<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Dwane Casey, an assistant coach with the Seattle SuperSonics for 11 seasons and in his fourth season as associate coach, is the latest hot candidate for the Timberwolves' coaching job. Casey had a phone interview and a personal interview with Timberwolves officials recently, and the word is that he made a very good impression. Before coming to Seattle, Casey coached the Japan national team for five years, spent five years as an assistant at Kentucky under Eddie Sutton and another five as an assistant at Western Kentucky under former Gophers coach Clem Haskins. In fact, Haskins made a strong effort to hire Casey before he went with Seattle. Casey, Spurs assistant P.J. Carlesimo and Timberwolves assistants Randy Wittman and Sidney Lowe are reported to be the four still in the running for the job.</div> <font size="1">Courtesy of Sid Hartman and the Star Tribune.</font> I really hope he lands this job. It will be sad to see him go, but I doubt there are many guys in coaching roles around the league who work harder than Dwane, and while I'd love to see him stay in Seattle, he deserves his chance somewhere. You've got to keep your franchise player happy too, so I doubt PJ is a serious contender.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Pwn3d!:</div><div class="quote_post"><font size="1">Courtesy of Sid Hartman and the Star Tribune.</font> I really hope he lands this job. It will be sad to see him go, but I doubt there are many guys in coaching roles around the league who work harder than Dwane, and while I'd love to see him stay in Seattle, he deserves his chance somewhere. You've got to keep your franchise player happy too, so I doubt PJ is a serious contender.</div> He is tops every year on someone's list and then they pick some sacrificial lamb to hire and wait for a bigger name coach to be available in 1-2 years. I doubt the Wolves hire him, though he certainly deserves it. I think he has helped Nate A LOT in his early years as head coach. They both are ready to try and make it on their own. Casey has earned his stripes as George Karl likes to say...but look at the hooplah over Charlotte hiring a black man who didn't play in league. That is not supposed to be OK in the NBA. I think Nate was a fabulous marketing move for the Sonics post-WestFALL, but Casey was much more deserving at the time.
Personally I doubt that a franchise like the T'Wolves would go out on a limb and hire a "no-name" coach w/ no head coaching experience. The T'Wolves are not in a rebuilding mode, therefore I think that they are going to try to attract a coach whose had success in the playoffs or a big name player who is looking for his first shot as a coach. I wouldn't even be surprised to see a name like Kenny Smith or Greg Anthony thrown into the pot. It's a shame that Casey has had to wait this long for an opportunity. He definitely has his PhD in coaching (Paid His Dues) and should be given a chance to run his own ship. I'm personally hoping that he gets the vacant TrailBlazers job and brings Flip with him to Portland. A backcourt of Telfair and Murray would be as exciting a guard tandem as there is in this league.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Sonics associate coach Dwane Casey is a finalist for the coaching vacancies in Minnesota and Portland after meeting with both teams last week in Chicago while attending the NBA predraft camp. The Timberwolves are also considering San Antonio assistant P.J. Carlesimo , who had been the lead candidate several weeks ago. Casey interviewed with Minnesota owner Glen Taylor and Kevin McHale, vice president of basketball operations. The discussion, according to a source familiar with the situation, went well. He met with Blazers president Steve Patterson and general manager John Nash, who also interviewed Phoenix assistant Marc Iavaroni on Thursday. Both are believed to be awaiting a second interview, with owner Paul Allen attending.</div> <font size="1">Full Story courtesy of P-Azell and the Seattle Times.</font>
Keep Dwane in the Northwest, do a sign and trade for D.A. and Przybilla (just to satisfy Nick) with Big Game James (throw in a draft pick for Portland), and hopefully Dwane can recruit Ron Murray to sign for the MLE. Here are next year's rosters (I'm hoping). Supes: Luke Ridnour/Sarunas Jasiekavus/Chris Thomas Ray Allen/Derek Anderson/Omar Thomas Sweet Lew/Damien Wilkins/Ryan Gomes Nick Collison/Danny Fortson/Zaza Pachulia Joel Przybilla/Bobby Swift Blazers: Sebastian Telfair/Marko Jaric Ron Murray/Gerald Green/Sergey Monya Darius Miles/Ruben Patterson/Victor Khrypa Zach Randolph/Travis Outlaw/Robert Whaley Jerome James/Theo Ratliff The rivalry would be renewed and I would have two teams in the Pacific NW to pull for. Obviously w/ all of our free agents and our money problems we aren't going to be able to keep everyone. What does the fam think about these rosters?
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Spurs assistant P.J. Carlesimo and Timberwolves assistants Randy Wittman and Sidney Lowe are reported to be the four still in the running for the job.</div> A P.J. hiring just screams 'retread' to me...hell they may as well bring back Kevin Loughery. And I'm suprised Sid Lowe is still on the short lists...being a black coach that never really had success, although if I recall he had some pretty bad teams. BTW, does anyone feel like Michael Cooper just lost any chance at an NBA coaching stint based on the 2 week kamikaze mission Kiki sent him on? Especially with the way Georgie turned that team into a monster in the 2nd half.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Roland Hood:</div><div class="quote_post">A P.J. hiring just screams 'retread' to me...hell they may as well bring back Kevin Loughery. And I'm suprised Sid Lowe is still on the short lists...being a black coach that never really had success, although if I recall he had some pretty bad teams. BTW, does anyone feel like Michael Cooper just lost any chance at an NBA coaching stint based on the 2 week kamikaze mission Kiki sent him on? Especially with the way Georgie turned that team into a monster in the 2nd half.</div> If Karl had struggled at first it would have been one thing, but the team played so much better under Karl right straight until the Spurs reminded them they are upstarts in the west. I think that you are right. He may be out for good, even though I would guess that he might have done better over time. He didn't get much time to transition to the NBA as a coach...barely a full calendar year. I think the players weren't listening to him any better as a head coach than as an assistant. George was new to them...he comes with a proven track record of conference championsip runs and a finals appearance. He had a much better shot to get their attention.
I can't take your rosters seriously when you're spelling Przybilla's name like that, IS. He is exactly what we need though, but Portland would be insane to let him go after his season just gone. One of their only positives. That being said, what's DA's contract situation like?
D.A. has roughly 19 million dollars left on a contract that expires in 2007. That may seem steep for us, but that is a lot less inexpensive than us trying to lock up Vlad, AD, and Reggie to a long term deal. With Fortson, D.A., Ridnour, and Collison potentially coming off of the books in 2007, we'd have a ton of cap room with our two top players still locked up for some time. I don't think that Portland is willing to give Przybilla big bucks when he is a free agent, just b/c they have so much money locked into Zach Randolph, Theo Ratliff, and Darius Miles (along w/ Ruben Patterson--their payroll is ridiculous). I think that they would be enamored w/ Big Game James if they could get him for a serviceable price (4 year--24 million dollars). They would also be ecstatic to dump D.A. and his salary if Gerald Green was still on the board at #3 (which seems altogether likely). Fiscally it would be a risk to pick up D.A. but he is capable of filling a void left by both Vlad and Flip. A wing player capable of scoring and defending. He could play some small forward when Sweet Lew needs a break as well. Przybilla may demand a big buck after this season, but even if he bolts we would have had a more experienced Bobby Swift prime to take his spot, and Fortson to back him up. The two second round picks wouldn't cost Seattle anything, and they would fit nicely in the rotation if their services were needed. I actually think that it is a good deal for both teams. The only drawback that I see is that Howard and company wouldn't want to give up draft picks and pick up D.A.'s contract just to get Pryzbilla and a back up wing man.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">Keep Dwane in the Northwest, do a sign and trade for D.A. and Przybilla (just to satisfy Nick) with Big Game James (throw in a draft pick for Portland), and hopefully Dwane can recruit Ron Murray to sign for the MLE. Here are next year's rosters (I'm hoping). Supes: Luke Ridnour/Sarunas Jasiekavus/Chris Thomas Ray Allen/Derek Anderson/Omar Thomas Sweet Lew/Damien Wilkins/Ryan Gomes Nick Collison/Danny Fortson/Zaza Pachulia Joel Przybilla/Bobby Swift Blazers: Sebastian Telfair/Marko Jaric Ron Murray/Gerald Green/Sergey Monya Darius Miles/Ruben Patterson/Victor Khrypa Zach Randolph/Travis Outlaw/Robert Whaley Jerome James/Theo Ratliff The rivalry would be renewed and I would have two teams in the Pacific NW to pull for. Obviously w/ all of our free agents and our money problems we aren't going to be able to keep everyone. What does the fam think about these rosters?</div> I think that Porltand team would look like the same jackasses that they are now. Randolph,flip,jerome, miles..these are guys that dont like to pass the ball. The team woulkd be horrible
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Coolguy777:</div><div class="quote_post">I think that Porltand team would look like the same jackasses that they are now. Randolph,flip,jerome, miles..these are guys that dont like to pass the ball. The team woulkd be horrible</div> I guess the burning question will be if the Portland TrailBlazers with my projected line up will be as horrible as the grammar of that last post. Why is it every time I see you post on this site you try to come up with ways to go at my arguments? I don't even mind, fam, but at least give legitimate reasons as to why you want to go in the opposite direction. Not that chicken scratch that we are getting accustomed to seeing. You're better than that, fam. We're all pulling for you to come around.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">I guess the burning question will be if the Portland TrailBlazers with my projected line up will be as horrible as the grammer of that last post. </div> Grammar* Good spelling > Good grammar
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">I guess the burning question will be if the Portland TrailBlazers with my projected line up will be as horrible as the grammer of that last post. Why is it every time I see you post on this site you try to come up with ways to go at my arguments? I don't even mind, fam, but at least give legitimate reasons as to why you want to go in the opposite direction. Not that chicken scratch that we are getting accustomed to seeing. You're better than that, fam. We're all pulling for you to come around.</div> I apologize for not proof-reading...I type faster then I think. Wasnt aware it was being checked. I generally am posting while doing about 8 other things online so its easy to do. As for your suggestion that everytime I post its going against your arguments its generally not on purpose, but you are probably the most common poster on here and you generally say things that I disagree with..I cant help that. You say things alot of times that I consider almost laughable. And I gave you legitimate reasons for not liking that Portland lineup you made. They would be a selfish basketball team. They are filled with guys that can create scoring opportunities for themselves and not for teammates. Beisdes that lineup would include 4 guys that are borderline starter quality players anyways. If you have any other questions fill free to ask. Sorry if you feel I go after you though....
If Dwane gets the Portland job he's not going to be able to clean house. Those contracts on the Blazers makes their players almost unmoveable. No one in their right mind would pick up the contracts of Miles, Patterson, or Ratliff--and they are paying Randolph nearly max dollars. The point that I'm trying to make is that Dwane is familiar with both Flip and Jerome and would probably get the most out of them. Sebastian Telfair will be one of the better point guards in this league as he gets older, Gerald Green has star potential, and the Blazers would get some cap relief from unloading D.A. and Przybilla (not to mention obtaining a Sonics draft pick). I didn't say that the Blazers would be title contenders with those moves, but they would put themselves in a position to challenge for a playoff spot and reduce their payroll. It's much easier for Dwane to make the transition from lifetime assistant to head coach if he is surrounded by a few players that he has already coached. Ruben Patterson spent some time in Seattle as well and is probably familiar with Dwane's intense personality. The Blazers took huge steps backwards the past two seasons. These proposed acquisitions may seem to be lateral moves, but anytime you can cut costs, get younger, add players from winning teams, and groom "superstars" in the making you've done well for yourself. I completely disagree with that lineup having four borderline starters. On the contrary, the only guy in that starting lineup that doesn't deserve to log starters minutes is Darius Miles. Coolguy, I appreciate you responding in a mature manner. It shows that you are poised for further growth and improvement on this site and in whatever else it is that you do.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">However, with the coaching search in a new direction after their job canadiate John Lucas pulled out, the canadiate list is down to three and Nash has learned that one of them is about to be offered a job. The canadiate is thought to be Sonics Associate head coach Dwane Casey, who had a good interview with the Minnesota Timberwolves . "At any rate, Nash said if the candidate is offered the Timberwolves' job, the Blazers "are not ready to react" with a counter-offer." </div> <font size="1">Courtesy of The Oregonian.</font> Very interesting indeed. The other thing I found intriguing was the fact Gerald Green refuses to workout for the Blazers unless it's a solo workout (ie - no competition) and Nash has told him to not bother coming - his exact quote was "I'm 58 years old and I can hit an open jumpshot." Still wouldn't be surprised to see them take Chris Paul and deal with the logjam later, plenty of teams would kill to get their hands on Paul.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post"> I completely disagree with that lineup having four borderline starters. On the contrary, the only guy in that starting lineup that doesn't deserve to log starters minutes is Darius Miles. Coolguy, I appreciate you responding in a mature manner. It shows that you are poised for further growth and improvement on this site and in whatever else it is that you do.</div> Not that im vying for your approval..but umm thanks anyways. Flip Murray and telfair havent proven anything yet..how can we NOT include them as borderline starters? And the only reason that it can be suggested that Jerome isnt a borderline starter is simply because of the extreme lack of centers in the NBA...but I still call him borderline because so many teams dont start a legit center anyways.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Minnesota Timberwolves are negotiating with Dwane Casey after offering their vacant coaching job to the longtime Seattle assistant. Casey, according to NBA coaching sources, beat out San Antonio Spurs assistant P.J. Carlesimo and deposed Cleveland coach Paul Silas in the race to succeed Flip Saunders as Wolves coach. Sources said Casey and the Wolves exchanged contract figures Tuesday and are progressing toward an agreement. Team vice president Kevin McHale coached Minnesota to a 19-12 record after Saunders was fired in mid-Feburary, but the 44-38 Wolves missed the playoffs just one year after ending a run of seven consecutive first-round exits by reaching the conference finals. McHale maintained from the start that he didn't want the job on a permanent basis, and Casey materialized as a leading contender early last week. A finalist for jobs in Toronto and Atlanta last summer, Casey is also a finalist for the coaching vacancy in Portland. Barring an unexpected breakdown in Casey's talks with the Wolves, Portland is expected to turn to Suns assistant Marc Iavaroni. Sources indicated that the Blazers, however, are holding off to see if they have a shot at Casey's boss in Seattle: Nate McMillan. The Sonics refuse to allow McMillan to speak to other teams until his contract expires June 30, and the leaguewide expectation remains that Seattle will sign McMillan to a lucrative extension either before or soon after that date. Carlesimo was thought to be McHale's original top choice to take over, but speculation persists that Wolves star Kevin Garnett -- at the urging of friend and teammate Latrell Sprewell -- has reservations about playing for Carlesimo. Sources said Garnett was intrigued by the idea of playing for the veteran Silas, but Casey, 48, is highly regarded for his role in the unheralded Sonics' 50-win season and has a strong reputation for developing players after 11 seasons in Seattle.</div> from ESPN.com http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2086835 Wow. I am really impressed. Good for Casey...he really deserves it and man what a sweet first coaching gig...getting to build your team around a player like Garnett. I guess I will be watching more TWolves games next year.
Good for Dwane, he is very deserving of a head coaching opportunity. Personally though I would have liked to see him in Portland. He could have established himself as a coach without the media pressure or Kevin Garnett's input. There isn't a star in Portland to appease. Garnett is capable of getting someone fired, and b/c that is a marquee job, I think Dwane will not have a long leash. Glen Taylor is looking for immediate results and w/ the aging veteran crew that Minnesota has, I'm not sure if Casey (or anyone else) can get them over the hump. The grass isn't always greener in the bigger market. I'll be pulling for him regardless though. He seems to be a man's man that doesn't pull punches. Another domino falls in the dismantling of the 2004-2005 Sonics.
The latest mail is that Demopoulos may follow Dwane to Minny, too. Portland are also apparently holding off on making a decision until they are able to talk to Nate in July, but word is Nate will be signed up by that point, or very close to it.
