Mo Cheeks Fired
9-14 after lofty expectations gets you fired in the NBA. It’s just how it is. I asked Phil Jackson about the business side of the NBA regarding coaching here. I enjoyed working with Cheeks the last year and a half, but
the last few games the writing began to show up very clearly on the wall. The Orlando game highlighted a glaring defensive weakness: The corner three. The shot was always open because of the Sixers defensive scheme. I tried so many times to pose my questions in a way Cheeks would read between the lines, but I’m sure he was fully aware what was at stake. Funny, but Mo would focus on me during the pressers as if we were having a one on one discussion. It challenged me to form questions on the fly–which I appreciated. The last couple of games I didn’t want to be the one to ask the question which put the heat on Cheeks so I was reticent. After games, and as the media throng would walk into the press conference room, I would say, “How you doing coach?” He stop responding the last week or so and from that I took he wasn’t very happy with things. He has a very chill personality. He says what he has to say and that’s it. I’m disappointed in the players more than anything because they could have made it work. I won’t go into individual criticisms because it’s counterproductive, but I’m sure you can assume who was most at fault. It was difficult at first covering the team, because I grew up a fan and the process of learning to be objective on game day was a learning experience. In a perfect would, the champion point guard would lead the respected franchise back to the promised land, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be. Assistant GM Tony DiLeo takes over in an interim basis for the rest of the season. Take care Mo. Nice working with you.
According to Stephen A. Smith, Mr Eddie Jordan will be the head coach next year, and if that’s true good for him. Mo is a class though and he will be missed
Yeah his name was circulating before Cheeks was let go because of his offensive philosophy. Defense is still going to be a problem. Jordan is a stop gap to propagate an uptempo style for the fans. It should be about winning championships.
Mizzo, I’ve had problems with the site for days now. Sometimes I can post….other times, just a partial front page will appear. Anyone else having this problem?
For some reason, Internet Explorer is not compatible with TSF. Thanks Miranda for the heads up. I’m searching far and wide for a solution.
If anyone ever has any problem viewing the site, please let me know asap. I’m using firefox (i recommend everyone do the same), so I can view the site as it is.
AAHHH!! Thanks Mizzo, I actually have Firefox too, so I just opened it up and everything’s kosher!
I really don’t understand why Mo Cheeks wasn’t given a fighter’s chance to turn the corner with this team. He made miracles happen last season, and it was only a matter of time this year.
In fact last game I saw Tony DiLeo and I’ve never seen him anywhere besides practice. I thought nothing of it, but looking back…it makes me wonder? Was that sighting a prelude to a dis?
Accountability 2008: Win now, no excuses…you have had your ‘young’ talent long enough, it’s time to see more consistent progress and the ability to finish games with victories.
Carlesmo in OKC, Eddie Jordan in DC and now Cheeks in Philly
Here in Atlanta, Mike Woodson was on the verge of getting fired despite the Hawks making the playoffs last year with only 37 wins. The Hawks started the season strong with a 6-0 record and faltered through a few short losing streaks and rebounded to a 14-9 record including a home win versus Lebron’s Cavs in Atlanta.
Woodson is still on the hot seat and the Cavs game is the first of eight consecutive home games. The Hawks have an opportunity to pick up wins and momentum. Atlanta had been competitive on their recent Texas road trip in which they lost all three, but last year they had lost by 20 or more points in each of those games.
I am still not totally sold on Woodson, but he has managed to fight of the NBA’s Grim Reaper thus far.
However, Woodson is one or two long losing streaks away from sharing the same fate of Maurice Cheeks.
As with Sam Mitchell, this was just premature. He just came off a back-to-back on Cleveland. Now the next 4 are Wash, Mil, Wash, and Indiana before a tough road trip. At minimum, Mo should get the the soft patch and see what he does on the road trip…
I didn’t really think about it at the time but it does seem that Elton is a half-court guy with a running team… but I haven’t watched them closely this year top get a good read…
But Mo deserved more time
We’ve watched them all year here. I’ve worked every home game except two and while there was something missing, like AG says, it was only a matter of time before everything fell in line. Cheeks is a really good coach and I think they all searched for synchronicity. I find it incredulous Stefanski fired Cheeks before this blip of sub par teams. I also question why Lynam wasn’t offered the job. His loyalty to Cheeks may have been a cause for Stefanski pause, but coach is on of the most veteran cats in the L. Seems like he is giving Tony a cushion to work with. Crazy that the interim tag no longer applies. While I don’t always agree with Howard Eskin, he did the damn thing at the press conference and asked most of the same questions I would have asked. How in the hell are you going to hire a guy who hasn’t coached in 19 YEARS?!?!
That’s just crazy. AG, maybe there was a reason why I wasn’t there. I definitely would have blew up the spot in the presser.
Philly did Cheeks wrong twice. How is this man supposed to love a city that kicked him unceremoniously out of town again?
The mid-season firing of Cheeks and the promotion or ‘demotion’ of a ‘corporate suit’ from the front office to clean up the so-called mess is somewhat reminiscent of what the San Antonio Spurs did back in 1996 when Gregg Popovich replace Bob Hill.
Sixers brass may be trying to emulate that approach.
Sixers may struggle this year, and get a lottery pick (maybe #1)..ala Tim Duncan.. and have a building block for a dynasty. Tony DiLeo might be the NEW Gregg Popovich, a no-nonsense former management/personnel guy turned sideline coach.
….” From 1988 to 1992, Popovich was the top assistant under Brown, before the entire staff [including R.C. Buford and Ed Manning] was fired by owner Red McCombs. Popovich moved to the Golden State Warriors for a brief stint in 1992, serving as an assistant under Don Nelson and bringing with him Avery Johnson, who had been cut by the Spurs. In 1994, he returned to San Antonio as the General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations after a new ownership group had purchased the team….”
Only thing is Patrick……….this is w week draft coming up.
Yeap Mizzo Mo Cheeks was done so wrong.
I think he should have been given at least a full season with this new group. Damn shame!
FIRING CHEEKS IS A JOKE. THEY SIGN A NEW PLAYER TO ALL THIS MONEY WHO NOW IS OUT FOR A MONTH. BRAND WAS NEVER A WINNING PLAYER ANYWAY. HE HAD TO ADJUST TO A NEW SYSTEM. THESE GMS ARE TRYING TO COVERING THEIR BEHINDS.