NBA Coaches - Who I'd Hire, Who I'd Fire

1st tier – The 10 coaches I’d hire, in order, if I were a GM.
1. Rick Adleman – HOU – His teams always play at a high level. He’s liked by players and great with creative ball movement (probably the best offensive minded coach) and pretty solid defensively. He can make guys like Bonzi Wells and Ron Artest successful in his system… not an easy task!
2. Doc Rivers – BOS – Exceptional motivator who knows the game and is defensive oriented. Positive influence. Point Guard mentality works to keep the ball moving to the hot hand.
3. Gregg Popovich – SA – Perhaps the most consistent coach when it comes to fundamentals – keeps his players motivated but not overly emotional
4. Jerry Sloan – UTA – Very much like Popovich (or is Popovich like him?) His teams always over-achieve.
5. Nate McMillan – POR – Similar to Doc Rivers but doesn’t have the same amount of play-off experience as a coach (yet). Not quite as good of a motivator as Doc is but is getting better at letting players realize and play to their strengths.
6. Avery Johnson – N/A – The Mavericks made a mistake to let him go. He’s similar to Doc on the motivational level but not as good with managing minutes. A very solid character guy.
7. Phil Jackson – LAL – I don’t like his smarmy attitude but his coaching career is unarguable.
8. Jeff Van Gundy – ORL – He’s one of the best coaches at getting players to play above expectations.
9. Flip Saunders – N/A – Another coach who should be in the league. He is a great offensive coach who lets his players play to their strengths and manages egos well.
10. Sam Mitchell – TOR – The most underrated coach out there. He managed to get a team with a majority of foreign players to the play-offs – can you imagine trying to teach when there are 6 or 7 different languages being spoken? As a player he was a solid, team-oriented guy who used his basketball knowledge to make those around him better. I see him doing the same thing as a coach. His upside is huge.

2nd tier – These are coaches I like but who have not been consistent in getting their teams deep into the play-offs, yet they are at least in the play-offs consistently.
George Karl – DEN
Mike D'Antoni – NY
Eddie Jordan – WAS
Byron Scott – NO

3rd tier – These are coaches I like who have not proven they are consistent yet; may need some help with X’s, O’s, and clock management.
Maurice Cheeks – PHI
Scott Skiles – MIL
Mike Dunleavy – LAC
Reggie Theus – SAC
Lawrence Frank – NJ

4th tier – This tier is coaches I don’t like but who usually do well in spite of my opinion.
Don Nelson – GS
Rick Carlisle – DAL
Larry Brown – CHA

5th tier – This tier is for the coaches I have no opinion of, either because they are new or because it’s hard for me to gauge if it’s them or the players who make the team better.
Michael Curry – DET
Vinnie Del Negro – CHI
Mike Brown – CLE
Jim O’Brien – IND
Erik Spoelstra – MIA
Mike Woodson – ATL

6th tier – These coaches are immediately replaceable in my book. I'd say adios if I were the GM.
Randy Wittman – MIN
Marc Iavaroni – MEM
PJ Carlisemo – OKC