Ok. So congrats to Landry.
I didn't say this when Blake left for the Grizz bench, but I felt it then as well, so I'll say it now for both: while I'm not surprised that teams keep looking to our development and try to poach our talent, I'm just about done with personnel using us as a jumping point to get their careers started - elsewhere.
That's now the coach and GM of Austin that chose to move on to other organizations after getting their starts with us - after we gave them their entrance into the professional NBA realm. Ahearn was hired as Austin Spurs coach in 2017, his first stint in the pro level after coaching
high school teams. Left in June. Fields started with us in 2016 in scouting - again his first foray into the pro realm, and was just promoted to the GM of Austin Spurs only a year ago.
I don't begrudge people getting other opportunities, but it seems it's not just talent drain because other franchises seek out our talent, but also because the people we hire are using us as springboards for positions elsewhere. This is the second time I'm getting that vibe now. Both departures seem like they came out of nowhere, as shortly prior to their leaving both were speaking about the vision going forward for the players and the team.
I think the Spurs expected both to be in our organization for the long haul given that we gave both their foot in the door and both are so young. I had hoped they'd show some appreciation, loyalty, desire to grow with us. But nope, it's foot in the door, foot out.
I didn't think they were the type to do that, but better to have people who want to be with us. More opportunities to find them now with a couple of spots open.