The season is not even 20 games old, and some NBA team owners are getting the itchy trigger finger already. Not surprisingly, Randy Wittman was canned from the Minnesota Timberwolves; more are certain to follow Wittman to the NBA unemployment line. Here is who I think will be next, if win and loss records and current trends are true to form. Keep in mind that these are not necessarily in the order of getting canned – except for Marc Iavaroni:
Marc Iavaroni, Memphis Grizzlies. I am surprised that he has lasted this long as I thought he was going to be canned before Wittman. This is truly a case of not if he gets fired, but when he gets fired. My best guess would be after the Grizzlies’ likely loss to Miami.
Reggie Theus, Sacramento Kings. The Kings, when healthy, have a decent starting roster. The younger players who Geoff Petrie drafted for the team (Jason Thompson, Spencer Hawes) aren’t too shabby either. So why does Theus make this list? Maybe it is because I am not convinced that the team is on the same page as Theus, But also keep in mind that Theus was handpicked by the Maloofs, so this isn’t entirely Theus’ fault. But in this league where results are the paramount, losing 8 consecutive games at home does little to enhance your job security.
Mike Dunleavy, Los Angeles Clippers. He is another one of those coaches who I ask myself at times how he got a coaching job in the first place; but at the same time, you have to be a brave soul (or foolish) to work for Donald Sterling, slumlord extraordinaire. Seriously, with the roster they have, I suppose it isn’t surprising that they have a won-loss record than even the Sacramento Kings. And the team chemistry stinks, which doesn’t exactly help the Clippers in either the short- or long-term.
On The Bubble
Maurice Cheeks, Philadelphia 76ers. Hard to figure out what the Sixers’ problem is. I could think of a handful of coaches and GM’s who’d love to have a starting roster of Andre Miller, Andre Iguodala, Samuel Dalembert, Thaddeus Young and Elton Brand. OBviously I am not a team owner or GM, but even though the Sixers are 8-11, I wouldn’t exactly blame Cheeks for all of this. After all, Cheeks didn’t ensure that Brand would be injured at this stage of the season. Another thing to consider – Cheeks just signed an extension, so Cheeks isn’t leaving right away. And the owner of the Sixers isn’t the owner of the Knicks – not by any stretch.
With Wittman Out The Door, Who’s Next?
The season is not even 20 games old, and some NBA team owners are getting the itchy trigger finger already. Not surprisingly, Randy Wittman was canned from the Minnesota Timberwolves; more are certain to follow Wittman to the NBA unemployment line. Here is who I think will be next, if win and loss records and current trends are true to form. Keep in mind that these are not necessarily in the order of getting canned – except for Marc Iavaroni:
Marc Iavaroni, Memphis Grizzlies. I am surprised that he has lasted this long as I thought he was going to be canned before Wittman. This is truly a case of not if he gets fired, but when he gets fired. My best guess would be after the Grizzlies’ likely loss to Miami.
Reggie Theus, Sacramento Kings. The Kings, when healthy, have a decent starting roster. The younger players who Geoff Petrie drafted for the team (Jason Thompson, Spencer Hawes) aren’t too shabby either. So why does Theus make this list? Maybe it is because I am not convinced that the team is on the same page as Theus, But also keep in mind that Theus was handpicked by the Maloofs, so this isn’t entirely Theus’ fault. But in this league where results are the paramount, losing 8 consecutive games at home does little to enhance your job security.
Mike Dunleavy, Los Angeles Clippers. He is another one of those coaches who I ask myself at times how he got a coaching job in the first place; but at the same time, you have to be a brave soul (or foolish) to work for Donald Sterling, slumlord extraordinaire. Seriously, with the roster they have, I suppose it isn’t surprising that they have a won-loss record than even the Sacramento Kings. And the team chemistry stinks, which doesn’t exactly help the Clippers in either the short- or long-term.
On The Bubble
Maurice Cheeks, Philadelphia 76ers. Hard to figure out what the Sixers’ problem is. I could think of a handful of coaches and GM’s who’d love to have a starting roster of Andre Miller, Andre Iguodala, Samuel Dalembert, Thaddeus Young and Elton Brand. OBviously I am not a team owner or GM, but even though the Sixers are 8-11, I wouldn’t exactly blame Cheeks for all of this. After all, Cheeks didn’t ensure that Brand would be injured at this stage of the season. Another thing to consider – Cheeks just signed an extension, so Cheeks isn’t leaving right away. And the owner of the Sixers isn’t the owner of the Knicks – not by any stretch.
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