Suns Grant D'Antoni Permission to Speak with Bulls and Knicks
[Note by Phoenix Stan, 05/05/08 11:15 AM PDT ]
The Suns PR machine has responded to the latest news with this somewhat meaningless comment:
"As we have continued to convey, we value Mike D’Antoni as the head coach of the Phoenix Suns and would like him to continue leading this basketball team. Because he has requested to speak to other teams about their head coaching vacancies, we have granted him permission. We will have no further comment until this process further evolves." - Steve Kerr
How on earth this "process" doesn't end with D'Antoni coaching somewhere else is beyond me. Is there a possible scenario where he returns now after the team has granted him permission to speak to other teams? Talk about a train wreck.
No, this is now about the team spinning this as D'Antoni's decision which it may or may not actually be. Frankly, I don't know that I care.
The divorce papers have been filed and its all over but the splitting of the CD's.
[Note by ZonaFlash, 05/05/08 3:01 PM EDT ]
No kidding. This is how the new ownership does business. We saw the exact same machinations with Bryan Colangelo and Joe Johnson.
9:00pm PST, May 4th:
This in from Sports 620 KTAR
Suns coach Mike D'Antoni has been granted permission to speak with NBA teams, including the Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks, according to Sports 620 KTAR.D'Antoni was previously denied permission to speak with any team, Suns GM Steve Kerr told KTAR last week.
Kerr and owner Robert Sarver met with D'Antoni for a lunch meeting on Friday to discuss his future with Phoenix, but it was reported a decision would not be made until later in the week.
It is likely D'Antoni has not been granted permission to interview with the Toronto Raptors, according to sources close to the subject.
ESPN.com reported Friday that Chicago has emerged as the most likely landing spot for D'Antoni if he leaves Phoenix.
If this report proves true then the end has come. If he's been granted permission to talk to other teams then clearly he's not coming back as the Suns head coach. With two years left on his contract, the Suns can agree to let D'Antoni out of his contract thereby avoiding paying him the $8.5m he's owed.
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It's a step backward
At this point in time, given this roster, it is a step backwards.
Next year, when the Suns go title-less yet again, everyone will say, “Well, it’s a new coach in a new system. Give them some time.”
I always hated AJ as a player, but maybe he is the right guy …
At a minimum, he’s the only guy that I see that can still give the Suns a title shot in the next two years.
Mmmmm ... Guinness
by JSun on May 4, 2008 10:18 PM MDT 0 recs
Game 3
If it’s true, here’s an interesting point:
A friend said his first thought was of Sarver’s total apathy and dejected look during Game 3 (this person has 8th row seats across the court from Sarver and was there). Is Sarver pouting? Justifiably upset about the lack of urgency?
At a minimum, Kerr and Sarver made a good PR move by “trying” to get D’Antoni to stay, but now the spin will be that D’Antoni was too hard-headed.
He’ll be fun to watch in Chicago. For his sake, I hope he does not go to New York.
Mmmmm ... Guinness
by JSun on May 4, 2008 10:33 PM MDT 0 recs
Further confirmation
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2008/05/04/20080504suns.html
AJ is a lock. Write it down. Vinnie del Negro wants him, too.
Get rid of Nellie for a defensive-minded guy, right? Suns need a defensive-minded guy?
The main problem with AJ is that Sarver would have to spend money on a translator, too.
Mmmmm ... Guinness
by JSun on May 5, 2008 1:13 AM MDT 0 recs
OMG
Spurs homers.
I believe it. And hate it.
Wondering what the skip-2-my-loo to do next with my empty summer
by ZonaFlash on
May 5, 2008 9:11 AM MDT
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One less option
Cuban snatched up Carlisle
Mmmmm ... Guinness
by JSun on May 5, 2008 1:15 AM MDT 0 recs
dang
not you Dang…just dang it
I am not too keen on AJ. I would like to see a very mature experienced coach come in and balance the youth and…not so youthy players on this team. AJ strikes me as being way over the top and too much into AJ…oh, and I can’t stand him either btw…
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Phoenix Stan on
May 5, 2008 8:18 AM MDT
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Carlisle was the replacement I could have acccepted
Wondering what the skip-2-my-loo to do next with my empty summer
by ZonaFlash on
May 5, 2008 9:12 AM MDT
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I wanted Carlisle too.
I have hope for Thibodeau though. And AJ just because he’s cool.
Decision '08: Batum or Alexander
by rosewood on
May 5, 2008 9:13 AM MDT
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Sad times
I guess I was brash to give Coach D such a hard time. He has been a big part in making our beloved Suns the fun team they were. At the same time though this news does make me excited as to where the team will go next, but I have no idea whether or not with a new coach at the helm if we’ll be able to even be contenders again for a while.
If Coach D leaves then rebuilding will have truly begun in earnest. I wonder if we’ll even move some players as well in the future?
"Troops in desperate straights know no fear. Where there is no escape, they stand firm; When they have entered deep, they persist; When they see no hope, they fight." Sun Tzu The Art of War
by Turambar on May 5, 2008 1:32 AM MDT 0 recs
Not rebuilding yet
At this point, I think we can still file the Suns’ current status under “retooling” rather than “rebuilding,” since rebuilding would entail us moving rotations players for future assets (young players, expiring contracts, or draft picks). There hasn’t been any indication of that yet, though, I suppose, we cannot rule it out.
But I really think we’re going one more year then aiming for the future in 09/10.
Decision '08: Batum or Alexander
by rosewood on
May 5, 2008 2:30 AM MDT
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i think we'll be better off
too much is made about d’antoni, wasn’t his brother supposed to help barbosa, looks like they forgot to work on layups.
For me, as long as they go back to more of a fastbreak offense (for Nash’s sake) they’ll be ok. It’s proven that Shaq is a viable outlet passer, so stop right there with the “can’t run a fast break with shaq on the team” thought. D’antoni didn’t give bench players a chance in hell, he ignores defense except when forced (by then it’s too late), and he is way too soft and avoids confrontation like I avoid amaerican idol. We need someone with a good focus on offense and defense, willing to use more players and doesn’t have a man-crush on nash (as much as I appreciate Nash and what he’s done for the nba and this team), and willing to run practices that work on things instead of are a joke.
Problem is, our best 2 options aren’t looking very good…unless someone here has other thoughts…I would’ve loved to see riley (but that’s remote…owner of heat…holding out hope), and carlisle is going to the mavs, it looks like the mavs are rushing to get him before the phx job becomes open.
Hey, I’m excited, people with serious talent – dj and tucker might actually play!! I agree it was good they played in the d league last yr, but this yr, they need to be playing or be traded for someone who is!
But, sadly, we need to trade 1 more person…sarver. I wouldn’t call him the cheap banker, but its clear to me, he cares more about his money and partners than winning…which I can understand…but I wish we had one of those billionaire owners who would rather win!
We can’t do it the other way….because our chemistry is a joke with Amare doing whatever he wants and saying whatever he wants…he’s our version of josh howard….stupid. Sorry Amare fans, but I’d trade Amare in a heartbeat for any number of guys.
by be-the-ball on May 5, 2008 5:34 AM MDT 0 recs
Question:
You don’t like D’Antoni. You don’t like Sarver. You don’t like Amare. You think Nash is overemphasized. You wouldn’t mind a trade of DJ or Alando.
Are you sure you like the Suns?
A few things:
1) Lay off Sarver. Our payroll is the 9th highest, so he’s clearly not cheap. Further, of the teams that spend more than us, only Dallas, Boston, and LA could be considered better or as good. Several teams that spend less than us (SA, Det, Utah, NO, Hou) are at least as good if not better than us. Money isn’t that related to success. If you want to complain about unwise moves, great. But don’t call Sarver cheap. He’s spending more than enough for Kerr to make a winner.
2) Where is it proven that Shaq is a viable outlet passer? He’s never been on a running team. And he looked terrible when he tried to play that role early on.
3) The only bench players D’Antoni didn’t play were DJ, Alando, Marks, Piatkowski (sic), and Skinner. You said DJ and Alando should have been in the D-League so no blame to D’Antoni there. Marks and P don’t belong on the court ever. So your complaint is that Skinner should have gotten more minutes. Maybe. I thought Skinner was pretty weak. But it seems a bit much to complain that D’Antoni didn’t play one player and equate that to never giving his bench a chance. It’s not like we had a bench full of Maxiells and Turiaf’s. We’re not deep.
4) I agree that we may (i mean, may) need a new coach, since I think we may have plateaued with D’Antoni, but let’s keep that in perspective. He’s still a great, great coach. If we measure coaches by championships, there’s only been eight good ones in the past twenty-six years. So instead let’s look at the fact that D’Antoni was instrumental in leading the Suns to some of their greatest seasons in franchise history and developing a style of play that was the most entertaining the NBA had seen in years.
5) I would trade Amare for: 1) Lebron 2) Dwight Howard 3) Greg Oden 4) Chris Paul. No one else.
6) If you want a fast-breaking offense, you should be thrilled that we didn’t get Carlisle. And Riley…considering that he and Shaq now don’t like each other, it doesn’t seem like that would be productive.
Decision '08: Batum or Alexander
by rosewood on
May 5, 2008 6:07 AM MDT
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on sarver...
1. I’m not saying sarver is cheap, I’m saying I don’t like the decisions he’s making (appears to be making). I looked at the salary caps for the teams also, its clear as you state, its not about how much money you spend, but how you spend it..good contracts or bad.
2. I didn’t think he looked that bad for only being with the team for a few weeks. He had some turnovers, but he is a great passer, I strongly disagree there.
3. I’m not talking about Skinner, I’m talking about the FACT that we lost last year in the playoffs, not because of a suspension, but because the bench hadn’t ever played in games with Nash and didn’t know what to do, that was horrible. This year, when you have talent, you develop them, I think he didn’t play DJ or Alando in a lot of situations when he could’ve. It’s all over the net, I’m not alone on this.
4. If our coach is getting treated like shi. by Amare in the newspapers (comments), it’s clear either Amare or the coach (or both) need to change. I’m not naive enough to think Amare is going to change now. All of his improvements have been on skills, very little mentally.
5. I agree with the names you put plus Boozer, Bynum, Odom, Gasol, and on and on and on.
6. As far as fast breaking offense..this team needs to change, and I don’t think it has anything to do with whether they’re a fast breaking offense, or not. It has everything to do with lazy practices and not being a collectively smart team, not even close.
I am a Suns fan, crazy Suns fan, but I’m not going to say we just need another shot to beat the Spurs, or we just need a new coach, we need this team to become and play smart, not sure how that’ll happen, but it’s a big difference right now between us and the spurs. What’s so frustrating, is talent wise we’re better.
I appreciate your comments…I apologize if I come off negative towards the Suns, but I have every right to be ticked off, if we played to our best, or even close and lost, I’d feel much different than this. But to have 4 turnovers in the last 2 minutes was just a collapse.
Your right about Riley..him and shaq…bad fit. It was a bad fit, it’s just there aren’t too many nba coaches out there that are available. It probably won’t happen, (as he said), but I hope Kerr becomes the coach.
Sounds like your a big Amare fan…yes. That’s ok, that’s your choice and I’m not going to try and change your mind. But, for me, to have a player (Amare) say so many negative things about other players and his coach and begin to sound like Marion all over again with the respect thing, it’s just a big joke. The guy makes all star teams, he’s on the olympic team, he makes $$$$$$ money, and he’s complaining? I like Amare’s desire to become the best, but he’s not onto the thought that he has to make his teammates better before that will happen….
I love Nash, but when a player fails like he did in the playoffs, I’m going to see it as that, it’s that simple. And Nash did fail tremendously during this series….As did some others.
There were some bright spots, Barbosa started to play well here and there. Raja Bell and Diaw played great in games 4 and 5.
by be-the-ball on
May 5, 2008 4:09 PM MDT
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Odom? Gasol?
You would trade Amare for Odom or Gasol???
by RealTangiblesGuy on
May 5, 2008 10:20 PM MDT
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Lots of decisions to make
If D’Antoni goes, the decision who to hire I beleive will determine Steve Kerr’s future in Phoenix. Sure Sarver will have some sort of say in this, but at the end of the day, it will rest on Kerr. Scary thought all in all, and wierd to think that Avery Johnson could come across to the Suns….
by dang on May 5, 2008 5:44 AM MDT 0 recs
Whatever
At this point, I tend to think that if Coach D goes, it is because of his stubbornness. It seems like Kerr is trying to work it out, but D’A is not buying it.
What is the opposition to Paul Silas as coach? Maybe Amare will listen to him.
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
by Hawk42 on May 5, 2008 8:12 AM MDT 0 recs
I agree
to a certain extent, since D’A is definitely being stubborn. But I wonder how much K and S are really trying to work with him as much as they’re just giving him an opportunity to abide by their terms.
But you would think that Kerr probably has someone in mind. Silas isn’t the worst option but seems a little uninspired. A part of me is scared that Kerr has his sights set on Doug Collins.
That would be no, no good.
Decision '08: Batum or Alexander
by rosewood on
May 5, 2008 8:30 AM MDT
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Collins
Why is Collins worse that the other options?
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
by Hawk42 on
May 5, 2008 8:36 AM MDT
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He just doesn't make a lot of sense.
Collins isn’t a bad coach, but what he’s good at we don’t need. At his best, he can turn teams around because apparently he’s a pretty strict guy and he sort of forces folks to shape up. But his players never seem to like him much after a couple of years because of his harshness and they get tired of him. I mean, he’s never lasted longer than three years at any of his jobs. And he was fired each time.
So since 1) we’re not a struggling club looking to turn things around and 2) we’ve got a lot of veterans who i don’t think want an overbearing coach…I’m not sure he’s the answer.
Decision '08: Batum or Alexander
by rosewood on
May 5, 2008 8:49 AM MDT
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DC as coach
maybe he’s mellowed
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
by Hawk42 on
May 5, 2008 8:51 AM MDT
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Meeting was a formality
Like I said at the time, I don’t think there was ever any chance of D’Antoni returning. SI.com posted that Jack McCallum article and didn’t even blink when the Suns came back with the assertion that it wasn’t true. I think this was all just both sides trying to give the appearance they were trying to work it out, when in reality, it had already been long since decided, maybe even months ago.
by TexSUN on May 5, 2008 8:41 AM MDT 0 recs
And by the way....
I agree with the above poster that it’s for the best at this point, albeit maybe for different reasons. I think it’s one of those “too broken to continue” situations. If there’s this much of a disconnect between D’Antoni and Kerr’s philosophies on how to best run the team, then it’s better for everyone to just move on than to let this fester through another doomed season.
by TexSUN on
May 5, 2008 8:53 AM MDT
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Agreed
Agreed, since Kerr is here to stay, he should get someone he can work with. Too bad, but D’A isn’t that man. Why do you think he is allowed to talk to NY and Chi, but not Toronto?
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
by Hawk42 on
May 5, 2008 8:58 AM MDT
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Maybe Toronto didn't ask?
At the time they said they weren’t giving him permission to talk to other teams at all. Toronto isn’t calling last I heard. If they do, no reason to think the Suns wouldn’t grant permission for that one too. I think Bryan Collangelo’s moratorium on being able to talk to hire Suns personnel has elapsed, right?
by TexSUN on
May 5, 2008 8:59 AM MDT
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coaching choices
AJ – I don’t like it.
Silas – former Sun, possible Amare will respect him, but LBJ didn’t want him
Collins – knows players, some folks seem to hate him
Lute Olson – will satisfy ‘Cats Kerr and Sarver, is he too old?
Thibodeaux – Celts assistant, have to wait until Boston is done w/playoffs
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
by Hawk42 on May 5, 2008 8:49 AM MDT 0 recs
I'm for Avery
but I think it’s just because he gives the best press conferences this side of Bill Parcells.
Jeff Van Gundy would be another obvious choice, but after the Shaq/Stan Van Gundy feud I have a feeling there’s not much love there.
It’s funny…Shaq has such a bad track record with coaches: Brian Hill, Phil, Riley, Stan Van Gundy. D’Antoni may end up being the only one he still likes.
Decision '08: Batum or Alexander
by rosewood on
May 5, 2008 8:56 AM MDT
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I like Collins
But, when did he became one of the candidates?
I would go with Avery…
"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"
by PanamaSun on
May 5, 2008 8:58 AM MDT
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It's just speculation
since he’s got a house in/near phoenix and he and kerr have the TNT connection (if that’s even really a connection).
And we can’t forget that Isiah’s free.
Decision '08: Batum or Alexander
by rosewood on
May 5, 2008 9:00 AM MDT
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Collins
And also he’d give his left arm to coach the Suns
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
by Hawk42 on
May 5, 2008 9:03 AM MDT
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Avery
It appears avery started to be on the outs a month or two back when he made it clear that he didn’t think Kidd had anything left. For the record, I agreed with him, and it took guts for him to take that stand. It is eerie how similar the coaching situations are in Phoenix and Dallas – both teams have players that tuned out the coach, both teams had philosophical differences with the GM.
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
by Hawk42 on
May 5, 2008 9:02 AM MDT
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We can't forget
that he and Kerr used to be teammates. I wonder if they got along.
Strange thought to have all these Spurs alums in the house.
Decision '08: Batum or Alexander
by rosewood on
May 5, 2008 9:07 AM MDT
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Don't forget Vinny
Del Negro, another Suns front office man, was a Spur with Avery, too.
by KJ7 on
May 5, 2008 9:11 AM MDT
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John Lucas
We may as well dust him off as well if we’re going to fill up Spurs.
Decision '08: Batum or Alexander
by rosewood on
May 5, 2008 9:16 AM MDT
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Nooooo!
Although, as somebody pointed out on Hoopsvibe, there are similarities between Boris and Oliver Miller (I think it was sarcasm?). Didn’t Lucas work with Miller?
by KJ7 on
May 5, 2008 9:21 AM MDT
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oh wait
that was Dumas he worked with in his drug rehab thing
by KJ7 on
May 5, 2008 9:21 AM MDT
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Will Amare
respond to Avery? I really think this is one of the most important factors in selecting the next coach. Amare is still in his fagile ego youth period (and he’s not exactly someone that’s going to mature early) so finding a coach that can really get through to Amare is a big key.
I don’t know if AJ or Collins or someone else is that guy – but its a factor that can’t be ignored.
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Phoenix Stan on
May 5, 2008 9:11 AM MDT
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I don't think that's going to be a factor
Amaré needs to grow up, it’s not like the team needs to adjust to his needs. If he doesn’t like the coach, too bad for him. He has a big mouth, you can have Jesus coach him and he will complain.
"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"
by PanamaSun on
May 5, 2008 9:22 AM MDT
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Is Jesus available?
Decision '08: Batum or Alexander
by rosewood on
May 5, 2008 9:24 AM MDT
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Busy coaching USA basketball
April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?
by Hawk42 on
May 5, 2008 10:31 AM MDT
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Sure - ideally
that would be the case…but let’s be realistic here. Amare is the franchise right now and getting the most out of him is crucial. Unless they are going to move him the team needs to take into account getting the right coach for him.
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Phoenix Stan on
May 5, 2008 9:24 AM MDT
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Bleh
See, that’s what I hate about the NBA "culture". The Suns provided the illusion of a welcome respite from the whole "whatever the Big Ego wants, the Big Ego gets" mentality for a while there. I say illusion because it’s becoming clear since last summer that the whole organization deserves an Oscar more than a Larry O’Brien trophy for managing to paint the picture that all was bliss when in fact, it was a ticking time bomb of ego waiting to go off. It finally did.
by TexSUN on
May 5, 2008 9:31 AM MDT
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True
But at the same time, you can’t bring in a coach who is going to conflict greatly with your star. That usually doesn’t work out too well.
by KJ7 on
May 5, 2008 9:24 AM MDT
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Ok, got cha
But how is Kerr going to know that??
I can imagine the job interview:
Kerr: “do you think you will get along with Amare? why?
"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"
by PanamaSun on
May 5, 2008 9:29 AM MDT
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heh, I know, I know
You’re right, PS, there’s no way to know if they would get along famously, but usually you can tell when people will mix like oil and water.
by KJ7 on
May 5, 2008 10:15 AM MDT
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I don't like any of them
Carlisle was the only viable substitute.
Wondering what the skip-2-my-loo to do next with my empty summer
by ZonaFlash on
May 5, 2008 9:14 AM MDT
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This all started with Kerr being hired as GM...
I liked Kerr and thought he would be a good fit with the organization, but after this season, I’ve changed my mind. I don’t buy for a second that we were better off with Shaq this postseason than we would have been with Marion. And now D’Antoni is out?? I hope I’m wrong but I really doubt that we can seriously contend for a title next season if this is true.
by brian13 on May 5, 2008 9:11 AM MDT 0 recs
All of this started with a change in ownership
2004-2005 Colangelo-> Sarver
2005-2006 BC-> Kerr
2007-2008 D’Antoni->AJ
Buh Bye Italians! Bring in the Spurs West!
Wondering what the skip-2-my-loo to do next with my empty summer
by ZonaFlash on
May 5, 2008 9:16 AM MDT
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Nitpick
Wasn’t D’Antoni GM after Colangelo but before Kerr?
Decision '08: Batum or Alexander
by rosewood on
May 5, 2008 9:17 AM MDT
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Sarver was waiting on Kerr the whole time.
D’Antoni as GM was just a ceremonial place holder.
Wondering what the skip-2-my-loo to do next with my empty summer
by ZonaFlash on
May 5, 2008 9:39 AM MDT
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Where are you guys reading...
...that AJ is the frontrunner to replace D’A? I haven’t seen that anywhere.
by TexSUN on
May 5, 2008 9:18 AM MDT
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I haven't read that anywhere
I’m just speculating based on the connections and limited options.
Decision '08: Batum or Alexander
by rosewood on
May 5, 2008 9:22 AM MDT
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JSun's guess
Wondering what the skip-2-my-loo to do next with my empty summer
by ZonaFlash on
May 5, 2008 9:36 AM MDT
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Not a Guess
A stone-cold, lead-pipe lock.
Write it down. My “sources” (those voices in my head) say so.
Mmmmm ... Guinness
by JSun on
May 5, 2008 10:23 AM MDT
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LOL
Wondering what the skip-2-my-loo to do next with my empty summer
by ZonaFlash on
May 5, 2008 10:33 AM MDT
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Sarver is cheap or stupid or both.
Read this article and then decide who is at fault. Bill Simmons is not a Sun’s fan but he knows more about the Suns than Kerr or Sarver combined.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/080501
Kerr want the Spur’s game but you don’t get that without Duncan. He wants a half-court, slug it out in the post game. Boring as hell but that is the way they played it when Kerr played for the Spurs. Sarver doesn’t know anything except how to count his money. How much will he make when the attendance at the games is 10,000?
by TheTruthSquad on May 5, 2008 11:53 AM MDT 0 recs
oh why!
oh shit. why did I read that link!
ow! ow! my ass!
Wondering what the skip-2-my-loo to do next with my empty summer
by ZonaFlash on
May 5, 2008 12:25 PM MDT
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Hindsight...sigh
I think calling Sarver cheap is the wrong label. He’s not cheap, and you can easily run an NBA franchise into the ground spending boatloads of money (Hello New York!). He is still fairly new to the NBA, and that, combined with his desire to fill the organization with his own people is what is costing the Suns right now. The Suns vaulted back into the title chase with a strategy that was hatched before he bought the team by Bryan Colangelo, and to the extent that Sarver has tried to make his own decisions, he has worked against his own interests. The most painful thing on that list Bill Simmons put together is all the draft picks that were given away—that’s really the best bet to acquire talent at below market prices, and where the Suns now really find themselves woefully thin. It’s rare that rookies and 2nd year players can find PT on a title contender, but having some developing young talent in the bench rotation or ready to step forward sure would make next year look a little better.
As for the coaching search, AJ appears to have been fired for pretty much the same reasons that D’Antoni will be moving on—he’s too stubborn to make adjustments, and he’s been outcoached by Hall of Famers (Byron Scott excepted, the Hornets were just better). Everything I’m reading about his handling of Kidd sounds like a very bad match for a Nash-led offense.
I’m as sad as everyone else at what appears to be the end of the 7-SOL era, but I was a Suns fan long before that. There’s no question that it has been quite a treat to watch my long-suffering favorite team become the darlings of the masses and flirt with the title, and maybe it’s just the fan in me, but I think the window is still open (just a bit) for the current roster. Either way, I’ll be here…
by SoCalSun on May 5, 2008 1:20 PM MDT 0 recs
I wonder
How much of those decisions about dumping draft picks were a result of Coach D and his insistence that he would not develop young players.
Pure speculation here, but if you are the team owner and you KNOW that if you sign a first round pick to a guaranteed contract only to have him not get any play by the coach and the coach is telling you that if you want to win now you are better off with veteran bench players….you have to think that factors into the decision making somewhere right?
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Phoenix Stan on
May 5, 2008 1:35 PM MDT
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Hard to say...
Certainly Coach D’Antoni would advise GM D’Antoni to look at selling draft picks as a way to follow his owner’s instructions to keep costs down while winning.
Some more on (potential) Coach Avery:
Denver also was the moment when Johnson gave up on working to improve his bench and grow players into the rotation. He dramatically lowered the minutes of Barea, who had averaged 11.3 minutes per game in November but saw his minutes drop to 7 minutes per game in December and 4 minutes per game in January. Dasagana Diop, who averaged 23 minutes per game in November, found himself riding the pine and averaging 12 minutes per game in December. Even Brandon Bass, who showed real flashes of excellence, saw his minutes cut by over 4 a game from November to December. In short, after the Denver loss, Avery Johnson lost his perspective on the team, what it needed to do, what HE needed to do, and, perhaps most importantly, the value of listening to advice from others. His response was extreme, and it reverted the Mavericks back to the team that lost in the first round of the playoffs the previous season: A one-dimensional iso-focused offensive team that was eminently beatable in a series. Even worse, it was clear as the season wore on that Avery’s reversion to his system adversely affected his players, which affected their effort, especially on the defensive end.
Full article here: http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2008/5/3/472331/the-night-avery-johnson-lo
by SoCalSun on
May 5, 2008 1:46 PM MDT
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Coach D's Request
Reports are that he requested the permission to speak to other teams, so Kerr allowed them to contact him.
For whatever that’s worth
Mmmmm ... Guinness
by JSun on May 5, 2008 1:39 PM MDT 0 recs
Just like JJ asked Sarver not to match
After you get tortured enough, you would beg for the bullet too.
That’s overstating it of course, but it is the owner’s MO. BC begged to stay, but in the end it was made to look like BC was begging to go.
Wondering what the skip-2-my-loo to do next with my empty summer
by ZonaFlash on
May 5, 2008 1:44 PM MDT
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Typical
Its not just the Suns that do this…remember the Kobe / Shaq thing. They are still spinning that in LA.
Like I said though – I really don’t give shit who’s “fault” it is. It wasn’t working and its going to end like my first marriage. Hopefully costing less and without the break up sex….
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Phoenix Stan on
May 5, 2008 1:57 PM MDT
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I'm just saying that
“Coach D’s Request”
is a red herring. It’d be my request too if you keep kicking me enough.
Wondering what the skip-2-my-loo to do next with my empty summer
by ZonaFlash on
May 5, 2008 2:15 PM MDT
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Where's the love!
Come on people. Not a single rec for breaking this story last night before any of the major national sports outlets OR for posting the Suns response direct from the source?
Golly gee, what’s a blogger have to do to get some love around this joint…
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Phoenix Stan on May 5, 2008 2:01 PM MDT 0 recs
Self-promotion does not become us
OK, Shawn Marion…um I mean, Phoenix Stan. This will make the 63rd comment to your post. Isn’t it sufficient that you got people talking?

