The Coaching Thread/SF76 Update: Page 54

[Gsraider]

I wish I could believe that some of these guys are realistic candidates, but unless Majerle and Laimbeer absolutely blow Stefanski and crew away in an interview, I think they and M. Williams are getting interviews simply to get as many ideas and philosophies as they can. So long as Stefanski is the GM, I still find it hard to believe that he's going to go after a guy with no HC background even if he is the best choice. I could be wrong, but I think it still will come down to guys like D. Collins, L. Brown, A. Johnson, etc. If Stefanski is canned, then I guess all bets are off.

[Kobblehead]

Let's be honest, I don't think Avery and Collins would even take the job. They respectfully took interviews, but neither guy approached the Sixers. And Larry Brown is a severe long shot.

[Foshan]

I really hope the sixers get a guy soon. Show us that they got the guy that they wanted. Not waiting till guys like Avery /Collins get landed other places and we end up with our option b, c, or d. Get the guy you want (hint: Laimbeer) and do it early so we know he impressed you and he's the guy you want going forward, and not leftovers.

[tk76]

Let's be honest, I don't think Avery and Collins would even take the job. They respectfully took interviews, but neither guy approached the Sixers. And Larry Brown is a severe long shot.

Collins was interested even last year. His daughter and grandchildren live in the Philly area- so that is a big draw. He also feels a personal connection for the team, having played here his entire career and was part of the rebirth of the team in the mid 70's.

[tk76]

One small concern about Lambeer is that he is a whiner. He is also tough, smart and a winner, but the whining over every call goes back to his playing days, and some of the current Sixers suffer from the same problem.

[Kobblehead]

If Collins actually has us as his first choice, we need to accelerate the process and get him inked already. TK, do you have any concerns about his time away from coaching being a problem?

[dbodner]

One less than small concern I have about Laimbeer is that he has, what, 8 months experience on NBA sidelines?

[PhilasFinest]

Laimbeer is my first choice hands down.

Mitchell is honestly starting to trump majerle as my 2nd choice.

While some will say he is a "re tread"... unlike collins' bulls, Avery's mavs, jordans wizards or scotts nets/hornets... Mitchell's raptors team(s) in 07 who won 47 games and others Were seriously not all that talented Aside from a young bosh. He seems to be a players coach has a solid idea about our roster And his views on some of the players seem like they were straight out of a post from one of us.(iguodalas needing to drive more, less 3's etc.

While I'd LOVE to see crazy bill laimbeer as our next HC,But as a runner up I'd wouldn't mind Mitchell either. Especially over collins who hasn't coached in awhile and his track record shows he plays slow paced ball and vets over youth.

[Gsraider]

Let's be honest, I don't think Avery and Collins would even take the job. They respectfully took interviews, but neither guy approached the Sixers. And Larry Brown is a severe long shot.

While I agree about Brown, particulary in light of the fact that Stefanski won't be the one chasing him if he wants to keep his job, I disagree about Johnson and Collins. Besides, I was just throwing those two out there as examples of more proven coaches. For that matter, I could ahve throw in someone like S. Mitchell, who at least has had some success in the league. As for Collins, he was interested in the position before the team hired Jordan last year and if he interviewed this year, I would have to think he's interested. As for Johnson, I would guess that NO is his first choice, but NO is not exactly moving heaven and earth to get him signed yesterday. Besides, if he interviewed, I'm guessing he has some interest if the terms are close to what he's looking for.

Regardless, I'm just wondering if it's Stefanski who makes the choice, will he have the balls to take a chance on a guy with virtually no NBA coaching experience? Sure, I could be surprised, but I wouldn't bet on it.

[ankle420breaker]

According to Screamin' A, Stefanski is calling up the players' agents and telling them exactly what they need to be working on this summer. He didn't do this last year but he's letting it be known this year what he expects from every player.

Also, SAS believes that today's interviews (Marjerle and Williams) are just "courtesy interviews". However, he apparently spoke to an Eastern Conference Executive who laid down this quote in regard to Laimbeer and Mitchell, "It wouldn't surprise me at all if the Sixers' job came down to those two."

Let's hope he's right.

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/six ... atter.html

Good. As it stands, I'd prefer it to come down to those two. Laimbeer is my clear cut front runner, but I do like the inklings I've heard of Mitchell's philosophies for this roster. Marjerle's name intrigues me, but I honestly don't know enough about the style in which he coaches to give him an endorsement.

The talks with the players agents doesn't exactly impress me. As President/GM, Stefanski should be brutally honest to every player about which areas of their games addressing. Coming off such an embarrassing season, he has a responsibility to make sure that sense of urgency is shared by the players.

[Dedicated_76ers_fan]

Laimbeer needs to be the head coach of this team. He's the kind of guy who holds players accountable. The Shock were the worst team in the WNBA, he turned them into title contenders. I don't think there's too much of a difference between the women's and the men. I think it's overblown a bit.

[dond]

My choice would be Bill Laimbeer only because I would like to see what happens when you get a HOTHEAD coaching this team. I would like to see the coach visibly upset when his team performs poorly (and they will). I would like to see the coach get after his players during the game when they perform with anything less than their best effort. I think he could bring a little life to things again.

As far as his coaching ability goes, I have no idea if he is a good coach. He won 3 championships in a girls league. I guess that counts for something. He could turn out to be a great coach ..... or not.

OH ... and one more thing ...

When Laimbeer played, he was first and foremost a DEFENDER and REBOUNDER. He would most definitely have something to say about that part of the game.

AND ... he was MEAN ! That can't hurt !

[Philly KDub]

Like many of you, Liambeer is my first choice. This team desperately need toughness and winning mindset. I don't care if he coached in the WNBA. He has shown that he can win there. That guy knows how to coach a basketball team. He has been a winner in his entire career with the Pistons and the Shock.

When EJ was here, you could see that the team was lacking discipline in a big way. With some discipline, this team should be better.

I wouldn't mind having Sam Mitchell as a head coach. He has a decent track record as a coach. It seems like he got the most out of his players during his time in Toronto. He wasn't a talented player when he played in the league but he always played hard and gave his all. He would be a good fit here.

I'd be happy with either Liambeer or Mitchell.

[Philly KDub]

Wouldn't Dan Majerle make you guys feel intrigued? He's part of Gentry's coaching staff. Gentry has maintained the Suns' run-and-gun offense while adding defense and toughness. It's something that D'Antoni couldn't get it done. Don't you think Majerle would bring the same philosophy to the Sixers? We all know the Sixers play much better when they push the tempo.

[dond]

Wouldn't Dan Majerle make you guys feel intrigued? He's part of Gentry's coaching staff. Gentry has maintained the Suns' run-and-gun offense while adding defense and toughness. It's something that D'Antoni couldn't get it done. Don't you think Majerle would bring the same philosophy to the Sixers? We all know the Sixers play much better when they push the tempo.

Well, he might be alright. However, as you said ... he is PART of Gentry's staff. Gentry is the guy that brings toughness to that staff. I don't know if Majerle is tough, I do know Laimbeer is tough.

[Kobblehead]

Wouldn't Dan Majerle make you guys feel intrigued? He's part of Gentry's coaching staff. Gentry has maintained the Suns' run-and-gun offense while adding defense and toughness. It's something that D'Antoni couldn't get it done. Don't you think Majerle would bring the same philosophy to the Sixers? We all know the Sixers play much better when they push the tempo.

And Randy Ayers was the top assistant under Larry Brown.

[The Guilty Party]

Also, I LOVE the idea of Bill Laimbeer (and presumably Rick Mahorn) working with our 1st Rd pick should that pick be Favors, Cousins, Monroe, or Aldrich. There's little chance that guy is going to come into the league and be soft with those two men instructing him on how the NBA game is to be played from a big man's standpoint.

[tk76]

I would hope Laimbeer could channel a bit of Chuck Daly- a Philly guy who brought a blue collar mentality to the Pistons.

I do worry how a hot-head like Laimbeer will do with a losing team. Its easier for a guy like that to get through to players when they are having success. Players are more receptive to be pushed if they see pay off. And some players who lack thick skins won't do well under that style of coach. Dalembert, for example, has the thinnest skin of any professional athlete I have seen.

[dond]

I do worry how a hot-head like Laimbeer will do with a losing team. Its easier for a guy like that to get through to players when they are having success. Players are more receptive to be pushed if they see pay off. And some players who lack thick skins won't do well under that style of coach. Dalembert, for example, has the thinnest skin of any professional athlete I have seen.

Well, if Laimbeer can deal with it, then I say ... let the chips fall where they may. After the dust settles, only good, hard-nosed players will be around, and that will be fine.

[tk76]

Well, if Laimbeer can deal with it, then I say ... let the chips fall where they may. After the dust settles, only good, hard-nosed players will be around, and that will be fine.

Good point. But will Laimbeer still be around?