Several Coaches Need Lift
When the pool sheets for NBA coaching casualties were handed out before the season began, no one had Don Nelson. Yet, he was the first fired, lasting only 59 games with the New York Knicks. That means hardly anyone’s safe. At least a half dozen additional coaching changes may take place before the 1996-97 season begins.
Some of the endangered coaches may learn of their fate from the general manager … who happens to be the same person.
Here’s a list of those who may soon share something in common with Nellie:
M.L. Carr, Boston Celtics. He’s energetic and inspiring and yet none of that reflects in the record of the Celtics, who are headed for a miserable finish. Carr still has the support of owner Paul Gaston, but if Gaston doesn’t at least inquire to see if Rick Pitino has any interest in the job, then he’s truly clueless.
John Lucas, Philadelphia 76ers. If there’s a dead man walking, it’s Lucas, who was nearly cut loose two months ago by impatient owner Harold Katz. The only question here is whether Lucas gets to keep his G.M. job.
P.J. Carlesimo, Portland Trail Blazers. He’s had some stormy times with his two most important players, Clifford Robinson and Rod Strickland, since he took the job. This is the latest proof that the transition from college to the pros is easier for players than coaches. But Carlesimo should rest easy knowing this: Unlike players, coaches can return to the college game.
Mike Dunleavy, Milwaukee Bucks. He has two young and talented forwards, one an All-Star and the other an Olympian, yet the Bucks have underachieved all season. There’s no reason why they shouldn’t be as good as, say, the Pistons. Among those dumbfounded by the Bucks’ performance is owner Herb Kohl.
Bernie Bickerstaff, Denver Nuggets. Here’s another team with young talent that hasn’t shown much in terms of consistency. The Nuggets can beat Chicago and Orlando and yet lose to the Clippers three times. Bickerstaff may give up coaching and stay on as GM, but the Nuggets need stability instead of change. They’ve had three coaches in the last four years.
George Karl, Seattle SuperSonics. It’s very simple: Karl stays if the Sonics get past the first round, and he goes if they don’t.
Jeff Van Gundy, Knicks. At 34 and a first-time head coach, he appears to be an unlikely person to follow a pair of Hall of Famers. Van Gundy, however, has the respect of the players and the Knicks, who while they are paying off Nelson’s $5 million contract, may decide against bringing in another high-priced coach.
Phil Jackson, Chicago Bulls. The Bulls have no plans to dump Jackson. It may be vice-versa. Contract negotiations to keep Jackson on the bench beyond this season are going nowhere.
Can Magic make him reappear?
Cedric Ceballos stayed away from the Los Angeles Lakers without permission Saturday for a fourth straight day, and Magic Johnson expressed annoyance.
Ceballos remains under indefinite suspension without pay while working out what his agent calls a “personal thing.”
Ceballos did not show for practice Saturday, and his presence at today’s game against Charlotte remained uncertain.
The Lakers’ co-captain and leading scorer has been water skiing in Arizona since missing the team’s flight to Seattle on Wednesday.
Ceballos reportedly is unhappy about his reduced playing time.
“He’s still leading guys in minutes on this team, he still takes more shots than anybody on this team, so where is your problem?” Johnson said. “We’ll welcome him back, but there will be some questions. We want to know if he’s committed to the Lakers and what we’re trying to do. If he’s not, then he shouldn’t come back at all.”
Around the league
The Bulls signed forward/center John Salley for the rest of the season. … Rasheed Wallace of the Bullets is likely out for the season after fracturing his left thumb in Friday night’s loss to Orlando. … Sacramento Kings rookie guard Clint McDaniel suffered a concussion Saturday during practice and was unconscious for about 15 minutes.