duncan228
11-15-2009, 12:12 AM
Curse of the Coach of the Year (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Curse_of_the_Coach_of_the_Year.html)
What is it about being named NBA Coach of the Year that seems to doom a recipient’s job security?
Since Doc Rivers received the first COY award of the 21st century, eight of the 10 recipients no longer are with the teams they coached when they were honored.
Byron Scott, the 2007-08 recipient, was the latest to get the heave-ho, fired by the Hornets on Thursday. He became the fifth 21st century honoree to be fired outright. Three more resigned. Two of those were hired by other teams.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, the 2002-03 coach of the year, and Cavs coach Mike Brown, the 2008-09 honoree, have avoided the curse.
1999-2000 - Doc Rivers, Orlando Magic: Fired on Nov. 17, 2003. Now head coach, Boston Celtics. His curse: Couldn’t find a way to keep Grant Hill from being injured.
2000-01 - Larry Brown, 76ers: Resigned on May 25, 2002. Now head coach, Charlotte Bobcats. His curse: Wouldn’t excuse Allen Iverson from practice.
2001-02 - Rick Carlisle, Pistons: Fired on May 31, 2003. Now head coach, Dallas Mavericks. His curse: Wasn’t Larry Brown.
2003-04 - Hubie Brown, Grizzlies: Resigned on Nov. 24, 2004. Now TV analyst for ABC-ESPN. His curse: Key players rebelled at 10-man rotation.
2004-05 - Mike D’Antoni, Suns: Resigned on May 9, 2008. Now head coach, New York Knicks. His curse: Couldn’t beat Spurs in playoffs.
2005-06 - Avery Johnson, Mavericks: Fired on April 30, 2008. Now TV analyst for ESPN. His curse: Players issued ultimatum — him or us.
2006-07 - Sam Mitchell, Raptors: Fired on Dec. 11, 2008. Living in Atlanta. His curse: Overachieving with minimal talent raised expectations.
2007-08 - Byron Scott, Hornets: Fired on Nov. 12, 2009. Living in New Orleans. His curse: See: D’Antoni, Mike.
What is it about being named NBA Coach of the Year that seems to doom a recipient’s job security?
Since Doc Rivers received the first COY award of the 21st century, eight of the 10 recipients no longer are with the teams they coached when they were honored.
Byron Scott, the 2007-08 recipient, was the latest to get the heave-ho, fired by the Hornets on Thursday. He became the fifth 21st century honoree to be fired outright. Three more resigned. Two of those were hired by other teams.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, the 2002-03 coach of the year, and Cavs coach Mike Brown, the 2008-09 honoree, have avoided the curse.
1999-2000 - Doc Rivers, Orlando Magic: Fired on Nov. 17, 2003. Now head coach, Boston Celtics. His curse: Couldn’t find a way to keep Grant Hill from being injured.
2000-01 - Larry Brown, 76ers: Resigned on May 25, 2002. Now head coach, Charlotte Bobcats. His curse: Wouldn’t excuse Allen Iverson from practice.
2001-02 - Rick Carlisle, Pistons: Fired on May 31, 2003. Now head coach, Dallas Mavericks. His curse: Wasn’t Larry Brown.
2003-04 - Hubie Brown, Grizzlies: Resigned on Nov. 24, 2004. Now TV analyst for ABC-ESPN. His curse: Key players rebelled at 10-man rotation.
2004-05 - Mike D’Antoni, Suns: Resigned on May 9, 2008. Now head coach, New York Knicks. His curse: Couldn’t beat Spurs in playoffs.
2005-06 - Avery Johnson, Mavericks: Fired on April 30, 2008. Now TV analyst for ESPN. His curse: Players issued ultimatum — him or us.
2006-07 - Sam Mitchell, Raptors: Fired on Dec. 11, 2008. Living in Atlanta. His curse: Overachieving with minimal talent raised expectations.
2007-08 - Byron Scott, Hornets: Fired on Nov. 12, 2009. Living in New Orleans. His curse: See: D’Antoni, Mike.