The Mike Dunlap Thread

[BigSlam]

The Observer’s source, who asked for anonymity because Dunlap’s hire isn’t official, said Dunlap impressed the front office with his high energy and collaborative approach. Also, he wants to run an up-tempo offense and attacking defense that figures to fit some of the Bobcats’ younger personnel.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/0 ... rylink=cpy

Brown said the same thing.
Silas said the same thing.

Still waiting to actually see it happen.........

[bobcats3wallace]

I think it's very interesting that almost every single national writer who is in the know has basically voiced the same opinion. The bobcats will get slack for it, but Dunlap can flat out coach and he his highly regarded. Dunlap is no bum.

I can't remember a time where the National media gave more support to the coaching hire than our fans (I'm sure that will be the case on sports radio today). Either way, it does show from people who actually know Dunlap, or know people who know Dunlap, that he is a very smart guy who knows the game of basketball very well. You can argue he doesn't have NBA experience, but at the same time he has just as much experience as Quinn Snyder does. Lets also not forget that Dunlap has been interviewed for an NBA head coaching job before, so this isn't totally out of left field. He was interviewed for the Bulls job and was considered the dark horse candidate before they gave it to Tom Thibideou.

I think with Dunlap, Tim Grgurich, and Stephen Silas (I would be surprised if he wasn't added) we can expect to see big leaps and bounds in the development department. All three are very good developers of talent and come in very highly regarded in that department. All we need to add to that group is a very quality big man coach.

[Diop]

Here's a a name for a potential assistant coach, Brian Goorjian.

Apart from them both being former nbl coaches, what connection do they have?

[GQCoolest]

Can someone tell me what the local radio yokels are saying about the hire? I'm sure they're crucifying it, rather than giving it a chance and trying to actually create excitement, but just want to know to what degree it's happening.

[countryboi]

Can someone tell me what the local radio yokels are saying about the hire? I'm sure they're crucifying it, rather than giving it a chance and trying to actually create excitement, but just want to know to what degree it's happening.

you dont want to know its not pretty....its like reading the comments at the bottom of any on the observer

[bobcats3wallace]

Can someone tell me what the local radio yokels are saying about the hire? I'm sure they're crucifying it, rather than giving it a chance and trying to actually create excitement, but just want to know to what degree it's happening.

you dont want to know its not pretty....its like reading the comments at the bottom of any on the observer

Figured it would be. No one actually cares what is on Dunlaps resume, and what he is known for around the league. All they care about is they haven't heard his name before and to the ignorant he is just an assistant coach for a college team that finished 10th in ti's conference. Unfortunately I had zero confidence in our local radio to displace the ignorance and create that excitement, seems as though my hunch was right.

It's interesting, there are some around the league that are actually jealous of us having Dunlap. Clippers beat writers said they would rather Dunlap to Vinny. I mean there was even an article that was criticizing the hire, but it wasn't based on Dunlap. It actually praised Dunlap and his resume and his reputation. The only thing they criticized was how it came about and the hiring process. Again, I'm very surprised of the national support for this hire. Too bad locally they can't wrap their heads around it.

[Bassman]

Dunlap sounds like he would have been great as our assistant head coach. Seriously.

Being the head guy in the NBA is an art form. Teaching and development are important, but during the season you only get so much time to continue doing that. Much of that time is personnel management and in-game management. Both of those require a fine quality of touch mixed with discipline.

Maybe Dunlap has it. Personally I love his approach and attitude (from what I've read of his comments). We can only hope he has the "IT" that a head coach needs in the NBA. It's very different coaching pros versus college students. His time as an NBA assistant gave him that experience, so it may be he will do OK.

Since Dunlap's hire is a reality, I'm more interested in what his direction will be regarding player needs in the draft & free agency. I know it's the Mike & Mike & Cho Show, so between those 3 what are we likely to seek?

[WaydownSouth]

Here's a a name for a potential assistant coach, Brian Goorjian.

Apart from them both being former nbl coaches, what connection do they have?

Their connection and friendship goes way back. Goorjian did a fair amount for scouting here in Australia for Dunlap when he coached at Cal Lutheran, quite a few Aussie kids went in his direction. That role continued onto Metro State.

[bobcats3wallace]

Rick Bonnell setting people straight on Dunlap on WFNZ right now, for those interested.

[GQCoolest]

Can someone tell me what the local radio yokels are saying about the hire? I'm sure they're crucifying it, rather than giving it a chance and trying to actually create excitement, but just want to know to what degree it's happening.

you dont want to know its not pretty....its like reading the comments at the bottom of any on the observer

Not surprising. Nothing made me happier to get XM radio than to never have to listen to the local clowns again.

[bobcats3wallace]

Bonnell said Dunlap impressed MJ, Cho and company with his plan to showcase Kemba and his many skill sets. Interesting. Appears Kemba will be the man on this team. Sounds to me like they are going to do everything in their power to support him and propel him to be a star.

[fatlever]

Bonnell said Dunlap impressed MJ, Cho and company with his plan to showcase Kemba and his many skill sets. Interesting. Appears Kemba will be the man on this team. Sounds to me like they are going to do everything in their power to support him and propel him to be a star.

smart. if we are too have success we have to build the team to fit kemba. that crap silas was running last year didnt fit kemba (or anyone). kemba needs fast paced offense, high pressure defense, put the ball in his hands, tell him to force the action, penetrate and kick. no more of that walk the ball around the perimeter and hand it off to a big, run around the baseline, get ball back with 5 seconds.

[misterglover]

not really who I wanted or was even expecting but cant really sit here and knock him becuz truth be told dont really know that much about his, so can say I was hoping for a "better" coach but did want someone w/ a little more splash value like Shaw

[vorbis]

perhaps dunlap will be a boon for biyombo's development as well. give him sound defensive concepts and, with some luck, improve his rebounding tremendously. also it looks like dunlap has a keen sense of drills, which would hopefully improve his ability to catch the basketball.

[fatlever]

Dunlap sounds like he would have been great as our assistant head coach. Seriously.

Being the head guy in the NBA is an art form. Teaching and development are important, but during the season you only get so much time to continue doing that. Much of that time is personnel management and in-game management. Both of those require a fine quality of touch mixed with discipline.

he obviously knows his basketball and has serious X and Os and development skills. the challenge for dunlap will probably be with how he handles people on a day to day basis. we saw the extremes of this between LB and silas. LB as a great basketball mind but had trouble with being too abrasive on young players and alienating some vets. silas was a great players coach, everyone (except maybe tyrus) loved him, however he could coach he way out of a wet paper bag. this guy seems to have LBs basketball knowledge, but if he can't deal with highly paid pros on a day to day basis, what good does it do? perhaps he should add at least one assistant who is good at relating to players. maybe that would be stephen silas' role, if he is hired. then again, having silas around might cause players to pick sides, between their old buddy silas and the new mean coach.

[poeman]

Im a St Johns Alum and I watched the Johnnies quite a bit...Dunlap took over a broken SJU team that had recruits leave because of academic reasons and Lavin was out with cancer.

He is a great tactician and will teach the players alot...The man is vocal as well and will be engaged.

He is what I call a fundamentals coach, Lavin is the inspiring leader...Hopefully the Bobcats get a teacher to run with him on the sidelines...But Dunlap is a guy you want with a group of young kids, and he will be motivated.

Guys like Nate McMillian and Dantoni are looking for the money right now and probably arent going to be in love with the Bobcats

[ZackAttack23]

Apparently tim grgurich will be an assistant coach for the Bobcats as well. Wonder who else we'll get for the coaching staff. Maybe Stephen Silas stays. Who knows at this point?

[Jaruff]

I'm happy. Bet you we acquire another draft pick and take Moe Harkless. (who I've wanted)

I think he'll get the boys in shape. Might even knock some sense into Tyrus. On a team of young people, having an excellent teacher of the game isn't the worst move we could make.

I think the "assistant at a college program" is distracting people. A good coach is a good coach period.

What would over/under before he shoves Tyrus like Silas did (starting counting with first day of pre-season camp)?

Hopefully Tyrus isn't in a Bobcats uniform when pre-season starts.

Dunlap sounds like he would have been great as our assistant head coach. Seriously.

Being the head guy in the NBA is an art form. Teaching and development are important, but during the season you only get so much time to continue doing that. Much of that time is personnel management and in-game management. Both of those require a fine quality of touch mixed with discipline.

he obviously knows his basketball and has serious X and Os and development skills. the challenge for dunlap will probably be with how he handles people on a day to day basis. we saw the extremes of this between LB and silas. LB as a great basketball mind but had trouble with being too abrasive on young players and alienating some vets. silas was a great players coach, everyone (except maybe tyrus) loved him, however he could coach he way out of a wet paper bag. this guy seems to have LBs basketball knowledge, but if he can't deal with highly paid pros on a day to day basis, what good does it do? perhaps he should add at least one assistant who is good at relating to players. maybe that would be stephen silas' role, if he is hired. then again, having silas around might cause players to pick sides, between their old buddy silas and the new mean coach.

I think that's the beauty of Stephen likely staying on and Silas Sr. being a consultant for the team now. Dunlap has those guys to fall back to if he has any problems. Also looks like Maggette has matured and will probably help him off if he's on the roster this Fall.

We could really use Nazr Mohammed or someone like that to help keep the guys in line. Maybe Eddie can do it if we retain him.

[fatlever]

media is now trying to spin the story, saying that shaw passed on the bobcats job because he wanted something better. did shaw get an offer and turn us down? or is shaw trying to spin this in his favor making it look like he didnt get beat out by dunlap? or is this typical media BS trying to make MJ look bad?

[vorbis]

media is now trying to spin the story, saying that shaw passed on the bobcats job because he wanted something better. did shaw get an offer and turn us down? or is shaw trying to spin this in his favor making it look like he didnt get beat out by dunlap? or is this typical media BS trying to make MJ look bad?

i think it's a combination. one, there is an absence of developments in the story. bobcats are being tight-lipped and plan to announce tomorrow. media people know that more than anything, their job is to talk and produce words. they don't have time to consider things particularly carefully because they are too busy thinking up clever ways to announce tonight's 46 second highlight reel of all the day's sports, and find 37 different ways to make yet another home run sound interesting.

because there are no new developments and because they do not care to actually think about things, they fill the void with endless cliches, commonly held 15-word captions to the bobcats franchise (cheap, sucks, bob johnson, michael jordan cigars golf gerald wallace dead franchise Larry Brown loser) and arguments designed to lead to a shouting match or everyone nodding their heads silently in agreement. "no question" "he's a winner" and all that garbage. at no point in the entire process is an original basketball thought produced, because it is not required.