Coaching is the answer

by Berebw01 on Jul 1, 2009 7:20 PM EDT

What are we going to do about coaching? I like Jim O'Brien and his offensive philosophy. I like the fact that we are being built into an uptempo style team that can score lots of points. My concern is his defensive philosophy, his relationship with players, and his relationship with Bird.

O'Brien is known to be hardnosed, and stubborn. These traits are not good when answers are needed on the defensive end of the floor. Bird has come out and said that Dick Harter needs more of a role in the D, O'Brien said he will take care of it. This is not going to be a situation that is going to play out well. O'Brien is not the type to hand over reins to anyone else, even if Bird wants him to. The fact he has not given him an extension is a key sign that he is not sure on O'Brien either. I understand why we hired O'Brien. We needed a discipline driven coach at the time, to help mold an unbalanced roster. Those days are past. Now we have a PG who can not play in O'Briens pass dont dribble system (Ford Dribbles too much according to O"Brien" and another PG in Jack who had a couple run in's with O"Brien by way of Ford.

Answer: I know that O'Brien will not be let go before the season. I can see a good chance that he will be gone fairly early though. If the Pacers do not start out well then he will be gone. I think the answer may be Sam Mitchell. He is someone that offensively fits the mold of what the Pacers want to do. Push the ball and score points. He is also someone that is known for being tough minded defensively. He could be the answer. I just do not think O'Brien is the answer. If the Pacers continue to struggle this year, either O'Brien or Bird have to go.

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I don’t see O’brien being fired during the year unless they just start our horridly.

We are not expected to be good next year. We have essentially the same roster.

At the end of the year I could see it. but not during the year. NOt like we are expected to contend.

by dbcb on Jul 1, 2009 7:30 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks for the post

Should be interesting to see how the JOB situation works out. I really don’t expect him to be fired during the season unless the team is relatively healthy and completely tanks. I do view him as a bridge coach in Bird’s three year plan.

Indy Cornrows

by Tom Lewis on Jul 1, 2009 9:08 PM EDT reply actions

agreed

It just doesn’t make sense financially to get rid of him when his contract is about to expire anyway. Might as well let him ride it out. I think he’s a decent coach, just not great. And expectations are such that he is unlikely to do so bad as to warrant a mid-season firing. Maybe if we start off with a winning percentage under .250 he could get fired, but otherwise, he’ll be here all year.

As for replacements, that’s more fun to talk about. I’m not a huge Sam Mitchell fan. i think he’s alright but not much of an upgrade. Ultimately I’m not a huge fan of getting guys who coached elsewhere and did just okay. If we could get anyone who’s available, I’m a big Avery Johnson fan. If not him, I’d be up for taking a chance on a younger up and comer.

"If you don't [draft me], I promise you I'll come back and kick your ass for the next 15 years."

by psvirsky on Jul 1, 2009 10:28 PM EDT reply actions