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Not all NBA coaches make the grade

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Charley Rosen

Charley Rosen is FOXSports.com's NBA analyst and author of 17 sports books, the current ones being Bullpen Diaries: Mariano Rivera, Bronx Dreams, Pinstripe Legends, and the Future of the New York Yankees and Crazy Basketball: A Life In and Out of Bounds.

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Updated Oct 9, 2009 11:49 AM ET
     
 
It's universally acknowledged that the NBA is a players' league. Even so, because of the smaller rosters, NBA coaches can have a greater influence on their players than the coaches in MLB and the NFL.
Here, then, is a rundown on the comparative and ultimate value of each of the NBA's coaches.

A-plus coaches

Phil Jackson (Lakers) is the best of the best. It's silly to suggest that his successes are totally due to having superstars on his teams. In truth, every NBA championship team — from Joe Fulks to Kobe, from George Mikan to Shaq, and so on — has featured at least one superstar player. Championship rings are never won by accident. Gregg Popovich (Spurs) demands discipline and attention to detail and gets players to eagerly buy into his belief system.

A coaches

Nate McMillan is in the process of carefully developing the young Blazers into his own image. That's why all of his players are diligent workers and take full responsibility for their performances. Jerry Sloan (Jazz) always gets the most out of his players and refuses to make any compromises to do so.

A-minus

Rick Adelman (Rockets) is an excellent tactician who has the flexibility to make any group of players succeed.

B-plus

Scott Brooks (Thunder) is a young coach who's growing along with his young players. He knows the game, and his enthusiasm is contagious.

The B's

Larry Brown (Bobcats) is doing an A-quality job in Charlotte and is an excellent teacher. But his documented history of lying, of egregious arrogance and of making excuses for his own failings result in his being docked a grade. Vinny Del Negro (Bulls) did a terrific job in his rookie year in Chicago. He utilized his available personnel perfectly and coaxed his players to perform at their best at the right time. What does he do for an encore? Doc Rivers (Celtics) is a consummate con man, but he lets his great players be great. Paul Westphal (Kings) has never coached a loser during his four full seasons in the command seat. His career record stands at 242-114, a mark which is sure to take a big hit in Sacramento.

B-minus

Rick Carlisle (Mavericks) is an excellent Xs and Os man but still struggles to freely communicate with his players and with the media. Flip Saunders (Wizards) has an oversized playbook and is the master of the two-man baseline zones. He also has much more influence over young players than with hardened veterans. Byron Scott (Hornets) depends too much on his point guards and needs to diversify his offense. Erik Spoelstra keeps a low profile, which is precisely what has proved necessary for the Heat to overachieve.
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Mike Woodson has managed to keep the immature Hawklings steadily moving forward without going crazy. But the biggest test of his sanity will come this season when Atlanta must finally reach its potential, or else start all over.

C-plus

Lawrence Frank (Nets) is extremely likeable and is never outworked, two characteristics that earn his players' respect. However, he lacks charisma and is also burdened by a dysfunctional roster. Eddie Jordan (Sixers) is personable and knowledgeable, but his game plan is too inexact. George Karl's (Nuggets) arrogance is humungous. Moreover, he has no basic philosophy, is incapable of inspiring his players and of gaining their trust. Kurt Rambis (Timberwolves) might be too cynical to have sufficient patience with young players. Plus, he's handicapped by also having to deal with a hands-on, loony-tunes owner. Scott Skiles is demanding and overbearingly acerbic but still manages to ratchet up his players' game-to-game intensity. Unless the Bucks start winning, however, he will wear them out before the All-Star break. Stan Van Gundy (Magic) regularly over-coaches his team, perhaps in some subliminal competition with his brother.

The gentlemen's C's

Mike D'Antoni (Knicks) has everything going for him except a winning game plan. Jim O'Brien is steady, rational and principled. Too bad the Pacers are one of the least athletic teams in the league. Jay Triano (Raptors) is a perfect match in Toronto — a mediocre coach for a mediocre team.

The C-minus guys

Mike Brown's (Cavaliers) faulty offense and inability to make adjustments were exposed by the Magic. Mike Dunleavy (Clippers) is tight-minded and perpetually suspicious, which explains why he has such little impact on his players' attitudes. Alvin Gentry (Suns) has a lifetime record of 162-205 and is resurrecting the running game in Phoenix mostly to please Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire. None of these factors promise any degree of success, but Gentry is an agreeable get-along type of guy.

The D-man

Don Nelson (Warriors) has the most colossal ego among his peers. The mind games he plays are designed to keep his players perpetually insecure and to preserve his power.

Incomplete

Lionel Hollins (Grizzlies) and John Kuester (Pistons).
Tagged: Heat, Bucks, Steve Nash, Suns, Pacers

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