Heard in the Cheap Seats

I guess I have been pretty slow on getting this post up, but then again, I am following the same deliberate pace that Ed Stefanski is in the search for the new Sixers coach.  I have stated before that the hiring of the next head coach is vital to the growth of the organization.  The Sixers simply cannot afford to screw this one up again.  We have seen that Stefanski has absolutely no problem making decisions, so the fact that his search will probably take a little while is a clear indicator that he fully realizes the importance of getting this one right.  It’s been interesting so far, and will likely continue to be before the process is all said and done.  What I wanted to do here is simple:  I will never pretend to be a reporter, so I have no inside information, but I wanted to take a look at who the Sixers have already interviewed or are at least rumored to be interested in and give you my personal opinion based rankings on whether or not they would be a good fit for the team.  My rankings are from 1-10, 10 meaning I would love to see them on the sidelines and 1 meaning I might put my head thru a wall if he is hired.  At the end, I will tell you who I think will end up being hired regardless of my rankings.

 

JAY WRIGHT

 

Resume: Obviously, most people around the Philly area have become very familiar with Wright.  Wright has been a head coach in Division one basketball for 15 seasons (7 with Hofstra and 8 with Villanova), and taken his teams to 7 NCAA tournaments.  He just made his first appearance in the Final Four this past season with Villanova.  His career head coaching record is 300-175.

 

News: Wright did the polite thing and accepted an interview with Stefanski and then notified the Sixers he was not interested in the position. 

 

My thoughts: It is a good sign for Wright that his name is already at least being discussed in some NBA circles.  I highly doubt Stefanski was serious about hiring Wright, however.  I have always felt that Wright has the type of personality that could work with NBA players, but the reality is he has no track record.  That isn’t what the Sixers need right now.  In 5 years, I may feel differently about Jay Wright and the Sixers, but if they had hired him this season I may not have put my head thru a wall, but I might have come close.

 

Ranking: 2

 

CHRIS FORD

 

Resume: Ford played 10 seasons in the NBA and won a title as a player with the Celtics.  He has been an NBA head coach for 8 full seasons and parts of 2 other seasons for four different teams (Celtics, Bucks, Clippers, and Sixers).  He led the Celtics to the playoffs in four out of 5 seasons that he was the head coach.  Ford has compiled a record of 323-376 in the regular season and 13-16 in the playoffs.  He has been an NBA assistant for both the Sixers and Celtics and is currently a scout for the Sixers.

 

News: We haven’t really heard much other than that he did interview for the position.

 

My thoughts: Well, I have never been a big fan of Chris Ford.  He was the Sixers interim coach and we all remember how great he got along with Allen Iverson.  Ford has been a part of the Sixers organization for awhile and knows the players, but at this juncture they need to go in a different direction.  I don’t want any recycling of past Sixers coaches, unless it’s Billy Cunningham or Larry Brown.  If he is hired, which is doubtful, the Sixers will almost certainly be looking for yet another head coach next season.  Another one that would be close to my precious dome crashing thru drywall.

 

Ranking: 1.5

 

DWANE CASEY

 

Resume: Casey played ball at Kentucky and then served as an assistant coach for 5 years under Clem Haskins at Western Kentucky and 5 years under Eddie Sutton at Kentucky.  He then spent 5 years as a head coach in Japan and would later coach the national team for Japan.  Casey spent 11 seasons as an assistant for the Sonics under George Karl and Nate McMillan.  He was the head coach of the Timberwolves for a season and a half before being fired in 2007 with a record of 53-69.  He is currently an assistant for the Dallas Mavericks.

 

News: We know that Casey has now had two interviews for the job.  To my knowledge he is the only confirmed candidate that has been given a second interview.

 

My thoughts: First of all, I don’t think too much can be taken from Casey’s record as an NBA head coach.  He was coaching a bad Minnesota team that had absolutely no stability anywhere in the organization.  On the positive side, he comes from a pretty impressive basketball background.  But, to be honest, so do a lot of coaches, so that doesn’t mean crap to me.  I don’t know a ton about Casey, so I am not going to sit here and say he would be a terrible coach.  But, as I keep saying, the Sixers don’t need a question mark coach.  What I mean is, I don’t want to see a guy come in that has no successful track record.  I don’t like hearing the fact Casey interviewed twice, but I don’t know if that means he is the frontrunner.  I am hoping he isn’t.

 

Ranking: 5

 

KURT RAMBIS

 

Resume: Most people remember Rambis for his playing days in the NBA.  He played 14 NBA season, most of which were in a Lakers uniform and has 4 rings to show for his efforts.  He has been an assistant to Phil Jackson, and briefly was the Lakers head coach during the lockout year.  He had a record of 24-13 and took the Lakers to the conference semifinals.  He also worked in the front office for the Lakers and is currently back on the bench as an assistant to Phil Jackson.

 

News: We now know that Rambis has been informed he is out of the running for Sixers head coach.

 

My thoughts: I am sure playing for Pat Riley and coaching under Phil Jackson has served Rambis well.  He may end up being a very good NBA coach some day, but I am glad that he was taken off the list by the Sixers because I would have hurt my head badly if he was hired.  For some reason, and I can’t exactly pinpoint it, I just didn’t want Rambis to be the next head coach.

 

Ranking: 1

 

EDDIE JORDAN

 

Resume: Eddie Jordan played for seven years in the NBA and won a championship with the Lakers in 1982.  He was an assistant coach for 5 years in Sacramento and then was promoted to head coach for a little more than a season.  He was unsuccessful in Sacramento, and then went to New Jersey as an assistant for 4 years on some very successful Nets teams.  Jordan then coached the Wizards for just over 5 seasons, and led them to 4 straight playoff appearances.  He has a regular season coaching record of 230-288 and a playoff record of 8-18.

 

News: A lot of people figured Jordan would be the guy when this whole process started.  We know he has spoken to Stefanski, but there is no news other than that.  He has also interviewed for the Sacramento Kings vacant head coaching position.

 

My thoughts: Jordan has a relationship with Stefanski from when they worked together in New Jersey.  I think Stefanski is comfortable with Eddie Jordan.  I personally don’t put a ton of blame on some of the failures of the Wizards.  I think he got more out of that team than most would have.  They dealt with a ton of injuries, and coaching Gilbert Arenas must be an absolute anxiety attack.  Jordan has had some success in the league both as a player and a head coach, which is what I want out of the next coach.  He isn’t my favorite candidate, but I wouldn’t be upset if he was the choice.

 

Ranking: 6.5

 

TOM THIBODEAU

 

Resume: Thibodeau has been an NBA assistant for 19 years, most notably for the Knicks, Rockets, and Celtics.  He is known as a defensive guru, and has been Jeff Van Gundy’s right hand man for both New York and Houston.  He helped turn last year’s NBA champion Celtics into the best defensive team in the league.

 

News: We know that Thibodeau interviewed for the job last week.

 

My Thoughts: Thibodeau served as an assistant to John Lucas in Philly in the mid nineties.  But, that has nothing to do with anything, just thought you might want to know.  I actually really like Thibodeau…as an assistant.  A lot of people are in love with Thibodeau because of his proven success as a defensive genius.  The Sixers are in desperate need of defensive improvements.  It seems to be a perfect fit, right?  I say wrong.  Some coaches are better served as assistants than head coaches.  Now, I am not saying that Thibodeau automatically fits into that category, but once again, I don’t think this is the time for the Sixers to give a guy his first crack at being an NBA head coach.  I am all for forward thinking, but I am just not into the idea of giving a guy hus first chance, no matter how much he amazes in his interviews.  There are plenty of cases on both sides of this argument, so I’ll admit that if Stefanski goes with Thibodeau I will understand. 

 

Ranking: 5

 

AVERY JOHNSON

 

Resume: Johnson played 16 seasons in the NBA, most notably for the Spurs, winning a title in 1999.  He was an assistant under Don Nelson briefly and then became head coach of the Dallas Mavericks.  He was very successful during the regular season with the Mavs, compiling a 194-70 record.  He had a record of 23-24 in the playoffs, including a trip to the NBA Finals in 2006, but 2 first round playoff exits following that season cost him his job.

 

News: Johnson has not interviewed for the position.  It was rumored that the Sixers might be interested, but word is that Avery Johnson doesn’t want to be involved in a huge coaching search.

 

My Thoughts: Avery Johnson has proven he can coach.  He has also proven that I can’t stand the sound of his voice.  It doesn’t look like he will be part of the process anyway, but he definitely had some clear ideas of what he would do with this Sixers team in an interview on ESPN Radio.  I can’t say that I disagreed with any of his thoughts on the Sixers.  The guy knows his stuff, but I doubt he will be in the fold.  I think he would do a very good job, but he is the type of coach who needs to be in complete control, and I don’t know if that would mesh with Stefanski.

 

Ranking: 7.5

 

DOUG COLLINS

 

Resume: Collins was a four time NBA All Star, is a former Sixer, and a former number one overall draft pick.  He has been the head coach of 3 different NBA teams (Bulls, Pistons, and Wizards).  Collins coached Michael Jordan in his younger years. He took  teams to the playoffs in 5 out of 8 seasons and has a regular season record of 332-297 and playoff record of 15-23.

 

News: First Collins said that the Sixers contacted him, then he retracted his statement a couple weeks ago.  Well, now it looks like the Sixers are, in fact, interested in talking to Collins.

 

My Thoughts: I like Doug Collins, I will admit.  I think he knows more about the game of basketball than most people on this planet.  He has been around the NBA for over 30 years and has had a little nit of coaching success.  The problem is, I never felt that he quite connected with his players.  I have no basis of proof, it was always just a feeling I had.  I think this version of the Sixers team might tune Collins out.  Again, it’s just a gut feeling I have.  I’d prefer to listen to him break down games on TNT.

 

Ranking: 5

 

JEFF VAN GUNDY

 

Resume: Van Gundy started out as an assistant for Providence and Rutgers before heading to the NBA.  He served as an assistant coach for the Knicks for over 6 very successful seasons.  Van Gundy has been a head coach for all or part of 11 NBA seasons for the Knicks and Rockets.  His teams reached the playoffs in all but one season that he spent the entire year on the bench.  He has a record of 430-318 in the regular season, and 44-44 in the playoffs.  He took the Knicks to the NBA Finals in 1999.

 

News: Van Gundy has yet to interview for the job, but it has been reported that the Sixers are interested in talking to him.

 

My Thoughts: Ok, here is where I will let the secret out.  Van Gundy would be my choice for the next Sixers head coach.  I realize that his teams in Houston lost in the first round every year, but when you have Tracy McGrady on your team that is what happens.  In fact, I will unveil my master plan: Hire Van Gundy and then he reunites with Thibodeau and then everybody wins,  Van Gundy has had a nice little break from coaching and seems ready to get back into the game.  Of any of the candidates, he is the most successful and that is what I want.  He has proven that he can get teams to win.  Even better, once Van Gundy burns out, we can then transition Thibodeau in and he will be familiar with the team!  Ahhh…my plan is perfect!  I believe Van Gundy is the type of coach that can demand and get the most out of this Sixers team.  They need someone who won”t put up with laziness and has a more demanding personality than Cheeks or DiLeo.

 

Ranking: 10

 

I just wanted to make sure everyone understands that my rankings are simply what I think of each coach and not what I think the Sixers feel about them.  So, you now know what I would like to see happen.  But, who do I think will be the next head coach of the Sixers.  It’s just a hunch, but, ladies and gentlemen meet your new Sixers head coach: Tom Thibodeau!  It all remains to be seen.