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Thunder coach Mark Daigneault is as safe as one can be in the NBA head coaching ranks, a profession that’s “getting more and more perilous,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said.
Before the Thunder and Lakers tipped off Tuesday, both Daigneault and Redick were asked about their reactions to the firing of Nuggets coach Michael Malone, news that rattled the league earlier Tuesday.
“Obviously, surprised just like everybody else,” Daigneault said of Malone’s dismissal. “I also don’t pretend to know the ins and outs of everything, but I do know competing against their team … They’re really, really hard to compete against. They put you in a lot of dilemmas, they’re organized, they’re tight, and I think that’s a reflection of their players and the continuity they have, and I think it’s a reflection of their coaching staff and Coach Malone.”
“Shocked” was the word Redick used.
NBA MVP power rankings: Why it's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's year to win trophy race
“Patience across the board for everything — coaching, players, front office — it feels like everybody is really pushing for now,” Redick said. “There’s certain franchises, OKC is a great example, that have had the same GM for 17 years or however long it is. Daigneault, I would expect him to be here a while.”
Make that 18 years for Presti as general manager — one season in Seattle and the last 17 in Oklahoma City.
The Thunder has only had four coaches in team history: P.J. Carlesimo, Scott Brooks, Billy Donovan and Daigneault.
Daigneault, the reigning coach of the year, is in his fifth season as Thunder head coach. Before that, he spent one year as an assistant under Donovan and five years as coach of the G League OKC Blue.
The Thunder is the only organization he’s worked for.
“I’ve been here a long time, I’ve felt a lot of support,” Daigneault said. “Mr. (Clay) Bennett is as steady and as impressive and humble of a governor as there is. Sam and the front office are steady-handed decision-makers, not only with the coach but with everybody.
“If you come here you get supported to do your best work, you get empowered to do your best work. There is a standard and there’s accountability to that standard, but there’s also a level of fairness with that that I think everybody here feels.”
The late-season firings of Malone and Taylor Jenkins at Memphis are extraordinary given their timing. The Nuggets and Grizzlies are both playoff/play-in teams.
Both are possible playoff opponents for the No. 1 seed Thunder.
NBA playoff picture: Latest standings, bracket ahead of last week of regular season
Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at [email protected]. Support Joe's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Mark Daigneault, JJ Redick react to Nuggets firing Michael Malone
Continue reading...
Before the Thunder and Lakers tipped off Tuesday, both Daigneault and Redick were asked about their reactions to the firing of Nuggets coach Michael Malone, news that rattled the league earlier Tuesday.
“Obviously, surprised just like everybody else,” Daigneault said of Malone’s dismissal. “I also don’t pretend to know the ins and outs of everything, but I do know competing against their team … They’re really, really hard to compete against. They put you in a lot of dilemmas, they’re organized, they’re tight, and I think that’s a reflection of their players and the continuity they have, and I think it’s a reflection of their coaching staff and Coach Malone.”
“Shocked” was the word Redick used.
NBA MVP power rankings: Why it's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's year to win trophy race
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“Patience across the board for everything — coaching, players, front office — it feels like everybody is really pushing for now,” Redick said. “There’s certain franchises, OKC is a great example, that have had the same GM for 17 years or however long it is. Daigneault, I would expect him to be here a while.”
Make that 18 years for Presti as general manager — one season in Seattle and the last 17 in Oklahoma City.
The Thunder has only had four coaches in team history: P.J. Carlesimo, Scott Brooks, Billy Donovan and Daigneault.
Daigneault, the reigning coach of the year, is in his fifth season as Thunder head coach. Before that, he spent one year as an assistant under Donovan and five years as coach of the G League OKC Blue.
The Thunder is the only organization he’s worked for.
“I’ve been here a long time, I’ve felt a lot of support,” Daigneault said. “Mr. (Clay) Bennett is as steady and as impressive and humble of a governor as there is. Sam and the front office are steady-handed decision-makers, not only with the coach but with everybody.
“If you come here you get supported to do your best work, you get empowered to do your best work. There is a standard and there’s accountability to that standard, but there’s also a level of fairness with that that I think everybody here feels.”
The late-season firings of Malone and Taylor Jenkins at Memphis are extraordinary given their timing. The Nuggets and Grizzlies are both playoff/play-in teams.
Both are possible playoff opponents for the No. 1 seed Thunder.
NBA playoff picture: Latest standings, bracket ahead of last week of regular season
Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at [email protected]. Support Joe's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Mark Daigneault, JJ Redick react to Nuggets firing Michael Malone
Continue reading...
