Mike D'Antoni and Suns Divorce

[Obstructed_View]

The article I read said that Kerr was going to want D'Antoni to focus more on defense, develop a deeper rotation, and find a backup for Nash, and D'Antoni didn't think that was going to work out.

I'm not sure how Kerr is the bad guy, here. He's simply asking for that we've been saying they need for four years now.

[polandprzem]

Shaq should fire Sarver

[spurscenter]

Who Has The Balls To Fire George Karl?

That Man Is Horrific


DANTONI and AVERY, both gone now and George Karl is still coaching. KARL has not gotten out of the first round since 2002. 4-24 record


NBA Coaches of the Year

2008 -- Byron Scott, New Orleans
2007 -- Sam Mitc , Toronto
2006 -- Avery Johnson, Dallas
2005 -- Mike D'Antoni, Phoenix
2004 -- Hubie Brown, Memphis
2003 -- Gregg Popovich, San Antonio
2002 -- Rick Carlisle, Detroit
2001 -- Larry Brown, Philadelphia
2000 -- Glenn Rivers, Orlando
1999 -- Mike Dunleavy, Portland
1998 -- Larry Bird, Indiana
1997 -- Pat Riley, Miami
1996 -- Phil Jackson, Chicago
1995 -- Del Harris, L.A. Lakers
1994 -- Lenny Wilkens, Atlanta
1993 -- Pat Riley, New York
1992 -- Don Nelson, Golden State
1991 -- Don Chaney, Houston
1990 -- Pat Riley, L.A. Lakers
1989 -- Cotton Fitzsimmons, Phoenix
1988 -- Doug Moe, Denver
1987 -- Mike Schuler, Portland
1986 -- Mike Fratello, Atlanta
1985 -- Don Nelson, Milwaukee
1984 -- Frank Layden, Utah
1983 -- Don Nelson, Milwaukee
1982 -- Gene Shue, Washington
1981 -- Jack McKinney, Indiana
1980 -- Bill Fitch, Boston
1979 -- Cotton Fitzsimmons, Kansas City
1978 -- Hubie Brown, Atlanta
1977 -- Tom Nissalke, Houston
1976 -- Bill Fitch, Cleveland
1975 -- Phil Johnson, Kansas City-Omaha
1974 -- Ray Scott, Detroit
1973 -- Tom Heinsohn, Boston
1972 -- Bill Sharman, L.A. Lakers
1971 -- Motta, Chicago
1970 -- Red Holzman, New York
1969 -- Gene Shue, Baltimore
1968 -- Richie Guerin, St. Louis
1967 -- Johnny Kerr, Chicago
1966 -- Dolph Schayes, Philadelphia
1965 -- Red Auerbach, Boston
1964 -- Alex Hannum, San Francisco
1963 -- Harry Gallatin, St. Louis

[mojorizen7]

The article I read said that Kerr was going to want D'Antoni to focus more on defense, develop a deeper rotation, and find a backup for Nash, and D'Antoni didn't think that was going to work out.

I'm not sure how Kerr is the bad guy, here. He's simply asking for that we've been saying they need for four years now.

Right on point.

[whottt]

Yeah well if Steve Kerr thinks he is going to turn Steve Nash into a defensive player...he's stupider than I thought. Even Amare is a project.


See that's the thing.....the Suns didn't have the personnel to be a particularly great defensive team anyway. They've got Raja Bell...

D'antoni may not give a damn about defense, it didn't matter.

You can't turn a VW into a tractor...

[Pero]

He was never as good.

You can reference euro games and all that jazz.

NEVER was Beno Udrih as good

You're right. He was better.

[Pero]

I think I remember reading recently that some source said that D'Antoni wanted to trade for Shaq, while Kerr didn't...

[Pero]

2008 -- Byron Scott, New Orleans
2007 -- Sam Mitc , Toronto
2006 -- Avery Johnson, Dallas
2005 -- Mike D'Antoni, Phoenix

I wonder if Mitc will get fired too. That'd be kind of funny, all COY of the previous 3 seasons fired in this one.

[Ocotillo]

Isiah is available......

[CubanMustGo]

Suns lost because they made a conscious decision to rely on old guys:

- Aging Steve Nash
- Old and ever-injured Grant Hill
- Older and ever-lumbering Snaq O'Neal

D'Antoni never ever developed his bench, it's been going on for years, and once again this year it cost them. They've got some talent there if it was ever allowed to develop, and D'Antoni is the man responsible for the everpresent seven-man PHX rotation. Time for a change. At least they're going to allow him to bow out gracefully as opposed to canning his ass (see Cuban, M).

[Rummpd]

Finding someone better? This quy won during the regular season on the backs of great talent that he could not coach to win playoff series. What a joke.

[nkdlunch]

Avery would not make a difference in the Suns. They would need one or 2 players that can play defense. Avery could not make Stoudamire or Nash play defense.

come on...

[Spurminator]

My thoughts on some of the points addressed in this thread:

- I don't see Avery meshing with the personalities in Phoenix. I think it worked when he was coaching a group of hungry young role player-types and a passive superstar, but I can't see Shaq and Amare putting up with his micromanagement for a whole season. Nash would probably cooperate, but even he would have to get annoyed if Avery Johnson insisted on running the offense.

- Mike D'Antoni will not have to take an assistant or scouting position. He's built up enough of a resume in Phoenix that he will always be one of the top candidates for any open head coaching position.