[ChrispyParticipant]

 Many people don’t know that Bill Russell was the first Black head coach to win an NBA title…while he was playing! There have been others as well, most notably Dave DeBusschere withe the Pistons and Dave Cowens with the Celtics. I believe that Rick Barry did the same in ABA, but could be wrong. 

Anyway, the reason I bring this up is because I am watching the Cavs-Bucks game right now, have had several beers, and started thinking (a dangerous combo). Hear me out. Lebron James is the leader of whatever team he is on, obviously, and has also been known to act as a defacto GM (wanting certain player, recruiting them, getting them). He has also been seen multiple times drawing up plays at critical times over his career. Could the Cavs ever offer Lebron the opportunity to be player-coach? Would it be a good idea or am I simply too drunk to not get this? I kinda think he could do it and be succesful. He has the IQ, both bball and in general, knows the game and sees it better than almost any player ever, so…. Could he? What other players could you see doing it, if any?

 

[Lotto StudParticipant]

 Isn’t this one of the reasons to why Kyrie wanted out from the gate?

[ChrispyParticipant]

 So, is that a yes or a no? What do you think about the question I posted?

[Lotto StudParticipant]

 To answer your question, I don’t think it would fit for LeBron, because the locker room wouldn’t be the same. Personally, I feel that it would throw off the chemistry on the court as well as being a relationship killer amongst his teammates off of it due to his competitive nature.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 My money is on Vince Carter and the Kings.

[HitsterParticipant]

With the game being such a multi million dollar business, I don’t see it happening again. In football in the UK we had a lot of player/managers in the past but in new big money era it just doesn’t happen.

MJ was a Team President Player though and there is nothing really to stop a senior player being on the coaching staff whilst still a player especially if they aren’t in rotation that mch lets say Jason Terry, Udonis Haslem, Nick Collinson type guys.

Bill Russell still had Red Auerbach to oversee things don’t forget.

If it did happen again, the team would need a very experienced Associate Coach to be there to call plays if needed,

 

 

 

[LazarusMunozParticipant]

 God I hope so… just so I could see a breakaway suit!

[The GoatParticipant]

No doubt Lavar Ball will throw Lonzo’s (or his own!) name out there as a potential player coach. Id also like to watch him attempt to be a defense attorney in a Chinese court room. That’d be pure entertainment.

In all seriousness, it’s not the 1950s or 1960s anymore.
Being a head coach is a full time position that commands a six, seven or eight figure salary. So is being a professional athlete, whether you get DNPCDs or actually play. I think both roles are too demanding to be done effectively by one person, especially without bias if you are giving yourself minutes. It’s like defending yourself in court, you can do it, it’s just not usually a very good idea.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 The last active NBA player I can recall who also held a coaching position was tree Rollins, who was both a backup center and assistant coach for the magic in 1995. This was memorable because tree instructed his players not to bite on rik Smits pump fake in the 1995 ecf. Than on a crucial possession Brian hill took shaq out and put in tree for his experience, who promptly bit on Smits pump fake and gave up an open jumper costing them the game.

In today’s game, where every decision is dissected and scrutinized, and players and coaches both make eight and nine figure salaries, the idea of an actual player coach is extremely unlikely. Especially in such an analytics driven environment. 

 

[Author]

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