Is it time for the Frank.....

[Stronso]

Johnson Death Watch? Is he a dead man walking or what?

 

[Forrestham]

I predict he may be gone tomorrow

 

[Errntknght]

I think Frank has one foot on the slippery slope but I think the Cs will give him a shot at the tough schedule right ahead. Not so much because they have faith in him but it will look better if they fire him after a lengthier and deeper descent. No, I don't think that's quite right... they really do not want to fire Frank because they look bad, too, for putting him in charge so blythely. And they've been pretty open about how little freedom they've given him.

They don't have a clue as to what the problem is... if they did they'd have hired an Xs & Os guy as an assistant for FJ already. They could do that right now and have the team on an upswing by Christmas.

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by Errntknght
I think Frank has one foot on the slippery slope but I think the Cs will give him a shot at the tough schedule right ahead. Not so much because they have faith in him but it will look better if they fire him after a lengthier and deeper descent. No, I don't think that's quite right... they really do not want to fire Frank because they look bad, too, for putting him in charge so blythely. And they've been pretty open about how little freedom they've given him.

They don't have a clue as to what the problem is... if they did they'd have hired an Xs & Os guy as an assistant for FJ already. They could do that right now and have the team on an upswing by Christmas.

Let's get realistic. A good Xs & Os coach would definitely help, but without any semblance of a real frontcourt the Phoenix Suns are not going to have a winning record from now until Christmas. Look at the teams they have to play. Their only hope is that someone catches fire from outside because otherwise they are going 0-8 or 1-8 at best until Christmas. The Western Conference as a whole is just too much better than last year.

Joe Mama

 

[frdbtr]

Frank was a dead man walking before this road trip. Last night was the final nail in the coffin.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Originally posted by frdbtr
Frank was a dead man walking before this road trip. Last night was the final nail in the coffin.

Agreed, I think he goes today sometime.

Mike

 

[NDSunsfan]

this from azcentral.com. it was on late last night. certainly not the vote of confidence frank was probably looking for:

______________________



Bob Young
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 10, 2003 12:00 AM


MIAMI - Suns President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo refused to comment on the future of coach Frank Johnson and said the front office has to "keep encouraging the players, keep encouraging the (coaching) staff to push forward and try to find a focus."

Colangelo cited a string of injuries, to Zarko Cabarkapa, Amare Stoudemire and now Leandro Barbosa, for part of the problems. But he also pointed to a disturbing trend.

"That certainly doesn't excuse guys laying down," he said.

Colangelo didn't name names, but when he was asked whether he thought the Suns let down in their 92-72 loss Tuesday to Miami, he responded: "Well, we were up 28-19. I lost count after they had outscored us 67-37 in the next 2 1/2 quarters or whatever it was."

He called it a lousy trip.

"We suffered significant injuries obviously to Amare and now Leandro," Colangelo said. "But overall the team seems to compete at times and lay down at times. That's the frustration we've been experiencing for the better part of the season. It's all or nothing, it seems."
______________________


Well, if you're going to get fired, might as well be in Miami, at leaste there are things to do.

I was OK with Frank for a lot longer than others around here were, now I can hardly stand to look at him.

Buh-Bye Frank.

Brad

 

[SirStefan32]

I've been screaming for FJ to get fired since the day he was hired!

The question is- what kind of idiot is going to replace him?

C's will just hire another wanna-be, and then when they fire him, they'll hire another one, and another one...

 

[WizardOfAz]

Originally posted by NDSunsfan
"We suffered significant injuries obviously to Amare and now Leandro," Colangelo said. "But overall the team seems to compete at times and lay down at times. That's the frustration we've been experiencing for the better part of the season. It's all or nothing, it seems."

Wow.

That's tough to hear so early in the season.

 

[Stronso]

I am thinking they should bring back Cotton. They should pull his wrinkly old ass off the golf course and throw him into the gym. He would not stand for the BS that is going on right now that FJ does. He would have these mofos playing with a purpose very quickly.

 

[jbeecham]

Cotton may be the best interim coach we could get right now. I don't want to see them promote an assistant because if we just keep them for the rest of the year then hire an experienced coach then we'll lose a really good assistant.

 

[SirStefan32]

Eddie would be my first choice, followed by Mark Iavaroni.

 

[schutd]

Originally posted by SirStefan32
Eddie would be my first choice, followed by Mark Iavaroni.

Why Eddie Johnson? Does he have any experience or exhibited anything to make you think he'd be sucessful coaching an NBa team? Or is it a gut feeling? Just curious.

 

[jbeecham]

I like Eddie as a commentator. he has good insights into the game. He seems like he'd get along really well with the players. I don't know if he has any coaching ability at all. The problem with Iavaroni is that he has no head coaching experience and if he would be a good head coach then why isn't he influencing the team to play better right now (unless he wants FJ fired to take him place). The problem with most coaches (especially assistants) is that it's hard to really know their strengths and weaknesses because a lot of what they do is behind the scenes.

 

[Chaplin]

I think Al McCoy has good analysis as well, it doesn't make him a good head coach.

 

[SUTTILL]

I would recommend they give FJ about another week so they don't look impulsive, or like a bad management team to work for.

Then the next move should be to let an assistant serve as a true"interim" coach for the rest of the season. There should be no misunderstandings about the "interrim" title. This may sound strange, but the interim coach selected should be one that they don't mind losing when the "real deal" is hired.

Then the Colangeli should go ALL OUT behind the scenes to find a big name, top notch, motivational, x's and o's, basketball coach to be in place asap after the conclusion of this season. Clearly, the "hire the cheapo" coach approach hasn't worked fellas. We now have major talent on this team we need to build around and get going. Otherwise, we lose the value of our investment in Steph's contract and Marion's contract, and could end up losing Amare to free agency.

Who's the one to hire? I say Pat Riley if he still has the heart and fire for coaching. Otherwise, try to land a top flight college coach. Maybe Lute Olsen is ready for a change of pace. Do you think that he knows how to attack a zone and has 20 different ways to do it? Bet your #!% he and a few other big time college coaches have a heck of a lot more experience in doing that than most pro coaches... .

 

[KingLouieLouie]

I would not be shocked if Steve Alford becomes a hot commodity for a NBA head-coaching position....He already has quite the credentials and solid background......

Edit: Not until after '09 when his current contract with Iowa expires (or if it is bought out)....

 

[schutd]

Originally posted by SUTTILL
I would recommend they give FJ about another week so they don't look impulsive, or like a bad management team to work for.

Then the next move should be to let an assistant serve as a true"interim" coach for the rest of the season. There should be no misunderstandings about the "interrim" title. This may sound strange, but the interim coach selected should be one that they don't mind losing when the "real deal" is hired.

Lute Olsen never coaches in the NBA. I FIRMLY believe that. That being said I like the idea of hiring a true interim coach. And that interim coach NEEDS to know that an all out search for a new HC will be taking place, but also that he of course will get due consideration. it worked at the U of A this season, and I feel like Hankowitz was able to keep his team playing hard even though they didnt win but one more game the rest of the season. He was interiewed for the position, given the same opportunity as the other candidate, and I dont think anyone can argue that a better choiuce was eventually made.

Heck, give an interim coach that kind of chance, and he may be able to show some skill and if he's NOT hired as the Suns coach, he at least might draw interest from the rest of the league.

Id like the see the team take this route.

 

[SUTTILL]

There you go...

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by Chaplin
I think Al McCoy has good analysis as well, it doesn't make him a good head coach.

I can't stand Gary Bender, and I think he would be terrible as a head coach. I know it doesn't have anything to do with the price of rice in China, but I thought I would throw it out there anyway.

The Suns are not going to hire Eddie Johnson. It's just not going to happen, and even if they wanted him I don't think for a second he would take the job.

Joe Mama

 

[minercon]

Let's see now:

Cotton's blood pressure won't let him be coach anymore....any way I think he and Jerry are real tight and Cotton doesn't want to go on overnight flights.....Of course, I thought Proski was real tight with Jerry and there were rumors he was asked to retire.

Isn't Eddie Johnson Frank's brother? Wouldn't that be real cool.

Pat Riley...fat chance...I think he own's a % of the Heat and Jerry couldn't pay him enough. Why he probably has at least 50% of the wealth that Jerry has anyway....maybe he has more and that is why Jerry is mortgaging the D'Backs future.

Lute Olson was married not too long ago and his wife is from Philly. The NBA season is too long and I don't think she would like to spend 90% of the year here when her family is back in PA.

The other guy you mentioned I have no idea about.