Once the offseason starts, teams begin to make changes almost immediately. We already witnessed the Orlando Magic fire their General Manager Rob Hennigan, and more transactions are bound to occur. These coaches have been on the Hot Seat for a while, and they may soon be relieved of their duties.
1. Alvin Gentry
The New Orleans Pelicans hired Alvin Gentry in 2015 to succeed Monty Williams, but the team quickly descended on the defensive end and became mediocre. They brought him in to improve the offense, but the defense completely diminished. After making the playoffs under Coach Williams in 2015, the Pelicans have been outside of the top eight since.
Even after the team acquired DeMarcus Cousins at the trade deadline, they didn’t improve. The team’s lack of success under Gentry the past two seasons will soon lead to his dismissal.
2. Fred Hoiberg
The Chicago Bulls have had a miserable season, barely making the playoffs after a drama-filled year and not meeting expectations after constructing a trio of Rajon Rondo, Dwyane Wade, and Jimmy Butler. Fred Hoiberg was hired to succeed Tom Thibodeau two years ago, but he hasn’t exactly helped the Bulls become championship caliber as the team hoped he would. Hoiberg has been harshly blamed for Chicago’s shortcomings because the team’s offense has been stale, and he has been unable to utilize his talent properly.
The Bulls have been inconsistent all season long, which has frustrated the fans into believing Hoiberg is the problem. The Bulls initially rolled the dice on Hoiberg, taking him from college and hoping he would be the next Brad Stevens, but he has been unsuccessful. Hoiberg will probably be a goner after they are eliminated from the playoffs
2. Doc Rivers
The Los Angeles Clippers could reach the second round of the playoffs, which will extend Doc Rivers’ tenure with the team but his dismissal could shortly follow once the team is eliminated.
Rivers has been with the Clippers for quite some time and hasn’t changed anything. When he was brought in to replace Vinny Del Negro, the franchise believed Rivers would bring championship pedigree and coach the Clippers further into the playoffs. Unfortunately, the Clippers still haven’t made it past the second round, and another early playoffs exit should be the end of Rivers’ occupancy.
It has already been reported that Rivers could return to the Orlando Magic if the Clippers don’t go further into the playoffs, which is a likely scenario. In fact, the entire team may depart after this season, putting an abrupt end to the big three-Doc Rivers era.
