From what I've known of Paul Silas, he's an all-round (not just "O" or "D") coach who is not ashamed to tell his players what they are doing wrong (look at what he did to Snow). I also remember a couple of seasons ago when the Hornets were struggling and he called his team soft. After that statement, his team reall started to play better.
I can see Paul Silas and Latrell Sprewell in the lockeroom knuckling it up with the hands, after a bad loss and Silas decides to say something silk to Spree. Silas is probably the only coach in the league who would throw the hands with Spree lol. But seriously, I wouldnt say yes and I wouldnt say. But I would say lets see what the other options are as far as candiates go. While being stern is true about Silas, its also true that he pretty much left Cleveland and the Hornets for the same reason, his players and teams often underachive under his pressence at the top. Those Horneet teams with BDavis, Mashburn etc went home every year 1st or 2nd round which was a dissappointment given the talent on that roster. And now talks of Cleveland players toning him out as the reason he was let go in Lebronsville, Ohio. Paul Silas may not have the accomplishments or stature for what may be needed to get this Wolves team back on track.
I have to agree with Henacy. Unless the TWolves can bring in some players with thicker skin who can deal with Silas, it's not going to work. KG will embrace him, but pre-madonnas like Spree and Cassell couldn't even co-exist with mild mannered Flip Saunders. Can you imagine Silas breathing down Kandi's neck? I really like Silas because he is a no non-sense coach. Unfortunately the Owners are protecting the feelings of their players instead of supporting the coach they hired. Firing a coach and setting him up to be the scapegoat is far too, easy for a GM and Owner to do. Silas needs to be in a place where he is given the authority and support to run a team under his disciplined style. Right now I don't see that happening in Minnesota. However, it would be interesting if Silas and Flip Saunders ended up switching coaching jobs.
I am all for Paul Silas coming here. When I heard on ESPNews that he was fired as I was getting ready to go to work, the first thing that came to mind was Paul Silas coaching the Timberwolves. Silas would be a very good fit. He and KG would be a great fit. The guy is pretty good. He got a raw deal in Cleveland. He was not the problem over there. I don't think anyone was. The Cavs are just not good enough yet. Obviously, there had to be more that sees the eye. The players generally seemed to love Silas in New Orleans/Charlotte and Cleveland. What happened Silas and the front office would always differ on philosophies which is why he was fired. As for the players that Silas had, you have to understand Mashburn has been a lousy playoff performer over the years and what has Baron Davis done in the playoffs outside of a great series against the Magic three years ago. I don't think his players were clutch players back then. A coach can only prepare his team. Once the ball is tipped, it's up to the players to get it done not the coach. I read Charley Walters a lot from the St. Paul Pioneer Press and I read about how Silas was in danger of losing his job in his gossip column. He would brandy Flip Saunders's name for the Cavs coaching vacancy. I just thought of his rumor as gibberish like all of his rumors, but I guess he got this one right. Flip would be a great fit with his Cleveland ties and the fact Jim Paxson loves him, but you have to think the Cavs will be involved in the Phil Jackson sweepstakes hence why they fired Silas. Lebron James is an attraction for Jackson.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Timberwolf:</div><div class="quote_post">.....but you have to think the Cavs will be involved in the Phil Jackson sweepstakes hence why they fired Silas. Lebron James is an attraction for Jackson.</div> Do you think that Cleveland is too small a market for him to want to go, even with LeBron? If he want's to win now, you would think that he would want to go with a little more veteran leadership.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">I have to agree with Henacy. Unless the TWolves can bring in some players with thicker skin who can deal with Silas, it's not going to work. KG will embrace him, but pre-madonnas like Spree and Cassell couldn't even co-exist with mild mannered Flip Saunders. Can you imagine Silas breathing down Kandi's neck? I really like Silas because he is a no non-sense coach. Unfortunately the Owners are protecting the feelings of their players instead of supporting the coach they hired. Firing a coach and setting him up to be the scapegoat is far too, easy for a GM and Owner to do. Silas needs to be in a place where he is given the authority and support to run a team under his disciplined style. Right now I don't see that happening in Minnesota. However, it would be interesting if Silas and Flip Saunders ended up switching coaching jobs.</div> Yeah, but actually I do think that a stern coach in some rights is exactly what Spree & Sammy need. Sam that is my dude, but i know that he can be the type to take advantage of the lee-way a guy like Flip Suanders will give you. So I definately think Sammy needs to be put under control from to time time as does Spree by a stern coach. Just not a Paul Silas type of coach, cause they arent going to respect when he gets in their face. They need a coach who is going to be stern but has some legitimate accomplishments behind such sterniness. When Goerge Karl 1st came to the Bucks, he could keep Sammy in line to a degree because he was coming from Seattle where he had put together a team that been to the finals before. And won 50 plus games on alot of occcasions during the 90's, so Sammy had no choice but to respect. But as time went on and the Bucks would pretty much finish at the same level every year. And never took that championship step despite having the talent the respect wore thin. And we all seen how the Big 3 ended in Mil-town with Coach Karl. And you can pretty much see those things happening again just not to that extensive a degree. So thats why the Wolves are going to have to bring in a coach with some accomplishments to go along with his demands that will know how to put the right kind of pressure on guys. Just because a guy can put pressure on his players and demand alot doesnt always mean its the right type of pressure or demands. Paul Silas is the type of guy who gets in your face to the point where you really have know chioce but to tone him out after a while, Cleveland, pretty much did it and they dont have guys on that team with half the accomplishments, playoff expereinceetc that certain guys on this Wolves team does.....so In short a demanding coach is needed but the right type of demanding coach.
Sabretooth: I doubt Phil Jackson is going to look at a town as his criteria to coach. He wants to coach a team with great players and take them to the next level. Lebron James fits the bill. Phil Jackson could also take a GM role along with being a coach and you can bet the Cavs new owner might just do that. I think the Cavs are the best opportunity for Jackson. What other team would suit Jackson? Knicks? HA! Lakers? No way. As for Silas, the more I think about it, the more I think we need him. We need a Jerry Sloan-type coach. I think Silas is that type of guy. Silas reminds me a lot like Giants coach Tom Coughlin. They both are stern. They both demand accountability. They both are driven to winning. They are very organized. This is what the Timberwolves need. I want a coach who will tell it like it is. I just feel Silas is that guy. I am hoping Silas gets a chance to mold them into the shape and it's up to the players to listen to Silas and get with the program. Players need to learn how to be tough-minded to deal with Silas.
Of the two guys in question (Sam and Spree) I hear form Henacy that Sam might need a coach like Silas...and Spree probably won't be here next season anyway. If he does decide to come back, he better know his role or get ready for a season of frustration cause Silas won't put up with him and have him on the bench. I think Silas knows what he can do and what his players can take. If he doesn't think that Spree would work in his style, he'd let management know that he should be moved.
If you want a coach who will light a fire under the asses of guys like Sam and Spree, then you want Silas. Wheather he says it or not, KG wants a guy like Silas. They are the same kind of player, but KG is a better athlete. Just so you know, Silas would kill Spree if they ever fought
I would love to see Silas here. I love how he doesn't take crap from players and actually benches them because of their attitude, though the players don't like it. Players are turning into premadonnas and it's obvious, when they act up, Silas takes action. That's what we need here in Minnesota. Flip was pretty soft and nice to the players, Silas is a whole different coach. Silas got shafted in Cleveland. He asked for a shooter for that team, he recieved nobody. The Cavs are going through rough times right now, but I don't think that anything that has happened can be blamed towards Silas. So yes, I would approve Silas as a headcoach here. Not that what I say has any effect on it happening, though.
