Spurs should sign Blatt as an assistant if Messina leaves, assuming Blatt doesn't get a head coaching offer.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...arch/83522986/
The Los Angeles Lakers are wasting no time in their coaching search.
According to a person with knowledge of the situation, the Lakers have received permission from the San Antonio Spurs to interview their lead assistant coach, Ettore Messina, as a possible replacement for the recently departed Byron Scott.
It is unclear how soon the team plans to interview Messina, the widely-respected Italian coach who won four Euroleague les and was twice the Euroleague coach of the year before spending the 2011-12 NBA season on the Lakers coaching staff headed by Mike D’Antoni. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the search.
While many names have been mentioned, Messina and Golden State Warriors assistant Luke Walton are believed to be on the Lakers’ unofficial short list. Messina, who is also being considered for the Sacramento Kings’ head coaching vacancy, joined Gregg Popovich and his San Antonio staff in July of 2014.
Spurs should sign Blatt as an assistant if Messina leaves, assuming Blatt doesn't get a head coaching offer.
That would be a dream scenario. Lose Messina (I don't hate him, but wouldn't mind him gone) and land Blatt.
Please take him.
And no Blatt. The Spurs already have too many assistants. They don't need to hire a new lead. Just let the best of Udoka and Borrego do it.
Good for Messina. A head coaching job has been his agenda from day one.
Addition by subtraction tbh.
I can't help but feel that SA lost something losing Bud. I for one like having leads as assistants especially since Pop is clearly the Alpha and there is no chance of a power struggle.
How about we get Brett Brown back once he gets inevitably fired?
Um, we're talking about lead assistants here. Pop will have one no matter what. Of course the Spurs lost something without Bud. They replaced with him Jim "Ka-who?" Boylen. That was a drop-off. Then they brought Messina in, and that hasn't really gotten better. Let Borrego and Udoka and Hammond grow and stop adding in new guys. You can easily mess things up doing that.
Not if Brown becomes available.
I know we are talking about lead assistants and there is always one, give me some credit. I was referring to the lead assistant being an actual "lead" as in true head coaching material.
I'm fine if they let it happen from within, I'm just saying I like having a Bud level guy on the team behind Pop and Blatt I think is there.
I actually think Bud is overrated. I haven't been impressed with his coaching job in Atlanta.
If it's any consolation, Don Newman should be available again.
Totally agree with not missing Messina if he goes. My expectation, though, is that the Lakers go for Walton, given all the associations with the Waltons.
I would still hope that Messina goes somewhere else. I just don't see any of the players except Ginobili ever paying any attention to him.
I could see Brown coming back here and I would go for that. Anybody see any of the current Spurs becoming assistants on this staff?
No worries Spur Fans. It will be Kevin Ollie.
Next year? No. Eventually? I could see Duncan being a coach. I think he likes that part too much to be in the front office. Rasual isn't on the team anymore, but I could see him being a Spur. Miller might be a coach, but I don't know if it would be in SA. Bonner would probably be in the front office of SA or TOR. That's about it for guys who are old enough for me to feel comfortable projecting.
Bring Brett back tbh.
Definitely gotta bring brett back after Durant signs.
Thx. I was thinking that about Duncan too. I could see Manu as a coach, but not in SA.
Yeah...have fun with that.
They'll go with Walton because their roster is filled with chuckleheads who won't listen to some Euro dude.
Messina installed the epic defense during training camp![]()
Good riddance. Take the Italian scrub. Please take him
No Messina = no elite defense
Wow I think I am the only one that would miss him.
Frankly the one loss to the Pacers we had this season in that game he coached, he rode the stars and older players as much as he could get away with Pop's minutes limits, but he rode them coach Thibodeau style. I didn't like that.
Usually when something is not working Pop gets on guys and even benches whoever he deems the culprit for a few minutes switching lineups and adding energy guys. It's worked for Pop to develop players, find talent and get rest for vets as well as win games he w as losing anyways. I do like how attentive he is to defensive assignments and how encouraging he seems to be of players. One of the few coaches I see genuinely clapping and cheering good plays by players. He could have trouble reaching young players as some point out. Our guys are fairly sophisticated as teams go.
Wish him the best.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)