How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Trust the Pop
by CapHill on Jul 16, 2009 12:06 AM CDT
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PrintSo I'm perusing PtR during lunch today, as is my wont this July, and I run across this article, courtesy of dfjmed. My immediate thought was that this move would end badly. But, it's the Clippers - of course it'll end badly. It's what Sterling and Dunleavy do. They are the NBA version of Major Kong - the only question is how big the explosion will be.
The theme of this NBA offseason has been the rich getting richer: Lakers sign Artest, Celtics win the Sheed sweepstakes, Cavs trade for Shaq, Magic getting Vinc Carte, and the move that started the arms race, the Spurs' trade for RJ. Despite what experts might think of these moves, at least fans of these teams know their front office made an effort to improve the roster.
So we know how the good and the bad of the NBA act, but what about the mediocre?
Tangent Land: Here are some musical selections (Parliament and Rage) to help ease your trip through my ramblings.
That brings me to the discussion item of the day:
George Karl.
Disclaimer: This is a critique of Karl's coaching ability only and not of the person. I don't know this man. He's seems to have a great relationship with his kid, Coby. He has handled his cancer surgery and treatment with aplomb. He does local PSAs about Shaken Baby Syndrome. And yes, I know he played for the Spurs during his NBA career. But let's be real here, folks, the man is NOT a good coach.
Since I live in Denver, I've had the privilege of watching this man work the sidelines since January 2005. However, until this last year, I didn't realize how mediocre he'd become. He's had previous stints at Seattle (RIP) and Milwaukee, where he had success. He's a coach who (supposedly) preaches defense and bleeds North Carolina Blue. Yet, he was also at the helm of one of the biggest upsets in NBA history.
via www.nba.com
This led to one of the most indelible images of the NBA in the last 20 years, so I'm not complaining. Plus, it gave more media attention to Dikembe Mutombo, who has the second greatest voice of all times behind this man, the great James Earl Jones.
These Sonics were 63-19 in the regular season and universally regarded as one of the favorites to win the championship. Granted, this was in the midst of the Jordan years, but that stacked mid-90s team with Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton only made it to the NBA Finals once. What does that say about the coaching. Sorry to pour salt on the wound, Sonics fans. May the FSM hold Stern accountable for that craptacular mess.
We'll skip over the Milwaukee years because, seriously, who wouldn't.
Now, we're in Denver. Although the weather is FANTASTIC, the Denver Nuggets have ranged from average to crappy throughout their history. (Side note: Nate and other Nuggets fans, feel free to rebut in the comments.) There have been some exciting players (David Thompson, the Skywalker), and the Doug Moe teams of the 80s with those exquisite rainbow uniforms, but overall, they haven't done shit (3 conference finals in the last 30 years). Karl is hired, mostly because Kroenke likes him, Vandeweghe doesn't know any better, and retreads are a way of life in the NBA. The team starts making the playoffs, but gets booted in the first round every year, several times by our beloved Spurs. The defense Karl supposedly preaches is NEVER on display and then the Nuggets trade for Allen Iverson in December 2006, with Karl's blessing. Because teaming Iverson and Carmelo Anthony, two players who need numerous touches and want to be Da Man, is soooooo gonna work.
Tangent Land: I remember this trade distinctly, since we were in the midst of numerous snowstorms that crippled the city for over a month. Residential streets in Denver had ice up to a foot thick and Iverson didn't get to his first Nuggets game due to the weather. (Happy now, rikiddo?)
As it becomes more apparent that Karl is not performing like he should, the infamous FireGeorgeKarl.com site comes online and creates a shitstorm, complete with lawyers. It becomes DenverStiffs.com, based upon the legendary Doug Moe quote that the franchise has been full of "stiffs" for over 30 years. Blair Rasmussen, anyone? Even Nuggets fans, who are used to mediocrity, were calling for Karl's firing!
Which brings us to the 2009 WCF. I, like all Spurs fans, really dislike the Lakers. I was hoping that the Nuggets could prevent Kobe from getting another ring, because if we're all being honest, once the Celtics lost, we all knew the WC rep was going to win the chip this year. When the Nuggets almost won Game 1, I thought they had a chance to win the series. But noooooo, apparently Karl doesn't even bother to draw up an inbounds play. Seriously, it's the PLAYOFFS! AGAINST THE LAKERS! AND YOU DON'T HAVE AN INBOUNDS PLAY?
So even though Chauncey punks Kobe with an off-the-back pass, you play him so much during the playoffs, that the only non-knucklehead on your roster loses steam towards the end of the series. You then get totally embarrassed in Game 6, to the tune of 119-92, AT HOME. You couldn't motivate your guys to win at home? REALLY?
So, your front office pulls off a coup, trading AI for a floor general like Chauncey, so you don't have to coach, and you screw it up by not having the most basic of plays - the inbounds. Even my limited experience, dating back to 5th grade girls basketball, shows that no inbounds plays means individuals running around like Mike the Headless Chicken!
Where does that leave us? Hopefully, with an appreciation for what Pop has wrought over the years. Although we all have questioned some of his lineups, at least we all know that his goal is to win. Nothing else matters. What other coach would have an All-Star caliber player like Manu come off the bench? What other coach would bench his best 3 players in a meaningless December game because only the playoffs matter? What other coach (and Front Office) would mold his team to match Timmeh, because he realizes that as Timmeh goes, so go the Spurs? What other coach would think to start Bonner? (Okay, that last question was totally to address the "What's Pop drinking?" comments and to solicate wine recommendations.)
So, as I've examined the coaching situation in Denver, I feel blessed that I'm a fan of a such a great team. This is an organization that is committed to winning (Thank you, Mr. Holt, for opening the purse strings this offseason. I'll be buying some more T-shirts now.) and for that, I'm grateful. It's nice to know that the fans and the coach have the same goal - to win a championship! Now begins the Summer of Hope. 5 in 10!
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Oh dont worry about our age, by all means….FAT FUCK George Carl, if I may say so myself
by GodsLoveSpursGlory on Jul 16, 2009 12:59 AM CDT reply actions
If you are going to insult a man, at least spell his name correctly.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jul 16, 2009 1:29 AM CDT up reply actions
CapHill, this is a really well done post. Music to read by. A nice smattering of videos supporting your top-notch commentary. A funny (center aligned) image of Carmelo in profile over Karl’s shoulder, trying to set a record for NBA pouting.
It’s just all so good. And don’t think that I didn’t notice both of your little nods. Because I did, and they’re appreciated.
I guess the book thread will have to wait a bit longer until I can get it to measure up to your work here. Kudos and a JTU to you.
Five in '10
I want my Manu o;—-)
I think Pop is the best coach in the league. The only thing that I dont like about Pop is his lack of trust in rookies (beno and George).
Cap, this is excellent. And I could totally tell that you’ve been drinking again (lunch time, office hours at that, eh?) when I read something about Vinc Carte. A friend of yours who’s French?
Pop has been consistently great but a pinch of doubt crept into my mind last year, when he boldly declared that George Hill won’t be getting any playoff burn because he was still too green and inexperienced. Everybody was saying, what the fuck, right? Then, Pop suddenly makes an about face and plays Hill when the Mavs were clearly out-athleticize-ing us (for lack of a better term). I’m open to forgetting that bout with ineptness, given that even the great ones are not immune to occasional slumps or down periods. If he does a good job (read: finals or bust) with this jacked up lineup, consider the doubts forgotten, washed away, burned, excommunicated and deleted from the hard drive.
By the way, I recc’ed your post hard, just the way you like your drink.
by silverandblack_davis on Jul 16, 2009 2:51 AM CDT reply actions
I totally stole Vinc Cart(e) from jrw.
And the Magic’s chances are probably hurt by the fact that they’ve lost Hedo, and dealt some guys that had already gelled in Orlando, for the admitted quitter, Vinc Cart. I was going to type his whole name, but just couldn’t get myself to finish.
My people call it "sarcasm." - Lauri
Pop is a genius and I won’t stand for any serious ciritcism of him until somebody can come up with 3 coaches better. He is not perfect and does make mistakes like everyone else.
Also, I checked out the linked article at the top of the post about the Clippers potentially signing AI. I noticed a WNBA add with a picture of Becky Hammon. I love me some Beck Hammon……she’s cute.
agreed about POP!
WORD about Becky!
very nice post Caphill!
McDyess can bring [toughness] back. Not sexy back unfortunately, though we already have Manu for that.~silverandblack_davis
by FreshmakerDTM on Jul 16, 2009 8:43 AM CDT up reply actions
Rec'd
I’m with you here Cap. The bottom line is Pop does things differently. They don’t always work out, but clearly they’ve worked out more often than not. Pop is clearly the best coach of the last decade. He’s won more with less than any coach in the last 20 years.
Oh sweet jeebus . . . after years of nightmares I had finally managed to erase Mike the Headless Chicken from my memory, and in one fell swoop the years of healing are undone . . .
Great ramble, Cap, and great fun.
Great, great post, CapHill – recced to ATS’s blue shirt. Seasons come and go and as Spurs fans we tend to remember only our coach’s mistakes, but when you cast the spotlight on other “elite” coaches, their faults are glaringly obvious.
I should prod you into writing more often… would it work? :)
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
In all fairness to Karl, read the latest at Denver Stiffs. Although I stand by observations above about the quality of Karl’s coaching, I have to give him major props for his willingness to talk with this particular blogger.
My people call it "sarcasm." - Lauri
Yeah, but that is part of Pop’s charm and mystique. Would Pop talk to a blogger? Hells, no, people. He doesn’t even talk to Mike Monroe of his own fraking hometown newspaper. He sends RC out there to be all cuddly and amiable, while he is in the back room somewhere swilling pinot gris and trying to figure out how many more years he can safely yell “4 down” from the bench and know he’s going to get a bucket.
Karl has always been good with the media and I really think it’s one of the things that has kept him from getting fired as often as he should. I suspect his bosses over the years have had the “he sucks, but we really like him” conversation more than with any other coach in the league (well, maybe Mo Cheeks). Pop is a GOML cranky old man who tolerates no crap with this team. For all of the lineups that drove us crazy, I have nothing but admiration for the Spurs coaching and FO and I have fear and dread about the day that Holt, RC, and Pop decide to go find something else to do.
"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." - Mark Twain
by spurchief on Jul 17, 2009 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions 4 recs
this line is funny as heck with 2Ls
while he is in the back room somewhere swilling pinot gris and trying to figure out how many more years he can safely yell "4 down" from the bench and know he’s going to get a bucket.
Ditto on this line. I just felt since I had ragged on Karl (and will continue to do so), that I should at least acknowledge when he’s being a good guy. But would I trade Pop for him – HELL to the NO! Personally, I’d like Pop to come to the AT&T Center sometime with a shotgun yelling at Kobe to “GET OFF MY COURT!”. That would be fun. :)
My people call it "sarcasm." - Lauri
my brush with george
i also met george karl once….kind of. it was at a PGA golf tournament in columbus ohio. it was the night before DR got his MVP trophy and then got de-pantsed by olajuwan and the rockets. pre-timmy, of course.
karl was about 2-3 weeks removed from his #1 seed sonics being outsed by the #8 nuggets.
as the story goes, it was late in the evening at a giant bar adjacent to the golf course. i had been drinking all day and georgie had a similar glaze in his eyes. a buddy of mine said that he spotted karl a little while earlier and i didnt really think much of it. later, i rolled into the mens room and hit the urinal – i look to my left and there he is in the spot next to me. i gave him the “whoa! my friend was right, george karl is here! how ya doin man?” to which he gave me a courteous “yep, its me.” i went onto to “inform” him that he was an original member of the spurs and that i was a fan of the team and all that……he was polite enough but sort of backed away and looked at me as if i were some kind of kook. he did say “alright man, you have a good time” as he was run-walking out the door.
Maybe Pop’d talk to a blogger, dunno. I imagine it depends on the context.
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
Wow, my first green post. Thanks guys.
In honor of Cap declaring this the Summer of Hope – I love that, by the way – I’ll offer a great song from one of my favorite bands ever about said hope. If this doesn’t get you out of your chair, check your pulse. Maybe they could use this at the arena to replace the stupid “Ya’ll ready for this?” intro song.
"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." - Mark Twain
Heyyyyyy, that’s mine.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jul 19, 2009 12:41 AM CDT up reply actions
Have you monopolized TCM on the blog? Or did you post this one before somewhere and I missed it?
"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." - Mark Twain
I have posted that exact video. It was probably during your hiatus.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jul 19, 2009 1:15 AM CDT up reply actions
But it’s such a great song and video that it needs to be reposted periodically.
"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." - Mark Twain
True.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jul 19, 2009 6:01 PM CDT up reply actions
OK, completely off topic now – but I think you’ll like this one, Cap.
I just outran a haboob on my way home. Barely. Now, you might ask youself “What’s a haboob?” “Why is he trying to outrun it?”. Well, kids, I’ve got your answer:
I used to be a c+x kind of guy, but nowadays I just go nuts with my z. - LatinD
Retire Bowen's #12!
dude, i’m sorry to say this, but phoenix sucks if it has haboobs. It sounds like such a nice word for some reason too (boobs). I’m glad you outran it rikiddo. I can only giggle when I think of any person trying to outrun that shit. Like a skier trying to go faster than an avalanche… I never see a video where the skier wins (okay maybe not wins, but doesn’t lose).
"He's Manu Ginobili"
by the little o on Jul 17, 2009 9:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Holy crap! I had to google “haboob” and the second result was this – Haboobs in Phoenix. Which, of course, makes me gol (giggle out loud – notice the use of lowercase letters). You just need to escape Phoenix right now.
My people call it "sarcasm." - Lauri
Thanks, but I didn’t take it. By the time I got inside and grabbed my camera tonight, it was already upon us – pieces of palm trees flying, and dust everywhere. Didn’t even get the chance, but fret not – I’ll get some shots tomorrow on the trip to Vegas and back.
I used to be a c+x kind of guy, but nowadays I just go nuts with my z. - LatinD
Retire Bowen's #12!
fretting…
or fretting?
Superman wears Manu Ginobili pajamas to bed. - CMoney
I don't like chatty. I don't do chatty. I like quiet. Quiet and mean. Those are my people. - Nurse Jackie
From TrueHoop’s Kevin Arnovitz story on the 8 Stories from Summer League:
The best franchises have well-defined roles that emanate from the top. Owners allow their senior executives to do their job. Those executives give their head coach full reign, and so forth. Look no further than the San Antonio Spurs.
by BlaseE on Jul 20, 2009 12:47 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
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