Hot Seat: NBA Coach Edition
With the regular season less than two weeks away, it is time to start talking about next season to an extent. I understand it is too early because we still have the NBA playoffs to look forward to. As of right now though, it is time to talk about the hot seat. Yes, that infamous seat that head coaches can’t stand being on. We are getting closer and closer to finding out what NBA head coaches will be looking for new jobs next season. With that being said here are my head coaches that are on the hot seat.
Luke Walton (Sacramento Kings)
Luke Walton is 59-78 as the head coach of the Sacramento Kings. He really hasn’t done much to improve the Kings as a whole. I think the Kings need to look elsewhere especially to get the most out of Fox, Bagley, Haliburton, etc. To me Luke Walton is the perfect assistant coach. He is not cut out to be the head coach of an NBA team. Walton looked good as the Warriors head coach because of how good that team was. In his five seasons of being an NBA head coach, he has zero playoff appearances. The Kings need a change and they shouldn’t run it back with this man as their head coach for the 2021-2022 season.
Terry Stotts (Portland Trailblazers)
Since becoming the head coach of the Portland Trailblazers, Stotts has only missed the playoff once in his nine year tenure. He only has had a losing record twice, but the Blazers have gone to the conference finals only once in that span. Four first round exits, two conference semi-finals appearances to go along with that lonesome Conference Final appearance. Portland might need a new guy as head coach for next season. Nothing against Stotts, but I think his time in Portland is just about done. Stotts won’t go long without a job though, as any team with a opening at head coach will love to have Stotts as their head coach.
Nate Bjorkgren (Indiana Pacers)
Nate Bjorkgren just became the head coach of the Indiana Pacers this season. In his only year he has had some injuries to his top guy, and the Pacers traded away Victor Oladipo. The bottom line is this Pacers team has been a playoff team since 2014-2015. Indiana has built a nice foundation, but I don’t think Bjorkgren was the right guy for the job. They wanted a coach to take that team to the next level, and Bjorkgren isn’t that guy. Indiana can easily get a better guy as a head coach as I think a lot of names could be available this summer.
Mike Budenholzer (Milwaukee Bucks)
The Milwaukee Bucks have been one of the best teams in the NBA the last few seasons. Budenholzer has been in Milwaukee for now three seasons. They made the Eastern Conference Finals his first year, and lost in the Conference Semi-Finals last year. This year is Eastern Conference Final or bust in my opinion. If the Bucks don’t make the Eastern Conference Finals this year, I think Budenholzer will be on his way out. He has had three talented teams in his three seasons, and if he can’t make the Conference Finals again this year; they will be looking elsewhere next season. Without success this year, Budenholzer will have two similar stints so far in his career. Those Atlanta teams were good, and Budenholzer got the best out of his players. He is the big name to watch out for, because he could easily be any teams first option this summer.
-Chris Jones (@cjoneswho1212)