After a night where we seen two conference semifinal match ups come to an end, we also got some coaching news that really surprised a lot of people. After rumors had all signs pointing to Steve Kerr going to the New York Knicks to coach a team whose president was his old coach, Phil Jackson, Kerr surprised everyone and turned down the Knicks and is headed to the Golden State Warriors. Kerr agreed to a 5-year, $25 million deal with the Warriors.
The news of Kerr signing with the Warriors is kind of a shock, but when Kerr was in rumors to talk with the Utah Jazz, that is all it ever seemed to be was just a rumor. I don’t think anyone really believed that Kerr could end up in Utah.
However, there was still other coaching news that came out yesterday that did actually involve the Jazz. We’ve got that and more in today’s edition of the “Morning Jazz”. If you missed any of the latest Jazz content, or want to read it again, you can find all the links below.
Utah Jazz: The search to hire a new coach (via The J Notes)
It has been over three weeks since the Jazz told Corbin they were going in a different direction. Since that time there has been a lot of speculation about who will be the next coach. Since that time, speculation is about all there has been. The Jazz have not announced a list of interviews, or even said a lot about their coaching search. Now, this shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise to Jazz fans as the Jazz are notorious for being tight-lipped. Reading posts by fans on various articles I’ve found there is not a consensus about who the Jazz should hire, but that many fans are growing tired that a decision has not been made.
What I don’t understand in all of this is why are so many Jazz fans in a hurry to have the next coach named? Shouldn’t the argument be “take as much time as you need, just make the right choice?” Too often we get in a hurry and have to have immediate results and all too often when we make quick decisions they do not end up being the best option. Isn’t it more important that the Jazz hire someone who can not only come in and help a young team develop, but to once again build a winning culture that many Jazz fans have come to expect? I would rather Lindsey take an extra day, week, or even month than, in a couple of years, have to go through this entire process again. The teams that have the most success in any sport are the teams that are able to identify and make the right hire. The teams that hire and fire coaches on a whim are the ones that never go anywhere near sustained success. (Continue reading here)
Utah Jazz given permission to interview Bull’s Griffin (via The J Notes)
Today, the NBA Draft combine got underway, and as Marc Stein of ESPN.com reported yesterday, sources said that the Utah Jazz would be interviewing a handful of potential coaches this week. On Wednesday, one of the first coaches the Jazz will go after was announced.
Adrian Wojnarowski, as usual, was the first to break the news via Twitter.
Griffin, as mentioned, is currently an assistant with the Chicago Bulls under Tom Thibodeau. The Bulls wrapped up their season a couple weeks ago when they were eliminated in the first round of the NBA Playoffs by the Washington Wizards.
Griffin spent the last couple seasons before his time with the Bulls as an assistant coach/player development with the Milwaukee Bucks. (Continue reading here)
Utah Jazz showing interest in Grizzlies’ ex-coach Hollins (via The J Notes)
The interview process for the vacant head coaching position with the Utah Jazz is about to get underway.
Earlier on Wednesday, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reported that the Jazz were granted permission to interview Chicago Bulls assistant coach, Adrian Griffin. Now, Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports is reporting another head coach that the Jazz could be interested in, and don’t need permission to talk to.
The rumor that the Jazz are showing interest in Hollins is obvious, and a bit surprising at the same time.
Hollins is a former NBA head coach and spent his last coaching gig when he guided the Memphis Grizzlies to the Western Conference Finals in the 2012-13′ season. Hollins began coaching in the NBA in the 1999-2000 season with the Vancouver Grizzlies. (Continue reading here)
Utah Jazz coaching search: Jazz to talk to Stockton (via The J Notes)
Since perhaps even before it was announced that Tyrone Corbin would not be back with the Utah Jazz next season, there was speculation on who would become the next head coach for the franchise. After Corbin was not re-signed, names that came out as possible coaches to fill the position include Jim Boylen, who is currently an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs. Mike Longabardi, who is currently an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns. Also, European coaching legend, Ettore Messina.
As if Jazz fans weren’t already excited to see who the next head coach will be, the news that came out on Tuesday night should make Jazz fans doing cartwheels. Marc Stein of ESPN.com, broke a rumor that, at this point, is just that…..a rumor.
According to Stein, the Jazz are planning on trying to gauge interest from hall of fame Jazz point guard, John Stockton. The Jazz have already brought in the other half of the famous pick and roll duo, when they brought in Karl Malone to help be a “big man” coach for Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter. (Continue reading here)
Utah Jazz to enter exclusive D-League affiliation with Idaho Stampede (via Deseret News)
The Utah Jazz and the Idaho Stampede of the D-League are expected to soon announce an exclusive one-on-one affiliation, according to sources.
This will be the third time the Jazz and Stampede have had a working relationship, going back to the 2006-07 season.
The Boise-based basketball team recently cut ties with the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Jazz were left without a D-League affiliate after the Bakersfield Jam partnered with the Phoenix Suns.
The Jazz declined to comment on their D-League affiliation.
Utah has had five different affiliations with D-League teams since the NBA allowed player assignments in 2005. Those affiliates include: Albuquerque Thunderbirds (2005-06), Idaho Stampede (2006-07, 2011-12), Utah Flash (2007-11), Reno Bighorns (2012-13) and the Bakersfield Jam (2013-14). (Continue reading here)
NBA Draft Combine primer (via Utah Jazz)
The NBA draft combine begins today and will provide an opportunity for the majority of draft prospects to go through the wringer of physical testing, athletic abilities and interview savvy. While most prospects do participate, it’s not uncommon for the top prospects to sit out the physical tests. LeBron James didn’t participate in 2003, and this year Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker and Joel Embiid have all declined to participate.
The NBA combine began in 1987 and is not unlike the NFL draft combine (though the NFL version has a larger tendency to make or break a player’s draft stock). The NBA combine is more of an opportunity for teams to get an up-close look at the prospects.
Everything from body fat and hand width to wingspan and height (with and without shoes) is measured. These measurements help teams to get a more in-depth look at a player and his basketball attributes.
While combine numbers don’t usually hurt players’ chances of being drafted, they can definitely help. Ronnie Brewer tested as one of the best athletes in the 2006 class, and those impressive athletic numbers likely helped him become a lottery pick in the draft.
Here’s a look at some of the most intriguing physical tests, and how current Jazz players performed on those tests. We’ve also included a historic look at the all-time best performances at the combine and which Jazz players fared the best. (Continue reading here)
In one more bit of Jazz related information, Randy Rigby, president of the Utah Jazz, was on his weekly show with 1280 The Zone yesterday. Rigby announced that the Jazz will be represented by Bryan Miller at the NBA Draft Lottery next week in New York City. Rigby, as well as Jazz general manager, Dennis Lindsey, will also be in attendance at the lottery.
Be sure to check back with us here at The J Notes every day for more Utah Jazz content. Also, make sure to browse around the site and keep up to date with our coverage of the NBA Playoffs.