NBA 2012-2013

[smokymountainrain]

Kobe works hard, plays through injury, is intense, plays hard and stays in excellent shape. He and Sloan would get along fine.

[The_Douger]

I'm wondering that myself. I'm guessing he's referring to guys like Chris Morris, Giricek, Ak47, etc., who had a penchant for breaking out of the system and freelancing. But none of those guys are Kobe. Kobe's been a headache for every coach in what they're trying to do offensively, but he's Kobe. Not like Jerry's going to slam him to the pine or anything. I'm sure they'd butt heads here and there, but Jerry butted heads with everyone and ultimately they were fine (except for maybe DWill).

Exactly.

I think Kobe won't like the type of offense Jerry wants to run, is my point.

A more intuitive coach would use guys talents and cater things towards their strengths. Jerry just wants to run what Jerry likes, is my point.

[The_Douger]

I don't remember Sloan benching the "Rebound Thief"

Ah, Adam Keefe. Trumped only by Curtis "Franchise Savior" Borchardt and Raul "Ow, my knee hurts" Lopez.

[Applejack]

There's been plenty of guys he benched over the years who were better as freelancers and strayed slightly from his offense. Chris Morris comes to mind. Gordan Giricek, AK, DeShawn Stevenson, Carlos Arroyo, CJ Miles, etc etc etc.

I didn't say they were elite players, but he was always mad and taking it out on them via sitting on the bench if they strayed in the slightest from the control freak offense he runs.

Hell, he made Deron Williams sit behind two of the worst PGs to ever play in the league, Keith McCloud and Milt "Fish Sperm" Palacio.

I was excited when the Jazz got a new coach. I just didn't realize he'd coach the team exactly like Jerry did. So, after I realized that, I was disappointed.

I guess we have differing opinions on how much better the Jazz would have been if Sloan had unleashed Giricek.

[The_Douger]

I guess we have differing opinions on how much better the Jazz would have been if Sloan had unleashed Giricek.

I don't think Gira was a great player, but he was efficient with his touches, and was a better defender than Sloan gave him credit for.

I do think keeping Chris Morris on the bench during his time might have made a difference.

Jerry's just a real stubborn coach.

And I never suggested he'd bench Kobe. I just said Kobe would grate under his offense. Sloan would want Nash to initiate the offense. Kobe will want to initiate the offense as well. If Kobe initiates the offense, then Nash kind of turns in to an undersized 2 guard and his passing skills are minimized.

[smokymountainrain]

I don't think Gira was a great player, but he was efficient with his touches, and was a better defender than Sloan gave him credit for.

I do think keeping Chris Morris on the bench during his time might have made a difference.

Jerry's just a real stubborn coach.

And I never suggested he'd bench Kobe. I just said Kobe would grate under his offense. Sloan would want Nash to initiate the offense. Kobe will want to initiate the offense as well. If Kobe initiates the offense, then Nash kind of turns in to an undersized 2 guard and his passing skills are minimized.

IIRC, there are those here who mostly agree with your comments above about about Gira. You are not alone Douger.

[MarkGrace]

Kobe works hard, plays through injury, is intense, plays hard and stays in excellent shape. He and Sloan would get along fine.

Agreed. Kobe is a pro's pro and nobody wants to win more than he does. It's what Jerry has always loved about him, and while I'm sure they'd have run-ins, I think they'd be fine.

[The_Douger]

IIRC, there are those here who mostly agree with your comments above about about Gira. You are not alone Douger.

Yeah, Gira and him really didn't get along.

I'd have played Gira 30+ minutes per night on those teams.

And I'd have used Matt Harpring, the least efficient player at his position one of those years, sparingly.

[smokymountainrain]

Agreed. Kobe is a pro's pro and nobody wants to win more than he does. It's what Jerry has always loved about him, and while I'm sure they'd have run-ins, I think they'd be fine.

If anything, Kobe might have a problem with Sloan. Sloan would love Kobe, although Kobe might play a bit too much defense for Sloan's liking, too much defense without fouling.

[smokymountainrain]

Yeah, Gira and him really didn't get along.

I'd have played Gira 30+ minutes per night on those teams.

And I'd have used Matt Harpring, the least efficient player at his position one of those years, sparingly.

But Harpring came from a football family. I bet you didn't know that. He also fell down a lot, so he must have put forth big effort. I think he got an assist once too.

[TripletDaddy]

If anything, Kobe might have a problem with Sloan. Sloan would love Kobe, although Kobe might play a bit too much defense for Sloan's liking, too much defense without fouling.

I don't think Kobe would have any problem with Sloan. Kobe has spoken openly about his appreciation and respect for Sloan. Plus, Sloan, like Jax criticizes lazy players publicly. This is something Kobe really values and I think it is one of the reasons Mike brown will never truly command this current squad. Everyone respected Jax, even if they disliked him. I doubt anyone respects Mike brown as he fumbles around trying to be everyone's friend.

Most importantly, at this stage of his career, LAL isn't asking Kobe about personnel anymore. Does anyone think Kobe signed off on the hiring of Mike Brown? Does Kobe like playing in Mike Brown's offense? What IS Mike brown's offense, btw? Everyone wants to know, starting with the players.

All of this Sloan talk is moot anyway because Jax will coach LAL.

[scottie]

Yes. He parlayed that dunk into a decent NBA run. How? I have no clue because he couldn't do anything else.

The only guy I really like on the Lakers staff is Chuck Person. They also hired Bernie Bickerstaff this summer when Quinn Snyder and that Italian League coach both left.

The Sports Junkies here in DC this morning were ripping on Brown. Hopefully that kind of talk will grow all over until he is gone.

I just looked at Quin Snyder's Wikipedia page. He's now an assistant for CSKA Moscow?? -- was he asked to leave LAL?

[Blueintheface]

Kobe works hard, plays through injury, is intense, plays hard and stays in excellent shape. He and Sloan would get along fine.

Agreed. Kobe is a pro's pro and nobody wants to win more than he does. It's what Jerry has always loved about him, and while I'm sure they'd have run-ins, I think they'd be fine.

I think Jerry could deal with one of the top 10 players of all time even if he weren't all of those things, which he is.

[smokymountainrain]

Um, James Harden.

[scottie]

Jazz > Mavs > Lakers