As a coach, I am a firm believer that success, in sports and in life in general, is predicated not only on talent, intelligence and luck, but also, just as importantly, character and camaraderie. All my teams have always been drilled, trained and taught on the importance of these two and the central role they play on the team's success. That's why I am applauding several teams who made the right decision by cutting off members who have become threats to the team's character and camarederie. Letting these bad elements remain would've brought serious damage to the team and letting them go is definitely a wise move.
This past week, three teams have made the sometimes difficult but always correct cut. The Smart Gilas Philippine National Team let go of ultra-athletic, defensive dynamo C.J. Giles; the Golden State Warriors traded away disgruntled veteran Stephen Jackson and the Memphis Grizzlies waived superstar Allen Iverson. Giles was rumored to have regularly come to practices with a hangover, evidence of all-night partying and after giving him second and third chances, Gilas management decided to send the naturalization prospect packing, before he became a bad influence on the team. Meanwhile, the beleagered Warriors finally had enough of Jackson's antics, which included constantly asking to be traded and picking a fight with Coach Don Nelson. They traded Jackson to the Charlotte Bobcats, which also boosted their chances of reducing payroll, since Jackson was reportedly owed about 35 million dollars for three years. Lastly, after complaining about his playing time and bench player status after only two games with team, Iverson was sent to the waivers.
Kudos are definitely owed to these organizations and I am hoping several others follow their lead. Here are some potentially poisonous elements teams should consider expelling:
Nate Robinson - The Knicks are a mess. It's like the team is set up so that the payroll is completely gutted by next year to have enough salary cap room to lure Lebron James, but still, Knicks fans, and anyone who loves NBA basketball, deserves valiant efforts every night from them. Players like David Lee and Wilson Chandler seem to be trying to get the Knicks to win, but Nate Robinson is a different story. The reigning two-time slam dunk champion has always been a "me-first" type of player despite being an undersized point guard and signing him to a one year deal may not have been a good idea. He seems to be coasting along, more concerned with getting stats than with helping the Knicks win. Case in point, in a recent Knicks game against the New Jersey Nets, Robinson even found the time to be fooling around. In the link above, Robinson, apparently for kicks, decided to throw a last second half-court shot.... AT THE OPPONENT'S BASKET. Then, to top it all of, the shot GOES IN. Robinson's reaction to Coach Mike d'Antoni's tirade against him? What? It didn't count. Does Lebron really want to be a Knick? Well, he better hope Nate Ronison isn't one if he moves over to Broadway.
Michael Koncz - This native Canadian currently serves as pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao's "adviser," but clearly, his presence is not wanted by a lot. Already, Koncz has had a physical tiff with physical trainer Alex Ariza, and even Head Trainer Freddie Roach has proclaimed his ignorance of what Koncz really does. While Ariza and Roach are no saints themselves, they clearly are invaluable to Pacquiao's competence in the ring. As for Koncz, if Manny needs someone to "advise" him, I would put his money on Buboy Fernandez. Like Ariza said, all Koncz does is decide which car to take or which restaurant to eat in anyway.
Monta Ellis - Yes, the Warriors deserve some kudos, but they also need to do more work. Next on their list to move should be their lead gurad Monta Ellis. Ellis was happy to sign on his multi-million dollar contract, but he has made it a point to show absolutely none of the leadership that begets that kind of money. Since signing his contract, Ellis has injured himself for almost half of an NBA season on a moped (!) accident, then quickly threw rookie Stephen Curry under the bus by saying he couldn't play with him on the floor at the same time and win, despite never actually meeting or playing with Curry. Then, for kicks, he decides to announce to the world after the Jackson trade that despite being one of team's more tenured players, he wouldn't want to be the leader on this team. Of course, the Warriors' tales of woe always end with a tiff with the coach. After one practice, Ellis asked pointed questions at Coach Don Nelson, trying to embarass him in front of the team. While Ellis provides most of the scoring and assists, the woeful Warriors need a leader with his head on straight to lead a bunch of very talented youngsters.
photos courtesy of examiner.com ball don't lie and getty images
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