The NBA coaching circle is constantly churning, and this offseason it was on display. This summer produced a record 13 coaches with new teams.
NBA coaches alarmed by heavy turnover
These are trying times to be an NBA coach
USA TODAY Sports
That type of coaching turnover is a heavy burden on the currently employed coaches.
One such coach, who asked the Sporting News for anonymity because he is still employed, was willing to open up about it.
“Everyone’s scared s---less out there. There’s different criteria being measured on coaches and it is not just winning. You can win your ass off and still get fired. That’s why, we talked about it as coaches—we just got to keep coaching, and take it seriously and not let it be taken away or get minimized, from a coaching standpoint.”
Sometimes “just winning” isn’t enough to ensure job security.
Last year's Coach of the Year, George Karl, was fired this offseason after leading the Denver Nuggets to a franchise record 57 wins. Lionel Hollins and the Grizzlies parted ways after Memphis lost in the Western Conference finals. Vinny Del Negro was fired in Los Angeles after compiling a 96-52 record with the Clippers.
According to Sporting News, “the sense among coaches is that front offices are minimizing their importance.” That means that front offices are beginning to view coaches as interchangeable pieces.
Coaches are viewed more closely under a microscope with the rise of social media and blogs. Every timeout, every play, every substitution decision is more closely watched under the careful eye of fans and writers.
It’s not a happy time to coach in the NBA.
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