Monday, April 30, 2007

Calkins is Wrong

Geoff Calkins is the sports editor for the Memphis Commercial Appeal. I love reading his articles, and nearly always agree with him. He isn't afraid to contradict conventional thinking or upset his subjects. While he sometimes tries to be too clever in his style, he also plays the tuba (a characteristic he shares with this writer).

However, recently Calkins was wrong. Two times. In one week.

He wrote two columns where he argued that hiring Larry Brown is a good idea. In Calkin's defense, he admits that many will challenge this opinion. However, the problem with Calkins' editorial is that hiring Brown is a terrible idea.

Yes, Brown is a great coach. You can't argue against his record.

You also can't defend Brown's character. Even Calkins admits (and CA writer Ron Higgens explains further) that Brown is famous for interviewing for new teams while coaching their competitors. While that's fine for most professions, when you're making $5 million a year and supposedly leading a team, that's poor sportsmanship.

If we were looking for poor sportsmanship, we'd have kept Jason Williams and Bonzi Wells.

However, there's a bigger reason not to go for Brown. It's time to look beyond veterans past their prime. Not only does Brown favor those veterans, but Brown is himself a veteran past his prime.

Hubie Brown, Jerry West, and Larry Brown are legends and hall of famers. Eddie Jones, Bobby Jackson, Jason Williams, and Bonzi Wells are savvy veterans with boatloads of playoff experience. It's time for the Grizzlies to move on.

It's time for us to be excited about young talent who make their name taking the Grizzlies deep into the playoffs, not players or coaches who made their names before Greg Oden could grow a beard.

91 comments:

Lurch said...

Very Saucy. I had a dream last night that we got the second pick in the draft, but I don't read to much into it seeing as how New Orleans got the fourth pick. Predictions about your boys across the bay?

David Jones said...

I still think the Mavs have a better chance than most in this position.

Still, it's becoming difficult to doubt...

Unfortunately, I don't think the Warriors match up well with the Spurs or Suns...They could beat the Rockets or Jazz though.

Anonymous said...

I agree. Brown is past his prime. I wrote something similar up about this on my blog.

http://grizzliesnation.com/2007/04/25/mr-heisley-it-is-time-for-a-significant-on-the-court-acquisition.aspx

MemphisX

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Nice blog MemphisX. I added a link to it on my sidebar. I'd love it if you link back.

I think Brown is a bad idea, but I'll admit I'm not completely sold on anybody else. The best idea I've heard so far is the Suns assistant...

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Will the griz be better than the warriors next year?

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