Around the League: Playoffs

[LazarusLong]

I think Kupchak and Walton will win more games than McDonough and Watson, next season.

I am not a fan of the hire, but I will take that bet. I see us adding about 10-12 wins, just for health and no keef. I can't see the Lakers doubling their win count next year.

We'll know more after free agency for sure, if LA can some how swing say Durant, then all bets are off.

I can't see Durant leaving a team he build up in Seattle/OKC for so many years, that is actually a contender, to start all over.

Agree, now that they may have the right coach to take them to the promised land. Donovan seems to be a quick learner.

[Shabazz]

https://twitter.com/HowardBeck/status/733079407607353345
WOW!

[Indy]

Came here to post the same thing. I am astonished.

[Indy]

I thought it was Rambis for sure. There was even talk of Phil taking over, but not traveling with the team (that is just crazy).

[Shabazz]

I wonder about Hornacek's personality in New York. Also, he seems too progressive to get stuck to running the triangle.

[Indy]

I wonder about Hornacek's personality in New York. Also, he seems too progressive to get stuck to running the triangle.

Yeah, I can't see him fitting in there. And not with the triangle either.

[LazarusLong]

I wonder about Hornacek's personality in New York. Also, he seems too progressive to get stuck to running the triangle.

Progressive? Really?
A guy who had an offense run by three smallish guards seems to be a bit gimmicky to me.

[Superbone]

Makes sense to me. First D'Antoni and now Hornacek.

[carey]

Shocked. That seems like the baddest fit of all bad fits. The Knicks roster is even worse than ours right now imho. They don't have their own first rounder which was #7 this year. Or their 2nd rounder (#37.) It's Melo, Porzingis, and Robin Lopez. Afflalo and Derrick WIlliams have player options and will surely opt out. Going to be rough going for a while there. I hope they treat him better than the Suns did.

[JustWinBaby]

I think Kupchak and Walton will win more games than McDonough and Watson, next season.

I am not a fan of the hire, but I will take that bet. I see us adding about 10-12 wins, just for health and no keef. I can't see the Lakers doubling their win count next year.

1. The Lakers have the number 2 pick in the draft to either get a player or make a significant trade.
2. They have $60 Milllion to spend in free agency.
3. They are the Lakers and they are in LA and they do have movie Stars at every game, win or lose.
4. While Walton is unproven I think he will not only be a capable head coach but he will help attract free agents.

At this point we have more talent. I just do not think that will be the case come November.

I hope I lose this bet. I hope Watson has player relationships around the league that will allow us to obtain the additional talent we will need in free agency.

Even though I have been hyper critical of Watson, I certainly hopes he proves me wrong in a big way.

[UglyTruth]

Makes sense to me. First D'Antoni and now Hornacek.

Weren't they once interested in Kerr too?

[ShelC]

It'd be interesting if he is named coach. Phil talks triangle, coaches a 2-day triangle mini camp and then hires a guy with no triangle experience. I get the feeling it was suggested to Phil he hire someone other than Rambis and let Rambis run the offense as an assistant, or he knew Rambis wasn't a great head coach and didn't want to just dismiss his chances at remaining in charge. Either way, the players didn't like Rambis at all so Phil was in a tough spot. I don't see the logic tho in hiring a guy and then forcing him to hire assistants to run a system he's not familiar with. Same thing with FIsher - Fisher brought 3-4 OKC coaches in right off the bat, then Phil brought on Rambis and Cleamons later in the summer. I want to see who Jeff's assistants are.

[djy2j]

Not sure how Hornacek fits in NY other than he is a YES man. Seems like this is failure waiting to happen. Dude doesn't run a triangle which Phil obviously wants as the offense. How many times has Phil taken a dump on Rambis? This has got to be like the 2nd or 3rd right?

[Indy]

JVG is saying that from what he is being told, Jeff will not be asked to run the triangle. Not sure if that means the Knicks won't run it, or they are thinking of getting someone else to run it for him. The latter is a disaster waiting to happen.

[Indy]

And now Mike is going to the Rockets...

[Mori Chu]

Lot of questionable coaching hires this spring.

Thibs in Minny? Great hire.
Scott Brooks in Washington? Blech.
Suns hire Watson? We all know what I think about that.
Nate McMillan in Indy? Downgrade.
(Vogel in Orlando? Good hire.)
Hornacek in New York? Bad fit.
Mike D to Houston? Unknown.

[TOO]

MikeD in Houston means one thing, draft James Harden in your fantasy league.

[Mori Chu]

[ShelC]

There's your "Welcome to NY" moment. Have fun Jeff, that's about as good as it'll get.

[carey]

https://twitter.com/seth_rosenthal/status/733331104371986432