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The next great NBA coaches you’ve never heard of

By Noah Torr

Mar 3, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyle Korver (right) greets Atlanta Hawks assistant coach Darvin Ham after their game at Philips Arena. The Cavaliers won 135-130. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyle Korver (right) greets Atlanta Hawks assistant coach Darvin Ham after their game at Philips Arena. The Cavaliers won 135-130. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 3, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyle Korver (right) greets Atlanta Hawks assistant coach Darvin Ham after their game at Philips Arena. The Cavaliers won 135-130. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

ESPN’s Kevin Arnovitz has shared his yearly list of the best NBA head coaching prospects.

The NBA will always have a high turnover rate with coaches. That’s just how the league is. Teams are always looking for the best who will give them the best chances for success, even if that means making a change in the middle of the season.

Over the past few years, Kevin Arnovitz of ESPN has made a tradition of talking with NBA insiders to compile a list of “up-and-coming” head coaching prospects. Today he came out with this year’s comprehensive article detailing possible candidates that are ready to take the next step into the role of being a head coach.

There are five coaches on Arnovitz’s list. The first is Spurs assistant coach, Ettore Messina, who has a very detailed resume from the Euroleague, leading his teams to four total Euroleague championships. Jerry Stackhouse is the current head coach of the Toronto Raptors D-league affiliate team, Raptors 905. Stackhouse’s squad has the best record in the D-league is projected to win it all this season. He has been described as “doing all the right things,” and he already has an edge over potential coaches because he is well versed in player development, which is a crucial skill for head coaches.

Darvin Ham is an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks and was highlighted for his demeanor with players and ability to communicate honestly and directly. Brent Barry is a current analyst for TNT and he has been asked multiple times to come and be an NBA coach, but it doesn’t look like he will anytime soon. He has rebuffed feelers in the past, preferring to focus on family.

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Finally, Chris Fleming is the assistant coach for the Brooklyn Nets and he also has a very extensive rap sheet from Europe. Each of these coaches comes from a different background and brings a different set of experiences and skills. What’s clear is that there is no one path to being an NBA head coach these days, as teams get more creative looking in new places for the next great talent.

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