Tevo
- Wilmette, IL
So we know where CM can take Ill but have no idea what Keatts can do at a high major and you would rather have Keatts?
I understand people preferring Keatts but you have to recognize there is more risk involved there. Sure he may be the second coming and future HOF coach, but he could also flame out when he is tested at a much higher level.
Miller imo is the only legitimate candidate that I think is sure fire. Even that I could understand being argued against. At the very least you would think Martin would be able to elevate the program a step or two for the next coach.
I'd say no candidate is "sure fire", but Miller is probably the safest bet.
On the Keatts vs. Cuonzo question, I thought of this analogy, which may have holes:
Imagine you're a baseball GM, looking for a hitter to push your team over the top, and you have two options: an 8-yr major league veteran who has consistently hit in the majors around the league average, or a 3rd-year minor leaguer who has been hitting .460 in A, AA and AAA ball, but hasn't yet played in the majors, who do you take?
The major leaguer MAY suddenly become a very good hitter with the change of teams, but odds are pretty good he'll keep being the same guy. The competition won't change that much, even moving from league to league, and there's no reason to expect he'll learn many new things after 8 years. But maybe a dependable, solid hitter is what you need.
On the other hand, if you have a younger team, and are in the process of developing it, with high expectations, perhaps you're willing to take the minor leaguer. He may flame out in the majors -- plenty of minor leaguers do -- but then again he has such a good resume in the minors that maybe he's Kris Bryant, with a varied set of tools, all of which he's good at. And maybe it DOES translate and he becomes a star.
Both choices can make sense depending on where you are as a team, and what you hope to accomplish. Personally, I want us aiming high and I hope we take the chance on the less proven guy who has shown an awful lot in all the opportunities he's had.
drops mic