Int terms of some of the names out there: Top Tier: Spoelstra - seems quite unlikely and out of reach, but if he were to leave Miami, you have to start there. 2nd Tier: D'Antoni - I know there is a large contingent that doesn't like him, but if not for very questionable suspensions and Chris Paul's injury, he would likely have 2 NBA titles to his resume. What would be required IMO would be to team him with a defensive minded Lead Assistant like Clifford. Joerger - Won titles in the IBA, CBA and D-League in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2005. Was the Defensive Head Coach under Lionel Hollins where the Grizz improved from 24th in 2010 to 9th, 7th, and 2nd in the next three seasons. Led the Grizzlies to 50 and 55 wins in his first 2 seasons as HC with a 9-9 Playoff record. Fired after his 3rd season after being swept in the Playoffs. Immediately hired by the Kings where by the 3rd season in 2018-19, he lead them to their highest win total since 2006 but was subsequently dismissed. Kings are a mess and for him to do that well there may be as big of an endoresment as any. 3rd Tier: Chauncey Billups - I like his persona, his former playing style (played for legendary Coach Brown), and he seems to get rave reviews for his current work as an assistant. That said, do you want to entrust the last couple years of Dame's prime to someone who has never been a HC before. Not that it can't work, (Nurse, Kerr, Nash?) but you have to have the right pieces and Portland isn't there yet.
Right, he talks in there about prospective coaches bringing in specific defensive plans for this group of players. I would be so much happier if he would trade CJ immediately so coaches could present plans considering the new player(s). Also let them know that Melo and Kanter will not be coming back.
Dwight Jaynes was on a national podcast with Howard Beck/Chris Mannix. He said the outrage in Portland following the Kidd suggestion turned both the team and Kidd off the city/team. But this also unearthed Billups' past. Jaynes said Billups was always the guy but his legal history that is out in the public now has given the team some pause about his candidacy. The guy he says to look out for is Ime Udoka.
I agree, especially given the experience. Billups is the bigger name, but Udoka has been getting groomed for a head coaching gig for a decade now and has worked with Pop/D'Antoni. He has all the bonafides
I'm just having a really hard time with the idea of Dame holding the team responsible for their failures without him owning some of the blame.
