Elie the assistant coach is nothing like the player. With the Spurs, he was subdued. Did you ever see him yell at anyone? Even during the Lakers collapse, he just sat there and took it in stride.
I also don't think Pop and company were very impressed with job he did. Ludden even alluded to it a few times (how Elie wasn't as available as some players wish he were). Little was said when Elie left and when he became a coaching free agent, there was absolutely no hint at all that the Spurs were interested in bringing him back on board.
Don Newman is actually what I expected Elie the assistant coach to be. Newman is a tough mofo. Before a game a couple seasons ago, him and Parker had to be seperated from throwing down. Newman is always available and has quickly become one of Pop's most trusted assistants. Pop even vouched for him as a head coach this summer.
Newman >>>>>>> Elie as an assistant coach.
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