The next coach of the Sixers can’t flop. He has to have a resume that includes rebuilding a sorry franchise. He has to be someone who can suffer through the bad times and rise to the occasion when an influx of young and veteran players arrive.
Reports indicate that the Sixers are set to grant second interviews to Avery Johnson, Doug Collins and Sam Mitchell. Of that group, only Johnson intrigues us. Collins is a guy who has never really accomplished much as a coach. Johnson at least got his team to an NBA Finals. Yet, his resume isn’t impressive when he had a bench of all-stars and a series of early round playoff exits.
Can Johnson really get the most out of his players?
When in the Sixers coaching search will the name Mike Woodson appear? Woodson, fired by the Atlanta Hawks after an embarrassing sweep at the hands of the Orlando Magic, is available and could be the right guy for the Sixers.
Not since Spudd Webb and Dominique Williams roamed the court have the Hawks been relevant. They have been in the last few years in part because of Woodson.
Woodson has been through the Sixers situation before with the Hawks. He went from 16 wins in 2004-05 to 53 wins this past year. His teams got better each year. Of course, the team signed Joe Johnson, a free agent this year, and traded for Mike Bibby in the process.
Bringing in Woodson may be the right move, especially when the Sixers have young guys and are rebuilding a one proud franchise. Add to that the fact that he was an assistant under Larry brown before. Nobody knows rebuilding like Brown and if the team can get a younger version of him, they need to do it.
Stefanski better be on the phone with Woodson’s agent yesterday. He’s been through this situation before, which is more than you can say for the other coaching candidates.
I completely disagree on Mike Woodson. That team had nowhere to go but up especially with the good job done by the Hawks GM in drafting Josh Smith and signing Joe Johnson. Woodson’s team laid down like dogs against Orlando.
The two best candidates are clearly Collins and Johnson. I would give the edge to Collins who has a successful career record and is known as a tough defensive coach, exactly what we need with this young group and lack of defense they played this season!
Jim: I respect your opinion and agree the Sixers need someone to stress defense. I just don’t know if Collins is that guy. I won’t be upset if Collins is hired. I just want the Sixers to at least talk to Woodson and exhaust all options available to them.