Let's be reasonable, here. One of the biggest reasons teams hire in-house to fill a head coaching vacancy mid-season is to try to keep some continuity in what they do out there. You think it's feasible to implement a brand new offensive system, mid-season, by a guy that is likely nervous as **** and has a lot of stuff to figure out on the fly already?
The system was good and there are many concepts I would like to see preserved. In fact, I'd prefer they keep most of the sets, but put more emphasis on transition, WHEN to run post isos for Jefferson (either by design in a modified set, a matchup, or as a release-valve for a set going nowhere), and from there figure out how to approach the two-man game with three different people (Deron and Millsap or Jefferson). The problem with Jerry is that every year, he seems to go through stretches where he's just going through the motions which manifests itself as strategic uncreativity and rigidity (gameplan never deviates for opponent, substitutions freeze at a certain point). Jerry brought a lot of strengths, though, and I would like to see those preserved as much as possible. The system itself is one of them, I just want there to be some more creativity and flexibility when it comes to strategy.
As for the assistants, my first choice (as has been mentioned by most) for lead assistant would be Hornacek. I believe his obsession with strategy, his passion, and his simultaneous inevitable fresh ideas and familiarity with the system and organization would be a perfect fit. Marc Iavaroni would be welcome but I don't know how prying him away from the Clippers would work, whether he is the lead assistant or whatever capacity. Kenny Natt would be good as a secondary assistant I think for reasons of familiarity, but also because he has head coaching experience that could prove valuable for a coaching staff light on experience in that regard. That same benefit could be said of Iavaroni as well.
I always thought Mo Cheeks was an underrated coach with Philly and got a raw deal. I just found out he's the assistant at OKC and that bums me out but it also makes sense since their coaching staff is great.
Terry Porter doesn't appear to be employed and I have heard great things about his assistant coaching.
Mike Brown ".
