Daily Five: Mike Brown One of the Most Successful Young Coaches Ever
Each day, we'll take a quick look at five of the most important stories going on in the NBA.
Brian Windhorst: "While he's in the middle of a difficult assignment — the Cavs are expected to challenge for the NBA championship this season with both James and Shaquille O'Neal in the final year of their contracts — the milestone birthday has allowed a bit of good-natured ribbing. It also brought some perspective that made him (Mike Brown) one of the most successful young coaches in history."
Britt Robson: "But as most everyone aside from your nephew and grandmother knows, the playoffs have not been so pleasant for the high-tempo team from the desert. During its otherwise marvelous six-year span, Phoenix has never exceeded its playoff seeding, and has twice been bounced by opponents with inferior records (the Spurs, in both 2005 and 2007). The same quality that makes the Suns so enjoyable to watch in November, January and March — they try to outscore opponents by running them off the court — dooms them when the playoffs commence in the spring."
Golden State of Mind: "After watching Bay Area born and raised NBA basketball player Drew Gooden get traded two times within the span of 4 days, I wondered if this former lottery pick was destined to be this generation's Chris Gatling."
Holly MacKenzie: "he race to the postseason is here. Can you feel it? I most certainly can. One more thing: Jarrett Jack has been waiting to make the playoffs his entire life. He’s 23 games away. I really, really want to see him in the postseason. The guy loves this game as much as anyone who is in this league."
Stacheketball: "However, Diaw’s resurgence had a tough time staying in the air, as he soon regressed into the one step forward, one step back pattern that has marked his career. This season, he’s dramatically improved his free-throw shooting, moving from a 68.7 per cent mark last year and a 71.1 mark for his career to a 76.8 per cent mark this year. However, his field-goal percentage has dropped from 51 per cent to 47 per cent and his three-point percentage has fallen off a cliff, from 41.4 per cent to 31.7 per cent. He has also declined in rebounds, assists, blocks and steals."
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