From the Courts

Coaches Who Are About to Join Derek Fisher on Involuntary Vacation Island

Jose Luis Villegas/Zuma Press/Icon Sportswire

If the New York Knicks firing of Derek Fisher proved anything it is that coaches aren’t safe no matter how little time they’ve been with an organization. It’s a cruel reality of the profession coaches have chosen, but at least their loot is guaranteed. It’s not as if any fired coach will be panhandling next to the local Starbucks.

With the All-Star game looming, we’ve hit peak firing season. Rumors are beginning to swirl around the NBA-circles regarding which coaches are next on the chopping blocks. Most aren’t all that surprising. In fact, some of the names not on the presumed firing list are more shocking than the ones on it.

Seriously, think about it: Byron Scott still coaches an NBA team! A man who is less a basketball coach and more a fortune cookie wrapped inside (yes, inside) the toy that comes inside a box of Fruit Loops.

Here are the next coaches likely to be given the ax.

George Karl

By the time this post is published, there’s an incredibly good chance Karl was already fired. According to Sports Illustrated’s Jake Fischer, the team has turned on the cagey veteran coach.

That’s not exactly a great look for Karl. Not that a team mutiny is all that surprising. That said, if you had Rajon Rondo as one of three guys who wouldn’t rebel in such a fashion, then you are a brilliant. Go buy a Powerball ticket.

The reasons for Sacramento stinking it up are aplenty. The roster isn’t the best; ownership seems to enjoy dabbling in the weird (I like him, though many feel he’s out there), and there were early-season reports of there being a serious rift between Karl and DeMarcus Cousins.

We thought that was all water under the bridge, but I guess not? Who knows?

If — but most definitely “when” — Karl gets shown the door this might very well be his last NBA coaching job. That’s sad, but it’s hard to argue that he deserves more time with the Kings if the players are actively looking to have him canned.

Kurt Rambis

Yup. He’s had the gig for a day and he’s already on the hot seat. Moo hahaha. He’s a horrible head coach.

Emma, he’s not THAT bad. I mean…

Moving on…

Alvin Gentry

I’m not entirely sure it is Gentry’s fault New Orleans stinks like a locker room full of athletes who don’t shower, but somebody has to be the fall guy. Especially when folks are salivating over the idea of Anthony Davis. Honestly, hell has no scorn like the general public being angry over not getting to enjoy a talent in the postseason. Or something like that.

Gentry has most of his contract ahead of him. While the Pelicans might want to move him, Gentry probably has, at least, part of next season to turn things around.

All I wanted was a healthy Eric Gordon, Pelicans!

Randy Wittman

The Wizards have reached a weird place in its development. The team has seemed to peak despite a presumed higher-ceiling being afforded to them thanks to the players on the roster.

Basically, the projection from a young team turned regular contenders have been stunted. It’s over. For whatever reason, even if the initial idea of them were just wrong on our end, the Wizards are without spells of greatness.

Wittman, who seems to be rumored for a firing each season, really needs to get the ball rolling here. Not only does he have to get Washington to the playoffs, but he needs to get them performing well in it. Fair or not, the failing of John Wall and crew to make it to an Eastern Conference Finals has to be pinned somewhere. And, fairly, Wittman is as good a guy to blame as anyone.

Byron Scott

He’s Byron Scott. How does he still have a job? Our entire blog has spent dozens of articles making fun of him. He’s wretched. If the NBA had a soul, Adam Silver would force the Lakers’ hand into firing him, then banning Scott from being a head coach in the league forever.

Dave Joerger

Listen, I’m not as down on Memphis as everyone else. I get that we’ve come to expect the franchise to be literal world-beaters each season, but it seems rather silly to fire the coach merely because the roster has gotten old in spots. It’s not as if Joerger forgot how to coach. I mean, if he did, then sure… fire him.

Even if Memphis eventually decides it wants to move on from Joerger, it probably wouldn’t be until the offseason. There’s no good reason to fire him during the middle of the season. I could be wrong (as I often am), but unless his tactics have worn thin on players who are going to be around next season, I say keep him.

Then again, I also advocate for the WWE to bring back Marty Jannetty on a near daily basis. So what the fudge do I know?

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