<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Seattle SuperSonics have told prospective candidates for their coaching vacancy that they have trimmed their list of potential replacements for Nate McMillan to Marc Iavaroni, current assistant Bob Weiss and at least one other person, sources said. A third candidate is thought to be Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, whom Sonics general manager Rick Sund contacted in the past few days to inquire about Izzo?s interest. Also, the Sonics have let it be known that they are going to be cost-conscious, which would seemingly rule out coaches such as Flip Saunders and Doug Collins, who would command larger salaries because of their NBA experience. That said, it seems as if Iavaroni, an assistant to Phoenix Suns coach Mike D?Antoni and a close friend of Sonics CEO Wally Walker, is the front-runner for the job. Iavaroni was likely to get the Portland Trail Blazers job if McMillan didn?t take it. Iavaroni is currently coaching the Suns? entry in the Las Vegas summer league. However, a source said that when a contingent of Suns front-office personnel was at the arena recently, Iavaroni was not among the group. It is unclear whether Iavaroni was visiting Seattle and/or interviewing with Sund. Sund phoned Izzo, a friend of Sonics principal owner Howard Schultz, and apparently told him the Sonics were interested in speaking to him.</div> Source
Thanks for the link. I read in today's Times that Weiss is a 'leading candidate', also. He got a public endorsement from Fortson, saying that Weiss has paid his dues, and he'd be comfortable with him as head coach.
I'm pulling for Weiss myself. He seemed to be a respected voice in the locker room, plus he has the most experience out of all of the possible candidates. Weiss knows the players and the players know him. The early adjustment phase could have the Sonics starting behind the eight ball next season. Weiss isn't a "sexy" name, but at this point he'd come cheap, he's knowledgeable, and the players would respect him from the beginning. I wouldn't call it a no-brainer, but he seems to be the best candidate in my mind that is available.
Take Tom Izzo out of the equation. He could be in Cleveland, Minnesota, or Atlanta right now, but he's smart and has commited himself to Michigan State. Why the hell would anyone want to leave the situation that he's in at Michigan State anyway? He's on track to be one of the greatest coaches of all-time, he has a team returning that's preseason top five, he has some of the best facilities in all of college basketball, and he has a loyal, devoted fan base in East Lansing. As I had to drill into the heads of T'Wolve fans, to some coaches, the NCAA is the next level.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Voodoo Child:</div><div class="quote_post">Take Tom Izzo out of the equation. He could be in Cleveland, Minnesota, or Atlanta right now, but he's smart and has commited himself to Michigan State. Why the hell would anyone want to leave the situation that he's in at Michigan State anyway? He's on track to be one of the greatest coaches of all-time, he has a team returning that's preseason top five, he has some of the best facilities in all of college basketball, and he has a loyal, devoted fan base in East Lansing. As I had to drill into the heads of T'Wolve fans, to some coaches, the NCAA is the next level.</div> well I dont know if hes considering or not (or if hes even being considered) but money talks...ask Nate Mcmillian lol.
Man I was really hoping for Flip. I want a coach with experience that can help us out ASAP instead of one that can help us to a under .500 record =/.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Coolguy777:</div><div class="quote_post">well I dont know if hes considering or not (or if hes even being considered) but money talks...ask Nate Mcmillian lol.</div> Money talks, but it's not like his children are being starved with his Michigan State salary. If he's turned down millions with those three teams I mentioned above, I think he'd do the same with the Sonics. You also have to consider the job security of an NBA coach. If Izzo has two off years, fans will be calling for his head. At Michigan State, he has an unofficial lifetime contract and it would take decades of losing to get him to step down.
