The best basketball players are also the best coaches. They can get inside their opponents’ heads and know exactly what they need to do to win. This is especially true if the player was known for his leadership skills on the court and had a notable impact on his team.
The same skills that make them great basketball players, also make them great coaches. Several NBA players are transitioning from playing to teaching, with more and more all the time. Here is a list of several former NBA players who are now coaches:
Mike D’Antoni
Mike D’Antoni was the head coach of the Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, and LA Lakers. He coached the LA team when they had Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard. He was later hired as the head coach of the Houston Rockets, where he won Coach of the Year and led his team to the 2018 Western Conference Finals. After Losing to the Warriors in the playoffs, he stepped down from his head-coaching position and became a senior advisor for the team. After taking a break, he is back in the game and is currently with the New Orleans Pelicans.
D’Antoni has been coaching in the NBA for a very long time. He has proven himself as a coach, having coached some of the best players in the league.
Steve Kerr
Steve Kerr was the head coach of the Golden State Warriors for five seasons and won two NBA championships. He went on to become the head coach of the New York Knicks and resigned after only one season. He has also been hired as the head coach of the Chicago Bulls. Kerr is one of the best coaches in the NBA and is ready to take on a new team and teach them everything he knows. Kerr has been a part of many championship teams and is currently guiding the Golden State Warriors. He knows how to deal with pressure and how to remain calm when everything is on the line.
Mark Jackson
Mark Jackson was the head coach of the Golden State Warriors for three seasons and won the NBA championship in his first season as coach. He also coached the New York Knicks for two seasons. Jackson is one of the best coaches and leaders in the NBA. Jackson has currently taken the role of being in the broadcasting booth however many fans speculate that he would be a great fit for the Lakers.
Jason Kidd
Jason Kidd was the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks for two seasons, winning Coach of the Year after his second season as coach. He was also the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets for two seasons and won the Eastern Conference in his first season as coach. Kidd has been a part of many excellent teams and has proven himself to be a great teacher. Presently, he is the coach for the Dallas Mavericks.
Steve Nash
Steve Nash was the head coach of the Phoenix Suns for two seasons. He went on to become a coach for the Canadian National Team and was their general manager. Now, he is the general manager of the Toronto Raptors. Nash is one of the greatest basketball players in the world. He guided the Brooklyn Nets which sadly didn’t bode well against the Boston Celtics however Kevin Durant firmly believes that he should continue coaching. He knows what it takes to win and can do just that. He is a great leader and knows how to pass his experience and knowledge on to his players.
Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal was the head coach of the Kings for one season. He has been previously hired as the head coach of the Phoenix Suns and is currently with the Los Angeles Lakers. Shaquille is a giant on the court, and he’s even more imposing off the court. He is a great leader and knows what it takes to win. As a teacher, he’ll be able to inspire his players to bring out their full potential. He is an excellent coach and will be able to lead his team to victory.
Conclusion
While many of these players went on to have long coaching careers, some players like Dwayne Wade only did so for one season. That time was well spent teaching them how to deal with pressure and how to remain calm under stress. It was a resounding success, with the team winning the NCAA tournament. The skills and improvements of each player are reflected in each season, these numbers can also be counted on the past and current NBA odds spreadsheet. All of these coaches have proven themselves to be excellent basketball players and teachers. They’ve been a part of many championship teams and have played with or coached some of the best basketball players in the world.