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

[80sballboy]

Quinton Mayo, who is pretty close with Brad Beal and his wife, has been pushing the Sam Cassell as head coach narrative.

Read on Twitter

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[doclinkin]

A lot of you aren't really grasping how canny Tommy Sheep is.

Never forget: he was in PR before becoming a hoops exec.

This was all pretty shrewdly done, with an enormous grasp of the politics in play.

I agree with this take. I don't buy for a minute that they actually had a negotiation on price. I think this was the polite way to fire Brooks without embarrassing him. Either that, or Sheppard was insisting on a 1-year deal and Brooks refused, which I suppose is plausible.

And we got good news last night, with Milwaukee imploding. Coach Bud, here we come.

I'm intrigued by the possibility of Becky Hammon, who, it seems, won't be the hire in Boston -- apparently, they're going for a Black coach. That was the report. Those words (albeit no cap on Black).

I'd definitely be interested in Bud. He may not be a very good playoff coach, but he can install an effective system to win lots of regular season games. Let's first try and win 50 games a couple of times. Maybe then, we'll decide Bud can't deliver a title and move on, but one step at a time.

I don't really know much about Hammon. Everyone mentions her, but I just don't know if they're trying to demonstrate their political sensitivity in suggesting a female, or if she is actually a great coach. There's no way to know as an outsider. She doesn't have any track record as a head coach.

Pretty much all of the Spurs coaching tree stepped into swift success as head coaches. Becky Hammon has been cited by former players and folks in the organization as next in line for Popovich's job. For that reason I don't know that she would move from an organization that is stable and sane with a track record of excellence to one that has had such a checkered history. (Or is that insulting to the game of checkers?)

When Tim Duncan acted as head coach for a game he said his job was easy since Becky Hammon had already written the game plan and done all the work. When Pop was ejected for a game, Hammon was the one calling in the plays from the bench. Ex players like Pau Gasol have been very vocal in promoting her abilities and likelihood of success in the league. I'd be all over hiring her given the endorsement of former spurs players.

Popovich's endorsement alone would carry weight. The fact that she has been his lead assistant for 6 years means she has sat in a masterclass next to a maestro and learned the dirty tricks from one of the best. And when I think about it, any 'first' in sports has an additional fire underthem to succeed and exceed. Where Scott Brooks has been slammed by former scouts as being the least prepared coach in the game, there is Zero chance that Hammon would earn that label. Would the players take issue? Not Beal. HIs mom was his toughest coach and critic. I think she would actually be an excellent fit here.

[badinage]

1. Budz
2. Atkinson
3. Hammons
4. Jay Wright
5. Billups

Wow -- I was just telling a friend my list, in order, and Long Suffrin' Boulez, it looks just like yours. At least the first 3 spots. Your 4 and 5, I didn't think of -- didn't go that far down, but they look great to me, too. Jay Wright is definitely intriguing.

[badinage]

Quinton Mayo, who is pretty close with Brad Beal and his wife, has been pushing the Sam Cassell as head coach narrative.

Read on Twitter

?s=20

Read on Twitter

?s=20

Read on Twitter

?s=20

Enh. He just seems like a goofball.

I don't want a goofball, even if he's good at relating to today's players. I want structure. I want a disciplined team that moves the ball and works to get the shots it wants, and that communicates and plays hard on D.

[nate33]

A lot of you aren't really grasping how canny Tommy Sheep is.

Never forget: he was in PR before becoming a hoops exec.

This was all pretty shrewdly done, with an enormous grasp of the politics in play.

I agree with this take. I don't buy for a minute that they actually had a negotiation on price. I think this was the polite way to fire Brooks without embarrassing him. Either that, or Sheppard was insisting on a 1-year deal and Brooks refused, which I suppose is plausible.

And we got good news last night, with Milwaukee imploding. Coach Bud, here we come.

I'm intrigued by the possibility of Becky Hammon, who, it seems, won't be the hire in Boston -- apparently, they're going for a Black coach. That was the report. Those words (albeit no cap on Black).

I'd definitely be interested in Bud. He may not be a very good playoff coach, but he can install an effective system to win lots of regular season games. Let's first try and win 50 games a couple of times. Maybe then, we'll decide Bud can't deliver a title and move on, but one step at a time.

I don't really know much about Hammon. Everyone mentions her, but I just don't know if they're trying to demonstrate their political sensitivity in suggesting a female, or if she is actually a great coach. There's no way to know as an outsider. She doesn't have any track record as a head coach.

Pretty much all of the Spurs coaching tree stepped into swift success as head coaches. Becky Hammon has been cited by former players and folks in the organization as next in line for Popovich's job. For that reason I don't know that she would move from an organization that is stable and sane with a track record of excellence to one that has had such a checkered history. (Or is that insulting to the game of checkers?)

When Tim Duncan acted as head coach for a game he said his job was easy since Becky Hammon had already written the game plan and done all the work. When Pop was ejected for a game, Hammon was the one calling in the plays from the bench. Ex players like Pau Gasol have been very vocal in promoting her abilities and likelihood of success in the league. I'd be all over hiring her given the endorsement of former spurs players.

Good stuff doc,

For the record, I'm not suggesting she isn't a good coach because she is a woman. I'm just suggesting that the possibility exists that many people overstate her competence in an effort to virtue signal - particularly when talking about her in front of the media. I'd be much more interested in what insiders say about her behind closed doors. (Maybe they say the same wonderful things, which would give me more confidence.)

[doclinkin]

For the record, I'm not suggesting she isn't a good coach because she is a woman.

I think she may be a better coach because she is a woman. Leastways: In my edit I noted that I think she might feel additional pressure and fire under her to be a good coach because she is a woman. The first of anything has to better than the competition. The Jackie Robinsons of the world have to be HOF caliber or else they are failures. Given that she is one of the only women in this position in any sport, she clearly has to be an exceptional candidate. Axiomatically: she must an exceptional candidate because she has been an exception.

[WallToWall]

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.

That dude had the unmitigated gall to refuse a new contract? The last $35 million must have been so good that he was expecting even more.

Either that or the lowball must’ve been just insulting to him. Good.

According to Quinton Mayo, they were going to neuter him. Replace his entire coaching staff and probably give him a year deal with a team option for the second year.

Perfect! Wizards can say they tried.
Happy to see that change is afoot. Let’s hope it’s for the good.

[nate33]

For the record, I'm not suggesting she isn't a good coach because she is a woman.

I think she may be a better coach because she is a woman. Leastways: In my edit I noted that I think she might feel additional pressure and fire under her to be a good coach because she is a woman. The first of anything has to better than the competition. The Jackie Robinson's of the world have to be HOF caliber or else they are failures. Given that she is one of the only women in this position in any sport, she clearly has to be an exceptional candidate. Axiomatically: she must an exceptional candidate because she has been an exception.

That's a good point.

[payitforward]

A lot of you aren't really grasping how canny Tommy Sheep is.

Never forget: he was in PR before becoming a hoops exec.

This was all pretty shrewdly done, with an enormous grasp of the politics in play.

I agree with this take. I don't buy for a minute that they actually had a negotiation on price. I think this was the polite way to fire Brooks without embarrassing him. Either that, or Sheppard was insisting on a 1-year deal and Brooks refused, which I suppose is plausible.

And we got good news last night, with Milwaukee imploding. Coach Bud, here we come.

I'm intrigued by the possibility of Becky Hammon, who, it seems, won't be the hire in Boston -- apparently, they're going for a Black coach. That was the report. Those words (albeit no cap on Black).

I'd definitely be interested in Bud. He may not be a very good playoff coach, but he can install an effective system to win lots of regular season games. Let's first try and win 50 games a couple of times. Maybe then, we'll decide Bud can't deliver a title and move on, but one step at a time.

I don't really know much about Hammon. Everyone mentions her, but I just don't know if they're trying to demonstrate their political sensitivity in suggesting a female, or if she is actually a great coach. There's no way to know as an outsider. She doesn't have any track record as a head coach.

Pretty much all of the Spurs coaching tree stepped into swift success as head coaches. Becky Hammon has been cited by former players and folks in the organization as next in line for Popovich's job. For that reason I don't know that she would move from an organization that is stable and sane with a track record of excellence to one that has had such a checkered history. (Or is that insulting to the game of checkers?)

When Tim Duncan acted as head coach for a game he said his job was easy since Becky Hammon had already written the game plan and done all the work. When Pop was ejected for a game, Hammon was the one calling in the plays from the bench. Ex players like Pau Gasol have been very vocal in promoting her abilities and likelihood of success in the league. I'd be all over hiring her given the endorsement of former spurs players.

Popovich's endorsement alone would carry weight. The fact that she has been his lead assistant for 6 years means she has sat in a masterclass next to a maestro and learned the dirty tricks from one of the best. And when I think about it, any 'first' in sports has an additional fire under them to succeed and exceed. Where Scott Brooks has been slammed by former scouts as being the least prepared coach in the game, there is Zero chance that Hammon would earn that label. Would the players take issue? Not Beal. HIs mom was his toughest coach and critic. I think she would actually be an excellent fit here.

That is a very articulate endorsement, doc; sign me up.

[badinage]

Another reason this is fortuitous timing: I can't recall the last time there were this many intriguing possibilities on the market:

Budenholzer -- only a matter of time before he gets the axe. He's my choice because he got a ton out of Atlanta and Milwaukee, dramatically and immediately elevating them. They were smart, organized teams who played like teams. His playoff record is bad, but winning 55+ or even 60 games a year is something we haven't had in FOUR decades.

Stotts, let's not forget him; they passed their peak with him, but his offenses were very, very good for a long time. And they went pretty damn far without superior talent other than Dame.

Van Gundy. Who I don't want; but he's not a bum.

Atkinson, who put the Nets in position to become the Fakers / AAU team they are today.

Hammon, who is Pop's righthand woman; she's organized, works hard, and is a winner; she'll be fanatically prepared from the jump. And -- though it might be a distraction in year one -- it would put this franchise in the public eye in a brilliant way: the first pro team of any kind to hire a woman to coach it.

Jason Kidd. Chauncey Billups. Sam Cassell. Don't want any of them, although maybe Billups would be good. But all are interesting candidates.

Jay Wright, a college king.

Wes Unseld Jr.

Kara Lawson (!!)

Ime Udoka, who has the Spurs pedigree and who's name keeps coming up the past few years. I'm curious about him.

Jamahl Mosley, who runs the Dallas D for Carlisle.

Steve Clifford. Not an inspired choice, but he did seem to do his homework.

[80sballboy]

https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/wizards/10-head-coaching-candidates-wizards-consider

[NatP4]

Never would’ve expected these big moves by Sheppard. Moving Wall, letting Brooks go, completely turning over the roster. He’s put this organization in a much better position in just a couple of years.

[dckingsfan]

I agree with this take. I don't buy for a minute that they actually had a negotiation on price. I think this was the polite way to fire Brooks without embarrassing him. Either that, or Sheppard was insisting on a 1-year deal and Brooks refused, which I suppose is plausible.


I'd definitely be interested in Bud. He may not be a very good playoff coach, but he can install an effective system to win lots of regular season games. Let's first try and win 50 games a couple of times. Maybe then, we'll decide Bud can't deliver a title and move on, but one step at a time.

I don't really know much about Hammon. Everyone mentions her, but I just don't know if they're trying to demonstrate their political sensitivity in suggesting a female, or if she is actually a great coach. There's no way to know as an outsider. She doesn't have any track record as a head coach.

Pretty much all of the Spurs coaching tree stepped into swift success as head coaches. Becky Hammon has been cited by former players and folks in the organization as next in line for Popovich's job. For that reason I don't know that she would move from an organization that is stable and sane with a track record of excellence to one that has had such a checkered history. (Or is that insulting to the game of checkers?)

When Tim Duncan acted as head coach for a game he said his job was easy since Becky Hammon had already written the game plan and done all the work. When Pop was ejected for a game, Hammon was the one calling in the plays from the bench. Ex players like Pau Gasol have been very vocal in promoting her abilities and likelihood of success in the league. I'd be all over hiring her given the endorsement of former spurs players.

Popovich's endorsement alone would carry weight. The fact that she has been his lead assistant for 6 years means she has sat in a masterclass next to a maestro and learned the dirty tricks from one of the best. And when I think about it, any 'first' in sports has an additional fire under them to succeed and exceed. Where Scott Brooks has been slammed by former scouts as being the least prepared coach in the game, there is Zero chance that Hammon would earn that label. Would the players take issue? Not Beal. HIs mom was his toughest coach and critic. I think she would actually be an excellent fit here.

That is a very articulate endorsement, doc; sign me up.

Me three...

[payitforward]

It's hard to believe that she can have succeeded in the Spurs organization & not be pretty good at the least. Transplanting some Spurs DNA into this organization would be a major plus.

It would also be a great move for Ted to be the one who hired the first woman coach in NBA history. Meanwhile, this might be the moment for Hammon -- she's interviewing for the Portland & Orlando jobs & has been rumored for Boston as well.

If I were Tommy, I'd be in Ted's office right now, saying "Look, let's make history -- & if it doesn't work out, I'll take the blame."

[doclinkin]

Hammon, who is Pop's righthand woman; she's organized, works hard, and is a winner; she'll be fanatically prepared from the jump. And -- though it might be a distraction in year one -- it would put this franchise in the public eye in a brilliant way: the first pro team of any kind to hire a woman to coach it.

I also think she'd be a good fit with the players that Tommy has tended to select. If he stays then I think she'd work well with him.
Hell, I think she would actually use the players he drafted, and take advantage of the skills they arrived with. Especially the international players. The Spurs system (and Steve Kerr's Warriors) run the closest thing to a European team game. Even when they have a star they spread the ball around the court. More than most the Spurs seem to exploit the skill set of their best players, adjusting the offense to take advantage of what they do well, while minimizing their shortfalls.

Russ may not be a good fit, but every other player on the roster seems like they have a role in a Spurs type team scheme.

[payitforward]

Never would’ve expected these big moves by Sheppard. Moving Wall, letting Brooks go, completely turning over the roster. He’s put this organization in a much better position in just a couple of years.

That's a great point, Nat! & good for you for making the point right now.

Just over two years ago, nate was ruminating about whether & how much we should pay Jabari Parker to stay, & I was advocating for us to keep Sam Dekker!

Damn! that seems like a different world, doesn't it? Wow....

[Mizerooskie]

Charles Lee!

...though he may be in line to replace Budz if he's canned.

[dlts20]

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.

That's the 1st thing that I thought but maybe Tommy offered him something he knew that he would refuse

[dlts20]

I want mda or bud personally. Again, we don't have the elite talent to be great unless we try something unconventional

[payitforward]

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.

That's the 1st thing that I thought but maybe Tommy offered him something he knew that he would refuse

Not a lot of experienced corporate types on this board I guess. Here's what I wrote a while ago, & you can be sure that it's reasonably close to the truth:

For clarity -- there was no negotiation about a new contract in which, alas, the 2 sides were not able to agree on terms.

Nothing of that kind took place. What happened was they told him he wasn't coming back, & then they all had a conversation about how to make it look best for all concerned. Duh.