the setup in said analogy was bad…. But who really cares, it was a fine rheotorical device, because you pivoted (or perhaps i picked it up better). I prefer the substanative change. Instead of bickering about rhetoric, we both looking at the how is more meaty anyhow.
Ultimate Point from my view is a generic focus on numerical win numbers is a poor barometer for judging coaching ability, in a noisy environment. However, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t see progressions. Some linear, some not so much. Hopefully, we see bigger ones this year.
Getting specific to the situation:
What I saw at end of Pitino era was a team whereby every man was an Island. That created toxicity. He (Ben) challenged the team in a zoom call on first day (reference is a strib article) to show back up, put the team first. Its a step that we needed (imho), but resulted in significant pain for us. They all left save for Isiaih. Robbins had a tweet with super excitement for the challenge, until he found out that that meant he needed to put team first too (no, your team before your uncle)…. Yah can’t build long term with players running the show.
Then again we see Jaden Henley (beginning of year, I didn’t see a player). He is a great example of a coaching turnaround. End of year, I was excited about his future. Yet, if you believe speculation on his needing Minutes promised, “bye bye!” Absolutely right descision for ultimate realization of a winning squad. Bring on Mike Mitchell, whom is quoted as believing he has what it takes to earn a starting job - not a promised starting job (from interview with Doogie).
Signs of abilty to coach, I think so. Also to build.
Certainly this isn’t a vacuum. I appreciate the GM criticisms (ie roster construction), but I also think there is more method to the madness than is realized.
Bell us haute cuisine