longstrangetrip wrote:I have my concerns about Thibs, but ruffling feathers of our young guys is not one of them. Maybe I overvalue the character of our guys, but I read them as all able to take it. Sam was as tough on LaVine and KAT as anyone else on the roster this year, but I thought they both took it well and greatly improved their games. I expect they will have a similar relationship with Thibs as they had with Sam. Sam didn't ride Wig as much, but that cat is so laid back, I can't see a hard-driving coach bothering him...might even help his game.
My concerns about the Thibs hiring are well developed by the writers in this article.
1) Having the same guy as POBO and coach is just bad policy, especially when the guy has never been an executive before...there just aren't enough hours in the day for him to handle two full-time jobs.
2) Thibs is saying the right things about having a new philosophy about practices, but it still remains a concern for me until we see him in action.
Do you know what the POBO does? And what can't be done by Layden? I honestly don't know what the difference is. Maybe it's not two full time jobs like you're suggesting?
What would really put my mind at ease would be some really sincere, clear comments from Thibs demonstrating that he recognizes his flaws and plans to improve in those areas. I'm looking forward to his introductory press conference as a great opportunity for him to address those issues.
The man cannot be oblivious to his reputation and criticism of his past practices. Nor can Glen. I have to hope it was discussed in depth during the hiring process.
thedoper wrote:The real question is whether it will be a disservice to Wiggins if we give more than a passing mention of his improvement to Thibs next year?
Wiggins will get the majority/bulk of credit should he continue to improve, but we're not talking about a mentor in KG who sits on the bench and whispers sweet nothings every once in a while. This is a winning coach who has developed players into All-Stars and on two occasions, MVP caliber players. If Wiggins grows mightily on defense and rebounding as well as showing a leap in volume and efficiency as a scorer, you have to divvy up a sizable amount of credit to Thibodeau.
BizaroJerry--Do you know what the POBO does? And what can't be done by Layden? I honestly don't know what the difference is. Maybe it's not two full time jobs like you're suggesting?
Great point. I listened to the Barreiro interview of the Chicago beat reporter (VERY pro Tibs), who said that part of the conflict in Chicago was a couple of draft decisions made by the suits that were wrong, and the players Tibs wanted (one of them Dieng) turned out to be better.
I think the whole POBO thing is Tibs having the right to tell Leydon, no don't draft that guy, or nixing a bad trade. He wants to control his own destiny. But I Don't see him at a desk working out cap space or concessions deals.
I was thinking about how qualified Thibs is for the POBO job. Really mostly what we are concerned with is talent identification and acquisition right? Thibs was only a head coach in one place and I am sure the level of input between a head coach and even a top assistant is sizable. Flip and SVG had multiple franchises where they likely had significant say when it came to draft picks FA etc. somebody else made the decisions but any executive running a team is going to get a lot of input from his head coach.
So Thibs was doing that in Chicago and there have been some reports he wanted guys that turned out to be better players than who the Bulls drafted. So maybe he got a couple guys right. We don't have to crown him for that because maybe there were other guys he wanted that weren't so great but we only have so much info.
Remember this though assistants work out draft picks. JVG talked in a vertical podcast how much Thibs and Andy Greer worked developing players. You can bet Thibs has plenty of experience working out and evaluating talent. This is also a guy that lives breathes and watches film like crazy. Don't you think he may have a clue as to who he may want in FA?
I'm not suggesting he will be a genius as the ultimate decision maker bit there is plenty of reason to think he won't be some clueless moron just making deals because of nifty potential or whatnot. Will he make a couple moves that may be missteps because he is also the coach? Yeah probably but no ultimate decision maker is perfect. To me the truly great teams likely don't have an ultimate decision maker as much as a guy that enables a crack team of smart hardworking talented folks to help come up with a consensus. Sure SOMEONE may have to make a final say (and have that power or chaos would ensue) but I don't feel like the Spurs have anyone just pounding the table saying they are gonna do _______ it seems more of a very collaborative effort. Flip seemed to look to do that as well even with all the influence he had.
Will Thibs take input from others? Will he continually hire talented people under him both ass assistant and people working behind the scenes? It will be interesting to see how many of the Wolves people he keeps in place.
Also one last thing Inread in one article he wanted someone from the medical or training staff he knew from his days with the Rockets when he took the job. The Bulls did not agree. I found that interesting considering the flak he gets for the injury concerns while he coached the Bulls.
What would really put my mind at ease would be some really sincere, clear comments from Thibs demonstrating that he recognizes his flaws and plans to improve in those areas. I'm looking forward to his introductory press conference as a great opportunity for him to address those issues.
The man cannot be oblivious to his reputation and criticism of his past practices. Nor can Glen. I have to hope it was discussed in depth during the hiring process.
papalrep wrote:BizaroJerry--Do you know what the POBO does? And what can't be done by Layden? I honestly don't know what the difference is. Maybe it's not two full time jobs like you're suggesting?
Great point. I listened to the Barreiro interview of the Chicago beat reporter (VERY pro Tibs), who said that part of the conflict in Chicago was a couple of draft decisions made by the suits that were wrong, and the players Tibs wanted (one of them Dieng) turned out to be better.
I think the whole POBO thing is Tibs having the right to tell Leydon, no don't draft that guy, or nixing a bad trade. He wants to control his own destiny. But I Don't see him at a desk working out cap space or concessions deals.
Did they mention any names, because as the trade was happening, I said to myself, "McDermott doesn't strike me as fitting in there."
