Adrian Wojnarowski ✔ @WojYahooNBA Yahoo Sources w/@YahooForde: Florida's Billy Donovan finalizing agreement to become Oklahoma City's coach. http://yhoo.it/1bGyyBh
Don't envy him, if they bolt, he's gone. And they may have already made up their minds on that subject.
Figured it would have its own topic and just made one, as had not seen this. Probably it deserves its own discussion because there will be a lot of different opinions on whether this helps Lakers' chances or hurts them. (Assuming Kevin is not turning into Bill Walton 2.0 with a bad foot that could shorten his career possibly ) ^^^ ..... or not with the new topic if the feeling is it should stay under the Scott Brooks being fired thread. Fine with me.
Marc Stein✔@ESPNSteinLine Maurice Cheeks addendum: Cheeks' good relationship with Russ Westbrook after his first OKC stint would make him handy aide to Billy Donovan
I get the feeling that Scott doesn't want any more cooks in the kitchen. Maybe it's a control thing, maybe he doesn't want any other qualified guy snipping at his heels.
Well it's not like our assistants are bad. They've been around a long time besides Madsen who deserved a shot and Thomas Scott who is more of a player development coach. Pressey and Eyen are good assistants. I definitely get the vibe though that Scott doesn't want any other really opinionated guys in his corner. He's got his methods and I think he's sticking with that. Which I'm fine with until our guys are ready for the next step. Right now Scott is doing fine and he's a good fit for what we need.
I disagree with this; not that our assistants ourbad, but we need an upgrade. At least a Brian Shaw type. Shaw won't take Byron's job, and I've heard nothing but good things about Shaw as an assistant.
Byron did exactly what we needed from him last season. He started out rough, but once Kobe wasn't playing I thought he did a decent job. He's never been strong with Xs and Os, but he IS very good at creating a culture of hard work and effort. There's a reason Clarkson and Black both excelled later in the year. There's a reason Ellington thrives under him as a player. Right now we as a franchise are in desperate need of not just talent, but aura overhaul. We need to wash away the failures of D'Antoni and Brown. Byron is the kind of coach who can make that happen while developing the youth we have on the roster. He is serving his purpose fine. Once we have enough talent to compete for the Championship, I think it's time to revisit coaching. Right now I'm not that concerned about it. Byron wasn't the reason we lost so many games last year, lack of talent was.
In all seriousness, I posted some reasons months ago while the season was going on on why an upgrade was needed. But I don't want to get too off the subject. Scott is a subject we probably will never agree on.
Understood. If that's important too you, that's great. We just probably value and prioritize things differently in a head coach.
No, that's perfectly okay. I don't have anything against creating an environment where guys work hard, give all out effort, and improve. What my objection would be is the methodology one goes about in creating that environment. I think the methodology that Byron emphasizes is counterproductive and could be improved.
How so? I liken him to a guy like Marc Jackson and a poor-man's Riley: hard-nosed and blunt which forces you to either embrace the challenge or get out. That's perfect for young players who have similar coaches in high school and college. They need someone who won't sugar coat things for them and who will force them to grow as players. Clarkson might not be who he is today without a coach like Byron. Chris Paul and Kyrie might not be who they are right now without a coach like Byron. Young guys thrive under him because he teaches them how to be professionals, how to work their butts off, and how to pick their spots to thrive in. When we improve, say we actually DO land a huge FA this summer like Gasol, then Byron's clock is ticking right away. Once we have the talent to actually compete and our culture of hard work is set, then Byron's time is either done or he'll have to show some real growth as a coach. That's probably 2-3 years away though which is the length of his contract.
