Sixers coaching candidate: Lionel Hollins

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Lionel Hollins

College: Arizona State

Playing career: Portland, Philadelphia, San Diego, Detroit, Houston (1975-1985)

Résumé: You can't say enough about Lionel Hollins' work ethic. After spending 10 years in the NBA, Hollins began his coaching career at his alma mater. That began a career that includes stops in the IBL, USBL and the NBA. Hollins has led the Grizzlies to the playoffs in each of the past three seasons and is currently locked in a Western Conference semifinals battle against Oklahoma City. However, new ownership has allowed the head coach to reach the final year of his contract, which would certainly make him a target if he were to hit the open market.

Potential fit with Sixers

John Finger: Hollins hasn’t officially been let go with Memphis, but when/if he is, expect a bunch of teams in better situations than the Sixers to come calling. Hollins is a no-nonsense, old-school coach who isn’t afraid to call out his players. Does that sound like another one of Hollins’ former Sixers teammates who ended up coaching the team? Though Hollins would be a terrific coach, maybe it’s time for the Sixers to stop hiring former players of a certain bygone era to lead the team.

John Gonzalez: Under Hollins, Memphis won 40, 46, 41 and 56 games over the last four seasons. That kind of production would represent a marked improvement in Philadelphia. Of course, the Grizzlies have considerably more talent than the Sixers. Hollins is an excellent coach, but he’s not a wizard. He can’t say some magic words and turn Spencer Hawes or Lavoy Allen or Kwame Brown into frontcourt stars. The Sixers should be interested in him. But I still can't believe the Grizzlies haven't re-signed Hollins. That people are even talking about the possibility of him being available is hard to fathom.

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