Coaching News around the NBA

[AbeVigodaLive]

I think Walton has the potential to be a good to great NBA coach. He's young. But he has quite the pedigree.

Grew up with a HOF dad who was rare in how he viewed the game and teammates collectively and all the Phil Jackson-esque bigger picture mumbo jumbo. He played in the NBA. And won titles surrounded by greatness. Then, his first big coaching opp was with a legendary team that combined his dad's unselfish style with individual stars.

For only 36... Walton has been in the thick of some very interesting situations in the NBA and has seen how to win NBA titles.


[Note: The key is that I still think he needs some high-quality assistants.]

[Monster]

I think Walton has the potential to be a good to great NBA coach. He's young. But he has quite the pedigree.

Grew up with a HOF dad who was rare in how he viewed the game and teammates collectively and all the Phil Jackson-esque bigger picture mumbo jumbo. He played in the NBA. And won titles surrounded by greatness. Then, his first big coaching opp was with a legendary team that combined his dad's unselfish style with individual stars.

For only 36... Walton has been in the thick of some very interesting situations in the NBA and has seen how to win NBA titles.


[Note: The key is that I still think he needs some high-quality assistants.]

Good thoughts here. I've said it and I keep hearing how he isn't experienced enough etc. let's think about this a little more.

Walton has been in demand as a coach when he wasn't playing. During he lockout portion of the season he was an assistant coach for the University of Memphis. Once he retired he was hired to the Lakers D league team as a player developmental coach. After just 1 year there he was hired by GS and they won the Chanpionship. Then he was handed the HC job while Kerr was recovering and that was over some likely quality assistants. Basically this guy has risen quickly and has been shown a lot of confidence buy one of the best teams in the league and now the Lakers bring him back to their organization as a HC. He has risen through the ranks quickly and impressively. It seems it was likely a matter of time even if he hadn't gotten that sweet gig filing in for Kerr.

"He isn't experienced enough" Well he did actually coach a chunk of games and that's something. Contrast that to Kerr, Mark Jackson who had no previous coaching experience and both of those guys had plenty of success. Sure Kerr being a front office guy before probably gave him a better sense of coaching than say a Mark Jackson type but Luke has 3 years of actual Pro level coaching. There have been successful guys with less coaching experience.

I'm not saying Luke is gonna be the next great coach or he is perfectly ready for this job but I do think it's possible he is plenty ready. The fact that he has such strong ties to the Lakers organization COULD be a big advantage for him. It could be a detriment of they don't treat him like his own man. I'm pulling for the guy and I don't really like the Lakers all that much.

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

I think Walton can be a decent coach, but I think this is a tough situation for any coach to excel. He excelled with a veteran team and the Lakers are in full rebuild mode and will lose a draft pick this year or in coming years.

[Monster]

Bird might not bring back Frank Vogel. It feels like Vogel is one of those guys that overachieved and then isn't good enough (either reality or perception) to take the next step. I think another team would probably be in good shape getting him although there are plenty of options on there. I wonder who Bird would bring in. McHale would be fun.

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

Bird might not bring back Frank Vogel. It feels like Vogel is one of those guys that overachieved and then isn't good enough (either reality or perception) to take the next step. I think another team would probably be in good shape getting him although there are plenty of options on there. I wonder who Bird would bring in. McHale would be fun.

I'd be surprised if he got fired. Outside of Paul George, they don't have much. Myles Turner should eventually become decent but their guards are pretty mediocre. They need to hit it big in free agency to really challenge.

[60WinTim]

Bird might not bring back Frank Vogel. It feels like Vogel is one of those guys that overachieved and then isn't good enough (either reality or perception) to take the next step. I think another team would probably be in good shape getting him although there are plenty of options on there. I wonder who Bird would bring in. McHale would be fun.

McHale has withdrawn his name from the Kings job. McHale teaming up with Bird in Indiana seems too obvious, doesn't it?

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Bird might not bring back Frank Vogel. It feels like Vogel is one of those guys that overachieved and then isn't good enough (either reality or perception) to take the next step. I think another team would probably be in good shape getting him although there are plenty of options on there. I wonder who Bird would bring in. McHale would be fun.

McHale has withdrawn his name from the Kings job. McHale teaming up with Bird in Indiana seems too obvious, doesn't it?

The roster isn't capable of taking the next step. I just don't see what churning out the coach will do, whether it's McHale or anyone else. Vogel did a great job with the group of players he had.

[60WinTim]

I think Bird just wanted someone new... Some of his comments from the presser:

David Aldridge ?@daldridgetnt 1h1 hour ago
Bird's Presser on @NBATV and @NBA.com. He says that he believes coaches leave after three years b/c they lose their effectiveness.

David Aldridge ?@daldridgetnt 54m54 minutes ago
Bird says he spoke with Vogel for half an hour this morning, and Vogel asked him to reconsider his decision and "start all over."

David Aldridge ?@daldridgetnt 59m59 minutes ago
Bird reiterates he wants Indy to get better on offense. Says D with asst Dan Burke "has been great...it's all about scoring some points."

David Aldridge ?@daldridgetnt 51m51 minutes ago
Bird says the Pacers' up and down play early threw him for a loop: "I couldn't figure it out...the whole year I was waiting on Myles Turner."

David Aldridge ?@daldridgetnt 49m49 minutes ago
Bird: Kevin McHale won't be a candidate: "I would not do that to Kevin, to have him work for me. That's not fair. I respect him too much."

[AbeVigodaLive]

I think Bird just wanted someone new... Some of his comments from the presser:

David Aldridge ?@daldridgetnt 1h1 hour ago
Bird's Presser on @NBATV and @NBA.com. He says that he believes coaches leave after three years b/c they lose their effectiveness.

David Aldridge ?@daldridgetnt 54m54 minutes ago
Bird says he spoke with Vogel for half an hour this morning, and Vogel asked him to reconsider his decision and "start all over."

David Aldridge ?@daldridgetnt 59m59 minutes ago
Bird reiterates he wants Indy to get better on offense. Says D with asst Dan Burke "has been great...it's all about scoring some points."

David Aldridge ?@daldridgetnt 51m51 minutes ago
Bird says the Pacers' up and down play early threw him for a loop: "I couldn't figure it out...the whole year I was waiting on Myles Turner."

David Aldridge ?@daldridgetnt 49m49 minutes ago
Bird: Kevin McHale won't be a candidate: "I would not do that to Kevin, to have him work for me. That's not fair. I respect him too much."

Remember Bird ended his very successful coaching career after three years with a very similar quote...

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I've always been a believer that GMs build great offenses and coaches build great defenses in the NBA. The Pacers have consistently been a top 10 defense under Vogel and I give him a the lion's share of credit for that. Offensively, I'm just not sure what more can be squeezed out of this group.

I'm generally a big Larry Bird fan because I like how he played the game and I really liked how he coached using a fairly minimalist approach (he didn't have a battery of assistants, specialists, coordinators, and a gaggle of other handlers on his staff). I guess I can appreciate the "need a fresh pair of eyes" approach to things, but I'm just not convinced it will move the needle much without upgrading the talent.