2016-17 Coach of the Year

Frank Vogel is out in Indiana, a surprise to me though his status had been dangling for a while. A coupla rumors swirl together in Indy: supposedly Bird wants Kevin McHale to be the new Pacer coach and the Lakers reportedly want Paul George in return for their top 3 pick. The first rumor seems like a natural...until you remember that Bird and McHale always hated each other. As for the second, if the Pacers are in blow-up mode a top 3 pick would seem like a good place to start...until you remember that Larry Bird ain't waiting around on some rook to get it done. Personally, I don't see either of those things happening. Then again, I thought the Pacers were quite comfortable with Coach Vogel (hey, that Toronto series was winnable and the Pacers really should've done better in Games 3,5 & 7, guess that sealed it for Bird). (BONUS: Do you know what 'vogel' means in German?) I think Paul George remains the cornerstone of Pacer basketball and I wouldn't be surprised to see David Blatt end up as their next coach.

JB Bickerstaff is offically out in Houston, as the Rockets extend their search for a new head coach. Wouldn't be surprised to see Bickerstaff join Luke Walton's crew in LA. I'm guessing Frank Vogel just went to the top of their list. And word is Mike D'antoni will be interviewing for that spot.

Kevin McHale is reportedly out of contention for the Kings' job (probably best for his mental health). Patrick Ewing is the media's favorite for that gig, but we'll see if GM Vlade Divac agrees.

The Knicks seem to be leaning toward David Blatt, although they, too, might want to take a run at Vogel. Random aside: remember the Reform Party? Back in the 1990s kooky billionaire Ross Perot invented a 3rd party behind big money and potential muscle to nose their way into the Dem-Rep duopoly that runs America. In 2000 they fielded Pat Buchanon as their candidate. All Buchanon had to do was get 5% of the popular vote in order to secure matching funds (re: legitimacy) for the Reform Party going forward; instead, (I believe) Buchanon torpedoed the party to make sure that Perot's vision would go down in flames and the two party system would be preserved. (Yeah, perhaps I'm straining the conspiracy theory, the idea that Pat Buchanon was simply incapable of 5% of the vote despite his full efforts  is not at all hard to believe) Anyway, that's what Phil Jackson's tenure with the Knicks feels like: he's collecting big paychecks to pretend like he's in charge when at best he's only sabotaged their chances of getting better in the near term. With the Lakers hiring Luke Walton, it is important to remember that after next season the Buss children seem destined for a power struggle (favoring Jeanie Buss) and Phil has an opt out clause with the Knicks: the band would seem to be ready to get back together next year right as the salary cap takes another huge jump (and with no Kobe around to hog any spotlight). In great conspiracy theory fashion: if that's not the script, it ought to be.

Knicks, Kings, Pacers and Rockets are without coaches. The Grizzlies are apparently holding to Dave Joerger (I think they ought to keep him though it seems like they've got a big shake up coming), if Mike D'antoni gets a better job, one would assume that means Brett Brown is safe in Philly and we'll see if the Raptors remain satisfied with Dwayne Casey (they, too, may have a big shake up coming). I imagine the Hawks will make big moves, too, but I think Coach Bud will be making the moves.