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The Suns asst. coach?!?
Just reported on Sirius NBA radio.
The Suns asst. coach?!?
Great hire for Memphis. Don't understand why Iavaroni didn't wait to try to get the Orlando job or even the Seattle job. He'll be challenged being in one of the best, if not the best, conferences in the NBA
http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/...562095,00.html
Griz hire Iavaroni as coach; press conference Thursday
By Ronald Tillery
Contact
May 30, 2007
A week after failing to win the NBA draft lottery, the Grizzlies made their first major acquisition of the offseason.
The team hired Marc Iavaroni as its head coach, according to an NBA source familiar with the negotiations. Iavaroni, an integral part of the Phoenix Suns' coaching staff the past several seasons, received a three-year contract to help reshape the Grizzlies after they failed to reach the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.
The team has scheduled a press conference for Thursday at 2 p.m. at FedExForum to make a "major announcement."
Memphis finished with the league's worst record (22-60) but will pick fourth in the June 28 draft despite owning the best odds of selecting first or second.
A person with knowledge of the coaching search said that while Iavaroni was among the leading candidates Larry Brown stood a great chance of becoming the Grizzlies' coach had they secured one of the top two picks.
The Griz, though, didn't just settle.
Iavaroni is considered one of the better creative minds working through the assistant coaching ranks. He has served as lead assistant for the past 3 1/2 seasons of his five-year stint with the Suns, who have led the league in scoring since 2004-05.
His background also indicates that he'll demand solid defense, having worked under former Griz coach Mike Fratello and Miami's Pat Riley in his career.
Iavaroni is also seen as someone who can nurture the skills of budding big man such as Pau Gasol. Iavaroni is credited with playing a major part in the development of center Amaré Stoudemire.
Iavaroni also played in the NBA for seven seasons. He was a starter as a rookie on the 1983 World Champion Philadelphia 76ers.
Considering there are only 2 conferences, it is safe to say he will be in one of the best.
BTW, get ready for another lottery year Mem.
Iavaroni would have been better off waiting on Orlando. The Grizz are not going anywhere in the top heavy Western conference. At least Orlando is in the East which is up for grabs since no team right now in that conference is overly dominant.
Memphis won 50 games the year before last, Gasol's injury made them the pile of they were this last year. They added gay and he got experience, they have a high pick this year, they could win 50 games again and get in the playoffs
Yeah but I can't see them winning a series. They are 0-12 in the playoffs the last 3 years. First they have to win a game in a series before they can even think of doing anything beyond that.
0-4 vs Spurs
0-4 vs Suns
0-4 vs Mavericks
Dammit I wanted him as our coachCome on Petrie!
we already have a coach..... his name is terry porter
Wait and see ... the Suns will not be a factor without Iavaroni next season.
I'd say that the eastern conference is somewhere in the top two.
EDIT: Whoops. Assman beat me to it by hours.
my fault ... meant divisions ... d'oh
PJ doesn't get this offseason. Book it.
I thought you wanted Elie, make up your mind.
Hopefully Iavaroni will do one thing that D'Antoni didn't: get an assistant who keeps his players from leaving the bench.
If not, they can always invest in one of these for the bench area.
Glad to have back, Obiwan.
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