The OFFICIAL Suns Head Coach Candidacy Thread

enigmatics · Post #1 » by **enigmatics** » Fri May 9, 2008 9:33 pm

.............I thought I'd start it off with something I found a bit interesting. I listen quite a bit to Xtra 570 KLAC (Los Angeles) quite a bit on internet radio. One of their shows, The Loose Cannons, is one of the most entertaining programs on sports radio. Regardless, they were suppsed to have on Eddie Johnson for an interview and apparently he declined to go on at the last minute because host Michael Thompson was going to ask him about the news going around that he was tossing his name into the Suns coaching candidacy hat. I guess he didn't want to answer that. I'm curious as to why.

The Diesel · Post #2 » by **The Diesel** » Fri May 9, 2008 10:55 pm

I still think Mike D is going to end up staying.

But if he leaves, I am really intrigued by Eddie Johnson.

I just think he has that "it" factor which will make him a successful head-coach in the NBA.

Post #3 » by **TASTIC** » Fri May 9, 2008 11:02 pm

Too many stickied threads already, I'm going to sticky this and lock the old DA one

enigmatics · Post #4 » by **enigmatics** » Fri May 9, 2008 11:14 pm

TASTIC wrote:Too many stickied threads already, I'm going to sticky this and lock the old DA one

I didn't mean to impose. I just figured that that D'Antoni thread was more geared to talk about D'Antoni.......and in the coming weeks (pending his leave) we're going to be talking about all the possible candidates more in-depth.

Post #5 » by **TASTIC** » Fri May 9, 2008 11:17 pm

^Yeah no biggy mate, just it's a little cluttered at the top

And people are starting new threads by the hour it seems anyway.

ALL coach related articles can go in here

walkingart · Post #6 » by **walkingart** » Fri May 9, 2008 11:42 pm

Why do people think Eddie Johnson will be a better coach than Majerle?

I am not saying either of them would be my choice, but I find it curious, especially with Majerle being a far superior defensive player. Neither has any coaching experience that I know of.

mkot · Post #7 » by **mkot** » Fri May 9, 2008 11:55 pm

Both would be horrible on this team. Again, you can't bring in a 1st year coach with no experience whatsoever to this veteran group. I can't believe people are actually bringing in the idea of Dan or EJ to coach this team. Maybe 3 years from now, fine. Do it when we're a 26 win team full of rookies and scrub minimum guys.

whambamslam · Post #8 » by **whambamslam** » Sat May 10, 2008 2:25 am

Yeah I don't think EJ or Majerle would be good for this group. I really want Tom Thibodeau to be the next head coach. I know he doesn't have any head coaching experience, but I think he would be great here.

Mr. Sun · Post #9 » by **Mr. Sun** » Sat May 10, 2008 3:04 am

I think the #1 candidate should be Michael Cooper.

I am still not convinced the Knicks gonna make an serious offer for D'Ant which translates he returns next season.

The Diesel · Post #10 » by **The Diesel** » Sat May 10, 2008 3:22 am

What are Cooper's qualifications?

Wasn't he fired by the LA Sparks? He didn't impress Denver enough during his interim tenure to get the full-time job.

I don't want him as the new Head-Coach.

I still have a feeling that Mike D is going to return; but I'm still VERY intrigued by Eddie Johnson and obviously you can't overlook what Thibodeau has done in Boston.

Obviously, I think Thibodeu should be the # 1 candidate followed by Eddie.

Eddie just has that "it" quality, in my opinion.

Mr. Sun · Post #11 » by **Mr. Sun** » Sat May 10, 2008 4:07 am

The Diesel wrote:What are Cooper's qualifications?

Wasn't he fired by the LA Sparks? He didn't impress Denver enough during his interim tenure to get the full-time job.

I don't want him as the new Head-Coach.

Nope. He served as an temp for 30 days is all. His BB philosophy is way more advanced than D'Antoni's. He believes in running the fast break fueled by defensive stops.

If you were around to watch him during the 80's you wouldn't be asking about his qualifications. The man is pure offensive/defensive minded.

The Diesel · Post #12 » by **The Diesel** » Sat May 10, 2008 4:20 am

But just because you were a good player, doesn't mean you will end up being a good Head Coach.

I mean, look at Phil Jackson. He wasn't a superstar or anything, and he's arguably the greatest NBA coach of all time.

Post #13 » by **Tommy Udo 6** » Sat May 10, 2008 10:32 am

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cs ... 8712.story

The Bulls have no Sunday deadline for a potential contract proposal to D'Antoni. Paxson, who is working under no rush, has told D'Antoni's camp he might conduct other interviews

-----------------------

While he remains intrigued with several of D'Antoni's offensive ideas using Bulls personnel, Paxson values defense. That's not considered one of D'Antoni's strengths.

That's why Paxson, according to sources, discussed hiring a veteran defensive assistant during his interview with D'Antoni last weekend in Phoenix. D'Antoni is closely linked to offensive-minded assistants like his older brother Dan and Phil Weber.

Suns general manager Steve Kerr discussed a similar topic with D'Antoni before last season, when he opted to hire former player Jay Humphries over defensive-minded Tom Thibodeau. The latter went to Boston and has drawn praise for helping turn the Celtics into the league's best defensive team.

Thibodeau's credentials are also why Paxson hopes to meet with the longtime assistant, whom he interviewed for an assistant job's that Thibodeau turned down in 2003.

mkot · Post #14 » by **mkot** » Sat May 10, 2008 10:58 am

NBA: D'Antoni playing waiting game
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/sports ... 45594.html

Steve Kerr was hired last summer to take over general manager duties from Mike D'Antoni, and the two have reportedly had differences over the future direction of the team.

"It began early and festered way beyond what I thought it would, almost out of control," said Dan D'Antoni, who likens the situation to the many changes of athletics directors in his three decades at Socastee.

"They have their own ideas," Dan D'Antoni said. "If you're not backed by the principal at the school, an AD can tear it down. That happened to me a couple times at Socastee.

"Every time you fight there are scars and you never really win any battle."

Again, they just don't like each other anymore. It's not all about MikeD unwilling to change things up, they just can't work together anymore...which is very disappointing to say the least. I do believe Kerr wants MikeD to stay though. The reality is that he's the best coach this team could have right now. The list of available coaches are rather depressing. That's one reason he isn't already fired...of course another bigger reason being the money issue.

Mr. Sun · Post #15 » by **Mr. Sun** » Sat May 10, 2008 11:27 am

mkot wrote:Again, they just don't like each other anymore. It's not all about MikeD unwilling to change things up, they just can't work together anymore...which is very disappointing to say the least. I do believe Kerr wants MikeD to stay though. The reality is that he's the best coach this team could have right now. The list of available coaches are rather depressing. That's one reason he isn't already fired...of course another bigger reason being the money issue.

I beg your pardon; it is all about Mike's inability to change. Mike had the opportunity given to him to do it his way and he comes up short every time. You can't help but notice this year there where little things needing changing but never were.

Shaq played out of position from day one and there was never an once of effort to change that. He still posted too far from the basket and relied on hookers or turn arounds away from the basket that too often missed. Very easy thing to correct but he never bothered. If I am the Knicks that would be a MAJOR warning sign he is damaged goods as a coach.

The Diesel · Post #16 » by **The Diesel** » Sat May 10, 2008 12:41 pm

^, That's a good point. His mis-use of Shaq drove me crazy. Even Wade talked about it when he was on TNT a few days ago.

He was either posted on the wrong side or too far away from the basket.

They didn't use him properly on offense.

As a fan, it was sad to watch.

enigmatics · Post #17 » by **enigmatics** » Sat May 10, 2008 4:45 pm

mkot wrote:NBA: D'Antoni playing waiting game
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/sports ... 45594.html

Steve Kerr was hired last summer to take over general manager duties from Mike D'Antoni, and the two have reportedly had differences over the future direction of the team.

"It began early and festered way beyond what I thought it would, almost out of control," said Dan D'Antoni, who likens the situation to the many changes of athletics directors in his three decades at Socastee.

"They have their own ideas," Dan D'Antoni said. "If you're not backed by the principal at the school, an AD can tear it down. That happened to me a couple times at Socastee.

"Every time you fight there are scars and you never really win any battle."

All I read in that article was excuses. He just cannot accept the fact this his philosophy is flawed and needs tweaking.

The Diesel · Post #18 » by **The Diesel** » Sat May 10, 2008 4:54 pm

I just don't see anything wrong with what Kerr is suggesting that Mike should do in the future.

ma_falaa_50 · Post #19 » by **ma_falaa_50** » Sat May 10, 2008 6:01 pm

Paul Silas would be a good coach. I am just bitter of the fact that not only did Dantoni waste Nash's MVP years. He also wasted the suns time by not being a team player and actually hiring a defensive coach. If he was secure about his job he would have allowed Thibodeux to be with the team instead of JAy humphries.

PHXfan85 · Post #20 » by **PHXfan85** » Sat May 10, 2008 6:29 pm

Van Gundy

I mean, why not?