What if....McHale joined the Celtics staff...

[cornbreadsmart]

i actually don't see bird coming here unless ainge leaves. i don't think larry's ego could ever handle being beneath ainge in any capacity. no way i'd want larry here instead of danny either.

[slamtheking]

Clifford Ray is the best big man coach in the league.

McHale would be a downgrade.

I think you're incorrect on both counts.

Clifford is definitely very good at what he does.  Glad to have him on the staff and I wouldn't want to dump him just to get Mchale.  Having said that, I think it's a leap of faith you're making to call him the best in the league.  Do I have a suggestion for who's better?  No, but I don't follow the league's "big man" coaches, hence my questioning his being rated the best.

Would Mchale be a downgrade?  Not sure how.  Comparing the two in their careers, Mchale was superior.  He had no peers in the post for offensive moves and he was a top-notch defender.  Hard to understand how you would rate him a downgrade without some solid basis for that reasoning.  If you have some good rationale for your opinion, please share.

Playing talent and coaching ability are as potentially unrelated as two qualities can be. I think you're making a huge leap equating Kevin's skill on the floor with his coaching ability. Kevin's coaching resume, and his personnel evaluation, would be a major concern for me.

McHale's coaching resume is short, but I have been very impressed by it.  I think last year in particular, the wolves showed dramatic improvement under McHale as coach.  He is a terrible GM, but I think he is a very good NBA coach.

You've captured my point.

Mchale's GM record stinks, no question.

His coaching record however shows he makes  a very positive impact on his players and they show improvement. 

I'm not saying Mchale's better than Ray, just questioning how the offhanded dismissal that he's automatically a downgrade.  The earlier comments about Ray improving his pupils' footwork is a very good point.