Hoops

Sydney Kings to announce Andrew Gaze as coach

Tom Garlepp re-signs.

Dazz, not the first time a championship team has done that with its coaching lineup.

WTF?
So his first move as coach will be to advise them to "take a year off"?
Gaze is unquestionably the most respected PLAYER to ever come out of Australia.
Yet every time he opens his mouth, he sounds like a twit.
Is just going to be the "face" and "spiritual leader" whilst Vickerman does the heavy lifting?

I agree that it's a great tool and adds value to things, I'm just disagreeing that just because people aren't shouting it from the twitter rooftops that it's a negative thing and that JvG should be super concerned, which was what was suggested previously...

Vickerman and LC as Assistants.

Wookie

Twitter is the modern way of promoting yourself or your business which Andrew has done on his twitter acct with SEN and his SEABL Mel Tigers but yet nothing on his appointment as the Kings coach.

It would be a great way to promote him and the Kings and generate excitement in Sydney.

Lol... this modern generation, ey? If it didn't happen on the twitter or the instant gram, it didn't happen? Not everyone lives and breathes the twitterverse...

You are serously sayin that the 2 contratced payers waiched Gaze play? Retards everywhere

Zodiac

Andrew Gaze is highly respected in the Australian basketball community and to get only 2 congrats from KIngs players who I'm sure watched many Tigers games when he played is very telling of their thoughts on him becoming the Kings head coach. IMO

If I was Jeff Van Groningen I would be quietly worried this decision could fall flat on its ASS and the blame starts squarely at him!

BTW.. Has Andrew twitted anything about him getting the Kings head coaching position??

Jac Klompu:

I am sure many players would view this appointment with scepticism. Gaze has no "runs on the board" in coaching. He hasn't developed any players or won any championships as a coach.

You ask who is better? I can think of three names straight away that would have been better selections: Dean Vickerman, Gordie McLeod, Pero Cameron.

I find it very interesting that only 1 Kings player from last seasons team made a comment on social media about Gaze head coach announcement. Not even a congratulation Drewie!

Not a great endorsement from players who all know him.

Considering the entire team from last year are FAs outside of 2 players, I'm not too surprised we didn't see more twitter congrats. I imagine a lot of the Kings from last season expect they won't be returning.

Don't read too much into what is/isnt posted on twitter

Just because u dont post something on twitter doesn't mean u r not happy

I don't even have a twitter account, doesn't mean i don't love the nbl

Anon #584182

I'm a Kings fan and have long for my team to get back to it's glory days and was extremely excited to hear the Greatest Australian basketball player is now coaching the Kings.

But after watching social the media reaction to his appointment the last few days, I notice Andrew himself haven't shown his excitement of becoming the Kings head coach on his twitter. WTF!!

Wookie,

"One of my big things was that Kings coaches in the past haven't been able to draw talent to the team and I think Gaze can at least do that"

Hiring Gaze to draw talent? Players are drawn to three things above all else - money, playing time and successful programs. All other things (lifestyle, city, who the coach is) are at the most a distant fourth.

Whether the coach is the greatest player of all time is not going to attract players. Lisch left Wollongong because the offer from Sydney was substantially bigger than what the Hawks can offer. (And for those saying Lisch came to Wollongong only of his relationship with Bevo - I can assure you that if the money wasn't in the "ball park", if he didn't think Bevo would play him, or he hadn't seen how Bevo can make a program successful, he wouldn't have signed).

Players wants to know: is this guy going to play me, and will he make our program successful.

I am sure many players would view this appointment with scepticism. Gaze has no "runs on the board" in coaching. He hasn't developed any players or won any championships as a coach.

I am sure players would really enjoy spending time with Gaze, picking his brain from time to time, even being mentored by him. But a Coach-Player relationship within a professional basketball team is totally different. Its every day, for 8 months: trainings, film sessions, individual sessions, games, travel etc.

You ask who is better? I can think of three names straight away that would have been better selections: Dean Vickerman, Gordie McLeod, Pero Cameron. They know the league, they have been successful coaches in the modern era of basketball, and have all been successful Head Coaches in the NBL or a very similar standard league. I can think of at least three others with Aus or NZ heritage who are coaching internationally that would also have been better, more experienced candidates.

I think JVG should have taken a little more time on this very important appointment.

You along with others haven't given a true reason why Gaze is right for the position.

I used to see Gaze coaching junior at practices on Sunday mornings. He was pretty much the opposite to his Dad's personality & his on-court demeanor... a real screamer. It'll be interesting to see how his style translates to coaching pros

Yes its a scary thought A Gaze "coaching"
Everyone has bagged his commentaries of the NBL, surely that translates to no real understanding of the game as a coach? Legend player and I would be 100% certain he never listened to his farteer or anyone else. He oozes talent and clearly not athleticism or anything remotely connected with Dfence.
Heal is the perfect example of celebrity over coaching ability, However Heal still thinks he can coach.
So much excitement about new owners who have IMO chosen incorrectly I hope I am wrong.

I find it very interesting that only 1 Kings player from last seasons team made a comment on social media about Gaze head coach announcement. Not even a congratulation Drewie!

Not a great endorsement from players who all know him.

Wookiee

I agree with anon #584125. You along with others haven't given a true reason why Gaze is right for the position.

Anon #584125 - I think you're assuming a lot about Gaze as a coach...

1) Too likeable by players which will be non threatening and players will walk all over him.
3) Recruit players that are all about the money.
4) Would not stand up to the leaders on the team demanding they lead by example.
5) Will be more concern about promoting/marketing the players instead of winning games.
7) Wont gain the players respect as a coach only as a mate.
9) Will listen to his father instead of his assistant coaches.

2) Never played Defence and therefore don't appreciate the importance of it.
6) Will struggle to motivate Khazzouh to a leader and dominate the nbl instead of playing soft lazy basketball.
8) Wont bring toughness the to the team to avoid the Violent Crumble tag.

Vickerman was probably my ideal pick at head coach, so I'm really happy about that. Maybe he prefers the assistant role to head coach?

Dean Vickerman will be the assistant coach . Good choice .

I hope he gets respect. If current players watched Mr Goofy on Fox Footy I doubt they will.

I am a huge fan of Gaze as a player and I really hope it works out. But this is an embarrassing decision by the new Kings ownership to hire a Head Coach who has very little coaching experience.

Lets look at the past 10 years of NBL Championship winning coaches and look at their backgrounds.

I am using this 10 year time period as this IMO is when modern professional basketball really started to come into play: Greater emphasis on Scouting, Greater detail required in Offensive philosophy (to counter the increase in scouting), Rise in use of Analytics (Shot Selection, Defensive tactics), Game Style more to PNRs (which is not really apart of the Shuffle offence), Importance of Player Development, Increased importance of Sports Science.

2016 & 2014 Gleeson (Perth). Career Coach, did an apprenticeship in the NBL for the Bullets and then in the American CBA. No high level playing experience

2015 Vickerman (Breakers). Fringe NBL player. Did a long apprenticeship in the NBL as an AC, but also Head Coach for many years in NZNBL

2011 - 2013 Lemanis. Fringe NBL player. Did a long apprenticeship in the NBL as an AC.

2010 Beverage. Career Coach at Junior Level. Did not have high level coaching experience first time around and got fired. Learn from his mistakes, went to a bigger club and was more successful. No high level playing experience

2009. Goorijan. Player in NBL. Prior to this championship, had over 20 years of experience coaching and would be considered a Career Coach - more than an ex-player turned coach.

2008. Westover. Former NBL player. Did a long apprenticeship as an AC int he NBL before taking over the Tigers as a Head Coach

2007 Wright. Former Nbl player. After finishing playing, did a coaching apprenticeship in the states - coaching High School, University and Minor Leagues

So exactly Zero coaches have stepped in, and been successful, as former players who have no coaching experience.

I also disagree with the assertion that "as long as they get good assistants around him, it will work" stuff. Would you be happy to ride in a caron the freeway if the driver didn't know how to drive but he brought his mates along to sit in the back seat and instruct him?

A big thing in coaching is having the players respect. No doubt, Gaze will get it straight away from his coaching career and his status in the game. But it will quickly erode if he isn't seen to be clear on his philosophy, be able to articulate it to the players (particularly in pressure situations), as well as, holding the players accountable to it.

Yes duke fan I'm with you, both are very good with their teams, and Imo would work very well with gaze plus they both understand and live in Sydney.

Sorry....that should have read semi final & quarter final for Sutherland

Carter has been voted Coach Of the Year in the Waratah League for the past 2 seasons (his 1st 2 as coach) in the Waratah League and taken a Sutherland team with less than stellar talent (in comparison to other teams) to a Grand Final and semi final appearance in those seasons. He's an NBL coach in waiting if I've ever seen one. Perfect example of what someone was mentioning above about fringe/role players becoming successful coaches in the NBA. He obviously learnt a lot from his time with Gorj.

Kendall has had a bit more talent to work with but has also put some runs on the board in WABL and his Comets team won the comp last season. Also a future NBL coach in my opinion

I wouldn't think there be to many ex Nbl coaches out there that would want to work under a first time coach, gaze has to be the top man not get told what to do by the assistant.

Agreed re Carter &/or Kendall.

The previous ownership group has Knight as an assistant & his track record in Waratah is as good or better.

I have no idea how Carter or Kendall are as coaches, but if the new ownership group have any clue at all they will hire at least one assistant with NBL coaching experience. Carter or Kendall is the type of selection the last ownership group would've made.

I thought Gaze's comments about using the Tigers in the SEABL as a bit of a 'development league' type of setup is interesting.

Luke Kendall and BJ Carter should be the assistant coaches, both ex Kings played under Gordgian and do very well at there clubs.

Anonymous, I think your concerns are justified. I have those concerns also. Gaze knows a lot about the game, but I don't understand why they have jumped on an unproven coach. It all just feels a bit wrong to me. I can't wrap my head around Andrew Gaze as the Sydney Kings head coach. Time will tell whether this is a masterstroke or a laughing stock

I thought Gordie has been to three.

2 with West Sydney (2002 and 2004) and 1 with the Hawks (2010).

Gordie is a terrific coach and he has achieved great success with comparatively undermanned teams who probably haven't spent as much as others.

Coaching (particularly in the NBL) isn't always inherently about what you do. It's about what you do with what you've got. This is even more true in the NBL where some teams are going to be under-resourced vs. the likes of a Perth or NZ. Gordie has done amazing work with what he has had.

IMO, it's an absolute travesty he is an assistant coach in this league. What a joke.

He's been to 2 grand finals in his career, but everybody talks him up. i don't get it

Dean Vickerman & Lanard Copeland as assistant coaches.

"smfh"

Can someone tell me what has Gordie done in his coaching career that he gets so much praise?

He's been to 2 grand finals in his career, but everybody talks him up. i don't get it

They got Lisch, settle down, they'll be fine

I juat watched the Kings press conference announcing Andrew gaze as their new head coach and it was clear to me the decision by the kings to hire hims was base on two things.

1) His profile in the basketball community
2) His relationship with Jeff Van Groningen

Both of which will not even come close to bringing a championship to the Kings.

What astonished me was Gaze didn't show the passion I expected from someone I watched play tirelessly for 48 minutes in every game with the Tigers and when he wore the Boomers uniform.

So left me really wondering is this a move for andrew to
gain some temporary nbl coaching experience and hope in the process the Kings are some what successful with the end goal of going back to melbourne to rebirth the tigers in the nbl with him as head coach. Personally I would love to see that happen and i'm sure Lindsay and the Gaze family, along with the Tigers faithful fans who are suffering from watching Mel Utd would love it as well.

For the life of me i cant find one legitimate reason other than the 2 I mention, why andrew was picked over experienced NBA and NBL coaches who applied for the position and that are successful when andrew doesn't have 1 game of professional coaching experience.

Once again it creeps into the Kings way of thinking despite owners "Profile is better than Experience" and it has been a recipe for disaster when the previous owners tried it with Shane Heal!

Despite being the greatest ever australian basketball (IMO) i cant see andrew coaching the kings to a championship and here is why.

1) Too likeable by players which will be non threatening
and players will walk all over him.

2) Never played Defence and therefore don't appreciate
the importance of it.

3) Recruit players that are all about the money.

4) Would not stand up to the leaders on the team
demanding they lead by example.

5) Will be more concern about promoting/marketing the
players instead of winning games.

6) Will struggle to motivate Khazzouh to a leader and
dominate the nbl instead of playing soft lazy
basketball.
7) Wont gain the players respect as a coach only as a
mate.

8) Wont bring toughness the to the team to avoid the
Violent Crumble tag.

9) Will listen to his father instead of his assistant
coaches.

The Kings big announcement and big things are coming pitch via social media is great for hyping up andrew gaze appointment in sydney that also brings a expectation of winning games.

I have seen this script before in the previous 2 seasons and its ending with buttom of the ladder results.

'ALL HYPE NO SUBSTANCE"
as the new coach

Should be an interesting gamble, but I am happy it's not one of my teams rolling the dice!

From the one time I saw him coaching up close, Gaze is at least more aggressive as a coach than the ever-smiling, fence-sitter you see in commentary.

Gordie McLeod is one example of a very good player being a very good coach, Joey Wright another example, but from memory most successful NBL coaches have been fringe pros or career coaches.

Does this hiring speak to the lack of depth in Australian coaching ranks? Also has a superstar player like gaze ever ended up being a top coach? In the NBA all the best coaches are guys who were role players or not players at all

Hill's better than that.

Well, fresh out of college with not that an impressive resume, it could have been:

Hill - 1/2$

You'd hope that Hill would be the 11th player if they're going to be a contender...

Link to the press conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw-C5zGIf-Y&feature=youtu.be

So when was the last time the Kings spent their way to bankruptcy? Refresh our memories please.

It's a bit soon to worry about that before we know who else the Kings plan on signing.

Right now it's:

Lisch - $$$$
Khazzouh - $$$
Hill - $

And nobody else.

Oh great, the Kings are going to spend their way into bankruptcy again :/
Do they not know any methods other than total suckiness or total excess?

Hard to say no to $1.3m even if you know you're a buffoon.

Bradtke

Lindsay coached and played for a long time and is indeed a legend BUT his record was nothing to brag about until a certain A Gaze along with Bradke Copeland etc came into the line up.

They suited his offence to a "T" BUT again what other success did he have with different units.

Tigers were also no defensive juggernauts so to say that Andrew should be a successful coach based in Lindsay's record (even if all Lindsay's skills had rubbed off) has no real basis.

He may well have success but he has no more coaching credentials than any other ex NBL player at this stage.