So, the Kings and Adelman have agreed not to continue their relationship. This is pretty much rocking Kings Nation right now. Some say good, some say bad.

The Adelman haters wil argue that he just doesn’t have what it takes and the empty trophy case is proof. I say that the combination of players and coaches just hasn’t been there. Yeah, there were the explosive Webber-Divac days that climaxed in a 61 win season and may never be equaled in terms of entertaining basketball, but those guys were all fun and no edge. Those guys didn’t have the intangibles necessary to win a championship. the intangibles. You can’t coach the intangibles.

Adelman lovers will put forth his record the past eight years. You can’t really argue with that.

So, what do you do when your season ends in may? You fire someone or trade players.

Does the move make sense? I’d say no. not at this point. I don’t think there’s another coach out there that can navigate the ego infested water that is the professional athletics like Rick Adelman. I think that was the key to the entire second half of the season. With the team playing the way they were at the end, it could have been magical. Additionally, from the Kings’ standpoint, you don’t get rid of a coach like adelman until you’ve already found your replacement. For proof, see the firing of Mariucci by the 49ers. such is the way of northern california profesional sports, i guess.

That being said, Adelman does have flaws. I absolutely hate the way he manages games, often letting teams go on 17 to 1 runs before calling a timeout. Perhaps it’s a philosophy thing. I’ve never played basketball, but i believe in winning games now and not at the end and if taking timeouts now leads to winning games now, then why save them for later? Of course there’s the phil jackon, “play through it and learn” school of thought as well, but there’s a time and place for that. Like the first 3/4 of the season. If your players haven’t learned by 3/4 of the season, chances are you need to adapt.

Also, although you can’t coach intangibles, you can inspire through your own, and often, i’ve felt his intensity on the sidelines was missing. He was always conservative in pushing peoples buttons, and i think could have pushed a few more times than he did.

Overall, though, i have a great appreciation for what Adelman has done. So, thanks, coach for all the years of great basketball. Good luck to you, and i hope you find that championship one day. I think golden state will be looking for a new coach if you’re interested in staying in the area.

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Looking to the future, i think what’s more devastating than the loss of rick adelman, is the loss of elston turner and pete carril. it’s going to be tough to watch games without those two on the sidelines.

So, candidates for the new job? I have a couple. At the top of my list are Byron Scott or one of the Van Gundys.

I like the Van Gundys. They come from the Pat Riley school of basketball and that’s some impressive heritage there. Plus, I’ve seen first hand what they’ve done with the Knicks and the Heat. I mean, the knicks just imploded after jeff left. yeah, jeff isn’t doing so well with the rockets, but think he’s got one and a half good players and then a supporting cast that was rife with injury and shallow in talent. Instead, one should look at what he’s done with Yao this year. wowzers. And the Heat had a great run last year with Steve at the helm. It was almost dark horse style. I mean even with shaq, no one really gave them a shot at the beginning of the season.

As for Byron, he’s a hard nosed coach. I like his intensity. I like his seize the moment attitude. Yeah, there have been complaints from players, but softie wife beaters like jason kid an injury prone prima donnas like baron davis shouldn’t count. I actually think his intensity would be a good compliment to Ron-Ron and might even get bibby and miller to play some d.

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