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The question was asked in this weeks Sports Illustrated in a section called SI Players Poll. Players could not vote for their own coach.
Riley was by far the most with 28%, Skiles, Sloan and Isiah all finished with 12%. Maybe this affects us with some of these bad off-seasons?

Riley, Skiles and Sloan are probably the most disciplined, grueling restrictive coaches (or are at least viewed that way) but until this year had pretty good results, which shows the state of NBA players. Riley, Skiles and Sloan's % add up to 52% of players, who likely prefer the 'easy' coaches. Isiah is obviously just plain bad. But it would be interesting to know when the poll was taken and whether teams chose Riley, Skiles and Isiah just on record this year, and Sloan because Utah suxxors, or if it was based on their philosophies.

I'd still rather have a disciplined coach and choose from 48% of committed players than have an 'easy' coach and choose from 52% of lazy players.

Yeah its true even though its surprising Riley would more than double any of those guys but the type of players are changing... its hard to ask guys to come here for equal or less money when they believe the coach is too strict and they can go elsewhere and have it easier with perhaps better results (based on records this year).

That doesn't mean he's a bad coach or anything, he's just really strict and has grueling practices and noone likes that.

Like Marty says, just shows you the current state of the NBA. Bunch of prissy no-work players and a few rugged warriors. When Zo does retire, it is a loss not only for this team, but for an era when playing as heard as your heart could allow was the norm. Don't get me wrong, I love UD and think DWade does play like that when it suits him, but to most it is just a job. And if it just a job, then why had a boss that yells at you.

Were is the link?

Anyways, I think their needs to be a balance, am not sure why Popovich didn't end up in the list, could the players be just as fairweather. Or could their be something going on in NBA player circles that we don't know.

Yes it could be alot to do with discipline, but a guy like Phil Jackson a 9 time NBA champ, his Bulls teams had some of the best defense to add, maybe is the lack of offensive mindedness of this coaches. Or the way the go about getting their message.

Ofcourse I rather have a hard ass coach than a weak coach that has no balls and control over his team.

I think Stan Van Gundy is going to be in the list for most undesirable coach, he always disses the $%&* out his players. I think he reminds me of Vince Lombardi stories about being extremelly hard ass coach on his players also using ridicule to get them motiviated, but with this new age, its hard for some to swallow.

Wade says Heat tune out Riley from time to time:

"It's tough," Wade said "You can come in and sometimes it's tuned out, sometimes it's listened to. I think it all depends on the message of it."

questioning Riley's message?


http://www.palmbeachpost.com/heat/conte ... _0204.html

If Heat has the best record in the league then Riley wins the poll of coach players want to play for. Big deal. Give us a team of superstars, we get 65+ wins and Riley's message is the gospel once again.

Ok, so 72% of players would prefer to play for;

Woodson, Frank, Vincent, Krystowiak, Iavoroni, Wittman, Theus or Carlesimo

..instead of Riles....gimme a break!

For what it is worth, I think Sloan is clearly one of the better coaches in the leauge. I have never liked Pop but I have to give him his due.

My top 3 coaches in the league (leaving out Riles for bias) are
Sloan, Phil and Pop. I also rate Stan, D'antoni, McMillan, Nelson, Scott and Avery. Coaches I really don't rate are Karl and Saunders.
The rest are either too new for me to know enough about or so far past their used by date that they shouldn't be a head coach.

BFO wrote:Ok, so 72% of players would prefer to play for;

Woodson, Frank, Vincent, Krystowiak, Iavoroni, Wittman, Theus or Carlesimo

..instead of Riles....gimme a break!

No!

28% of players would.

link
http://www.fannation.com/blogs/post/133735

Which NBA coach would you least like to play for?

Pat Riley, Heat ....... 28%
Scott Skiles, ex-Bulls ....... 12%
Jerry Sloan, Jazz ....... 12%
Isiah Thomas, Knicks ....... 12%
Phil Jackson, Lakers ....... 4%
Mike Woodson, Hawks ....... 4%
Maurice Cheeks, 76ers ....... 3%
Jim O'Brien, Pacers ....... 3%
Stan Van Gundy, Magic ....... 2%
George Karl, Nuggets ....... 2%

[Based on a survey of 242 NBA Players]

FAST FACTS: Players could not vote for their own coach. . . . In last week's poll 21% of voters named Jackson and 4% named Sloan as the coach they would most like to play for. . . . Skiles was fired by Chicago on Christmas Eve. . . . Though only 9-33 this season Riley, a three-time Coach of the Year, has a career coaching record of 1,191-651 and has won five NBA championships.