SB Nation User Blog: busybe

Mike Fratello

busybe — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 01:05:11 -0000

Did anyone see the story about Mike Fratello "the czar of the telestrator" wanting to get back into coaching? He's a pretty successful veteran coach who could get respect, teach defense and possibly sign for a reasonable salary.

Was he too much of a defensive minded, slow-it-down, grind-it-out type coach?

Fratello was head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies from December 2004 to December 2006. In his first season he inherited a 5-11 team that he turned around to win 45 games and advance to the playoffs. Fratello built on that record the following year to win 49 games and return to the playoffs for a second consecutive season. Before departing in December 2006, his record was 6-24 taking his overall record with Memphis to 95-87.

Prior to working with the Grizzlies, Fratello had coached the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Atlanta Hawks. In his six seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers his record was 248 wins and 212 losses. Fratello took the Cavaliers to the playoffs four times. Fratello coached the Hawks for seven seasons and posted a 324-250 record, making the post-season playoffs five times and winning the Central Division in 1987 with 57 wins. Fratello was named coach of the year for the 1985-1986 NBA season. His NBA career stats are 666 wins and 542 losses for a .551 average. His teams have qualified for the playoffs in eleven of his 16 seasons as a head coach.

One of the most respected basketball minds despite having never won an NBA championship as a head coach, Fratello ranks 19 on the NBA's all time win list and 21 in games coached.

This isn't an endorsement, just found it interesting to hear of a new possiblity in the coaching search. There is a coaching search right?. Any thoughts?

rookie starters

busybe — Tue, 20 May 2008 20:09:52 -0000

Say Sac wins the lottery today or even gets the 2nd pick, will Beasly / Rose start? How about the third pick, the twelfth? Which players fit the needs and fill the positions for Sac that you'd like to see start regardless of rookie mistakes? For example if there is a mature, strong body, "feel for the game" type power forward at pick 12, or hell #42, why shouldn't Theus let 'em start and grow on the job? Oh, right, because of Moore, Shareef, and K9!! The hydra!! It seems like you never know how a player might blossom when given the full opportunity. If Sac is always going to "let young players develop" on the bench, they'll never have a ROY candidate. Isn't this the year they should let a young, atheletic stud get major minutes at the 4. For example, if Joey Dorsey (the consensus most defensive, rebounding, shot blocking 4 in the draft?) falls to 42- which I don't think will happen....why not let him do his thing? Sure he'll probably foul out alot and may not score, but if he averages 10 rebs. and 2 blks. it'd be just what Sac needs. Who else might start? Aurthur, Speights, McGee?

point guards

busybe — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 20:02:13 -0000

With Bibby out, and all this talk about needing a pass first/traditional point/offense initiating/distributor, what about Jared Jordan. He was released from the Knicks after having a couple of good games in their camp. I think he led the NCAA in assists the last two years. He's been tabbed as a defensive liability, but the Kings are used to that! Being a rookie, he may not be the full-time, permanent solution for the point this year but if he's available, inexpensive, and can backup (Douby?Garcia?Greene?please not Salmons!) why not give him a chance in this league. Maybe he'll develop into a NBA assist leader.

The Kings need a stat leader on this team! Artest is amazing with his 2.1 steals. But rebounds - 6.5(by Artest..small foward!), assists - 4.7(Bibby), and worst of all blocks - 0.6(Miller). Pathetic!

Kevin Martin's value

busybe — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 18:51:30 -0000

Kevin Martin's signing just got me thinking. Now that his value is set why not throw his name in with the Bibby/Artest trade ideas. My apologies, I actually like to hear all the wacky trades fans can think of, and as long as everyones is talking major changes let's put K-Mart/Speed Racer/Quik-E-Mart out there. I personally think his demeanor on the court seems like no more than a good 2nd/3rd star. If so, 5 years $55 mil. is a little high and his contract could turn into a minor albatros in the future(I hope he proves me wrong). Think of the quick fixes? a young up and comer? like Martin could attract:

MARTIN & Miller to Memphis for Gasol & Lowry; MARTIN & Miller to Indy for O'Neal; MARTIN & Shareef, Williams, Douby to Indy for O'Neal & Armstrong; MARTIN & Douby to Seattle for Wilcox, West, Wilkins; MARTIN & Douby to Orlando for Hedo, Arroyo, Redick.

Any of these sound good?

101+ Bibby, Artest, Miller, Thomas, Shareef trade possibilities and draft prospects to follow. This building a good roster is easy (from the computer with ESPN trade machine, etc).

this is my thing

busybe — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 03:28:56 -0000

Trade Artest. He's a great individual player but he's gotta go. Bibby's pride should make him have a great year and regain go-to, "big shot" walk upcourt status. Martin is an ok second fiddle but will never lead an NBA team. Hawes? whatever. I say give him the chance other top 10 picks will get...start, limited minutes, build some confidence for his future starting center spot? Miller should mentor him from off the bench but still get alot of minutes unless his effort looks like it did last year. I'd take Balkman, Jones, and Dickau from NY for Ron Ron in a heartbeat. Dickau and Jones' contracts are only 1 year, and Balkman could be a stud SF. Starting lineup: Bibby, Martin, Garcia(thrive under Theus baby, thrive), Moore(should lineup well with Hawes inside- while hitting jumpers? and providing enrgetic D and experience), Hawes(let's see what we got). First bigs off the bench: Miller for offense, Williams for D. Shareef and KT? 10 mins. in the right situations. Guards: Salmons, etc. Replacing Ron Ron for SF minutes: Balkman- 8rebs, 2blks, 2stls? It could happen.