OKC Thunder: 10 NBA assistants to consider for head coach
Mike Budenholzer staff generating interest
While Mike Budenholzer ascended from the Gregg Popovich coaching tree he’s now creating his own tree. Taylor Jenkins’ success in Memphis has increased the spotlight on Coach Bud’s crew. T.I. highlighted Darvin Ham in our article featuring a trio of former players with a wealth of coaching experience but two other Bucks assistants also make the grade.
Charles Lee – two seasons as an assistant on Budenholzer’s staff
The first of those is Charles Lee who has been intricately tied to Coach Bud since his day with the Atlanta Hawks.
Lee like many has professional playing experience spending time on clubs overseas. The Bucknell University alum played in Israel, Belgium, and Germany.
A business major, Lee brings a sharp mind to the mix having followed up his professional basketball career with time spent on Wall Street as an equity trader. That business side of his personality makes him well suited for the more analytical side of the equation.
Experiencing two seasons with the best regular-season squad has honed the skills he first nurtured under Coach Bud’s tutelage in Atlanta.
If Sam Presti wants a head coach who has the talent to think the game at a high level but also can relate to the players due to his own playing career Lee could be his man.
Vin Baker – two seasons as an assistant on Budenholzer’s staff
While Charles Lee and Darvin Ham draw the most attention from Coach Bud’s staff there is a third assistant who should garner a look. Vin Baker fits the bill of a former player with coaching experience. Baker joined Budenholzer’s staff when he became the Bucks head coach as a first-time assistant.
Baker was the eight pick in the 1993 NBA Draft by the Bucks. The guard who played his college ball in Hartford achieved great highs early in his career. Baker was a four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA member. For as high as his successes were Baker had equally great lows with issues controlling his weight and admitted abuse of alcohol.
It’s unlikely he’ll be a top candidate for the new OKC Thunder head coach but his ties to the Seattle SuperSonics and ability to relate to the trials of being an NBA player make him a candidate Presti may want to keep in mind.