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Message: [QUOTE="Dillon77, post: 4763638, member: 6620"] OK, let me take a shot at why there could be some legitimate skepticism to match your legitimate enthusiasm. (BTW, I have no horse in this race in terms of favorite franchises, but I do keep up on the WNBA as most regular posters on the WNBA thread can attest.) - The Good. New owner Matt Ishbia is putting resources into his purchase of the Sun/Mercury: From a Bleacher Report story: "This move [URL='https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/38675219/sources-magic-nate-tibbetts-become-new-mercury-coach']comes[/URL] after the Mercury hired Nick U'Ren as the general manager and announced plans to build a modern practice facility as a part of a $100 million [URL='https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/38572573/mercury-unveil-plan-new-practice-facility-hq-suns']investment[/URL] from owner Matt Ishbia. When announcing that move, Ishbia mentioned a need to invest in people, and the pricey deal given to Tibbetts aligns with that commitment. - "We want to have one of the greatest sports organizations in the world," Ishbia said, per [URL='https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/38675219/sources-magic-nate-tibbetts-become-new-mercury-coach']Brian Windhorst[/URL] of ESPN. "And to do that you have to invest in the people." - The Questionable: As you pointed out (see [B][COLOR=rgb(226, 80, 65)]red [/COLOR][/B][COLOR=rgb(0, 0, 0)]above), was hiring this particular person the right guy. Once again, from BR: "Tibbetts has been with the Magic since the 2021-22 season and previously had tenures with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Portland Trail Blazers. Prior to this, he [URL='https://nbacoaches.com/nate-tibbetts/']coached[/URL] in the NBA G League." So, that's two years with the Magic as an assistant coach. Last I checked, the Cavs, Trail Blazers and Magic weren't exactly tearing it up during his respective stays with them. And the G League may/may not have any relevance, save for helping to develop young talent. No experience with coaching professional women of any sort or sport. So, an obvious question: Why this guy? Remember, this is a team that chose not to renew Sandy Brondello's contract, who is now coaching the team in the championship series and is also the head coach of the Australian national team. I'd be interested to know -- but will probably never find out -- whom, if any, other candidates were considered. Maybe that process will be explained in the press conference. - Moving forward: -- Nic U'Ren has some serious roster construction issues to consider. Do you center the obvious need to rebuild around an aging GOAT (DT) and a getting-up-there-but-still effective center (Griner)? Do you balance that via top stars staying in school for one more Covid year vs. coming out? How about the upcoming CBA in 2025? - Per that end, great players make great leagues. And the W needs to swing in that direction. Paying a largely unknown assistant coach 4 times what a Napheesa Collier makes? Hmmm. Stay tuned. [/COLOR] [/QUOTE]

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