A new series begins this week on NetsAreScorching.com where we take a look at the possible coaching candidates for the New Jersey Nets. First up will be Mike Krzyzewski, and you may not believe this, but I actually spelled his surname without looking. Seriously. Anyway, we have a good list of candidates, which I won’t spoil here, but feel free to chime in and let us know what you think about our choices. Like we could stop you anyway.
Mike Krzyzewski has never coached in the NBA, though he did lead the Redeem Team in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, helping Team USA capture its first gold medal since 2000. He was offered the Los Angeles Lakers head coaching job in 2004, but politely declined after some thought and since not accepting the Lakers job, Krzyzewski has said he was committed to Duke and USA Basketball only. However, will the promise of money, potentially coaching LeBron James, leading a winning team in the NBA in the New York market, and knowing that ownership will be as committed to winning as much as him, be enough to get Krzyzewski on NBA sidelines?
New Jersey Nets fans should hope so.
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The Chicago Tribune is reporting that teams out there who are interested in LeBron James for their roster, or John Calipari as their head coach, may have to take them as a package deal.
League sources said Sunday that noted NBA power broker William Wesley continues to work back channels to sell John Calipari and James as a package deal to franchises such as the Bulls, Nets and Clippers with coaching vacancies and salary cap room.
I have never been shy about my opinions on John Calipari. While I’m not naive enough to believe that professional sports are highly ego-driven, after watching Calipari blame everyone but himself for the failures of the Nets’ teams he coached in the late 90s, I truly believe Cal is the ultimate narcissist. If LeBron’s reputation hasn’t already taken enough of a hit after Cleveland’s playoff collapse last week, I think his legacy will be fully tarnished if he attaches himself to Calipari. More importantly, I don’t think Calipari is capable of coaching in the NBA. He’s never stuck it out at a program long enough to demonstrate sustained success, his recruiting practices are very questionable based on the number of violations his programs have rung up, and if a player isn’t one of *his* guys (see Jayson Williams, Kendall Gill, etc), he’ll throw you under the bus.
