New coach prospects: breakdown strengths and weaknesses and your picks

[MikeAz [enjin:6636981]]

Messina is an interesting option, great Euro coach + apprenticeship under Popovich. Luke Walton did a nice job with the Warriors, he'll be snapped up in short order. Personally though I'd be very happy with JVG.

[Monster]

David Blatt

Positives

He has won everywhere he has gone including coaching in last year's NBA finals. That Finals was a part of a coaching staff that basically was working miracles against the best team in the NBA with a rag rage group of guys and Lebron. He has to get some credit for the good things the Cavs we're able to do right? His offense is supposed to be the ball sharing offense type that the Spurs run. The Cavs played some D during his time there. The Wolves have a number of international players on it so that could be a good thing.

Negatives

He couldn't win over Lebron and supposedly grated on some other people but if he really was sort of a lame duck coach as it has been reported he was in a tough spot. Tough to really evaluate him because of the roster talent and he also had a pretty good coaching staff behind him was it those guys propping up a rookie HC? Would a team of young players listen to a guy that got kicked to the curb by Lebron and company? He is generally described as a pretty demanding coach would that be a bit of a drawback after hearing Sam?

Here is an article breaking down Blatt as a coach.

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/whos-that-guy-david-blatt/

I can't help but wonder if Blatt could end up being a very good coach and some other team will benefit. Rick Carlisle was very vocal about Blatt's firing (I suppose he should he is the pres of the coaches association lol) but he is a guy that was pretty successful at every stop and he isn't a cuddly teddy bear type either. I'm conflicted on Blatt it seems he did some good things and coaching a Lebron team is a tough unique and lucky job to have. I think I will leave it as I am intruiged. He is on my list of viable options.

[AbeVigodaLive]

One note about not being able win over Lebron James...

According to A. Wojaldkfjdlkski, he wanted Mark Jackson from the beginning and compromised on T. Lue. I'm not the biggest fan of Mark Jackson as a coach. James might be a better player than he is a GM.

[Monster]

One note about not being able win over Lebron James...

According to A. Wojaldkfjdlkski, he wanted Mark Jackson from the beginning and compromised on T. Lue. I'm not the biggest fan of Mark Jackson as a coach. James might be a better player than he is a GM.

Yep that is part of what I was talking about when I said Blatt may have been a lame duck coach from the beginning. Is there a coach Lebron has absolutely fully supported? I am not saying he is a coach killer only offering perspective on Blatt not being the guy.

[alexftbl8181 [enjin:6648741]]

One note about not being able win over Lebron James...

According to A. Wojaldkfjdlkski, he wanted Mark Jackson from the beginning and compromised on T. Lue. I'm not the biggest fan of Mark Jackson as a coach. James might be a better player than he is a GM.

Thank goodness he's a pretty good player. Also he does have a pretty good roster that is 1st in the East and probably will be in the finals for the next couple of years so it's not like he's David Khan or anything

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

Van Gundy Interview: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/the-vertical-podcast-with-woj--jeff-van-gundy-145814221.html

He is asked whether he wants to get back into coaching (around 18 minute mark). I think he wants to get back into coaching, but thinks being out of the game has hurt his chances to get a job that he would like. He also said he would never discuss a coaching job while there is a coach in place.

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

I wonder if Van Gundy would consider being our GM with Thibs as coach. He thinks Thibs is one of the best coaches of all time.

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

Luke Walton has hired an agent to look into head coaching jobs after this year. One thing Walton has in his favor over candidates like Thibs, Blatt, Van Gundy and Brooks is his age. He's only 35 and if he's good, he could find a long term home. He probably goes to New York, but I wonder how he would fare here.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Kaplan supposedly reached out to Thibs to see if he has interest in the Wolves job. That makes me pretty damn excited. Hopefully Taylor will make a pitch to him after the season.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Wolves fans need to head over to 1500 ESPN Twin Cities. Discussion about Thibs on its way. You already know I'm listening.