
Also, Van Gundy purchases his players' loyalty by kissing their butts. How long before Stevie Franchise and even Yao Ming turn the other cheek?
Paul Silas will spend his first season in Cleveland babysitting prize rookie LeBron James.
Associated Press
Paul Silas is a truth-teller in a business full of snake oil salesmen. His dignified, straight-shooting approach to the game is unusual, praiseworthy and generally effective. (Who else could get Jamal Mashburn to play hurt?) Silas' biggest coaching deficiencies, however, are his unsophisticated offenses — mostly isolations and various UCLA sets. His most important task with the Cavaliers, however, will be to keep LeBron James' chops up even as the over-hyped rookie gets ground into mincemeat during his first go-round.
In Philly, Randy Ayers is a nice man, but because he's only keeping the seat warm for Mo Cheeks, A.I. will eat his lunch.
Eddie Jordan is better than the Wizards' mismanagement deserves.
In New Orleans, Tim "Pinky" Floyd will not be following either M.J.'s levitations or the liquidation of a dynasty. Nor will he reprise the many mistakes he made in Chicago (following everybody's counsel but his own), and he'll do a surprisingly good job.
The main reason Kevin O'Neill was hired by the Raptors: His price was right. The Raptors still are paying for past coaching mistakes. O'Neill is known for defense and yelling, neither of which is a favorite of Vince Carter's.
Terry Porter is in a tough spot in Milwaukee, where they've torn up the team and are in for a long season. Porter, one of the league's good guys, has only one year of assistant coaching experience, so he'll be learning along with his young team.
Players also were on the move in the off-season.
One coach was rooting for Alonzo Mourning to enlist with a Western Conference rival because "Zo will positively screw up whichever club is foolish enough to sign him." Mourning is useless and short-armed whenever a game is up for grabs.
For the Nets, adding Mourning is subtraction by addition.
The lackadaisical Glenn Robinson will miss enough clutch shots by the first snowfall in Philadelphia for Allen Iverson to freeze him out of the Sixers' offense.
Keith Van Horn's jumper comes equipped with a low, slow release that can be safely launched only when a defender is either chumped by a faux stutter-step or must sink into the lane to help a teammate. Van Horn(less) is also prone to turning blindly into heavy traffic, missing easy shots, being bullied and playing imaginary defense. Demanding, bloodthirsty Knicks fans will love to hate him.
Rasho Nesterovic brings finesse to a Spurs team that needs an infusion of toughness to overcome the new-look Lakers.
Cliff Robinson's wheels have fallen off, rendering him all but defenseless and too wobbly to do the Warriors much good.
The versatility of Lamar Odom's talents stretch from baseline to baseline. On offense, Odom has the total package — he can shoot the 3, post up, take the ball to the hole right or left, create his own scoring opportunities and unselfishly get open shots for his teammates. On defense, he shows quick hands and feet as well as the ability to close from the weak side and block shots. With the Heat, Odom also will be asked to mop the court, wash the towels and make sure Pat Riley doesn't run out of hair gel.
While Brad Miller can supply some interior banging and necessary backbone, his lead-footed lack of athleticism will slow down the Kings' quick-hitting offense.
At least that's what it says here.
Charley Rosen is a former CBA player and coach who has written numerous books about basketball. His latest is Chocolate Thunder: The Uncensored Life and Times of Darryl Dawkins, co-written with Dawkins.
http://www.foxsports.com/content/view?contentId=1754894
New coaches: Some familiar faces in the wrong places
BY CHARLEY ROSEN
Oct. 15, 2003 2:42 p.m.
As usual, the NBA experienced a madcap summer of hirings and firings, trades and free-agent movement, as well as the requisite arrests. Let's start by weighing in on the 10 coaching changes.
In recent years, the Clippers have fielded an undisciplined and selfish bunch of talented young airheads in dire need of structure. Too bad Mike Dunleavy's offenses have historically depended on creating one-on-one situations — the worst possible plan for another roster full of immature players.
Larry Brown is one of the league's most notorious naggers, incessantly exhorting his players to follow his instructions in sharp and whining tones. While this modus operandi works extremely well in short-term situations (such as Olympic qualifying tournaments), Brown never has gone through an NBA season without antagonizing his players. Don't expect the Pistons to overachieve under Brown the way they did for Rick Carlisle.
Indiana has the right coach in the command seat, but the wrong team on the floor for him. Carlisle may lack the charisma and cutesy-pie smile of Isiah Thomas but, unlike Thomas, Carlisle is honest, knowledgeable and demanding. Unfortunately, the Pacers' hopes are centered on Jermaine O'Neal, a narcissistic NBA no-star. Another lamebrain is Ron Artest, whose considerable talents are hampered by an out-of-control belligerency that's better suited to a raucous schoolyard game. To get the most from Carlisle's no-nonsense approach, team boss Larry Bird may need to back up the truck and make wholesale trades.
Don't expect Jeff Van Gundy to produce much of a turnaround with Houston. Sure, the Rockets will play better defense and hustle more, but Van Gundy's offenses are extremely simplistic. Even worse, Van Gundy is arrogant, secretive and manipulative. But he's so rumpled and pouty-pussed that he has convinced too many media muppets that he's really a hard-working underdog who made it big.
Also, Van Gundy purchases his players' loyalty by kissing their butts. How long before Stevie Franchise and even Yao Ming turn the other cheek?
Paul Silas will spend his first season in Cleveland babysitting prize rookie LeBron James.
Associated Press
Paul Silas is a truth-teller in a business full of snake oil salesmen. His dignified, straight-shooting approach to the game is unusual, praiseworthy and generally effective. (Who else could get Jamal Mashburn to play hurt?) Silas' biggest coaching deficiencies, however, are his unsophisticated offenses — mostly isolations and various UCLA sets. His most important task with the Cavaliers, however, will be to keep LeBron James' chops up even as the over-hyped rookie gets ground into mincemeat during his first go-round.
In Philly, Randy Ayers is a nice man, but because he's only keeping the seat warm for Mo Cheeks, A.I. will eat his lunch.
Eddie Jordan is better than the Wizards' mismanagement deserves.
In New Orleans, Tim "Pinky" Floyd will not be following either M.J.'s levitations or the liquidation of a dynasty. Nor will he reprise the many mistakes he made in Chicago (following everybody's counsel but his own), and he'll do a surprisingly good job.
The main reason Kevin O'Neill was hired by the Raptors: His price was right. The Raptors still are paying for past coaching mistakes. O'Neill is known for defense and yelling, neither of which is a favorite of Vince Carter's.
Terry Porter is in a tough spot in Milwaukee, where they've torn up the team and are in for a long season. Porter, one of the league's good guys, has only one year of assistant coaching experience, so he'll be learning along with his young team.
Players also were on the move in the off-season.
One coach was rooting for Alonzo Mourning to enlist with a Western Conference rival because "Zo will positively screw up whichever club is foolish enough to sign him." Mourning is useless and short-armed whenever a game is up for grabs.
For the Nets, adding Mourning is subtraction by addition.
The lackadaisical Glenn Robinson will miss enough clutch shots by the first snowfall in Philadelphia for Allen Iverson to freeze him out of the Sixers' offense.
Keith Van Horn's jumper comes equipped with a low, slow release that can be safely launched only when a defender is either chumped by a faux stutter-step or must sink into the lane to help a teammate. Van Horn(less) is also prone to turning blindly into heavy traffic, missing easy shots, being bullied and playing imaginary defense. Demanding, bloodthirsty Knicks fans will love to hate him.
Rasho Nesterovic brings finesse to a Spurs team that needs an infusion of toughness to overcome the new-look Lakers.
Cliff Robinson's wheels have fallen off, rendering him all but defenseless and too wobbly to do the Warriors much good.
The versatility of Lamar Odom's talents stretch from baseline to baseline. On offense, Odom has the total package — he can shoot the 3, post up, take the ball to the hole right or left, create his own scoring opportunities and unselfishly get open shots for his teammates. On defense, he shows quick hands and feet as well as the ability to close from the weak side and block shots. With the Heat, Odom also will be asked to mop the court, wash the towels and make sure Pat Riley doesn't run out of hair gel.
While Brad Miller can supply some interior banging and necessary backbone, his lead-footed lack of athleticism will slow down the Kings' quick-hitting offense.
At least that's what it says here.
Charley Rosen is a former CBA player and coach who has written numerous books about basketball. His latest is Chocolate Thunder: The Uncensored Life and Times of Darryl Dawkins, co-written with Dawkins.
