http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/20 ... ant-coach/
The Grizzlies on Wednesday introduced Kevin O' Neill to their coaching staff as their new defensive coach. With Marc Iavaroni emphasizing that defense needs to improve. He elected to go with this move. Will O'Neill be the Grizz miracle in terms of improving the defense? We'll find out in the upcoming season.
Grizzlies Hire O'Neill
Grizzlies Hire O'Neill
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SD2042
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dark-child
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I wonder if M. Heisley made this call for the coach as I know O'Neil has Chicago ties as he was Northwesterns Coach for a long time. O'Neil is also one of the assistant coaches who is always angling for the head job.
Just ask Lute Olson, but Kevin had nothing to do with the former's divorce which prompted his leave in the first place. Coach I. might still want to watch his back as his replacement could already be on staff.
Just ask Lute Olson, but Kevin had nothing to do with the former's divorce which prompted his leave in the first place. Coach I. might still want to watch his back as his replacement could already be on staff.
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The_Hater
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Raptor fan here. Kevin O'Neill coached the Rap's for a season. He definitely has a good mind for defensive basketball but his system (at least in Toronto) seemed to do so at all other costs. The Raps never ran the ball. In fact, they approached the record for least ppg in shot clock era. He was pretty strict about not crashing the offensive glass as he wanted everyone running back and protecting his own basket. Take away those 2 things and as people can see, easy baskets are tough to come by at the expense of protecting your own basket.
In the end, these weren't bad schemes for defensive basketball but it was done so at the expense of everything else. This shouldn't be huge issue in Memphis as an assistant unless MI wants to put in offensive schemes that are counter-productive to his defensive vision. And that's highly possible and could lead to either conflict or a confused roster due to contrasting visions.
On top of that, he didn't care if his players had any skill just as long as they fit into his defensive mold. This helped protect the basket but at the expense of offense and rebounding. And as a result he played several players in his rotation 4 years ago that never played in any NBA team's rotation ever again. Again, this shouldn't be a huge with him a defensive coach but just shows where his head is at and again, could lead to some conflict with MI.
A few more tidbits. This is a man with literally zero patience and weak people skills and he burns bridges quickly as a result. Just look at his coaching track record for proof. He rarely stays in a place for more than 2 seasons before being run out of town. 7 months ago he was being groomed to take over for Lute Olsen in Arizona as the interim head coach yet suddenly he wasn't even on the Zona coaching staff once the season ended. Another bridge burned. And the man is an alcoholic. This isn't a rumour but a pretty well known fact in Toronto. This part is probably strongly related to the rest of his issues.
Personally, I wouldn't want him anywhere near my coaching staff. I think that the bad far outweighs the good but you never know, it could work out helping teach a little defense in the short run. But I have a feeling that MI doesn't know what he's in store for here and KO will be one and done in Memphis.
In the end, these weren't bad schemes for defensive basketball but it was done so at the expense of everything else. This shouldn't be huge issue in Memphis as an assistant unless MI wants to put in offensive schemes that are counter-productive to his defensive vision. And that's highly possible and could lead to either conflict or a confused roster due to contrasting visions.
On top of that, he didn't care if his players had any skill just as long as they fit into his defensive mold. This helped protect the basket but at the expense of offense and rebounding. And as a result he played several players in his rotation 4 years ago that never played in any NBA team's rotation ever again. Again, this shouldn't be a huge with him a defensive coach but just shows where his head is at and again, could lead to some conflict with MI.
A few more tidbits. This is a man with literally zero patience and weak people skills and he burns bridges quickly as a result. Just look at his coaching track record for proof. He rarely stays in a place for more than 2 seasons before being run out of town. 7 months ago he was being groomed to take over for Lute Olsen in Arizona as the interim head coach yet suddenly he wasn't even on the Zona coaching staff once the season ended. Another bridge burned. And the man is an alcoholic. This isn't a rumour but a pretty well known fact in Toronto. This part is probably strongly related to the rest of his issues.
Personally, I wouldn't want him anywhere near my coaching staff. I think that the bad far outweighs the good but you never know, it could work out helping teach a little defense in the short run. But I have a feeling that MI doesn't know what he's in store for here and KO will be one and done in Memphis.
AthensBucks wrote:Lowry is done.
Nurse is below average at best.
Masai is overrated.
I dont get how so many people believe in the raptors,they have zero to chance to win it all.
April 14th, 2019.
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Cubboo
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SD2042 wrote:^^^Thx for the info. Some grizzfans are questioning the move due to the results that MI produced during his first yr as coach. While the move for O'Neill says "willing to improve the defense" the move kinda say" "possible MI replacement when he produces another bad record."
Agreed. Seems like this hire (rumored that the owner hired KO, not Ivaroni) is a set-up to swap the current head coach and not solely for defensive support.
We've had our fill of the Fratello era, apparently the owner hasn't. He should be forced to watch the product he puts on the court ala Clockwork Orange.
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GrizzledGrizzFan
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