This past year has had a few victims and as the season winds to close I'd like to take a moment and remember them.
Pat Riley: This former coach of the Heat had a graceful exit by simply resigning and handing it over to the assistant coach. Now when I say graceful I am completely ignoring the fact that the Heat had their worst season in franchise history. That Miami fans were demanding his resignation and the gnawing possibility that he will return when the team is better. Aside from that it was a graceful departure.
Avery Johnson: This former coach of the Maverick was fired after they were eliminated from the playoffs. Fans were angry, He was angry and Jason Kidd smiled as he got to outlast the coach that didn't want him. Now we have a top-notch coach available, who is a little inflexible with his roster and just got rejected from the Bulls (For a guy who isn't a coach).
Flip Saunders: Well the Pistons seemed to have a winning formula except for one small thing, it wasn't winning. Ergo, the management decided to lose the coach and mess with the roster. I am against this because the Pistons seemed to have great chemistry with each other just not the coach. So get rid of Flip Saunders I don't care but please leave that roster alone!
Isiah Thomas: You knew it was coming. This former Knicks coach is probably going to wind up with the Pistons (It's a rumor, I didn't start it but I am spreading it). I am reminded of this time last year when Knicks fans praised him for his savvy during the draft. Their cheers and adulation were equally matched with their rejoicing after he got fired. Well Zeke hang in there, maybe Spike Lee will return your calls someday.
Mike D'antoni: Well he may have been fired after a first-round elimination with the Suns, but now he has Isiah Thomas's old job. I'm not sure if that is much of a happy ending.
Scott Skiles: Well Bulls fired him and the Bucks hired him. From Ben Gordon to Michael Redd, he'll adjust.
This spot is reserved for the old Bulls coach who is being replaced by Del Negro but after only one season he isn't important enough.