Posted by misterearl:

BlueSeats - it would seem that one of the most critical areas of Mark Jackson's lack of "experience" would be in the area of selecting and managing a staff of assistants. When I look at the Knicks bench now, the assistants look frozen and detached from the players. That could be by design or it could be that most of their teaching is done in practice... ("I'm talkin' bout practice!")

Would Mark Jackson decide to be a hands-on type of coach who is passionately involved in every possession like his college mentor Looie Carnesecca or a more laid back Zen-type like Uncle Phil?

The only experience he may lack is that of a manager but hey, all that matters is can he determine the point he wants to make, deliver that point and make a concise point to the guy playing the point?

Well this speaks exactly to the heart of the matter. Assistant coaches are given responsibilities that test their abilities to create offensive/deffensive schemes as well at to communicate with and influence players. Through these assignments not only do they gain experience in such matters, but the present opportunities to evaluate their areas of strength and weakness so they are known quantities before they begin. Then assistants can be brought in to fill in the gaps. A person with no experience may not understand their ow strengths and weaknesses.

Expecting someone's leadership strength as a player to transcend to coaching is foolish, as rarely do the best players make the best coaches. The stretch from TV color-guy to coach is even greater.

Posted by BlueSeats:

Posted by misterearl:

BlueSeats - it would seem that one of the most critical areas of Mark Jackson's lack of "experience" would be in the area of selecting and managing a staff of assistants. When I look at the Knicks bench now, the assistants look frozen and detached from the players. That could be by design or it could be that most of their teaching is done in practice... ("I'm talkin' bout practice!")

Would Mark Jackson decide to be a hands-on type of coach who is passionately involved in every possession like his college mentor Looie Carnesecca or a more laid back Zen-type like Uncle Phil?

The only experience he may lack is that of a manager but hey, all that matters is can he determine the point he wants to make, deliver that point and make a concise point to the guy playing the point?

Well this speaks exactly to the heart of the matter. Assistant coaches are given responsibilities that test their abilities to create offensive/deffensive schemes as well at to communicate with and influence players. Through these assignments not only do they gain experience in such matters, but the present opportunities to evaluate their areas of strength and weakness so they are known quantities before they begin. Then assistants can be brought in to fill in the gaps. A person with no experience may not understand their ow strengths and weaknesses.

Expecting someone's leadership strength as a player to transcend to coaching is foolish, as rarely do the best players make the best coaches. The stretch from TV color-guy to coach is even greater.

Often referred to as an Apprenticeship.


If we're going to follow Earl's line of thinking let's bring in Dennis Rodman as an assistant big man/rebounding coach.

[Edited by - TrueBlue on 02-12-2008 11:04 AM]

Posted by misterearl:

BlueSeats - you make some excellent points on experience and the criteria for a head coach. My faith is more in Mark Jackson's ability to analyze a situation and make informed choices. First, let's remove Mark Jackson/ the player from the discussion. None of what I have suggested equates his playing ability with his ability to lead assitants or players. However, I would submit that his exposure as a player affords him the perspective of both a winner (St Johns, Knicks) and a loser (Clippers/Knicks pat 2).

He has seen the politic from many angles and I would submit that he has taken notes on what works and what does not where communication is concerned. For that reason his best asset is hie age. Not too old school nor is he a kid.

To isolate his experience as simply a TV color-guy or just a player does the process an injustice. Mark Jackson, a New Yorker, is the sum of his experiences - not simply a person with limited exposure. His demeanor is forceful (Looie) but not heavy handed (Larry Brown).

Mark Jackson would know how to read fatigue in players because he played. THAT is an advantage when it comes to substitutions. That has nothing to do with his playing ability but his exposure to the rigors of travel and practice. (and yes I'm talkin' bout practice)

if you can (grow up) make it here you can make it anywhere

Mark Jackson - until further notice, until someone has a counter proposal/individual who displays the characteristics the Knicks need most, or until you can identify someone with a better Noo Yawk accent.

[Edited by - misterearl on 02-12-2008 12:33 PM]

Posted by misterearl:

BlueSeats - you make some excellent points on experience and the criteria for a head coach. My faith is more in Mark Jackson's ability to analyze a situation and make informed choices. First, let's remove Mark Jackson/ the player from the discussion. None of what I have suggested equates his playing ability with his ability to lead assitants or players. However, I would submit that his exposure as a player affords him the perspective of both a winner (St Johns, Knicks) and a loser (Clippers/Knicks pat 2).

He has seen the politic from many angles and I would submit that he has taken notes on what works and what does not where communication is concerned. For that reason his best asset is hie age. Not too old school nor is he a kid.

To isolate his experience as simply a TV color-guy or just a player does the process an injustice. Mark Jackson, a New Yorker, is the sum of his experiences - not simply a person with limited exposure. His demeanor is forceful (Looie) but not heavy handed (Larry Brown).

Mark Jackson would know how to read fatigue in players because he played. THAT is an advantage when it comes to substitutions. That has nothing to do with his playing ability but his exposure to the rigors of travel and practice. (and yes I'm talkin' bout practice)

if you can (grow up) make it here you can make it anywhere

Mark Jackson - until further notice, until someone has a counter proposal/individual who displays the characteristics the Knicks need most, or until you can identify someone with a better Noo Yawk accent.

[Edited by - misterearl on 02-12-2008 12:33 PM]

Posted by misterearl:

BS - if that's what you want to distill it down to, cool.

what prior experience did Chris Mullin have as a General Manager before GState?

Posted by misterearl:

"I said no, no, no..."

Special Assistant?Spiffy.

Was that during or after his rehab from alcohol abuse?

And I love Chris Mullin. He shoulda played in Da Gahden as a pro.