Anyone who knows about and follows the doings of the Philadelphia 76ers, then you already know about the need for a coach. Of course, the team’s general manager is Ed Stefanski, so you know the search will be deliberate in nature; so obviously, the big question is: Who will the Sixers select as their next coach? Lots of possibilities out there. A few that come to mind:
Doug Collins. One would think that he would have settled nicely into his second career as an NBA analyst for TNT; but alas, he may have that “NBA wanderlust” still in his bones as evidenced by his stating that he has interest on the coaching gig. Also note that he has Philly ties and support from at least one player on the Sixers – Andre Iguodala – which may give him an advantage. the downside? He would probably command a hefty payday for roaming the sidelines.
Eddie Jordan. The bonafide “flavor of the month”, J0rdan is getting attention from within the league as he is scheduled to interview for the Sacramento Kings coaching vacancy. While his record of 230-288 is mediocre, his last stint with the Washington Wizards and his departure wasn’t entirely of his doing as the team he had in his last season was continuously injured and he had little to work with. Also consider that Jordan and Stefanski have a history as both were with the New Jersey Nets.
Avery Johnson. It wasn’t that long ago when Johnson was leading the Dallas Mavericks, and doing a pretty good job of it. But to be fair, the owner of the franchise then as well as now is Mark Cuban. He, like Collins, has made no secret of wanting to coach in the Association again. And like Collins, he has a studio analyst gig – so the “NBA wanderlust” is there. While he is known as a demanding and perhaps controlling coach, you cannot question his success. And perhaps that is what the Sixers need. Whether Stefanski will trust an “outsider” is up for debate, but know this: you could do much worse than Johnson.
Tom Thibodeau. A perennial candidate, Thibodeau’s defensive schemes are his calling card. Currently with the Boston Celtics as an assistant coach, he at the very least would make the Sixers better defensively. In addition, he has a touch of familiarity with the Sixers as he was an assistant under John Lucas back during the 1993-94 season. Despite all of this, if he doesn’t find a coaching job relatively soon, he may have to resign himself to being a career assistant. His personality and demeanor is a plus for the franchise, but that doesn’t qualify as a predictor of any future success. But nonetheless, you have to at least consider him.
Tony DiLeo. He’s obviously successful as Philadelphia reached the playofs under his watch. However, the Sixers haven’t reached the “next level” in quite some time, so DiLeo retaining the Sixers coaching gig is not a slam dunk by any stretch of the imagination. It is rumored that DiLeo may want to return to the 76ers’ front office, hence the coaching star search. At least one thing that works in DiLeo’s favor: he would be an economical alternative to a “name-brand” coach. The Sixers have this habit of paying several former coaches simultaneously, so for that reason alone, DiLeo would merit consideration.
Others discussed at the watercooler:
Jeff Van Gundy. Yet another studio analyst/former NBA coach, Van Gundy is not very well-liked by a member of Slam Dunk Central (he knows who he is). But to be fair, Van Gundy has enjoyed some success in the Association, despite getting fired by the Houston Rockets in 2007. A workaholic (read: meticulous and maybe a control freak?), it is hard to speculate as to whether that would translate well in Philadelphia – which explains his long-shot status.
Chris Ford. He currently is a scout for the Sixers, so the familiarity is there. And naturally, he is experienced, so that works in his favor along with the fact that he has tasted success in the Association. When Ford last coached the Sixers, he and then-guard Allen Iverson clashed; of course, you know who won that catfight. That’s right – Iverson. The question that begs to be asked is: Will the Sixers learn from that mistake?
As for myself, I would like to see Avery Johnson get the job. But only under the premise that both he and Stefanski come to an overall understanding. Whether being the demanding type would actually work is up for debate; however, you cannot dispute Johnson’s success. And to be honest, I have a hard time trusting NBA general managers’ decisions, by and large, so I would have to give the nod to Avery in this instance. Although I would not be surprised to see Jordan get the job. But I think Johnson gets the job at the buzzer.
And The Next 76ers Coach Will Be…
Anyone who knows about and follows the doings of the Philadelphia 76ers, then you already know about the need for a coach. Of course, the team’s general manager is Ed Stefanski, so you know the search will be deliberate in nature; so obviously, the big question is: Who will the Sixers select as their next coach? Lots of possibilities out there. A few that come to mind:
Doug Collins. One would think that he would have settled nicely into his second career as an NBA analyst for TNT; but alas, he may have that “NBA wanderlust” still in his bones as evidenced by his stating that he has interest on the coaching gig. Also note that he has Philly ties and support from at least one player on the Sixers – Andre Iguodala – which may give him an advantage. the downside? He would probably command a hefty payday for roaming the sidelines.
Eddie Jordan. The bonafide “flavor of the month”, J0rdan is getting attention from within the league as he is scheduled to interview for the Sacramento Kings coaching vacancy. While his record of 230-288 is mediocre, his last stint with the Washington Wizards and his departure wasn’t entirely of his doing as the team he had in his last season was continuously injured and he had little to work with. Also consider that Jordan and Stefanski have a history as both were with the New Jersey Nets.
Avery Johnson. It wasn’t that long ago when Johnson was leading the Dallas Mavericks, and doing a pretty good job of it. But to be fair, the owner of the franchise then as well as now is Mark Cuban. He, like Collins, has made no secret of wanting to coach in the Association again. And like Collins, he has a studio analyst gig – so the “NBA wanderlust” is there. While he is known as a demanding and perhaps controlling coach, you cannot question his success. And perhaps that is what the Sixers need. Whether Stefanski will trust an “outsider” is up for debate, but know this: you could do much worse than Johnson.
Tom Thibodeau. A perennial candidate, Thibodeau’s defensive schemes are his calling card. Currently with the Boston Celtics as an assistant coach, he at the very least would make the Sixers better defensively. In addition, he has a touch of familiarity with the Sixers as he was an assistant under John Lucas back during the 1993-94 season. Despite all of this, if he doesn’t find a coaching job relatively soon, he may have to resign himself to being a career assistant. His personality and demeanor is a plus for the franchise, but that doesn’t qualify as a predictor of any future success. But nonetheless, you have to at least consider him.
Tony DiLeo. He’s obviously successful as Philadelphia reached the playofs under his watch. However, the Sixers haven’t reached the “next level” in quite some time, so DiLeo retaining the Sixers coaching gig is not a slam dunk by any stretch of the imagination. It is rumored that DiLeo may want to return to the 76ers’ front office, hence the coaching star search. At least one thing that works in DiLeo’s favor: he would be an economical alternative to a “name-brand” coach. The Sixers have this habit of paying several former coaches simultaneously, so for that reason alone, DiLeo would merit consideration.
Others discussed at the watercooler:
Jeff Van Gundy. Yet another studio analyst/former NBA coach, Van Gundy is not very well-liked by a member of Slam Dunk Central (he knows who he is). But to be fair, Van Gundy has enjoyed some success in the Association, despite getting fired by the Houston Rockets in 2007. A workaholic (read: meticulous and maybe a control freak?), it is hard to speculate as to whether that would translate well in Philadelphia – which explains his long-shot status.
Chris Ford. He currently is a scout for the Sixers, so the familiarity is there. And naturally, he is experienced, so that works in his favor along with the fact that he has tasted success in the Association. When Ford last coached the Sixers, he and then-guard Allen Iverson clashed; of course, you know who won that catfight. That’s right – Iverson. The question that begs to be asked is: Will the Sixers learn from that mistake?
As for myself, I would like to see Avery Johnson get the job. But only under the premise that both he and Stefanski come to an overall understanding. Whether being the demanding type would actually work is up for debate; however, you cannot dispute Johnson’s success. And to be honest, I have a hard time trusting NBA general managers’ decisions, by and large, so I would have to give the nod to Avery in this instance. Although I would not be surprised to see Jordan get the job. But I think Johnson gets the job at the buzzer.
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