Soaring Down South
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Replacing Bud: Eight Potential New Head Coaches For The Hawks

By Dallin Duffy

OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 23: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks looks on against the Golden State Warriors during an NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on March 23, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 23: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks looks on against the Golden State Warriors during an NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on March 23, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 24: San Antonio assistant coach Ettore Messina
OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 24: San Antonio assistant coach Ettore Messina /

Ettore Messina

The blue chip of the 2018 coaching carousel. Messina is regarded as one of the best Euro Basketball coaches of all time, having four championships in the overseas league while amassing multiple coach of the year awards. He is already in the Italian Basketball Hall of Fame.

In the NBA world Messina first joined the Lakers’ coaching staff in 2011, as a consultant, but that only lasted a year and he returned to Moscow. He remained there until he joined the Spurs’ coaching staff in 2014 as an assistant coach.

Being a former Spurs assistant is something multiple NBA head coaches have on their resumes’ (including Mike Budenholzer) and the 58-year-old will look to be the next to leave San Antionio to take on his own team.

Messina took over for Greg Popovich after his family tragedy in the playoffs and coached in three games, leading the outmatched Spurs to one win over the defending champion Warriors.

After the series concluded, veterans Manu Ginobili and Pau Gasol both expressed their confidence in Messina as a head coach.

Gasol said, “ Messina has been one of the top head coaches in Europe. It’s hard to get that opportunity in the NBA, but if there’s someone who should get it, it should be him.” Manu added:  “I think the time has come, for sure, he’s very capable and experienced.”

After being one of — if not the — best Euroleague coaches of all time, getting that kind of praise from well-respected players is just the endorsement Messina needed to break into the head coaching world.

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