NBA Ncaa Basketball Coaches

One of the biggest complaints about the announcement of USA Basketball's 12-man roster is the lack of big men. We are sending just one true center (Dwight Howard) along with two true power forwards (Chris Bosh and Carlos Boozer).

There are quite a bit of guys that excel at slashing to the basket (Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Carmelo Anthony) ... who also need the ball in their hands a lot. We also will send a gutty, defensive point guard in Jason Kidd.

Hmmm. This sounds an awful like how Mike Krzyzewski ... coach of Team USA ... constructs his usual team: the Duke Blue Devils.

Anyone who has followed Duke knows that they team has really had issues with depth and talent in the frontcourt in recent years ... while running a bunch of same-sized players on the perimeter. It works alright for a while, but them crumbles as the season wears on.

It could happen in Beijing as the group that Team USA will be in is rather weak, but they will see the big dogs in single-elimination play.

I guess with Mark Cuban anything is possible. It seems everyone is throwing about rumors that the Mavs might consider bringing in a college coach. There was the almost laughable Bob Knight rumor. Nearly as silly, is the idea that he might consider in Rick Pitino.

Should Mike D'Antoni and the Suns soon part company, his name will be added to Cuban's short list that ultimately may include Pitino. I've been told he'd consider leaving Louisville for a third NBA chance, but the team would have to be in relatively good roster shape.

I don't know; the thought of coaching Erick Damper (11M/$12M/$13M) for the next three seasons might be a turn-off. It's not as if he can be traded. I doubt Cuban could package Dampier with Microsoft and get a good deal.

Where to start in breaking this apart. First, this is from Peter Vecsey. Two, it's not a rumor that the Mavs want Pitino, it's that Pitino might want the job. Does that even amount to a rumor? Of course, Greg Doyel at Sportsline is also saying that Pitino might be interested.

That still only makes it one way interest. I don't see Cuban and Donnie Nelson going to Pitino. Especially since they won't have any interest in letting Pitino have much say in the roster.

The whole Kobe maelstrom seems to have had a lasting effect on Chicago GM John Paxson: this coaching search he's working through has been relatively hushed. Just last night, through Yahoo!'s Adrian Wojnarowski and Dan Wetzel, we learn Rick Carlisle has already interviewed for the gig. But the bigger news is the rumor Pax's considering Michigan State coach Tom Izzo.

And Izzo doesn't refuse the proposal outright. In fact, it sounds like he really would like to give the league a shot.

"I go back and forth on (coaching in the NBA)," he continued. "I still think it's the ultimate level. There is something about it. I look at it and say, 'It's a real challenge.' But I love what I do too. I go down and look at what the Pistons (coaches) do in preparation and I think, 'That's insane.'

"But I look at what I do in terms of recruiting and I think, 'That's insane.'"

Basically, being a basketball coach at any of the top levels is insane. Could Izzo succeed in the pros? The old canard about college coaches failing in the NBA is overblown and too general. Reggie Theus seemed to do alright this year. Hiring any first-time pro coach is a crap shoot, whether it's a longtime assistant-in-waiting (Mike Brown or Larry Krystowiak), a recent ex-player (Avery Johnson, Nate McMillan), or a college guy (Theus, Tim Floyd).

These labels -- and that's all the talking heads will focus on today, the question of whether a college coach can succeed -- obfuscate the real question: Can Izzo handle it? I don't pretend to know. But if he wants an interview -- and it sounds like he does -- you give him one. Let him tell you what he can do with Ben Gordon and Luol Deng.

There has been some discussion as to what it would mean about the rumored increase in the minimum age for the NBA Draft to age 20. As suspected by some, it does turn out, that the rumor is untrue.

Overheated press reports before today's joint NBA-NCAA news conference in San Antonio had NBA Commissioner David Stern and NCAA President Myles Brand about to announce a deal requiring college players to stay for two seasons instead of one.

This was not only in error -- there's no deal, nor was one discussed -- but missed a fundamental point:

This isn't between the NBA and the NCAA. It's between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Assn.

The NCAA may give its tacit or even explicit approval to an age requirement for the NBA Draft, but it has no legal or practical say in things.

No, the press conference for today concerns the joint venture to change the way youth basketball is structured, run and organized. The NCAA and NBA plan to contribute up to $15 million dollars each for a new program. One that will involve certifying and training both officials and coaches at the lower levels.

The details are sketchy to say the least. By accounts, it appears they are still formulating just what will happen, but they wanted to let everyone know something will be happening.

That is the new Zoom Kobe III from Nike. Actually it is the special edition of the sneaker made specifically for Duke at Kobe Bryant's request, because of "Kobe's admiration for Coach Mike Krzyzewski." Yes, Kobe had a special version of his sneaker made for the team he would have played for if he had gone to college. For the coach he would have played for, wanted the Lakers to hire a few years back and will be coached by him in the Summer Olympics.

The Blue Devils will be wearing these sneakers for tonight's opening round NCAA Tournament game against Belmont this evening. The "regular" version retails for $130. So Coach K, has his State Farm Insurance commercial running this year and now a special edition of a Nike sneaker in his honor. Is it any wonder there are so many Duke Haters.

It does makes me wonder, though, when Sebastian Telfair will come through for Rick Pitino that way.

Previously on FanHouse:
What Kind of Duke Hater Are You?

New Mexico State head basketball coach Reggie Theus is on the verge of leaving to become head coach of the Sacramento Kings, ESPN's Andy Katz is reporting.

Theus took over a team that had gone 6-24 before he arrived two years ago and immediately turned it into a winner. He led New Mexico State to the NCAA tournament last season, its first appearance in the Big Dance since 1999. Before getting the New Mexico State job, he was an assistant to Rick Pitino at Louisville.

Katz is reporting that New Mexico State has offered Theus a raise from his current salary of $355,000 to $466,000, but that kind of bump is nothing compared to what the Kings will pay.

Theus has done good work at New Mexico State, but he has made no secret that he'd like to coach in the NBA, and few if any observers thought he'd stay at New Mexico State for the long haul. Still, it's a disappointment to Aggie fans, and late June isn't the best time to go coach shopping.

As Billy Donovan continues to negotiate his way out of the contract he signed last week with the Orlando Magic so he can continue to coach Florida, the Magic wants Donovan to vow not to coach in the NBA for the next five years.

For Orlando, that makes sense: It's one thing to let a guy out of his professional contract because he tells you his heart is in college. It's another thing to let a guy out of his professional contract and have him coaching against you in a couple of years.

For Donovan, though, that must be a hard pill to swallow. Even though he seems like he genuinely wants to stay at Florida for the rest of his career, it would be awfully risky to put in writing now that if Jerry Buss comes to him in 2011 and offers him $10 million a year to coach the Lakers, he has to say no.

And yet what choice does Donovan have? He'll look like an incredible hypocrite if he backs out of his contract with the Magic because he wants to coach Florida, only to refuse to sign an agreement not to go back to the NBA. Florida's administration and fans are willing to welcome Donovan back with open arms right now, but they'll be somewhat less enthusiastic about his return if they think he's just biding his time before jumping at the next NBA job.

Ultimately, Orlando is helping Florida by forcing this issue. Last week the Gators thought they had lost their coach to the NBA. This week the Gators may get an assurance that they can't lose their coach to the NBA.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

Previously at Fanhouse:
Finale? Magic Will Release Donovan
Anthony Grant in Limbo as Billy Donovan Reconsiders
By Changing His Mind, Billy Donovan Is in Good Company
Paper Says Magic Will Allow Donovan to Return to Florida

Contrary to previous reports that the Orlando Magic would allow Billy Donovan to back out of his deal and return to coach Florida, there are indications this morning that the Magic still intend to keep Donovan as their coach.

The Magic released a statement this morning in which they noted that Donovan signed a contract with them on Friday, and although the team acknowledged that Donovan feels conflicted, the statement says, "we have a commitment from him that the dialogue between us will continue." If the final decision had been made, there would be no reason for a continued dialogue.

In addition, college basketball reporter Andy Katz said on ESPN this morning that, "the Orlando Magic are expecting Billy Donovan to honor this commitment."

None of this means Donovan will stay as coach of the Magic. But Donovan's contract apparently includes a financial penalty if he backs out, and that could make Donovan's decision a lot tougher. This story is a long way from being over.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

Previously at Fanhouse:
Donovan Wants Out of Magic Deal, To Return to Florida
By Changing His Mind, Billy Donovan Is in Good Company
Anthony Grant in Limbo as Billy Donovan Reconsiders

An NBA official confirmed to the Associated Press that Billy Donovan will be leaving the University of Florida to accept a head coaching job with the Orlando Magic. He will reportedly receive a five-year deal worth $27.5 million, which is a year shorter than the initial six-year, $30 million figure floating around earlier today. ESPN.com's Pat Forde also received confirmation, speaking with a source within the Magic organization:

"We're not worried about hiring a college coach -- not this college coach," a source told Forde. "He's proven he's won. He's young and he works well with a young team. This team is one step above a college team right now, it's so young. They're just learning how to play together, and someone like Billy will be perfect.

"I also don't think this job is as bad as some of the others that college coaches have walked into. It's not like he's inheriting a bad team, and that's usually the case for a college guy making the transition. The hardest part was for Billy. It was a tough decision for him because of everything that's happened at Florida, because of what he's built there. He was happy there."

The source said that Donovan will have no front-office responsibilities. "He's just the coach," the source said.

So far there has been no official announcement posted Magic's official website, although Forde's source indicated that an announcement would be made tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. Today's news surely caught Florida's incoming recruits off-guard, but at least two -- point guard Nick Calathes and small forward Chandler Parsons -- indicated they would not seek a release from their letter of intent if Donovan in fact leaves the school.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

Previously at FanHouse:
Paper: Billy Donovan Expected to Leave Florida for Magic
Can the Orlando Magic Hire Billy Donovan?
Donovan Contract Extension has Plausible Deniability
Donovan Never Says Never to the NBA
Billy Donovan Visited Grizzlies But Will Stay at Florida
The Grizzlies Want Billy Donovan

As long as Billy Donovan is the head basketball coach at Florida, we'll hear rumors that he's on the verge of leaving. But this one seems to have advanced past the rumor stage: The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that Donovan is likely to leave the Gators to coach the Orlando Magic.

Donovan is expected to become the next coach of the Orlando Magic after he was presented with a substantial contract offer, officials with the NBA team told the Orlando Sentinel.... Two league sources had told the Sentinel on Tuesday that the Magic had been in contact with Donovan's agent, Lonnie Cooper. When asked about the job Wednesday, though, Donovan said he had not spoken with the Magic.

The University of Florida had been making plans to announce Donovan's contract extension next week. On Wednesday night, though, the Magic made a firm offer to Donovan.

The departure of the 42-year-old Donovan, the brightest young star in the coaching business, would be a devastating loss for the two-time defending national champion Gators. In Orlando, Donovan would replace Brian Hill, who was fired last week.

UPDATE: ESPN's Pat Forde reports that the contract offer is for six years at $6 million a year. Chris Broussard just reported on ESPNews that "there's a good chance" Donovan will take the job.

UPDATE 2: ESPN's Andy Katz reports that Donovan has not decided whether to accept the Magic's offer, but that a decision should be made by tomorrow.

UPDATE 3: When asked yesterday about rumors he could leave Florida, Donovan told the Gainesville Sun, "I'm not commenting on sources. I'm not going down that road. That's why I don't want to comment because I know nothing (about it). Anybody can say anything."

(Photo: Getty Images)

Previously at FanHouse:
Can the Orlando Magic Hire Billy Donovan?
Donovan Contract Extension has Plausible Deniability
Donovan Never Says Never to the NBA
Billy Donovan Visited Grizzlies But Will Stay at Florida
The Grizzlies Want Billy Donovan