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Nothing against Lionel Hollins but I doubt he makes it through the entire season. After hearing him call Allen Iverson the same as everybody else I realized that AI's ego will probably get the best of Hollins. I like Iverson as a player and Hollins as a coach but I don't see future success for this pair. My guess is that he's fired well before the All-Star break and the Grizz bring-in a veteran coach. Not necessarily Mike Fratello but a guy like that - someone with a lot of experience. Thoughts?

Very Doubtful and heres why. The Grizz are not committed to either long term and the expectations are not so high that the lack of success (wins) or ability to mesh with Iverson or seen as a reflection on Hollins as a coach. Any negative associated with Iverson will be seen as the usual he is uncoachable and a team ball pariah.

If you are serious about who the candidate to be fired first than look for a coach with less than three years left on his deal, high or unreasonable expectations, and the likelihood the team would underachieve under his stewardship?

My candidates would be:

Mike Woodson - Atlanta
Mike Brown - Cleveland
Mike Dunleavy - LA Clippers

(I did not plan them to be all Mike's but that is my list)

Dunleavy should've been gone two yrs back. His coaching style doesn't fit their current Clips roster and he's too stubborn to try and adjust to the style that best fit his players. Woodson has been standing on a trapdoor for a while, but has been getting lucky getting into the playoffs. If ATL starts off strong and maintain their momentum from start to finish, they're in the playoffs. If they struggle, look for Woodson to get yank by season's end(depending if Hawks struggle badly). As for Mike Brown, this will be his last chance, now they have Shaq alongside LBJ to help him get over the debacle that is the Orlando Magic and Dwight Howard to put things right. Otherwise it's bye-bye to Mike Brown at the end of the playoff run.

I'm with SD and darkchild-the Hollins era will not be defined by his relationship with AI.

Mike Brown has one shot. this season. Championship or he's on the street lookin' for work come June.

Safest? Pop, Nate Mc,Mike D'Antoni, Doc, IMO.

Usually when a team hires a rookie or inexperienced coach, it is because they come cheap. It is a great opportunity for owners to save money.

Heck, Vinny Del Negro makes less in 3 years than Mike D'Antoni demanded for 1 season (and Mike demanded a 4 year deal)

If Hollins indeed does get fired (and I dont see it), he will not be replaced with a veteran or "name" coach. He'll be replaced by someone who is now an assistant somewhere

Lawrence Frank was on the hot seat a bit last year, the Nets didn't do much if anything to improve and now they are about to have a new owner. I think he could be the first to be let go this year if the Nets struggle early.

That is a big possibility loco. The Nets haven't bee the same since they broke up the team 3 to 4 seasons ago. Too much issues with lack of better talent in some spots. The whole ownership looking to sell the team to Brooklyn. They are rebuilding the team after trading off RJ, Kidd, and Vinsanity off. Frank should be on the list of coaches to be fired this season as the Nets will continue to struggle this season.

[quote="hptmatthew"]I'm with SD and darkchild-the Hollins era will not be defined by his relationship with AI.

Mike Brown has one shot. this season. Championship or he's on the street lookin' for work come June.

Safest? Pop, Nate Mc,Mike D'Antoni, Doc, SVG.

Fixed!