Marc Stein’s newsletter is a must-read for all NBA fans and this week’s piece for The New York Times is filled with insight on this offseason’s coaching hires, among other nuggets. Here are the highlights from the piece:
- Tyronn Lue, who is set to become the Lakers next coach, was not the unanimous first choice among the organization’s decision-makers, Stein hears. Some within the franchise worried about Lue aiding LeBron James‘ influence within the Lakers and Lue’s supporters were forced to wait until Monty Williams, who was hired by the Suns, was no longer available.
- It appears Suns owner Robert Sarver wants to continue to have the loudest say over the team’s basketball operations. Sarver brought in Jeff Bower as an advisor this offseason without giving the executive any real decision-making power, Stein writes.
- Phoenix hired Williams as its head coach in part because the front office hopes he can give the Suns a “strong voice and presence,” Stein adds. The organization envisions Williams establishing a winning culture and an improved reputation around the league.
- The Cavaliers want to hire a young head coach who embraces analytics in an attempt to replicate Brooklyn’s rebuild under coach Kenny Atkinson and Atlanta’s setting with Lloyd Pierce. You can find our Cavaliers’ page here with the latest on their ongoing coaching search.
From Stein’s piece:
“In my previous life as a sideline reporter for ESPN Radio at the N.B.A. finals, I had the opportunity to observe countless Cavaliers huddles during timeouts over three consecutive postseasons. That blessed gig gave me the chance to watch the way James and Lue interact in game situations from very close range.
So I can confidently say, as much as any outsider can, that Lue will coach LeBron as firmly as anyone can. I’ve actually seen it happen.”
Slanderous, blasphemous lies
Doesn’t your hate let you see the truth? Oh well it always happens with trolls, have a bitter life dude!
@thar- Not sure what you mean by that– an odd choice of adjectives.
Sounds like lies I tell you
Poor Monty should’ve seen this a hundred miles away…hope he gets a nice check the first and only year he can stand it there.
Sarver is straight up an IDIOT.