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Speaking their minds Warriors voice their opinions on Carlesimo
Posted: Thursday December 30, 1999 09:59 AM
Before anyone starts wondering why Golden State fired P.J. Carlesimo, consider something other than his 46-113 record in two-plus seasons as the Warriors coach. Listen to what some of his players told the San Francisco Chronicle:
That's why the decision was made over a week ago to fire Carlesimo. Why the delay? Warriors GM Garry St. Jean didn't want to fire him before Christmas.
Another country club in Phoenix?There's no doubt that a desire to spend more time with his family was the reason Danny Ainge abruptly resigned as coach of the Phoenix Suns. But there was concern in Phoenix about a country-club atmosphere fostered by the arrival of Penny Hardaway -- and that's something new coach Scott Skiles will address."Penny's been great for us since he arrived," Suns' GM Bryan Colangelo said. "He's done everything we've asked him to do; he's combined with Jason Kidd to produce one of the top backcourts in the league." Still, Colangelo and at least one other player have admitted that there is more discipline and focus in the Phoenix locker room since the no-nonsense Skiles took over.
Adding insult to Chicago's injuryAs if the Chicago Bulls weren't already the laughingstock of the NBA, they actually recorded a total of three assists in a game last week, while center Dickey Simpkins came out wearing a uniform with his name spelled "Smipkins."To add insult to injury, at a recent college game in Chicago, Bulls' GM Jerry Krause walked into the Arena -- to a chorus of deafening boos and thrown garbage. Said one Bulls official of the incident: "Jerry's real good at handling stuff like that. Especially since Michael Jordan retired."
Quote for 1999My quote of the year comes from former Vancouver Grizzlies coach Brian Hill, fired on Dec. 16 after an 8-42 record in the lockout-shortened season, then a 4-18 start this year. Said Hill to Grizzlies GM Stu Jackson about the firing: "I'd like an explanation. I think I deserve one."
Resolution for 2000And here's my New Year's resolution for 2000: I will never try and describe the abilities of the Lakers' Kobe Bryant and the Raptors' Vince Carter again. I keep falling short.Stephen A. Smith covers the NBA for the Philadelphia Inquirer and is a regular contributor to CNN/SI.
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