Read the Magic have essentially already hired Skiles. It'll be announced in the coming week or two. I saw a few reports which said the relationship with Thibs is so bad, they might wait till all the jobs are filled and then fire him. Just as one final petty F you. Given the turbulent nature of their relationship, I wouldn't put it past them.
Well, there's 3 vacancies right now, right? Denver, New Orleans, and Orlando. Denver is 'reportedly' leaning toward hiring their interim head coach that took over when Shaw was fired. New Orleans has 2 very good candidates; one who interviewed for the job and Van Gundy who's interested in the position. Orlando is going to hire Scott Skiles. Hypothetically, if Thibs doesn't land in this various positions, where else does he go? If he's available in 2016, do the Lakers pursue him?
To coach another year? I could see that. He has an option in his 4th year...so, he coaches 3 full years, leaves us better than we were, and we part ways amicably. That's probably the scenario he could go out in and both sides (Lakers, Byron) are completely satisfied.
I hadn't heard about Skiles. I know Van Gundy and Gentry are up for New Orleans, but I figured Thibs would butt in on that. Yeah if Thibodeau is there next summer and the Lakers look like they're on the verge of competing, then you take a look. I just don't see that as necessarily a likely scenario.
Gotcha. Yeah, I was just wondering. Below is the report from Woj... Scott Skiles has emerged as the strong frontrunner to become head coach of the Orlando Magic, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Magic general manager Rob Hennigan has discussed the opening with several possible candidates, but Skiles has clearly separated himself in the process, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Although Orlando has thus far shown no inclination to rush into a hiring, discussions could soon advance into contract negotiations, league sources said. http://sports.yahoo.com/news/source...r-to-become-magic-s-next-coach-165227943.html
Thibs is finally available, but according to Ramona the Lakers are pleased with the incredibly average Byron Scott. You have a top 5 coach on the market and are content with a bottom half coach in the league? Damnit. When we are searching for a new coach in a couple seasons, I'm going to look back on this and be so pissed.
Doc, you know the Lakers can't dump Byron to hire Thibs. They dumped Brown early (well deserved). They dumped D'Antoni early (well deserved). But they gave both of those guys more than a single season. Just for Franchise reputation alone they need to provide some horses for Byron and give him another full season to see what he can do.
Man, I would love to get Thibs. Agreed though, it's too early to drop Byron. They just can't do that right now. In theory though . . . I would do it. And I'm not even that down on Byron. I just like Thibs way better as a coach. But, he'd really need to do something about his offensive coaching. Damn, bad timing.
You can't fire Scott this soon, no way. After a nightmare season in which he did a lot of things bad, but some things very well you can't let go of a legacy hire. It makes us look bad, it makes any prospective coaches not want to come here, and it's not good for these young guys. Is Thibodeau going to get us to a ring a lot faster than Scott would right now? No, we need the players for that first. We all knew Scott was the rebuilding coach a la Mark Jackson once Kobe went down again and it was clear we were going in a younger direction. In a couple seasons when Scott has fully established the hard-nosed culture we need in the young players, we can revisit Thibs or Ollie or whomever. It would have been nice if Thibs was available last year though.
You're right the Lakers won't dump him, but if it were me, I'm not waiting to put, "well deserved", next to Byron's name because I already know that he isn't going to cut it. Most have said Byron is just a transition coach until someone better comes available. Well someone has and I'm ready to pounce on that opportunity.
I mean yes I agree, but who is he coaching? There's only ONE place I'd rather have Scott than Thibodeau and that's as a rebuilding coach. Thibs tends to overplay his best players even when they're young. Exhibits A and B: Rose and Butler. Scott does two things well: establish a hard working culture and develop young talent. He did wonders with Irving and Paul. He did great with Clarkson last year. He makes sure the young guys don't play too much and ease into the league nicely. Right now we need that especially with Randle and Okafor in the mix. In a few years we'll need Thibs though for sure. Someone who isn't just good at player development, but good at the Xs and Os too.
I would tend to agree with you, Do, but it's only been one year. I see everything you see, but we're not making any changes any time soon. Out best hope, which is unlikely is that Thibs sits out this year or the other teams hire somebody else. After we retool the roster this year, and we improve next year, if Thibs is available at that point, kick Byron to the curb.
Yea, I don't think we will be getting rid of Byron. I do like Thibs more though. Maybe. I would be happy with that. I'm hoping that we pull off some miracle and get Thibs for defense and Gentry for offense.
