Official 2015 Hoiberg NBA Speculation Thread

[jddegraf]

Re: BLUM: The Mayor's dilemma

Not sure why everyone is banging on a well written article just because it is for "page clicks." It is obviously generating content, 7 pages in less than two hours. Definitely not a bad thing.

As far as his decision goes, it just doesn't add up to being the right time from my point of view and a lot of you have indicated why that is. Another thing for me is the Chicago situation. Chicago has a loaded roster, but is it really that desirable for a 1st year head coach in the NBA? Gar and Paxson are very hands on and opinionated. Reinsdorf feuded with Phil Jackson of all people and has had his issues with Thibs also. People think he is under a ton of pressure to win in Ames? Times that by about 10 in a sports crazy town like Chicago and you only get 3-4 years to prove yourself there or you are out of a job. Who wants to walk into a situation where management is possibly cutting the cord on a guy that has coached around major injuries and still led the team to successful seasons?

I'm sure Fred will succeed in the NBA just like he has at every other walk of life, but there has to be hesitations with the unknown while you have your best team on paper coming back in 6 years of coaching.

 

[Gunnerclone]

Re: BLUM: The Mayor's dilemma

One more thing that I KNOW is True:

[video=youtube;ldXgK71pgxs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldXgK71pgxs[/video]

 

[allfourcy]

Re: BLUM: The Mayor's dilemma

I guess I don't understand why leaving now is better than leaving next year. Fred has spent his first 5 years building to next season. He will have a legit shot at the Big 12 title and potentially a Top 5 or 10 ranking.

Maybe its better for Iowa State if he leaves this year. But I don't see how its better for Fred unless there is a specific NBA job he really wants that will open up this year.

I so keep wanting to hold onto your thought here, but also have heard from sources that the Bulls is one of those jobs. I also think that whomever he confides in, is probably telling him that its going to be hard for him to leave regardless which year he does it. Most of us have gone through similar thoughts when making a job change, although on a lesser public scale. If he does leave, I'll understand and yet be depressed and sad. I really don't think I'd even care who the next head coach is, just because....... it wasn't going to be Fred. But life goes on, and our players would have to overcome that hurdle as well. Let's hope we don't have to talk about it in the near future.

 

[NorthCyd]

Re: BLUM: The Mayor's dilemma

Cmon Blum, sack up and call your shot. In your opinion do you think he is staying or going?

 

[cycloneworld]

Re: BLUM: The Mayor's dilemma

Yeah, but timing in the NBA can make or break a career. There aren't that many openings with a championship caliber roster available. Let alone in a place that you have connections with.

Fair point. But there are almost always good/great opportunities and situations year in and year out in the NBA. Last year the Warriors job was open. This year the Bulls. Next year the Cavs?

Or you get into a Brad Stevens situation where you are given a few years to build something from the ground up. All really good NBA opportunities.

 

[brentblum]

Re: BLUM: The Mayor's dilemma

Cmon Blum, sack up and call your shot. In your opinion do you think he is staying or going?

It all depends on if there is an opening in Chicago. But if there is, I'd lean yes.

 

[bozclone]

Re: BLUM: The Mayor's dilemma

There are many considerations when thinking about a job change. Everyone has different things that they value. Only Fred knows what is most important to him and his family. That being said, I would think that Fred would view his job at Iowa State as incomplete. Our early exit from the dance last year was disappointing for everyone and I would think he would want to make a deep run before he looked to make a job change. I can see him leaving in the future, but I wouldn't think he would make a change this summer unless he is was really unhappy with his current job.

 

[cycloneworld]

Re: BLUM: The Mayor's dilemma

I so keep wanting to hold onto your thought here, but also have heard from sources that the Bulls is one of those jobs. I also think that whomever he confides in, is probably telling him that its going to be hard for him to leave regardless which year he does it. Most of us have gone through similar thoughts when making a job change, although on a lesser public scale. If he does leave, I'll understand and yet be depressed and sad. I really don't think I'd even care who the next head coach is, just because....... it wasn't going to be Fred. But life goes on, and our players would have to overcome that hurdle as well. Let's hope we don't have to talk about it in the near future.

I agree with you almost word for word. The relationships Fred has with Bulls management will play a huge part I'm sure but the organization hasn't exactly been coach friendly in the past 20 years:

Pushed out Phil Jackson
Fired Tim Floyd
Fired Bill Cartwright
Fired Scott Skiles
Fired Vinny Del Negro
Pushed/out fired Tom Thibodeau

 

[NorthCyd]

Re: BLUM: The Mayor's dilemma

It all depends on if there is an opening in Chicago. But if there is, I'd lean yes.

Boooo! :wink:

Thanks for the article and opinion. Always respect your thoughts in all things ISU, even if I don't like what you have to say.

 

[SouthJerseyCy]

Re: BLUM: The Mayor's dilemma

I haven't read all 8 pages, but count me in the camp that thinks having a stellar team coming back makes it MORE likely that he will leave this year. Fred will want to make the transition as smooth as possible. It parallels what his mentor JO did retiring when he had Fred, Loren, Julo, etc coming back. Add that to the fact that one of the top teams in the NBA, who he has a close relationship with is likely to have an opening...

 

[jsb]

Re: BLUM: The Mayor's dilemma

The one thing I strongly disagree with is that Iowa state would be better off if he left sooner. I don't want tj trying to take this team to the final 4. It's not like an ncaa birth next year would be some big accomplishment. Maybe tj is better off but I could care less about his career.

 

[IAStubborn]

Re: BLUM: The Mayor's dilemma

I hope you are right but I'd bet my mother that you are wrong. Hell, I think half the stuff being written on this site is being written to soften the blow if Fred does leave and tj is named head coach. It's not a bad thing to do either.

That's like betting for access to the water fountains at Hilton

 

[jsb]

Re: BLUM: The Mayor's dilemma

I haven't read all 8 pages, but count me in the camp that thinks having a stellar team coming back makes it MORE likely that he will leave this year. Fred will want to make the transition as smooth as possible. It parallels what his mentor JO did retiring when he had Fred, Loren, Julo, etc coming back. Add that to the fact that one of the top teams in the NBA, who he has a close relationship with is likely to have an opening...

If Fred wants to leave, he'll leave. But if he uses that line of reasoning to justify it to fans that will be ********.

 

[Cakeup]

Re: BLUM: The Mayor's dilemma

Based off Fred's comments throughout his years, and the relatively cheap NBA buyout in his contract, it looks apparent he is bound for the NBA at some point and time. So it's coming down to a more of a timing/correct situation but my guess is with Fred being familiar with the Minnesota Timberwolves and their current situation (Coach Flip Saunders being 60 years old and on his second coaching stint with the T-Wolves however also minority owner of the franchise) it seems they are setting the table for him. In addition, there are other factors to consider (T-Wolves young up and coming roster, multi-million dollar Target Center facility upgrades, Fred's familiarity with the city and T-Wolves front office) that makes Minnesota a very likely landing spot. Definitely hoping he stays at ISU but if he had to go somewhere in the NBA I sure wouldn't mind seeing Fred turn Minnesota into the next Golden State with his exciting brand of basketball. So if nexts years ISU's team can achieve it's goals than that might help ease everyones offseason pain.

 

[CloneZone13]

Re: BLUM: The Mayor's dilemma

We absolutely need Fred for at least a few more years. We are NOT in a stable enough position if he leaves, and could easily slip back into the 'dark times'. Fred will do what's best for him and his family, but I hope that's stay at ISU for many years (obviously).

 

[Cychl82]

Re: BLUM: The Mayor's dilemma

This is getting old.....really old

 

[Tedcyclone]

Re: BLUM: The Mayor's dilemma

I don't agree with expectations can suck the fun out of winning. There are many programs with HUGE expectations that have coaches that love their life, and still love winning. Losing sucks period, expectations or not. Winning is awesome always expectations or not. Dont tell me Fred has too much pressure here now. Any coach anywhere that is winning has pressure to keep winning. Any business person small or large that has success has DAILY pressure to stay successful. Not only for themselves, but also their families, and communities. If you didnt like or couldnt handle pressure you wouldnt be coaching, or in charge of anything. That wont change in Chicago. In fact leaving for Chicago will create a lot more pressure then staying in Ames. Go to Chicago and suck, then try to come back because you couldnt cut it.

 

[IAStubborn]

Re: BLUM: The Mayor's dilemma

I knew some wouldn't agree or like what I wrote. I'm not going to throw stuff out there just for kicks if I didn't believe what I say. I love Iowa State as much as you all and want the best for the good guys. I was just hoping to present a case that if Fred does ultimately leave, it may be best if he does it sooner rather than later. If that same thought has been presented before, I haven't seen it.

It's an emotional topic and I fully understand that, thanks all for reading and the discussion.

I agree with you and have said as much and a few others have said as well, perhaps not as focused on that point. To me that makes all the sense in the world. If you love ISU as Fred does, now may be the time to leave if you are going to anyways precisely because it is best for ISU. Agree with everything you wrote. The question we don't know is how inevitable is it really and how immediate. All we really know is their is an itch. My logic and yours depends on him leaving and planning to leave sooner rather than later.

Additionally, in the end considering and doing are two different things and leaving here won't be easy for the Mayor. Hence to me despite this logic, it is a true toss up anyone who supposes to really know is full of ****. Even if Fred himself thinks he knows a lot can change in a big decision like this.

Good piece and solid rationale, the fact that the same people can accuse you of being a sunshine peddler AND chicken little means you are doing something right!

 

[CloniesForLife]

Re: BLUM: The Mayor's dilemma

The one thing I strongly disagree with is that Iowa state would be better off if he left sooner. I don't want tj trying to take this team to the final 4. It's not like an ncaa birth next year would be some big accomplishment. Maybe tj is better off but I could care less about his career.

Why are we assuming TJ is automatically replacing him?

 

[Nazty]

Re: BLUM: The Mayor's dilemma

Why are we assuming TJ is automatically replacing him?

If Fred leaves and they just slide TJ in, kiss that great season we were hoping for goodbye. TJ has no experience running a team nor handling the expectations that this roster will bring next year. The best a team with TJ on staff has done is win 1 game in the NCAA tournament. Pollard can't put a top 10 roster in the hands of a coach with no experience.