Originally Posted by
Hugeaux II
For the most part I've thought that Monty was a good coach that could eventually be great, that if we had the right roster and the right assistants that he could become our Pop, and when we'd have a rough stretch I'd remind myself that Doc Rivers was almost fired, and probably should have been fired, by the Celts - but they showed some patience and got the right players and now he's thought of as one of the best. I was never thrilled with how the roster was constructed for Monty- but I also know that we were never going to be allowed to try a slow build through the draft. We probably did the best we could after rolling the dice on flawed but talented guys like Omar and Tyreke, and overpaying for Jrue, by finding incredible bargains like DC, Q, and Cole. And the roster we have now has outplayed the team that is one of the best teams in recent memory for 3 out of 4 quarters in every game - but lost all 3.
After the Woj report came out the reaction was largely to say how crazy it is to have a 'playoffs or fired' mandate. Injuries and weird results (for both us and the Thunder) and all the other variables about who would make the payoffs in the West made that an arbitrary line in the sand. Don't get rid of Monty and Dell for not crossing that line, get rid of them if they are not the guys you want was a common refrain. Even Woj backed off, or qualified, what he said. But I think you need to reframe the question a little bit. What if they really aren't the guy, or guys, Benson wants - but they still crossed that arbitrary line?
Saturday is going to tell us a lot about Monty and these guys. If they can pick themselves off the mat, I'm going to be very impressed - not necessarily with his coaching ability, but his leadership ability. Not only will they be coming off as brutal a loss as I can remember, but what kind of home court fan support are we going to provide? I felt like the mood in the arena with 3 minutes to go, when we still had a solid lead, was one of absolute panic and terror. How many people will show up, and how many are going to be expecting the worst?
But getting back to Monty, regardless of what happens Saturday, the team has improved each year under his leadership, if there was an arbitrary line in the sand or not, the team reached that line. But the majority of the fan base seems to clearly be done with Monty, and losing in the manner in which we lost may have destroyed any of the good-will built up by reaching our goals (arbitrary or not). And while we all may have our favorites (and we're all relieved that Avery is off the board) it is not like there is a slam dunk candidate out there. Thibs wears on players, Jackson is a leader but not a coach, Hoiberg may not be any healthier than Karl, etc etc. Phil ain't walking through that door, Pop aint walking through that door, Red ain't walking through any door. And you absolutely can not mess this decision up when you have a 22 year old AD. I'm not saying don't make a change - I'm saying wow am I glad I am not the one having to make that call.
OKC just fired Brooks for largely the same reason we are talking about a change. A lot of national media crushed his decisions. His players seemed to love him. They've got KD on the verge of his own contract extension. And reportedly their top 2 candidates are guys that have never coached in the pros. Fired a guy because they didn't think he could take them to the next level, and wanting to hire even more unproved guys.? Yikes. I think Ollie will be great, but I also thought Thomas Robinson couldn't miss. I'm just a dope venting on the internet. Reading this back before pressing 'post' I know this sounds like a don't fire Monty because of the boogyman behind door number two strawman, but that is really not my intent. It's just me trying to calm myself down and look at how difficult a decision this really is. Good luck to Loomis and Lauscha and whoever it deciding on that next step, whatever that is.