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What if the Spurs didn't have Popovich?
What if the Pistons kept Larry?
What if the Suns/Mavs/Cavs/Jazz/...etc... had a different coach?

Few teams are true championship contenders. Even fewer coaches fill the description.

How many championship coaches have there been in the past 20 or so years? Only a handful -- Jackson, Pops, Riley, Brown, (Tomjonavich, Daly *retired)

Only 4 active coaches have rings. This includes Brown (who wants to unretire), and Riley who might retire.

We sometimes overlook the importance of the right coach on the right team. From recent history, there are few 'right' teams, but there are even fewer 'right' coaches.

Coaches are important when two teams are close in terms of talent. Dallas lost in the Finals because Avery was outcoached by Riley. Dallas lost in the first round because Avery was outcoached by Nellie. Detroit lost in the ECF because Flip was outcoached by Riley. The aforementioned coaches couldn't make the necessary adjustments in order to win the series. However, a team like Boston would absolutely murder any team except the Spurs and Hornets because of sheer talent even though there are many teams with better coaches than Doc Rivers.

TAI8 wrote:Coaches are important when two teams are close in terms of talent. Dallas lost in the Finals because Avery was outcoached by Riley. Dallas lost in the first round because Avery was outcoached by Nellie. Detroit lost in the ECF because Flip was outcoached by Riley. The aforementioned coaches couldn't make the necessary adjustments in order to win the series. However, a team like Boston would absolutely murder any team except the Spurs and Hornets because of sheer talent even though there are many teams with better coaches than Doc Rivers.

well said. I agree with all that was said.