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NBA fans constantly long for the past, wishing for more physical play, more reliance on an inside game, and more specialized positions instead of universal athleticism. One aspect of the game that has disappeared for good is the use of player-coaches. The “floor general” trait is often ascribed to point guards, but we increasingly see more players emerging with so-called coaching skills at the other positions.
While the concept is not unique to basketball—baseball, hockey, and football all have had player-coaches—we haven’t seen one in the NBA since Dave Cowens did it for the Celtics during the 1978-79 season.
The possibility of a player actually being hired as a coach is slim to none in today’s NBA because of the collective bargaining agreement and the grueling demands of the modern schedule, but true NBA fans are always up for a hypothetical. Which players in the NBA today could simultaneously coach their squad—negotiate personalities, manage minutes, and create a game plan—while also balling out every night? Here, we look at eight players who could balance the demands of being a player-coach, assessing their potential coaching styles and the pros and cons of how they would helm the ship of an NBA team.
Chris Paul
Coaching Style: Heavy on pick-n-roll, spaces the floor, finds open shooters
Pros: Basketball IQ, accountable, first in the gym, team management, inspiring, tough
Cons: Temper, doesn’t give second chances
Point guards are considered the coaches on the floor, and as possibly the best “pure” point guard in today’s NBA, not many can match Chris Paul when it comes to coaching intangibles. His basketball IQ is off the charts, and he is a maestro when it comes to conducting the flow of the game.
Beyond his hard work, his toughness and leadership also make him a great candidate for the head coaching position. He often bears the brunt of the pressure for the Clippers, and his teammates would love to follow him into battle on a nightly basis.
However, that same drive and toughness might get coach Paul into some trouble. Like LeBron, Paul is not above giving his teammates an earful on the court, and it wouldn’t be surprising to get TMZ footage of Paul blowing up at Ray Felton in practice. That same temper could also effect his rotations in a game, with Paul potentially holding a grudge against teammates that don’t follow his instructions (cc: DeAndre Jordan).
Paul George
Coaching Style: Grinding on defense and hustling for 48 minutes
Pros: First in the gym, accountable, two-way player, humble
Cons: Too quiet, can he make others great?
Paul George is one of the best two-way players in the NBA with ice cold water in his veins. Whether it’s coming back from a serious injury or going toe-to-toe with the old Miami Heat super team, George’s effort is unquestionable.
Unlike LeBron or CP3, George might be too quiet to be a head coach. Don’t mistake his quietness for passivity; he simply lets his play speak for itself. However, as a coach, George would be expected to speak in every timeout, and to inspire his team before, during, and after the game. His low-key demeanor may hurt him in that category.
Beyond that, it remains to be seen if George can make those around him better. The true trademark of a great coach or a superstar is the ability to make players play above their potential, and while George has put up amazing numbers in his career, it’s unclear whether he could inspire others to elevate their game.
Russell Westbrook
Coaching Style: Everybody get out the dang way/the occasional pick-n-roll
Pros: Work ethic, hunger for greatness, inspiring, knows effective rotations
Cons: Focus, basketball IQ, might not take kindly to being questioned
Russell Westbrook is similar to CP3 in his drive to win. However, his coaching style would be different to say the least. While Paul is a far better game manager, Westbrook has shown time and time again the ability to put his team on his shoulders.
And let’s give Russell some credit on the game managing end as well. As such a dominant player, he undoubtedly knows what an effective lineup is and who he could lean on in crunch time. He wouldn’t hesitate to switch up the lineup to find the best fit on a game-to-game basis.
Westbrook’s downfall might come from his “me against the world” style of play. Would he be able to focus on timeouts and substitutions while he’s in the middle of posting a triple-double? Would his beast-mode play style endear him to his teammates, or would they become envious of his time on the ball?
Finally, would anyone have the ability to question him? If they blow a lead in the fourth quarter because of bad shots, or if he refuses to change his schemes, would his teammates feel comfortable pushing back and speaking up, or would they fear being benched if they showed any opposition? Coaches have to be accountable to their players, and Westbrook could lose his locker room if he isn’t careful.
James Harden
Coaching Style: Shooting threes...so many threes
Pros: Leads with his play, hunger for greatness, knows effective rotations, distributor
Cons: Unaccountable, weak defense, biased toward offense
While he may not have seemed like a great coaching candidate for the first seven seasons of his career, his move to the PG position this year has been a revelation. Besides coming close to matching Westbrook’s triple-double pace, Harden has navigated this Rockets team near the top of the Western Conference, after barely making the playoffs last season.
Harden is hungry for greatness, and with his own prolific offense, he can lead a team by chucking threes and distributing beautiful passes. He too knows the best match-ups for his team, and could tinker with his lineup to gain an advantage.
Harden’s past would definitely come back to haunt him as a coach though. Accountability would be a rough spot for The Beard, with his tendency to fall asleep on defense. Could he demand toughness and hustle from his team if he isn’t willing to contribute on defense himself?
Beyond his shortcomings on defense, there are a few other question marks surrounding his coaching ability. It’s unclear whether Harden knows the difference between individual success and team success. Would he play favorites and only keep hot shooters on the court, sidelining young players and veterans?
Klay Thompson
Coaching Style: “Threes and D.” Nuff said.
Pros: Accountable, leads by example, two-way player, all about team, tough
Cons: Too quiet, perfectionist
Up there with Paul George as one of the best two-way players in the game, Klay Thompson is an amazing teammate. If any of the big four on Golden State deserves to be a coach, it’s Thompson. He leads by example and puts his teammates first. Plus, his toughness is second to none, having only missed eight games in the past four seasons.
Similar to PG13, one of Thompson’s few drawbacks is his quiet nature. When the game is on the line, can he walk the fine line between firing up his teammates and chewing them out? And would his pursuit of perfection leave some of his teammates behind?
Kawhi Leonard
Coaching Style: Defense, defense, and more defense, with a little “Spurs basketball” thrown in
Pros: Leads by example, two-way player, all about team, selfless, looks to boost teammates, tough
Cons: Too quiet, X's and O's
Arguably the best two-way player on the planet, Leonard is almost beyond reproach. He is selfless and humble almost to a fault, and he puts the team before everything. Playing on Kawhi’s team would simply be fun. His love for the game would naturally inspire his teammates to give 120% every time they stepped on the court.
On the flip side, if Thompson or George might be quiet, then Kawhi is pretty much silent. Can you think of the last time you heard him speak? Can you remember what his voice sounds likes? It might be hard for his teammates to get a clear direction from their coach if he doesn’t speak above a soft murmur.
It’s also not clear whether Kawhi is a great “X's and O's” guy. If the ball is sticking, or if his team needs a basket at the end of a game, would he be able to draw up an effective play?
Beyond those small faults, Kawhi would make a great coach. But he’s got big shoes to fill if San Antonio comes knocking.
Dwyane Wade
Coaching Style: Pick-n-roll and an inside-out game
Pros: Character, basketball IQ, accountable, tough
Cons: Perfectionist, alpha dog
Wade’s career may be coming to a close, but he continues to do work on a nightly basis. His basketball IQ, work ethic, and great character have all ensured that he still produces at an advanced age. Wade would fit perfectly in the coach’s spot, having earned the players’ respect by the way he has conducted himself throughout his career on and off the court.
Similar to LBJ, Wade is a perfectionist. Having climbed to the pinnacle of the NBA Finals five times, and won three of those appearances, Wade’s expectations are understandably high. However, if he were to lead the Bulls at this current time, would he be able to coach a team that is mediocre at best? Or would he get bogged down in the logistics of coaching?
LeBron James
Coaching Style: Heavy on pick-n-roll and spacing the floor
Pros: Basketball IQ, student of the game, great character, accountable, tough, distributor
Cons: Perfectionist, impatient, Mario Chalmers treatment
Finally, this goes without saying: LeBron would be a great coach. His style of play even boosts his potential strength as a coach, with assists flying left and right to his teammates. Being coached by a guy who is looking to get you shots night in and night out would be a treat for any NBA player: Just ask Kyle Korver.LeBron has been criticized for turning to his teammates in the final moments of a game, but as a coach, he would be praised for his ability to get the best out of them.
David Fizdale, one of LeBron’s former coaches, said that James is a perfectionist, and that would probably be his biggest hurdle to being a great coach. Would LeBron be able to manage practices if his guys were slacking off? Or would he go on a tirade and demand supreme focus from his team on day one of the summer league?
That demand for perfection may also lead to what you could call the “Mario Chalmers” effect. LeBron may not be able to bite his tongue while on the court and could light into one of his players in the middle of the game. And while Mario could handle it, it’s unclear if Channing Frye has the tough skin to withstand a shouting match with the King.