Nalod wrote:
Brad Stevens is a great story. What unique qualities does he have to coach the NBA Professional basketball player?The question is can another coach fix this problem as it exists today?
If the roster changes again this summer, does the problem still exist?
Google Brad Stevens and you'll find several articles talking about his coaching philosophy. You'll find that Stevens is one of the most intelligent, well organized and prepared coaches you've ever read about. First its his demeanor. He believers demeanor reflects on his players, and his calm, understated approach reflects a very poised, cohesive and focused team. They execute, don't get into stretches where things keep falling apart and play together. I also think he's one of these unique guys that goes outside the box- I'm a bit of a stat geek myself so I'm biased, but he takes a tremendous amount of time to analyze the statistical trends of his opponents to prepare his team against those opponents tendencies. Read quotes from his players and you'll see that they all feel like the know their opponents in and out before playing him.
But don't just take those qualities at face value- look at the results. He has taken a team that doesn't attract start recruits, from a mid-major conference to the final four 2 consecutive years. He lost the most talented player on his team- an NBA first round draft pick, and was still able to repeat. And this man is just 34 years old. His potential is absolutely through the roof. I truly believe this will be the first and last opportunity that the Knicks will have to hire this coach. He will undoubtedly get offers from top programs this offseason and I'm sure he will get calls from the NBA. He's not gonna take an NBA assistant coaching job because he will get offers to be the head man. This is a calculated gamble- if you think this is a unique talent in the coaching world, and I'm willing to go out on the line and say that I believe that to be case, than you have to hire him now. You can't let the next Wooden, Riley, Jackson etc. out of your grasp.
And let me say this- I'm a fan of Mike D'Antoni. I still think he's one of the best options for the job. But I'm willing to let him go now because we have given him a shot, and what I believe to be the next great coaching talent is potentially available. I don't think this is Cinderella waiting for midnight- this is a prepared coaching natural who will be the next great coach out there. We are already seeing the results and they are phenomenal.