Who should be the next coach of the Washington Wizards?

[sfam]

I know this will get bashed, but I really would like to see Eddie Jordan back as head coach. I really like Eddie, and I think with a different GM backing him he could get this team righted. He is still in the area and available and he loves to coach.

I think Eddie would have this offense humming, fast paced AND organized. He would love Singleton (see KMart and JJeffries), and he would have Wall playing the role of Kidd circa 2002-2003 w/ the Nets. Bring Eddie back as head coach, keep Wittman as lead assistant and essentially Defensive Coordinator. Keep Cassell as a G coach. Bring back Hopla in place of Flip's son. Add a big man coach. Jeff Ruland would be a nice option even if only on a part time basis (he's close enough at UDC where this could be workable). Perhaps Ben Wallace if he retires after this season.

I think bringing back Eddie makes sense on some levels, it would be a feel good story (and this team could use some of that), and undo a wrong IMO he should never of been fired. He was a good coach for us.

Consider yourself bashed.

[nate33]

I think Eddie would have this offense humming, fast paced AND organized. He would love Singleton (see KMart and JJeffries), and he would have Wall playing the role of Kidd circa 2002-2003 w/ the Nets. Bring Eddie back as head coach, keep Wittman as lead assistant and essentially Defensive Coordinator. Keep Cassell as a G coach. Bring back Hopla in place of Flip's son. Add a big man coach. Jeff Ruland would be a nice option even if only on a part time basis (he's close enough at UDC where this could be workable). Perhaps Ben Wallace if he retires after this season.

Eddie Jordan has always been overrated as a offensive coach. His offense with the Nets ranked 17th and 18th during their Finals seasons. And much of that was due to their fast break attack. Take that away and they were in the bottom third in the league in half-court offense. And that's with Jason Kidd, Kerry Kittles, Richard Jefferson, and Kenyon Martin. Wall isn't as good as Kidd, and we've got nobody on the roster even close to Richard Jefferson or Kenyon Martin on offense. (Young is better than Kittles on offense though.)

[Dat2U]

I'd rather have Flip back as coach for life than deal with one season of Eddie Jordan preaching "protect the paint" and then 'tipping his cap' to the opponents for making all sorts of open jumpers in every post game interview.

I have no fondness for the EJ era. I'm glad it's over and the fact he's a JV coach at Archbishop Carroll High School should tell you of what the rest of the NBA thinks of his coaching ability.

[The Fax]

Two words: Jerry Sloan.

I can dream, right?

[miller31time]

Eddie Jordan had a prime Gilbert Arenas (arguably the best offensive player in the NBA at the time), a prime Caron Butler (arguably a top-3 SF at the time) and a near-prime Antawn Jamison (one of the top offensive power forwards in the game at the time).

I'm not saying he was a bad offensive head coach but that's a lot of friggin offensive firepower at his disposal.

[REDardWIZskin]

I wouldnt want to go back to having EJ but lets not make it seem like flip was leaps and bounds better than EJ. Would definitely like to see us get a GM after the Trade deadline to come in and assess everything from top to bottom. This organization needs new faces

[dobrojim]

minor nitpick

I think EJ is actually the freshman coach at the HS where he is coaching.

[doclinkin]

From the Jeremy Lin conversation (Nixgame thread)

he was given d-league time last season and word has it that he and the coach there really worked on changing and improving his game there and something clicked

.


Eric Musselman. Who would be another solid choice of coach for this developing roster. He's got an excellent track record for developing players. I really enjoyed his coaching blog some years back: http://emuss.blogspot.com/

Maybe as an assistant? As an NBA HC he's landed on some bad teams, has a crappy record, but never had much time to stick and stay. But in the D-League and CBA he has a good record. And as I remember it correctly he's had more call-ups than any other coach. Granted that may be because he worked for the Spurs affiliate (and they actually use the D-League) but that last point should be a mark in his favor: the Spurs evaluate talent well, and they picked EMuss to run their program..

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

After Joerger, Eric Musselman is the second best suggestion I've heard as to who should run this team.

JVG-coached teams are kind of boring IMO.

[Mmat11]

Seems like Georger is the favorite on this forum. I had not heard of the guy before I came here, but I must say I like his body of work. He has an impressive resume, and I have listened to a radio interview featuring Georger from a local radio station and he comes off as exuberant and competent.

But does anyone know more about the Xs and Os aspect of him as a coach? Like what offensive and defensive approaches he favors?

[Nivek]

Don't know about Joerger's systems, and it really doesn't matter much. The Wizards are pretty close to a blank slate right now. Plus, Joerger's results speak for themselves.

A few other coaches to consider:

- Chris Finch -- assistant in Houston, considered a rising coaching star
- Mike Budenholzer -- well-respected; he's been a Spurs assistant for a loooooong time, but he's still pretty young (I think early 40s)
- Kelvin Sampson -- another Houston assistant; ran a dirty program in the NCAA, but he can flat out coach; his teams win
- Brian Shaw -- was a top assistant for Phil Jackson, but got passed over because Buss's son didn't like the triangle
- Dean Demopoulos -- was an assistant in Seattle and Portland, and now with the Clippers; stat friendly and known to have a good rapport with players

And someone to consider for the front office: Mike Zarren. Mike is the assistant GM in Boston, and is serious about statistical analysis. Smart as hell.

[DallasShalDune]

interm coaches are set up for failure, basically, and even ours is tired of our bunch: http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2012/2/23/2 ... ards-coach

[Nivek]

Man, that was awesome. Wittman was PISSED.

[Nivek]

Man, that was awesome. Wittman was PISSED.

[doclinkin]

WHooooo that was a doozy. I like this cat, Wittman. He's gonna let you know about yourself, no question.