Chris Kaman spent one year in Dallas, and it was a pretty frustrating season.
Kaman could never quite get in a groove under coach Rick Carlisle and as a result, posted his lowest scoring average in six years, and lowest rebounding average since his rookie campaign.
With the Lakers set to take on the Dallas Mavericks tonight, Chris Kaman spoke to Dave McMenamin of ESPN LA about the difference in coaching styles between Carlisle and his current coach, Mike D’Antoni:
Coach Carlisle is uptight and kind of plays games with people a little bit here and there, but Coach D’Antoni is more relaxed and more go-with-the-flow kind of thing. Let’s let the guys play and get a feel and he’ll let you make mistakes and still play. That’s the kind of basketball that players like to play.
Kaman has always been one of the most candid players in the NBA and this is no exception. Carlisle is regarded as one of the best coaches in the NBA, but all players are not great fits for all coaches, and Kaman just didn’t click with Carlisle and his style.
D’Antoni’s much more relaxed style works for Kaman and allows him some leeway if he makes a mistake, which is something all players look for. It’s also nice to see that players are backing coach D’Antoni. He is still working on figuring out his exact rotations, but is making necessary moves, as evidenced by his decision to start Xavier Henry in place of Nick Young.
Carlisle and D’Antoni are both excellent coaches with different styles and some players are just meant to play for some coaches. Kaman is clearly a D’Antoni guy.
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