As SheridanHoops own Chris Bernucca reported earlier, the Golden State Warriors have fired head coach Mark Jackson.
Jackson’s dismissal has raised questions around the league.
He helped lift the Warriors out of the NBA’s dark abyss, turning them from a 20-win team to a perennial 50-win team and playoff threat. After taking the San Antonio Spurs to six games in last years Western Conference semi’s, Jackson, with a talented yet precariously assembled roster, led the Warriors to another 50-win season and lost a hard fought Game 7 to the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round.
The Clippers highly touted front court was able to dominate the Warriors, who were missing their starting center and defensive anchor, Andrew Bogut.
This begs two questions: what’s a coach got to do around here to keep his job?
And two, who do the Warriors think they can bring in to lift this team, who they apparently consider championship caliber, to the next level. Who better to discuss this than Yahoo Sports Adrian Wojnarowski:
Golden State plans to pursue several top coaching candidates, with Steve Kerr and Stan Van Gundy at the top of the list, league sources said.
The possibility of reaching out to the Chicago Bulls for permission to speak with coach Tom Thibodeau will also be a consideration, league sources said.
The Warriors will likely move quickly to reach out to Kerr, who has strong relationships with owner Joe Lacob and president Rick Welts, league sources said.
Kerr’s preference is to advance into negotiations with New York president Phil Jackson on coaching the Knicks, sources said, but he hasn’t ruled out discussing the Warriors’ opening.
The Warriors also have interest in Iowa State’s Fred Hoiberg, but he’s been consistent in saying he wants to remain in college for the near future.
Despite Jackson’s popularity with his players, his clashes with top management and other coaches were too much to overcome. The Warriors are apparently willing to swallow the one-year and $2.75 million remaining on his contract to pursue another top name, who they should not have trouble attracting with such a deep and talented roster.
Kevin Durant claims 2014 MVP Award over LeBron James
The result we all knew that was coming was made official on Tuesday: Kevin Durant is the MVP.
KD secured 119 first place votes to top LeBron James, who was seeking his third consecutive MVP award.
Posting a ridiculous 32 points, seven rebounds and five assists per game while carrying the Thunder to the second best record in the league with Russell Westbrook missing consecutive time, Durant was the clear choice.
“He’s been the most consistent guy all season long,” Westbrook said at the end of the regular season. “He’s done a great job of leading us to where we are now. He’s basically put himself in front of everybody else in the league and shown that he’s the best player in the world.”
And while LeBron was clearing trying to catch him for a short stretch in the middle of the middle of the regular season, he too is convinced Durant was the clear winner:
James agreed, saying Monday: “He deserved it, for sure. It’s big-time on his part. His maturity level went up every single season both on and off the floor.”
James made a point not to compare the expectations placed on Durant after winning the MVP and his own experience.
“Every guy is different,” James said. “I can’t comment on what I went through (compared to Durant) and the expectations that came with it. Everybody’s different. Everybody’s journey is different. I can only talk about my experience.”
Houston Rockets plan to make another major free agent splash
The Houston Rockets, after a disappointing first round exit in the playoffs, will look to make yet another major offseason acquisition through free agency this year.
Two seasons ago they capitalized on James Harden, using a multitude of minor assets to haul him in from Oklahoma City. And last season, they scored big on the Lakers inability to appease Dwight Howard, forming a dynamic duo that led the team to 54 wins and home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
Yet still, something is missing.
“We’re going to have cap room to bring in a terrific free agent and I think next year we’ll be a lot better than we were this year,” Alexander said in an interview with FOX 26 Sports.
“I think the nucleus is great. I think we have two of the brightest stars in the league. We have players who are going to be much better next year, young guys. We have a very good nucleus.”
Alexander said he saw his team show important growth this season and in the playoffs.
“I think we improved as the season went along,” Alexander said. “I think we improved in the playoffs as it went along. I think it took us a year to lose (in the playoffs), and with the young guys knowing what it takes to win, I think we’ll be a terrific team next year, better than this year.”
Alexander realizes the potential of the young core that he has assembled, and that is exactly why the time is now for the Rockets to use their cap space to bring in another high quality player to push such a young group over the top.
What the Rockets were missing against the Blazers was exactly that. While the Blazers are also young, they have a collective fearlessness to them. The Rockets were plagued by unsure play and a lack of cohesiveness.
They’re one piece away from becoming serious contenders.
Look for the Rockets to eye a big man to pair with Dwight Howard so they can ship out the unhappy Omer Asik and place the young and improving, while not quite ready yet Terrence Jones to the bench.
Ben Baroff is a basketball journalist who blogs for SheridanHoops.com. Follow him on Twitter here.
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