Court brilliance as a player does not necessarily demonstrate coaching brilliance.
John Wooden was an All-American at Indiana, but Pete Newell seldom scored a point and fouled out of most games. Bobby Knight was a benchwarmer for the Ohio State NCAA champs in 1960.
Sean Miller was a very good point guard, but Mike Montgomery was not much of a player, according to him. Both are good coaches. Steve Kerr was a good player, not a great one, but is a great coach.
In my years of watching, a good player, not necessarily a starter, but a thinking player who understands the game, who got as far as he did more on intelligence rather than depending solely on athleticism, often can become a very good coach. Don Nelson might be a good example of that, although I never liked his defense.
John Wooden was an All-American at Indiana, but Pete Newell seldom scored a point and fouled out of most games. Bobby Knight was a benchwarmer for the Ohio State NCAA champs in 1960.
Sean Miller was a very good point guard, but Mike Montgomery was not much of a player, according to him. Both are good coaches. Steve Kerr was a good player, not a great one, but is a great coach.
In my years of watching, a good player, not necessarily a starter, but a thinking player who understands the game, who got as far as he did more on intelligence rather than depending solely on athleticism, often can become a very good coach. Don Nelson might be a good example of that, although I never liked his defense.
John Wooden was an All-American at Indiana, but Pete Newell seldom scored a point and fouled out of most games. Bobby Knight was a benchwarmer for the Ohio State NCAA champs in 1960.
Sean Miller was a very good point guard, but Mike Montgomery was not much of a player, according to him. Both are good coaches. Steve Kerr was a good player, not a great one, but is a great coach.
In my years of watching, a good player, not necessarily a starter, but a thinking player who understands the game, who got as far as he did more on intelligence rather than depending solely on athleticism, often can become a very good coach. Don Nelson might be a good example of that, although I never liked his defense.
Steve Kerr is so special in so many ways (maybe not "great" in your eyes, but he is in my eyes as a player, executive, broadcaster and person. . . so positive and well-liked, smart. humor, best character, and one of the best 3 point shooters I've seen). Plus, what happened at Arizona State when he was being harassed by Ariz. St. fans after his Dad was assassinated, when they shouted “PLO! PLO!” “Where’s your dad?” “Your father’s history.” And, “Why don’t you join the Marines and go back to Beirut?” Kerr began to shake, filled with tears and the memories of his father, he was forced to sit and compose himself. Then, he hit six straight 3-pointers in the first half of a blowout win. Not to mention his getting into a fight with Michael Jordan during a practice and being an NBA executive, class act (unlike Pasternack who I just don't believe I would like, admittedly without knowing him), sorry to get into that area for those of you who want Kicker Joe; those who support him should try and find a photo that is likeable, perhaps with a smile; the ones Shocky keeps posting and the video with him kicking Jorge are not flattering). Kerr hit the game winning shot in the 1997 championship game (as I remember, correct me if I'm wrong, Michael called the play). How he approaches every situation is a teachable moment. I'd vote for him for President. He is in my mind one great person, player and coach. I have no doubt he was a major contributor in Arizona's success while he was there.
John Wooden was an All-American at Indiana, but Pete Newell seldom scored a point and fouled out of most games. Bobby Knight was a benchwarmer for the Ohio State NCAA champs in 1960.
Sean Miller was a very good point guard, but Mike Montgomery was not much of a player, according to him. Both are good coaches. Steve Kerr was a good player, not a great one, but is a great coach.
In my years of watching, a good player, not necessarily a starter, but a thinking player who understands the game, who got as far as he did more on intelligence rather than depending solely on athleticism, often can become a very good coach. Don Nelson might be a good example of that, although I never liked his defense.
I can't come down on Kidd. He was a great player in high school, college, and pro. I haven't seen a single game of his as a coach, which I would have to see, in order to tell you what I think. I see his record which is 48% wins, and 39% wins in the playoffs, and that is not very good, just average. But that depends not only on coaching, but depends on his personnel and a lot of factors, of which I know nothing. Plus he has only coached for four seasons which is a short career. Time will tell.
If you are asking would he be a fit for Cal, I'd say that coaching in the NBA and in college are very different. You have to recruit in college, plus you have to coach many players who have less athleticism and fewer skills than in the NBA. Plus you are coaching kids who are mostly not yet mature, while in the NBA you are mostly coaching grown men. Different types of players demand some different skills as a coach. Again, I have no opinion of whether he would be a fit.
Steve Kerr is so special in so many ways (maybe not "great" in your eyes, but he is in my eyes as a player, executive, broadcaster and person. . . so positive and well-liked, smart. humor, best character, and one of the best 3 point shooters I've seen). Plus, what happened at Arizona State when he was being harassed by Ariz. St. fans after his Dad was assassinated, when they shouted “PLO! PLO!” “Where’s your dad?” “Your father’s history.” And, “Why don’t you join the Marines and go back to Beirut?” Kerr began to shake, filled with tears and the memories of his father, he was forced to sit and compose himself. Then, he hit six straight 3-pointers in the first half of a blowout win. Not to mention his getting into a fight with Michael Jordan during a practice and being an NBA executive, class act (unlike Pasternack who I just don't believe I would like, admittedly without knowing him), sorry to get into that area for those of you who want Kicker Joe; those who support him should try and find a photo that is likeable, perhaps with a smile; the ones Shocky keeps posting and the video with him kicking Jorge are not flattering). Kerr hit the game winning shot in the 1997 championship game (as I remember, correct me if I'm wrong, Michael called the play). How he approaches every situation is a teachable moment. I'd vote for him for President. He is in my mind one great person, player and coach. I have no doubt he was a major contributor in Arizona's success while he was there.
I'd call Kerr at least an excellent college player. (I don't believe Kicker Joe even played college ball.)
Heck, I would consider putting Nick Kerr in as an assistant coach if his Dad thought that was a good hire.
What a wonderful description of one of our favorite coaches and players. I know I appreciate very much you taking the time to post all of this, and I hope others appreciate it as well.
Absolutely, SFCity. (although an awful lot of NBA players are as immature as college kids...at least off the court). One thing I'd add is that it is often the case that superstars do not make the best coaches because as players they were able to do things physically that most of their players cannot. While you can teach fundamentals, you can't teach the kind of court vision that Kidd had, nor the reflexes or instincts. Not saying that Jason couldn't do it, just that it is often the case that journeyman players who maximize their fundamental soundness make the best coaches.
John Wooden was an All-American at Indiana, but Pete Newell seldom scored a point and fouled out of most games. Bobby Knight was a benchwarmer for the Ohio State NCAA champs in 1960.
Sean Miller was a very good point guard, but Mike Montgomery was not much of a player, according to him. Both are good coaches. Steve Kerr was a good player, not a great one, but is a great coach.
In my years of watching, a good player, not necessarily a starter, but a thinking player who understands the game, who got as far as he did more on intelligence rather than depending solely on athleticism, often can become a very good coach. Don Nelson might be a good example of that, although I never liked his defense.
I enjoyed watching Don Nelson play at UIowa and then at Boston. That was about the same era as Imhoff at Cal.
Nelson's face hasn't changed in 50 years.
I never was too fond of the needlenose of Westwood (and Pu).
If it comes down to Pasternak or the UCI coach, would we also consider the Hawai'i coach Ganot (sp?). He is super young but seems dynamic and had a great year in 2015-2016, and then Held it together considering the circumstances this season. Apologies if he's already been discussed - on mobile and haven't read the whole thread.
If MW hires a fired coach he's gonna have to explain why he thinks a guy that was fired (multiple times for Lavin and Gottfried) would be able to succeed here.
If MW hires a fired coach he's gonna have to explain why he thinks a guy that was fired (multiple times for Lavin and Gottfried) would be able to succeed here.
Gottfried would be an unmitigated disaster. He has been fired from his last TWO jobs.....and these are at schools where the pressure to perform isn't sky high. Come on MW - don't be "that guy"
(and remember, I am willing to give a guy like JT3 a pass because I can see why GT is a challenging job - even more so when you are 'the son')
Gottfried would be an unmitigated disaster. He has been fired from his last TWO jobs.....and these are at schools where the pressure to perform isn't sky high. Come on MW - don't be "that guy"
(and remember, I am willing to give a guy like JT3 a pass because I can see why GT is a challenging job - even more so when you are 'the son')
Gottfried got NC State to 4 tourneys and 2 Sweet 16s in 6 years. Yes, I want to swing for the fences. But that kind of success would be unprecedented for Cal, and certainly not an unmitigated disaster. He also took Alabama to an Elite 8, and wasn't fired but resigned.
Gottfried would be an unmitigated disaster. He has been fired from his last TWO jobs.....and these are at schools where the pressure to perform isn't sky high. Come on MW - don't be "that guy"
(and remember, I am willing to give a guy like JT3 a pass because I can see why GT is a challenging job - even more so when you are 'the son')
I would posit that the pressure at NC State is pretty high. Hoops expectations in these parts are significant.
