I get you all love to be transactional on here and that’s great. For real though, this must be the least transactional franchise in the league. They’re not replacing Clifford. Mayyybe with an ownership change, but even then I doubt it until next year.
2 Likes
Ate 2 years JB money,
Guess could eat Clifford 4 million to get a better coach.
But Have guy with pen in hand signing before firing Steve.
You’re probably right, they’re all about that inaction, and inertia, and inability, and instability and…
But, under the assumption they fired JB to get a more impactful coach of the modern game, getting the Golden State coward seemed like a move in that direction before brave sir robin ran back home to daddy Kerr. And Cliff was the “oh shit, we don’t have any other options” move, the late night drunk text to your ex and you end up getting engaged.
The quality of candidates did not exist last year, especially since Snyder didn’t want to go to work right away. But now there are 2 championship winning coaches, with another having gone to the Finals, multiple coach of the year winners between them, theres no excuse not to start the process.
Of course, Cliff did nothing wrong, had about as good a year considering the circumstances as you can. But he’s a few tiers below these guys. I’d love Monty, but I’m sure if the Bucks come calling, he’ll be there before Mitch turns on his Windows ‘98 desktop with 2 Zip drives (and a CD burner!!).
1 Like
He’s an iOmega-drive man, no generic zip drive in that 486DX.
1 Like
Guys, let’s get real. No one wants to coach in charlotte.
Cliff does, because he’s the only one with enough self loathing and resilience to handle it.
3 Likes
Bud won a title with two-time MVP Giannis (widely considered the current best player on the planet) and two other all stars to form a big 3. I recall he was highly criticized for some of his decisions during that title run and people were calling for his firing if they did anything short of winning it all that year. Thus the short leash a few years removed from winning a title. And let’s not forget he just captained the extremely rare first round playoff exit for a 1 seed vs an injury plagued 8 seed where he still had that big 3.
Nurse won a title with a healthy two-time Finals MVP Kawhi, multi year all star Lowry and future all stars Siakam and Van Vleet.
Monty got to the Finals with Booker, CP3, engaged Ayton, Mikal Bridges.
I’m not saying these guys aren’t great coaches and I’m somewhat indifferent about making the change. But I lean toward keeping Cliff because…
-
He’s a good coach and who’s to say he couldn’t achieve that level of success given that level of talent.
-
This season was doomed no matter who was coaching. No question Steve Kerr is one of the best coaches of all time but look where he landed when his team was ravaged with injuries and left without stars. In the lottery with the 2nd pick.
-
I think there’s something to be said for continuity. He’s established good relationships with our important core pieces and I don’t know that another change after one year is the best for they’re development.
1 Like
I’m ok with Clifford for another year, but agree with Powell that there’s more behind this. There aren’t many coaches who will take the job.
1 Like
I like Kerr, but is he considered one of the best of all time?
In general I’m with you though, that it’s hard to say these guys are going to be game changers for us given they were fortunate to have incredible talent on their rosters.
Four titles in 8 years coaching. Only 5 coaches ahead of him with 5 or more titles and they all coached 20 years or more. Highest win percentage of any of them other than Phil. I’d say he has the resume to argue for “one of” the best of all time. But again, that’s based on results and those results wouldn’t have happened without incredible talent.
I have firmly been on team keep Cliff. BUT … the quality and quantity of high level HCs on the market mean we simply have to nibble at one or two of them. I share @powellrmp’s doubt that any of them will want to come here, however, there is the small matter of the lottery coming up tomorrow! If we get #1 we will become an attractive proposition. PG: LaMelo; PF: Wembanyama & C: Williams is about as good of a young core as any perspective HC could dream of. Plus, our cap situation, looking forwards, is pretty damn good too.
2 Likes
But will we stretch and waive Hayward to go after Chris Paul? /s
1 Like
1 Like
I don’t really have a compelling reason for my wanting to retain Cliff.
Other than objectively, he does command the respect of the locker room and the guys like him: youngins and vets alike.
Also, cliff’s dry and frank style of communication in place of bullshit coach speak does it for me.
Again, I think Cliff would be a god tier level assistant coach.
1 Like
Agree with all of that. There is something to said of a coach who is universally respected by his players, from rookies to experienced vets.
I think we’ve mooted this before, and agreed it sadly won’t/can’t happen, but he would be the absolutely perfect #2. I think he’s elite at that role and would match an offensively minded HC perfectly.
Yeah, this is the biggest unknown, and makes it impossible to see how good he actually could be.
Great communicator, treats everyone fairly and honestly, and doesn’t hand hold at all. Also can get guys who buy in to play above their level, and lift mediocrity to respectability.
He’s never had great tools to work with, never had a talented core to marinate and grow with. And when he built up his teams to become a playoff contender, they were always broken up the very next offseason.
So, I concede there is a chance, if he was ever able to coach multiple top NBA talent, along with hardworking role players who’ve bought in, he could handle the reigns and make a decent run. I remember Durant signing his praises last year, so he is able to connect effectively and get buy in from the best of the best.
I still wish he’d hire a top notch offensive coordinator to install a modern, potent offense.
He was one of the coaches I’ve only heard good things about. Hope he didn’t leave because the rumours of us being too cheap on staff contracts are true.
Doc Rivers on the market now
Too many appealing jobs open now. Just wait until next year or year after.