The Phoenix Suns lost last night vs the mighty Spurs, in a game that ended their season and championship dreams. Immediately following, talks around the league were that Suns head coach, '04-'05 NBA Coach of the Year, Mike D'Antoni would not return to the team next season.
While its all still speculation, if Mike D'Antoni gets run out of Phoenix like reports are saying, wouldn't he be the perfect fit to coach the Warriors? I mean Don Nelson has one year—at most—left coaching the warriors, so why wouldn't we cut ties now while there's a perfect coach for our team out there?
I know D'Antoni never made it deep into the playoffs with the Suns but I don't think it's his fault entirely. Last year they got screwed with the absurd suspensions and this year they ran into Tim Duncan's final second 3 point shot in game one which set the tone for the rest of the series.
I say that if Mike D'Antoni actually gets let go, the Warriors should do everything in their power to not let him get hired for another gig like the NY or Chicago...or else we could be left with one more Don Nelson season and then we're back looking for a new coach and a new identity.
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3 months ago
The Warriors have been grooming Keith Smart to take over for Nellie apparently. If D'Antoni does leave Phoenix as expected, I doubt he'd take a year off. So would the Warriors force Nellie out and bypass Smart to pick up D'Antoni? Doubtful but stranger things have happened...
3 months ago
In my opinion, Warriors need to bring in a coach that can install some stability into those players while they are out there. As fun as they are to watch, if they want to have any playoff success, they need to do something that neither Nelson or D'Antoni teach, Defense. Warriors are young, athletic and have good shooters. Say, someone like Avery Johnson who actually preaches Defense more than anything will be a little better fit if they want to have deep playoffs success. they real question is, by bringing in someone like avery johnson, will they lose more offense fire compared to defensive gain or will it be the other way around?
3 months ago
That's a very interesting point you've brought up Bittu. I think the Warriors can play decent defense and they've even played very good defense at times the last two seasons. But they don't have the discipline to play defense consistently all the time. I don't think a disciplinarian coach is the answer though because Golden State has so many selfish players that they'd rebel.
Johnson has the right mix of fire, inspiration, and defensive principles to perhaps get Golden State to play good defense for longer stretches. Plus, he'd have some credibility so Jackson and Davis would respect him. I can envision Johnson succeeding Nelson in Golden State like he did in Dallas...
As for D'Antoni to Golden State, you already have Nellie Ball working fine. What's the point of having a different version of Nellie Ball? Plus Baron Davis isn't the brilliant passer/decision maker Steve Nash is. Keep Nellie for one more year and find out if the circus can make one more second round appearance.
3 months ago
this is interesting.. I sorta agree though, D'Antoni plays something similar to Nellie Ball so I dont see the Warriors making a big change under him.
And though like you said after another year possibly of Nelson and then being on the hunt for a new identity, theres no guarantee that roster will look anything like it does now by then. Ellis is going to demand a lot of money soon, and it remains to be seen if they can hold onto Ellis, Davis, and Jackson, as well as other nice role players like Biedrins.
3 months ago
Simmons says D'Antoni to Toronto, which makes sense given DA's relationship with Colangelo...
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