Greg Popovich. Realistically, probably Avery Johnson.

I’ll pass on AJ but I am all for for JVG!

We think Avery Johnson is the best choice. From your Poll list, Johnson is the best on it.

Well, we’ve got Rip and we’re signing Ben Gordon and Charlie V…we hiring Jim Calhoun to coach them?

Darius Rucker from Hootie.

I’m currently a full-time volunteer (technically unemployed); you think Jod is accepting resumes?

somebody with experience so i guess ill go with avery i dont think lambeeir is ready yet

Pat Summit, please! Mmm… sexy pant suits.

Summitt* God, ruined!

Nah, still hilarious even with the misspell!

Daly, however impossible.

Johnson with Laimbeer as the assistent.

Kuester is interesting since he’s coached as an assistant here before and is considered a very smart X and O guy. I doubt Joe D goes with a guy who’s never been a head coach in the league before though.

It’ll probably be Avery…hopefully he’s learned to loosen the reigns just a bit. If so, I’d be happy with him as coach.

I had wanted Laimbeer but Avery Johnson’s .735 winning percentage over 3+ years is awfully good. And he’s a Louisiana guy like Jod so maybe that’s the straw that breaks things in The Little General’s favor. Johnson is still only 44 and if Dumars plans on staying around and things click maybe the Pistons can be a team like the Jazz with a coach for an extended period of time without any drama.

Anyone has any idea why JVG isn’t mentioned in the news as a possible candidate at all?

I’ve been asking that same question concerning JVG. He’s far and away my first choice. But maybe we’re not going in the “tough defense/grind-it-out offense” direction anymore, which is his forte. If so, I like Avery. Those Dallas teams could defend and score with the best of them. If Cuban hadn’t pissed away Devin Harris, I think they might have won a championship by now. I mean, the Warriors haven’t even made the playoffs since that horrible first round series…

True Joel. Ever since I saw JVG hung unto Alonzo’s leg I want that dude to be a coach of my favorite team.

I remember last year before MCIAFI was hired that I had this ‘please-not-avery’ aversion, probably because I thought he’s a bit too rigid to be a successful coach with the group that we have.. but now I’m more than fine with him too.

To quote the great Michael Scott.. ‘Well well… how the turntables.’

Haha. Well, we’re back in the “teams to beat in the East” conversation according to ESPN. In their poll, SportsCenter lumps us with the Cavs, Celtics and Magic. What a difference a day makes, I guess.

Anyone has any idea why JVG isn’t mentioned in the news as a possible candidate at all?

Because he’s a douche??

Well, I can’t say I’m a big fan of AJ’s voice, or personality. I also have a thing against guys who don’t get it done during the playoffs when things count (i.e. Flip Saunders, Mike Brown, etc.) But it does seem that he’s the best option available.

Forgive the digression, but I’m wondering what will happen with Rip. I’m guessing that he would not put up with another year of the bench. I imagine that he will look to leave unless he is guaranteed to be a starter. And I agree. I think he needs quality minutes to get into a rhythm to be effective. I hate to lose him though. He’s really the only significant link left to our championship team (no disrespect to Tay).

Haha. Well, we’re back in the "teams to beat in the East" conversation according to ESPN. In their poll, SportsCenter lumps us with the Cavs, Celtics and Magic. What a difference a day makes, I guess.

We’re nowhere close, not yet.

Only if we can make a move to acquire a legitimate C.

If it’s Jeff Van Gundy, he has to wear a hairpiece.

Too bad Doug Collins is out. He’d go great with this offseason of mediocrity.

/bitter…berry bitter

What do people think about the job that Jeff Van Gundy did with the Rockets? The knock on Tracy McGrady that he never advances out of the 1st round also applies to JVG’s stint in Houston.

Forty’s girlfriend, with Bill Laimbeer and brgulker as assistants.

I’m on the JVG train, but since his name isn’t coming up I have to assume he’s just not interested. I wouldn’t be upset with Avery, though. And even though I like Laimbeer, Jod said he wanted more experience so I can’t see him Currying himself by going in the opposite direction a few days later.

Forty’s girlfriend, with Bill Laimbeer and brgulker as assistants.

I’m hoping that’s a compliment.

:P

Watch this video and tell me you don’t want Laimbeer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrHWEq6hor4

They just don’t make ’em like him anymore.

Ya, even though Laimbeer will get an interview with Joe Dumars (which will probably only consist of them catching up on old times), I doubt he will be considered as a serious canidate for the job. Dumars has said already he’s looking for a coach with experience and that was the main factor why he fired Michael Curry. Hiring Laimbeer will give the notion that Joe Dumars doesn’t know what he is doing or talking about or that there is something else we (the general public) don’t know about.

However, I can see Laimbeer being hired as an assistant coach to either compliment a serious canidate for the coaching job or just as a simple favor for an old friend.

No on Laimbeer. If we’re going with a former Bad Boy, I’ll take Rodman. High BBall IQ.

JVG runs a slow plodding offense where he calls a play for every offensive possession. I think Joe wants someone that’s more up tempo.

Collins would have been good. He can develop talent. Maybe that’s the most important thing to look for with all the youngins.

I’d be cool with Avery because he actually got that Dallas team to play defense for a while. Even got them past the Spurs and almost past the refs in the Finals. That Golden State series is a black mark however.

My ideal would be Pat Riley. That guy can coach any team. Any style. Showtime Lakers. Thugtime Knicks. He can flat out coach.

Give Lambs an assistant gig. Do it.

QD, Avery also was fond of calling plays every time down the court, too.

Last I checked, Laimbeer has had more professional success as a coach than any of the other candidates.

I understand the hesitancy, but there is an unbridgeable gap between Curry (before Joe hired him) and Laimbeer with respect to experience.

Technically, they’re both ‘first year,’ but to say that and then say that the two have much in common because of that is a bit naive, methinks.

But, I’d still take Bill as an assistant. Sign me up.

JVG doesn’t like the Pistons which is obvious when you when he’s announcing our games. Somebody posted a few days ago that he’s close with Flip and was bitter about how he was run out of town. I always liked JVG until this year when his comments and all around tone for the Pistons was extra sour.

“Well, I can’t say I’m a big fan of AJ’s voice, or personality.”

What, you don’t dig a short black man channeling Scarlett O’Hara?

Only if he can fit into them corsets.

As for Laimbeer as an assistant, head coaches are usually given a lot of latitude to choose their own assistants, and rightly so. Plus, with all his women’s basketball coaching experience, he’d be a perfect fit for the Grizzlies.

Sorry, that’s going too far… Women’s basketball isn’t that bad.

It would be interesting to have Bill around for our two new Power Forwards. That said, what wisdom would he impart? His style of play was pretty reliant on guts and intuition, and half of what he did would get you expelled from David Stern’s league of Unicorn Wishes and Kitten Stares.

Sorry, that’s going too far… Women’s basketball isn’t that bad.

No, it is. But my opinion is only driven by jealousy – their cocks are bigger than mine.

Zing!

That deserves a brosef fist-bump.

Buddha Edwards for Coach. Lakers have zen, but we got the buddha.

In earnest, though – what about Terry Porter?

JVG in a heartbeat and I hate the Knicks.

The number of NBA coaches with rings is even smaller than the number of high-caliber players with rings. I buy that coaching doesn’t mean much for most NBA teams most of the time and so if a franchise isn’t gunning for a championship, any middle-manager will do, but if it wants a ring, the best bet is to get someone from the fraternity. Take a look around, Pops, Riley, Jackson, Brown…any other active coaches with a ring?

Only JVG. Sure it was a bogus season and the team was sub .500 during the regular season, but the ability to coach through the NBA tournament is a skill. I cannot in a million years imagine Avery Johnson coaching a NBA championship team.

JVG has a ring?

Joe, show some love !

http://www.thesportshernia.com/classifieds/images/vangundy.jpg

“Sure it was a bogus season and the team was sub .500 during the regular season,”

and didn’t win the championship. Avery Johnson got a ring that year, though.

For being a baddass, BL, sure punches like a girl.

For being such a baddass, BL punches like a girl.

JVG actually has 2 rings, both with the Rockets. He got close with the Knicks but Popp had the better team (I should add that I feel he’s currently the best coach in the league).

Trust me guys, you don’t want Bill Laimbeer as a head coach just yet. It would be too much of a controversy, and too much of a distraction to the team. However there’s an assistant coach opening due to Cowens’ promotion. I don’t know why everyone seems to be overlooking it but that move was made like a day after Bill quit.

He’ll be the assistant coach for 2, 3 years or how ever long it takes for Avery to get fired and then he’ll be head coach.

Avery, still rocking the skin-fade 20 years after Do the Right Thing was in theaters. He got railroaded when he was with the Mavs. He’s a good coach and played at a high level very recently. He’s legit.

Seriously, why would anyone want JVG. Sure he has managed to make weak teams better but what has he accomplished? His Knicks lost to the 8th seeded Rockets in the finals. His Rocket’s never got out of the first round. His coaching style does not fit in today’s NBA. That slow grind out game was cool back then when the players were slower but the game is fast pace. Avery has coached a 60 win team. He made it to the finals in his rookie season. He got a half ass player like Dirk to be MVP! AJ all the way!

@Ali…how does JVG have 2 rings with the rockets when they never got outta the first round? But i do agree with you about Laimbeer. Pistons don’t need another rookie coach now, but Avery Johnson will help the young guys out now and have them all reach their potential with Laimbeer on the bench, then when Johnson can’t take them all the way, Laimbeer will.

@Ali.. That was Rudy T not JVG.

And @DD3, JVG LED the 8th knicks to the finals where the Spurs beat them. Jeez people what’s up with the mis-facts.

So, if Avery comes in does that mean he can keep his old playbook?

Stuckey = Devin Harris
Gordon = Jason Terry
Tay = Josh Howard
CV = Dirk
Kwame = Dampier

That leaves Bynum, Rip, Maxiell and the rookies to make up for Stackhouse and Diop.

*and Afflalo.

Van Gundy didn’t coach for the Rockets in the 90s at all. He didn’t even start coaching the Rockets until the year the Stones won the title. Yeesh.

I’m not really rushing to the Avery Johnson bandwagon, nor am I running away from it either, but JVG’s credentials aren’t better than Avery Johnson’s, probably just equal. They both had runs to the Finals where they lost. They’ve both got some good and they’ve both got some bad to their resumes. Of course, either resume is a better resume than that guy who ruined last season.

QD: I love CV31 as much as anyone, but him as Dirk is one heckuva lofty expectation.

So Sheed going to Boston..

LB, I was talking offensive role, not ability. Anyway, Gordon’s better than Terry.

I will hate it if Sheed goes to Boston.

QD: I thought about saying Gordon > Terry too, but I held off. I get what you mean, but if Villanueva < Dirk than the results may not be as favorable as they were for Dallas in the win column. I just remember hearing during the playoffs this year that Dirk’s career playoff averages are 25 and 11, and it checks out (25.5 and 11.0). I’m about as staunch a supporter of Villanueva as it gets, but there’s no way he ever averages 25 and 11 for even a series (unless it goes to a million OTs like Boston-Chicago this year). Dirk is a truly elite player in the NBA, especially when it’s playoff time.

TJ: If he suddenly decides not to shoot 40% of his FGAs from 3 then I might be pissed if he goes to Boston. Otherwise, Ainge isn’t the shrewdest of GMs and I think his evaluation of Sheed being a clear net positive at this point in his career for that squad is a very suspect conclusion.

Wouldn’t we be thrilled if Sheed went to Boston and it failed miserably? I for one would be thrilled and I think it would fail miserably if he did go there.

Ron Ron to La La… damn.

Ron Artest to LA for 6 mil a year…better than both BG and Villaneuva for cheaper. Goddam.

Ron Ron only went to LA for so cheap because they could pretty much promise him a championship. I think it’s hilarious, though, how Trevor Ariza whined that they wouldn’t give him more than the MLE, and he was probably just trying to get more money out of them, but really wanted to come back. LA’s response-give the MLE to a much better player with championship hunger. lmfao…ariza really boned himself.
Lakers wouldn’t be able to make a sign and trade with Ariza now, would they?

What kinda WWE shit is this Ron Ron?

Wait, who coached the Rockets when they beat the knicks in the finals? I got it backwards, his knicks lost to the rockets, who won back to back.

did someone say WWF?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kMyU9KPwhw&feature=related

Rudy T. coached Houston both championship years. And by coached, I mean, told his players to pass Olaujuwon the ball and get out of the way.

My bad on JVG winning the championship. My memory is fading and the argument is a flop.

I still like JVG way better. He recognized the NY was going south fast and bailed. Those Knicks teams had mediocre talent for the most part and they played their best ball in the playoffs, not the regular season. He might not be the right guy for this team, but Avery will be a definite failure. The dude was a subpar player on a championship team…no way anyone respects his skills as a player. As a coach? he inherited Nellie’s sweet team and got schooled by the master in the playoffs. He is a bible-thumper. In and of itself, that’s not a problem, but when you bring that to a team…as a coach, it creates ins/outs which divides a team. The first sign of trouble and he starts blaming the team. Curry anyone?

Well he was Hakeem the Dream for a reason. That, and outside of the Suns, the Rockets and the Bulls, there really weren’t any true title contenders in the 90s. Sure there the knicks, magic, pacers and spurs, but none of them really had a shot at winning anything.

ohh and I should also add the jazz, even though Jordon ran through them every time

“Avery will be a definite failure. The dude was a subpar player on a championship team…no way anyone respects his skills as a player. As a coach? he inherited Nellie’s sweet team and got schooled by the master in the playoffs. He is a bible-thumper.”

Subpar player? He was their starting PG.

He improved the Mavericks by getting them to play a modicum of defense.

Not saying he’s the right coach, but he’s got a legit resume.

@ Darshan
Anyone who starts on a championship team obviously has skills, but Johnson couldn’t win till Duncan got there. His averages that year were fairly poor (approx 10 ppg/7 assists/2 to). He shot under 60 percent from the free throw line and I remember him as a defensive liability. That’s with Duncan/Robinson throwing teams in disarray. I may need to adjust my attitude about him since people I respect like him, but I was not shocked when Dallas blew up. Some people are regular season coaches.

I’d have to say out of the candidates so far I would say Laimbeer for head. When Joe defined a coach with experience yes AJ would be the man “NBAwise” but people don’t give the shocks credit for the multiple tites they won under the coaching of Lam.

To clear things up, JVG was an assistant at NY from 89-96 (including the Riley years and 1994 Finals appearance). He was promoted to head coach in ’96, took the Knicks to the ’99 Lockout-season Finals and resigned in ’01. Then took over Houston in ’03, being fired in ’07.

I remember JVG resigning in 07. I thought he threw himself on the sword after another first round loss. Whether he would have been fired is an open question, but his saying good things about McGrady in the Simmons podcast linked by an earlier poster suggests he is fairly classy. McGrady has done nothing as a pro and JVG took the fire. He is a players coach, but I think his background gives him more respect than anyone else on the list.

@JJ…Joe D doesn’t need another first-year nba coach in Laimbeer, although Avery only has five or 6 years under his belt himself

The one thing I just can’t stand about JVG is that he constantly makes idiotic comments about Detroit on national tv. Such as in the Miami game when Wade cheated more than usual and stole the game, JVG was laughing is ass off when Fabio came into the game. He was in mid sentence of criticizing the Pistons management when Fabio nailed the 3. And the list goes on, he’s just got something against Detroit. Probably because we’ve owned SVG’s ass for the past 5 years

@ Ali…Maybe he is bitter that we let Huston go sign a crazy NY contract and screw his team for the 90s.

Perhaps, but that’s always left a bad taste in my mouth about him

Ron-Ron is headed to the Lakers, and sounds very excited about it, saying he doesn’t care about the money, he’d play there for free. Ron is crazy but lovable. Cavs haters can be happy.

Ali: Was JVG criticizing the Pistons or Walter Herrmann? Because Herrmann, beautiful flowing locks and all, deserves it. And the Pistons were pretty pitiful last season especially considering the expectations.

Ali: Was JVG criticizing the Pistons or Walter Herrmann? Because Herrmann, beautiful flowing locks and all, deserves it. And the Pistons were pretty pitiful last season especially considering the expectations.

JVG would constantly criticize the Pistons on national TV, calling US floppers when we’d play teams like Cleveland, Chicago who had notorious floppers like Varejao and Nocioni. It was insufferable— he would whine and complain about how Detroit played ball, calling our brand essentially cheap and frisky, in the face of real players who score like stars. He, like Bill Walton, have always hated on Detroit to the point that I have to stop listening. When Detroit scores, he doesn’t laud detroit— he says the other team hasn’t done well enough on defense. when the other team scores, he talks about how brilliant they play. He’s negative on Detroit offense and positive on opposing team defense. For some reason, listening to his comments over the years, he’s always had it out for Detroit.

Sad though, because I wouldn’t hate him as a coach, as do many other DBBers here.

I prefer Avery, and I thank QuickDarshan for making the connection between our squad and the crew Avery had in Dallas in their prime (you know, when they should have won a championship but the refs gave it to Miami)

Say what you will about JVG, but he scored 28 ppg in leading the Celtics to the championship last year. Also, it’s hard to deny that the man coached five Warriors teams to the finals in the 1990s.

Lastly, let’s not forget his two terms as president of the United States in the 1980s. I can still remember his words. “Tear down this wall! Seriously, this wall is like a scene from a bad Tears for Fears video, I mean… Wait, what? Apparently, while I was talking out of my ass, communism ended. So, back to this wall…”

If I had a tumor, I’d name it Jeff Van Gundy.

Well, I wanted Doug Collins for his way of handling young players, but since he is out of the running, I would like Johnson with Laimbeer on the bench as an assistant.

I think Avery Johnson is the Pistons new coach unless Dumars out smart himself.

I think Tay, AA and maybe Brown is out of here. The reason why it will be stupid to get rid of Rip when you need alot fire power to content with other teams like Cavs, Boston if they get Rasheed, Orlando and Lakers.

I think the Pistons is one move away from being the number 3rd or 4th team in the East.

I agree with Mike Payne:

Hiring JVG to coach the Pistons will be like hiring the mole to take you to a championship.

JVG is a Pistons hater and a Kobe ball licker!!!!

If I was Joey D. I wouldn’t let him coach the Pistons in a million years. I mean you can’t from hating a team to loving the same team in one off season.

…unless you’re Phil Jackson.

Joe I’m right with you, JVG hates the pistons and constantly makes idiotic comments about them on national tv. Of course anyone with half a brain can see through his comments, but think about all the stupid people across the nation.

As for Phil, he’s got so much ganga in his system that his brain is still floating around in the 90s. He was clearly out coached in every series, they only won was because of Kobe, Gasol and some clutch shots from Fish (who stunk for that majority of the playoffs).

Right now, without a doubt Gregg Popovich is the best coach in the league. After him would probably come Pat Riley followed by Doc Rivers. From there it’s a toss up, but I bet you Avery Johnson would be up there (not Mike Brown though, he’s an idiot that constantly whines for superstar).

I’d throw Jerry Sloan in there for top coaches as well.

Sloan has achieved quite a bit of success for never winning a title. Surprisingly has never netted Coach of the Year honors either.

I’ve stayed out of this thread because it largely doesn’t matter. We’ll have an answer in a day or two and half the group will hate whoever it is and the other half will love it.

What I don’t understand is how anybody says Avery is a terrible coach. Nellie’s Dallas teams were Golden State South with even less defense. Within 2 years they were the best team in the NBA. They were one referee instigated 4th quarter meltdown from winning the title. The Miami title in 06 wasn’t legitimate and we all know it. It’s not his fault he got fired because he didn’t want to swap Harris for Kidd. In fact, I think a coach who properly evaluates his own talent would be a bonus in the minds of everybody questioning Dumars.

whoever it is, better be DEFENSE minded coach. but i don’t think Mr. Dumars would do otherwise.

If Rip is shipped, I hope the coach can manage the drama of the next season of……
“The Shooting Guards of Detroit, Season 2”

EDIT: If Rip isn’t shipped. oops

EDIT: if Rip isn’t shipped

Right now, without a doubt Gregg Popovich is the best coach in the league. After him would probably come Pat Riley followed by Doc Rivers.

Doc fucking Rivers?! Are you kidding me? The Celtics won in spite of his coaching. While we’re on the Celtics… Fuck Rasheed.

Ah whatever, he just let the dummies fly out to a city they hate and meet with him. No harm. Ole Roscoe better not sign with them though. Them dudes is the enemy.

i vote laimbeer.. i was cool with collins/laimbeer but i think johnson/laimbeer is more likely.

almost want it to be avery so laimbeers first year isnt soured by the teams play.. we’re going to be awful next year.

Rick Pitino FTW.

I just want to say this because I keep reading people on here and other forums bashing Avery Johnson for the 2006 playoff loss to the the Warriors, calling it the biggest playoff collapse ever, etc. But I don’t really think it was. Like the great Flip Saunders said, sometimes these things just come down to match-ups, like us owning the Magic, or the Jazz owning us.

I think there was just something about that Warriors team that matched up perfectly with the Mavs. Afterall, the Mavs were 0-3 vs. the Warriors in the regular season. That means counting the playoffs, they lost 19 games that season, 7 of which were to the Warriors, that’s 1 team accounting for over 1/3 of your losses. I think mostly it was just bad luck that they caught them in the 1st round.

That being said, I’m really hoping that Primo Brezec returns as a player-coach next year.

103 comments and not one that mentions Tom Thibodeau as a potential Pistons head coach? With the newly acquired FAs, the Pistons might want to hire a defensive minded HC.

Tom T. had a top level defense down in Houston when he was in charge of JVG;s defense, and then came to Boston and directed one of the best defensive teams in league history (albeit with one dominant big, in KG, and two very good defenders in the starting lineup, in Perkins and Rondo).

I don’t know what Tom T. needs to do additionally to get a HC job, and I don’t want to see Boston lose him, but he’d be a good head coach.

I doubt its even a possibility, but I would love to see Tom Izzo take over. Years back when he turned down the Hawks job he said that the only NBA team he would take would be the Pistons. He should have a great team this year and Joe D isn’t big on college coaches but he preaches defense and rebounding (and his teams usually are very highly ranked in both categories) I think he would bring the toughness back to the Pistons that we have missed with Flip and Curry.