Question about Michael Cooper

InSportsHell · Post #1 » by **InSportsHell** » Tue May 13, 2008 9:05 pm

Hello Laker fans. I'm from the Bulls board and would like to get your opinions, please.

As you probably know, we are in the process of looking for a new head coach. On the Bulls board, the discussions started out with the old retread coaches like Van Gundy, Carlisle, and the like. Now after losing out on D'Antoni, the names of assistant coaches Michael Curry, Tom Thibodeau, and Brian Shaw are prominent.

I have been consistently putting forward my view that Michael Cooper should be considered. I have my reasons, but I'd like to get your thoughts on how he'd be as a head coach in the NBA.

Thanks in advance, for your opinions.

Post #2 » by **Danny Darko** » Tue May 13, 2008 9:40 pm

Hard to say. I know he got some looks a while back. His tenure in the WNBA was good, he's a defensive minded guy in general, and he seems to be paying his dues, but he's still sort of unproven.

I'd say that both Rambis and Shaw would be better candidates, but I'd rather keep them on staff and have one of those guys replace PJ.

Tommy Trojan · Post #3 » by **Tommy Trojan** » Tue May 13, 2008 9:49 pm

Corvus Crow wrote:Hard to say. I know he got some looks a while back. His tenure in the WNBA was good, he's a defensive minded guy in general, and he seems to be paying his dues, but he's still sort of unproven.

I'd say that both Rambis and Shaw would be better candidates, but I'd rather keep them on staff and have one of those guys replace PJ.

Agree on both points

salmahayek · Post #4 » by **salmahayek** » Tue May 13, 2008 9:58 pm

Coop would be an outstanding candidate, IMO.

He has head coaching experience, albeit in the WNBA. However, I also believe he has some minor league men's basketball coaching experience.

He has been an NBA assistant coach, as well as, scout. So, he knows how a team should be prepared both from a coaching and organizational standpoint.

His playing experience, where he played the one, two, and three in the NBA at a championship level would also serve him well.

Coop is very tough physically and mentally which would be good for a head coaching job, while having played he can relate to the players.

He would stress defense and look to score in the open court with easy baskets as much as possible. I think he would be a great sleeper candidate for Chicago.

Aside from Byron Scott, who has a proven NBA head coaching record, Coop is the candidate I prefer to succeed PJ.

second_coming32 · Post #5 » by **second_coming32** » Tue May 13, 2008 10:06 pm

Put it this way, I'd hire Michael Cooper before I even considered Mark Jackson, Avery Johnson, or Byron Scott when he was first hired in Indiana. The man is a defensive stalwart and it's time he gets some consideration. Another guy who I'm shocked has never gotten a job is Kareerm Abdul Jabbar if you need him. He deserves a bench somewhere in the NBA.

And what about Paul Silas? Why isn't he coaching.

KB20 · Post #6 » by **KB20** » Tue May 13, 2008 10:15 pm

second_coming32 wrote:Put it this way, I'd hire Michael Cooper before I even considered Mark Jackson, Avery Johnson, or Byron Scott when he was first hired in Indiana. The man is a defensive stalwart and it's time he gets some consideration. Another guy who I'm shocked has never gotten a job is Kareerm Abdul Jabbar if you need him. He deserves a bench somewhere in the NBA.

And what about Paul Silas? Why isn't he coaching.

No one needs him more than Andrew and the Lakers. There is no way we can even let him think of leaving.

InSportsHell · Post #7 » by **InSportsHell** » Tue May 13, 2008 10:28 pm

Thank's much for the responses. The arguments that I've been making on the Bulls forum are similar in tone to the one's you've given me. Alas, there are some very stubborn folks over there.

To me Cooper's resume' is very impressive. 5 championships as a player, 2 title's and a finals appearance in the WNBA, and a title in 2 years in the D-league should put him head and shoulders above any other candidate being considered now(at least in the basketball forums world).

Funny that when I mention his accomplishments, the folks there dig in their heels even more. I came here to see if I was the one being unreasonable.

Does anyone know his contract situation with the Sparks? I read that he was going back there this season.

InSportsHell · Post #8 » by **InSportsHell** » Tue May 13, 2008 10:38 pm

second_coming32 wrote:Put it this way, I'd hire Michael Cooper before I even considered Mark Jackson, Avery Johnson, or Byron Scott when he was first hired in Indiana. The man is a defensive stalwart and it's time he gets some consideration. Another guy who I'm shocked has never gotten a job is Kareerm Abdul Jabbar if you need him. He deserves a bench somewhere in the NBA.

And what about Paul Silas? Why isn't he coaching.

Jabbar, imo could be a good coaching prospect(if time has mellowed his temper). His problem is that he wasn't the friendliest guy in his playing days. A little too militant for the ruling class of the NBA. He's been trying to establish a relationship with the powers that be for a few years now.

Paul Silas is a name that has come up from time to time in our discussions, mostly as an assistant coach.

djericho · Post #9 » by **djericho** » Wed May 14, 2008 12:09 am

While I think Cooper has the chops to be a head coach, I don't think he'd work well with your players. His system would be mainly defensively orientated. I think D'antoni would work better.

It's not to say Cooper would be a bad choice, just you'd be "inSportsHell" longer than if you had a more offensive minded coach.

InSportsHell · Post #10 » by **InSportsHell** » Wed May 14, 2008 1:59 am

djericho wrote:While I think Cooper has the chops to be a head coach, I don't think he'd work well with your players. His system would be mainly defensively orientated. I think D'antoni would work better.

It's not to say Cooper would be a bad choice, just you'd be "inSportsHell" longer than if you had a more offensive minded coach.

The thing is, our guys are defensive guys. Before this season the Bulls were top 5 defensively 3 straight years, 1st in defense in 2006-2007.

The teams is composed of long, athletic players. The reason I fixed my attention on Cooper is because I think the type of players we have would do very well using a 80s Laker style offense and an early 90s style Bulls defense. I think a Michael Cooper/Scottie Pippen coaching team would put the Bulls roster in the best position to win.

Btw, I wish you guys success this playoff season. I really like your chances.

Post #11 » by **Slava** » Wed May 14, 2008 2:00 am

Isn't Coop stoned most of the time or was it Norm? :lol:

Anyways B Shaw is the best head coaching target from our staff.

Rox_Nix_Nox · Post #12 » by **Rox_Nix_Nox** » Wed May 14, 2008 2:13 am

No it's just Norm.

Coop actually has a personality

InSportsHell · Post #13 » by **InSportsHell** » Wed May 14, 2008 3:23 am

j-far wrote:Isn't Coop stoned most of the time or was it Norm?

Anyways B Shaw is the best head coaching target from our staff.

Yeah, Shaw's name has just recently been mentioned by one of our sports writers. Now he's the guy everyone on the Bulls board is slurping. Where is he in the Laker's pecking order? And what's going on with Jim Cleamons?

I think alot of us Bulls fans are looking to Laker's assistants because of the Phil Jackson connection. Me, I just want someone from a high class organization with championship expirience.

Post #14 » by **Slava** » Wed May 14, 2008 4:03 am

InSportsHell wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Yeah, Shaw's name has just recently been mentioned by one of our sports writers. Now he's the guy everyone on the Bulls board is slurping. Where is he in the Laker's pecking order? And what's going on with Jim Cleamons?

I think alot of us Bulls fans are looking to Laker's assistants because of the Phil Jackson connection. Me, I just want someone from a high class organization with championship expirience.

Cleamons is the defense specialist.

Shaw is probably #2 now after Rambis but he's much younger and sophisticated as a coach. Also he ran the triangle in his Laker days.

Erik Eleven · Post #15 » by **Erik Eleven** » Wed May 14, 2008 2:44 pm

Coop is an excellent coach.