Doc, Perk v. Howard, Suns-Spurs and six days to redemption

[Berry, Mark S]

OK ... I've resisted weighing in on the Doc extension. Kestas made the
argument that some of us have assigned too much blame to Doc and believe
getting rid of him will solve all the team's problems. First of all, I
don't think anyone feels that way. I'm probably the biggest Doc basher
on the list, and I know I don't feel that way. But I do feel he's a
lousy coach and that, to me, is a problem. Sure there are other
problems, but does that mean we shouldn't solve one very obvious, large
problem that has an impact on most of the others? 

 

I have become convinced that our entire "braintrust" (I thought I had
retired the sarcastic quotation marks after Wallace's exit) is too close
to each other and to everything around the team. It starts with Wyc, who
acts like a guy at fantasy camp rather than a responsible,
results-driven owner. He's enjoying being in the locker room, taking
part in draft workouts, and giving his wife and her girlfriends postgame
access to the players too much to make tough decisions about his GM and
coach. And Danny and Doc have this relationship where results don't seem
to matter to either guy. They remain convinced they're doing the right
things even when all evidence suggests otherwise. Danny's quotes about
Xs and Os and substitutions being overrated when evaluating a coach are
just comical.

 

What's frightening about this is that we're heading into the most
important summer the franchise has seen since Kedrick Brown was just an
unknown juco on Chad Ford's big board. And I have no confidence in this
"braintrust" to do the right things. They certainly haven't when it
comes to the coaching situation. I'm already dreading the realization in
early December that we're destined for another underachieving season
with inexplicable rotations and in-game decisions, with an extension to
kick in after the season and an owner who has shown no inclination for
swallowing that kind of money. Of course, if we're lucky enough to get
Oden (please, God), he'll make enough of a difference that Danny will
use that as evidence of Doc's coaching ability even if we only win 40
games when we should have won 50.

 

The truth is they really need to clean house, but that's not going to
happen. We're going to let these guys make the calls this summer from
their little bubble, while we all hold our breath and hope they don't
screw it up. Then we're going to spend another year - at least -
bitching about Doc.

 

Next subject ... 

 

Perk vs. Dwight Howard. I really appreciate Gene's opinions, but have to
disagree here. Perk is a backup center. I think he's a good backup
center, but he's still just a backup center. Meanwhile, Howard has
emerged as an all-star on one of the league's best teams. I totally
agree with the centers and point guards argument. But when the talent
disparity is this great, you go with the swingman. Ask yourself this ...
If Danny called and offered Perk for Howard, how long do you think it
would take the Mavs to hang up the phone?

 

On to ... 

 

Suns-Spurs. I was loving this series, but these suspensions are a
travesty. I don't care about the letter of the law. How about a little
common sense? It's terrible. I'm sure the Suns will come out breathing
fire tonight, but I can't imagine it will be enough against a truly
great Spurs team. I think the Spurs would have won the series anyway,
but it's a terrible shame that it is being decided this way.

 

And finally ... 

 

We're six days away. Has everyone really thought about the magnitude of
that day? If we get No. 1 and take Oden (which I have no faith in Danny
doing, but indulge me ... ), we're contending for titles for a decade.
If we get No. 2 and get Durant, we get a guy who has a chance to be a
Jordan/Bird/Magic level talent. We still have work to do to be a
legitimate contender with Durant, but it becomes much, much easier. It's
everything. If we get 3 or lower ... well, let's not even think about
that.

 

Mark