<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Shapecity @ May 3 2008, 11:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Thanks Run, it's great to be back. Look at the turnaround the Celtics made on the defensive end by hiring Tom Thibodeaux (longtime Van Gundy assistant.) KG has been getting all the fanfare for the defensive nature of Boston, but Thibodeaux's been the guy behind the scenes teaching the team how to defend and take pride in stopping people. JVG has a great personality and I can see Baron buying into him and committing more to the defensive end. He's familiar with Nellie and they had a good relationship in NY if I remember correctly. How ironic would it be for the Warriors to bring Avery Johnson on board?</div> Avery is definitely going to get some HC offers. I'm predicting he'll be in Detroit next season. Van Gundy is a guy who I can't see coming here to be an assistant. While he does stress defense his overall belief system regarding basketball is totally the opposite form Nellie's. I would be all for getting a defensive specialist guy but I can't see a legit HC candidate wanting to come here to be an assistant. BTW Sidney Moncrief could easily be up for a promotion to assistant coach. He was the part time shooting coach, then the full time shooting coach. He did a great job there getting our guys' FT % up and you might be able to attribute some of Monta's spectacular mid-range game to him. He was a head coach in the D-League before coming here so I think he is looking to move up in the ranks. He can definitely teach defense too but hes a GREAT shooting coach.
It sucks for D'Antoni when the MVP of his lineup decides to be a turnover machine in clutch situations. I thought the Suns did alright in their first round series. The first game probably took the winds out of their sails a bit. That game seemed to be Phoenix's at so many different times. Duncan for 3? But maybe, if anything, D'Antoni could be a help for a player like Belinelli or something, with an Italy connection. D'Antoni kind of has a history of making good players better. Who would have ever thought that Steve Nash would be a 2 time MVP? Also he has done a fine job with players like Diaw and Barbosa who were never really highly touted players, especially Diaw on the Suns vs Diaw on the Hawks. I have not watched him coach that much. So I can't say so much. But from a distance, it seems as if he has done a pretty good job with the rosters that he has had. He kind of got some tough luck when Stoudamire got injured that one season. Maybe that was their year, if they had one.
Oh yeah, Clif, that's right. D'Antoni used to be in the Italian leagues along with Kobe Bryant's dad. In fact, I heard Kobe wore #8 because of D'Antoni, who was one of the most dominant guards in Europe at the time. It's an added bonus he had the last name because the Italians probably liked him even more.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Run BJM @ May 3 2008, 10:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Shapecity @ May 3 2008, 10:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think D'Antoni is bolting straight to Toronto if the Suns fire him or he decides to step down. Apparently, he doesn't get along with Kerr at all and was against the Shaq trade. I'm not sure replacing Don Nelson is the answer. He's the ideal coach for this team, but I think they need strengthen their assistant coaching staff by bringing in a defensive guru and a guy who can develop the younger players. Someone in the mold of Jeff Van Gundy would be perfect.</div> Nice to see you back Shape. Yeah, I think D'Antoni would want to go to Toronto because of the talent as well as Colangelo. They're like Suns lite with Calderon/Ford at PG and Bosh at PF/C. I've heard that Russell Turner is probably going to Cal with Montgomery so that would open up an assistant coaching position. Keith Smart is probably staying unless he interviews and gets hired for a HC job. Stephen Silas and Larry Riley aren't going anywhere. </div> Welcome back Shape! Were you on vacation or something? Definitely replacing Don Nelson with Mike D'Antoni isn't the answer. However, that's a great comment as to how Toronto will become the Suns lite with Calderon/Ford at PG and Bosh at PF/C. In fact, I heard some rumor today that Don Nelson was interested in making a trade for Andrea Bargnani and TJ Ford using Baron, Al Harrington and #14 pick as bait. That would be just wack, but you can see where Nellie's mind is headed instead of retirement in Maui. And I was just reading that Mike D'Antoni is a "a younger, fitter Don Nelson. He’s a sharper-dressed Doug Moe." D'Antoni ready to leave his desert mirage
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jason voorhees @ May 7 2008, 08:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Run BJM @ May 3 2008, 10:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Shapecity @ May 3 2008, 10:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think D'Antoni is bolting straight to Toronto if the Suns fire him or he decides to step down. Apparently, he doesn't get along with Kerr at all and was against the Shaq trade. I'm not sure replacing Don Nelson is the answer. He's the ideal coach for this team, but I think they need strengthen their assistant coaching staff by bringing in a defensive guru and a guy who can develop the younger players. Someone in the mold of Jeff Van Gundy would be perfect.</div> Nice to see you back Shape. Yeah, I think D'Antoni would want to go to Toronto because of the talent as well as Colangelo. They're like Suns lite with Calderon/Ford at PG and Bosh at PF/C. I've heard that Russell Turner is probably going to Cal with Montgomery so that would open up an assistant coaching position. Keith Smart is probably staying unless he interviews and gets hired for a HC job. Stephen Silas and Larry Riley aren't going anywhere. </div> Welcome back Shape! Were you on vacation or something? Definitely replacing Don Nelson with Mike D'Antoni isn't the answer. However, that's a great comment as to how Toronto will become the Suns lite with Calderon/Ford at PG and Bosh at PF/C. In fact, I heard some rumor today that Don Nelson was interested in making a trade for Andrea Bargnani and TJ Ford using Baron, Al Harrington and #14 pick as bait. That would be just wack, but you can see where Nellie's mind is headed instead of retirement in Maui. And I was just reading that Mike D'Antoni is a "a younger, fitter Don Nelson. He?€™s a sharper-dressed Doug Moe." D'Antoni ready to leave his desert mirage </div> I was working like crazy during tax season and didn't have much time to post. I still can't believe I lost the fantasy basketball league in the Finals. I had Jasen beat until the final day. It sounds like D'Antoni wants to coach the Bulls, but there's speculation he won't pass up the Knicks job after Donnie Walsh makes him an offer he can't refuse in the neighborhood of $7 million. Plus you have to wonder how D'Antoni is going to jive with John Paxson, who's very close with Steve Kerr. Should be interesting to see how the coaching carousel works itself out in the offseason. There has to be some hope for the Warriors style of play though. Look at the success the Hornets are having in the regular and post season with an uptempo pace, and a lot of perimeter shots. The Warriors have a similar roster to the Hornets, but Nelson needs to figure out a way to extend his rotations and define specific roles for his players. A big key of course will be Baron's approach game to game. He just doesn't manage the game well like Paul does for the Hornets, but he's capable of it. He did early on in his career when he played with Mashburn.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Shapecity @ May 3 2008, 10:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think D'Antoni is bolting straight to Toronto if the Suns fire him or he decides to step down. Apparently, he doesn't get along with Kerr at all and was against the Shaq trade. I'm not sure replacing Don Nelson is the answer. He's the ideal coach for this team, but I think they need strengthen their assistant coaching staff by bringing in a defensive guru and a guy who can develop the younger players. Someone in the mold of Jeff Van Gundy would be perfect.</div> Apparently Sarver isn't allowing D'Antoni to visit with the Raptors (link), although there's no indication that Colangelo sought permission in the first place. That's a going a bit overboard with the spite, no?
Looks like he's officially headed to New York. Well, I think Nelson will be back next year no matter what anyway. Maybe even after than, who knows? So probably not much point in trying to pick the Warriors next head coach just yet anyway.
I heard that Mike D'Antoni likes Andrea Bargnani and is willing to trade David Lee and more to get him. Toronto may be willing to deal if they decide Bargnani isn't a great fit in Toronto with Bosh. Nellie also likes Bargnani because he's the type of player Nellie likes -- tall and can run, pass and shoot from outside. I'm sure he's telling Mullin to go get this guy. I heard something that he's already talked about it in the media. I haven't made up my mind yet, but Andrea Bargnani is very intriguing. He would be another AB to pair with Andris Biedrins. Or maybe we have to trade AB in order to get him. Who knows what the Nellieball system has in mind for him? Andrea Bargnani Highlights Mix
