Community Shootaround: Coaches In Jeopardy

One of the most difficult aspects of being an NBA coach is that they have frighteningly very little job security. The pay is certainly good, but in a player-driven league, the first person to shoulder the blame when things head south for a team is its coach. In fact, there have been 11 franchises that have made a change since we last ranked NBA head coaches by the length of their respective tenures this past August. On Monday, Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors ran down the list of the longest-tenured coaches in the league, which for convenience, I’ve posted below:

  1. Gregg Popovich, Spurs: December 1996
  2. Erik Spoelstra, Heat: April 2008
  3. Rick Carlisle, Mavericks: May 2008
  4. Dwane Casey, Raptors: June 2011
  5. Terry Stotts, Trail Blazers: August 2012
  6. Mike Budenholzer, Hawks: May 2013
  7. Steve Clifford, Hornets: May 2013
  8. Doc Rivers, Clippers: June 2013
  9. Brad Stevens, Celtics: July 2013
  10. Brett Brown, Sixers: August 2013
  11. Stan Van Gundy, Pistons: May 2014
  12. Steve Kerr, Warriors: May 2014
  13. Quin Snyder, Jazz: June 2014
  14. Jason Kidd, Bucks: July 2014
  15. Billy Donovan, Thunder: April 30th, 2015
  16. Scott Skiles, Magic: May 29th, 2015
  17. Alvin Gentry, Pelicans: May 31st, 2015 (remained Warriors assistant through playoffs)
  18. Fred Hoiberg, Bulls: June 2nd, 2015
  19. Michael Malone, Nuggets: June 15th, 2015
  20. Tyronn Lue, Cavaliers: January 22nd, 2016
  21. Earl Watson, Suns: February 1st, 2016
  22. Kurt Rambis, Knicks: February 8th, 2016 (interim coach)
  23. Kenny Atkinson, Nets: April 17th, 2016 (Hawks assistant through Atlanta’s playoff run)
  24. Tom Thibodeau, Timberwolves: April 20th, 2016
  25. Scott Brooks, Wizards: April 26th, 2016
  26. Luke Walton, Lakers: April 29th, 2016 (Warriors assistant until end of Golden State’s season)
  27. Dave Joerger, Kings: May 9th, 2016

Note: The Grizzlies, Pacers and Rockets head coaching posts have yet to be filled.

For today’s topic: Which current NBA coach do you believe is likeliest to be fired next?

Take to the comments section to share with us and your fellow readers which NBA coach you believe will be the next to be issued his walking papers, justified or not. We look forward to what you have to say.

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