lauren jackson

Guessing ex-NBA and/or US college?

The front office would help him out with all he needs to know!

Seeing the name 'Gaze' thrown around a bit on Twitter...

Andrew Gaze, Confirmed.

Confirmed where?

http://www.foxsports.com.au/basketball/nbl/sydney-kings-appoint-nbl-legend-andrew-gaze-as-new-head-coach/news-story/32b66a85bc985594d110dd8f2fa94242

Wow didnt see that one coming!

Are any Kings fans here pleased / excited at this news?
I ask because I wouldn't be if I supported the Kings. This screams of profile over substance to me.

In first thought this was a bad April Fools joke but surely sports reporters couldn't be that stupid. Similarly, it couldn't be true becuase surely JvG and the new owners couldn't be that stupid.

Either way, there is a lot that stupid about this.

Just not sure if this is the right move at all for the Kings, another untried coach. Their roster should be stacked though and coaching the group will be about man management and getting them together to play hard. Does Gaze's perceived persona (NBL legend kind of goofy nice guy) smack of being the guy to do that? Time will tell

An interesting appointment.
Has little experience as a coach but has this SEABL season to learn and as mentioned will dad be in the background helping out.
Wish him well but being a legend does not make you a good coach.
If they spend big on the team then he will just be the figure head and if they do well he gets the accolades,if they don't have a good season who knows.
Will also depend on who the Assistants are.

I love Andrew Gaze. I spent most of my youth watching him play to the point where it took my years to re teach myself how to do a layup using the backboard.

But, while the guy is a special talent, and has a truly amazing love for the game, I've never really seen much to suggest he's going to be a great head coach.

Those saying that his dad being a great coach proves something I think miss the point that they are two very different people. I don't even think he has the same characteristics that made his dad what he was as a coach.

Now, does he know a system? Sure. If they plan on running a lot of shuffle nobody will know more than him, but is that enough?

The assistant he hires will be important.

If he gets a Gordie McLeod as his right hand man that knows the league backwards and not a Copeland, that would give him a chance.

Melbourne Tigers are running the shuffle in the SEABL this season. The game has moved beyond that offense. A bunch of switches just shuts it down.

He is very positive with his players and its good to have him involved in the league.

Unless their 3 imports are guns they won't make the finals with Gaze.

I think that only the first $150K of Lisch's contract will need to be under the salary cap if he is a franchise player . Leaves a fair bit left over

If it gets the greatest Australian basketball player, ever, out of that idiot AFL Fox show "Bounce",
I am all for it!!!

My preference for a coach was always a guy with experience, but at the same time I couldn't name a single guy (current coaches aside) that I would be interested in except maybe Dean Vickerman.

Gaze is a legend and obviously knows a lot about the game, but as other have said in this thread, so does just about everyone involved in coaching at a high level. I see no reason why Gaze can't succeed, but we're really going to need an assistant who has the 'Xs and Os' down.

I echo Cram's sentiments. Watched literally hundreds of Gaze's games, absolute legend, but not so confident that a transition to head coaching right now is his thing. Just as Lindsay's approach was dated, I'm not confident that Andrew's playing experiences are diverse enough to adopt modern approaches quickly. It's just too soon.

Having said that, I see this as an experience for him to develop as a coach, and who knows, perhaps his coaching approach may bring out the best in a -- hopefully -- talented group. It is great to see a legend like Gaze back in action in the league.

At least heel be used to losing given his SEABL team's performance.

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.

Bradtke

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.

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

Hill's better than that.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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 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.

Agreed re Carter &/or Kendall.

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

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

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

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.

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

Dean Vickerman will be the assistant coach . Good choice .

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?

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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...

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?

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