Philadelphia Taking Its Time, Too
by Tom Ziller on May 16, 2009 1:33 PM PDT
in Commentary
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PrintFrom Kate Fagan of the Philadelphia Inquirer:
The 76ers interviewed Eddie Jordan yesterday in what was the first step of what one source said would be a long, thorough search for the team's next coach. [...]
A source close to the Sixers' situation has said [Ed] Stefanski would not feel pressured if another team offered Jordan a head coaching job. The team's search is likely to include candidates who are assistant coaches with currently active playoff teams. The source said including such candidates extends the timing of the search.
This is a net positive for Jordan fans -- E.J. isn't getting a Philadelphia job offer this weekend, or something.
The difference, though, is that Philly's search is being billed as "long and thorough." We assume Stefanski will go through top assistants like Tom Thibodeau, Kurt Rambis, Brian Shaw, Elston Turner ... maybe Patrick Ewing and John Kuester. Doug Collins is still attached to the opening. Sam Mitchell wouldn't be a surprise.
The Kings have had an opening an extra three weeks. And the team has formally interviewed one more coach than Philadelphia. That's not "thorough." That's just long.
If I could amend my morning pessimism, I'll note that I'm severely understating the impact the date of May 19 has. Like, could someone come out of the woodwork if Blake Griffin gets his ticket for Sacramento on Tuesday? Could some magnificent coaching name ring up Joe and Gavin if the Kings win the thing? I have trouble figuring out who that could be (I literally don't have a guess ... Jeff Van Gundy?), but the possibility is there. However small it is.
There's also the matter of Rubio that I left out of that pessimistic post. As in, scouting Rubio is pretty time-sensitive. Petrie prioritized that over the coaching search. You can't blame him for that. I don't blame him for that. Figuring out if Rubio has it is more important than interviewing Mike Fratello, without question.
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Rubio's injury while Petrie's scouting him
definitely doesn’t help his case.
Father of the "Natt this!" movement.
I fully pretty much mostly agree.
Griffin really is the logical choice. Though I am uncertain what will happen with the later picks. I hope GP will combine them to trade up.
Dont confuse activity with achievement.
Thanks for the news that Philly is taking their time in selecting a coach
I’ve come to the conclusion that as things stand now, EJ is our best choice and have been seating out figuring that at any time, when I went online that I would see that the 76ers had hired EJ as their coach. Whew!!! Now I can sleep easier.
"We are in the business of kicking butt and business is very, very good." - Charles Barkley
I actualy woke up today
expecting EJ to be the new 76ers coach. This is good to know not necessarly cause I want EJ to be the King’s next coach, but because it gives the Kings more time to interview more coaches and if EJ end up being the one they truyl want after that, they would still have a chance to sign him.
*sweating
"We are in the business of kicking butt and business is very, very good." - Charles Barkley
As far as a coach coming out of the woodwork
its even possible that a coach with a contract asks out of it (ie Mike D’Antoni). There’s none that I can really think of that would other than Larry Brown, and not because there’s any indication he’s unhappy, he’s just known to want to leave.
www.mancancook.net
Hopefully this week....
What I look forward to after hiring an experienced coach is for the team to finally have an identity again. A coach that before a game, during time outs, at half time, and during end game situations will show the confidence and leadership these young players need. This team needs to “learn how to win” and “stop playing not to lose”. I think after the Draft Lottery this week a decision will be made. I am pining for EJ.
Dont confuse activity with achievement.
Scouting Rubio
Well, he shall have more time to the coaching issue from now on: Rubio was injured (groin strain, nothing serious) in today’s game and won’t be playing in the next one, where his team faces elimination – meaning his season is virtually over.
Interesting you should mention Jeff Van Gundy
Simmons interviewed him in a podcast, and JVG said he wanted to get back into coaching again and was pretty adamant that he’d have to come back as an assistant first (because he’s been out so long).
Simmons thought this was crazy, but if JVG really thinks this is the case, would Sacramento have a real shot if they were offering him a head coaching gig?
I can honestly say I don’t know where I stand in the coaching search, but I found this idea interesting to think about.
I have difficulty understanding why a desirable coach would all of a sudden make himself available
because Blake Griffin, Ricky Rubio – the number one or two picks is up for grabs. That is too much insecurity in your Head Coach. Pass on that.
If JVG is that interested he should pick the team and GM he has to work with not the draft pick – I get the feeling that a Petrie /JVG mixture is like a chocolate covered artichoke- I like chocolate and I like artichokes but the creation would be difficult to imagine and the end result not very appealing.
That's business
The Kings situation looks more attractive with the #1 pick rather than the #4. That could be a deciding factor for many coaches, depending on the options available to them. I can’t say I blame anyone for thinking that way.
Question: What kind of bear is best?
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