Udoka is my choice. Former player. Learned under Pop. Doesn't appear to be a yes guy and most importantly has a track record of holding players accountable. Will not put up with the BS on or off the court. Either grow up or get put down. All for it. Atkinson would be 2nd. Have heard good things from his past players regarding how he had a big hand in their growth. But Ime leads the pack. Just my 2.
IMO it's Atkinson. He's been witnessing first hand the most creative and unselfish offense, and he talked about incorporating it his schemes and having success with it. He can use Sengun as the hub, like GSW sometimes does with Draymond. Alpi doesn't have Green's motor, quickness or agility, but he has the feel and can see plays develop ahead. With proper spacing and well timed on/off ball screens and cuts, Alpi can hit JG and KJ with lobs, or KPJ and Jabari on 3pt spot ups. Not going into other potential offense looks until after the draft and FA are done and the team takes shape, but I think Atkinson is the best guy for the job.
It’s Ime for me. When dealing with such a young team, it will be much easier for them to accept being called out by a former player. He also had a hand in winning a championship as an assistant under Pop for seven years, so we know he has been groomed well as a coach. He’s also still young enough to physically teach them if they seem to have trouble grasping his explanations.
This team needs clear alpha. Too many alpha wannabies on the team fighting between each other, they need a leader they will all accept. Ime might **** their girls but he will for sure not have any 'they are not listening' moments.
Udoka, Nurse are 1A & 1B. Cassell would be the only other coach I'd want. Atkinson would be the lamest hire imo
I'll take Kevin Porter Jr as the player head coach. with rick adelman, McHale, Dantoni as assistants.
After a couple days of thought…. Ive moved Udoka to my first preference. -Defensive coach -Young Coach/Ex player=Easier buy in, relatable. -Tie in to Jaylen Brown -Can keep Abdellfatah as Offensive guru.
He's definitely not a yes guy. The Celtics asked him to stop banging married staff and he gave them an emphatic NO!
Right now I'm Nurse, Vogel then Ime and Atkinson after that. Nurse has been a winner everywhere, Europe, G League, and NBA, with championships at each stop. His track record and winning percentage are as good or better than all the candidates, many players, situations, and countries with NBA championship experience. https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/nurseni01c.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Nurse Don't hesitate if you find the right candidate, it's okay to do due diligence but hire them before another team pulls the trigger. Vogel needs more votes IMO as well.
I think something I haven't really seen mentioned much is that the coach needs to be someone who free agents would want to play for. Guys who have respect from players. Nobody's gonna want to come if we hire any current assistant coaches that most players don't know very well. What do players think about what happened to Udoka? Did Nurse command Kawhi's full respect and do other players give him the same respect? Is Atkinson seen by the players as someone who can help them win a chip? Does Cassell exude authority even though he's never been a head coach? Is Vogal not seen as legit because he won in the bubble?
