Around the League: Week 25 4/11 - 4/17

[Superbone]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/15223 ... head-coach

The Brooklyn Nets have named Atlanta Hawks assistant Kenny Atkinson as their new head coach, the team announced Sunday.

Atkinson will continue with the Hawks until the end of the team's postseason run.

Isn't that unusual to hire a guy during a team's playoff run?

[Indy]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/15223 ... head-coach

The Brooklyn Nets have named Atlanta Hawks assistant Kenny Atkinson as their new head coach, the team announced Sunday.

Atkinson will continue with the Hawks until the end of the team's postseason run.

Isn't that unusual to hire a guy during a team's playoff run?

I think it is unusual to announce it during a playoff run.

[Ring_Wanted]

https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/status/722187988130594816

https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/status/722188405572898820

Those who want Thibs probably should start looking elsewhere. Not surprising. Rubio-Wiggins-KAT can become a monster defensive chain. Lavine would drive him nuts but having a heady PG helps a lot.

[ShelC]

There's a 3rd party consulting agency that's recommending the Coach/President model to teams. They arranged the SVG-Pistons marriage and are suggesting the same setup to Minny with Thibs. JVG is interviewing with Minny as well but isn't looking for complete control.

I have a feeling Watson will be our coach the next 2 years which just kills me.

[Mori Chu]

I have a feeling Watson will be our coach the next 2 years which just kills me.

Lindsey Hunter era 2.0.

[ShelC]

I wouldn't even mind Watson if we were tearing it down and starting from scratch. If we dumped a season or two and rebuild around Len and Booker, rack up some Ls, then fine. But if we're committed to the 2 PG look and trying to remain competitive, get a legit coach who can get results. A good coach brings credibility. Watson isn't on that level.

[Indy]

I wouldn't even mind Watson if we were tearing it down and starting from scratch. If we dumped a season or two and rebuild around Len and Booker, rack up some Ls, then fine. But if we're committed to the 2 PG look and trying to remain competitive, get a legit coach who can get results. A good coach brings credibility. Watson isn't on that level.

That's where I am too. I actually would be fine with Earl if we said, look, we need to do a true rebuild, and be ready to compete by the time Booker is ending his rookie contract. But we are stupid and keep saying we are just one step away from the playoffs. Did nobody watch the Jason Kidd and Stephon Marbury era?

[Superbone]

No coach is going to make the Suns look good with the two PG system when those PGs are Bledsoe and Knight. Sorry.

[Superbone]

I have a feeling Watson will be our coach the next 2 years which just kills me.

Lindsey Hunter era 2.0.

Not even close. One is a man of character. The other is a lowlife, backstabbing scum.

[Indy]

I have a feeling Watson will be our coach the next 2 years which just kills me.

Lindsey Hunter era 2.0.

Not even close. One is a man of character. The other is a lowlife, backstabbing scum.

But both have about equal coaching (not mentorship) chops.

[Superbone]

I have a feeling Watson will be our coach the next 2 years which just kills me.

Lindsey Hunter era 2.0.

Not even close. One is a man of character. The other is a lowlife, backstabbing scum.

But both have about equal coaching (not mentorship) chops.

I disagree. Hunter was horrible. Watson is TBD.

[Indy]

I have a feeling Watson will be our coach the next 2 years which just kills me.

Lindsey Hunter era 2.0.

Not even close. One is a man of character. The other is a lowlife, backstabbing scum.

But both have about equal coaching (not mentorship) chops.

I disagree. Hunter was horrible. Watson is TBD.

Hunter was 12-29 (.293) in 41 games. Watson is 9-24 (.273). They are basically the same empirically. And, trust me, I think Watson can become a good coach. I just don't think he has the Xs and Os yet. He needs someone to get him there.

[Superbone]

And, trust me, I think Watson can become a good coach. I just don't think he has the Xs and Os yet. He needs someone to get him there.

I'm with you there. I just don't think this team is good enough to bring in a big gun at this point. I'd be content to go with Watson and see how he were to progress for a couple years.

[Indy]

And, trust me, I think Watson can become a good coach. I just don't think he has the Xs and Os yet. He needs someone to get him there.

I'm with you there. I just don't think this team is good enough to bring in a big gun at this point. I'd be content to go with Watson and see how he were to progress for a couple years.

But our excellent FO brain trust says we are basically a playoff team if we didn't have the injuries this year. And have said they expect us to be in the playoffs next year without injuries and better bench depth. That tells me they want a coach that can understand and implement sound Xs and Os strategy right now. And they also say Watson is the front runner because the players want him back. It just sounds so Babby-ish.

[Cap]

Lindsey Hunter era 2.0.

Not even close. One is a man of character. The other is a lowlife, backstabbing scum.

But both have about equal coaching (not mentorship) chops.

I disagree. Hunter was horrible. Watson is TBD.

Hunter was 12-29 (.293) in 41 games. Watson is 9-24 (.273).

It's not really fair to judge a head coach by record after he takes over mid-season. Mike D'Antoni was also 9-24 in his first 33 games after taking over mid-season.

[Indy]

It's not really fair to judge a head coach by record after he takes over mid-season. Mike D'Antoni was also 9-24 in his first 33 games after taking over mid-season.

Fair, but we were vocal about how bad of a team we had then, and openly said we were going to overhaul the roster. So you can imagine that if you believe in your coach, but you have a bad roster, you would expect bad results. If you have a slightly less good roster than you expect, and your coach still under-performs, what are you expecting the next season? Slight over-performance?

We have said we expect to have less injuries next year (even though our main injuries this year are from the same players again) and a deeper bench. I assume that means having a guy between Leuer and Williams, and another guy after TJ/PJ. I don't see that as having a guy effect on Watson's performance.

[carey]

If Watson is retained and we don't move Bledsoe or Knight and we pick #5 I'm willing to avatar wager we don't win more than 38 games even if everyone stays healthy.

In fact, I'd lean towards less than 35.

[Indy]

If Watson is retained and we don't move Bledsoe or Knight and we pick #5 I'm willing to avatar wager we don't win more than 38 games even if everyone stays healthy.

In fact, I'd lean towards less than 35.

But hasn't history showed us that Bledsoe and Knight can't stay healthy?

[Superbone]

If Watson is retained and we don't move Bledsoe or Knight and we pick #5 I'm willing to avatar wager we don't win more than 38 games even if everyone stays healthy.

In fact, I'd lean towards less than 35.

I'd take the same bet with any coach.

[Indy]

Just being reported we are removing interim tag from Watson...