Player/Coach...could it work?

Back in the days, a few teams had "player/coaches." Essentially, one of the players on the squad served double duty as the head coach. Today, the player/coach is practically extinct in professional sports. The only one I could think of off the top of my head is Jay Gruden of the Arena Football League.

So I pose the question:

Could there ever be another player/coach in the NBA? Who would be the best canidates for each team?

 

Yeah I know that Bill Russel did that.But I seriously think KG could do it,I wonder if the NBA would allow it these days?

 

Wasn't Michael Jordan of the Wizards a Player Coach?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chungster:</div><div class="quote_post">Wasn't Michael Jordan of the Wizards a Player Coach?</div>

No, first he was a partial owner of the Wizards, he gave that up to play. The Wizards brought Jordan's old coach Doug Collins to coach the team

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Wasn't Michael Jordan of the Wizards a Player Coach?</div>

Wow....

 

i think they should let the coaches that are coaching the team now become players i would like to see some of them in action like former coach/player bill cartwright for the bulls..

it would be weird to see larry brown or phil jackson playing..wouldn't it?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">No, first he was a partial owner of the Wizards, he gave that up to play. The Wizards brought Jordan's old coach Doug Collins to coach the team</div>

I know dude...



<div class="quote_poster">Quoting STCBBall3:</div><div class="quote_post">Wow....</div>

I must of misinterpreted the thread right? Then what is "Player/Coach" defined as? I thought it meant active players who were acting like coaches also like the Wizard's Jordan.

 

A guy like Avery Johnson could probably coach today if he wanted. However, would he put his best interest ahead of what's good for the team if he was a player/coach? Lets be honest here, no player likes riding the bench. He might feel that him being on the floor is in the best interest of the team, when in reality he should be the 10th man...

 

Terry Porter would probably still be in ok playing shape.

 

I think Robinson, as in The Admiral, J-Kidd, Bird and Magic would all be best suited for the job. As they were businessmen, good people as in class acts, and they had and still have excellent knowledge of the game, even regardless of today's rules. Plus players would probably look up to legends like that.

 

I would like to see Mark Jackson as a player/coach. He would probably be the 8th-10th man off the bench so if he can swallow that pill and still be able to direct the kids around him I think he would be successful. To be honest I always think that the smart point guards in the league would make great coaches due to the fact that they are leading the team and running the offense.

John Stockton would make an amazing player/coach as well. He could be the starting point guard for most of the teams in the L if he was still active. Add in his vast amount of knowledge, leadership, and respect and you have the perfect coach.

 

Gary Payton.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Mr_Infante:</div><div class="quote_post">Gary Payton.</div>

I think GP has too much of an ego to be player/coach...He's been complaining enough about Phils coaching already, I can only imagine how the team would be run if GP was running the team...

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">A guy like Avery Johnson could probably coach today if he wanted. However, would he put his best interest ahead of what's good for the team if he was a player/coach? Lets be honest here, no player likes riding the bench. He might feel that him being on the floor is in the best interest of the team, when in reality he should be the 10th man...</div>

Noo!!! ah, good thing I read this thread before I posted because I was gonna post Avery Johnson. Of course my post wouldn't be as qualified as yours, but anyways for a time I thought he had retired when I seen him with a suit helping coach the Mavs.

Players do respect despite the way he sounds when he talks.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I must of misinterpreted the thread right? Then what is "Player/Coach" defined as? I thought it meant active players who were acting like coaches also like the Wizard's Jordan.</div>

Alright man, my bad then.

If Michael Jordan had more patience, he could be a player/coach. He just wouldn't have the time and patience to teach kids how to play the game.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">John Stockton would make an amazing player/coach as well. He could be the starting point guard for most of the teams in the L if he was still active. Add in his vast amount of knowledge, leadership, and respect and you have the perfect coach.</div>

Yup, Stockton could definately be a playercoach. He can still play, and his knowledge of the game would allow him to coach.

 

Hmm, Charles Barkley or Dennis Rodman.

Jordan would make a terrible player/coach. He has absolutely no patience for the new players in the L. Kwame Brown is the prime example, he did not play to his full potential when with Jordan.

Gary Payton has too much of an ego, he'd probably demand to play himself 40 minutes a game.

Reggie Miller could probably pull it off as a player/coach. He plays with so much confidence, he could teach the young ones to do the same.

I agree with John Stockton as a player/coach, and I think Robert Horry could be successful as well.

 

Ron Harper was a player/coach a few years back for the Lakers, he was Phil extension on the court, directing plays and giving calm presence to the then nervous championless 2000 Lakers squad. Avery Johnson also is a motivator, from the way he approaches players, he sure looks like he enjoys being a leader... and that's a player/coach attitude. But with that voice intonation, I'm also one who thinks he will have to try his hardest to gain respect from his players if he becomes a coach.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Ron Harper was a player/coach a few years back for the Lakers, he was Phil extension on the court, directing plays and giving calm presence to the then nervous championless 2000 Lakers squad</div>

We're not talking about a floor general. We are talking about a player who coaches.

 

Only if your name is Avery Johnson..

 

As much as I know this name would cause an uproar, I'm still going to bring it up: Tracy McGrady.

T-Mac, at the young age of 25 (?), is already one of the best players in the game and his influence on his teammates is unquestionable. He has the knowledge needed to run a team and why not? The Magic can't sink any lower and McGrady could maybe somehow help Orlando rise out the ashes.

<font size="-2">I mean this as a joke. McGrady spends more time on the bench anyways, since he's always injured. </font>