He’s gone
This was not the original lead story planned, I had another one prepared. That story asked the question should Mizzou retain Kim Anderson as head coach? ESPN.com is reporting the school has requested the coach step down. Although Mizzou alum had concerns regarding the direction of the program many probably felt as I did. “Here we go again” another coaching search begins there is just no stability. I maintain Anderson knows how to coach I continue to believe there is no difference between coaching Division I and Division II basketball.
The difference I believe is talent and recruiting neither of which Anderson was able to accomplish successively over the course of three years. Only three players on the current roster are from the State of Missouri. You say Kansas doesn’t have many players from the state either and it has a smaller population than Missouri. This is the response, Kansas has the entire nation and world to recruit Mizzou does not have that luxury. Heck we can’t even recruit out of St. Louis or Kansas City the two most populated metros in the state.
I’m borrowing a quote from a Mizzou fan, “Anderson received a car (Mizzou) with four flat tires and engine requiring an overall plus it had a lien on it.” The school has been Death Valley for coaches over the last several years so don’t expect a bunch of resumes to come forth. The other issue which I posed awhile back there is likely a talented assistant coach however this is not the time for an assistant coach hire. Mizzou needs to find a name coach somewhere somehow but first they need to pay him.
They cannot expect to hire Steve Lavin or Seth Greenberg or any veteran coach for pennies on the dollar. Who do we point our finger at you ask, how about the AD who forced Norm Stewart out replacing him with Quin Snyder? Snyder resigned before he would have been fired. Mike Anderson corrected the mess left over from the Snyder fiasco but would leave for Arkansas. Frank Haith arrived from Miami with “baggage” and would depart for Tulsa. Mike Alden no longer at Mizzou hired all the coaches including Kim Anderson.
How about the coach
In college the coach is in charge, with that statement in mind a number have been fired. Termination had nothing to do with their won-loss record rather the manner they treated their players. The most recent case off the top of my head was the former Rutgers coach. As for the NBA that is a far different matter, for years the NBA has been a player’s league coaches are in charge but it’s often window dressing. Teams have problems with the coach and 99% of the time it’s the coach who becomes history, this scenario was the basis for the Lakers hiring Pat Riley.
For those who might be unfamiliar with the story assistant coach Paul Westhead had taken over for the head coach who suffered a bicycle accident which forced him to miss the entire season. Westhead guided Magic Johnson, Kareem and others to the NBA Championship. Despite his accomplishment Westhead fell into disfavor the following season with Magic and you know the rest of the story. The question has been asked of Alvin Gentry now that his team acquired Boogie Cousins. Boogie is not a “coach killer” I read and believe he genuinely liked Mike Malone and was upset when the Kings fired him. Gentry is a player’s coach until proven different I believe he will play for Gentry, we shall see.
I will admit I’m wrong
Chris Broussard now with Fox Sports claims; “Lakers have already decided on Ball” meaning the UCLA point guard. If I had Mr. Broussard in front of me I’d ask him a series of questions. The first might be D’Angelo Russell is at the point, combo guard Jordan Clarkson could also play the point are the Lakers trading one or both to move Ball into the starting lineup?
The Lakers just acquired point guard Tyler Ennis in a trade with the Rockets. Finally the Lakers draft position is yet to be solidified; if they drop to four in the lottery they have no pick. How can the team have made its mind up when the player might not be available? In the following order Ennis, Clarkson or Russell might be traded however there is no chance all three are traded. Will have to stay tuned to the June draft to discover if Broussard is correct or Larry Laker.
Ol Skool NBA Defense
This is one of those arguments that are never resolved. The reason is simple we cannot place ourselves in a time-machine and travel back to the 1960’s or ‘70’s. Allow me to explain. I said; “Russell Westbrook would not be scoring like this if he played back in the ‘60’s.” I was immediately greeted with; “He sure could because he’s fearless driving the lane. You know who would have problems playing back then Kevin Durant.” The Hand Check rule, up to 1980 a defensive player could impede an offensive players progress down the court by physically placing a hand in small of their back.
A clearer answer you couldn’t grab or hold the opposing player however this tactic was allowed it was his strength versus your strength. You managed to get pass the player guarding you and you drive the lane. It’s likely a Rick Mahorn or Jeff Ruland of the Washington Bullets would knock you on your butt. Former player Sam Mitchell said this; “With Washington, Rick Mahorn and Jeff Ruland just use to beat the s--- out of you. They would hurt you. You’d come off a screen, and they would drill you. That’s why they were called the Bruise Brothers.” Those were just two of the NBA’s enforcers back in the day. Don’t confuse my statement of course Westbrook could play then and now the question could he score the ball like he does now?
