I love the "wants the challenge." That means he's ready to come in and go to work. I can't wait for his energy.
RTR '14
RTR '14
I think having a college kid will help tremendously in that regard.My fear isn't whether he will feel at home with elite talent, or even if he can attract elite talent. My one fear (and I do think he's the best option available) is whether he can manage the behaviors of a group of college kids. Can he keep them on the straight and narrow and make the right disciplinary choices when they stray? I know recruiting in college is a different beast, but I think managing behaviors is the biggest difference between an NBA coach and a college coach. From everything I know of him, I think he can do it, and do it well, but it is a LOT different than making sure Devin Harris, Josh Howard, and Dirk Nowitzki are happy.
My point is that Alabama became a "one and done" or "two and done program" in Grant's six year tenure without the benefit of NBA type talent. Whether it was discipline, legal, playing style, or personal issues, many players never stuck around long enough to develop and contribute to the program. The UNC's, Dukes, and UK's can weather that storm. Alabama can't.
Go back and look at Grant's entire tenure and recruiting classes. The ones that remained we not "hang your hat" on types of players. If the best you're going to do is predominately 3*, a few 4* and an occasional 5* player, you better find a way to keep as long as you can to develop them.
Much of Grant's classes should have been placed on the back of a milk carton because they were packing almost as soon as they arrived.
My point is you just described college basketball as a whole. Grant did not live up to the expectations. There were are a lot things I wish he would have done differently. I can't pile on and blame things on him that are not outside of the college basketball norm. I think Lacey was his fault because he'd still be here if we had a better offensive flow. Everyone else transferred because they weren't going to get the PT they wanted.
I'm a little nervous, but I am intrigued by the AJ hire. I think he needs to hire a staff familiar with the college game. I'd add one or two coached with Bama ties. I'd think about brings another NBA can who is a competent assistant.
Playing time is also controlled by the HC and shows his judgement of who is ready and who isn't !
I was thinking, Avery Johnson was a teammate of Robert Horry for some huge wins and rings.
They were only teammates for one year - 1992 Houston Rockets.
I don't watch much ESPN, has he been in the studio or on broadcasts for any college games?
AlabamaIntel still suggesting the idea of Mike Davis or TR Dunn joining the staff as assistant(s).
I believe Avery can recruit well because of his charisma along with that ring he wears from the 1999 NBA season.
I think mostly in studio work..