Over the last couple of weeks, the sports world has been rocked by some tragic and sad events. I know that the Aaron Hernandez debacle is the first thing that comes to mind but, the NBA coaching vacancies have left nothing to the imagination, when the clowns running the teams filled them. With the exception of the 2013 NBA Draft, the hiring of coaches throughout the league have just been a downright nightmare. It seems like GMs don’t really consider coaches as perspective employees but just as that, coaches. As a former player and current student of the game, I’m appalled when I witness an injustice being done in the close quarters I use to call home.
The basketball court was always my safe haven. The one place where I could escape almost anything for at least 2 hours. The one place where everyone involved in the process could relate to one another. Coaches, players, fans, media, officials, and staff. Especially the coaches. Most of whom were either former players or life long student coaches. I believe that everyone deserves a shot at success.
Courtesy: NY Daily News
I also believe that success should be earned through hard work. Patrick Ewing has definitely earned that shot! 2 time Olympic Gold Medalist, NCAA Champion, Naismith Player of the year in 1985, Adolph Rupp Trophy, NBA career averages of 21 points 9.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game over a distinguished 17 year playing career. A career that has included being named an 11x All Star, 3x All Defensive Second Team, and 1986 Rookie of the Year. Now stats alone shouldn’t warrant a former player being handed the keys to a franchise, but a proven track record should assist in the process.
Think back to the early 2000’s, when the Houston Rockets selected Yao Ming to resurrect their franchise. He was raw, fragile, and lacked the necessary tools to move forward in the direction that Rockets desired. Until Patrick Aloysius Ewing stepped in as his mentor and helped make him a perennial all star, and one of the most dominating centers in the league. Ewing’s knowledge and passion for teaching didn’t stop there. After being hired to work on Stan Van Gundy’s staff in Orlando, he tutored a raw, dunk happy Dwight Howard and helped him develop a sweeping and effective left hook and mesmerizing baseline drop step.
Yet over the past 4 seasons, whenever there is a Head Coaching vacancy available, Patrick Ewing doesn’t even receive interview requests. For all his hard work and effort, the most he could land is an Associate Head Coaching position, with the Charlotte Bobcats. You have guys like Mike Malone, Jason Kidd, Mike Brown, Steve Clifford, Larry Drew, and most recently, former Butler coach, Brad Stevens.
Courtesy: USA Today
Are you serious? Mike Brown couldn’t win in Cleveland with the best player in the world and was canned abruptly after said player bolted, but he’s the right man for the same job now without King James? Really? Larry Drew couldn’t get the Hawks to advance deep into the post season with a roster that once included, sixth man of the year winner Jamal Crawford, and perennial all star Joe Johnson; yet he’s working again. Clifford, Malone, Kidd, and Stevens will have a trial by fire and fail miserably. At least for another season, the invisible man gets to work his magic behind the scenes once again; even if it’s for one of the worst franchises in the league. For all of his bonehead decisions in the past, it seems like Michael Jordan finally made a somewhat smart basketball decision for his team.
