Posted by OldFan:



The only thing we know about Lenny is he didn't succeed. It's fun to second guess him but in reality we know very little about the situation or how he does his job 95% of the time. Most is done outside of the games and even during the games you don't know what is being said.

I like to judge talent just like the next fan - but if you really think you know more about judging talent, coaching or GMing that someone who does it for a living your delusional. Could someone who watched you do your job 5% of the time and read 2nd and 3rd hand reports about how you do it really judge your performance? Do you think they could do it better then you?

I have fun making believe I know more about hoop then a guy who succeeded at every level of the game and is in the hall of fame as both a coach and a player - but I don't believe it.

I get a kick out of reading these boards and occassionally posting but... In defense of Lenny and every other coach we berate. There is something else we know about them:

They have been much more successful in basketball then any of us and in most cases I would venture they've been more successful in their professions then we have in ours.

Posted by OldFan:



The only thing we know about Lenny is he didn't succeed. It's fun to second guess him but in reality we know very little about the situation or how he does his job 95% of the time. Most is done outside of the games and even during the games you don't know what is being said.

I like to judge talent just like the next fan - but if you really think you know more about judging talent, coaching or GMing that someone who does it for a living your delusional. Could someone who watched you do your job 5% of the time and read 2nd and 3rd hand reports about how you do it really judge your performance? Do you think they could do it better then you?

I have fun making believe I know more about hoop then a guy who succeeded at every level of the game and is in the hall of fame as both a coach and a player - but I don't believe it.

I get a kick out of reading these boards and occassionally posting but... In defense of Lenny and every other coach we berate. There is something else we know about them:

They have been much more successful in basketball then any of us and in most cases I would venture they've been more successful in their professions then we have in ours.

I can't help but agree with your take on this. I still think we needed another coach, but it probably shouldn't be me though.

He has seen it all and done it all at the highest levels and you gotta respect that, but I honestly think he was on the decline in the tail end of his coaching career. We may never know the full truth though. I respect the hell out of him for what he accomplished. I just wish he could have been successful here.

[Edited by - Killa4luv on 01/22/2005 11:52:13]

Posted by Marv:

Interesting thoughts. Of course you're right that there's always a lot more going on behind the scenes than what the average fan is privvy to, and a lot of our postings are out of perspective and not necessarily rational. At the same time i think that the whole reason professional sports even exists is to fuel peoples' emotions. It's vicarious warfare. Us versus them. One side stands victorious - the other vanquished. That's why we pour millions and millions of dollars, manhours and emotional capital into this otherwise meaningless venture. We identify with these warriors out there representing us and it STIRS US THE HELL UP . It feels good to be that aroused before and during a game. It's a tremendous endorphin rush. And it's a total high when we win and a crashing low when we lose. Afterwards we try to ratonalize our extreme reactions with "insights" about the team. Of course they're going to illogical, flawed, out of perspective. We're human beings after all and this is an irrational emotional exercise in passion, not some cold calculation of facts and figures.

Now regarding Lenny - yoiu're an old fan, I'm an old fan. I grew up in Providence and Lenny was a GOD during his days at PC. He is a smart, classy, talented scrappy guy. Not only was he a great great NBA point guard but he was also made player-coach at an insanely early age - I think he was in his 20's. But to me the facts are these - we all get old and sometimes our strengths don't translate so well anymore to a changed world. I believe that's what happend with Lenny. Of course I don't "know" that - but it's what I believe. I think there was evidence of that in Toronto and I believe there's been more evidence in NY. When a team's not playing well you have to be able to make marks on the ways they're operating to turn them around - Lenny didn't.

Btw when Lenny was named coach of the Knicks i thought the scene that took place at the press conference was one of the greatest I've ever seen in sports. Now granted I'm a somewhat sentimental guy so this kind of mush appeals to me, but when Marbury snuck onto the stage to hug Lenny and talk about what a hero he had always been to him, and Lenny was so surprised and just beaming, man what more could you ask for.

Anyway, good luck Lenny. IMO you didn't do a good job with the Knicks and it is time to put your coaching career to rest, but you're a great guy with tons of talents and I'm sure you have lots of good times ahead.

Posted by Nalod:


I wish I saved my old bong, and could light it up and read your comment. Its sooo full of truth!