pittmike wrote:
As a very casual only NBA guy can someone please answer this for me? Why unlike other sports does an NBA coach have to be buddies with the big star or so called man? I do not understand this dynamic or when it started? I understand Phil was Zen and nice guy but were Jerry Sloan and Pat Riley or Chuck Daley babying their players?
Oh and another thing I would rather have 5 guys average 18 pts each then deal with one CP3. In theory of course.
That's just not true. Spoelstra and Lebron aren't buddies. Popovich isn't buddies with his players (maybe Duncan, but they've been together for 16 years). It's more about respect and the buy-in. If there is an established star in place, you need to bring in a coach that will both command respect from, and be willing to give respect to, the main star. If your biggest chip isn't willing to buy into your philosophy, you're already fighting a losing battle as a coach. This is why Scott Skiles never coaches anything other than marginally competitive teams. No respectable star player should respect him as a coach.
Jordan was friends with Doug Collins but didn't respect or buy into his system. Collins was gone.
Also, your Chris Paul philosophy would get you fired as a GM. Five guys aren't going to average 18 points on any roster. Why don't you like Chris Paul? He's a good team guy and a great player.