NBA’s Biggest Coach Killers

Are star athletes carrying too much influence? We explore some players who control the destiny of their coaches and also the coaches who are untouchable. In the 80s and 90s a good coach was the key to success. But today that is no longer the case.

Athletes today are making more decisions and have more pull than during any other time in sports history. This trend is causing problems throughout each of the major sports, and even Hall of Fame coaches are discarded like used napkins.

This phenomenon is not necessarily always the fault of players or the coaches. The owners and general managers are so hungry to keep their players happy, they do not allow coaches to discipline their players or make firm decisions in the way they once did. In a world of participation trophy, players are being babied like never before. This leads to a generation of players who are never challenged. Ironically, when things aren’t going well, these players often point their finger at the easiest target: the coaches.

Here are the top 3 coach killers in the NBA today:

Demarcus Cousins

Demarcus is a sensational young talent, who is often too emotional for his own good. Cousins has a history of speaking out about his coach, George Karl, who is a mortal lock to join the Basketball Hall of Fame. Although Boogie’s unhappiness hasn’t led to any action yet, the writing is on the wall for Karl’s departure. Fortunately for Cousins, he is having a career season, and if Karl doesn’t go, there will be plenty of bidders.

LeBron James

LeBron is a team player who would never publically speak out against any member of his organization (with the exception of Dan Gilbert). The reason why James makes this list is his extremely high standards. If a coach isn’t fitting his demands, he will let ownership know. As the best player in the world, LeBron is able to make decisions that no other player can. Although it is denied organizationally, it is widely believed that LeBron is involved in free agent signings, play calling and many other aspects most players couldn’t dream of. All things considered, would it be unreasonable to think that if LeBron didn’t like a coach that they would be walking on extremely thin ice? Just ask David Blatt.

Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard seems like a likeable guy. He appears to be a fun-loving, happy athlete that the common man can relate to. So why is he so universally hated? Howard has the tendency to shy away from blame and let others take the fault for any shortcomings a team might face. He is also outspoken, and has never met a microphone he didn’t like. Dwight has gone through as many coaches as just about any player in the league. But luckily for the NBA coaching universe, this aging superstar’s organizational pull is fading as fast as his talent.

Coaches all over the league would welcome any of these players with open arms, but might end up needing to look for a real estate agent soon after they joined the team. Players of the sort seen in this list have so much control because they are considered the game’s elite players. Until the league is able to mature (if it ever can) we can expect a league with an annual turnover of coaches.

– Michael Hersey

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