The Pacers are finalizing a contract with Lloyd Pierce that would make him Rick Carlisle’s top assistant, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tweets.
Pierce was reportedly under consideration for a similar job with the Warriors. Pierce was replaced by Nate McMillan as the Hawks’ head coach on March 1 after the team began this season with a 14-20 record. Multiple players reportedly pushed for a coaching change.
Pierce previously served as an assistant coach in Cleveland, Golden State, Memphis, and Philadelphia before being hired as the Hawks’ head coach in 2018. Pierce led Atlanta to a 63-120 (.344) record in two-and-a-half seasons, with no playoff appearances.
Pierce is also on Gregg Popovich’s Team USA staff for this month’s Olympics.
Former Knicks coach David Fizdale reportedly turned down an offer from Indiana to join Frank Vogel’s staff with the Lakers.
Good choice by Fizdale.
He knows very well, that Vogel is one bad losing streak away from being canned by LeGM.
I’m sure that factored heavily in his decision.
No way Fiz would be next, even if that were true.
I guess it works a a joke though.
Lionel Hollins or Phil Handy are the senior assistants, however it wouldn’t be far-fetched if Fizdale was chosen, given his ties with LeBron and Fiz being a HC just some years back.
As an interim coach? I could see it. Though I have no idea how LeBron feels about him.
I would have liked to see Jarron Collins as head assistant
Collins may have over-sold himself as a HC candidate.
The WARRIORS brand isn’t as sexy as it used to be – moreso with their tank job last season and the non-playoffs this season ……. not to mention, Gentry and Walton’s god-awful stints with the PELICANS and KINGS.
There’s no buzz with Collins. I don’t think he’s on anyone’s short list for their HC vacancy. He’ll probably have to settle with being assistant (again) with another team or go back to Kerr.
Agree mike… he seemed like an obvious next-HC a few years ago, and GSW having a good defense of late (his area) would be a help, but no buzz.
GSW finished 5th in team DRtg, fewest points allowed per 100 possessions (which allows for pace).
Odd that Collins was even let go.
Being large have anything to do with it?— no other bigs are coaching. Or twin brother Jason coming out as gay? Or too well-educated (distant)?
Yes, being big, smart, formal and being Jason’s brother, could have been detriments to his getting a HC job.
My honest take on Collins – the past few seasons, NBA people are slowly realizing that Kerr isn’t that good of a coach after all.
Quality begets quality. Pop’s, Riley’s coaching trees have produced good/great coaches through the years. Kerr has Walton (and Gentry) to show for.
Kudos to Collins for trying and laying it out there …… same goes to Hammon and all the other assistants who think it’s their time to lead a team.