Bobcats hire Mike Dunlap as HC

[kman72]

George Karl: Great hire by Bobcats! Mike Dunlap is one of the most creative defensive minds I've ever worked with. Welcome back to the NBA! Twitter

The Observer’s source, who asked for anonymity because Dunlap’s hire isn’t official, said Dunlap impressed the front office with his high energy and collaborative approach. Also, he wants to run an up-tempo offense and attacking defense that figures to fit some of the Bobcats’ younger personnel. Charlotte Observer

Adrian Wojnarowski: Dunlap's considered an excellent X's and O's coach on college level, well-respected in profession. Still, a huge gamble for Michael Jordan. Twitter

David Locke: George Karl on Mike Dunlap "He’s the most intelligent person that has a love for the game of basketball that I’ve ever been around." Twitter

at least people that know the guy seem to really like and respect him, idk much about the guy but i really like karl and if he has high regard for him i will take that on faith and hope for the best, i really wanted an X and O's guy, and this guy sounds to be great at that, someone said how will he get the respect of our vets? what vets do we have or even want here lol

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

I respect George Karl's opinion, but I don't like the idea of pulling a Tampa Bay Buccaneer and hiring supposedly a good college coach on a bad college team.

Experts have said all along that Jordan is going to go with the guy that comes the cheapest and there is no doubt that Dunlap would come cheaper than any of the other candidates because he wants to get back in the NBA.

[cavic7585]

At first I raged some, then after readin some articles on him and seeing all the tweets that people In the game are saying about him im onboard. A energetic/uptempo style coach could be what this team needs to be watchable. We are going to suck next year even if we would have hired phil fuking jackson. Give the guy a chance and lets see what we do on draft night.

Also remeber this was also cho's decision and he has a history of making reach decisions (westbrook,harden). Im not trying to be a fanboy but lets just see how this works out.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/blog/_/name/katz_andy/id/8071050/college-coaches-rave-mike-dunlap-college-basketball

http://www.milehighsports.com/?p=10592

[GotSwag?]

As a UNC fan, I would not object to drafting Barnes. Probably going to be a better pro than college player. His mentality and game is better suited. A lot like Austin Rivers, in a sense.

Lots of UNC fans weren't bothered by the fact he left TY, and the Bobcats have tried that whole draft UNC players to sell seats and that type of thinking is outdated and excuse the bluntness, very ignorant.

If UNC fans want to watch UNC players, we watch the Tar Heels not the Bobcats.

Thank you. People really dont understand this. If MKG went to UNC and Barnes to UK or Dook, I still would want to draft Barnes.

[yasuhara2241]

My take on this hire is very wishy washy.

1. We are going to be bad next year and that is part of the plan to help us get better in the future, so we hire somebody who can teach the game to our young team. This guy is going to be reamed for doing such a bad job, but honestly any coach would be with the talent or lack there of that the Bobcats have.

2. "We made this hire to save money." So what if we did? No matter who we hired we were going to suck for the next two or three years and we should all be prepared for this. If we hired a good teacher on a discount does that really matter? We as fans would be calling for the coaches head in 3 years anyway no matter if Shaw was our coach. The only difference is people would say Shaw is trying to install a system that we don't have the players for.

3. I haven't heard of him and only read about his bio online so he must suck! Listen the NBA is full of unknown coaches that end up being good because of the players around them and the system. Who here knew the coach of the Bulls or Thunder before they were hired? I know some have but to the average fan probably not. Sometimes unknown aren't bad.

4. Because of the unknowns he will be criticized more than anybody has. "He was hired bc MJ was cheap." "He had no experience before why did we expect him to be good." "College system and teacher in the pros are not a good match."

Overall, i have no clue what to expect. I was shocked by the hire but really can't comment because I don't know the guy. I hate the wait and see mentality but that is the NBA. We need to suck, get lucky and get lucky again. Then we can wait and see if he was any good.

[Proudiddy]

Any hire is exciting regardless of who it is because they're NEW. Even if it would've been Snyder or Shaw, it still would've had an element of excitement because they are an unknown as an NBA HC. So, from that angle, I remain cautiously optimistic and I can't say that I know either of those guys would've been any better than what we will have in Dunlap.

My issue, was 1) he apparently is the first NCAA assistant to become an NBA HC, EVER, and 2) On top of that, as many people have come out and gave him an endorsement, he has not been a HC in D1 or the NBA. Those things worry me, but as I said previously, I hope MJ's gamble paid off this time.

[Proudiddy]

For some interesting reads on Dunlap, check out Moe Harkless' timeline on twitter. He loves him and says he's a really engaged, passionate, and smart coach BUT, then he mentions how Dunlap would make them run if they yawned at practice and would kick the managers out if they yawned as well.

https://twitter.com/#!/moe_harkless

That's what my concern was. He has spent almost all of his career in college, and that type of stuff will get you undermined and tuned out quick in the NBA. So, his knowledge and passion for the game better translate immediately and win our guys over...

[thatlookseasy]

As long as he brings in some experienced NBA assistants I think he should be alright (not like there are too many vets left to win over). I'm fine with the front office taking a risk next season since the team wont be great anyway.

[Sapper]

Gene Chizik anyone?

[carolina-chuck]

I was all for going after an up and coming NBA assistant coach....or even a college coach who had performed at a high level. This guy seems like a reach in every definition of the word.

We dnt need a star coach or an up and coming young coach. We need a teacher. Someone who knows the game. Someone with no huge EGO. Like I said this is a good fit. A coach who'll stick with this team and lead them step by step. We're in a rebuilding mode. Stick to the plan and let the coach grow with these young players. No need to hire a coach who'll try to transform this team into a playoff contender next season. If we have Anthony Davis, sure maybe. But no chance at AD so plan is to hit top four pick next year again. If we hit this and next year drafts, with this coach we could go a long way. Dunlap has to be better than Bickerstaff, Vincent and Silas.

[teeray]

[MadHatter]

Dunlap has to be better than Bickerstaff, Vincent and Silas.

That part I will definitely agree with.

[Ivan The Awesome]

Well at least it wasn't sloan or snyder.

[ckad79]

I honestly believe that Jordan understood the importance of signing a quality head coach this time! His organization is slipping away and Jordan isn't that stupid! You have to believe the entire front office sat down, evaluated Mike Dunlap and made a call on him that they all believe in.

As far as being "popular" or having "experience", Scott Brooks had no head coaching experience before coming to the Thunder. The Thunder knew he was a "basketball" guy that was well respected like Dunlap is. Plus, the Thunder struggled before signing Brooks and had limited people out there begging to work for them!!!