Hawks Considering Hiring European For Coaching Position

[MaceCase]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--sources--hawks-consider-historic-hire-of-european-coach-ettore-messina-041815284.html

Whoops, my apologies to Zeljko Obradovic.

Edited May 17, 2013 by MaceCase

[Guest]

I see it says Danny signed for $12m+ over the 6 year deal. First I have seen for that.I would like to see a strange innovative hire this. It intrigues me on so many levels.

[TheFuzz]

Much rather have a nice Euro coach than someone like Nate McMillan. Not that McMillan is awful, but he's flawed and we know it. No more retreads!

[GameTime]

This is a gamble, but it could work and be extremely successful. Historically successful. Or it could be a trainwreck.

[yungsta]

Dont know much about this guy but his resume makes this a very interesting choice. I do like Ferry's fearlessness to look everywhere in the world for a coach instead of just going through all these recycled garbage nba coaches.

Im sure no1 in hawk history as ever put this much effort into looking for a coach. I like it.

Looking through european coaches definitely shows that he is trying to make a spurs like culture. ( A team that emphasizes team work, ball movement, spacing etc...)

[MaceCase]

Hey, If Ferry can come out with Messina for HC and Snyder and Nate as his assistants I think it could really work.

And hey, did anyone know that Ferry is getting paid in excess of $12 million for his 6 year deal? Can't remember ever seeing a dollar amount attached to his deal. Don't know how it compares to other GMs either.

[MaceCase]

And hey, did anyone know that Ferry is getting paid in excess of $12 million for his 6 year deal? Can't remember ever seeing a dollar amount attached to his deal. Don't know how it compares to other GMs either.

Best I could find so far:

BA general manager salaries are not disclosed to the media as player salaries are, but they are well-paid. According to Tim Kawakami of the Mercury News, the average salary for NBA general managers was about $1.5 million annually as of May 2009, with many GMs making more than that. The lowest known salary for a GM is $700,000 per year, which was given to first-time general manager Larry Riley in 2009 by the Golden State Warriors.

Read more: NBA General Manager Salaries | eHow http://www.ehow.com/info_8732640_nba-general-manager-salaries.html#ixzz2TWYZOKqZ

[Guest]

Wait, what are we doing? :-/

[GameTime]

Listening to Messina talk basketball I am beginning to like this idea. Seems like Ferry and Messina go back to when Ferry played in Europe. He even introduced him to Mike Brown when he was GM in Cleveland.

[PSSSHHHRRR87]

Oh the fun we would have with Messina in the chat room... lol Convo after Josh airballs a jumper with 15 seconds left on the shot clock:Messina's henchman: "The Don would like to have a word with you Mr. Smith. Just sit on the bench until he is ready to speak with you."Josh: "The bench?!? I don't know another superstar that comes off the bench!":many minutes pass:Messina's henchman: "The Don will see you now.":Josh walks in and sits down:Messina's henchman: "Josh we have let our frustrations be known on your shot selection, yet you have chose to ignore the wishes of the Don. Do you understand the direness of the mistake you have made? The Don cannot allow loose ends to fray..."Josh: "...but I'm midrange shawty!"The Don: "Mr. Smith, I do not believe that you understand the severity of the issue nor do you comprehend what's at stake if you choose to continue with your stubbornness and failures. We have asked you to correct your flaws and have given you ample time to learn, yet you chose to slap us all in the face. We will not allow you to jeopardize our goals any longer."Josh: "...but I am the self-appointed leader of this team. And where the hell is my max contract?!?"The Don, whispering in henchman's ear: "See that you take care of Mr. Smith so that we may continue forward with our plans. I do not want anymore 'hiccups'. Capeesh?" lolSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MaceCase]

At least he'd be a guy with better suits than Larry. Zaza would be proud.

[swolehawk2]

This organization is a freak show.

[Guest Walter]

I like this consideration. He's a winner. Can he recruit free agents like Paul and Howard? Unsure. But that would fall on ferry and is already primarily about whether they are so willing to play together that they would take a small pay cut. W

[DrReality]

My thoughts are that they hire Snyder?, who has been working with him in Europe as the assist defensive guy. I would have concerns about how he would relate to this culture of NBA stars.

[Buzzard]

This would be a gutsy move along with fact it would be like hiring a European scout as well.

[DrReality]

He's taking longer than I thought to fill the job, which I guess is good, but I'd hate to see VanGundy sign somewhere else in the meantime.

[Jody23]

If they make this hire, it tells me that they've reserved themselves to the fact they have no shot at Howard or Paul (they'll still try) and will build this team another way. The problem is while they want this to be viewed as them thinking outside the box and being pioneers, it's going to scream "we're still cheap" to many.

Edited May 17, 2013 by Jody23

[MaceCase]

Messina's making a bit of money in Europe. Remember when Chills went over there for like 5 million? That was and still is considered the equivalent of a 20 million dollar contract over here so a coach with a plushy 1 mil a year job would need incentive to come over unless the challenge alone is enough to get him.

[KB21]

He's taking longer than I thought to fill the job, which I guess is good, but I'd hate to see VanGundy sign somewhere else in the meantime.

The talk is that SVG may not be interested in returning to coaching this year. He turned down an interview with the Bucks, so it is a positive that he has interviewed with the Hawks already. The Hawks may be the one job he would return to the NBA for this year.

The time Danny is taking could mean one of two things:

1. He is taking his time and doing his due diligence on these coaches, which is why he talks to the top international coach out there.

2. He knows who he is going to offer the job to and is just waiting on said coach to be eliminated from the playoffs to make the hiring.

Point #2 could lead to either Mike Budenholzer, who has reportedly interviewed for the job, Mark Malone, or Brian Shaw.

[deester11]

If they make this hire, it tells me that they've reserved themselves to the fact they have no shot at Howard or Paul (they'll still try) and will build this team another way. The problem is while they want this to be viewed as them thinking outside the box and being pioneers, it's going to scream "we're still cheap" to many.

I look at it as the GM finally doing the right thing and not settling for "first to get the job is the one that'll take it cheaply". SVG won't be cheap. Neither will Messina. The best coach is who we should aspire to get, FA's be da**ed. They haven't shown up in droves anyway so I'm not holding my breath on that, I just want a coach that can inspire excellence. Either of the ones mentioned can do that.