2010-2011 NBA Preview: Power Ranking the Head Coaches for All 30 Teams
Being an NBA head coach has got to be one of the most difficult jobs in professional sports. Imagine trying to tell 10-15 guys, who make millions of dollars a year and have been told they're the best since high school or earlier, what to do.
Imagine trying to coach someone like Kobe Bryant or LeBron James. How do you get the attention of some of the biggest prima donnas in sports?
What's more, as an NBA coach you always have to be worried about job security. Owners don't cut these guys much slack. If they're not successful right away, they're usually sent packing.
This year, some of the best teams will be led by some of the best coaches. Here is the ranking of all 30 coaches heading into this year.
30: Keith Smart, Golden State Warriors
1 of 30
Career Record: 9-31, zero titles
Keith Smart has the daunting task of changing the no-structure culture that Don Nelson installed in Golden State.
He's advertised as a defensive specialist, and that is what the Warriors need most. I have a hard time imagining anyone in this organization even uttering the word defense in the last few years.
He does have some serious offensive talent to work with though. Stephen Curry is going to be one of the best point guards in the league in a couple years. Monta Ellis can score with just about anyone, and David Lee gives Golden State the low-post scorer this team has lacked for years.
Smart has displayed a little magic in his life, which is exactly what it may take to get this team to the playoffs.
2010-2011 Outlook
Best Case: 40-45 wins, lose in first round of playoffs
Worst Case: 30-35 wins, miss playoffs
29: Kurt Rambis, Minnesota Timberwolves
2 of 30
Career Record: 39-80, zero titles
Kurt Rambis looked very silly for not starting Kevin Love last year. It's even worse when you consider that he started Darko Milicic in 18 of the 24 games he played for Minnesota. Milicic is just plain bad, and one of the worst draft picks in recent memory.
How could an NBA head coach start Darko Milicic over Kevin Love? Perhaps his woefully inept general manager, David Kahn, is twisting his arm because for some odd reason he thinks Milicic can play.
As bad a situation as there is in Minnesota, they did slightly upgrade this offseason by adding Luke Ridnour, Martell Webster, and Michael Beasley.
If Rambis can foster all this young talent and help them mature quickly, they should be quite a bit better than last year. If he can't, this season could be as disastrous as the last.
2010-11 Outlook
Best Case: 30-35 wins, miss playoffs
Worst Case: 15-20 wins, miss playoffs
28: Monty Williams, New Orleans Hornets
3 of 30
Career Record: n/a
Monty Williams is walking into a very interesting situation for his first head coaching gig in the NBA. A few months ago, it was reported that Chris Paul was unhappy in New Orleans and wanted to move on.
After Williams and general manager Dell Demps met with Paul, the rumors died down. Even so, if the Hornets start losing, those rumors will be back in a flash.
The team has a fairly solid roster, and it's not at all unreasonable to think they may be back in the playoffs this year.
Aside from Paul and David West, their lineup with Marcus Thornton, Trevor Ariza, and Emeka Okafor is arguably better than the lineup they had last time they were in the playoffs with Morris Peterson, Peja Stojakovic, and Tyson Chandler.
If Williams can keep Chris Paul happy, and integrate all the new bees in the Hornets' hive, they could win the Southwest Division. If not, his first season could be disastrous.
2010-2011 Outlook
Best Case: 50-55 wins, lose in conference semifinals
Worst Case: 30-35 wins, miss playoffs
27: Larry Drew, Atlanta Hawks
4 of 30
Career Record: n/a
The Atlanta Hawks have improved their record in each of the last five seasons. That trend will likely come to a halt this year.
Improving upon 53 wins would be tough for just about any team, but the Hawks have a couple of extra things working against them.
Larry Drew has to integrate himself into a situation that has been in place for years. These players have been together for a few seasons and won't be eager for any kind of fresh start. Plus, competing in the Southeast division this year against Orlando and Miami will be brutal.
2010-2011 Outlook
Best Case: 45-50 wins, lose in conference semifinals
Worst Case: 40-45 wins, lose in first round
26: John Kuester, Detroit Pistons
5 of 30
Career Record: 27-55, zero titles
Since trading away Chauncey Billups, the Pistons have been pitiful. John Kuester is not helping the situation.
It's time to give up the grind it out style that made Detroit successful when Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, and Ben Wallace were five years younger, and the Pistons had Billups and Rasheed Wallace.
With guys like Rodney Stuckey, Ben Gordon, Austin Daye, and now Greg Monroe, Detroit needs to pick up the pace.
Either way, this ship likely won't get turned around until Hamilton and Prince's contracts come off the books. This team needs a fresh start.
2010-2011 Outlook
Best Case: 35-40 wins, lose in first round
Worst Case: 20-25 wins, miss playoffs
25: Jay Triano, Toronto Raptors
6 of 30
Career Record: 65-82, zero titles
The Raptors will miss Chris Bosh, but they'll fill the void he left behind much quicker than the Cavs, who need to replace LeBron. In fact, I don't expect the Raptors to be much worse than they were last year when Bosh quit on them (at least general manager Bryan Colangelo said he quit).
Andrea Bargnani will continue to improve and become the Raptors' star. He, along with new additions Leandro Barbosa and Linas Kleiza, will have to replace Bosh's scoring void.
Triano really should've been able to get this team to the playoffs last year. They had Chris Bosh, who was fourth in the league in Player Efficiency Rating, as their leader. They also had Bargnani, Hedo Turkoglu, and a solid distributor in Jose Calderon.
Triano just couldn't find a way to get these guys to bring it every night. We'll see if he can do it this year.
2010-2011 Outlook
Best Case: 40-45 wins, lose in first round
Worst Case: 25-30 wins, miss playoffs
24: Lionel Hollins, Memphis Grizzlies
7 of 30
Career Record: 71-114, zero titles
Hollins has coached the Grizzlies in Vancouver and Memphis, with a five-year break in between.
His team looked good in stretches last season, and even found themselves in the playoff hunt for a couple weeks.
He has one of the most promising, young rosters in the NBA with three budding superstars in O.J. Mayo, Rudy Gay, and Marc Gasol; one established star in Zach Randolph; and decent role players in Mike Conley, Tony Allen, and Darrell Arthur.
This season may be Hollins' last chance to get this team into the playoffs. If he doesn't, he might want to get his references in order.
2010-2011 Outlook
Best Case: 45-50 wins, lose in first round
Worst Case: 30-35 wins, miss playoffs
23: Alvin Gentry, Phoenix Suns
8 of 30
Career Record: 249-267
What would happen if we didn't count the games in which Gentry had Steve Nash on his team? His record would be 177-226.
All Alvin Gentry really has to do is let Steve Nash run the offense, and occasionally yell at everyone else to play defense.
I expect the Suns to be solid, even after the departure of Amar'e Stoudemire, and Gentry won't have to do much to ensure it.
2010-2011 Outlook
Best Case: 50-55 wins, lose in conference finals
Worst Case: 40-45 wins, miss playoffs
22: Jim O'Brien, Indiana Pacers
9 of 30
Career Record: 286-300, zero titles
It is kind of difficult to believe that Jim O'Brien is still employed by the Indiana Pacers. He has not led this team to more than 36 wins in a season in the three years he's been there.
There is some decent talent in Indiana. They have one of the best wings in the NBA in Danny Granger and solid role players around him.
If he can't get these guys to perform this year, he'll likely be on his way out.
2010-2011 Outlook
Best Case: 40-45 wins, lose in first round
Worst Case: 25-30 wins, miss playoffs
21: Vinny Del Negro, Los Angeles Clippers
10 of 30
Career Record: 82-82, zero titles
Del Negro did an admirable job of lifting the Bulls to the peak of mediocrity in his two seasons there. He was constantly at odds with players and management alike, and his team underachieved on the floor.
Leave it to the Clippers to jump on this guy immediately after he got canned. There is some talent on this team, but I don't see Del Negro maximizing it.
2010-2011 Outlook
Best Case: 35-40 wins, miss playoffs
Worst Case: 25-30 wins, miss playoffs
20: Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat
11 of 30
Career Record: 90-74, zero titles
Spoelstra is under an immense amount of pressure this year. It will either make or break him.
In the past two seasons, all he's really had to do is sit back and watch his star take over. While my first instincts tell me that's all he'll have to do this year as well, I don't think that's true.
He has to find a way to create harmony and balance among the new big three. Otherwise, Wade will take over when LeBron wants to, or vice versa.
If the Heat aren't extremely successful right off the bat, no one will be surprised if Pat Riley supplants Spoelstra midseason.
But honestly, who am I kidding? Spoelstra could go all year without saying a word and the Heat will still win 60 games. I doubt he'll do much to affect the team either way.
2010-2011 Outlook
Best Case: 65-70 wins, NBA Champions
Worst Case: 60-65 wins, lose in conference finals
19: Byron Scott, Cleveland Cavaliers
12 of 30
Career Record: 352-355, zero titles
Scott's coaching career has been something of a roller coaster ride. He took the Nets to back-to-back finals appearances in '02 and '03 and had a great '07-'08 season in New Orleans.
Outside of those three years, it's been pretty rough for Scott. In fact, take out those three seasons where his teams were led more by his superstar point guards Jason Kidd and Chris Paul than by him, and what is his record? 195-266.
It will be very interesting to see how he does with a shoot-first point guard in Mo Williams, leading the team facing more turmoil than probably any other in the league.
2010-2011 Outlook
Best Case: 35-40 wins, lose in first round (against the Heat)
Worst Case: 20-25 wins, miss playoofs
18: Tom Thibodeau, Chicago Bulls
13 of 30
Career Record: n/a
Thibodeau has been regarded as one of the best assistant coaches in the NBA over the last few seasons. He has been the architect of Boston's stellar defense over the last few years and now he has his first shot at being the head coach with the Chicago Bulls.
He is taking over a team with a lot of good players and many people are predicting that the Bulls will crack the top four in the Eastern Conference this year.
If he can instill the same defensive mindset in players like Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer that he instilled in the big three in Boston, this team will be very successful.
2010-2011 Outlook
Best Case: 50-55 wins, lose in conference finals
Worst Case: 40-45 wins, lose in first round
17: Doug Collins, Philadelphia 76ers
14 of 30
Career Record: 332-287. Zero titles
After several years of watching the game with a headset, Collins may be known more as an NBA analyst than a head coach. Now, he's back on the bench.
Collins was moderately successful early in his coaching career with Chicago in the late '80s and Detroit in the mid '90s.
However, his last coaching stint in Washington wasn't good, and he's never had much success in the playoffs.
He has his work cut out for him in Philadelphia. The team didn't really upgrade at all this offseason. Their biggest acquisition was Evan Turner, who I feel is one of the most overrated prospects this year.
2010-2011 Outlook
Best Case: 40-45 wins, lose in first round
Worst Case: 25-30 wins, miss playoffs
16: Paul Westphal, Sacramento Kings
15 of 30
Career Record: 292-216, zero titles
Paul Westphal had a great deal of success with the Phoenix Suns in the early '90s. He even took them to the Finals in '93, when they were bested by Michael Jordan and the Bulls.
After a brief stint in Seattle, Westphal was out of the NBA for several seasons. The Kings hired him last year after a nine-year hiatus.
His team didn't perform any worse or better than expected last season.
He has some good, young talent to work with this year. If management allows him to stick around for the maturation process of these players, he could have a great team in a few years.
2010-2011 Outlook
Best Case: 35-40 wins, miss playoffs
Worst Case: 25-30 wins, miss playoffs
15: Mike D'Antoni, New York Knicks
16 of 30
Career Record: 328-275, zero titles
After letting Steve Nash loose, D'Antoni enjoyed a great deal of success in Phoenix. He was the first person to expose Nash's entire skill set to the world. He created one of the best offensive systems in recent history, and he maximized the talent that was available to him.
Talent is exactly what he hasn't had much of since becoming New York's head coach. This year, the Knicks have added a lot of new players, and if D'Antoni can't turn things around this year he may be on his way out.
The offense won't run as smoothly as it did in Phoenix, but this roster will be much more capable than any New York has had in years.
2010-2011 Outlook
Best Case: 45-50 wins, lose in conference semifinals
Worst Case: 30-35 wins, miss playoffs
14: Flip Saunders, Washington Wizards
17 of 30
Career Record: 613-452, zero titles
Saunders had a lot of regular season success in Minnesota and Detroit. He led both those teams to the playoffs several times, but posted a mediocre playoff win percentage of .480.
He had fantastic lineups, but was unable to ever break into the Finals.
In his first season in Washington, he had to deal with lots of turmoil. The Gilbert Arenas fiasco led to Washington entering full rebuilding mode.
This year, there is some excitement for the Wizards because of rookie John Wall. Saunders must be excited to coach this young player.
He's already employed a very unconventional strategy throughout the preseason: starting John Wall alongside two other point guards in Gilbert Arenas and Kirk Hinrich.
It will be interesting to see how everything plays out.
2010-2011 Outlook
Best Case: 40-45 wins, lose in first round
Worst Case: 25-30 wins, miss playoffs
13: Rick Carlisle, Dallas Mavericks
18 of 30
Career Record: 386-270, zero titles
Carlisle has the same issue as Flip Saunders; great in the regular season, not as great in the postseason. He's had 50-win seasons with three different teams, including two with Detroit and two with Dallas, but he's 37-41 in the playoffs.
Expectations are high in Dallas, and Carlisle needs to start winning some playoff series to solidify his job security.
Point guards are supposed to be an extension of the coach on the court, and Carlisle has a great one in Dallas veteran Jason Kidd.
The Mavericks should win 50 games again and finish second in the West.
2010-2011 Outlook
Best Case: 55-60 wins, lose in conference finals
Worst Case: 45-50 wins, lose in first round
12: Scott Brooks, Oklahoma City Thunder
19 of 30
Career Record: 72-79, 0 titles
Brooks orchestrated a huge turnaround for Oklahoma City this past season. It went from 23 wins in '08-'09 season to 50 wins last year. Brooks was installed in 2008 after P.J. Carlesimo started the season 1-12.
He's been able to motivate a very inexperienced team to play together on offense and defense. They play with a great energy and passion that reflects their coach.
This team is so young, and all the players still have a lot to learn. Brooks appears to be willing and able to help this unit develop into a perennial Western Conference powerhouse.
2010-2011 Outlook
Best Case: 50-55 wins, lose in conference finals
Worst Case: 45-50 wins, lose in first round
11: Nate McMillan, Portland Trail Blazers
20 of 30
Career Record: 410-395, zero titles
McMillan has done a fantastic job of molding the "Jail Blazers" back into the Trail Blazers. This team was in a dark place when McMillan took over, and now they're considered to be one of the only Western Conference teams that may be able to compete with the Lakers. That is, assuming they stay healthy.
Health has been a major issue for this team over the last couple years. Even with several players (including Brandon Roy) out for extended stretches, McMillan still led Portland to 50 wins.
He has this team motivated to play great defense, and if they stay healthy, they have the size and skill to contend for a Western Conference title this year.
2010-2011 Outlook
Best Case: 55-60 wins, lose in conference finals
Worst Case: 45-50 wins, lose in first round
10: Scott Skiles, Milwaukee Bucks
21 of 30
Career Record: 361-335, zero titles
Over and over again, Scott Skiles has helped teams with mediocre talent overachieve. He is one of the most underrated head coaches in basketball.
He led the Phoenix Suns to the playoffs with an aging and broken down Anfernee Hardaway, a young Shawn Marion, and Jason Kidd.
He led a Chicago Bulls team led by Kirk Hinrich, Chris Duhon, and Luol Deng to the playoffs for three straight seasons.
He took a team led by Andrew Bogut and rookie point guard Brandon Jennings to the playoffs this past season.
If Bogut and Jennings stay in Milwaukee for a few years and develop into the type of players they can be, Skiles may have a team with legitimate superstars for the first since he had Jason Kidd in Phoenix.
Milwaukee has a chance to crack the East's top four this year if Bogut can get healthy and stay healthy.
2010-2011 Outlook
Best Case: 50-55 wins, lose in conference semifinals
Worst Case: 40-45 wins, lose in first round
9: Avery Johnson, New Jersey Nets
22 of 30
Career Record: 194-70, 0 titles
The "Little General" was nothing short of fantastic as the Mavericks head coach. He inherited a team with a lot of talent, but he elevated them to a level they'd never achieved before.
He inspired a team that hadn't played defense in years to work hard on that end of the floor. He led them to three straight 50-win seasons, back-to-back 60-win seasons, and the 2006 NBA Finals.
If it wasn't for NBA officials handing Games 3 through 6 to Dwyane Wade at the free throw line, Dallas would likely be the 2006 NBA Champions.
Johnson is inheriting a much less appealing situation for his second go-around as an NBA head coach. The Nets went 12-70 last year, but they do have some promising young players.
Johnson will inspire them to play significantly harder and smarter than they did last year.
2010-2011 Outlook
Best Case: 40-45 wins, lose in first round
Worst Case: 20-25 wins, miss playoffs
8: George Karl, Denver Nuggets
23 of 30
Career Record: 986-671, zero titles
George Karl's influence on the Denver "Thuggets" became painfully obvious in his absence last season. Denver has assembled a team packed with volatile personalities and Karl was somehow able to control them.
After Karl took a leave of absence to undergo cancer treatment, Adrian Dantley took over, and the team quickly unraveled.
This season could be a tumultuous one for Denver. Carmelo Anthony is likely on his way out. If a deal happens, the Nuggets will go into full-scale rebuilding mode.
2010-2011 Outlook
Best Case: 50-55 wins, lose in conference finals
Worst Case: 35-40 wins, miss playoffs
7: Doc Rivers, Boston Celtics
24 of 30
Career Record: 451-380, one title
Doc Rivers' record prior to the arrival of the "Big Three" was 273-312. I know, pretty bad, huh? I've always felt like Rivers was given a little bit too much credit for Boston's recent success. When you have a team with three veteran superstars (and more now), the coach doesn't have to do much.
Nevertheless, he deserves some recognition for how quickly this team came together. How much he had to do with it is up for debate.
The flip side of this argument is that he is 178-68 with an NBA title over the last three seasons.
The Celtics will be solid again, and they're likely one of the only teams in the East that can challenge the Miami Heat.
2010-2011 Outlook
Best Case: 55-60 wins, NBA Champions
Worst: 45-50 wins, lose in first round
6: Stan Van Gundy, Orlando Magic
25 of 30
Career Record: 282-149, zero titles
Pat Riley saw fit to oust Stan Van Gundy in the middle of a season after he'd gone 59-23 the previous year. Riley took over, and the Heat won the title that year. No one will ever know what would've happened had Van Gundy not been replaced by his boss.
This coach that is often likened to Chris Farley's Matt Foley has bounced back wonderfully since he got the boot from Miami.
In three seasons as Orlando's head coach, Van Gundy has gone 170-76 and got his team to the Finals in '09. He's been able to transform the Magic into one of the premier defensive teams in the league, and the most effective outside-shooting team.
This year, the Heat/Magic rivalry will be as intense as it's ever been. You know Van Gundy likes beating the Heat a little more than any other team.
2010-2011 Outlook
Best Case: 60-65 wins, NBA Champions
Worst Case: 50-55 wins, lose in conference semifinals
5: Rick Adelman, Houston Rockets
26 of 30
Career Record: 902-577, zero titles
It is extremely difficult to get NBA players to run any kind of offense, let alone one as complicated as the Princeton offense. I would have to create an entirely new slideshow to detail all the intricacies of this offense.
Let's just say, Adelman runs a slightly "dumbed down" version that is more suitable for the NBA's shot clock and its iso-happy players.
He has enjoyed a great deal of success for three different teams. He won two Western Conference titles in Portland, orchestrated five straight 50-win seasons in Sacramento (including one 60-win season) and likely would have had his third straight 50-win season with the Rockets had Yao Ming not gone down.
In his fourth season in Houston, he has one of the deepest teams in the NBA. If Yao Ming can stay healthy, the Rockets could be a legitimate challenger to Los Angeles' Western domination.
2010-2011 Outlook
Best Case: 55-60 wins, NBA Champions
Worst Case: 45-50 wins, lose in first round
4: Larry Brown, Charlotte Bobcats
27 of 30
Career Record: 1318-992, one title
Larry Brown has led eight different teams to the playoffs, won two Eastern Conference Championships in '01 and '05, won an NCAA Championship in 1988, and an NBA Championship in '04.
His teams always play great defense, and he led a not-so-deep Charlotte squad to the playoffs for the first time in that franchise's existence.
There's no substitute for the amount of experience on Brown's resume.
It will be difficult for him to lead Charlotte back to the playoffs with the roster the way it is. However, Larry Brown will get the most out of these players.
2010-2011 Outlook
Best Case: 45-50 wins, lose in first round
Worst Case: 35-40 wins, miss playoffs
3: Jerry Sloan, Utah Jazz
28 of 30
Career Record: 1190-780
Sloan could go down as the greatest coach in NBA history to have never won a title. That would be fitting since his two best players, John Stockton and Karl Malone, are two of the best players to have never won a title.
Sloan's philosophies and tactics have transcended eras, as he's been extremely successful in the '80s, '90s, and 2000s.
His fire is reflected in how his players perform in every game.
2010-2011 Outlook
Best Case: 50-55 wins, lose in conference finals
Worst Case: 45-50 wins, lose in first round
2: Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs
29 of 30
Career Record: 736-362
He is a master of defensive schemes and in-game adjustments, and his coaching has led to four NBA titles for the San Antonio Spurs.
His teams are always among the best in the league in defense, and even as many of his stars are now considered past their prime, they still have a legitimate shot at the title.
2010-2011 Outlook
Best Case: 55-60 wins, NBA Champions
Worst Case: 45-50 wins, lose in first round
1: Phil Jackson, Los Angeles Lakers
30 of 30
Career Record: 1098-460, 11 titles
Phil Jackson has had the incredible fortune of coaching Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Shaquille O'Neal, Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant. Ask any of those Hall-of-Fame caliber players about the impact Jackson's coaching has on a team, and the argument that his titles have anything to do with luck goes right out the window.
He's the most successful coach in NBA history and he's achieved his success in a different way than almost any other coach. I've never understood why more coaches don't try to emulate Phil's calm, calculating style. For some reason, most coaches would rather throw countless terrible-two style temper tantrums.
Phil attempts to reach his players through philosophy rather than coercion. He responds to crisis with composure rather than panic.
His mastery of the triangle offense has allowed superstars like Jordan, Bryant, and Pippen to showcase their skills in ways they wouldn't have been able to in other systems.
Perhaps the biggest credit to Phil's greatness is the way he's dealt with two of the most competitive and selfish personalities in the history of professional sports, and Kobe and Michael both love him for it.
A lot of people are ready to crown the Miami Heat before the regular season even starts. As for me, I've got the Lakers winning it all for Kobe's second three-peat and Phil's fourth.
2010-2011 Outlook
Best Case: 60-65 wins, NBA Champions
Worst Case: 50-55 wins, lose in conference finals
