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10 possible candidates for Sixers head coach

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1/10
<p>Udoka has a unique and impressive resume. He spent time playing overseas and in the NBA with the Lakers, Knicks, Blazers, Spurs and Kings. Udoka wanted to continue his playing career but Gregg Popovich convinced him to retire and join the legendary coach’s staff in San Antonio. He’d been there since 2012, rising to become one of Popovich’s top assistants before joining the Sixers ahead of the 2019-20 season. He’s interviewed with multiple NBA teams and it seems like only a matter of time before he lands a head job.</p>

Udoka has a unique and impressive resume. He spent time playing overseas and in the NBA with the Lakers, Knicks, Blazers, Spurs and Kings. Udoka wanted to continue his playing career but Gregg Popovich convinced him to retire and join the legendary coach’s staff in San Antonio. He’d been there since 2012, rising to become one of Popovich’s top assistants before joining the Sixers ahead of the 2019-20 season. He’s interviewed with multiple NBA teams and it seems like only a matter of time before he lands a head job.

2/10
<p>Between the two Van Gundy’s, Stan seems a more likely candidate. The elder Van Gundy cut his teeth with the Heat where he was an assistant under Pat Riley. Van Gundy had success after he took over for Riley, but then an odd falling out caused Van Gundy to abruptly resign. He then went on to coach the Magic where he helped develop Dwight Howard and took Orlando to the NBA Finals in 2008-09. Van Gundy’s stint in Detroit as president of basketball operations and head coach — where he convinced Tobias Harris to develop his three-point shot — didn’t go as well. He hasn’t coached since 2018 but has a proven track record of success.</p>

Between the two Van Gundy’s, Stan seems a more likely candidate. The elder Van Gundy cut his teeth with the Heat where he was an assistant under Pat Riley. Van Gundy had success after he took over for Riley, but then an odd falling out caused Van Gundy to abruptly resign. He then went on to coach the Magic where he helped develop Dwight Howard and took Orlando to the NBA Finals in 2008-09. Van Gundy’s stint in Detroit as president of basketball operations and head coach — where he convinced Tobias Harris to develop his three-point shot — didn’t go as well. He hasn’t coached since 2018 but has a proven track record of success.

3/10
<p>The Rockets are in a tricky spot with D’Antoni, who is in the last year of his contract. His system helped turn James Harden into an MVP but hasn’t been able to get the team over the top, a criticism with D’Antoni during his time in Phoenix. The 68-year-old already has a connection to this current ownership group and front office, having served as associate head coach for the Sixers in 2015-16. </p>

The Rockets are in a tricky spot with D’Antoni, who is in the last year of his contract. His system helped turn James Harden into an MVP but hasn’t been able to get the team over the top, a criticism with D’Antoni during his time in Phoenix. The 68-year-old already has a connection to this current ownership group and front office, having served as associate head coach for the Sixers in 2015-16. 

4/10
<p>This will likely be the No. 1 choice on a lot of Sixers fans’ lists, and for good reason. Wright has built one of the best cultures in college basketball and has won two national titles. He’s graduated plenty of players to the NBA level and yet continues to keep the Wildcats in the national conversation. The real question: Does Wright want to take an NBA job? If he’s going to, this is one that could appeal to him. Then again, Wright has already reached legendary status at ‘Nova and has shot down every report of a possible leap.</p>

This will likely be the No. 1 choice on a lot of Sixers fans’ lists, and for good reason. Wright has built one of the best cultures in college basketball and has won two national titles. He’s graduated plenty of players to the NBA level and yet continues to keep the Wildcats in the national conversation. The real question: Does Wright want to take an NBA job? If he’s going to, this is one that could appeal to him. Then again, Wright has already reached legendary status at ‘Nova and has shot down every report of a possible leap.

5/10
<p>Kidd’s coaching career has taken a few interesting twists and turns. After the Hall of Famer retired from playing in 2013, he took the Nets job the very next season. He led a group of aging veterans to a 44-38 record and the second round of the playoffs. He was then part of a rare coaching trade that sent him to Milwaukee. Kidd had varying degrees of success with the Bucks and did help develop reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Kidd is currently an assistant with the Lakers.</p>

Kidd’s coaching career has taken a few interesting twists and turns. After the Hall of Famer retired from playing in 2013, he took the Nets job the very next season. He led a group of aging veterans to a 44-38 record and the second round of the playoffs. He was then part of a rare coaching trade that sent him to Milwaukee. Kidd had varying degrees of success with the Bucks and did help develop reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Kidd is currently an assistant with the Lakers.

6/10
<p>While Lue is most famously known for being stepped over by Allen Iverson, he did capture an NBA title as a head coach in Cleveland in 2016. Lue served multiple stints as an assistant for Doc Rivers in both Boston and L.A. and is currently a member of the Clippers staff. Lue was reportedly in negotiations to reunite with LeBron James and become the Lakers' head coach, but Lue backed out of talks over disagreements of his potential contract and coaching staff.</p>

While Lue is most famously known for being stepped over by Allen Iverson, he did capture an NBA title as a head coach in Cleveland in 2016. Lue served multiple stints as an assistant for Doc Rivers in both Boston and L.A. and is currently a member of the Clippers staff. Lue was reportedly in negotiations to reunite with LeBron James and become the Lakers' head coach, but Lue backed out of talks over disagreements of his potential contract and coaching staff.

7/10
<p>Joerger may not be the sexiest name on this list, but he’s had a decent amount of NBA success and is still relatively young at 46. He went 147-99 during his time with the Grizzlies and likely got the most out of the Kings teams he was given. He’s done well in coaching big, defensive-minded teams, something that could make him desirable with the way the Sixers are currently constructed. Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that Joerger could be a candidate.</p>

Joerger may not be the sexiest name on this list, but he’s had a decent amount of NBA success and is still relatively young at 46. He went 147-99 during his time with the Grizzlies and likely got the most out of the Kings teams he was given. He’s done well in coaching big, defensive-minded teams, something that could make him desirable with the way the Sixers are currently constructed. Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that Joerger could be a candidate.

8/10
<p>Hammon was a six-time All-Star during her WNBA career before retiring in 2014. Popovich scooped her up right away and she’s been on his staff since. Hammon was the first-ever female head coach in summer league play in 2015, when she led San Antonio to the Las Vegas Summer League title. Popovich also gave her the opportunity to coach the Spurs during a scrimmage against the Bucks in Disney World. Hammon's resume is impressive and it's only a matter of time before an NBA team hires a woman head coach.</p>

Hammon was a six-time All-Star during her WNBA career before retiring in 2014. Popovich scooped her up right away and she’s been on his staff since. Hammon was the first-ever female head coach in summer league play in 2015, when she led San Antonio to the Las Vegas Summer League title. Popovich also gave her the opportunity to coach the Spurs during a scrimmage against the Bucks in Disney World. Hammon's resume is impressive and it's only a matter of time before an NBA team hires a woman head coach.

9/10
<p>Van Gundy presided over the last truly relevant era of Knicks basketball, but hasn’t coached since 2007. He’s helped Popovich with Team USA since 2017, but most of his time has been spent in the broadcast booth. Van Gundy seemed to be a serious candidate for New York’s vacancy before the Knicks hired Tom Thibodeau. There were also reports that he could be a candidate for the Brooklyn Nets job.</p>

Van Gundy presided over the last truly relevant era of Knicks basketball, but hasn’t coached since 2007. He’s helped Popovich with Team USA since 2017, but most of his time has been spent in the broadcast booth. Van Gundy seemed to be a serious candidate for New York’s vacancy before the Knicks hired Tom Thibodeau. There were also reports that he could be a candidate for the Brooklyn Nets job.

10/10
<p>Van Gundy’s broadcast partner also gets brought up often and did reportedly interview for the Knicks job before it was given to David Fizdale in 2018. Jackson coached the Warriors for three seasons but was fired in 2014 before they became a dynasty that went to the Finals for five straight seasons.</p>

Van Gundy’s broadcast partner also gets brought up often and did reportedly interview for the Knicks job before it was given to David Fizdale in 2018. Jackson coached the Warriors for three seasons but was fired in 2014 before they became a dynasty that went to the Finals for five straight seasons.

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