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Coach Pianigiani has left Milano and will be replaced by Ettore Messina, who will also serve as their new GM.
Thoughts on this? Firstly, I thought he might have hung on longer in the NBA, he certainly seemed to be in contention for a number of jobs. It's pretty novel in Europe (or anywhere) to see a coach who is also serving as a GM. Perhaps this has a chance to work well because there will be no-one above him signing players he doesn't want etc but it didn't really work out well for the Clippers when they had Doc Rivers in both roles, so will be interesting to see how this goes.
The other point is that Messina's record at Real and his second spell at CSKA weren't as impressive as his earlier career. He seemed to struggle with the politics in Madrid and the results weren't spectacular, but they did make the final 4 in his second season, although he did resign just before the playoffs. First season back at CSKA was underwhelming, some really dodgy signings and an abysmal F4 performance. Second season was a struggle too, although if the Khryapa mishap didn't happen they probably would have made the final. CSKA's players seemed to enjoy playing under Itoudis more and the style of basketball became a lot more fun to watch.
Now he's been in the NBA for five years as an assistant, how will he have changed? Is he going to be telling Mike James to shoot earlier and more often?
And will Milano become more of a destination now they have a legendary coach with full control over the team? Or will Jon Koncak's harsh words remain true forever?? 
Coach Pianigiani has left Milano and will be replaced by Ettore Messina, who will also serve as their new GM.
Thoughts on this? Firstly, I thought he might have hung on longer in the NBA, he certainly seemed to be in contention for a number of jobs. It's pretty novel in Europe (or anywhere) to see a coach who is also serving as a GM. Perhaps this has a chance to work well because there will be no-one above him signing players he doesn't want etc but it didn't really work out well for the Clippers when they had Doc Rivers in both roles, so will be interesting to see how this goes.
The other point is that Messina's record at Real and his second spell at CSKA weren't as impressive as his earlier career. He seemed to struggle with the politics in Madrid and the results weren't spectacular, but they did make the final 4 in his second season, although he did resign just before the playoffs. First season back at CSKA was underwhelming, some really dodgy signings and an abysmal F4 performance. Second season was a struggle too, although if the Khryapa mishap didn't happen they probably would have made the final. CSKA's players seemed to enjoy playing under Itoudis more and the style of basketball became a lot more fun to watch.
Now he's been in the NBA for five years as an assistant, how will he have changed? Is he going to be telling Mike James to shoot earlier and more often?
And will Milano become more of a destination now they have a legendary coach with full control over the team? Or will Jon Koncak's harsh words remain true forever??
Jon Koncak:
"You were all too quick to declare that Armani will be good this year.They will NEVER be good"
"You were all too quick to declare that Armani will be good this year.They will NEVER be good"
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