76ers will interview Laimbeer, Majerle
The 76ers coaching search is now 23 days old and, to this point, there have been exactly two known interviews: Doug Collins and Avery Johnson.
76ers will interview Laimbeer, Majerle
The 76ers coaching search is now 23 days old and, to this point, there have been exactly two known interviews: Doug Collins and Avery Johnson.
Of course, the list is expanding almost daily and the list now includes a scheduled interview with former Toronto Raptors coach Sam Mitchell set for Sunday, and interviews with Phoenix Suns assistant Dan Majerle and Portland Trail Blazers assistant Monty Williams set for Monday.
A new addition to the search will also be former Detroit Pistons' "Bad Boy" Bill Laimbeer, who last season served as an assistant coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves and who previously won two WNBA titles as head coach of the Detroit Shock. According to a source, Sixers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski will be meeting with Laimbeer on Sunday, a few hours after his interview with Mitchell.
By the end of Monday, Stefanski will have interviewed six candidates: Collins, Johnson, Mitchell, Laimbeer, Williams, and Majerle.
For fun (and using some knowledge), let's take a look at the likelihood each of these candidates becomes the next coach of the Sixers.
Collins (odds, 12-1): Although he was the first interview, the longer this search progresses (and most sources are saying nothing will happen for a while), the lower Collins' chances become. Given his background and current gig with TNT, he's probably not interested in being a part of a long, drawn-out search involving so many names and so many interviews.
Johnson (odds, 9-1): Johnson, former head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, is rumored to be more interested in the New Orleans Hornets vacancy. With his high winning percentage and connection to the city, it's much more likely he'll become the Hornets next coach, not the Sixers. Toss in the fact that during last season's search Johnson wanted to be hand selected and his odds of surviving this month-plus endeavor are slight.
Sam Mitchell (5-1): Mitchell is known as a task master, and a guy that will put the Sixers on lockdown. Something they need. His career record is 156-189, so he might draw some ire from fans who don't want a repeat of the Eddie Jordan selection, but it's difficult to compare the two since Mitchell has coached about 270 fewer games.
Bill Laimbeer (5-1): Laimbeer could be an interesting candidate. You know he's going to demand a lot from his players, given his track record both as a player and in the WNBA. He's had a tough time getting his foot in the NBA coaching door, but he's had success whenever he's been given a coaching opportunity. Laimbeer has the potential combination of being able to raise people's interest in the Sixers, while also being a candidate with a whole lot of upside.
Monty Williams (15-1): Williams, 38, has only been an assistant coach for a few years. Yes, he handled a lot of duties for Nate McMillan this season, but it's going to be difficult for Stefanski to hire a guy who doesn't have head coaching experience and doesn't have the name-brand effect of a Laimbeer or Majerle. Williams will become an NBA head coach, but he's a longshot for this gig.
Dan Majerle (12-1): Majerle, 44, is in a similar boat as Williams, except he could instantly raise the team's marketability. (Not a ton, but it's something, right?). As this process plays out, we'll likely learn more about Majerle's coaching style, but if Stefanski doesn't feel he can come in and regulate on his young roster, he'll instantly be out of the race.
--Kate
Thibodeau is my first choice, the guy from san Antonio my second, but Laimbeer is an intriguing 3rd option.— FKD215
Comment removed.- WE WANT LAIMBEER, PERIOD.— BUGGY
Lambier would bring fan interest, which this franchise desperately needs; Bill would demand an interested response from every player...what a change that would be. johnnyu- Comment removed.
- no10leclair, you are a moron. odds dont have to add up to 100 you idiot. she didnt give a percentage break down, she gave the odds. Do you think the odds of the horses in the Kentucky Derby added up to 100? How about when they put out the odds to winning the super bowl and a team is 1000 to 1. Kinda throws off your thinking that odds total 100. The odds of you having a brain 1,000,000 to 1.— Pat c
- Comment removed.
- I would go with laimbeer. He would have the guts to tell sammy to shut up, and put a foot up iggy's backside. Atleast, he is someone we can respect and most importantly someone who'll the players will have to respect.— addoublee
- Forget these half breed coaches the sixers are interviewing. Hasen't this franchise had enough of getting half breed coaches to coach this team. Enough. Go after a great coach with a great resume. Go after Phill Jackson. Phill doesn't want to coach in LA after the season is over. He wants the opportunity to turn a garbage team around from the bottom and make them a championship. The sixers fit the bill perfectly. The Zin Master is the only coach who can make this team into an entertaining ball club again. He's the only coach who would take the challege. Go get the ZIN Master Phill Jackson.
- I think this is a no brianer, you want to win and you realy only have one coach in the bunch that has those credentials. Not only has he won twice at this level but at other levels as well. I think he would have to be your best choice. But we again the Sixers and that means we may wait till he's not available and choose the from what others did not want. As fans we can't expect to much from whoever comes in to coach next because we still have the same sorry team that lacks consistancy all accross the board.— rayzoe
- Would LOVE Lambier and the TOUGHNESS HE WOULD bring to the the sixers...johnnyu
- Collins or Jackson Or Lambeer. Just get the right Coach for this Team and Keep him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!— Philly4fanDoc
- i guess stef is going to interview the whole nba for this position. Trying to do the opposite of last year, that is hiring his croney Jordan after a round of golf and no interviews with other prospects.— Wise_Owl
I'll buy on Laimbeer - why not?— dpcoz- please bring in Jay Wright...Please— ace11
Keith Pompey has been an Inquirer reporter since September 2004. He takes over the Sixers beat after covering the Temple men’s basketball team for the past three years and Temple football the past two seasons. Pompey also previously covered the Penn and Drexel men’s basketball team and Villanova football team after initially focusing on high school sports.
Pompey is a native Philadelphian and a University of Pittsburgh. Follow him on Twitter @PompeyOnSixers or reach Keith at kpompey@phillynews.com.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
