What readers are saying about Weiss, Sonics

I think this was the best move of the season, now the team can start winning again and have their No. 6 player (Radmanovic) come off the bench in the first quarter instead of making his first appearance with 6 minutes left in the first half. Weiss screwed up the chemistry of the team with his silly rotations. Weiss's track record as a head coach always had him in the lower tier on defense. The Sonics will see an improvement in defense immediately. The next move is to hire Lenny Wilkens again for the third time as head coach.
-- Gary S., Federal Way

That is what you get for letting Nate go!
-- Ed D., Everett

Weiss has not used his personnel wisely. Putting Wilkins at the point was Weiss writing his own pink slip. The decision to put Wilkins at point was just a reflection of the Weiss's problem: no understanding of his talent pool. Too many people have invested money (ticket buyers) and time (players) for him to begin to "experiment" with the line up.
-- Mariano I., Seattle

In many ways, coach Weiss was set up for failure: the loss of two key players from last year (Antonio Daniels and Jerome James), disgruntled (or barely gruntled) free agents in Evans, Murray and Radmanovic, an overrated point guard in Luke Ridnour and a flock of non-scoring, non-shot blocking centers and power forwards. Of course Weiss took the job knowing all this. His constant scrambling to find a line-up that could both score and defend didn't help his case - insert Titanic /deck chair analogy here. Leadership in lost causes is a tough role - insert Iraq analogy here. I'm sure that Weiss will be relieved when the dust settles.
-- Harry H., Seattle

I think it's a good thing: Bob Hill is a proven NBA coach, who unlike Weiss, has had some success in different venues. The team needs an attitude change, and a break from the past. Interestingly enough Weiss, McMillan and Casey have not demonstrated "overachieving" (yet) this year -- which is the only way to measure the effectiveness of a coach. It seems evident that the coaching staff last year was a "sum" that was "greater than the parts."
-- Rod G., Seattle

I agree with the Sonics' decision to remove Weiss from the head coach position while keeping him within the organization. Over the years, he has demonstrated a keen eye for talent and understands the game exceedingly well. However, these competencies are not the only ones required to be a successful head coach in the NBA. The regression of Luke Ridnour and Nick Collison this season is obvious to a casual fan, and the team plays without consistency or focus. There is also discussion of moving a 12th overall pick in the draft to a developmental league two years into his career, which shows a glaring lack of progress. This team needs to develop its young players and focus on defense. The lack of player development and team discipline is needed and Weiss was not delivering. Maybe Hill can provide it.
-- Jeff R., Kirkland

The Sonics front office made the right decision today, to correct the bad decision they initially made to hire Weiss as head coach in the first place. Because of his close association with the club, I don't think they evaluated him objectively during the head coach hiring process. If they did, they would have realized he wasn't appropriate for the job.
-- Jon J., Kirkland

Man, I just don't understand the Sonics' owners. What do they think? In one year a coach is going to take the Sonics to the championship? They should have kept Nate around. Nate has a way with his players, Weiss doesn't. I mean they respect him as a head coach, but I don't think they respect him. Nate is a player's coach! He was tough when he needed to be (especially with Fortson) and flexible when he needed to be. He always knows what to say and how to say it. Notice some of the non-head coach decisions that have been made this year … i.e. Fortson's a two-day suspension already this season and Swift "deciding" he needs more time to develop as a player. Shouldn't a head coach make that decision? Not a player and his agent? Weiss just had no control of his players.
-- Ronald M., Maple Valley

Weiss seemed over his head from the beginning -- odd to think it possible given his knowledge and experience. Having just seen "Remember the Titans" reminded me it's not just about knowledge and experience. It's also about one's charisma, leadership, and ability to push individuals beyond their comfort zones. As a side note: The team may have experienced similar struggles under McMillan. Witness the coaching journeys of Mike Holmgren, Pat Reilly, and even Phil Jackson this year.
-- Joel G., Bellingham

I follow the Sonics avidly, even after moving to Maui recently. I knew that if Bob Weiss lasted the season, he would not be back next year. He just wasn't getting the job done, as he seems to mellow and lackadaisical. This teem needs a fiery guy, hate to say it, but someone like a George Karl although without the big ego. It's going to be hard to find someone out there that will be a perfect fit, but hopefully we can as this team is just too good to waste a season. Kudos for the firing, now if we can just get a coach to teach Luke Ridnour how to make a jump shot.
-- Tim B., Kihei, Hawaii

I'm angry at the Sonics front office who failed miserably to recognize the value of one Nate McMillan! It's not Bob Weiss's fault, he's a scapegoat! ... Enough of Wally World!
-- Scott G., Issaquah

Typical. Fire the coach. It's easier than getting a player that's needed! McMillan looks pretty smart now for more than one reason!
-- Victor L.

I think we should try our absolute best to bring in Lenny Wilkens, the winningest coach in NBA history who is currently a Sonics analyst.
-- Youngjin C.

They fired the wrong man. They should have fired simple-minded Wally Walker. As long he stays, the Sonics will always be a second-rate team, meandering around like a ship without a rudder.
-- Bill, Marysville

Is anyone surprised? He, like McMillan before him, was put into a situation where his chances for success were minimal. McMillan pulled it off because of the respect he garnered from his players as well as his no-nonsense approach to defense. Weiss had neither of those things and thus we read about him as a former coach today. As long as Rick Sund is the puppet of Wally Walker, the Sonics will continue to flounder and wallow in the mediocrity Walker has displayed on all levels in his career in the NBA.
-- Jeff E., Seattle