Mark Iavaroni - Gone - Sactown Royalty

Mark Iavaroni - Gone

And another team is looking for a new head coach...

about 3 years ago section214 37 comments 0 recs |

Comments

Remember when...

Iavaroni was considered the next great NBA Coach? That’s alright neither does he.

In sincerity, Iavaroni was the toast of the 2007 new head coach hires. And in fairness he did outlast Sam Vincent, PJ Carlesimo and our own Reggie Theus.

by rbiegler on Jan 22, 2009 10:18 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

In retrospect, I am deeply embarrassed by my man love for Iavaroni back in 2006 and 2007. The knock back then was that Iavaroni was too intense, too likely to burn out his players. And now (in a problem we are all familiar with) it seems like he couldn’t get his players to give effort.

I don’t understand it at all. Theus was said to be a master motivator based on his NMSU work. Iavaroni was supposed to be a hard-ass. Even Natt — a Sloan disciple — was thought to be someone that would force greater work ethic. Yet Phil Jackson, a guy who never stands up and rarely yells, is probably the best motivator in the league.

by Tom Ziller on Jan 23, 2009 7:53 AM PST up reply actions

The larger question, I guess

Can a good, or even a great coach make a, ahem lightly stocked team into a contender? Could Phil Jackson win in Memphis?

Or here?

Rocks are free, and slingshots easily stolen.

by andy sims on Jan 23, 2009 8:36 AM PST up reply actions

Great point Andy

Never forget: I am a complete idiot

by Exhibit G on Jan 23, 2009 10:46 AM PST up reply actions

Nope, Phil Jackson cant win without Jordan, Kobe, Shaq etc. He’s always had the luxury of having the most dominate players in the league playing for him.I’m of the opinion he’s the ultimate “right place at the right time” coach.

I wanted to adopt, but all the good looking babies were taken

by joeytothelimit on Jan 23, 2009 3:38 PM PST up reply actions

Don't be embarrassed.

It seems like he had that team overachieving.

by nbrans on Jan 23, 2009 8:38 AM PST up reply actions

Realistically...

How many coaches of bad teams have we heard that about? Musselman in Golden State. Terry Porter in Milwaukee. Terry Stotts in Milwaukee. Dwane Casey in Minnesota. Reggie Theus last year in Sacramento. The coaching graveyard is littered with guys who can make underachieving teams overachieve and offer little else. They’re the coaching equivalent of your “players who just play hard.”

by rbiegler on Jan 23, 2009 9:07 AM PST up reply actions

True

It’s overused. But do you really think that roster is more than an 11 win team? Darrell Arthur is shooting 40. He’s a power forward!! Shooting 40! Lowry and Conley are barely shooting over 40%. Their problem isn’t the coach, their problem is that they suck. We’ll see how Hollins turns this around.

by nbrans on Jan 23, 2009 9:14 AM PST up reply actions

You've gotta have someone who can just shoot, just score.

So imitate the action of the tiger!
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favoured rage.
- lend the eye a terrible aspect,

Now set the teeth....and teach them how to war.
Henry V iii

by lietothegirls on Jan 23, 2009 9:49 AM PST up reply actions

Agreed

For proof of the players/coaches argument I present Exhibity A: Doc Rivers.

However there is something to be said for constructing a plan. Because even if it’s failing you can at least return to your plan. Eddie Jordan had a plan. Sam Mitchell had a plan. That didn’t stop them from getting fired but for future reference it could help them getting hired elsewhere. For all of the pomp that followed Iavaroni in to his job, and using what little I saw of Memphis the last two years as basis, his teams seemed as lost and “here’s a ball, you five figure out what to do” as Theus’ or Carlesimo’s.

by rbiegler on Jan 23, 2009 1:42 PM PST up reply actions

Yes, but

The difference, to me, is that Iavaroni was at least trying to develop the young players. He wasn’t throwing Jiri Welsch out there in some sort of misguided attempt to win games. Seems like he bought into Mayo and Gay as the future and was trying to build to their strengths, and even if Darrell Arthur sucks, Iavaroni was still playing him over Warrick because he has a better chance of being part of the future. He seemed like he was doing what was best for the long haul.

That’s why I supported the Theus canning even if he did overachieve last year — he wasn’t buying into what was best for the long term, which was developing the young players. Of course, the fans ended up getting screwed again because Natt is even worse about not playing the young guys.

by nbrans on Jan 23, 2009 2:11 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

I meant Marko Jaric

But what’s the difference, really.

by nbrans on Jan 23, 2009 2:12 PM PST up reply actions

Good points...

In the mildest defense of Natt I would say it’s a bit harder to bench Brad Miller for Hawes than Jaric for Mayo. But not really.

by rbiegler on Jan 23, 2009 2:38 PM PST up reply actions

I dont have any facts to back this up, but I would guess he got canned because he lost the support of Gay or Mayo, which we know is their core for the future. Outside of that conclusion the only other one that makes sense is if the ownership or GM was somehow unrealistically convinced that their roster should be actually winning games already, and that by replacing the coach they’re gonna start winning. Otherwise what would be the point of firing Iavoroni? Yes, ownership and the front office guys can be this ignorant lol.

I wanted to adopt, but all the good looking babies were taken

by joeytothelimit on Jan 23, 2009 3:47 PM PST up reply actions

Of course, the fans ended up getting screwed again because Natt is even worse about not playing the young guys.

Yep. Bobby Brown and Spence have been buried, because, you know, Miller and Udrih have just been burning up the league.

Shut up and Coach

by Carl on Jan 23, 2009 6:38 PM PST up reply actions

But do you really think that roster is more than an 11 win team?

Just want to point out that they’ve won more games than we have, in spite of their PF and PG shooting 40% and our “better” roster.

Shut up and Coach

by Carl on Jan 23, 2009 6:36 PM PST up reply actions

Jordan, Kobe and Shaq are self motivated

by Beagle12 on Jan 23, 2009 10:54 AM PST up reply actions

and they are great enough to also naturally motivate their peers

I wanted to adopt, but all the good looking babies were taken

by joeytothelimit on Jan 23, 2009 3:47 PM PST up reply actions

Yet Phil Jackson, a guy who never stands up and rarely yells, is probably the best motivator in the league.

What’s Phil’s record without one of the 50 best players ever on his squad?

Shut up and Coach

by Carl on Jan 23, 2009 6:35 PM PST up reply actions

Scottie Pippen count as a top 50 player?

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

I am the stone that builder refused..I am the visual...The inspiration..That made lady sing the blues....I'm the spark that makes your idea bright.....The same spark that lights the dark....So that you can know your left from your right...I am the ballot in your box....The bullet in your gun...The inner glow that lets you know...To call your brother son....The story that just begun...The promise of what's to come...And I'm 'a remain a soldier till the war is won....

by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2009 6:41 PM PST up reply actions

One thing's for sure...

it’s much better to be a GM than a coach in the NBA . Chris Wallace is the biggest reason why the Griz suck, yet he’ll probably hold on to his job for another 3 years.

smell the ashes

by iamstern'skippah! on Jan 23, 2009 10:57 AM PST reply actions

it’s much better to be a GM than a coach in the NBA . Chris Wallace is the biggest reason why the Griz suck, yet he’ll probably hold on to his job for another 3 years.

it’s much better to be a GM than a coach in the NBA . ~~Chris Wallace~~ Geoff Petrie is the biggest reason why the ~~Griz~~ Kings suck, yet he’ll probably hold on to his job for another 3 years.

Shut up and Coach

by Carl on Jan 23, 2009 6:39 PM PST up reply actions

Do you think Nat is a hinderence to us signing a free an allstar free agent in 2009-2010?

by nothingbutnet on Jan 23, 2009 12:11 PM PST reply actions

Interesting

Avery Johnson has turned down the chance to make a swift return to an NBA bench with the Memphis Grizzlies. NBA coaching sources told ESPN.com on Friday that the former Dallas Mavericks coach was offered a five-year contract by the Grizzlies to replace Marc Iavaroni, who was fired late Thursday after 1½ seasons in Memphis. Johnson, though, elected to pass on an in-season comeback, preferring to remain in his new role as a studio analyst for ESPN. “I’ve said all along [that] at the right time and in the right situation, I will coach again,” Johnson said Friday. “I am enjoying my time at ESPN and with my family. I think an awful lot of [Grizzlies owner] Michael Heisley and [general manager] …”

by nothingbutnet on Jan 23, 2009 12:14 PM PST reply actions

I would like to hear from you guys regarding your opinion of Keny Natt

Honestly, I have a hard time evaluating the job he’s doing? Overall my take is that is that he is not an improvement over Reggie. His win/loss record is slightly worse there have been many games when the team has come out worse than flat. He is only now starting to give JT big burn and still doesn’t seem to know how to work Spence into the mix.

He talks a good game, back to basics, accountability,etc. but Brad has played way too many minutes when he obviously was mailing it in . His rotations are open to debate but that’s probably the case with any coach with a losing record.

An interim coach who thinks he may have a chance at being named head coach is going to be more focused on trying to win games rather then develop the kids. So far he has succeeded in doing neither.

This probably should be a fanpost by a better writer than me but since the post is on the subject of coaching I thought it would be a good place to get your thoughts on Natt.

"We are in the business of kicking butt and business is very, very good." - Charles Barkley

by Bluejohn on Jan 23, 2009 2:59 PM PST reply actions

Are there any outside forces influencing Natt's decisions?

It’s hard to get a handle on Natt. His rotations are sometimes bizzare as I tried to point out in my “Natt uses a Magic 8 ball” post. He’s inconsistent. Ripping Beno & the rookies at every little mistake, but playing Miller & Moore.

His latest rotation with Williams at center with Salmons, Garcia,Martin, & Beno seems to indicate that he ready to hold Miller accountable. But, when it didn’t work with Beno, he gave up that tactic with him. He’s willing to give K9 pt but not BB, and that’s completely off the wall since BB is clearly a better PG than BJax.

IMHO, there’s only two good explainations to his random rotation choices. One he is being directed not to punish certain players until after the trade deadline. Two, he wants to take a strong hand but the people he wants to sit are still his best players, no matter how inconsistant they are. So, he’s forced into playing them.

Being a lame duck coach, he has no authority. Players don’t have to listen to him because he, them or both won’t be here next year. And, when the team is this bad, players don’t want to play. So, taking away their playing time isn’t an incentive to motivate them. The only players motivated to play are those playing for a new contract & rookies.

"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom

by HighTops on Jan 23, 2009 3:50 PM PST up reply actions

I think the problem comes back to, what can Natt really do? He cant go out on the floor and play defense, he cant go out and run the point and not turn the ball over all the time. It’s not like there is some magic “Ra Ra RA” speech he can give that will motivate these guys to stop sucking ass. I know the role of a coach is important, but in the end these guys “should” know what it takes to win basketball games (or at least be competitive night in and night out), but more and more it seems like they dont because they come out flat.
What is the one thing Natt can really control? PT, thats it. And i honestly do not know if this group of guys we have can be motivated based on PT, I really don’t. And while I’m at it, I dont kow crap about anything either, and I have no solutions

I wanted to adopt, but all the good looking babies were taken

by joeytothelimit on Jan 23, 2009 3:58 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

This site has become so negative

“And another potential head coach is available!”

Ball movement ... is like jogging for most people: They do it occasionally, and it makes them happy. Then they go back to not doing it. - Henry Abbott

by Kfan in Korea on Jan 23, 2009 5:26 PM PST reply actions

This site has become so negative

10-32

Shut up and Coach

by Carl on Jan 23, 2009 6:41 PM PST up reply actions

IMO 10-32 is much better than 20-22

for the future of our team. I’m so much happier with the team and its direction than I was at this same time last season.

Ball movement ... is like jogging for most people: They do it occasionally, and it makes them happy. Then they go back to not doing it. - Henry Abbott

by Kfan in Korea on Jan 23, 2009 7:52 PM PST up reply actions

Ain't that the truth

Yes, I"m a tanker. A big fat pasty, Tully’s Tea drinkin tanker. :)

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

by pookeyguru on Jan 23, 2009 8:03 PM PST up reply actions

Though I'm not sure if I feel better

I do agree with your statement that “this site has become so negative.” Yes, the record is a reason for it, but it also matters what type of person everyone here is. I prefer to be positive no matter what the situation is. Yes, it’s frustrating going to Arco and seeing this team give lackluster effort and getting beat, but the next day life goes on and looking at the positives is a much better strategy to have a better outlook, not only for this team, but also in life.

by eduardo_m7 on Jan 23, 2009 8:05 PM PST up reply actions

Last season, I was pretty depressed about our future

To me it was looking like we were never going to start rebuilding. I was resigned to the probability that Bibby and Artest were going to be Kings for the long haul and we were going to be mired in 35-45 winville for the foreseeable future.

Now we’ve actually got the rebuild under way, I expect Miller to be moved, a high lottery pick is on the horizon and I can see light at the end of the tunnel. We may be very bad for the next couple of seasons, but I believe that’s the foundation we need to lay for the future.

I feel much better.

Ball movement ... is like jogging for most people: They do it occasionally, and it makes them happy. Then they go back to not doing it. - Henry Abbott

by Kfan in Korea on Jan 23, 2009 8:11 PM PST up reply actions

Agreed

I would actually feel good and not care about the record at all if all of the youngsters and potential future were getting time. That is, if I were getting large doses of Hawes/JT/é/Garcia/Martin/Brown, I wouldn’t care about the losses or the margin. I’d just be interested in watching the growth. Therein lies the frustration as it pertains to Miller/Moore/Salmons/B-Jax.

Get busy livin’, or get busy dyin’. – The Shawshank Redemption

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jan 24, 2009 2:25 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Andy Dufraine!!!!!!!

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

by pookeyguru on Jan 24, 2009 2:51 PM PST up reply actions

To quote Red

Get busy livin, or get busy dyin, that’s God Damn right.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

by pookeyguru on Jan 24, 2009 2:53 PM PST up reply actions

PT

JT/Martin/Garcia are getting good minutes and Brown was but he has played himself out of the lineup. Hawes too, though I think we can chalk that up to playing minutes next to Moore. JT’s period of poor play coincided with that assignment as well. So hopefully his minutes will go up as his play improves while Moore’s minutes continue to decline.

As for Donté? Yeah, I’d like to see him getting 5-10 a game. So, overall I think it’s okay, with Hawes and Brown screwing themselves, only Donté is getting too few minutes.

I believe we’ll move at least one and hopefully 2-3 of your “old-four” before the deadline, so that should free up some more time as well.

Ball movement ... is like jogging for most people: They do it occasionally, and it makes them happy. Then they go back to not doing it. - Henry Abbott

by Kfan in Korea on Jan 24, 2009 5:33 PM PST up reply actions