2023 Coaching Search

[TOO]

Nurse seems like the splashiest hire, and since I don't think Lue is gonna happen, I'll happily take the basketball dork who makes adjustments.

[Split T]

I think I could get behind Fernandez, Vogel, Nurse, or Young. Of the 5, Rivers is the only one I don’t want. I don’t hate Rivers, I just don’t think he’s the answer.

TBH I really don’t know how to evaluate the other 4. So much of coaching is not apparent to us as viewers.

[specialsauce]

Just not Rivers

[JeremyG]

Maybe we’ll still get Spoelstra after all…

[Superbone]

1. Nurse
2. Vogel
3. Fernandez
3. Young
4. Rivers

I'm hoping for Nurse. Or at least a PA but not a Doc.

[Sunsfan4life]

I've wanted nurse since he was fired by raptors. He brings experience and a reputation for adjustments. Yes he's not a "players" coach but we need someone in here who holds these guys accountable.

[BigLewy]

I actually think KD and Booker don't want a "player's coach". They're all about the game, same with CP3, and would probably welcome somewhat of a hard-ass who holds everyone accountable and pushes everyone. Will that eventually wear out its welcome? Of course. But for the next 3 years of KD/Book, that points to Nurse to me.

[JeremyG]

Looks like most of us agree with Nurse being number one, so that probably means we’ll end up with Young.

[Drewsprocket]

I actually think KD and Booker don't want a "player's coach". They're all about the game, same with CP3, and would probably welcome somewhat of a hard-ass who holds everyone accountable and pushes everyone. Will that eventually wear out its welcome? Of course. But for the next 3 years of KD/Book, that points to Nurse to me.

Nice take. It makes sense. I think that fits for this short window we’re in.

[Mori Chu]

Looks like most of us agree with Nurse being number one, so that probably means we’ll end up with Young.

As much as I don't want the Suns to hire Doc Rivers, I think I'd even rather have Doc than Young. I just don't want an unproven rookie coach right now. Nothing really against Young, I just don't see how he can be so great if he was part of the disastrous past few years' playoffs for this team. Plucking away a talented young assistant can work well, but I think that's a better move when they're part of an actively successful coaching staff, not a staff that's just horribly choked on the biggest stage twice in a row.

[Flagrant Fowl]

I'd take a saguaro cactus on the bench before Doc Rivers.

[Flagrant Fowl]

Woj, Shams, Flex, and Dumbo can bloviate about info from their sources, but the biggest reason we haven't seen any hires yet is because many are expecting the Celtics job to be in the pool of openings very soon.

Unless Ishbia is writing blank checks, the Suns job is less attractive than Milwaukee and very likely Boston. Sarver PTSD has me prepared to not be surprised when the guy we thought could take over the team is at one of those other cubs in a week.

[JeremyG]

I'd take a saguaro cactus on the bench before Doc Rivers.

The Big Shaqtus?

[Superbone]

Looks like most of us agree with Nurse being number one, so that probably means we’ll end up with Young.

Hey! That was my line.

Here's how I would rank the final five candidates:

1. Nurse
2. Rivers
3. Vogel
4. Fernandez
5. Young

Young it is!

[Superbone]

I'd take a saguaro cactus on the bench before Doc Rivers.

I'm not sure what your point is. I don't think that would be a sharp idea. It's a prickly situation if you ask me.

[Superbone]

[Superbone]

This is a very good and detailed article about Young:



https://theathletic.com/4551012/2023/05 ... ed_article

Lange worked with Young in Philly until 2019, when he left to become head coach at St. Joseph’s. After Brown was fired by the Sixers in 2020, Young joined Monty Williams’ staff in Phoenix, where he worked with Booker, Paul and, this season, Kevin Durant. His next step is to become an NBA head coach, and Lange offered three reasons to explain why he thinks Young is ready:

“One, you have to have an appropriate edge to be the leader of an NBA locker room,’’ Lange said. “He has it. It’s not over the top. It goes actually more with humility. But he is not afraid of the confrontation or the moment or the conversation.

“Two, he’s incredibly well-studied. A guy like KD or Book will respect the fact that his strategies and tactics are rooted in preparation.

“Three, he understands the NBA’s a player’s league and above that, a superstar’s league. At least from an offensive standpoint, he’s going to be creative to whatever that person’s unique skill sets are. His philosophy will be built around their skill sets, not the other way around. And at the same point, he’ll make sure that what he has is appropriate for the rest of the team.”

De Silva, who coached with Young throughout the D-League stops, said Young’s candidacy should be strong because of all the roles he has had. Building a team in Ireland. Developing players in Utah, Iowa and Delaware. Working as both an assistant and head coach. The next step is clear.

“However you want to rate it, he’s been a head coach,’’ Lange said. “He understands the developmental lens of it very well. Yeah, he’d be a first-time NBA head coach, but the guy has coached in anonymity. He’s made his mistakes. He’s aware of them and he’s come back and refined himself. … I have no doubt in my mind (he’s ready.) ”

[JeremyG]

Looks like most of us agree with Nurse being number one, so that probably means we’ll end up with Young.

Hey! That was my line.

Here's how I would rank the final five candidates:

1. Nurse
2. Rivers
3. Vogel
4. Fernandez
5. Young

Young it is!

I knew I had heard it somewhere.

[Cap]

My thoughts on Doc Rivers

Michael Scott would have been appropriate too.

Darth Vader had a decent one too.

So did his son, come to think of it. Must be genetic.

[Split T]

So Nurse pulled out of the Milwaukee job? Interesting