Messina to spend some time with the Spurs

[objective]

didn't see this posted, no results from a search

from an 3-18-11 article about Messina possibly accepting an NBA assistant coaching job next season:

Messina plans to accept an invitation from San Antonio to spend eight days with the Spurs -- and his former star at Bologna, Manu Ginobili -- later this month.

"I'm really excited to see a couple of practices, some games, watch some films with the team, and of course to see Manu," Messina said. "I've never had the opportunity to see Manu during the season."

[SenorSpur]

For a minute there, I thought they were referring to Kenny Loggins' old songwriting partner and the other half of the duo Loggins and Messina.

[temujin]

This says a lot about Messina, and about the Spurs.

For Messina, there are at least 20 coaches in the NBA I would NOT give a job to, ahead of Messina, including in elite teams (Spoeltra and van Gundy for example). Yet he thinks he should learn to become an NBA coach as an assistant first. And he would accept a big pay cut to learn.

For the Spurs, because to have an assistant like Messina would be an incredible luxury.

At any rate, I can easily see Manu's opinion behind this trip.

[Kamala]

For a minute there, I thought they were referring to Kenny Loggins' old songwriting partner and the other half of the duo Loggins and Messina.

Hehe me too

[Hemotivo]

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

I doubt it'd happen, but Messina coming as an assistant next year would be absolutely fantastic news for the Spurs, he's an excellent coach and like temujin said, him willing to start from an assistant speaks volumes about how much of the Pop mantra and philosophy he's got in him. He's got over himself.

[ElNono]

first he need learn speaky english

His English is excellent, AFAIK.

I like the fact that he has a defensive mindset and that he's a big believer in the process to get to a result, as opposed to just obtaining results. You can easily see why the Spurs like him.

Hopefully he decides to stick around.

[Solid D]

I was reported earlier that Ettore was offered/going to be offered a job as a assistant coach with the NJ Nets for 2011-12 season.

[admiralsnackbar]

[Bruno]

Spurs have hired as European coach someone who has worked for years with Messina, they surely appreciate what Messina has done in Europe.

And lets not fool ourselves: Messina spending a week with Spurs will have basically zero impact. What is interesting is that Spurs staff, and especially Pop, are still humble enough to make this kind of moves. With all their success they could have taken the road "we don't need anyone advice" and it would have been a mistake.

[temujin]

I was reported earlier that Ettore was offered/going to be offered a job as a assistant coach with the NJ Nets for 2011-12 season.

I'd be very surprised if he accepts: if you want to learn, go to the best.
He could accept the Knicks though, and leave Dantoni pretending to be the actual coach.

[objective]

I hope Messina can talk Pop into setting Splitter free.

"Heyya, Poppo. Why a you no play the Splitter, ah? You a been playeen this a Bonner, he a no good, not like a the Splitter, yes?"

[Mal]

Waiting for KBP opinion on him

[Obstructed_View]

I hope Messina can talk Pop into setting Splitter free.

"Heyya, Poppo. Why a you no play the Splitter, ah? You a been playeen this a Bonner, he a no good, not like a the Splitter, yes?"

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Spurs have hired as European coach someone who has worked for years with Messina, they surely appreciate what Messina has done in Europe.

And lets not fool ourselves: Messina spending a week with Spurs will have basically zero impact. What is interesting is that Spurs staff, and especially Pop, are still humble enough to make this kind of moves. With all their success they could have taken the road "we don't need anyone advice" and it would have been a mistake.

Perhaps he becomes head coach in waiting for after Pop retires...

[rayray2k8]

I hope Messina can talk Pop into setting Splitter free.

"Heyya, Poppo. Why a you no play the Splitter, ah? You a been playeen this a Bonner, he a no good, not like a the Splitter, yes?"

[duncan228]

48MoH's take on it.

Ettore Messina to visit Spurs
by Timothy Varner
48 Minutes of

According to Ian Thomsen of SI, one of the world’s great coaches, Ettore Messina, is set to visit the Spurs later this month.

There are very few clubs that have the budget and ambition to help Messina fulfill his vision for how a team should be built. If he can’t find a promising offer to remain in Europe next year, he may be open to spending a season or two on an NBA bench, where he could learn a new perspective while also providing his team with different strategies. In the meantime, Messina plans to accept an invitation from San Antonio to spend eight days with the Spurs — and his former star at Bologna, Manu Ginobili — later this month.

“I’m really excited to see a couple of practices, some games, watch some films with the team, and of course to see Manu,” Messina said. “I’ve never had the opportunity to see Manu during the season.”

Keep reading →

http://www.48minutesof .com/ettor...popovich-spurs

[objective]

did Messina ever coach in Greece, or is he full of anti-Greek lies?

[tdunk21]

I hope Messina can talk Pop into setting Splitter free.

"Heyya, Poppo. Why a you no play the Splitter, ah? You a been playeen this a Bonner, he a no good, not like a the Splitter, yes?"

[LongtimeSpursFan]

I hope Messina can talk Pop into setting Splitter free.

"Heyya, Poppo. Why a you no play the Splitter, ah? You a been playeen this a Bonner, he a no good, not like a the Splitter, yes?"

Is Messina Italian?

[Josepatches_]

His work wasn't great here in Madrid in the last year.He was a great disappointment to me.

I don't like how he manages the team.After all his moves the team is worse than the team we had when he came here.

And I don't like how he left the team in the half of a season acting like a child.

[Josepatches_]

Is Messina Italian?

Yes

[Libri]

I hope Messina can talk Pop into setting Splitter free.

"Heyya, Poppo. Why a you no play the Splitter, ah? You a been playeen this a Bonner, he a no good, not like a the Splitter, yes?"

[Anonymous Cowherd]

I hope Messina can talk Pop into setting Splitter free.

"Heyya, Poppo. Why a you no play the Splitter, ah? You a been playeen this a Bonner, he a no good, not like a the Splitter, yes?"

[MmP]

I think Messina has some sort of man-crush on Manu Ginobili, every time he can he compares any player to Manu. I wonder what's the deal.