Basketball from a fans perspective

　
New Orleans, Denver, Orlando + Chicago
The sign might read; NBA coach needed, submit your resume. All of the teams mentioned require a head coach. Melvin Hunt, Alvin Gentry, Jeff Van Gundy, Fred Hoiberg, Scott Skiles and add Tom Thibodeau’s to the list of name mentioned. Hunt served as an assistant with the Nuggets and then interim head coach after Brian Shaw was fired, expect the interim tag to be removed. This just might be a financial move by the Nuggets who may perhaps save money with the hire.

Gentry an assistant with the Warriors once served as head coach for the Suns. Does Van Gundy want the daily grind of NBA coaching again; it’s much safer broadcasting games. Hoiberg has been successfully coaching at Iowa State for a number of years. The Bulls seem to have a connection with the Iowa school remember Tim Floyd? Skiles has held a number of NBA head coaching positions. Should we suppose Thibodeau is ready to begin coaching again? NOTE: Immediately after completion of this story the Magic announce the hire of Skiles.  Gentry would later be named head coach of the Pelicans.

“Show me the money”
The line is from the movie Jerry Maguire, sports agent Jerry Maguire was attempting to sign football player Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding). Talking on the telephone Tidwell screams through the telephone at Maguire; “Show me the money.” At the time Mizzou left the Big 12 for the SEC it might have been a case of “Show me the money.” The NCAA announced revenues for the conferences and it was certainly noteworthy. With a small number of exceptions most Big 12 schools would receive $25.6 million each. As for Mizzou they and each SEC school will receive $31.2 million.

I’m surprised
Kansas City received word the Big 12 basketball tournament was awarded to Kansas City for the next five years. The city does an outstanding effort serving as host for the tourney seeing as Sprint Center and the Power and Light District were completed several years ago. For those who might be unfamiliar the arena sits in the middle of one of Kansas City’s entertainment districts. Naturally such an event as the Big 12 Tournament greatly enhances the area economy.

It was reported revenue generated from the tourney amounts to $9 million a year and over the five year period would total about $45 million. The surprises for me, the tourney continues its run in Missouri despite the fact not a single school from the state competes in the Big 12. I assumed Dallas, Oklahoma City or Tulsa would have superior proposals on the table. Five years from now one of the three cities mentioned will gain the series. The fact that Kansas dominates the tournament has nothing to do with Lawrence (KS) being located close by.

Thibs
The Bulls must have wanted Tom Thibodeau gone badly; I believed he only had one year left on his contract. I was wrong he’s got 2-years at $9 million over that time frame. The news release said; “Departure of culture” which details exactly what? I don’t often do this but I’m going inside the minds of Bulls management. “He’s (Thibodeau) a winning coach surely Orlando, New Orleans or Denver will reach out to him quickly. We might only be responsible for a portion of his salary rather than the entire amount.” In the five years he was at the helm only one other Bulls coach won more games than Thibs------do I need to provide you a hint or do you know his name. Just to set the record straight I am sure Thibodeau had his faults with players and management. The Bulls organization went out of the way to assassinate his character which was over the top from my perspective.

Building a team
If you are a Wolves fan it’s been a rough few years to remain faithful. With few exceptions the team has not been very good even when Kevin Garnett was “The Kid. “ That might be thing of the past; change has been in the air since last season. Kevin Love indicated he wanted out and because he would become a free-agent the Wolves made the decision to trade him. If helped that LeBron James indicated he needed a power forward for his return to Cleveland. The Wolves and Cavs concluded a trade the Wolves acquired future Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins and the number one draft pick in the 2013 draft Anthony Bennett. Injuries impacted the Wolves as point guard Ricky Rubio missed the bulk of the season only playing in 22 games.

Center Nikola Pekovic also suffered an injury and only appeared in a limited number of games during the season. Reports have also circulated Rubio has requested a trade and though talented that might not be as terrible as it sounds. High flyer Zach LaVine is very raw however he is a 6-5 point guard who just might replace Rubio. As for center Pekovic the Wolves might entertain a trade shoring up another area. Replacing the center would be number one draft pick Jahlil Okakor or Karl-Anthony Towns. Although his game is no longer stellar Kevin Garnett has returned “home” for a last run before he retires. His return gives this young team a veteran presence. The Wolves will be young and will continue to struggle at times, be patient Wolves fans.

Bits n Pieces
I like Iowa State’s Fred Hoiberg, there are reports circulating Hoiberg has the inside track to become the next Bulls coach. Must I spell it out; “danger, danger Will Robinson.” Hoiberg had a brief NBA playing career and his Iowa State teams play an NBA style offense. The question is he the right guy for the difficult job of coaching at the next level? For some reason Bulls management seem to be stuck on Iowa State coaches, remember Tim Floyd?

John Calipari’s recruiting extends around the world and across the ocean. The Kentucky Wildcats received a commitment from the Pacific Island nation of New Zealand. Tai Wynyard a 6-9 256 pound power/forward/center verbally committed to Kentucky last January. Big Blue Nation please don’t hold your breath waiting to see Wynyard he’s not due to arrive in Lexington until 2016 prospect.

Many in the media have continued to point out the NBA Finals had two rookie coaches. That’s only partially correct; the Cavs David Blatt is new to the NBA but has over 30 years coaching experience. The road has been rocky for Blatt, he didn’t know the NBA. We can say for sure he knows coaching he just didn’t know the NBA. He’s adjusted on the job and after reports circulated of his firing he’s a keeper.

The thought might exist NBA fans in the metro area should be rooting for the Cavs rather than Warriors. The coaching staff has a Kansas City connection. Associate head coach Tyronn Lue was an outstanding member of his Raytown (Mo) high school basketball team, later he attended the University of Nebraska. Assistant coach Larry Drew was exceptional athlete at Wyandotte High School in Kansas City (KS) and then Mizzou. Both coaches had NBA careers as players.