2012 NBA Off-Season Thread

[Decker]

Looks like I'm keeping my Off-season thread streak going.

Least shocking news ever:

Monday, April 30, 2012
Paul Silas out as Bobcats coach
Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Paul Silas is out as Charlotte Bobcats coach after the worst season in NBA history.

Silas just completed the final year of his contract and the decision was made not to bring him back after Charlotte finished 7-59 for the worst winning percentage in league history (.106).

"We have been talking internally about what is best for us going forward," Bobcats president of basketball operations Rod Higgins said at a news conference Monday. "The record speaks for itself. When you look at the youthfulness of this roster, we just all felt collectively that change was something we wanted to do at this time."

The 68-year-old Silas, who told The Associated Press late in the year he wanted to "see things through" and coach one more season, said Monday he found out earlier in the day he would not be brought back.

"I'm OK with that," he said. "I have had a very successful career coaching and playing and it's time to move on."

Silas said he was promised a job in the organization by team owner Michael Jordan and was not interested in coaching elsewhere.

It's unclear who'll replace Silas, who leaves with a 32-88 record at Charlotte. Higgins said a search for his replacement will begin immediately.

"We do not have a timetable. We will start as soon as this presser is over," he said. "I just don't want to say there is a time frame. We plan on interviewing quite a few people. We want to find the right guy for this roster."

Higgins said Silas' son, Stephen Silas -- who served as an assistant under his father and led the team in several games -- will be interviewed for the job, but added finding someone with heading coaching experience "is important."

"We want someone who wants to win," Higgins said. "That's the main quality. We will have quite a few candidates to brush through. I would say there are quite a few people who come into mind."

Paul Silas was in a difficult situation heading into the season with a young and inexperienced team, plus a shortened offseason that limited practice time. Injuries to Corey Maggette, D.J. Augustin and Gerald Henderson did not help.

"I respect Paul to the utmost," Higgins said. "He wanted to be successful but it was an unfortunate thing that it didn't happen."

Late in the season, Silas was involved in an altercation with forward Tyrus Thomas, shoving him in the locker room following a loss. The two had gotten into an argument and had to be separated.

Players tried to rally to his defense after the season to save his job, but to no avail.

"I think Paul did the best he could with the guys he had on the floor," Maggette said Friday. "We went through a year where night after night guys were going down with injuries and you're shooting under 30 percent from the field. You just can't win any games that way. That's tough. So hopefully they give him an opportunity to show what type of a coach he is and what he can bring to the table here."

The Bobcats were last in the league in scoring and shooting percentage and lost 22 games by 20 or more points.

After the season Silas said of his future: "When you have guys that are out, you want the guys that are in to do a good job, but it's really hard. You have to look at yourself and say, 'We still have a chance, we're still going to get it done,' but in reality the guys that were second-stringers became our starters. Then the guys that were third string become our second string, so it's tough."

Silas entered the season with a career coaching mark of 380-429 and a 13-16 mark in the playoffs. He previously coached the San Diego Clippers, Charlotte Hornets, New Orleans Hornets and Cleveland Cavaliers.

____________________________

Poor bastard. That mess was hardly his fault. He still had to fall on the sword though.

[Mr. Cinema]

If I'm Silas, I'm thrilled. I wouldn't want to work for such a shitty owner.

[LurkerDan]

"We want to find the right guy for this roster."

A coach shitty enough for the shitty roster. Silas was not that guy.

[Decker]

Neither was Larry Brown.

I hear Vinny Del Negro might soon be available....

[devilshalo]

Originally Posted by LurkerDan

"We want to find the right guy for this roster."

A coach shitty enough for the shitty roster. Silas was not that guy.

[DJariya]

Who the hell would take that job? It's got to be the worst job in the league.

Didn't Isiah Thomas just get shit canned from his College gig? I'm sure he's the "right guy"

[LurkerDan]

Originally Posted by devilshalo

since I don't care about them
if I cared about them

[fumanstan]

Brooklyn Nets logos.

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/stor...colors-2012-13



I like it; something kind of old school and classy about it.

[Decker]

I think it's a little too bland. It looks homemade with clip art. Don't really think you needed Mr Beyone to design that one. It's not awful though; it's pretty retro and at least it isn't garish.

I do dig this shirt at least:


Here's a rack full of Brooklyn Nets swag:


Again, not bad but kinda bland. Won't be hard to knock off copies either.

[starman9000]

Chad Ford has the Wolves taking a poor shooting 2 guard from Syracuse with the 18th pick. I think I'd give up on them earlier than usual if that happens.

[Mr. Cinema]

Originally Posted by starman9000

Chad Ford has the Wolves taking a poor shooting 2 guard from Syracuse with the 18th pick. I think I'd give up on them earlier than usual if that happens.

To replace their current poor shooting 2 guard?

[starman9000]

Yes, and I don't want to touch a Syracuse player with a ten foot pole ever again (at least not if it's Kahn's decision). No offense to any alum here.

[Decker]

They don't have their pick. Whose pick do they own?

[starman9000]

Utah's. I was very happy that the Jazz made the playoffs (it was protected).


Granted, I know in reality it's not likely they'll do anything worthwhile with a mid round pick.

[argh923]

I know they're still in the playoffs, but does anyone know the contract statuses for C.J. Watson, Ronnie Brewer, & Kyle Korver? I thought the Bulls had signed them all to two year deals with a third year as a team option, but want to confirm.

[starman9000]

http://hoopshype.com/salaries/chicago.htm

[fujishig]

Originally Posted by Mr. Cinema

To replace their current poor shooting 2 guard?

And to team up with their poor shooting 1 guard. More rebounds for Love!

I saw a report that said Jamison wouldn't mind going back to his hometown of Charlotte. Does the guy really just not like winning anymore?

[Decker]

Congrats to Coach Popovich for winning his second Coach of the Year award. It was well deserved. Here are the results.

Coach 1st Points
Gregg Popovich, Spurs 77 467
Tom Thibodeau, Bulls 27 315
Frank Vogel, Pacers 7 161
Lionel Hollins, Grizzlies 6 50
Doc Rivers, Celtics 1 26
Scott Brooks, Thunder 0 9
Tyrone Corbin, Jazz 0 9
George Karl, Nuggets 1 7
Mike Brown, Lakers 0 4
Stan Van Gundy, Magic 0 4
Larry Drew, Hawks 0 3
Monty Williams, Hornets 0 3
V. Del Negro, Clippers 0 2
Kevin McHale, Rockets 0 2
Alvin Gentry, Suns 0 1

And a Javale McGee punch to your own nuts to the few guys who actually voted for Mike Brown and Vinnie Del Negro. Seriously?

[argh923]

Completely disagreed. I cannot fathom how Thibs didn't walk away with this award. 18-9 without Rose, and that's not even talking about all the games that Deng, Watson, and Hamilton missed. It should've been a landslide Thibodeau win.

[Decker]

Thibs is remarkable also. But he did win it last year and Pops did an amazing job last year as well. Twice with the best record in the West when nobody expected it either time. I don't mind spreading the wealth out a little when both guys do such a great job coaching.

[fujishig]

Thibs is great, but it's not like San Antonio didn't have its share of injuries, with Ginobli out or recovering (and out of my fantasy lineup) most of the year, and the Spurs not considered by most to be an elite team going into this season, despite getting the #1 seed last year too. Both are fantastic coaches, but I don't see how anyone could be too disappointed.

Now if the Bulls win the championship without Rose...

[Apple Gooncha]

All I want for the Kings to do this off-season is to get a real SF. No more having 3 guards on the court for extended stretches.

I like Cousins and Thomas and to some extent I like Tyreke and Thornton, but I'm pretty sure Tyreke is gone, and, to be honest, outside of Cousins and Thomas they could really blow up the rest of the team for all I care.

[devilshalo]

Don't the Kings need an arena first?

[BuddhaWake]

Originally Posted by devilshalo

I was going to post something similar. the Knicks still suffer from the Zeek curse and Jordan is the complete oposite of what he was as a player as an exec/owner/front office guy. A match made for each other.

[fujishig]

Originally Posted by Apple Gooncha

All I want for the Kings to do this off-season is to get a real SF. No more having 3 guards on the court for extended stretches.

I like Cousins and Thomas and to some extent I like Tyreke and Thornton, but I'm pretty sure Tyreke is gone, and, to be honest, outside of Cousins and Thomas they could really blow up the rest of the team for all I care.

The only reason they play Tyreke at the 3 is because they want to get him on the floor and neither him nor Thornton can effectively run the point. I think he has another year on his rookie contract, though, do you mean you see him gone after that, or do you see them trading him?