The Warriors coaching search is officially "on the clock" when it comes to finding Mark Jackson's replacement -- with the pressure lying firmly on the shoulders of team management and ownership to deliver a knockout hire, in order to wipe the bad taste of the Jackson firing out of Dubs fans' mouths. We here at Chat Sports will be with you every step of the way as the team sifts through candidates to find the right guy to bring a championship back to the Bay.
5. Mike D'Antoni
Gulp. Sam Amick of USA TODAY Sports is reporting that the Warriors are "intrigued" by the possibility of a Mike D'Antoni hire -- regardless of whether or not they plan to interview him. However, if favorites Steve Kerr and Stan Van Gundy fall out of the race for one reason or another, it is not altogether unfeasible that the beleaguered former Lakers coach might make a push to rehab his image in Oakland. So, to repeat, gullllllp.
4. Lionel Hollins
The other coach which Sam Amick claims that the Warriors are "intrigued" by is former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins. This hire makes sense in one respect, as the Warriors' new-found dedication to all things defense could get an insanely huge boost from one of the architects of the Memphis Grizzlies' suffocating "D"-first philosophy. On the other hand, Hollins has a history of not playing well with others (see: management and authority figures) -- which may be a little too close to home after what just transpired.
3. Mike Dunleavy
Here's the safety valve the Warriors need if things fall through with both Kerr and Van Gundy. His hire will most likely be met with a collective groan from those familiar with his less-inspiring work as Los Angeles Clippers head coach -- but don't fret too badly, Dubs faithful, if Dunleavy is tabbed as the Warriors' next head coach. He's also had some very good teams (see parts of his tenures in Portland and Los Angeles), who could be perceived as Warriors-esque...and those teams didn't have 80% of the talent the Dubs have right now.
2. Steve Kerr
If Kerr wants the Warriors job, he sure knows how to make an entrance. Kerr hasn't tipped his hand when it comes to which way he is leaning -- and Phil Jackson's influence looms large in New York, perhaps playing a huge role in holding up the former Chicago Bulls sharpshooter's decision-making process. However, Warriors management seem just as smitten with Kerr as the Zen Master does -- and one look at the talent gap between the Warriors roster and the Knicks roster may be all it takes to bring Kerr's talents to Oakland.
1. Stan Van Gundy
While Van Gundy may represent a less "sexy" hire than Steve Kerr, his winning track record as an NBA head coach can't be denied. Critics will point to his inability to handle Dwight Howard's star in Orlando as a worry, but there are no egos on the Warriors' squad which inhabit the same solar system of that of the self-professed "Superman." Harrison Barnes, Mo Speights, and the rest of the Warriors' bench will receive a huge boost if Van Gundy is hired -- as Stan understands how to maximize each bit of talent on the roster to its highest potential.