Hazer wrote:_s_t_u_r_t_ wrote:I've granted that I like what I see.
But we're not talking about an experienced head coach here. We're talking about a rookie HC, who like practically EVERY other assistant who got a HC gig, had a "good reputation." Which, like the word "potential," "good reputation" and all the other spin just means you haven't done anything yet.
And yet, how many more rookie HCs eventually prove all that initial positive fluff to be, in fact, fluff... and lose their jobs eventually, never to be seen in the main seat again... ?
It's not wrong to say, "I need more information."
And it's not even clear why it would be important to try to discredit that position. Is it really that bad of an indictment of Pierce? Maybe if you're Lloyd Pierce's mom, it's hurtful to read that, but otherwise... ?
Btw... "20 year old freshman and sophomores just magically morphed into superior versions of themselves well ahead of schedule"... so, in your world I take it, it isn't all that common that young players at that age improve?
Okay. Appears I have so much to learn yet about that world.
CLP was assistant coach in charge of player development for Cavs '07-'10. LBJ's Semis/ECFs/Finals teams. James has been quoted as saying Pierce was his "favorite coach" in the NBA. Coached Steph in GS in his early years, assistant coach, head of player development, see Steph Curry, he's currently a "thing." Grizzlies assistant coach in charge of player development 2011-13, Conley/Gasol/Gay. Assistant Coach in charge of player development, 2013-18, Philadelphia 76ers, see "The Process", also refernce 2019 EC Semifinalists (so far). 2018-19, Head Coach Atlanta Hawks, see advanced/accelerated development of Young/Huerter/Collins/Len/Bembry. This is very UNlike "practically EVERY other assistant who got a HC gig", no spin, no fluff. Young players, at that age, improve with great coaching. Without it, they develop bad habits and flounder and/or stagnate.
Pierce has given insights into his coaching Philosophy and player development. A players self improvement along with coaching matters.
“We were looking for someone that had a track record of working with young players and making them better, and obviously Lloyd checked that box,” Schlenk told Dime. “We were looking for someone who kind of understands what we’re going to be going through and have the right mindset, experiences to be able to keep it upbeat environment, up in locker room, and Lloyd checks that, and he’s exceeded our expectations on that front.”
As a coaching staff, when we go through development, we’ve got to put guys in a position where, this is what we’re focusing on. We’ve got to educate them on what we’re focusing on and we’ve got to work on it. So, the collaboration, that innovative collaboration, that we speak of involves a number of people, but what you’re doing is connecting the entire organization, from front office to analytics to coaching to training staff.”
“A coach has its biggest impact during times of failure,” Pierce says. “I’m not going to grab Trae after leading the country in scoring and assists last year and grab him in June and say, ‘we need to change your shot.’ That’s the worst thing you can do to a player. But when he shoots 20 percent in November, we’re not going to change your shot, but we need to do some work. And guess what? He’s looking at 20 percent, you’re showing him 20 percent, he can’t say no. So part of the process is, it isn’t linear, and it isn’t going to go in one direction. When it does go down, you’ve got to take advantage of that moment and get the guy back into a place where he’s going to work his way out of it and pick up some different habits and clean up some habits and perfect what he’s doing.”
https://uproxx.com/dimemag/atlanta-hawks-rebuild-culture-lloyd-pierce-travis-schlenk-trae-young-john-collins/amp/
