The Big B

Recently there has been alot of shaking up going on with coaches in the NBA. Coaches leaving and going to other teams, and other coaches finally getting a job again. Let's take a look at what has gone on so far:

Larry Brown to the Bobcats:

Larry Brown was hired to become the new coach in Charlotte. He is a highly prestige coach that has alot of experience and has been very successful; most recently winning the 2004 NBA Finals with the Detroit Pistons. He is a defensive minded coach which just adds to how valuable he is because of the importance defense has on being successful in the NBA. The Bobcats are a young team that has lots of young talent. If Brown can get these guys to play defense, and work together as a team like he always has been able to do, don't be surprised to see them in the playoffs next year. He was able to take the 76ers to the playoffs almost every year and all they had was Allen Iverson. He has Gerald Wallace, Jason Richardson, Emeka Okafor, and Raymond Felton to work with here. This was a very smart move by MJ, and should help the Bobcats to finally have some success

Rick Carlisle to Mavericks:

Mark Cuban decided to get rid of his young coach Avery Johnson because of their struggles in the playoffs recently. First he gets rid of Nelly, and now Avery? Does anyone see a pattern here? New coaches yet same old struggles? Maybe it's him and not the coaches that should be punished

Anyways their new coach, Carlisle, is also another experienced NBA coach. Won the COY with the Pistons in 2002 and led the Pacers to league leading 61 wins in 2004. He also took them all the way to the ECFs, but only to lose to the Pistons in their championship run. Is he the answer for the Mavericks? Probably not. The Jason Kidd trade destroyed the Mavs future, and next year will be their last to compete for the title for along time. It's probably only a matter of time before Cuban gets upset again and fires Carlisle.

Mike D'Antoni to the Knicks:

Oh boy this should be interesting. The Knicks finally decided to answer the pleas of their fans and finally get rid of Isiah. Now, with Walsh running the show, things have gotten interesting. Walsh has definitely going to go after one of these big name coaches from the beginning. When the "D'Antoni to the Bulls" rumors started, I thought for sure he was going there. When I saw today that Mike had decided to go the Knicks, I can't say I was completely shocked. It did take me by surprised, but it's kind of a perfect fit for him. D'Antoni has always been a guy that doesn't preach defense has a "short" bench. With the Knicks, he probably won't have to change much. They already don't play much any defense, and their bench just sucks anyways.

Can he turn them around? I'm sure they will improve from the pathetic year they have had this year, but don't expect him to have the same results, or anything close to it, that he had in Phoenix. He might be able to sneak them into the playoffs somehow with how well he can run the offense, but don't expect him to do wonders in New York.

Scott Skiles to the Bucks:

This is an "okay" sign by the Bucks. They have a playoff caliber team with guys like Michael Redd, Andrew Bogut, Mo Williams, and Ramon Sessions. Skiles was able to have some success with the Bulls, but the team gave up on him and fell apart this year. He may not be the best of coaches, but he is better than Larry Krystkowiak. He should be able to help Bucks improve from they way they have been playing recently. Will he get them to the playoffs? Who knows? Maybe, maybe not. We will see what happens. This isn't a huge sign for the Bucks, but it's not like Krystikowiak is going to do any better.

Erik Spoelstra to the Heat:

Pat Riley has called it quits again. He's going to step down from the coaching job and resume only his GM duties. The guy taking over the job is Erik Spoelstra. He has been a video coordinator for the Heat since 1995, and has become an assistant coach/video coordinator for the Heat. He is the youngest head coach in the league at 37, and has never been a head coach on any level besides the NBA Summer Leauge. He is inexperienced, and is taking over the league's worst team this year. Though it's not all bad. Dwyane Wade should be at full health again next year, they have acquired Shawn Marion in a trade with the Suns, and alot of the Heat players are confident in Spoelstra and believe in him.

Can he make the Heat bounce back next year? I think he can. He is inexperienced, but with the great players the Heat have, a high draft pick coming, and the confidence his team has him, I believe the Heat could be a back in the playoffs next year. Who knows, they might even be contenders again very soon.


There are still some coaches out there and teams that need one. The Bulls still need a new coach, and Avery Johnson still needs a job. Rumors of Avery becoming the Bulls new coach have come up. Rumors of college Michigan State Spartans head coach, Tom Izzo, taking over for the Bulls has also been talked about. Mark Jackson was rumored to be looking to head coach, and was at one thought to go to the Knicks, but that isn't happening anymore.