Re:Bird

[Joe Hironaka <j.hironaka@unesco.org>]

Hi Cecil:

I agree with you that it is a serious achievement for any pro coach to
transform a mediocre, veteran team into a 58-win, veteran team.  As for
McHale as an "Exec of the Year", I guess I think:

1) he should first hire a coach who can turn a team with three
fabulously gifted and mostly unselfish All Stars into a more dangerous
contender. Can you imagine if Rick Pitino had Googs, Marbury and
Garnett?
2) he should not have jumped the gun by overpaying Kevin Garnett. I
don't think it makes business sense, even if you can legitimately argue
that Garnett intended to leave Minnesota for elsewhere.  Besides, how
many NBA teams have more than 20 million dollars in cap room and would
toss it all to a Garnett?

Having said this, it's true that McHale has made a qualitative
difference in building Minnesota's talent base. Plus he's just about the
coolest guy to have ever been associated with the sport.


Take care,

Joe


Cecil Wright wrote:

> Yeah Larry's done a great job as a rookie coach with a veteran team.
> His
> approach has seemingly been just what the Pacers needed.  I think it's
> more
> difficult to take over a team of talented veterans such as Indiana
> because
> they're fairly set in their mannerisms, but Larry has been laid back
> and
> supportive of his players and their skills.
>
> We also need to offer praise to Cowens, Ainge and McHale for the jobs
> they've done with their respective teams.  I think McHale should get
> Execuive of the Year for the job he's done with the T'Wolves.