Daily News | How Doc Rivers’ Orlando Magic roots launched a coaching career that landed him on list of NBA’s best
ORLANDO, Fla. — Prior to the start of the 1999-2000 season, Doc Rivers gathered the Orlando Magic at midcourt for practice. He shared that Sports Illustrated had projected their team to challenge the 1972-73 Sixers, who went 9-73, for the worst record in NBA history.
Then-Magic coach Chuck Daly and Mike Fratello, Rivers’ coach with the Atlanta Hawks, also had been working behind the scenes to persuade Gabriel that Rivers should be his hire when Daly retired after the 1998-99 season. Daly invited Rivers to training camp before his final season and told him “you’re going to be the next coach here” — even as Rivers “resisted” moving into that realm.
Leaning into the heart & hustle intangibles was a requirement for a team that made up for its lack of talent with a rugged mentality. They were anchored by Outlaw, Darrell Armstrong, the NBA’s reigning sixth man of the year and most improved player, and Ben Wallace, who was on the verge of blossoming into a dominant rebounder and shot blocker. Rivers also identified Chucky Atkins, who before then had never stuck with an NBA organization, to be their backup point guard.
Outlaw described Rivers’ overall approach with players as a blend of expectations and freedom, which resulted in trust both ways. If Rivers saw somebody working on a skill in practice, he would encourage them to try it in a game. He was open to discussing and implementing player suggestions. And he was not opposed to using unorthodox lineups, such as playing the offensively limited Outlaw and Wallace at the same time because of their defensive impact and synergy with each other.
Later, the Magic used a seven-game winning streak in late March and early April to surge into the playoff race. In the regular season’s second-to-last game, an Atkins final-seconds three-pointer that rimmed out against Milwaukee dashed those postseason hopes. Outlaw still believes his team’s all-out style would have been dangerous in the postseason, that the Magic “thought we would have won that [first-round] playoff series” even as a lower seed.
Indonesia Berita Terbaru, Indonesia Berita utama
Similar News:Anda juga dapat membaca berita serupa dengan ini yang kami kumpulkan dari sumber berita lain.
The True Legacy of Gregg PopovichYes, Gregg Popovich has won more games than any other coach in NBA history. But he’s also influenced more careers than possibly anyone ever, HowardBeck writes
Baca lebih lajut »
Apple TV+ Debuts First Trailer for Magic Johnson Doc ‘They Call Me Magic’The four-part series is directed by Rick Famuyiwa and premieres on April 22.
Baca lebih lajut »
Spurs' Gregg Popovich passes Don Nelson as NBA's all-time winningest coachOn Friday night, Gregg Popovich passed Don Nelson as the league’s all-time winningest coach, collecting his 1,336th victory when the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Utah Jazz 104-102.
Baca lebih lajut »
Gregg Popovich Sets NBA Record for Most Wins as a Head CoachGregg Popovich earned his 1,336th career win on Friday, passing Don Nelson for the most victories as a head coach in NBA history.
Baca lebih lajut »
Spurs' Gregg Popovich passes Don Nelson as NBA's all-time winningest coachThe Spurs' victory over the Jazz on Friday night elevated Gregg Popovich to the top of the NBA's all-time coaching wins leaderboard.
Baca lebih lajut »