From Coach to Coach

With the dismissal of Cleveland Coach Pail Silas the number on the NBA coach carosel is Nine. Earlier in the season I told you there would be at least 4-5 head coaching changes. Well you can just call me swami!

Of course a few of the changes where other than the conventional "This team sucks. You're fired coach!" variety. Indeed, the Lakers Rudy T and the Grizzles Hubbie Brown retired for health reasons. Mavs coach Don Nelson stepping down to dedicate more time to a team consulting role last week has to be one of the oddest. There was no mystery that ex mavs and 1st year assistant coach Avery Johnson was the heir apparent. On many an occasion it was Johnson not Nelson doing all the talking in the Mavs huddle during a timeout. I had assumed that Nelle would be handing the reigns over to his son who often filled in for dad when he was having surgery, tending to a family matter or got kicked out of a game. But that was not to be. Nellie's no dummy, that "consulting" gig is a sweet deal.

But most coach's get fired the old fashion way. The Orlando Magic coach Johnnie Davis was canned last week as the Magic's free fall from the playoffs continue. The interesting thing about these mid season replacements. They seldom make a difference. The Blazers are 1-10 since Mo Cheeks was fired March 12. Kevin McHales Timberwolves is barley above 500 since firing Flip Saunders. His team may go from being in last years conference finals to missing the playoffs.

So what's the point? Teams usually fire thier coach, because thier teams sucks and they can't fire the players.
NBA.com: From Coach to Coach