http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/3764394
Contrary to popular belief, NBA coaches are miles ahead of their undergraduate brethren.
The huge difference in the level of talent alone creates unique complications and possibilities: The playbook of the average NBA team is at least five times thicker.NBA scouting reports and game videos also breed unparalleled familiarity. NBA players often remain with the same team longer than do college players. There's less practice time in the pros. More traveling. Better officiating. Fewer patsies on the schedule. Much more money (most of it guaranteed). More publicity.
The wonderful world of the NBA also has its share of knuckleheads, criminals and narcissists. To be a successful NBA coach is an incredible accomplishment, while most NBA coaches could probably coach college games from a rocking chair.
Aside from an abiding technical knowledge of the game, the superior NBA coach must be able to communicate with his players without creating undue stress. If he never lies to them (because players always know when their coach is fibbing, and vice versa), he must be able to deliver only as much of the truth as is useful. He must respect his players and be respected by them. He must understand that fans pay to see players play, not coaches coach. And he must push himself harder than his hardest-working player.
Good coaches can make a difference and so can bad coaches. But even the best coaches can be stymied by having inferior players. Despite that fact, the good coaches tend to get the best jobs, and bad coaches usually wind up with the worst jobs. So the following ratings are not totally dependent on playoff appearances or championships won.
No. 1 — PHIL JACKSON
One of the most difficult tasks for any coach is to win when he's supposed to win. There is minimal pressure on coaches of sad-sack and mediocre teams to win championships, but woe to the favorite who flops before the finish line.
Why?
Outstanding teams generally feature players who possess the most colossal egos because even the league's lowliest teams get up to play an elite opponent. And because players with talent to spare often tend to play light-switch basketball — thinking they can cruise through major portions of a game and then turn on their star-power in the end.
Phil Jackson has surmounted these front-running difficulties at least nine times. But to say that he won only because he had the likes of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Shaq and Kobe is far from the truth. The telling statistic here is that Shaq and MJ had each been ring-less in the league for six years prior to PJ coming to town. In truth, Jackson is the best closer ever — the Mariano Rivera of the NBA.
He succeeds because his system, the triangle, is flawless when the players are in synch. And because he can convince the vast majority of his players that the personal sacrifices necessary for the triangle to succeed will benefit everyone. The only players who have resisted Jackson's geometric arguments have been Kobe Bryant and Glen Rice.
But there's much more than Xs and Os involved in Jackson's stunning successes. He also realizes that the coach is essentially an outsider, a civilian who comes to games dressed in a jacket and necktie. That's why discipline and motivation must ultimately be generated by the players themselves. And that's Jackson's game plan — to create an environment where the players can form and police their own community.
And that's why critics who say that Jackson is a do-nothing coach can't tell a speed cut from pinch-post.
No. 2 — RED AUERBACH
Red Auerbach owed much of the credit for his coaching achievements to the ministrations of Red Auerbach in his other guise as the Celtic in charge of basketball operations. Indeed, it was Auerbach's trading of Cliff Hagen and Ed Macauley for Bill Russell in 1956 that ignited the Celtics' unsurpassable mastery of the NBA — 11 championships in the next 13 seasons. Auerbach was also the prime mover in the Celtics' trading Joe Barry Carroll for Robert Parish, in drafting John Havlicek and Kevin McHale and in picking Larry Bird when he was draft-eligible after his junior year at Indiana State.
Motivating players was much easier in Auerbach's Boston tenure (1950-1966) only because if they missed out on playoff dividends, players had to find tiresome summer employment. Even so, he was always concerned with team chemistry, and Auerbach always did a masterful job of finding the perfect player to fit whatever role the Celtics required to maintain their dynasty.
His Redness also made it quite clear exactly what each player was supposed to accomplish. From setting picks, filling fast break lanes, playing rugged defense, rebounding, passing, delivering sternum smashes to being in the right place at the right time. Every aspect of the game had its designated prac ioner.
But Auerbach's genius emerged totally after stealing Russell from the St. Louis Hawks: The 24-second shot clock was installed for the 1954-55 season, but none of the contemporary coaches knew what adjustments should be made. For the most part, the procedure was to run the same offenses (and defenses) that preceded the clock, and some players would hurry up and launch shots whenever the clock was set to detonate.
Auerbach, however, ins uted the modern game — on defense, that meant funneling the ball into Russell, then turning the resultant blocked shots, steals and rebounds into up-tempo offense.
Sure, Auerbach was obnoxious, with his victory cigars, incessant baiting of the refs and clogged toilets in the visitors' locker rooms prearranged to annoy and distract opponents. But he created advantages out of nothing.
There'll never be another coach quite like Auerbach.
No. 3 — RED HOLZMAN
Red Holzman practiced what he preached — teamwork, trust, the ac ulation of details and resourcefulness in the clutch. Even when the Knicks' game plan was to always hit the open man, Holzman was forever undercover. He never said anything meaningful to create any kind of ruckus in the media. He took no credit, but assumed all the blame
Holzman's Knicks played ferocious defense, frequently played topsy-turvy basketball (posting the guards, Walt Frazier and Earl Monroe, while Dave DeBusschere and Jerry Lucas fired away from the next time zone), led the league in three-quarter-court presses and pioneered the utilization of a pressing-trapping second unit. Holzman also believed that role players were extremely valuable. He went so far as to use Mike Riordan as the team's designated fouler.
During timeouts, Holzman routinely asked his players what was going on out there and what plays they thought would be appropriate. However, only the Knicks' veterans dared to voice their opinions. Holzman never did trust rookies.
A master psychologist, Holzman also knew when to kick a butt and when to pat a back. He was a wizened, shabbily-dressed and vastly underrated genius who shunned the spotlight. In his own quiet and self-deprecating fashion, Holzman inspired the unbridled respect of his peers and the run-through-a-wall loyalty of his players.
No. 4 — PAT RILEY
In addition to being one of the most successful coaches in NBA history, Pat Riley was also one of the most flexible. His teams were always immaculately prepared for every ball game, and in Los Angeles, he just wound his guys up and let them go. His strategies never got in the way of the likes of Magic, Kareem, Big Game James and Silk. But the Showtime Lakers' early offense was the most intricate and explosive in the league.
Despite that fact, Riley's colossal ego insisted on taking more credit for the Lakers' perpetual successes than the players were willing to yield. The result was an exit stage left for Mister Hollywood Slick.
When he moved on to New York, Riley changed his game plan and the Knicks were fashioned in the image of the Detroit Bad Boys. Smash-mouth defense. Hard fouls delivered early, late and always. Mayhem in the paint. And a tongue-lashing and $2,000 fine for any Knick who lent a hand to help a fallen foe to his feet!
Riley likewise changed his look in the Big Apple, filling his closets with Armani suits, and he was more dapper and sophisticated than thou.
In Miami, Riley inherited a ball club that couldn't score with a pencil. So he slowed the game down to a painful crawl, had his players assault both backboards and play vicious defense. The rumor out of Miami is that Riley has also taken to wearing plaid Bermuda shorts, calf-high support-hose and frequenting only those restaurants that offer early-bird specials.
No. 5 — LENNY WILKENS
Lenny Wilkens coached the way he played — suave, dignified and as effective as a silent stiletto. In his hey day with Seattle and Cleveland, Wilkens' offenses were things of beauty. The spacing discouraged double-teams. The off-the-ball movement was crisp and productive. His players' talents were maximized and their deficiencies were minimized. But Lenny's strategies required a certain degree of sophistication from his players. That's why green-horns were always glued to the bench. But as the league became younger it seemed the players' basketball IQs weren't up to par. Wilkens struggled to maintain the required level of necessary communication. The very last resort in his wonderfully orchestrated offenses was usually some kind of screen-and-roll. In Atlanta, however, his young charges habitually went to the S/R as their first option.
From that point on, Wilkens was mostly reduced to being a relic of the NBA's glory days. In Toronto, he tried motivating his players by using Bob Pet as an example of toughness and grit. But some Raptors may not have even known who Wilkens was talking about. The only "Pet te" many of them had probably ever heard of pitched for the New York Yankees. By the time Wilkens arrived in New York, he'd totally lost his edge.
Ah, but in the blessed springtime of his coaching career, Lenny Wilkens was the cream of the crop.
No. 6 — GREGG POPOVICH
Tough love is Pop's modus operandi. Not to mention recognizing and nurturing talent that fits his system. Planning for the future. Making uncanny between and in-game adjustments. Walking the fine line between being passionately involved in the action and maintaining an objective distance. And never getting trumped in game-time matchups.
Nor does Popovich suffer fools gladly. Yes, he can be patient with young bucks like Tony Parker, but an overly prolonged apprenticeship results in bench-time and face-to-face scoldings.
His teams showcase the quickest defensive rotations in recent memory, along with the ability to play any kind of tempo. Moreover, his players hang on his every word and are always willing to go to war for him.
That's because honesty is Popovich's only policy.
No. 7 — BILL SHARMAN
Bill Sharman's influence is still felt in the NBA. His development of the game-day shoot around was directly responsible for improving the overall quality of play. By having to get out of bed, running up and down the court to work up a light sweat and be able to walk through the scouting report for the upcoming opponent, players have generally been more focused, alert and more familiar with the hows and whys of their next matchup. Also, by making gross adjustments during the shoot around, coaches were able to make much more subtle adjustments during the subsequent game.
Besides this radical innovation, Sharman forced his players to pay meticulous attention to every detail, every play and every possibility. He led the decidedly mediocre San Francisco Warriors into the finals in 1967, then did a masterful job with the 1971-72 L.A. Lakers — a team whose most recent coach (Joe Mullany) had been dismissed as being old and selfish.
Sharman, however, forced Elgin Baylor into retirement and convinced the rest of the over-the-hill-gang to run all season long. The Lakers proceeded to run their way to a record 33-game win streak and a championship.
Sharman's prowess as a master psychologist was demonstrated by his being able to somehow convince the 35-year-old Wilt Chamberlain to play like Bill Russell.
No. 8 — JACK RAMSAY
Dr. Jack's 1976-77 Portland Trail Blazers were perhaps the most disciplined NBA team ever. Bill Walton, Maurice Lucas, Lionel Hollins, Bobby Gross, Larry Steele, Dave Twardzik, Herm Gilliam, Johnny Davis and Lloyd Neal teamed up like they'd been playing together all their lives. Every move was perfectly choreographed by Ramsay. Every player was eager to sublimate his own personal glory for the good of the team.
Throughout his coaching career, Ramsay was always able to get the best out of his players. And he proved again and again that the whole is more than the sum of its parts.
No. 9 — ALEX HANNUM
During his nine-year playing career, Hannum was a tough guy. He valued setting devastating screens more than he valued scoring points. Defense was more important than offense. And all-out hustle was the norm.
The teams he coached — St. Louis, Syracuse, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and San Diego — were fashioned in his image. His championship 1966-67 Sixers were arguably the best of all time, but they were certainly the most powerful: Wilt in his prime, Lucious Jackson, Chet Walker, Dave Gambee. They made every foul a painful experience, loosened opponents' dental filings with their hearty screens, and savagely attacked the basket.
It was Hannum's killer-eyed toughness that settled Chamberlain — by shoving Wilt into a locker and threatening to kick his butt unless he played the game according to Hannum's dictates. Forget about Hannum's successful seasons, any coach who could back down the Biggest Dipper deserves to be ranked among the elite.
No. 10 — LARRY BROWN
Larry "Get Out of Town" Brown is the Billy Martin of NBA coaches. A quick fix whose incessant yipping, nagging, hogging of the spotlight and yearning to venture into greener pastures sooner rather than later manages to alienate his players.
There's no questioning Brown's ability to rev up a team and to devise a game plan that perfectly fits his personnel. But his I-won-they-lost at ude also undercuts his relationships with his players. On the technical side of the game, Brown tends to be so stubborn as to make poor game-to-game adjustments in playoff situations.
He wonders why no one ever believes his latest pronouncements about his intentions. Larry, it's because you've told too many lies for too many years.
Still, if he's here today and gone tomorrow, while he's in town, Larry Brown always makes a difference.
On the cusp:
Motta
Chuck Daley
Gene Shue
Charley Rosen, former CBA coach, author of 12 books about hoops, the current one being A pivotal season — How the 1971-72 L.A. Lakers changed the NBA, is a frequent contributor to FOXSports.com.
Pop's teams rarely if ever have been as versatile as this one, able to play any style. But the point is there and it's great (and proper) to see Pop gain his respect. Is there any doubt Popovich could continue doing well after Duncan retires (if not quite at this level)?
Surprise Surprise, Rosen picked Jackson.
Lenny Wilkens is good, but #5? Chuck Daly out of the top ten? Come on!
Lenny Wilkens? Rudy T and Chuck D were easily better than Wilkens.
If he picks Wilkens for longetivity he should pick Bill Fitch.
Pop's got the system and the talent in place. He should be able to establish a great legacy over the course of the next five seasons.
Doesnt Lenny Wilkins have the most wins off all time, along with the most losses
A few days ago someone posted the top players picked by Rosen...he got for it.
let's see what happens here...
I'm sorry but give me kobe and shaq or scottie and mj and I'll look like a damn genious too. To me a great coach is one that takes good or mediocre talent and makes them great. Guys like brown, pop, carlisle, musselman, and last year skiles did the same with the bulls.
The list should be the luckiest coaches in all sports of all time in which phillip gets that award.
Just further proof about what has been speculated, that Rosen is a Phil Jackson (and therefore, Phil Jackson players) fan... biased!!
Yeah, it has been well known for years that Rosen is Phil Jackson's mouthpiece (or used to be).
AHF..
I guess I'm not the only one who thinks Pop is a better coach than Larry.
I remember calling into the Charlie Parker show six years ago and complaining about him and his 7-9 Spurs, who would eventually win the franchise's first championship that year. Shows how much I know!
I can't believe Phil Jackson made the list at all, much less being #1.
Charlie Rosen is clearly in man-love with Bill Sharman.
First he ranked him #2 all-time shooting guard, and now he's the #7 all-time coach.
I bet he wouldn't make the top 15 coaches of 95% of people.
This should be a good year as a test of Jackson's talent. If h can get the Lakers into the second round he's a great coach. If he gets them into the playoffs he's doing what any good coach could do. If he misses the playoffs, apart form significant injuries, then you cn make a case he coattailed on talent.
Rosen should reveal that he has authored books with Jackson.
Rosen loves to suck some Jackson ass. Didn't like the rankings of the top 5, but love what he said about pop. Pop should be ahead of Wilkins. Wilkins last two coaching jobs have left a bad taste in my mouth.
This list sucks, as did his all-time centers list. So he gives Pop some props . . . that's nice, but even a broken clock is right twice a day. The guy is a certified moron.
Wasn't this the guy that ripped Ginobili's defense??? And defiantly blasted Dr. Peter Rumm's article....
He's full of Baloney...
Edit: (Not to say I agree or disagree with Pop's inclusion to this list... I just believe his other lists are suspect)
Last edited by hegamboa; 07-23-2005 at 10:56 PM.
what a joke
charlie rosen is a hack
no mike d antoni?hehe
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