A Shiny, Hair-Free Head May Have To Roll (Okay, It's Skiles)

Highly reactionary on my part, I know.

When I see "Skiles suggested his opening lineup Thursday will probably be the same one he uses in the Oct. 31 season opener at New Jersey" in the Daily Herald after a night when a second round pick started at center, pushing Ben Wallace out of position, I have to wonder if Scott Skiles is ever going to change. I have a homerrific theory that a young coach can develop just like a player, and flaws will eventually disappear like turnovers and fouls. My theory might be crap, just like Skiles' commitment to inefficient lineups, and the gritty players who inhabit them.

When Skiles took the coaching job in 2003-04 his frequent substitutions of a clearly gassed Eddy Curry, and ice cold Jamal Crawford were applaudable. They weren't winning games, and the Jannero Blount Johnson IIIs of the world weren't hurting anything. Kendall Gill even caught fire one night. There didn't seem to be a plan, or a true second unit. Skiles just brought out the hook and yanked players in and out regardless of the situation. Skiles has been doing the same thing since, but the players taking a seat on the pine are more talented, and I know what +/- is now. Skiles' days in Phoenix showed a similar inefficient offense, and way too many minutes given to inferior players. If Cliff Robinson ever has a charity named after him, Skiles is on the board of directors.

The coach should be the most insignificant factor in any sport, and one who appears to be holding a team back because he can't recognize what the best lineup is (it's easy) isn't doing his job right.