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Who’s going to be our big man coach?
Posted by: Chase on October 13th, 2011
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.The Utah Jazz find themselves in unfamiliar territory- with a plethora of young and undeveloped big men and a lot of uncertainty surrounding their lineup. The one thing that is certain to me is that WE need to get an assistant that coaching strictly the young bigs on our team. Often times when a team drafts or acquires young and high potential athletes they bring in a big man coach to work exclusively with them. Over the years we’ve seen Patrick Ewing, Hakeem Olajuwon and even Bill Russell step in for organizations and help coach the big men. I’m really surprised to have not heard that Utah is going to do the same thing. Do any of our assistant coaches have experience with big men? As far as I’m aware all of them are only versed in the area of guard play more so than anything else. Has anyone heard anything about this?
Personally I’d love to see Utah bring in someone to help coach our young and talented bigs (Favors, Kanter) but I’m yet to hear this possibility even being mentioned. What do you guys think?
Replies: 12
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12 Responses
The Jazz do need a big man coach for sure, I would love to see Mark Eaton come in to coach a little, but I wonder if some of his basketball defensive ability revolved around his huge size, which is impossible to coach. Karl Malone would also be good, but I think his strong personality might overwhelm Ty Corbin’s and that would be bad for the team. I am sure there are other big men coaches out there, maybe just not ones who have played for the Jazz.
Who says you need a former player to coach the Jazz? Yeah, that gets you some publicity, and supposedly such a person would come with some credibility, but being a former players does not mean that person is the best option as a coach, a teacher, an inspirer, a drill sergeant, a father-figure, or whatever else he needs to be to best get his players to perform.
I’m not sure he’s available, but HOFer Moses Malone actually has a Utah connection from when he was on the Utah Stars of the ABA. He actually briefy coached Hakeem Olajuwon, developing some of his moves in the paint. If available, he’d be a good choice; one of the most tenacious rebounders ever!
How about Kareem Abdul Jabbar? He might be able to teach our young bigs a thing or two–I’d love to see some of them develop a “sky hook”! I think he’s available.
Hakeem Olajuwon would be ideal but I doubt he would accept a full time coaching position. Moses Malone would also be an excellent choice. A Big Man Coach is a smart move for a team like the Utah Jazz/worth pursuing. Sadly, Fess could have benefited immensely… sorry, no cigar here. Just my take.
Robert Tractor Traylor could do a solid job.
Other than the fact that Robert Tractor Traylor passed away this past year…RIP..thanks for your input Kevin. I know Hakeem is open to coaching, he’s been helping Kobe Bryant with his post game recently. It seems to me as if Utah isn’t considering this option.
From this it sounds like the Jazz brass are “pondering” the idea of a big-man coach, but as of now aren’t committed to it.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogsjazznotes/52692045-62/coach-jazz-development-player.html.csp
It’s curious that the Rockets hired Kevin McHale to fill that role, and not Olajuwon. Perhaps he declined the offer if they did make him one.
I have no idea what Moses Malone is doing these days; not coaching anywhere that I can find.
And I believe Kareem has already been “consulting” with the Lakers.
I do know that Karl Malone has offered to help coach with the jazz before. . . But nothing has ever happened
Love that someone said Moses Malone… how ideal would that be?
I think you said it best Deb, Mark Eaton could just reach 15 feet in to the air and swat shots and grab rebounds. Ha ha, I don’t remember Mark’s dazzling post moves.
I’d like to see Karl Malone’s basketball philosophy instilled in Derek Favors, that toughness & killer instinct.
Kareem and the Lakers had a publicly nasty split last season.
What about someone like Alonzo Mourning?
I hate to burst everyone’s bubble, but there has to be bigs in order for a big man coach to work with anyone. As of now, there are no bigs to coach