[WOJ] Wizards and Head Coach Scott Brooks Part Ways.....

[DCZards]

Vanterpool is also an excellent candidate! I'd be happy if they hired him, just as I'd be happy if they hired Hammon.

I remember a lot of people being extremely happy when we hired Scott Brooks. I also remember thinking, "Why...?"

Does anyone remember Vanterpool playing with the Wiz back in 2000/2001? Both our PG's (Stickland and Whitney) were injured, and I think we were down to using the immortal one (Laron Profit) at the point. They then signed this guy I never heard of before - David Vanterpool - and he made an impression on me because he actually played like a PG and had the team playing watchable ball in an otherwise dismal season - not that he was good by any stretch, and he certainly wasn't a talented player. And that was his only NBA season. But it's players like that - point guards who end up playing despite not having the talent - that seem to end up as good coaches. They have to learn everything to have a chance. Scott Skiles is the prototype. If there ever was a good PG with no visible means to become a success, it was him. So, I'd love to see Vanterpool become a successful head coach.

I do remember Vanterpool having a brief stint with the Zards. However, I don't recall it as vividly as you do.

It is uncanny how often former NBA PGs turn out to be good head coaches. Probably close to half of the current head coaches were former PGs.

I recall a 1980s poll asking NBA GMs which current player was most likely to be a head coach someday. Doc Rivers was the runaway winner.

[Ruzious]

Vanterpool is also an excellent candidate! I'd be happy if they hired him, just as I'd be happy if they hired Hammon.

I remember a lot of people being extremely happy when we hired Scott Brooks. I also remember thinking, "Why...?"

Does anyone remember Vanterpool playing with the Wiz back in 2000/2001? Both our PG's (Stickland and Whitney) were injured, and I think we were down to using the immortal one (Laron Profit) at the point. They then signed this guy I never heard of before - David Vanterpool - and he made an impression on me because he actually played like a PG and had the team playing watchable ball in an otherwise dismal season - not that he was good by any stretch, and he certainly wasn't a talented player. And that was his only NBA season. But it's players like that - point guards who end up playing despite not having the talent - that seem to end up as good coaches. They have to learn everything to have a chance. Scott Skiles is the prototype. If there ever was a good PG with no visible means to become a success, it was him. So, I'd love to see Vanterpool become a successful head coach.

I do remember Vanterpool having a brief stint with the Zards. However, I don't recall it as vividly as you do.

It is uncanny how often former NBA PGs turn out to be good head coaches. Probably close to half of the current head coaches were former PGs.

I recall a 1980s poll asking NBA GMs which current player was most likely to be a head coach someday. Doc Rivers was the runaway winner.

And you know who else I'm going to say will be a good coach after he retires as a player. That's right. It's

Spoiler:

Garrett Temple

. He's not a pure PG, but he started out as a PG. Ex teammates speak glowingly about him. No, I don't mean Sato - though he'd be a good choice too - but probably in Europe - I'm guessing.

[DCZards]

I just hear how fanatic Hammon's players are in her defense and think, well, hell, if she asked Tim to come work out our Bigs and teach them some things, would he do it? If Pau Gasol had anything he could teach Hachimura about being a face-up Big, would he come here to help? Or free agents who are interested in coming here, any who have been through the Spurs organization seem like would be eager to work with her again. Yeah you might get pushback from ignorant players before they get here. Or I dunno, misguided player wives even. But for X's and O's and player relations, it seems to me she has all the right kind of players on her side. And I expect player families too if you listen to DeJounte Murray, it sounds like Hammon reaches out to check on players wives and families to see if they are alright or need anything.

I’m not going to diminish the tremendous track record of the Spurs. But I do have to wonder how that winning % might have turned out if they had not had that down year in 1997 and, as a result, ended up with the #1 pick and maybe the best PF in the history of the NBA.

I like much of what you’ve said about Becky Hammon's strengths as an assistant coach—both on and off the court. But I have a hard time believing that she’s the only NBA assistant with great relations with and respect from current and former players and an ability to connect with player’s families.

And Hammon and the Spurs aren’t the only ones who can call upon former players to help out with Rui, Bryant and others. Hell, Sam Cassell can bring in a former teammate who was a pretty good player and is renown for having young bigs come to him for schooling. Of course I'm talking about Hakeem Olajuwon.

Maybe the best part about Hakeem is that he reportedly helps people grow mentally and spiritually as well.

[dlts20]

Not a lot of experienced corporate types on this board I guess.

Actually that's all I do and what I have my degree in but ok

Actually I was sorta agreeing with you -- disagreeing with MDStar's post:

I don't know if I should be happy that Brooks is gone or sad that they were actually negotiating a new contract and Brooks opted to not take the offer. Honestly, I think it's the latter for me and I have less confidence today in Tommy than I did yesterday.

"something he knew he would refuse" isn't "actually negotiating a new contract...."

I could have been clearer I guess... Make more sense now?

Yes. Appreciate the clarification

[doclinkin]

I like much of what you’ve said about Becky Hammon's strengths as an assistant coach—both on and off the court. But I have a hard time believing that she’s the only NBA assistant with great relations with and respect from current and former players and an ability to connect with player’s families

Who said only? I've listed a half dozen coaches I would like. Here and in the other thread. The only thing I am arguing is that her being female would be any sort of problem once she actually has a head coaching position. She seems to check pretty much every other box on the checklist. Including being a former all star PG who understands the locker room from the player perspective. Is she the only candidate? No.

Not sure what your protest is, it keeps changing. Is it that you have a particular candidate you want, and ain't tryin to hear about no one else? Or that you in particular don't like the idea of a woman.

And Hammon and the Spurs aren’t the only ones who can call upon former players to help out with Rui, Bryant and others. Hell, Sam Cassell can bring in a former teammate who was a pretty good player and is renown for having young bigs come to him for schooling. Of course I'm talking about Hakeem Olajuwon.

Maybe the best part about Hakeem is that he reportedly helps people grow mentally and spiritually as well.

Ah is that the deal? You want Sam? Yeah I'd love Hakeem to teach, since I think Rui is one of the rare players who is athletic enough with big enough hands to approximate what Hakeem could do. In general I think the skillset Hakeem had was inimitable. I have never seen a player that big and that agile, that fluid. His combination of grace and size and athleticsm was like watching a miracle. Only Kobe Bryant was ever able to really pick up what Hakeem tried to teach him. It's not like Kenneth Fareid broke out a Dream Shake after working with him, or ha! JaVale McGee.

[wall_glizzy]

Read on Twitter

Alright weirdos, that's that debate tabled. Onto the next topic!

[WashWiz54]

I think Kenny Atkinson is my vote. Throw the win-lose ratio out the window because his teams severely lacked talent. What he did have though is a team that (from outside looking in) played smart basketball, looked like a cohesive unit, and got the most out of the guys he had. Jeremy Lin credits him for helping him turn into the player he became. He deserves a shot with a team that has (some) talent, and I hope it is here in Washington.

[NatP4]

Man, I am thoroughly impressed with Sheppard. Star player with a major endorsement for a coach to return that really needs to be fired, doesn’t blink. Never once did I think they had actually negotiated a deal with Brooks. The way he has controlled the narrative and handled his media availability has been masterful.

I still don’t know if he’s building a championship contender or just a fun 2nd round exit team that keeps Bradley Beal around, but I’d like to give him a couple more years on the job.

[Rafael122]

I don't think I can do it as a Mod, but is it possible to convert this thread into the Brooks firing/coaching carousel thread or something? There's been so much news coming out the last 2 days...Carlisle is out as Mavs coach. Him being available changes everything.

[gambitx777]

It's gonna be unseld JR teds a sucker for a good story and to look loyal to his own. Doing some smoke screen negotiations with brooks to make it look like he left us was all part of the act. Ted wants to look loyal.

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using RealGM mobile app

[DANNYLANDOVER]

Donnie Nelson has parted ways with the Mavs.

Maybe the Wizards can get a new coach AND a new GM.

Rick Carlisle is out. We need to go get him NOW!

[nate33]

Donnie Nelson has parted ways with the Mavs.

Maybe the Wizards can get a new coach AND a new GM.

Rick Carlisle is out. We need to go get him NOW!

Indeed. Carlisle is consistently one of the top 6 or 7 coaches in the league. He's the number 1 option IMO.

[DANNYLANDOVER]

Donnie Nelson has parted ways with the Mavs.

Maybe the Wizards can get a new coach AND a new GM.

Rick Carlisle is out. We need to go get him NOW!

Indeed. Carlisle is consistently one of the top 6 or 7 coaches in the league. He's the number 1 option IMO.

I have a feeling that he'd be angling for the Bucks job, if Milwaukee is eliminated tonight.

[DCZards]

Donnie Nelson has parted ways with the Mavs.

Maybe the Wizards can get a new coach AND a new GM.

Rick Carlisle is out. We need to go get him NOW!

Indeed. Carlisle is consistently one of the top 6 or 7 coaches in the league. He's the number 1 option IMO.

No to Carlisle for me. Time for some new blood. Time to give some up-and-comer an opportunity.

[nate33]

Rick Carlisle is out. We need to go get him NOW!

Indeed. Carlisle is consistently one of the top 6 or 7 coaches in the league. He's the number 1 option IMO.

No to Carlisle for me. Time for some new blood. Time to give some up-and-comer an opportunity.

Why take the risk of "new blood" when the sure thing is available? Carlisle has only had 4 losing seasons in the past 19 years. He executed a total rebuild of the Mavs from the Nowitzi era to the Doncic era with only 3 losing seasons, with only 1 of them being a truly terrible year (when they tanked for Doncic). And during that time, he developed Doncic, Finney-Smith, Brunson and Kleber into quality pros.

I get the "no retread" argument if we're talking about mediocre coaches like Van Gundy or Joerger, but Carlisle is one of the best.

[mhd]

Donnie Nelson has parted ways with the Mavs.

Maybe the Wizards can get a new coach AND a new GM.

Rick Carlisle is out. We need to go get him NOW!

Indeed. Carlisle is consistently one of the top 6 or 7 coaches in the league. He's the number 1 option IMO.

Carlisle isn't coming here. We are rooting for a loser organization (by Ted). I like Tommy, but unless we give Carlisle a godfather offer, he'll go to the Bucks (if they lose), Philly (if they fire Doc), or Boston.

[NatP4]

So give him a big offer. He’s one of the absolute best. They gave Scott freaking Brooks 35 million.

We can all get pretty negative about the organization but there is intrigue to coaching Russ and Brad and a handful of young players.

[DCZards]

Indeed. Carlisle is consistently one of the top 6 or 7 coaches in the league. He's the number 1 option IMO.

No to Carlisle for me. Time for some new blood. Time to give some up-and-comer an opportunity.

Why take the risk of "new blood" when the sure thing is available? Carlisle has only had 4 losing seasons in the past 19 years. He executed a total rebuild of the Mavs from the Nowitzi era to the Doncic era with only 3 losing seasons, with only 1 of them being a truly terrible year (when they tanked for Doncic). And during that time, he developed Doncic, Finney-Smith, Brunson and Kleber into quality pros.

I get the "no retread" argument if we're talking about mediocre coaches like Van Gundy or Joerger, but Carlisle is one of the best.

You get no argument from me as it relates to Carlisle being one of the best coaches in the NBA. I'm just for creating more opportunities (and bringing more diversity) to the NBA coaching ranks.

We'll never know how good younger folks like Cassell, Hammon, Vanterpool, Unseld Jr., etc can be as head coaches if they never get an opportunity.

[payitforward]

I was all in for Hammon, & overall I always prefer bringing in younger people & new perspectives. But, I'd have a hard time being upset if the Wiz hired Rick Carlisle. He's just too good.

[80sballboy]

No to Carlisle for me. Time for some new blood. Time to give some up-and-comer an opportunity.

Why take the risk of "new blood" when the sure thing is available? Carlisle has only had 4 losing seasons in the past 19 years. He executed a total rebuild of the Mavs from the Nowitzi era to the Doncic era with only 3 losing seasons, with only 1 of them being a truly terrible year (when they tanked for Doncic). And during that time, he developed Doncic, Finney-Smith, Brunson and Kleber into quality pros.

I get the "no retread" argument if we're talking about mediocre coaches like Van Gundy or Joerger, but Carlisle is one of the best.

You get no argument from me as it relates to Carlisle being one of the best coaches in the NBA. I'm just for creating more opportunities (and bringing more diversity) to the NBA coaching ranks.

We'll never know how good younger folks like Cassell, Hammon, Vanterpool, Unseld Jr., etc can be as head coaches if they never get an opportunity.

100% and we're not getting Carlisle anyhow. But everybody wants a name. "Let's get Jay Wright". Fantastic college coach. Brad Stevens was better at Butler. Good NBA coach. But underachieved this season. Personally, I don't want any college coach, even Pat Ewing, who has a long history as an NBA assistant and never got the shot to coach in the NBA as most former big men don't get chance to become head coach.

I trust that Tommy will do research, but if waits until just before August 2, he won't get Carlisle or Chauncey Billups or Atkinson. Maybe not Wes Jr., who is on the list of several other teams.

Brooks was a Ted selection because he wanted KD and he was a name coach. Didn't exactly work out though Ted did say we made the playoffs in 3 of 5 years, so I guess it was a slight success in his world.