Flip Saunders wants Matt Harpring Fired

[freakazoid]

Harpring was right. There is no way that they had 5 guys that couldn't play. They had a few guys who could have gone if they only got there paycheck if they actually played to receive it. Flip is a lame duck coach anyways. He won when he had a incredible roster and he has been average without one.

The **** he was. He sounded like a damn fool, because Utah tanked last year and started out tanking this year, before Rudy broke out. He made a complete dumbass out of himself, and the only thing more embarrassing is Jazz fans defending that foolishness AFTER WE LOST TO THE TEAM HE CLAIMED WAS TRYING TO LOSE.
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Somebody should ask Matty how many of our players sat out down the stretch of the season before we drafted Deron. If you're gonna run your mouth and throw stones, might wanna make sure your house ain't made of glass.

 

[nateboz]

The **** he was. He sounded like a damn fool, because Utah tanked last year and started out tanking this year, before Rudy broke out. He made a complete dumbass out of himself, and the only thing more embarrassing is Jazz fans defending that foolishness AFTER WE LOST TO THE TEAM HE CLAIMED WAS TRYING TO LOSE.

Utah NEVER tanked. They had a terrible coach who was a loser. They went with a young movement that takes time to win with. They didn't sign guys who would take away the young guns minutes. They never sat players that were healthy. This year the Jazz had a new system and coach. If Gobert hadn't progressed so quickly I can't say they wouldn't have tanked. They never did though.

 

[Getting Traded]

Of course, the players weren't tanking and Saunders was trying to win with what he had. But Harpring is right, they are tanking -- they only had seven players available to play. If they were serious about winning, they'd find a way to get more bodies. And if it weren't for Trey, the Jazz would've won easily. But when I think back, I blame Dante as much for the loss as Trey. He has got to step up and take some responsibility as a point guard on offense and not allow Trey to take over like he did.

 

[gregbroncs]

Utah NEVER tanked. They had a terrible coach who was a loser. They went with a young movement that takes time to win with. They didn't sign guys who would take away the young guns minutes. They never sat players that were healthy. This year the Jazz had a new system and coach. If Gobert hadn't progressed so quickly I can't say they wouldn't have tanked. They never did though.

The FO absolutely tanked. They did nothing to strengthen the bench and I believe they expected the same thing this year. The only difference is they have a real coach and the players have bought into and are succeeding in the system. But the bench is still hurting us.

 

[candrew]

Didn't Harpring go out of his way to say that the Wolves are not tanking?

In the first half he definitely insinuated that The Wolves were losing games on purpose. He changed his tune in the second half most assuredly after someone got it into his ear about Saunders' reaction to his first half comments.

As for ole' Flip himself he should STFU - the only real success he had in this league is in Detroit when he was handed a stacked team - otherwise his teams have pretty much all under-achieved at best.

 

[Hekate]

Utah NEVER tanked. They had a terrible coach who was a loser. They went with a young movement that takes time to win with. They didn't sign guys who would take away the young guns minutes. They never sat players that were healthy. This year the Jazz had a new system and coach. If Gobert hadn't progressed so quickly I can't say they wouldn't have tanked. They never did though.

We started the season with how many rookies? Intention, this year, was to tank like last year. Not many people expected Hay to improve like he did and Rudy to blowout. It was a botched-up tank but it's a tank. And how can you even argue last year? We didn't even fire Corbin? Brought in freaking Biedrins.

 

[freakazoid]

Utah NEVER tanked. They had a terrible coach who was a loser. They went with a young movement that takes time to win with. They didn't sign guys who would take away the young guns minutes. They never sat players that were healthy. This year the Jazz had a new system and coach. If Gobert hadn't progressed so quickly I can't say they wouldn't have tanked. They never did though.

Utah absolutely did tank. Just because some people have a narrow definition of tanking, doesn't change the fact that Utah has been operating with higher priorities than winning now. Tanking isn't trying to lose every game just so you can have the best odds at the top pick. Most teams who tank are trying to develop youth, while at the same time maximizing their odds of getting a good pick. And like I said, go back and see how many players Utah sat out down the stretch of the season before we drafted Deron. It's just so damn hypocritical to try and claim Utah's injuries were all legit, but when other teams do it, they are obviously trying to lose. It's a shameful argument made by the chronically naïve.
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Those people with an anti-tanking agenda will always be the loudest, but in the meantime, teams like Philly who were touted as the worst tankers in league history, have proven the loudmouths to be nothing but blowhards. They aren't even the worst team THIS year, let alone all time. Too bad for those who are so desperate to be right about something they aren't. Guess they'll have to find another poster child next year.

 

[nateboz]

Tanking to me is holding out players who are healthy. Minnesota seems to be doing just that. Utah had a bad roster filled with youth. It's not the same thing.

 

[Ellipse]

The FO absolutely tanked. They did nothing to strengthen the bench and I believe they expected the same thing this year. The only difference is they have a real coach and the players have bought into and are succeeding in the system. But the bench is still hurting us.

DL wasn't going to make the same mistake he did last year with Corbin. He gave Corbin a few good vets to strengthen the bench, only Corbin made them starters at the expense of developing our young players. DL didn't give Quin that option.

 

[The Fresh Prince]

I think it's funny that Flip Saunders and Kevin Garnett are reunited in Minnesota.

 

[Jonah]

. . . I wish one day very much that we can fire Matt, think of it.

I wouldn't mind replacing Harpring, but only if an obviously better qualified candidate can be found. It should be a former Jazz player, hopefully someone who has played in the last decade so he can still relate to current players. It definitely should be someone who can string two or three coherent thoughts together without resorting to tired cliches, someone with an open, fair mind, yet unafraid to express strong opinions even if they go against the company line. The best candidate I can think of is, without a doubt, Raja Bell. Probably overqualified, but you never know, he has shown an interest in broadcasting. I say give him a chance. Fire Harpring. Hire Raja.

 

[The Midnight]

Just as bad.

I dunno I actually prefers Boone to Harpring. He's a bit more insightful when it comes to basketball. Harpring needs to step up his game with the Xs and Os of basketball, IMO.