NBCsports.com’s Ira Winderman sent us his thoughts on the recent changes -- and potential future changes -- in the NBA coaching ranks. I am posting them for him.
With clocks about to spring ahead this weekend, it only makes sense that the NBA is tending to its own brand of spring cleaning.
Mike Dunleavy is out as personnel chief with the Clippers.
Donnie Walsh is traveling on the Knicks’ current trip, with Mike D’Antoni drawing increased scrutiny about a system that seemingly only produces when Steve Nash is the point guard.
Vinny Del Negro is finding the hot seat warming back up in Chicago.
And Erik Spoelstra can’t seem to extricate himself from .500 in Miami.
The common theme?
Each team is a prime suitor in free agency, and each needs to get its infrastructure in order before the NBA’s ultimate open house this summer.
The Clippers made that clear with their casting aside of Dunleavy, with a no-room-for-losers firing-by-press-release.
Then there is Walsh, who says he is traveling only because this is one of his team’s final extended trips. Perhaps. But perhaps getting out on the open road with D’Antoni is the ultimate means to determine whether any of the prime free agents would truly be willing to hitch a ride this summer.
Then there are the Bulls and the Heat, who seemingly can’t get out of their own way at the bottom of the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Both desperately want to advance to the postseason for the credibility of the franchises.
But what if Del Negro then offers a repeat of last season’s epic first-round series against the Celtics? Then how do the Bulls possibly fire him?
And what if Spoelstra actually gives the Heat its first win a playoff series since Pat Riley guided the team to the 2006 NBA championship?
Put it this way: You’re a star free agent, oozing championship pedigree, big time in every measure.
Behind Door No. 1 is Vinny Del Negro.
Behind Door No. 2 is Erik Spoelstra.
Behind Door No. 3 is Jeff Van Gundy, Byron Scott or, who knows, perhaps Coach K.
Where do you think opportunity will knock?
The Clippers recognized Kim Hughes and Mike Dunleavy probably weren’t even going to lure you to their neighborhood.
As prospective free-agent suitors go about their spring cleaning, it will be interesting to see which comes first this summer:
The free agent.
Or the coach.
Does the allure of playing for a Van Gundy or a Scott attract the talent?
Or does the talent dictate the coach?
Might one or more suitor go into July without a coach?
For now, it apparently is a matter of first getting rid of the stink.
Ira Winderman writes regularly for NBCSports.com and covers the Heat and the NBA for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.