Lionel Hollins has some thoughts on how NBA front offices should treat their coaches. The former Memphis Grizzlies’ and Brooklyn Nets’ head coach has had rumors around him regarding his relationship with the front offices of both of those franchises.
Currently out of a job after being fired by Brooklyn, Hollins spoke to Sirius XM NBA radio about how he would like his front offices to behave.
Following transcribed by the New York Post:
The main thing when you’re looking for a job is finding somebody that allows you to be you and lets you coach as you coach,” Hollins said on SiriusXM radio. “If you’re successful, great. If you’re not, get rid of him.
“But the micromanaging, the meddling of who should play and how you should talk to this guy and how you should talk to the media, what you should say or shouldn’t say because how it looks for the organization versus just speaking the truth — those things weigh on you when you spend so much time trying to massage everybody instead of just coaching.
Shots fired?
It seems like Hollins is speaking about at least one of the two front offices he’s worked for over the past few years. He certainly has a point, as well. Coaches should have the freedom to make their own decisions, knowing that those decisions will be used in evaluating their work.
On the other hand, the best teams have synergy from top to bottom. People in front offices may have different perspectives that could help coaches improve in their jobs. Additionally, certain situations (such as rebuilding teams) calls for front offices to pressure coaches into playing certain players. That should be encouraged, as long as there is compromise from all parties.
Of course, we do not know the specifics of what Hollins is speaking of. Perhaps those front offices had indeed meddled to the point where Hollins was unable to effectively perform his job. It certainly sounds like the former head coach felt that way.
