ducky23 said:
wifeisafurd said:
UrsaMajor said:
There was never any evidence that he was intending to keep WJ except for Jeff Goodman and the Comical. Consider the sources.
Have to disagree, but that is something we can discuss privately. Eric for example indicated Jones was being retained.
I hope what changed is Kidd.
BTW, I support JK's decision, but would have understood and accepted the reasons for another year (the prominent (one being the lack of a desirable replacement at the right price).
Can I ask whether you (or other donors or even the AD) are at all concerned with kidd's alleged off court indiscretions. I'm just curious whether this is going to play any role in the decision.
I'm also mildly surprised you're a Kidd guy. What are some reasons you prefer him over a guy like turner?
Donors want wins is my guess and access to the coach. My guess is donors changed the original decision on the basis of pulling /providing support, and JK blinked. And yes, donors want Kidd.
I'm not sure what impact his off the court indiscretions will have. He has made the rounds at Berkeley for various events recently and has been well received. On the domestic abuse side, this Chancellor's support would help. If you are asking me, he is very different than the guy that was a player (nothing like being on the management side to get a different perspective).
As for coaching, in his last gig, the Bucks turned from one of the worst to one of the best defenses in the Association. Cal needs huge help in this area. He has been very good at developing guards and wings, and hired the right guy to help on bigs. I think recruiting would get stronger. You are a five star guard and he comes in the door and talks guard fundamentals - you listen. He seems modest enough to know his weaknesses and hire guys that can do the other work. If he takes the Cal job, he likely stays. Other coaches it is a stepping stone to places that pay more like Martin. Kidd doesn't need the money. For some reason, we don't account for coaches actually getting smarter and developing in their own right. Kidd had done that which is why the Lakers also are interested. He was a smart player and now is a smart coach. One thing he does is spend a lot of time in practice on fundamentals, which bodes well for college.
I don't dislike Turner. Turner is somewhat unproven (one post-season NCAA victory), he probably has to have a long distance relationship with his family as his wife has a successful career, which is not good for retention. purposes. He served under some really good coaches as an assistant. I don't know if he is a D1 coach or a D! recruiter. He is very good with coaching bigs. He is not the exciting hire that Kidd would be. He is a southern guy, not a Bay Area guy like Kidd, but he did just fine at Furd. Just think the wow factor, Kidd knowing Cal and the Bay Area, plus Kidd's experience both as a player and coach at the highest level, makes him a more desirable fit from a Cal, donor, recruiting, excitement, and basketball standpoint. Turner certainly doesn't have the baggage Kidd brings from when he was a player. But I'm looking at Kidd and Turner as they are now.