Reason Mike K. didn't take job

[Southpaw]

He knows something about the next NBA players agreement. David Falk is his agent and Falk owns the NBA. I think even Falk knows the kids are killing the game and he is ready for an age agreement. He tells Mike K. to sit tight and he will be able to recruit again. It doesn't matter to Falk if he represents kids or 20 year olds. He gets the same top players and same fees. It is inevitable that the NBA needs to protect the NCAA or else they have to support a minor league for real. If they do, there goes the WNBA money and a big lawsuit. Owners want the NCAA minor league system. If big time coaches leave NCAA for NBA, that would be the signal that Div I becomes Div. II.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Falk may have some knwledge, but he has nothing concrete.

The first propsal given by the owners a week or two ago was rejected instantly. Negotiations have BARELY begun, and Billy Hunter was standing very firm on the no age limit issue during draft interviews.


Edit: My reasoning on why he declined is the job security. He had to kow in the back of his head that Kobe could have him fired if he wanted. He will never be forced out of Durham, but even the best NBA coaches get fired.

 

[Freddie]

I agree. You can't get rid of players in the NBA like you can in college. There is no revoking of a player's contract like a scholarship and you are committed to these guys for longer than 4 years; there is no revolving door.

 

[Southpaw]

Falk may have some knwledge, but he has nothing concrete.

The first propsal given by the owners a week or two ago was rejected instantly. Negotiations have BARELY begun, and Billy Hunter was standing very firm on the no age limit issue during draft interviews.


Edit: My reasoning on why he declined is the job security. He had to kow in the back of his head that Kobe could have him fired if he wanted. He will never be forced out of Durham, but even the best NBA coaches get fired.

The money would have been guaranteed 5 years so was probably not an issue. See Steve Spurrier. This whole episode seems contrived from start to finish. Why would Rudy sit in the wings if the whole thing wasn't planned from the beginning. Falk and Coach K get leverage with Duke by discussing job.New regime in Dukes admin and lots of problems with boosters paying players parents. This gets new Prez off Coach K's back. Falk represents Kobe, gets KObe involved and gets the morale boost for Kobe that the fragile little Kobe needs. Kupchak and Buss look good to the fans and media, because they " went after big name Coach K ". If NBA owners play it tough and lockout next year, which Buss knows, why would he comit to $50 mill. It was never gonna happen, but everyone gets something out of it. Falk is the NBA Emperor. He runs the show. When there are billions of dollars at stake, nothing is ever left to chance or doubt. Fact of business and sports.

 

[Freddie]

Didn't Coach K have a lifetime contract with Duke before the Lakers even contacted him?

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

The money would have been guaranteed 5 years so was probably not an issue.

He had the contract guaranteed, not the position. Most coaches get fired/resign mid contract. If he were fired, he would still get the cash, but wouldn't have the job.

At Duke, he will never be fired. It obviously isn't about the money to him. He turned down an option to be the highest paid professional coach in North America.

Rudy T would wait in the wings because like everyone else, he didn't expect coach K to leave. It isn't like he had other options knocking on his door anyways......


IF the league locks out (which wont happen, both sides lost hundred of millions 5 years ago, and I dont think they forgot about it) no salaries are being paid. Buss is not required to pay anyone.


Buss has gone after coach K after every coaching change they have had in the past decade. It isn't like them approaching him was something new. People expect the Lakers to go after the best coaches, they don't praise them when they do.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Falk represents Kobe, gets KObe involved and gets the morale boost for Kobe that the fragile little Kobe needs.

BTW, Falk does NOT represent Kobe. Rob Pelinka does.

http://www.nypost.com/sports/24396.htm