Thursday, May 20, 2004
Monty as an NBA Coach
ESPN's Daily Quickie doubts Montgomery will succeed at Golden State ("He'll be back in college before his current freshmen graduate"), citing the experiences of Tim Floyd, Jerry Tarkanian, Lon Kruger, John Calipari and Leonard Hamilton.But Montgomery had a better track record than all five in college -- and he'll have a better track record than all five in the pros. First, he's a great X's and O's coach, while Tarkanian and Calipari were always more flash than substance. Second, he has a demonstrated ability to generate productive team chemistry, a quality I have yet to see from Leonard Hamilton. Third and finally, he has always been able to command intense respect from his players, an important ability I never saw from Tim Floyd or Lon Kruger.
Monty may not win an NBA Championship any time soon, but he also won't flameout after a year or two.
