Coaches On The Hotseat

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
May 26, 2006

Coaches On The Hotseat

Doc Rivers

He's done an exceptional job of bringing along the Celtics youngsters, but is he the long-term solution in Boston? His substitution patterns and coaching decisions leave a lot of fans scratching their heads, and the team may be inclined to hire a top assistant to help him with the X's and O's. Rivers has made it well known how much he detests spending so much time away from his family in Orlando, so he may ultimately resign before the Celtics have a chance to fire him. But with a $5 million salary in hand, that won't be an easy call to make.

Rick Carlisle

In his year-end press conference, Larry Bird insisted that Carlisle will be back for a fourth season as Pacers coach, but this is the same Bird who insisted that a coach loses his effectiveness after three years with the same team. It's difficult to blame Carlisle for the drama that has surrounded the Pacers the past couple of years, but if Donnie Walsh and Bird want a fresh start, Carlisle may be a casualty.

Mo Cheeks

He returned to Philadelphia hoping to duplicate the success he had as a player but failed miserably, compiling a 38-44 record and a ticket to the NBA lottery. As if that's not enough, the team's two best players, Chris Webber and Allen Iverson, showed up after tip-off on Fan Appreciation Night in Philadelphia last month. Though both players blamed their tardiness on miscommunication, it's pretty clear that the Sixers are no better off than they were before Cheeks.

Nate McMillan

He was brought to Portland to bring peace to one of the most contentious teams of the past decade, but failed on just about every account. The team won only 21 games and lost 19 of its last 20, and both Darius Miles and Zach Randolph want out. McMillan's saving grace may be the five-year, $30 million deal he signed before last season. With ownership in flux, it's tough to see the team making a drastic move, but McMillan's first season was nothing short of a huge disappointment.

Jeff Van Gundy

The Rockets hoped Van Gundy could replicate some of the magic he had while coaching the New York Knicks, but after three seasons he's only 130-116. He has yet to advance past the first round of the playoffs despite having one of the league's best one-two combinations in Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. With new GM Daryl Morley beginning his one-year apprenticeship before taking over full time in 2007-08, next season may be Van Gundy's last to turn it around.

Bernie Bickerstaff

Despite claims to the contrary, Bickerstaff has long been rumored to be considering giving up head coaching duties to focus exclusively on his general manager responsibilities (rumors that may gain steam with Michael Jordan perhaps hovering as the team's new owner), and that may be the best news Bobcats fans have heard in years. One potential replacement is Kentucky coach Tubby Smith, who has done little to dispel rumors that he's interested in making the move to the NBA.

Dwayne Casey

It's difficult to blame Casey for the Timberwolves' woes this past season. Kevin Garnett is one of the most talented players in the league, but he's surrounded by one of the worst supporting casts. GM Kevin McHale is hanging on by a string as the T-Wolves seem light years removed from their appearance in the Western Conference finals two seasons ago. If owner Glen Taylor opts for a complete overhaul, Casey may be the tough-luck loser.

Mike Montgomery

Expectations were high for the Warriors when they entered training camp in October. After acquiring Baron Davis at the trading deadline, the team finished the 2004-05 season with a 18-9 record. But 2005-06 was a major disappointment as the team went 34-48 for the second straight year and missed the playoffs for the 12th consecutive season. With assistant coach Mario Elie waiting in the wings, Montgomery won't be anywhere near the Warriors' bench next season.

Mike Woodson

If anyone should be fired, it's GM Billy Knight, who not only engineered one of the most lopsided deals in NBA history (Boris Diaw, two first-round draft picks and cash for Joe Johnson) but also passed on Chris Paul in favor of Marvin Williams in the draft. In his second year, Woodson doubled the Hawks' win total (from 13 to 26) but couldn't improve on the number that matters most: seven, the number of consecutive years the Hawks have been out of the playoffs. If the owners need a scapegoat, Woodson could be the unlucky one.

Sam Mitchell

His career record as coach of the Raptors, 60-104, isn't a work of art, but the team may decide to hang onto him until their younger players (Chris Bosh, Charlie Villanueva) develop. Mitchell's combustive nature has rubbed some players the wrong way and drove Vince Carter out of town. New general manager Bryan Colangelo just fired assistant coach Gene Keady. Could Mitchell be far behind?

Coaches On The Hotseat