The Downbeat - 12 March 2010 - #184 - The KOOF > Chuck Norris Edition
by Basketball John on Mar 12, 2010 9:29 AM MST
in The Downbeat
15 comments
This is good news: It looks like Ronnie B could be returning to action as soon as the beginning of next week,
"If I push it, I might be (back) this weekend. If not, early next week," Brewer said. "I plan on getting out there and helping this team. I have to get the OK from the doctors but I'm trying to come back soon. But 31/2 games out (of the eighth playoff spot) is not unachievable with the talent level on this team.
Looks like he's ahead of schedule in the healing process. I wish nothing but the best for Brewer.
So you've likely read Siler's notes about Fesenko re-telling Chuck Norris jokes that he heard from Kyle Korver. Shouldn't there be a site for the KOOF? Like... The KOOF only plays the last minute of blow-out games because Stern doesn't want him to break the record for most points in a game. Or... the KOOF is the only person to be able to divide a prime number evenly by another number besides itself and one?
Great article from SLAM on Jerry Sloan,
He also feels coaches should be given a chance to prove something to the players who are essentially seen as the proverbial inmates running the asylum. "I think [sticking with a coach] would send a message to the players. Players [feel like] ‘I don’t have to play for this guy so when the next guy comes in, I’ll wait and play for him.’ It’s an attitude that players have."
And how does he deal with that kind of attitude from guys? "I tell our players I’m gonna be here and you may not."
End of discussion.
As if this was anyone else's team. You have to have some pretty good confidence in your relationship with management to be able to make a statement like that.
Sloan has said many times that he doesn't know when he'll stop coaching. He's stated that he will likely will just wake up one morning and decide that he's done. My question is what's going to be the piece of straw that breaks the John Deere tractor's back? Honestly, as long as he's physically able to do it, I don't see him retiring.
It's likely going to have to be his back that breaks before he stops coaching. I don't think it's going to be a voluntary retirement from the game.
I'm not saying I want him to retire by any means. In fact, I'm quite the opposite. I hope he coaches for a very long time.
So far, so good for March. The Jazz have typically had great starts to the new year over the past several seasons and this year isn't an exception. They're 4-1 this month and 24-8 since the calendar flipped to 2010.
There really isn't any one thing that you can nail down as the reason for the recent success of the Jazz, it's been a combination of everything. Everyone is healthy. Chemistry seems to be at an all-time high. Kyle Korver is so freakin' hot right now. Memo is getting his post-baby bump in production. AK is being AK. Deron seems to have transitioned to the next belt in ninja. Doe is getting it done and not just with his unconcious three-point shooting. Has he finally started figuring things out? Simply put, everyone is clicking and everyone is contributing in their defined roles.
Do you realize that we were a couple of hiccup games in LA and Sacramento from having a 12-game winning streak ON THE ROAD? In what alternate universe does that happen for the Jazz? Every game something happens that reinforces the Sundiata Gaines/Jughead theory. If that's the case, there's only one place this season is going.
Friday poll
0 recs |
15 comments
| Add comment
|
Email
Print
Comments
1. Ronnie B. rocks. I always liked the dude (even if I didn’t despise the trade). I love it when good guys, hard working guys, get the success and props they deserve.
2. Seriously considering putting up the KOOF site. I’d need help coming up with stuff, though.
8. Jerry Sloan rules. I can’t imagine trying to coach when everyone knows the players are the ones in power.
4. I’m a firm believer in the Yatta-Jughead theory. That game was the first time I saw team spirit, real comraderie, and genuine excitement this year. I could tell they weren’t excited that they beat the Cavs — they were excited that it was Yatta who hit the shot. I remember thinking, after 2 months of gloom, that maybe the Jazz actually can make this season something good.
5. I’d like him to coach until he’s done. There’s only 2 coaches I believe are better (Popovich and Jackson — and they’re not THAT much better), and there’s only one of those two I’d be excited to see affiliated with the Jazz.
I got the crap beat out of me in Provo one time
I disagree on Jackson...
but that’s probably because I can’t stand the guy.
But c’mon! With MJ and Kobe, how could he NOT win championships? I just have a hard time giving him much credit there.
I also can't stand Jackson
I hate that he abandoned teams as soon as they started rebuilding (Bulls in ’98, Lakers in ’04). I hate his arrogance. I hate his snide remarks about other teams and coaches.
But at the same time, he got the two of the most ridiculously self-absorbed players of all time (MJ and Kobe) to buy in to his team-ball system—at least most of the time. He got the second laziest superstar of all time (Shaq, surpassed only by Charles Barkley) to manhandle the league for 3 years. That is good coaching.
There’s a reason the Bulls and Lakers were uber-talented underachievers until Phil Jackson came along.
That said, I would never, ever, ever want him coaching the Jazz. I just can’t stand the guy.
I got the crap beat out of me in Provo one time
Snide remarks
Jackson’s snide remarks are absolutely brilliant. I love them because they get under my skin so badly.
Two stand out to me. The first during the finals in the late 90’s. He said (not accidentally) “I don’t know much about that cult or church or whatever it is.”
Also, more recently, about booing Fish. He said “you have to understand the types of people you’re dealing with in Utah”.
They’re subtle. But they’re also so cutting that you can’t help but be incensed.
i can't stand him for the same reason yucca man mentioned
he abandoned his team when his stars left. jerry in comparison stuck with the team when john and karl retired.
i hate his throne which i don’t think he really needs. i hate his arrogance. i hate his claim of being a “zen master.” and like yucca man, i would never, ever, ever want him coaching the jazz. every time i see him, it makes me appreciate jerry more.
also, you would never see jerry appearing on “the dog whisperer” or letting his gf upload videos of him lounging around on their bed.
A lot of good coaches haven't been able to win with MJ or Kobe
People will always say that about Phil Jackson, but he is a much better coach than that would indicate.
I don’t think anyone could have achieved more than what he has with the teams that he has coached.
so yeah, it probably is just that you can’t stand the guy :) I tend to feel the same way myself!
I don’t think anyone could have achieved more than what he has with the teams that he has coached.
Well I can agree there. My question is, how much could he have achieved WITHOUT those players? Perhaps with a team like, say, the Clippers?
I dunno. I just can’t bring myself to give him props — even if he does deserve them. It just feels so… wrong.
Jackson does get the best out of his players and he can make even the biggest head cases look like normal players most of the time. But having MJ and kobe certainly didn’t hurt his chances of winning all those rings.
Really?
He made Shaq and Kobe play so nicely together didn’t he? That’s why there is huge animosty between them. Jackson is overrated and the teams he’s coached have only been decent because of the players he’s had. He couldn’t do anything with some of the teams Sloan has been given.
For the Love of the Game
Thank you -- That's what I'm saying
Does anyone think that the Bulls or Lakers would have won all (or any) their championships under Jackson WITHOUT Jordan or Kobe?
I don’t.
Yo Jazz Fans
I’m a Bucks guy myself, but I have always admired Sloan, very few people get the most out of their players like Sloan does, however, Skiles is also skilled in that department, I am looking forward to the game tonight, it should be a great coaches battle
Go Beer, I mean Bucks
by Take Back Our Bucks on Mar 12, 2010 3:00 PM MST up reply actions
also looking forward to the game.
I’m a big fan of Bogut. Can’t wait to see him play tonight.
I got the crap beat out of me in Provo one time
yeah. his acl would look great in a jazz uni. smiley face.
The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.
by clarkpojo on Mar 12, 2010 5:41 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
Something to say? Choose one of these options to log in.
On Facebook? Use Connect to join SB Nation. Share insights with fans and friends.- » Create a new SB Nation account
- » Already registered with SB Nation? Log in!
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
