Before he became the controlling owner of the Kings, Vivek Ranadive was a minority stakeholder in the Warriors, and he still has a “stubborn fascination” with his old team, writes Marc Stein at Substack. According to Stein, there’s buzz in league circles that a pair of Warriors assistants – Mike Brown and Kenny Atkinson – will be among the candidates who receive consideration for the Kings’ head coaching job if the team doesn’t retain Alvin Gentry beyond this season.
Here’s more from Stein’s latest look around the league:
- There’s “rising buzz” in NBA coaching circles that Lakers head coach Frank Vogel is facing increasing pressure with the team still sitting at .500 (10-10), says Stein. Earlier this week, we mentioned Vogel when we speculated about which head coaches could be the next to find themselves on the hot seat.
- While John Wall may be getting a little frustrated with his situation in Houston, the veteran point guard consented to the possibility of the Rockets holding him out for the entire season. According to Stein, Wall signed off on the plan after being told he’d have a limited role in Houston’s backcourt if he were active, since the club is focused on developing young guards Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green.
- As we relayed in a full story earlier this afternoon, Stein says Mavericks officials are expressing confidence about their chances of retaining Jalen Brunson beyond the 2021/22 season.
The Lakers’ issues have more to do with poor roster construction than coaching.
Thus you can blame the GM Lebron and his agent.
Their issue as their best player was injured. Pretty simple. They are fine.
“Fine” in what sense? They don’t look like title contenders, regardless of who is playing.
Regular season. Almost a whole new roster. Missing their best player for most of the year and they are in the race. Relax. Seeding doesn’t matter much. Give them time to gel and time with their best player there. Stop being so reactionary early as hell in the season. Yall do this every year.
Lebron is running the team not Vogel. Why would you have your oldest player playing 40 minutes sometimes? that is Lebron forcing himself to play as many minutes as he wants. It was LeBron who wanted Westbrook. Watch Vogel take the fall. They are not one of the top 4 teams in the league.
That’s not an excuse in a season where the Sixers are winning games with all 5 starters injured. The whole argument for trading for Westbrook was that he could carry during the regular season when Lebron gets injured.
It’s always a gamble with a top heavy team. So many other things have to go right and so far they haven’t for the Lakers. Losing Nunn and Ariza (main rotation pieces) from the start hurt on both ends. The rest of the role players are underperforming as a whole and of course LBJ missing games. Westbrook isn’t an ideal fit but he’s always been a slow starter and is getting better with each game. Easy to blame Russ but AD shouldn’t be let off the hook. He’s underperforming as well and fragile. Hardly playing like a 40mil/yr guy. Again, so many things have to go right. Vogel’s mostly playing the hand that’s been dealt but we shall see…
Facts
Kings wanted 5 Warriors assistant coaches
Mike Malone
Walton
Gentry
Atkinson
Brown
Wall is gonna have to agree to a buyout if he wants to play.
Wall is making 40m to workout and attend games. So frustrating.
Once Justice Winslow can be traded.
Eric Bledsloe, Marcus Morris and Justice Winslow for John Wall.
Clippers then have three stars to rival the Lakers, Nets and Bucks. Kawhi has said he wants the team to get a true point guard and Wall is definitely that. Yes he hurts the spacing a little but it’s not like Bledsoe is a shooter. Wall is a better defender, playmaker, rebounder and leader. There is health concerns but Kawhi also has issues, PG has issues, Ibaka is just coming back from injury, this team seems willing to risk that if it’ll make them better.
It’s also opens up two extra roster spots on the clippers for potential buy outs or free agents. Plus when Wall comes off contract, end of next season, it gives them money to spend in FA.
As for people who could fill those spots, maybe Boogie Cousins? Harry Giles was close to a roster spot in pre season. Micheal Beasley would give you impact off the bench. Wesley Mathews would be a good shout. If your worried about Wall going down then there’s Isiah Thomas or Jeff Teague.
There is definitely options available.
For the Rockets they can either package Bledsloe Morris into another team for a team looking for upgrades or they can simply keep them as veteran leaders for a young team struggling real bad atm.
I realize you mean Isaiah, not Isiah as he’s 60. If they look at players 20 years younger. Joe Johnson and J-Crossover still are in shape to go.
Funny guy
They could look at Jeremy Lin, too.
#FreeOptimusDime
No HC in the NBA has fewer options in the basic coaching decisions. I guess it’s in FO’s interest to pretend that coaching decisions as to whether this or that minimum wage player plays this or that role matters a lot, but the truth is they don’t. LAL will be good if the 3 stars find health and chemistry (with each other and ANY cross section of the minimum wagers); otherwise they won’t be.