Lakers have received permission from the Spurs to interview Ettore Messina

[mudyez]

We still have Becky.

[024]

It was only a matter of time until someone poaches Messina. He's already 55-56. He's not going to wait around until he's 60 for Pop to retire. Pop's replacement should definitely be younger. Kind of wondering how Udoka is progressing as a coach.

It was a luxury having someone as experienced as Messina around to do the assistant work and Pop doesn't have to worry about games when he's ejected. But sooner or later, someone will grab Messina.

Maybe the Hawks will be crater in the next few years and Bud can come back.

[mudyez]

I was joking about Becky, but if Pop really stays for four or more years, I really could see that happening.

And I would love it!

[neboat]

Then they brought Messina in, and that hasn't really gotten better.

Any reasons why it seems like this is how most people here feel?

[sexinthatsx]

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.

No, Bud has been impressive in leading the Hawks to an impressive record in the league last season, the players just couldn't execute down the stretch for the playoffs. With the players on that team, what Bud did was pretty amazing.

[SouthernFried]

I like Udoka a lot. The players all go to him as well...he seems to have their respect.

Maybe that melee in Africa, where he fought his team out of the arena helps with the respect bit

[DAF86]

Why is everyone saying they want Messina out and acting like they actually know if he's doing a good or bad job? Am I missing something?

[Mal]

Take Becky and let this circus on another comedy tour

[313]

Why is everyone saying they want Messina out and acting like they actually know if he's doing a good or bad job? Am I missing something?

my thoughts exactly

[Obstructed_View]

We still have Becky.

If there's a successor to Pop on the bench, it's probably her. The Lakers deserve Messina. Not in love with what I've seen from him when Pop has been out.

[sook]

Spurs should sign Blatt as an assistant if Messina leaves, assuming Blatt doesn't get a head coaching offer.

Lebron really ed Blatt. Its hard for players to respect a coach that was neutered, ignored on plays, pushed out of huddles and told to off. The image is gone and I doubt you'll see Blatt get a HC job in the NBA.

[Obstructed_View]

Blatt was doomed when he did this:

[TheDoctor]

How about we get Brett Brown back once he gets inevitably fired?

Coach Brown won't be fired as long as the Front Office is tanking. That's on them, not him.

[cutewizard]

everyone is raiding is

thievessssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!

[cutewizard]

Manu can coach, tbh

[Slomo]

Why are some of you convinced that Messina is doing a bad job on the Spurs?

I'd really like to see some insight on this, because I've been wondering this myself but couldn't see any evidence of it.

[JR3]

Why are some of you convinced that Messina is doing a bad job on the Spurs?

I'd really like to see some insight on this, because I've been wondering this myself but couldn't see any evidence of it.

agreed. Anyone want to back up their opinion or is it just not a big concern that he may leave? We know he is talented.

[GSH]

Messina has proven himself. He's a good coach. A very good coach. He hasn't been with the Spurs for such a long time, so losing him now might not be quite as disruptive as it might be. But the reports were that he was involved with the team for years before he left Europe and came here - so there is some knowledge drain involved.

If he feels like he is the heir apparent, and that Pop might have the end in sight, I think he will stay here. If not, why wouldn't he consider some head coaching offers elsewhere?

[Robz4000]

Why are some of you convinced that Messina is doing a bad job on the Spurs?

I'd really like to see some insight on this, because I've been wondering this myself but couldn't see any evidence of it.

As an assistant coach he's fine, and I've heard several people with the team cite him as the architect of the Spurs' defense (albeit I think it has more to do with the Spurs having several elite defenders and vets who know how to play both ends). However, during the times he's taken over HC duties I've been extremely underwhelmed. His rotations made zero sense, he overplayed certain players that shouldn't have been, and made changes/called timeouts at points where the team had momentum and killed it or refused to do so when the team was melting down. A lot of the younger players also seem to tune him out at times from what others have said; I never really paid attention to it but it could also be an issue.

[Spurs9]

Why is Messina so great tbh? I haven't really seen much from him on the Spurs, haven't seen him in interviews or know what affect he has. I just hear about how he was a great coach overseas, did he win championships? What are you guys so excited about him on the NBA level about?

[Brazil]

Why is everyone saying they want Messina out and acting like they actually know if he's doing a good or bad job? Am I missing something?

the voice of the reason right there