Hoops

has cotter been a success at the Kings??

I'm just starting to watch the NZ game now, so I'll reserve my judgement on that until after, but I sort of have to agree with both sides... He's got the coaching skills, certainly more than Moose and Hammer, and given the time and experience, I think he'll be very good...

That doesn't mean that what he's done wrong this season can be completely discounted, but games look a LOT better when the team is putting in the hard work and hustle on plays and the shots are dropping... During the Breakers game, at least what I've seen so far, the players haven't done a lot wrong, he hasn't had to find a group that's working well together, because no matter who's out there, they're working well as a team...

When it boils down to it, he's probably the best coach we've had since coming back, and given the tools and time he could make something good of it (IF he can manage to draw some great Aussie talent to the team) I guess I'm just disappointed more with the team they put together from the coach (when they COULD have been targeting someone like Bevo) but failing signing an experienced coach, they went and signed inexperienced and undersized players in crucial roles.

All in all, Cotter probably gets more of a pass mark than the ownership/management group does... The best thing they did was approve the payment to Childress...

Cotter has done a good job. If Childress didn"t get injured they would have probably made finals. He is as good as any coach going around - he just has not got the financial might and quality of player that a few other teams have.

Is Ellis signed for next season though? I thought only his option was taken up this season...

If we can get a starting quality BIG big, and an experienced PG that will go a long way... Getting a spot up shooter that can nail it, would be an extra bonus... I reckon we could pull those all out from the Crocs, personally... Markovic, Steindl and Gladness :)

Finally this is getting brought up properly instead of just me whinging about it...

I think only so much can be down to poor execution from the players... There never seems to be anything run, or anything decent run, to get shooters open... The plan in place should be from the coach and by now, fully drilled into his players... There's no-one crashing boards... This should also be instilled into the players... The general lack of direction and disorganisation on court, this far into the season, without any real changes or frustration shown from him, I think is a reflection on his coaching...

The general roster of the team is probably less than last season, although looking at it again, probably not by much...

2013/14
Sanders*^ / Carmouche*^ / Gleeson/Armor
Madgen / James Harvey
Young*^ / Brad Hill
Garlepp / Cody Ellis
Ogilvy / Ben Allen


2014/15
Cadee / Perry*
Madgen / Joyce
Childress* / White
Garlepp / Ellis
Brandt / Duinker

The way he's using the players at times is ridiculous... Pulling a player that is on a roll or is the only hustle player for either no good reason, or because they picked up a silly foul, to players being left out there for too long, either because they're not being effective, or they're our 9th/10th level players, when we've got three starters on the bench...

Cotter already had Madgen, Garlepp, White and Ellis signed for him when he took the job. THat still leaves a lot of wriggle room to sign new players. My point at the time of searching for a new coach, was that we needed a proper name coach, not just because of the experience needed with an inexperienced team, but also to be able to draw top level quality to the team. Of the new local additions, Cadee, Brandt, Duinker and Joyce, the first three are locals, and possibly only Cadee, maybe Brandt, would have been sought after by other teams and I don't think needed a lot of convincing to come here... Even getting Childress was the work of young master Hudson, if you believe the stories upon his arrival. So really what has he done? Selected an inexperienced import PG and stuck with him despite a poor season. If Perry has lived up to Cotter's expectations or his output has been acceptable, then that's enough to give him the sack. Such a young and inexperienced team needed a high quality starting PG at the start of the season, and needed more output from their starting PG during the rest of the season.

If Cotter had managed to use his relationship with AJ as his assistant coach to convince him to forgo his plan to only be here one season, I would have been more impressed.

Overall, thumbs down from me, despite the lack of top quality talent.

ps - does anyone know what that NBA scout dude is doing with the players? They made a big deal about signing him, but what's he supposed to be doing again?

I didn't think Sydney would have to pay too much for Childress. Either way, he is value for money. I think Cotter's been great for a rookie. I also like his attitude on and off the court and the image he projects. Something guys like Gleeson could learn from.

Just wondering if there is any feedback on what to expect at this carnival and what teams/clubs normally attend?