FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Ruby salutes President Obama! said 12/16, 02:07 PM
Last week I did a TD saying qualified women should be given pro coaching jobs in mens sports. I won in a landslide. Now it's time to take the next step and hire one.

Pat Summitt.
She deserves an NBA head coaching position and any team that hires her would be doing themselves a titanic favor. She holds every major NCAA coaching record in basketball history. Including surpassing some of John Woodens legendary milestones. In fact it was the Wizard of Westwood himself that calls Pat the greatest coach in b-ball history. Both Dean Smith and Pat Riley have echoed those remarks. Maybe that's why she was named Naismith basketball coach of the century. And she is at her peak in THIS century.
With over a 90% win average and 7 national titles at Tennesee, methinks she has more than the resume for this jump.
So it's up to you NBA owners. Do you want to keep losing games with bums like Thomas, Carlisimo, Skiles? Or do you want to win? With a proven master of this game.

Ruby salutes President Obama! said 12/16, 02:28 PM
I'll address each of your concerns
1. True winning players are going to respect a coach that knows what he/she is talking about. She obviously knows this game, perhaps more than anyone. Immature players that don't listen are not going to have success with great coaches or bad ones. Pat will earn respect quickly when the players on her team realize how much she knows of the game.
2. Pitino was a disater because he stunk. Brown was successful because he was a better teacher (so much for your theory). Guys like Smith, Wooden, Mike K have declined pro offers because they disliked the business side. But Pat has said she would consider a pro offer if it made sense. She has the right temperament to deal with the rigors and demands of the NBA culture. She would bring success to a club instantly.
3. She would likely turn down a Knick offer, because the organization is a mess. I think a better destination would be Miami. With a burnt out Riley kicking himself upstairs to GM responsibilities and letting Pat guide a young team. He, obviously, greatly respects her. Wade is not a head case. And then she could bring her star player Candace Parker to replace bum Jason Williams.

Ruby salutes President Obama! said 12/16, 06:49 PM
I don't know why you think Haslem is such head case, but this is not about him.
Bottom line is that the NBA is a higher profile opportunity and an histroric chance to prove equality in the coaching ranks. Not many women would get considered for NBA jobs, but you could easily justify her getting hired. Based on her credentials. (Mike K came within inches of taking the Laker job)
Pitino is not comparable to Pat Summitt. That's utterly insane.
You are just assuming she would have problems. All coaches face challenges at the pro level. Greats get fired. Legends have losing seasons. She would also face those challenges. But she has the aptitude to handle it well. And the pedigree to succeed.
Even a Memphis job, like you said, or Minnesota, Indiana, Seattle, Chicago or we'll take her down in N'Awlins (never did like Scott) would work. There is certain to be a boatload of NBA jobs available this off-season and if I owned a team, she would be at the top of my list.