Spurs Allow Budenholzer to Negotiate with Hawks (Edit: Bud Hired as Hawks' Coach)

[BatManu20]

The Atlanta Hawks will be allowed to negotiate a contract with San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Mike Budenholzer (http://www.nba.com/coachfile/mike_budenholzer/index.html?nav=page) during the Spurs’ nine-day break before the beginning of the NBA Finals if Budenholzer is the team’s choice for its next head coach, according to a league source.

Budenholzer has been with the Spurs for 18 years, the last five as Gregg Popovich’s top assistant. He is well regarded around the league and knows Hawks general manager Danny Ferry quite well from Ferry’s days as an executive in San Antonio before being hired last year by Atlanta.

http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2013/05/28/aldridge-spurs-to-allow-hawks-to-negotiate-with-budenholzer/ (http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2013/05/28/aldridge-spurs-to-allow-hawks-to-negotiate-with-budenholzer/)


Hope it doesn't happen.

:flag:


EDIT***Marc Stein ‏@ESPNSteinLine (https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine)9m (https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/status/339474143894466560)
RT @ajchawks (https://twitter.com/ajchawks): The Hawks have hired Mike Budenholzer as head coach


Well crap. That was quick. Good luck to Coach Bud, wish he would've stayed though.

[CosmicCowboy]

Coach Bud will be missed.

[Juggity]

Would be a huge, huge loss

[Old School 44]

Great! Coach Bud deserves a shot.

[SA210]

Is that the beginning of the end? :depressed

[mrjap2x]

Has there been high ranking assistants interviewed by multiple teams and passed up to stay as an assistant?

[Chinook]

Is that the beginning of the end? :depressed

More like a sign the end might not be as near as we think it is.

[JR3]

We need some corporate knowledge to stick around when Tim and Pop retire... I'm hoping bud doesn't leave.

[manufan10]

Even more reason for the Spurs to win it all this season.

[DOS CHAINZ]

THAT'S THE SH!T I DON'T LIKE:bang

[baseline bum]

Damn I'd really really hate to lose Bud, but he's under no obligation to wait two more years for Pop to retire if he can get his head coaching gig now. Not that I think it'd be a good idea for Bud to go to a team that Danny Ferry built; look at how Ferry wrecked Cleveland by using all his assets on big name has-beens like Shaq and Ben Wallace and then he went and overpaid garbage players like Jamario Moon and Anthony Parker.

[TrueSpursFan]

Why not wait till pop retires? He can take over, it's his already when pop leaves

[ontheraise]

fuck noooooooo

[manufan10]

339464288131510272

A good question... does this deserve its own thread?

[Spur|n|Austin]

I'm proud of coach Bud, and want him to be successful and happy, but honestly I don't want to see him go. I truly want him to be Pop's predecessor. Seriously, who is better suited to take the reins when Pop retires?

[I. Hustle]

I hope this doesn't happen. They were going to wait until his 20th anniv. to give it to him.

[BatManu20]

Danny Ferry is coming back to haunt us. It's almost a done deal. Sucks, I thought he was for sure going to be our next HC.

[FromWayDowntown]

Good for Bud. I hope he gets the job and I hope he does phenomenally well at it.

[SA210]

I wish the Spurs brought Bruce and Elliott as assistants years ago.

[Mel_13]

I wish the Spurs brought Bruce and Elliott as assistants years ago.

Neither one wanted to be a coach.

And good luck to Coach Bud. The Hawks are getting ready to create a new team. Given his background with Ferry, I'm sure he would get a voice in the process.

[Richie]

He'll be the 4th Pop assistant to become an active head coach after Carlissamo, Mike Brown and Jacque Vaughn. Impressive.

[Drachen]

I'm proud of coach Bud, and want him to be successful and happy, but honestly I don't want to see him go. I truly want him to be Pop's predecessor. Seriously, who is better suited to take the reins when Pop retires?

Pre means before.

[The Reckoning]

:pctoss

[Budkin]

Bud's got the Spurs job lined up... why would he leave?

[Floyd Pacquiao]

well there goes our future...

[The Reckoning]

spurs pulling a gambit and secretly prepping Timmy to be head coach in waiting tbh

[ChumpDumper]

I wish the Spurs brought Bruce and Elliott as assistants years ago.:lol

[coyotes_geek]

He'll be the 4th Pop assistant to become a head coach after Carlissamo, Mike Brown and Jacque Vaughn. Impressive.

Monty Williams

[Spur|n|Austin]

Pre means before.

doh, I meant successor.

[moisaenz]

spurs pulling a gambit and secretly prepping Timmy to be head coach in waiting tbh
Would timmy be a good coach?

[toki9]

Maybe Carlesimo will be back as lead assistant if Bud leaves?

[Ocotillo]

Maybe Duncan becomes a player/coach and transitions to coach upon retirement from playing.

P.J. is out there. Who was that coach from Missouri that coached the Toros a few years back?

[Richie]

Monty Williams

I thought about Williams, but he was a Blazers assistant between 2005-10. Was he ever an assistant with the Spurs?

[dbreiden83080]

WOW he should stay and wait. The Spurs will give him time to grow as they rebuild around Kahwi with the young guys..

[coyotes_geek]

Bud's got the Spurs job lined up... why would he leave?

Probably because he doesn't expect the guy currently holding the position to be leaving anytime soon.

[ace3g]

Marc Stein @ESPNSteinLine
(http://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine)RT @ajchawks (http://twitter.com/ajchawks): The Hawks have hired Mike Budenholzer as head coach

[The Reckoning]

Would timmy be a good coach?

he's been in the system long enough. "big fundamental." has those leadership qualities that gravitate other players' respect towards him, but he doesn't sound off like pop.

dunno.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

:(

[iminol]

RT @ajchawks (https://twitter.com/ajchawks): The Hawks have hired Mike Budenholzer as head coach. #ATLHawks (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23ATLHawks&src=hash)

[jesterbobman]

Got the job.

[Mel_13]

I thought about Williams, but he was a Blazers assistant between 2005-10. Was he ever an assistant with the Spurs?

As Williams would later recall, he never saw himself going into coaching. As this 2005 NY Daily News profile tells it, Williams' goals were to "start a family, save enough money to live a comfortable life and open a dog kennel." But when he finished his playing career, Williams received a call from Gregg Popovich, who invited him to sit in on Spurs' practices to see if he wanted to pursue a coaching career.

Williams worked his way up in the Spurs' organization, moving from that temporary note-taking period to a team internship to a full time staff job in 2004. As Gregg Popovich said of Williams during the Spurs' championship season of '05, "He watches film, he meets with players, he's involved in player development and he puts practice plans together... He's doing it the right way."

http://www.atthehive.com/2010/5/22/1482713/the-case-for-monty-williams

[Mel_13]

Congrats to Coach Bud.

[manufan10]

Damn, that was fast. Atlanta must have given him an offer he couldn't refuse.

[ThePop]

What does this mean for the finals? He finishes the year right?

[RD2191]

:wow WTF, THIS IS BULLSHIT

[Mel_13]

Maybe Duncan becomes a player/coach and transitions to coach upon retirement from playing.

P.J. is out there. Who was that coach from Missouri that coached the Toros a few years back?

Quin Snyder

[DisAsTerBot]

congrats bud!

[jesterbobman]

Also, good for him. While we wanted him to stay and be the next Spurs Coach, the hawks are moving towards being a well run team, and Danny will probably give him a long leash to work with so he can implement a long term plan and develop players.

[szkorhetz]

Shit.

[Drachen]

Congrats Bud

[baseline bum]

Well fuck, hate to lose Coach Bud. Good luck in Atlanta and I hope you can bring them some of the success the Spurs franchise has enjoyed.

[The Reckoning]

shit. hope pop isn't planning to retire anytime soon...

[Floyd Pacquiao]

this blows.....pop better stick around for another 20 years

[superbigtime]

Aw damn. I hope he finds his way back to the Spurs one day. Congrats Coach Bud. Well deserved.

[703 Spurz]

What does this mean for the finals? He finishes the year right?

Obviously. He doesn't leave the team until the season is over.

[coyotes_geek]

Congrats to coach Bud. Sucks to lose him, but can't fault the guy for wanting his own gig.

[ace3g]

Well Spurs did lose Presti prior to '07 title so ....

[Dex]

Good for coach Bud. He will be missed.

That being said, I wish this news could have waited until after the Finals.

[BatManu20]

He was just hired. Well that escalated quickly..

[superbigtime]

Well deserved. hope he finds his way back to SA.

[superbigtime]

Well deserved. hope he finds his way back to SA.

[Seventyniner]

I kind of wish the Spurs had told the Hawks to wait until the Spurs' season was over. Then again, that wouldn't be fair to Bud; he'd be penalized for the Spurs' success. The Hawks couldn't afford to wait around as their 2nd, 3rd, etc. choices were snapped up by other teams.

It reminds me of college football coaches taking new jobs between the regular season and bowl season. It just rubs me the wrong way, but there's really nothing you can do.

[GSH]

http://www.lolbrary.com/lolpics/324/dammit-im-mad-is-dammit-im-mad-backwards-1324.jpg

[wtgspurs]

Traitor though

[ColinB]

Chip deserves a spot on the bench.

[crc21209]

Yeah kind of a dick-ish move on the Hawks' part. But congrats to Coach Bud :tu

[Brunodf]

NOOOOOOOO

[HI-FI]

damn.....that sucks. well now is really time to strike the iron. happy for Bud, and hopefully he can get back to assisting Pop til the season is done.

[SanDiegoSpursFan]

Great for him. Looks like I'll be watching more Hawks games next season.

[BillMc]

Wish they'd wait until after the finals to do this. We need Bud helping with the prep, not dealing with new job stuff. How often do you see some assistant coach interviewing before the finals in a variety of sports (it happens in the NFL a lot) then the team loses. It can't help but be a distraction.

[szkorhetz]

So Avery is coming back?

[crc21209]

So how does this work? Is he still a part of the Spurs staff for the Finals?

[benefactor]

Congrats. :toast

[Richie]

He'll definitely stay for the Finals. I don't think it'll be a distraction, Bud is a professional and has been here for over 15 years and 4 Finals runs. He knows what is expected of him.

[manufan10]

Traitor though

He's been an assistant for 16 years. He's earned the opportunity to be a head coach.

[Mel_13]

So how does this work? Is he still a part of the Spurs staff for the Finals?

TBD, but Presti went right to work for Seattle in 2007. There's only one week between the date of a possible Game 7 and the NBA Draft.

[ElNono]

Congrats coach!

[LoneStarState'sPride]

Wow congrats coach Bud!

[spurs1990]

Why go to Atlanta though??? The worst franchise in the eastern conference (historically).

No one cares about the NBA in Atlanta - they have the worst fan base bar none. I'd rather him have taken the Detroit job.

[Kidd K]

Couldn't this shit wait until after the postseason? We're still playing. Dude needs to focus his time on strategy for the Finals, not what he's going to do next year.

[Floyd Pacquiao]

foreal tho, fuck danny ferry

[Ocotillo]

Another thought, might he take someone with him to Atlanta? Happy he is getting his shot. Sentimentally, it would have been nice for him to get it here but I have confidence in Pop and R.C. to find an outstanding replacement.

[Bruno]

If you want too look at the bright side, Spurs letting Bud go means like that means that Pop will likely continue his career coaching for few years. And Pop is the best coach in the league.

Spurs have lost their top2 assistant coaches in 2 years with Don Newman going to Wizards and Bud now going to Atlanta. I've been very impressed by what Brett Brown did with Australia NT, so I would be fine with him getting the top assistant coach spot. Forcier being promoted as 2nd assistant sounds fine too.

[hsxvvd]

Brett Brown seems to have already stepped up.

[timtonymanu]

Well deserved! Congrats Bud!

Don't see why people need to call him out on it though. Spurs are most likely a lottery team anyway when Duncan, Manu, and Pop retire.

Say hello to the next head coach Ime Udoka. :lol

[CubanMustGo]

339477827101548545

[chapnis]

Another thought, might he take someone with him to Atlanta? Happy he is getting his shot. Sentimentally, it would have been nice for him to get it here but I have confidence in Pop and R.C. to find an outstanding replacement.

he can take Gary and nando and dejuan.

[hsxvvd]

Brett Brown did a great job as a head coach here in Australia, not just with the International team but when he was a head coach domestically. I'd be fine with him taking over the top job if and when that comes up.

[wut]

well I guess the window is closed when Duncan and Pop retire anyway.

[Mel_13]

ATLANTA --The Atlanta Hawks have named Mike Budenholzer (BEW-den-holzer) the team’s new head coach, President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Danny Ferry announced today. Budenholzer becomes the 12th full-time head coach in Hawks history. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not announced.
“We are thrilled to have Mike as the next coach of the Atlanta Hawks. He has an incredible basketball acumen and has a keen awareness of the league and what it takes to be successful," Ferry said. "His experience and four championships over the last 17 years provide a tremendous foundation for his leadership of our team.”

Budenholzer, 43, spent the past 19 seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, including the final 17 seasons as an assistant coach. For the last six seasons, he has served as the team’s no. 1 assistant to current San Antonio Head Coach Gregg Popovich, the longest-tenured head coach in major professional sports and third-winningest coach (by percentage - .681) in NBA history behind only Phil Jackson and Billy Cunningham.

“I have been extremely fortunate to be a part of the San Antonio Spurs organization for the last 19 years. I knew it would have to be a tremendous situation for me to leave and clearly coming to Atlanta as the head coach of the Hawks is perfect for me,” said Budenholzer. “Ownership’s commitment to taking this organization to the next level and creating a unique and special culture, partnering with a general manager like Danny Ferry who I have great respect for, and building a roster that has terrific potential because of the existing core and the ensuing flexibility presents a rare and uniquely positive opportunity.”

During his time with the Spurs, he was a part of one of the most successful eras in NBA history. As an assistant coach since the 1996-97 season, he has helped lead San Antonio to a league-best 908-438 (.675) regular season record and four NBA Championships (1999, 2003, 2005 and 2007). Hired by Popovich prior to the 1994-95 season, Budenholzer spent his first two seasons as a video coordinator before being named an assistant coach. On numerous occasions, he served as the Spurs summer league head coach. He also served as an advance scout for Team USA for the 2004 Olympics.

"I couldn't be happier for Mike for many reasons. As anyone who's been part of this program knows, he has been more of a co-head coach than an assistant for a long time. His knowledge of the game as well as his ability to teach and develop relationships with players are all special,” said Popovich. “I will miss him a great deal both professionally and personally and am confident that he and Danny will make a great team as the future unfolds."

Budenholzer is a 1993 graduate of Pomona College where he received a bachelor’s degree in politics, philosophy and economics and was a four-year letterman in both basketball and golf. Following college, he played professionally in Denmark for the Vejle Basketball Klub, averaging a team-high 27.5 points per game during the 1993-94 season and getting his start in coaching, serving as the head coach for two different teams in the Vejle system.

A native of Holbrook, AZ, he and his wife Mary Bet have four children: Will, Libby, Hanna and John.

Budenholzer will continue serving as the Spurs top assistant until the conclusion of the 2013 NBA Finals.

http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/hawks-name-mike-budenholzer-head-coach

[Mugen]

Congratulations to Bud, well deserved. Means that Pop is probably going to be staying on for at least 2-3 more years which is great news.

Unless Atlanta signs both CP3 and Dwight this summer, Bud should be available to take over for Pop when he retires tbh.

[Budkin]

http://cf.badassdigest.com/_uploads/images/15417/nooooooooooo__span.jpg

[ffadicted]

:wow

:depressed

:cry

[Bruno]

And if you think that Pop will retire as the same time as Duncan, Bud leaving could also mean that Duncan won't retire this summer, even if Spurs win it all.

[Libri]

Wow, that hit me like a sucker punch. Wish Bud the best. Who will be second in command in SA?

[Robz4000]

asdfghjkl;' shit sucks

Ah well. Good luck, Coach Bud!

[Libri]

Any chance he will take Bonner to Atlanta?

[lefty]

Hire Del Negro when Pop retires !!!!!

[manufan10]

339479725154119681

[spurraider21]

damn. congrats to budenholzer though. he definitely deserves a starting gig. selfish fans like myself wanted him to stay an assistant for a little while longer before taking over here, but he's invested PLENTY of years as an assistant. he's ready. just sucks that he's going to atlanta. if they aren't able to sign dwight or paul, their future doesn't look especially bright. horford is the man though.

looks like we'll have a reunion with PJ or give Brown the top assistant spot. i personally vote for brown. more of a fresh face instead of going backwards

[Mugen]

Haven't followed the relationship in a while, but can somebody with more insight tell me on the chances Pop brings back Carlesimo to the fold?

that said, I hope Bret Brown gets the top asst. job.

[urunobili]

Brett Brown is ready to be number 2 TBH. I'm very happy for coach Bud I'm sure they threw serious money at him to leave SAT.

[SA210]

Bonner to take over when Pop retires. He will play and coach.

[Darius McCrary]

I hope thus doesn't screw the team planning for the finals, dammit. Why can't they wait for the season to end to do this crap?

[DOS CHAINZ]

Damn that was FAST! FU Danny Ferry! Great Timing!!!

[loveforthegame]

I didn't think he'd leave but he deserves the job. Best of luck to him.

[Spursfanfromafar]

Just points to the fecundity of the Spurs tree that they keep getting new coaches branching out to other franchises. Coach Bud will definitely do a terrific job at the Hawks, who, offseason luck willing can build a decent squad around Horford & Teague.

As for the Spurs' themselves, they have decent assistants in Brown, Forcier and Udoka already. And I think Manu will be soon groomed into that role as well, if he shows interest in coaching. Pop pointed out in an interview that Manu would be an ideal candidate for coaching if only he really wanted to do it with his variegated interests and smartness etc. I suspect in a couple of years, Manu will be on the bench as a Spurs assistant and fast tracked to head coach sometime not very far away in the horizon.

[davidbowie]

what the hell....

[davidbowie]

Avery can take over for Pop :-)

[Raven]

Ouch.

[barakz21]

That sucks... But hey, who am I to wish that Bud doesn't take the next step? Besides, he's earned it. Congrats to him, and I wish him all the best. Seems like he'll be in a good situation with Ferry and all that cap space.

[Sancha]

LOL The puto didn't want to be associated with a team full of TOSB's. He would rather be with a team like the Hawks.

LOL 1st runner ups

[BatManu20]

Congratulations to Bud, well deserved. Means that Pop is probably going to be staying on for at least 2-3 more years which is great news.

Unless Atlanta signs both CP3 and Dwight this summer, Bud should be available to take over for Pop when he retires tbh.

Good point, was thinking this too. This will give Bud 2 or 3 years of HC experience and I seriously doubt Atlanta becomes a good team unless they sign a big FA or 2 like you said. As soon as pop retires it might be a perfect time for him to come back and take over.

[baseline bum]

Losing Presti wasn't such a huge blow since RC is still young and should have a lot of years as the Spurs GM. But Pop has made it pretty clear he's retiring when Tim does, and he's not the kind of guy to BS. I'm happy for Bud to get a chance to coach Horford, who seems like a pretty hard worker and dedicated teammate.

[ChumpDumper]

Congrats to Bud.

[HI-FI]

And if you think that Pop will retire as the same time as Duncan, Bud leaving could also mean that Duncan won't retire this summer, even if Spurs win it all.

good point and I hope both Pop and Duncan stick around for awhile.

I am happy for Bud, but most important thing is he is focused like a laser on the upcoming series. As long as he can give his utmost attention to the Finals, then I'm cool with the hiring.

[ace3g]

Aron Baynes @aronbaynes
(http://twitter.com/aronbaynes)Thanks Coach Mike 'Bud' Budenholzer. Been a great mentor to me in the short time I've been here. Wish him all the best in the ATL!#GoSpursGo (http://twitter.com/search?q=%23GoSpursGo)

[Mal]

Good hire by Atlanta. I was pretty sure that Ferry would hire coach Bud as their new HC.

[bigfan]

Congrats to Coach Bud, he has paid his dues and earned it. Lets see him get another ring first though. As for a replacement, I dont know enough about Brent Brown but Id wouldnt mind seeing PJ come back. At the risk of a revolt here Id also wouldnt mind VDN.

[RD2191]

Atlanta is going nowhere fast. Stupid decision for him to leave.

[SupremeGuy]

Good for him but I really wish he had waited till the end of the season.

[SupremeGuy]

Atlanta is going nowhere fast. Stupid decision for him to leave.Might be a good situation for the Spurs. Bud can get 2-3 years of HC experience and then come home when Pop retires. :toast

[hooperflash]

:(

[mudyez]

Might be a good situation for the Spurs. Bud can get 2-3 years of HC experience and then come home when Pop retires. :toast

:tu

[024]

noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[T Park]

Congrats. Lands ina good spot with a great player in Horford and solid one in Teague. Lots of cap space, two first found draft picks. Great opportunity.

[Libri]

Bud might take some people from the Spurs with him. He will want to surround himself with personnel that he's comfortable with. We'll see if this is the case.

[Holden_Caulfield]

lol udoka is gonna be the heir hahaha

[SA210]

Might be a good situation for the Spurs. Bud can get 2-3 years of HC experience and then come home when Pop retires. :toast


:lol Now that would be CIA

[timvp]

Damn, this sucks for the Spurs. Bud was a great lead assistant. When he took over for Pop, it was seamless. He's also very good at "guessing" what play the other team is going to run -- going all the way back to when he called the exact play the Knicks were going to run in '99 on that last shot. Additionally, Bud was a great summer league coach. I really wanted Bud to take over for Pop one day.

On one hand, I'm happy for him to get a shot. He doesn't have your typical NBA head coach personality and he's not a great interviewer so it was going to take a unique situation (in this case, the Ferry connection) for Bud to get his shot elsewhere.

But on the other hand, I'm kinda pissed at Bud and Ferry. You're telling me they couldn't have done a wink-wink agreement to avoid this potential distraction? Sure, it's not going to be a major distraction but the Spurs are heading into the Finals, you don't do anything to F that up. So, yeah, that's lame on Bud and Ferry's part.






P.S.

In the Grizzlies series, I noticed Brett Brown was a lot more involved/active during games. He was the most animated of the assistant coaches and most involved in terms of talking to players when they went to the sidelines, etc. That tells me that Bud probably had agreed to the job at some point earlier in the playoffs and Pop probably wasn't overly please with the timing and has already made Brett Brown the new lead assistant.

[Seventyniner]

Congrats to Coach Bud, he has paid his dues and earned it. Lets see him get another ring first though. As for a replacement, I dont know enough about Brent Brown but Id wouldnt mind seeing PJ come back. At the risk of a revolt here Id also wouldnt mind VDN.

Yes, that would be revolting.

[td4mvp2k]

Good for Bud. I hope he gets the job and I hope he does phenomenally well at it.

[elbamba]

Atlanta is going nowhere fast. Stupid decision for him to leave.

Strongly disagree. They have a couple of good pieces, especially with Al Hartford. They have over 40 million in cap space. They can begin to build, exactly what you want to do with a young coach like Bud and a GM who will not be quick to pull the trigger on 1-2 bad seasons. Ferry can build a team.

[TDomination]

In the Grizzlies series, I noticed Brett Brown was a lot more involved/active during games. He was the most animated of the assistant coaches and most involved in terms of talking to players when they went to the sidelines, etc. That tells me that Bud probably had agreed to the job at some point earlier in the playoffs and Pop probably wasn't overly please with the timing and has already made Brett Brown the new lead assistant.

This doesn't fill me with confidence knowing that Pop may not be happy with one of long time assistant coaches.

Last thing we need is any kind of disruption of chemistry whether its with the coaches or the players.

[KL2]

I'm guessing Brett Brown is taking over after Pop retires.

[spurs1990]

In the Grizzlies series, I noticed Brett Brown was a lot more involved/active during games. He was the most animated of the assistant coaches and most involved in terms of talking to players when they went to the sidelines, etc. That tells me that Bud probably had agreed to the job at some point earlier in the playoffs and Pop probably wasn't overly please with the timing and has already made Brett Brown the new lead assistant.

With all due respect I don't know if we can honestly ascribe such a petty response to Popovich. I can admit that this scenario could be a possibility but would imagine it lies far from the truth....unless you have some direct info.

[dunkman]

Why not wait till pop retires? He can take over, it's his already when pop leaves

Head coaches earn like 10X more then assistants.

[hsxvvd]

In the Grizzlies series, I noticed Brett Brown was a lot more involved/active during games. He was the most animated of the assistant coaches and most involved in terms of talking to players when they went to the sidelines, etc. That tells me that Bud probably had agreed to the job at some point earlier in the playoffs and Pop probably wasn't overly please with the timing and has already made Brett Brown the new lead assistant.

I noticed this, he appeared to be already acting as lead assistant.

[stnick2261]

I'd love Brown or PJ to be lead Assistant... but I'd really love Quin Snyder to come and be in charge of player development. He was a coach who loved teaching fundamentals to young players.

[FkLA]

Fucking Danny Ferry. :pctoss

[moisaenz]

Good for coach Bud. He will be missed.

That being said, I wish this news could have waited until after the Finals.

Its good motivation win one for Bud..

[ChumpDumper]

In the Grizzlies series, I noticed Brett Brown was a lot more involved/active during games. He was the most animated of the assistant coaches and most involved in terms of talking to players when they went to the sidelines, etc. That tells me that Bud probably had agreed to the job at some point earlier in the playoffs and Pop probably wasn't overly please with the timing and has already made Brett Brown the new lead assistant.I can see the torch's being passed to Brown, but Pop simply could have vetoed the negotiations had he really wanted to. I can't see his being anything but happy for Bud.

[Libri]

Its good motivation win one for Bud and TMac..

Fixed

[hater]

nigga is undefetated coaching the spurs :pctoss

[J.T.]

Didn't PJ just get fired? Maybe we bring him back to the bench.

[SenorSpur]

Congrats to Coach Bud. Good opportunity for him.

Would love to see P.J. back in the fold.

[letmk]

Damn, this sucks for the Spurs. Bud was a great lead assistant. When he took over for Pop, it was seamless. He's also very good at "guessing" what play the other team is going to run -- going all the way back to when he called the exact play the Knicks were going to run in '99 on that last shot. Additionally, Bud was a great summer league coach. I really wanted Bud to take over for Pop one day.

On one hand, I'm happy for him to get a shot. He doesn't have your typical NBA head coach personality and he's not a great interviewer so it was going to take a unique situation (in this case, the Ferry connection) for Bud to get his shot elsewhere.

But on the other hand, I'm kinda pissed at Bud and Ferry. You're telling me they couldn't have done a wink-wink agreement to avoid this potential distraction? Sure, it's not going to be a major distraction but the Spurs are heading into the Finals, you don't do anything to F that up. So, yeah, that's lame on Bud and Ferry's part.






P.S.

In the Grizzlies series, I noticed Brett Brown was a lot more involved/active during games. He was the most animated of the assistant coaches and most involved in terms of talking to players when they went to the sidelines, etc. That tells me that Bud probably had agreed to the job at some point earlier in the playoffs and Pop probably wasn't overly please with the timing and has already made Brett Brown the new lead assistant.

I don't have any inside info, but I feel you are over-reacting. If Pop doesn't at least acquiesce, Ferry cannot approach Bud at all.

[crc21209]

Well deserved! Congrats Bud!

Don't see why people need to call him out on it though. Spurs are most likely a lottery team anyway when Duncan, Manu, and Pop retire.

Say hello to the next head coach Ime Udoka. :lol

Please no. No Udoka...:lol

[DrunkTXLabrat]

More like a sign the end might not be as near as we think it is.

haven't finished reading this thread. but great reply! are you implying what i think is obvious by this. pop is not retiring with timmy?!?

[Chinook]

haven't finished reading this thread. but great reply! are you implying what i think is obvious by this. pop is not retiring with timmy?!?

Yep, and that Duncan will probably stay for a couple of more years at least. Depending on his body, he may play beyond 2015. Even if he and Pop leave in two years, that's plenty of time to get another assistant ready.

[DrunkTXLabrat]

339464288131510272

A good question... does this deserve its own thread?

yes. and i think aj, vinny, doc have put in the extra credit? timmy or dave might would be very cool.

[tesseractive]

Not that I think it'd be a good idea for Bud to go to a team that Danny Ferry built; look at how Ferry wrecked Cleveland by using all his assets on big name has-beens like Shaq and Ben Wallace and then he went and overpaid garbage players like Jamario Moon and Anthony Parker.
It's hard to tell how much of that was really Ferry -- by his account, he was ordered to go into panic mode by ownership, because they wanted to surround LeBron with the very best assets available right this second rather than showing any patience.

Of course, that's just his account. But I think we'll know a lot more about whether he can be a decent GM after a few years in Atlanta. With Horford to build around and some decent supporting pieces, it could end up being an ok situation.

[crc21209]

Damn, this sucks for the Spurs. Bud was a great lead assistant. When he took over for Pop, it was seamless. He's also very good at "guessing" what play the other team is going to run -- going all the way back to when he called the exact play the Knicks were going to run in '99 on that last shot. Additionally, Bud was a great summer league coach. I really wanted Bud to take over for Pop one day.

On one hand, I'm happy for him to get a shot. He doesn't have your typical NBA head coach personality and he's not a great interviewer so it was going to take a unique situation (in this case, the Ferry connection) for Bud to get his shot elsewhere.

But on the other hand, I'm kinda pissed at Bud and Ferry. You're telling me they couldn't have done a wink-wink agreement to avoid this potential distraction? Sure, it's not going to be a major distraction but the Spurs are heading into the Finals, you don't do anything to F that up. So, yeah, that's lame on Bud and Ferry's part.






P.S.

In the Grizzlies series, I noticed Brett Brown was a lot more involved/active during games. He was the most animated of the assistant coaches and most involved in terms of talking to players when they went to the sidelines, etc. That tells me that Bud probably had agreed to the job at some point earlier in the playoffs and Pop probably wasn't overly please with the timing and has already made Brett Brown the new lead assistant.

+1. I don't blame Bud for taking a head coaching position in the league, but I am pissed at Ferry. That guy can go suck a fat one. The guy could've easily waited until the Finals were over but instead he had to go and stick his nose in the Spurs' business...lame. :td

[DrunkTXLabrat]

Yep, and that Duncan will probably stay for a couple of more years at least. Depending on his body, he may play beyond 2015. Even if he and Pop leave in two years, that's plenty of time to get another assistant ready.

this story comes as the drunktexaslabrat is living up to his name. tune into 760 i'm calling in today as robert and i'm bringing this shit up to geoff.

[Libri]

But on the other hand, I'm kinda pissed at Bud and Ferry. You're telling me they couldn't have done a wink-wink agreement to avoid this potential distraction? Sure, it's not going to be a major distraction but the Spurs are heading into the Finals, you don't do anything to F that up. So, yeah, that's lame on Bud and Ferry's part.


Why so negative?

[tesseractive]

Fucking Danny Ferry. :pctoss

It's good for guys to move on when they're ready. If becoming an assistant for the Spurs is a great platform for becoming a head coach, it means we should be able to keep attracting great assistant coaches. The same is true for front office folks leaving for GM gigs. As long as we maintain continuity, there's no reason that the next guy -- Brett, apparently -- can't be as good, or maybe even better.

Congrats, Bud, and good luck in Atlanta. :toast

[Chinook]

I think this is a good situation for Bud. Atlanta will probably keep him as long as Ferry has the job there, which isn't necessarily true with other teams. Bud knows it takes time to build a team the right way, and I'm sure he put potential stability very high on his list. They have a pretty good big and point to begin a rebuild, but they probably shouldn't try to go the Miami route like Ferry seems to be trying to do. They should got the OKC route and use their cap space to get assets from other teams rather use it on free agents. Unlike most coaches, Bud should be able to develop young talent.

I wonder if they try to take some Spurs with them. Free agents like Neal and Blair could be targets, but I wouldn't be surprised at all to see them try to sign Splitter, or trade for Green, Mills, De Colo or even Bonner. They need to get the right guys in quickly to establish a good culture. We'll see how resentful Pop is if the two teams strike a deal.

[DrunkTXLabrat]

http://www.lolbrary.com/lolpics/324/dammit-im-mad-is-dammit-im-mad-backwards-1324.jpg

cool

[SpurPadre]

Fuck, I hope Pop doesn't try to recruit and then groom Del Negro to be our future coach.

[Mel_13]

Bud couldn't even talk to Atlanta without Pop's permission. I don't buy the notion that anything associated with this move happened without Pop's blessing and approval. Including the timing. They've known eachother since Bud was in high school. Except for a couple of years after college, the Spurs have been his only employer and Pop his only boss. Pop even provided a quote for the press release. Plus Ferry is beholden to Pop several times over. These aren't two guys who would do anything to cross Pop.

Just my 2 cents.

[DrunkTXLabrat]

I think this is a good situation for Bud. Atlanta will probably keep him as long as Ferry has the job there, which isn't necessarily true with other teams. Bud knows it takes time to build a team the right way, and I'm sure he put potential stability very high on his list. They have a pretty good big and point to begin a rebuild, but they probably shouldn't try to go the Miami route like Ferry seems to be trying to do. They should got the OKC route and use their cap space to get assets from other teams rather use it on free agents. Unlike most coaches, Bud should be able to develop young talent.

I wonder if they try to take some Spurs with them. Free agents like Neal and Blair could be targets, but I wouldn't be surprised at all to see them try to sign Splitter, or trade for Green, Mills, De Colo or even Bonner. They need to get the right guys in quickly to establish a good culture. We'll see how resentful Pop is if the two teams strike a deal.

yeah, maybe neal and blair are fa targets. hell yeah, that team is set with horford and teague.

this signing, to me, is the move atl needed to make. they want to beat out houston on the d12 signing. and having a good front office with spurs guys with familiarity. plus having d12's buddy smith. that's the best package to offer. they're the front runner. and... with spurs guys running the show. all that defensive talent. a point guard who's also a defensive threat. man the east won't miss the celts as much. heat number one. pacers number 2. and the cavs and hawks should be competing with those new york cities.

[DrunkTXLabrat]

Congratulations to Bud, well deserved. Means that Pop is probably going to be staying on for at least 2-3 more years which is great news.

Unless Atlanta signs both CP3 and Dwight this summer, Bud should be available to take over for Pop when he retires tbh.

love your take. lets speculate on how good the hawks will be now? retaining smith and bringing in howard has to be the goal?!

[Mugen]

Bud couldn't even talk to Atlanta without Pop's permission. I don't buy the notion that anything associated with this move happened without Pop's blessing and approval. Including the timing. They've known eachother since Bud was in high school. Except for a couple of years after college, the Spurs have been his only employer and Pop his only boss. Pop even provided a quote for the press release. Plus Ferry is beholden to Pop several times over. These aren't two guys who would do anything to cross Pop.

Just my 2 cents.

Agree. If the Memphis series dragged out to 6-7 games, then there's no way this is announced until after the NBA Finals. Spurs have a long enough layoff where this shouldn't be a distraction whatsoever. Maybe even added motivation to send Bud out with a ring.

This doesn't go public without Pop's blessing.

[mrjap2x]

Why did Bud leave for the hawks? Wasn't Bud the supposed next in-line after Pop retires?

[Chinook]

yeah, maybe neal and blair are fa targets. hell yeah, that team is set with horford and teague.

this signing, to me, is the move atl needed to make. they want to beat out houston on the d12 signing. and having a good front office with spurs guys with familiarity. plus having d12's buddy smith. that's the best package to offer. they're the front runner. and... with spurs guys running the show. all that defensive talent. a point guard who's also a defensive threat. man the east won't miss the celts as much. heat number one. pacers number 2. and the cavs and hawks should be competing with those new york cities.

Re-signing Smith and signing Howard would be a big mistake, if you ask me. First, it forces the Hawks to trade the best of their three bigs (although I'd take Horford on the Spurs if Splitter leaves). Next, it sets a rookie head coach up with a coach-killer who's pretty much uncoachable, who also would have a lot of power in the organization. Then it puts the Hawks at best in the Magic's position from a few years ago, which is just slightly better than the Hawks over this span. Howard can't carry a team to a title, and Smith's no better. They'd have no cap space and would never be bad enough to get a good chance in the lottery.

In short, I'd be very upset if Ferry did all this work just to mess it up so badly.

[Clipper Nation]

:lol People actually want VDN? Dude is garbage and a whiny bitch on top of that....

[HemisfairArena]

Avery Johnson would be the obvious choice to replace him but I wouldnt be suprised if pop brought P.J. Carlesimo back.

[jeebus]

I was reading up on the Hawks forum and they seem pretty confident that they can get anyone they want from the Spurs organization. They're talking as if they already signed Splitter and now they think they can get Chip over there as well. Pretty delusional imo.

[racm]

Tbh I think Atlanta's a great place for coach Bud.

He's got a solid two way big man in Horford as a foundation piece (only other player to post 30 pts/10 rbs/5 asts/5 blks this season apart from Tim Duncan). Jeff Teague is a decent talent who just needs to be more consistent, and is from Wake Forest.

[baseline bum]

Why do people keep mentioning Vinny Del Negro in this thread? He's almost as bad a coach as he was a shooting guard/point guard. I'd rather see the Spurs bring Cotton Fitzsimmons back than hire scrub-ass Del Negro.

[tesseractive]

:lol People actually want VDN? Dude is garbage and a whiny bitch on top of that....

He's an ok coach in terms of getting guys to play hard. He's completely over his head in the playoffs, though.

The Spurs have no use for him, but I could see him being an ok fit for a team like Sacto that no elite coach is going to want anything to do with.

[Buddy Holly]

Losing Presti wasn't such a huge blow since RC is still young and should have a lot of years as the Spurs GM. But Pop has made it pretty clear he's retiring when Tim does, and he's not the kind of guy to BS. I'm happy for Bud to get a chance to coach Horford, who seems like a pretty hard worker and dedicated teammate.

Jesus Christ, he's not retiring when Tim Duncan retires. Stop regeritating that nonsense.

[DrunkTXLabrat]

I can see the torch's being passed to Brown, but Pop simply could have vetoed the negotiations had he really wanted to. I can't see his being anything but happy for Bud.

i think you're usually an asshole, chump. but i like it when i figure out what you're saying. x2.

[Mugen]

Vinny is a pretty solid option if we need to replace the Coyote tbh.

[baseline bum]

Jesus Christ, he's not retiring when Tim Duncan retires. Stop regeritating that nonsense.

Why would I not believe Pop's own words?



http://www.foxsportssouthwest.com/story/Popovich-Ill-retire-when-Duncan-does?blockID=896757

When he doesn't think he can, he'll stop. It might be in the middle of a game. I can see him walking of the court saying 'Nah, I'm not pulling my weight anymore, I'm gone.' And he'll walk. And I'll be right behind him, like this. No pride, no nothing.

[jeebus]

In the Grizzlies series, I noticed Brett Brown was a lot more involved/active during games. He was the most animated of the assistant coaches and most involved in terms of talking to players when they went to the sidelines, etc. That tells me that Bud probably had agreed to the job at some point earlier in the playoffs and Pop probably wasn't overly please with the timing and has already made Brett Brown the new lead assistant.
:lmao

[rjv]

Damn, this sucks for the Spurs. Bud was a great lead assistant. When he took over for Pop, it was seamless. He's also very good at "guessing" what play the other team is going to run -- going all the way back to when he called the exact play the Knicks were going to run in '99 on that last shot. Additionally, Bud was a great summer league coach. I really wanted Bud to take over for Pop one day.

On one hand, I'm happy for him to get a shot. He doesn't have your typical NBA head coach personality and he's not a great interviewer so it was going to take a unique situation (in this case, the Ferry connection) for Bud to get his shot elsewhere.

But on the other hand, I'm kinda pissed at Bud and Ferry. You're telling me they couldn't have done a wink-wink agreement to avoid this potential distraction? Sure, it's not going to be a major distraction but the Spurs are heading into the Finals, you don't do anything to F that up. So, yeah, that's lame on Bud and Ferry's part.






P.S.

In the Grizzlies series, I noticed Brett Brown was a lot more involved/active during games. He was the most animated of the assistant coaches and most involved in terms of talking to players when they went to the sidelines, etc. That tells me that Bud probably had agreed to the job at some point earlier in the playoffs and Pop probably wasn't overly please with the timing and has already made Brett Brown the new lead assistant.

the one reservation i have always had about bud is that, although he has the acumen to lead the spurs system down the road, i'm not so sure he has the dynamic similar to coach pop (and granted, pop is one in a generation but i've often been concerned with whether or not bud would be too passive to lead a group of enormous egos).

[Chinook]

Why would I not believe Pop's own words?

To be fair, Bruno posted a Pop quote a little while back saying that he's kidding when he says he's leaving with Duncan. He said he'd leave when he felt the time was right.

EDIT: Here's the post from the Bud to Pistons thread"


It's a little old (December 2009) but that's what Pop told about his retirement:
http://www.nba.com/spurs/features/pop_mailbag_0912.html


Question: Hi was wondering if you plan on staying in the NBA after Tim Duncan retires? If so will you stay with the Spurs? Go Spurs Go!

Pop:(Laughs) I’ve always made a joke about the fact that Tim’s contract and my contract have always coincided as far as length, and it’s served as a real good joke. In all honesty I have no idea how long I want to keep doing it, but Timmy’s situation won’t be the factor that will make me retire or continue to coach.

I guess Pop's decision will come down to his health, his family and the pleasure he still takes to coach. The pleasure factor will be of course impacted by Duncan's retirement and Pop might not enjoy coaching Spurs after it especially if they go in full rebuild mode.

I'm not saying that Pop won't retire with Duncan but I don't see that as an automatic move.

[SpurPadre]

Why do people keep mentioning Vinny Del Negro in this thread? He's almost as bad a coach as he was a shooting guard/point guard. I'd rather see the Spurs bring Cotton Fitzsimmons back than hire scrub-ass Del Negro.

If I mentioned him, it's because I don't want him but fear with his ties to us, Pop would consider grooming him. Remember, Pop was the first one to criticize his firing by the Bulls and then Clips. Dude is always propping him up for some reason.

[baseline bum]

To be fair, Bruno posted a Pop quote a little while back saying that he's kidding when he says he's leaving with Duncan. He said he'd leave when he felt the time was right.

Wow, really? I have only seen him saying he was leaving with Duncan for years. Would be awesome news if Pop would be willing to stick around for the rebuild after Tim retires.

[Chinook]

Wow, really? I have only seen him saying he was leaving with Duncan for years. Would be awesome news if Pop would be willing to stick around for the rebuild after Tim retires.

I just edited my previous post with the quote.

[DrunkTXLabrat]

i think this bud signing means pop is blowing smoke about retiring with timmy.

[Clipper Nation]

He's an ok coach in terms of getting guys to play hard.
No he's not.... he loses the locker room every single year :lol

[baseline bum]

I just edited my previous post with the quote.

Thanks. Makes losing Bud sting a whole lot less.

[phxspurfan]

And if you think that Pop will retire as the same time as Duncan, Bud leaving could also mean that Duncan won't retire this summer, even if Spurs win it all.

I definitely think if the Spurs win it all, Duncan will be back next year to try and get that elusive repeat title. And to one up Kobe and Shaq.

[Ocotillo]

I have no insider information but I am willing to bet my house and anything else of value Vinnie Del Negro will not get a sniff of an assistant coaching job here.

[tesseractive]

No he's not.... he loses the locker room every single year :lol
So after watching him closely, would you say that really the only reason he's made the playoffs every year in both LA and Chicago was landing a roster both times that was so good that even he couldn't ruin it completely? :lol

[capek]

Question: Hi was wondering if you plan on staying in the NBA after Tim Duncan retires? If so will you stay with the Spurs? Go Spurs Go!

PopLaughs) I’ve always made a joke about the fact that Tim’s contract and my contract have always coincided as far as length, and it’s served as a real good joke. In all honesty I have no idea how long I want to keep doing it, but Timmy’s situation won’t be the factor that will make me retire or continue to coach.

Exactly! Can't believe people can't tell when to take things seriously, and when there is no reason to. People are odd. Pop will make his decision based upon numerous factors, not in some cartoonish-ly simplistic way by retiring along with Duncan.

[Beaverfuzz]

congrats to Bud...always keep climbing the ladder!

[BackHome]

Maybe the Hawks give us one of their two number one draft picks?....

[Mark in Austin]

congrats to Bud. If Brown gets the promotion I wouldn't mind seeing another former player on the sidelines (NOT VDN)

[moisaenz]

I have no insider information but I am willing to bet my house and anything else of value Vinnie Del Negro will not get a sniff of an assistant coaching job here.
Isn't vinny's relationship with pop not the best?

[HI-FI]

:lol People actually want VDN? Dude is garbage and a whiny bitch on top of that....
i hope the Del Negro and Avery Johnson talk are bad jokes lost in translation.

[Mel_13]

congrats to Bud. If Brown gets the promotion I wouldn't mind seeing another former player on the sidelines (NOT VDN)

Anyone know what TJ Ford is up to these days?

[99 Problems]

I agree with some here that Brett Brown already seems to have got the nod. Might be wrong but just some obs from watching the bench and time outs.

[jon123spurs]

Should be bring back PJ?

[Libri]

Anyone know what TJ Ford is up to these days?

assistant coach on the Toros

[SouthernFried]

I used to play a lot of 2 on 2 basketball with Mike and another coach I can't remember the name of...lol

Good guy. Surprised it's taken this long. Tho, he still looks like a kid to me ;)

[Clipper Nation]

So after watching him closely, would you say that really the only reason he's made the playoffs every year in both LA and Chicago was landing a roster both times that was so good that even he couldn't ruin it completely? :lol
In Chicago, the East sucked enough for the Bulls to make it in with .500 records, while CP3 carried his ass in LA, tbh....

[Clipper Nation]

Isn't vinny's relationship with pop not the best?
I remember reading early on this season that Vinny and Pop still talk all the time and Vinny asks Pop for advice (which he either ignores or doesn't understand)....

[Andthentherewas21]

Congrats to Bud, as has been said before he definitely deserves a chance as a HC but it is kind of bittersweet that it isn't with the Spurs. That being said, how much does ATL offer Splitter to try and steal him away this summer?

[Chinook]

I remember reading early on this season that Vinny and Pop still talk all the time and Vinny asks Pop for advice (which he either ignores or doesn't understand)....

Or maybe Pop was doing the whole CIA-style career assassination.

[Spurs Brazil]

Congrats to Coach Bud. He'll be missed

[SpurPadre]

I guess Brett Brown is next in line to take over for Pop. Would Manu like to be a coach?

[CGD]

Enter PJ in 3.2.1...

[silverblackfan]

Congrats to Bud, but the timing is not ideal. The Spurs just keep losing quality personnel.
OTH, I love that Pop is slowly seeding the NBA with like-minded coaches. It can only help the League in the long run, and might benefit the Spurs in the future. Remember that Ferry is the one who recommended Danny Green. Maybe this is Pops counter to the Lakers, Heat, etc Stern sanctioned big money moves?

[John B]

Congrats to Coach Bud. He'll be missed. Now if he could talk Josh Smith into signing with Spurs.

[moisaenz]

Congrats to Bud, but the timing is not ideal. The Spurs just keep losing quality personnel.
OTH, I love that Pop is slowly seeding the NBA with like-minded coaches. It can only help the League in the long run, and might benefit the Spurs in the future. Remember that Ferry is the one who recommended Danny Green. Maybe this is Pops counter to the Lakers, Heat, etc Stern sanctioned big money moves?
CIA Pop, one day he might be commissioner

[dbreiden83080]

Wow, really? I have only seen him saying he was leaving with Duncan for years. Would be awesome news if Pop would be willing to stick around for the rebuild after Tim retires.

At his age what's his motivation to stay when the Spurs are not contenders anymore? Maybe he hates his wife..

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Happy for Bud and well deserved. He's getting a great gig at Atlanta, they've done the worst part of the rebuilding, got rid of virtually all of their bad contracts and are in a great position to build a strong team in the next 2-3 years, as long as Danny Ferry is smart enough with their enormous cap space. Even if they're unable to land Howard or CP3 this offseason they will be very aggressive in the market and could stockpile assets for the future. They could totally rob a team like the Grizzlies or Warriors who'd desperately need to shed salary.

Wish him luck.

[bigdog]

Very sad to see Coach Bud leaving. He's a fantastic coach, and when he stepped in for Pop when he was out, it was like Pop never left. I wish him the best of luck in Atlanta, but let's win this damn thing!

[Buddy Holly]

I'm honestly ok with this. The timimg could have been better. I don't know if I would have liked Bud taking over when Pop left. I think he's just too nice. I also think Brett Brown might be the actual replacement. I'd prefer him over Bud in all actuality. The results he's gotten out of the Australian national team using the Spurs system is a testament to how good a coach he is. He's also been here the second longest after Bud.

[100%duncan]

Damn. I was excited to see at least how Coach Bud handles the rebuilding of the Spurs. It was one of the bright spots that made me feel ok with the rebuilding because someone we know is good is replacing Pop. But now he's gone. Goodluck to him. But Atlanta's a crappile as we all know.

[manufan10]

People really want VDN to coach here? Has no one been paying attention the last few years? He's a horrible coach.

[manufan10]

BTW, this is all CIA Pop... giving Bud a chance to get some quality head coaching experience so he'll be primed and ready to take over the Spurs when Pop decides to retire. Good move. :toast

[Mel_13]

Press conference at 10 AM Central time. Will be broadcast on NBATV and streamed live here:

http://www.nba.com/hawks/budenholzer-press-conference

[Mel_13]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BLcLVnrCAAErEZC.jpg:large

[ace3g]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BLcLVnrCAAErEZC.jpg:large

He will be coaching quite the team based on the jerseys in the background.

[Mel_13]

Presser streaming now.

http://www.nba.com/hawks/budenholzer-press-conference

[Spur|n|Austin]

We'll miss ya Mike -

http://i.minus.com/ikF3MdXp44VX5.gif

[gameFACE]

BTW, this is all CIA Pop... giving Bud a chance to get some quality head coaching experience so he'll be primed and ready to take over the Spurs when Pop decides to retire. Good move. :toast

It's not Pop driven but it's a good idea for Bud to leave the nest and build something himself elsewhere. Work with other coaches.

And Congrats, Coach Bud!

[manufan10]

We'll miss ya Mike -

http://i.minus.com/ikF3MdXp44VX5.gif

:lol

[Keepin' it real]

Similar timing to when FSU offensive coordinator Mark Richt accepted the Georgia football coaching job before the BCS title game against OU in 2000. He was allowed to coach in the title game ... and his potent FSU offense was shut out. It was obviously a distraction. Those were college kids, but I think it had to be distracting to the coach, too. Let's hope Budenholzer nips any distractions in the bud.

[superbigtime]

Why go to Atlanta though??? The worst franchise in the eastern conference (historically).

No one cares about the NBA in Atlanta - they have the worst fan base bar none. I'd rather him have taken the Detroit job.

where would you rather move your family? exactly.

[SenorSpur]

Why do people keep mentioning Vinny Del Negro in this thread? He's almost as bad a coach as he was a shooting guard/point guard. I'd rather see the Spurs bring Cotton Fitzsimmons back than hire scrub-ass Del Negro.

:tu

[100%duncan]

Weird tbh. He's still in the team but technically he's not. :lol

[davidbowie]

man the hawks are shit good luck BUD

[mudyez]

plus:
* probably indicated Pop isn't done anytime soon
* ...which may be an indication that Timmy isn't thinking about retiring anytime soon
* we get one more nice connection to another franchis (even though we already have Ferry set up there)
* Brett Brown may be the better choice anyway
* Bud is in the East and won't haunt us with his knowledge about our team (imagine him taking over the Griz or OKC!)
* we just should be happy for him
* he might come back and gets some experience until then

minus:
* all the setup (letting him coach games when Pop sat out) was for the Hawks
* Brett Brown may not be the better option
* he probably won't come back

After all I'm just hoping for us to find a long term replacement as I'd hate zu switch coaches every few years/months. I'm a fan of the Spurs (1coach since '96), Arsenal (1 since '96), Steelers(3 since '69) and Werder Bremen (1 since '99...until now) and all of these clubs don't do that much (at least lately).

[CGD]

Wonder if the spurs give Messina a call now that he he's not in line for the Hawks job.

[cutewizard]

Just points to the fecundity of the Spurs tree that they keep getting new coaches branching out to other franchises. Coach Bud will definitely do a terrific job at the Hawks, who, offseason luck willing can build a decent squad around Horford & Teague.

As for the Spurs' themselves, they have decent assistants in Brown, Forcier and Udoka already. And I think Manu will be soon groomed into that role as well, if he shows interest in coaching. Pop pointed out in an interview that Manu would be an ideal candidate for coaching if only he really wanted to do it with his variegated interests and smartness etc. I suspect in a couple of years, Manu will be on the bench as a Spurs assistant and fast tracked to head coach sometime not very far away in the horizon.



Manu as a coach would make my day.....

tho i wonder if Manu could take the stress of coaching, hehe

[pikkiwoki]

Will this affect his coaching performance in the Finals? How can you be on top of your game when you've already got one foot out the door?

[Brazil]

We'll miss ya Mike -

http://i.minus.com/ikF3MdXp44VX5.gif

:lmao

[ace3g]

Adrian Wojnarowski @WojYahooNBA
(http://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA)CSKA Moscow's Quin Snyder has been hired as an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks, league sources tell Y! Sports.

Bud bringing in more Spurs influence

[ace3g]

Not a good thing

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2013/06/10/nba-teams-filing-tampering-charges/2409499/

[Spur-Addict]

Coach Bud accidentally hit a ref with a dry erase board in Brooklyn today :lol

[HarlemHeat37]

I miss Coach Bud, tbh<3..

He's doing a great job with a limited team in Atlanta, tbh..

[Spursfanfromafar]

I miss Coach Bud, tbh<3..

He's doing a great job with a limited team in Atlanta, tbh..

Yeah. Just plain unlucky that they lost Horford due to an unfortunate shoulder injury. Would be nice if he gets some support via a trade. Ferry is also doing an excellent job with the Hawks.