RealGM

April 15, 2008 -- THE only mystery surrounding the final frames of the regular season is whether a coach is fired before Isiah Thomas.

If KnicksNew York Knicks president Donnie Walsh wants to be first on the NBA block to begin reversing his team's suffering, he'd best have his ax blade sharpened and in the wield position because inexperienced heads are about to roll.

Barring divine intervention, Larry Krystkowiak, Marc Iavaroni and Jim Boylan are days away from dismissal by the Bucks, Grizzlies and Bulls, respectively.

Two others on Uneasy Street, Lawrence Frank and Sam Vincent, recently received votes of confidence - from Nets president Rod Thorn and Bobcats owner Bob Johnson, respectively.

Showing no onions or the ability to identify new head-coaching substance, the decision makers at Milwaukee, Memphis and Chicago are rounding up the same old suspects as replacements either because they're managing scared or they're appeasing owrnership.

The names rollirng off the lips of Sen. Herb Kohl, Michael Heisley and Jerry Reinsdorf are almost Identical - Larry Brown, Scott Skiles, Rick Carlisle, Jeff Van Gundy and Mike Fratello. The above owners may not insist (newly appointed GM) John Hammond, Chris Wallace (if not supplanted by Next Town) and John Paxson hire their exact choicer, but, guaranteed, it'll turn out to be one of those five; Heisley is the lone owner of the three looking to do things relatively on the cheap.

Hammond, who's bringing Jeff Weltman with him from Detroit (Sonics assistant GM Scott Perry will return to the Pistons where he worked for seven seasons) has a connection with Brown dating back to the Clippers when he assisted him on the sidelines. They also were together in Detroit.

Sources say their relationship is strained, yet they have spoken within the last 72 hours.

"Don't let that fool you," a second source underlined. "John is considering either Skiles or Carlisle, no one else."

Carlisle also is the leading contender to replace Boylan, who moved over 36 inches on the Bulls bench when Skiles was bought out of his contract. Yes, you read it right; bought out of his contract.

Contrary to what you were spoon-fed to believe, Skiles was not fired. He asked out early and often this season, telling superiors he felt he wasn't the right guy for the job and that he wasn't getting through to the players anymore. Their approach and the team's record reflect as much.

Reinsdorf refused to let him walk away from his obligation unless he gave up a portion (I don't know the forfeited amount) of his remaining guarantee.

That's all from an infallible authority and confirmed by others in the know.

europa wrote:I'd prefer Van Gundy over Skiles but I'd much rather get Skiles than Brown. So this looks like a no-lose situation for the Bucks.

LUKE23 wrote:Well, if Carlisle, JVG, Skiles, and LB are the contenders, we are looking at a major coaching upgrade regardless. Here is how I'd rank them:

1. Carlisle
2. JVG
3. Skiles



4. LB

LUKE23 wrote:Well, if Carlisle, JVG, Skiles, and LB are the contenders, we are looking at a major coaching upgrade regardless. Here is how I'd rank them:

1. Carlisle
2. JVG
3. Skiles



4. LB

LUKE23 wrote:Well, if Carlisle, JVG, Skiles, and LB are the contenders, we are looking at a major coaching upgrade regardless. Here is how I'd rank them:

1. Carlisle
2. JVG
3. Skiles



4. LB

coolhandluke121 wrote: the core of this team has to be able to play with some freedom to be productive. Skiles, Carlisle, JVG, and Brown would all just butt heads with these guys constantly. The team has the potential to be an offensive juggernaut, and we need a coach who can channel that. George Karl, Don Nelson, Jim O'Brien, Rick Adelman - those are the kind of coaches we need.