ShareThisNBA teams fired eight coaches this season. Six before Christmas.
How many interim guys will be back next season?
Lionel Hollins was given the job full-time in Memphis. But even Hollins' job security is tenuous since he was given only a one-year deal through the 2009-10 season.
Of the seven interim coaches, Philadelphia's Tony DiLeo and Oklahoma City's Scott Brooks are expected to return.
DiLeo hadn't coached in nearly two decades. His last coaching job was leading West Germany's men's and women's national teams in the 1980s. Implementing old-fashioned ideas that helped him win nine titles in his country's top division during an 11-year run in West Germany, DiLeo has done a stellar job with the 76ers, who play a fast, well-disciplined style.
None of the other six teams with interim coaches will be projected to make the playoffs next season. And, yes, that includes Phoenix. There are rumors the Suns might dismantle the roster. If Steve Nash, Shaquille O'Neal and Amare Stoudemire all return, Alvin Gentry is a good choice. If Phoenix tears it apart, it really doesn't matter who the coach is.
A pronounced limp is a reminder Minnesota's Kevin McHale sacrificed his knees during his playing days. He doesn't crave coaching. But there's talk owner Glen Taylor might not let McHale return to his job as general manager. Taylor might force him to remain the coach or leave the organization.
Jay Triano, Ed Tapscott and Kenny Natt are long shots.
Natt might stick simply because the rebuilding Kings are losing money. But the need to sell tickets could force the Maloof family to dip into their casino money and hire a bigger name coach.
An assistant under three head coaches, Triano is the stereotypical fill-in candidate. It would be shocking if the Raptors commit to him. They shouldn't have fired Sam Mitchell in the first place.
Tapscott, a Washington, D.C., native, is a good executive but has limited coaching experience. With Gilbert Arenas back from his injury, the Wizards could be a playoff contender if the right coach is hired and a key player or two is added.
Which brings us back to Brooks.
Someone recently mentioned that because he's a first-time head coach, Brooks has little leverage in negotiations. Just the opposite is true. Brooks' work has been noticed around the league. The Kings would jump at the chance to bring back the local kid after giving the job to Reggie Theus instead of Brooks two years ago. Toronto, possibly even Minnesota, might be interested.
Does Brooks expect to return?
"I haven't given it much thought," Brooks said. "I'm trying to continue to help these players get better these last two weeks. They have gotten better. And they will continue to get better for years to come."
Brooks has earned, at worst, a two-year contract to continue working with Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Russell Westbrook, Thabo Sefolosha and Nenad Krstic.
"Like Sam (Presti) said early on, we'll talk about it after the season," Brooks said. "Nothing has changed."
What has changed is the Thunder's win-loss record. Oklahoma City was 1-12 when Brooks took over. After falling to 3-29 before the holidays, the Thunder is 18-26 since New Year's Eve.
Brooks said his plans are to live in Oklahoma City this off-season. For good reason. It will be shocking if he's not one of the few interim guys to land a full-time gig.
(Contact Mike Baldwin at mbaldwin@opubco.com.)
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
columnMust credit Oklahoma City Oklahoman
