Comments on: Gregg Popovich has Rick Adelman’s support for COY

By: davidly

davidly — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 19:36:50 +0000

I think Popp, as usual, has done a stellar job with the level of talent he has, and Tivo is doing a good job winning. But San Antonio has had that team together for quite a while, so not much new there – and Chicago has had the potential for a couple of years now (bouncing the Celts in ’09), they just needed consistency. I’d go with Doug Collins as well. Or Skibby MaRew.

By: JL

JL — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 15:59:27 +0000

you make very valid points in your comment. However, I wasn’t making the argument that Collins should be coach of the year over everyone, simply that his performance this year simply warrants his mention as a serious COY candidate. The complete exclusion of his very legitimate candidacy is the problem I have with this article, all three candidates make a legitimate and worthy case, but lets remember that there are THREE (and possibly more, I just happen to be a Sixers fan) legitimate candidates not only the two mentioned above.

By: borderline1988

borderline1988 — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 02:23:50 +0000

There is no question that Doug Collins is doing a tremendous job in Philly. But it’s hard to root for the coach of a team that’s near the bottom of Eastern Conference playoff teams. Sure there’s more talent on Chicago than Philadelphia.
But if you were to poll experts before the season, and ask them which is more likely: Chicago winning the East, or Philadelphia making the playoffs as the 7th seed?

Chicago has some got some serious talent, but hands-down, the strength of their team is their defense and execution. Which is all Thibodeau.
The strength of Philly is their transition game, combined with great athletiscm all over the roster which they use to break down defenses and offenses. Which is essentially what they are anyways, regardless of a coach being there or not. Again, I’m not discounting everything that Collins does, but Thibodeau means a lot more to his club than Philly does. As much as you can argue that Philly has less talent than Chicago, it’s also notable that Chicago has considerably less talent and depth than any of the other elite NBA teams (Boston, Miami, Lakers, Mavericks, and Spurs – scratch the ‘depth’ for Miami lol).

Thibodeau was well known as the defensive genius behind Boston’s championship team. He has a unique combination of both being able to motivate, and understanding the X and O’s of basketball as well as anyone.
Whether or not he’s deserving of COY, I think he’s the best all around coach in the league either way.

By: JL

JL — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 21:38:42 +0000

Yeah, Doug Collins shouldn’t be mentioned at all (you should read that with a heavy layer of sarcasm)….Basically every point you made in support for Thibodeau you could make for Collins. Collins has been out of the game for years and the first year he’s back he takes a team that overall was 27-55 last year! The Sixers got no additions to the team except for Hawes and Evan Turner and after starting out 3-13 Collins continuously preached to his players to believe in him, (his players never quit on him!). Instead of having guys like Boozer and Rose to work with, Collins is now finally getting the most out of Andre Iguodala, Elton Brand, Lou Williams and Thad Young (I bet that most NBA fans don’t even know who Lou and Thad are). Meanwhile this team is arguably playing the best out of any team in basketball (last night’s game against the Bucks excluded). Imagine what Collins could do with talent like the Bulls possess, or the talent the Spurs (who haven’t won a game in Philly for 4 seasons!)….but your right, don’t even mention him as a possible candidate