How The Carousel Turns

Avery Johnson was fired, Pat Riley retired, Larry Brown will coach the Bobcats, Scott Skiles will coach Milwaukee, and it appears Mike D'Antoni may be on his way out of Phoenix. If you haven't already picked up on it, the coaching carousel is in motion. What moves might we see, come this off-season?

New Jersey Nets - Lawrence Frank (OUT), Rick Carlisle (IN)
Carlisle is on the list of candidates in Dallas and Chicago, but with bigger name coaches out there, I think he'll lose out for those two positions. Lawrence Frank has run his course in New Jersey, and Carlisle would be a low risk replacement. For the record, I certainly don't think Carlisle will do any better than Frank in New Jersey.

New York Knicks - Isiah Thomas (OUT), Mark Jackson (IN)
Isiah's already been canned (finally), and Mark Jackson is the front runner for the vacant spot. The availability of Avery Johnson and D'Antoni has the possibility to create some competition in the Big Apple, but in the end Mark Jackson is the best fit in NY.

Toronto - Sam Mitchell
If the Raptors want Avery Johnson, I think he'll be available to go to Toronto. But, Avery wouldn't be a huge upgrade over Sam Mitchell. The Raptors are still building, and should give Mitchell one more year to improve his team's playoff performance.

Chicago - Jim Boylan (OUT), Mike D'Antoni (IN)
Boylan's already been fired, and the coaching search is on. "The Bulls' list of coaching candidates is expected to include Jeff Van Gundy, Rick Carlisle, Terry Porter, Mike Fratello and Boston assistant Tom Thibodeau." (USA Today). Those are all decent prospects, but D'Antoni's fast break style could turn the "Baby Bulls" into the Suns of the East (except, in the East, being the Suns can get you to the NBA Finals).

Detroit - Flip Saunders (OUT), Bill Laimbeer (IN)
This may sound a little bizarre, and maybe it is. If Detroit doesn't make it to the finals this year, I don't see Flip Saunders making it to next season. Bill Laimbeer has accomplished all he can in the WNBA and would be the guy to bring back the defense first attitude that made Detroit such a good team to begin with.

Denver - George Karl (OUT), Del Harris (IN)
Harris was widely regarded as the best assistant coach in the league while with the Mavericks, and would bring a solid defensive philosophy to Denver. There's no question, the Nuggets have character issues. Harris brings a more disciplined approach, and the experience necessary to gain the respect of 'Melo, AI, and K-Mart.

Phoenix Suns - Mike D'Antoni (OUT), Mike Fratello (IN)
I'm not sold on Fratello, but he would make sense in Phoenix. He would improve the Suns defense, without killing their fast break. Fratello should also be able to come up with a better game plan to utilize Shaq and Amare together.

Dallas - Avery Johnson (OUT), Jeff Van Gundy (IN)
Van Gundy is a veteran coach that can teach defense, which Dallas sorely needs. I can see Van Gundy and Cuban hitting it off during the interview process. I don't think Dallas will win a championship until they make some serious personnel changes, but Van Gundy is a solid choice.

If Avery Johnson remains available, teams like Minnesota, Memphis, Portland, and Seattle would be foolish not to pursue him. He's a young coach, with a lot of potential to get even better. He would be just what the doctor ordered for a team trying to rebuild.

Derby Turns Tragic - But, Do We Really Care?

My grandfather took bets at a race track for 30 years. I've been to the big races and to the Thursday matinee, where only the most die hard gamblers make a showing. I am not naive to the goings on at horse tracks around the country. I understand the money, the corruption, and the greed that drives the sport. But, there is undeniably something beautiful, about seeing a pack of thoroughbreds round the stretch. Only in horse racing can this beauty be tarnished by a brutal reality in the blink of an eye.

On Saturday we turned a blind eye to tragedy. This is the only sport where the winners weep with joy, while a competitor's horse lie dying on the track. The viewing audience got very little coverage on Eight Belles' tragic death. Instead we saw the victors celebrating, in a moment that was more fit for mourning.

Could you imagine a professional fighter posturing and preening for the crowd if his opponent had just died in the ring? Do you see NBA players celebrating when an opposing team's star player goes down with a serious injury? When a football player goes down, you often see opposing players kneeling in prayer. But, this is horse racing, where the lives of these animals mean nothing, other than dollar signs.

20 horses in a race is dangerous, but it makes for an exciting stampede when they break the gates. The crowd roars it's approval, while the horse's safety (and for that matter the jockey's) is given very little consideration. In the end, to most Americans, they are just horses. While we (and congress) focus on Roger Clemens' alleged steroid use and his past affair with a 15 year old girl, this Derby tragedy will be swept under the rug. There will be no discussions on the safety of the horses, and there will be no outcry from the public, calling for tighter regulation and smaller race fields (15 max).

There will be no demand for change, because after all, they are only animals.

NBA Playoffs Update

I can't believe the Hawks and Celtics are tied 2-2. It's been an eventful series filled with gang signs and possible suspensions. Don't listen to the hype, you be the judge. Is this Paul Pierce throwing up an Inglewood blood sign?


Now, on to the possible suspensions. Marvin Williams (Atlanta) and Kendrick Perkins (Boston) both stepped a foot on the court during the game 4 skirmish. I for one, don't feel that either player should be suspended.

Kevin Garnett shoved Referee Eddie Rush, while Rush was trying to restrain KG. Shoving a referee during a may lay is dangerous territory. If the NBA doesn't suspend Garnett, they are opening up a dangerous can of worms. The NBA would essentially be stripping the referees of their power to break up confrontations or brawls. If roles had been reversed and Zaza Pachulia pushed an official, I guarantee a suspension would be handed down. Let's see if the same holds true for superstar, Kevin Garnett.




I seriously underestimated the lower seeds in the East. Philly and Detroit are tied 2-2, and Philadelphia is extremely entertaining to watch. The Sixers hustle, run the fast break, and have the best motion offense I've seen in the NBA. Watch closely in game 5, there is constant motion, with great utilization of the back door cut.

Philadelphia is exposing Detroit in this series. I still think Detroit will pull it out, but they're showing that they don't have what it takes to reach the Finals this year. The Pistons are aging, and seem to lack the desire needed to be successful in the playoffs. It wouldn't shock me to see Detroit go out in round 2.

All season long we heard about how competitive the West was, and how the East only had Boston and Detroit. Meanwhile, Boston and Detroit are locked into serious battles, while in the West the Lakers have swept Denver, and the Spurs, Jazz, and Hornets have cruised to 3-1 series leads. Looks like the West wasn't as balanced as we all thought.

Are the Wizards still running their mouths about LeBron? Really? Even down 3-1? Here's a link to Brendan Haywood's comments on LBJ's "whining" over rough play.

Did anyone else notice the horrendous officiating in game 4 of the Rockets/Jazz series. Luckily the poor officiating didn't determine the outcome, but I haven't seen so many missed calls late in a playoff game since the referees flat out cheated for the Lakers during the Kobe/Shaq era.

The Suns fizzling out has been very disappointing. This was shaping up to be a great series before Phoenix blew 2 big leads in San Antonio. If the Suns can pull out a win tonight, at least this will turn in to a legitimate series.

Riley Retires, But for How Long?

Pat Riley stepped down as coach of the Miami Heat on Monday . . . again! Erik Spoelstra has been named the new head coach. At 37 years old, Spoelstra is the NBA's youngest coach. The Heat assistants (McAdoo, Rothstein, Askins) are expected to stay with the team.

Riley will remain the team President. But the real question is, will he remain retired from coaching?

"I am definitely sure that I don't want to do this anymore," Riley Said.

I wish I could believe that, but his past brings clouds of doubt. With that said, I don't believe he'll be back as the head coach of the Heat. Spoelstra is a young coach, and Riley is showing great faith in him, giving him the job of rebuilding the franchise with Wade, Marion, and their upcoming draft pick. The heat (pun intended) Riley would receive if he came back again would be unbelievable, and unless Spoelstra bombs, Pat would disrupt the rebuilding process if he returns. Riley's done in Miami, but I won't count out the possibility that he'll coach again with another team.

Spoelstra is just what the doctor ordered for the rebuilding Heat. He's young, energetic, and brings a positive attitude that Pat Riley lacked.

Call me an optimist, but Miami can be a playoff team next year. Sure, coming off a 15-67 season doesn't breed confidence, but the reality is; Miami completely tanked it at the mid-way point. There's no reason a trio of Wade, Marion, and Beasley (if those ping pong balls fall right) can't lead the Heat to a playoff spot in the East. Combine that trio with Haslem (yes he's small to play C), a new PG, and a run and gun style and the Heat will not only be competitive, they will be fun to watch again.

Click here to read more about Pat Riley's retirement.

Making the Grade: Colts Draft Recap

Rd 1: No Pick
Rd 2: Mike Pollak (59th Overall)
Center, Arizona State

Pollak gives the Colts depth and a much needed backup behind Jeff Saturday. Pollak will be ready to contribute in 1 or 2 years.
Grade: B-

Rd 3: Phillip Wheeler (93rd Overall)
ILB, Georgia Tech

Wheeler's a decent athlete, but I don't see him being an NFL LB. He can help the Colts on special teams immediately.
Grade: C+

Rd 4: Jacob Tamme (127th Overall)
TE, Kentucky

I love this pickup! Scouts say he's not a great run blocker, but Tamme's an immediate threat in the passing game. I can envision Indy using him in goal line/short yardage passing situations.
Grade: B+

Rd 5: Marcus Howard (161st Overall)
OLB, Georgia

Marcus Howard is small for the position, but has great speed (sounds like the entire Colts D). On a unit built around quickness, Howard will be a great fit.
Grade: B

Rd 6: Tom Santi (196th Overall)
TE, Virginia
Santi will be a special teams player, perhaps being utilized in short yardage situations (to take advantage of his above average blocking). I don't see him making headlines, but he could be a solid role player for the Colts
Grade: C

Rd 6: Mike Hart (202nd Overall)
RB, Michigan

Another great pickup by Polian and the Colts. Hart will be a great compliment back to Addai. He's smart, which will help him learn the Colts complex offensive scheme.
Grade: A

Rd 6: Pierre Garcon (205th Overall)
WR, Mount Union

He dominated Division III, but will it translate to NFL success? Only time will tell, but he could see the field as a kick/punt returner this season.
Grade: C

Rd 7: Jamey Richard (236th Overall)
Center, Buffalo
I'm not entirely sold on the idea of picking up 3 centers in the draft. I don't see Richard making the team. This pick could've been better utilized on another position, specifically D-Line depth.
Grade: D-