The Coaching Thread/SF76 Update: Page 54

[ankle420breaker]

I wouldn't be pissed if we hired Laimbeer, but so many people here seem to want him so badly. It's not like he's proven anything.

I know its the WNBA, but he has 3 titles. Its a far cry from the NBA, but its still 3 titles, and that's something.

At the very least, he'll demand some respect and hold the team/players accountable when their bad habits repeat themselves. A young team with little veteran leadership needs that kind of discipline from their head coach... hell, any team needs that kind of discipline out of their head coach and its been too long since a 76ers head coach has carried such a presence.

I'd especially like to see what kind of impact he could have on our bigs. The young guys, Speights and Smith, could certainly use some criticism and guidance from one of the tougher lunch pale players to ever lace them up, and even guys like Sammy and Brand who don't always play to their potential could get a little lift from his attitude and intensity and perform at slightly higher levels, which I believe both are capable of.

Out of the candidate list full of head coach journeymen and unknowns, the unknowns intrigue me a little more... particularly Laimbeer.

[Mojo7]

I wouldn't be pissed if we hired Laimbeer, but so many people here seem to want him so badly. It's not like he's proven anything.

I know its the WNBA, but he has 3 titles. Its a far cry from the NBA, but its still 3 titles, and that's something.

At the very least, he'll demand some respect and hold the team/players accountable when their bad habits repeat themselves. A young team with little veteran leadership needs that kind of discipline from their head coach... hell, any team needs that kind of discipline out of their head coach and its been too long since a 76ers head coach has carried such a presence.

I'd especially like to see what kind of impact he could have on our bigs. The young guys, Speights and Smith, could certainly use some criticism and guidance from one of the tougher lunch pale players to ever lace them up, and even guys like Sammy and Brand who don't always play to their potential could get a little lift from his attitude and intensity and perform at slightly higher levels, which I believe both are capable of.

Out of the candidate list full of head coach journeymen and unknowns, the unknowns intrigue me a little more... particularly Laimbeer.

Laimbeer is a guy who lead the league in rebounds in 1986 and had the most def rebounds in the league from 82-90. He did that using pure smarts, skill and grit. He could teach Speights, Sam, Brand and Smallville a bunch, especially if he brings Mahorn with him.

As far as his coaching -
"The Shock were winless after 10 games when Laimbeer assumed head coaching duties on June 19, 2002, despite no professional coaching experience. He quickly employed a more aggressive philosophy – akin to his reputation as a hardnosed player after 14 NBA seasons – and the Shock finished above .500 over the final 15 games (8-7). The Shock began to attack the basket, increasing their trips to the foul line while shooting fewer 3-pointers. The Shock also became a better rebounding team, grabbing nearly nine more per game after Laimbeer took over (36.4 rpg/ 27.8). Detroit would expect nothing less from a team coached by the Pistons’ all-time rebounding leader."

http://www.wnba.com/coachfile/bill_laimbeer/index.html

[tk76]

Since I'm pretty much convinced that anyone Stefanski hires will have a short shelf life (unless Stefanski's successor keeps him on) I'm all for Lambieer. He will make things interesting, and if some of his hard nosed approach to the game rubbed off on the team it would not be the worse thing. Except i can see Speights being transformed into a thug-and I'm not sure if that is entirely a good thing. Speights already seems to take pleasure in delivering flagrant fouls- maybe that can somehow be channeled into actually taking pride in the defensive end.

[Dedicated_76ers_fan]

Speights takes pride in delivering flagrant fouls? Uh.....No. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/s ... yerId=3460

Speights, particularly this season has been very soft around the basket on both ends. I'm sorry, I wish he were tough by any sense of the word tk.

[The Guilty Party]

So Laimbeer and Mitchell were interviewed today. Williams and Marjele are meeting with Stefanski and Co tomorrow. It'll be interesting to hear what other names will come after tomorrow? Who's left?

Also, I'm a little shocked that things have been so quiet one way or the other about Larry Brown.

[Mojo7]

So Laimbeer and Mitchell were interviewed today. Williams and Marjele are meeting with Stefanski and Co tomorrow. It'll be interesting to hear what other names will come after tomorrow? Who's left?

Also, I'm a little shocked that things have been so quiet one way or the other about Larry Brown.

I guess those power grabbing refusal rumors were true. I'm glad, no need to look backwards. Besides Laimbeer was actually the Coach/GM in the WNBA, so I would be intrigued if he ended up rising in the ranks here.

[PhilasFinest]

Seriously. Laimbeer should be our coach. End the search now

[The Guilty Party]

According to Eskin on Sports Final... Bill Laimbeer, Sam Mitchell, and Avery Johnson stand no chance at getting the head coaching job. He said the Sixers Brass are paying attention to the Flyers and once the Flyers are out of the playoffs, there's a chance Stefanski still gets canned.

Eskin said that the Sixers coaching search will come down to one of three guys: Larry Brown, Doug Collins, or Mike Woodson.

[PhilasFinest]

Thank god it's eskin.

Dude is about as credible a source as star magazine.

[LongLiveHinkie]

That's not true. Eskin is very credible. I keep track of everything he says and check back up on it later and he's one of the best. His sources outside the Eagles aren't as good as they used to be though.

[KnicksManiac]

It's Majerle, not Marjele.

[LongLiveHinkie]

Marjele sounds like the name of a relief pitcher.

[philly10]

Dear kid,

I wouldn't necessarily call it an endorsement. It is more or less picking someone out of an unexciting group of candidates.

Dear Sir,

As yourself being of the more knowledgeable minds on this board, I am still curious as to why you believe Mr. Majerle is the most exciting of this unexciting group of candidates. I apologize, but I truly wish to gain insight, into that brilliant basketball mind that you indeed possess.

Thank you very much for your time, and have a great day.

[LongLiveHinkie]

I never said he was exciting. Since he was never a head coach in the NBA and neither was Laimbeer, no one can say for sure if they are any good. I'll just take a chance on Majerle for no apparent reason other than a hunch.

Now instead of being such a jackass and using pure sarcasm, if you have something you want to say, then come out and say it. Don't beat around the bush my man.

[philly10]

I never said he was exciting. Since he was never a head coach in the NBA and neither was Laimbeer, no one can say for sure if they are any good. I'll just take a chance on Majerle for no apparent reason other than a hunch.

Now instead of being such a jackass and using pure sarcasm, if you have something you want to say, then come out and say it. Don't beat around the bush my man.

Dear Sir,

Why exactly would you construe that my questions were any sort of attempt at sarcasm? As an individual who constantly criticizes the Sixers organization I concluded that yourself indeed had superior insight and knowledge that these individuals lacked. I sincerely apologize that my assumption has indeed been incorrect, and that your insight has been based solely upon "hunches". I do hope I do not offend yourself, but I will no longer attempt to gain a deeper insight and knowledge from the Sixers or the game of basketball from yourself. While I will no longer converse with you on the topic of basketball, I do hope the best for you and your family.

Thank you very much and have a nice day.

[freshie2]

The clip on Laimbeer is timely...good post. I certainly would not be upset with that selection. 3 titles are 3 titles...he can coach. Do you think WNBA stars are more or less tempermental than NBA stars?? He knows the game, knows how to win, and has the respect (fine line...hatred) of NBA players/coaches. This team would have no choice but to be much more intense on the defensive end and focused on playing the game the right way if he comes to town.

Eskin's comments are concerning...Snider/Lukko/et.al need to sell the Sixers...if they only care about the Flyers, and the Sixers are just an investment (losing investment at that), someone else should be in the position to make these decisions.

Speights is not a great defender, but he does take the hard fouls on occasion...he's the only one I've seen jawing/standing up to players like Garnett and Howard in recent years. A player like him under Laimbeer would be very interesting.

[freshie2]

BTW...is there a personality that Sixers fans would love more than Laimbeer's?? If the powers that be want to revive interest in the franchise, starting with a coach like Laimbeer and hoping that his passion is infectious isn't a bad first step. Is this really too easy...what is the downside (from where the franchise is now)??

[freshie2]

To me, Laimbeer possesses a lot of the qualities that the Sixers are/should be looking for..

1- He's a tough coach who will be defense oriented

2- He has name recognition which may help excite the fan base.

3- I imagine that he'll bring Rick Mahorn with him which further adds to the good PR for the team

4- He's willing to take a bad job in order to become a head man. He left his gig with the Shock to become an assistant in Minnesota so I don't think he'd turn this job down.

5- He'll come cheap.

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/six ... _list.html

Yes...yes...yes. Don't care if he's cheap or not, but I agree with your points. He's served his time in the coaching world and has the NBA experience/success to answer any doubts about 'coaching WNBA players'.

Philly fans...annoying, passionate, irrational at times...desparate for a winner!!!
Laimbeer...annoying, passionate, irrational at times...successful!!!

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

"philly10"
Dear Sir,

Why exactly would you construe that my questions were any sort of attempt at sarcasm? As an individual who constantly criticizes the Sixers organization I concluded that yourself indeed had superior insight and knowledge that these individuals lacked. I sincerely apologize that my assumption has indeed been incorrect, and that your insight has been based solely upon "hunches". I do hope I do not offend yourself, but I will no longer attempt to gain a deeper insight and knowledge from the Sixers or the game of basketball from yourself. While I will no longer converse with you on the topic of basketball, I do hope the best for you and your family.

Thank you very much and have a nice day.

Yeah we hope the best for you and your family too and hope that you get off of whatever your smoking as soon as possible.

Thank you very much and have a jolly good day.

[The Guilty Party]

According to Screamin' A, Stefanski is calling up the players' agents and telling them exactly what they need to be working on this summer. He didn't do this last year but he's letting it be known this year what he expects from every player.

Also, SAS believes that today's interviews (Marjerle and Williams) are just "courtesy interviews". However, he apparently spoke to an Eastern Conference Executive who laid down this quote in regard to Laimbeer and Mitchell, "It wouldn't surprise me at all if the Sixers' job came down to those two."

Let's hope he's right.

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/six ... atter.html