In a staggering display of upheaval and dwindling job security, more than a fifth of the NBA's coaching experimentswill change hands before the start of 2010-11. Seven clubs have been in the market for a sideline since the regular season's end, though jobs have come off the board at a dizzying pace in recent days. Recent coaching changes and hirings include former Portland assistant Monty Williams who joined the New Orleans Hornets, in an attempt to regain their franchise status as a playoff contender. Former coach of the year Avery Johnson has agreed to join Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov in New Jersey after spending the last two years as an ESPN commentator. The Nets were the worst team in the league last year with only 12 wins in total on the 82 game season, this hiring is an example of hiring a new established coach in an attempt to change the culture to winning ways. He taking the job from the mainstay coach named Lawrence Frank who has been with the team for the six years, this firing was to send a message that a 12 win season will result in plenty of changes and upheaval in a franchise. Boston defensive guru Tom Thibodeau has also verbally agreed to take the coaching duties in Chicago after the NBA finals conclude. He is replacing Vinny Del Negro who was fired for not taking the young Bulls past the first round for two consecutive years.
An intriguing coach change and opportunity takes place in Cleveland. As heavily advertised the Cavaliers superstar Lebron James is facing free agency in a couple weeks, the Cavs are ready to make huge changes with the franchise as they fired coach Mike Brown, who took the team to the finals and has had major playoff success with the team for the last 6 years. General Manager Danny Ferry has also resigned from his general manager duties. The Cavs have question marks surrounding their franchise on every level. The firing of Mike Brown displays my reasoning that coaches are the first to exit when a team does not meet expectations. With the talented team Cleveland had this year they were kicked out in the second round by the Celtics, this shows that the team expected to have a dynasty with Lebron still in his prime but have not produced anything but unexpected playoff losses.
Coaches are glorified when the team is having success but are critcized the most when the team underachieved. The coach of the year award is a mystique as many coaches who have recieced the award have been fired shortly after being at the top of their class. Raptors coach Sam Mitchell is a prime example, after a breakout year for the Raptors with a 47-35 record, Atlantic Division title Sam got the award and everyone was praising the Raptors as an up and coming team. The next year the Raptors stuggled out of the gate and he was fired at the start of the season. Avery Johnson fits as well as his Mavericks had great playoff runs but could not win a championship, he won the award and was shortly fired. Mike Brown of the Cavaliers is the largest example of coaches reaching sky high and dropping to rock bottom after winning the coach of the year award.
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