Of the coaching carousel and crazed fans

Slow times, eh?

I have no idea how this keeps hitting the 1,000 level every day but you should count yourself lucky that it does. Really.

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Well, the first domino has fallen.

No, LeBron didn’t say anything and Bosh didn’t tweet or whatever; Doug Collins took the Philly coaching gig on a four-year deal everyone in the world is reporting now. (Here’s one of the many stories out there about it).

What’s it mean?

Well, the first thing it does is take him out of the running for the Chicago job – and I’ve been told there certainly was some interest there – but there are other layers to the coaching situation around the league that are pretty interesting to me.

In conversations I’ve had with a few people this week, one thing’s become quite clear: LeBron’s having an impact on that end of things, too.

The consensus among people was that both the Bulls and Nets – each looking for coaches, each armed with significant money to spend on free agents like the Cleveland guy – are probably working back-channels to get some indication if James wants to go either place in some package deal with a hand-picked coach.

Quite aside from the fact I find that whole situation a bit distasteful – I think players often have a far too large sense of entitlement and allowing them say in who their boss is goes even further over the top – it could delay other hirings as well.

The Bulls don’t seem to be in any hurry to even start a long interview process; we haven’t heard a whiff of real coaching news out of Jersey in quite some time and that’s pretty much got the whole process at a stalemate.

You’re going to hear a lot of the same names for all of these jobs – Portland’s Monty Williams, Utah’s Tyrone Corbin and Houston’s Elston Turner seem to be the flavours of the month in the assistants department while Sam, Avery Johnson and Lawrence Frank lead the former head coaches list – but all of ‘em are probably going to have bide some time while the James chatter goes on.

And don’t for a second think there isn’t talk going on behind the scenes between intermediaries over the future of James and guys like Bosh, Wade, Dirk and Stoudemire.

Maybe it’s agents talking to agents, GMs having “representatives” have private chats with agents, friends talking to friends, but there is chatter going on out there.

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Hmm, Shrek IV starts today?

Guess I need to block off a couple of weekend hours, eh?

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So the NBA hits ref Joe DeRosa with a one-game suspension without pay for tossing the ball to the fan the other night at halftime of the Orlando-Boston game and I’m quite fine and entirely unsurprised by that.

And, judging by the look on Joe’s face when they showed him on the court right after the start of the third quarter, he knew something was coming as well.

But here’s my question:

Are we going to hear about the Magic being hit with a substantial fine for lax security that caused the situation to occur?

Now, if half-crazed fans want to act like nincompoops, I’m all right with that.

But there is no way any team in the NBA should let some half-crazed nincompoop walk in the area behind the scorers table, stop for a few seconds and look like he was going to climb over the table, so incensed was he.

Someone with a uniform and a sense of importance either has to stop the guy before he gets going, or move him along once he does. Not doing either makes a bad situation worse.

No way Joe should have tossed the ball the game, that’s going over the line and there are consequences.

But no way that guy should have been allowed to get that close for that long and act the way he did without someone interceding.

I’m figure a $50,000 donation from the Magic to the NBA’s charitable arm would be suitable.

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Last call for mail this week by clicking here – and the usual flood hasn’t really started yet so get to it, ladies and gentlemen.

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Oh, you were wondering what’s up with the local Heroes of the Hardcourt?

Not an awful lot, actually.

They watched some drills and conducted some interviews Thursday at the Chicago pre-draft came with some of the kids they might have interest in with the 13th pick in the coming draft and it’ll be more of the same there today.

Now, because this is the age of disinformation for the most part – and because this team here likes to keep its draft plans pretty close to the vest – getting a definitive list of who they spoke with and what they learned in those discussions is going to be pretty difficult to obtain.

Things will come out in dribs and drabs but the real process of weeding out potential picks really starts tomorrow.

I’m sure Bryan and The Henchmen (I tell you, that would have been a great name for a 60s band, wouldn’t it have?) will return here tomorrow and really start figuring out who they want to bring in and who they want to go see.

I’m told they’ll probably get to a list of eight or 10 guys with a legitimate shot at being the 13th pick and the workouts for them should start in a week or 10 days.

Great. That means I have to start paying attention.

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Quick scheduling note for those who care, and even those who don’t.

Got some things to do Saturday and since they hold the possibility of decks and barbecues and celebrations, I can’t say for sure I’d be around for an in-game blog thingy of the Magic-Celtics.

So I think we’ll bag that one and be back Sunday night to see if the Suns can put some juice in their series with the Lakers.

Sound fair? Good.

And now, it seems to be another glorious day out there, I am going to go enjoy it. You should, too.

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Comments

[Mike kovacs]

Doug are the Raps permitted to run trades by Bosh to see if it is something that would make him want to stay or do they just go ahead and make trades not knowing if he 'likes' them?

Blogger's note: Sure, if they want to, they're more than able to

[LeeZ]

Basketball 101 for you. I was just watching a clip of this power forward named Larry Sanders from VCU who's projected by some to go to the Raps with the 13th pick. Time for a digression: the Larry Sanders Show was one of the greatest sit-coms EVER. End of digression. Anyway, at one point a teammate of his throws the ball off the backboard on a fast break so that Sanders can dunk it, which he does. Question: does that go as an assist for the teammate, or a missed shot for him and an offensive rebound for Sanders? And even if it goes as an assit and not a missed shot, would it still count as a rebound for Sanders?

Blogger's note: Hey now! There is some subjectivity to it; I believe most scoring crews would credit an assist on that play.

[LeeZ]

Hey now? I love it! A fellow Larry Sanders Show fan! In fact, I'd love it if the P.A. announcer in whichever arena he ends up playing in were to bellow out Hank's signature Hey Now in introducing Sanders in the lineup or after he makes a dunk. Although I'm sure that only a handful of fans would get the joke. Sigh.

[GM]

I think that suspension for the ref was a little over the top. It's not like he winged the ball at the fan. DeRosa is one of the good refs, too. You don't want to dilute the field even more in the playoffs. A simple fine would have sufficed.

I think It's Garry Shandling's Show was even better than the Larry Sanders Show. And that's saying something.

[doug]

I also was a huge fan of the Larry Sanders show...but I have to admit Garry Shandling sometimes grated on me as he still does whenever i see him as his act is a little stilted,stale...but I loved Jeffrey Tambor, Rip Torn those 2 guys were the real reason i watched........

ok I have to agree wholeheartedly any team that acquiesces to a player as far as coaching goes is just playing a fools game, its doomed from the get go.. how is said coach going to be able to "coach" a player that was hand-picked by the player...and what impact does it have on not only present teammates but moves down the road....if Lebron came to me and said I will sign with your team but i want input to the coaching selection I'd say go pound salt....as its not only a disaster waiting to happen but its just arrogant.....but then we have seen arrogance this week in the sports world, Urlacher calling out Gale Sayers, are you kidding me??? ...tell me Brian how well is that going to work out for you, "ass"-inine...

[The J]

Hey Doug,

Do you think now that the Philly job is taken, that Larry Brown will stay in Charlotte? Or does this make an already interesting summer that much more interesting.

Re: Hand-picked coaches. That's got to be the worst ideas possible. Most players need someone who can push them, and that's not going to happen if the coach feels almost subordinate to the player. I think Lebron especially needs someone who can push him and see past his fame and still give him hell. If 'Bron wants to get to that next Kobe/MJ level, he is going to need some help finding that fire.

Blogger's note: Far more chance Larry stays, but don't count out inevitable Clippers rumours with him.

[ANM]

Hey Doug. Now, usually I agree with you a high percentage of the time, but the Joe DeRosa incident with the so called crazed fan was anything but threatning.
That fan, like hundreds of others can easily walk around that section without any problems at all. In this case it appears as if that fan had a seat in or around that area. It was at the half anyways and the fan look as if he was making his way out of the bowl like others he passed behind the scorers table. As he walked out, he was giving Joe the business, like most upset fans do and Joe threw the ball at him. At the same time the fans body language in no way was positioned as to jump the scorers table and the whole time the fan moved slowly by only to stop when the ball was thrown at him. He barely stopped then either.
You made it sound as if a crazed fan sneaked into the arena got down to the scorers table and was waiting for an opportunity to jump the refs. Joe was right beside 3 guards at that time. Security looked fine to me and they are used to that kind of stuff. I attend the majority of home games at ACC and fans get away with heckling the players and refs alot closer than than that.
People have to see the footage to make up their own opinions though.
Check the footage and tell me if you see the same thing.
As always, love the blog Doug
ANM

[Adrian]

Raptors are on CB's final list of 5, according to ESPN. If this is true, it's time for Colangelo to step up to the plate and bring back his cornerstone. I'm glad it was made public so Toronto fans can feel better about themselves- because this is not over. Which is good... because the Raptors cannot afford for it to end like this. Colangelo better be on the phone to move any or all of the following: Bargnani, Derozan, Calderon, Jack, Weems, Turkoglu, Belinelli, Banks, 2010 first rounder, $ 3 million. Yes. Everyone and everything if that's what it takes.

Of course, he's already claimed he'll do "whatever it takes." It better not be lip service.

[LeeZ]

This just in (Real GM): The Sixers would reportedly trade the second overall pick in this year's draft to a team that is willing to take Elton Brand's contract off their hands. Brand's deal pays him $51 million over the next three seasons.

In a scenario where Bosh leaves, do you see José and Turk for Brand and the 2-pick being a mutually beneficial swap? Salaries basically match up, Philly gets the point guard they need and the offence they need from Turk while getting rid of Brand's contract; Raps get rid of one of their PGs, something they want to do, get rid of Turk, who was a bust in year one (not to say he would be in subsequent years, but it looks like he might well be) and they get rid of four years of his contract, compared to just (!) 3 for Brand. Brand is a decent big (though not nearly as good as he used to be) who would be better suited to the Raps half-court offence than to Philly's up-tempo style) who won't demand the ball, thereby freeing up Bargnani to become more of a focus on offence. What do you think, good fit for both teams?

[DaveT]

Read the Bosh wish list on ESPN? Chicago, New York, Miami, L.A? Barely news, that one, don't you think? Get the feeling it comes with a "Don't do anything with me until we figure out what LeBron is up to?" caveat?

[Ryan]

Doug, what are your thoughts on ESPNs article on Bosh narrowing down his decision to five teams including the raptors as his perferred destination for the 10-11 season. And stating that it may depend on what James decides.

Thanks

Blogger's note: My story will be up soon

[dave]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/2010/05/21/raps_bosh_future/

DOUG did you miss this one!?

Can you check your sources and see if this is true!

Blogger's note: My story will be up soon

[J]

LeeZ:
Assuming Bosh goes, I'd take that Brand and effectively Turner/Wall for Calderon/Turkoglu in a heartbeat, and I actually like Jose. Anything to make all the QQ go away though. ;)
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But seriously, if Bosh leaves, we'd be making do with what we have, and if we can make do with Turkoglu/Bargnani, we can certainly make do with Brand/Bargnani. If it works, great, and if it doesn't, a couple more lottery picks on top of Turner/Wall would go a long way in the rebuild. Add another 1st or 2nd round pick from a team not wanting to lock in salary before the new CBA and add another useful part in Bledsoe/Bradley (if available still).
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Turner would basically be our 2nd chance at Brandon Roy. Same solid all-around play, same health concerns. Wouldn't it be just grand? =P

[J]

Edit: Of course that would be assuming Philly would take Turkoglu in return, which I highly doubt if they are trading away the 2nd overall to get rid of Brand's salary in the first place. xP

[Samuel]

Adrian... Totally agree with you...however i'd put coach triano at the forefront of that list...

For some reason, I just cannt see colangelo giving away bargnani. In fact I m lead to beleive that if it came down to choosing between Bargs and Bosh, colangelo would rather keep bargnani. And this team ain't going nowhere as long these two are both starting...

[Aditya]

I’m figure a $50,000 donation from the Magic to the NBA’s charitable arm would be suitable.
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That's a little too much Doug. May be, $50000 is chump change to you, but common. Even Phil Jackson got fined ONLY $35 000.

[Aditya]

Blogger's note: Hey now! There is some subjectivity to it; I believe most scoring crews would credit an assist on that play.
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I believe you are wrong. But can you check with an official scorekeeper? Would love to hear the answer to that