LLOYD PIERCE

 

We were getting ready to release our first review of 2021, but then yesterday, we were informed that the Atlanta Hawks “dismissed,” Head Coach Lloyd Pierce.

 

It is no secret that black people have faced generational suppression for many years, and last year I decided to start speaking up more about racial and political issues.

So, before I continue with another rap review, I feel that I should address the FIRING, not “dismissal,” of Lloyd Pierce. At first, I did not think his firing was a result of his race, but after some extended debating with my cousin, I realize that there is enough evidence to support that argument.

I should start by saying I have watched the Atlanta Hawks for as long as I can remember. I will turn 31 this year, so that nets at least 25 years of meaningful time spent watching them. My love for basketball is well documented, however, my love for the home team may take a little bit more digging to uncover- at least to those who do not know me.

As I watched the Hawks fall Sunday, February 28^th, on the last day of Black History Month, I got an awful feeling about their future. It was a game that should have been won, with Miami’s star player, Jimmy Butler, out with injury. They remained in a winning position up until about 3 minutes left in the 4^th.

News came on Monday that Lloyd Pierce was out as the head man in Atlanta.

And so, in the name of objectivity, I will be making the case for both scenarios- in which Lloyd was, and was not, fired because of race.

WHY HE WAS NOT

While the NBA may be at the forefront of positive change, player development, and moving the needle, it is still a white owned league dominated by black athletes. That in itself creates disparity. The longest tenured black coaches in recent memory for the Hawks are Mike Woodson and Larry Drew. Both coaches were given multiple years, and additional opportunities beyond the Hawks. This of however, took place in an era were coaches were not changed out every other Sunday.

Ryan Saunders was fired last week- a young, white coach, son of the late Flipp Saunders.

The NBA head coaching industry is extremely volatile.

The Hawks have lost too many games this season that they should have won.

There were rumblings that there was infighting amongst the players.

Atlanta now sits at the 11^th seed in the East, 6 games behind .500 but just 2 games out of the all-important 8^th seed.

Atlanta has the most talent they have had in a long time, and should be better.

Nate McMillian was hired this past offseason as Ast. HC.

And to add to all that, it is now being reported that several of the Hawk’s players were pushing for Lloyd to be fired. We will address this in a separate point.

 

WHY HE WAS

Lloyd Pierce was at the forefront of the NBA’s discussion around meaningful change on racial issues. He has said as much that he, “Goes to bed at night, fearful of losing my job.” Anytime there is a leader trying to drive change, those resistant to it will look for him to be taken out.

He did not inherent a good situation. The roster was the worst that it had been in recent memory, and it was clear that Atlanta was in need of a rebuild.

Opportunities to young Head Coaches usually do not go to the black ones. Steve Nash, and Steve Kerr before him both inherited exceptionally talented rosters- some of the best the NBA has ever seen in fact.

He was not overly charismatic. Black men especially are often terrorized for their demeanors, as well as other things.

This was Atlanta’s first season since the rebuild for a real chance at a playoff picture. There was a lot of hype around some of their offseason acquisitions – Rondo, Gallanari, Dunn, and Bogdanovic. Lesser known signings such as Solomon Hill and Tony Snell however, who were not expected to play much, have now been asked to play well over 20 minutes a game. Rondo plays when he wants, Gallanari has always been injury prone, Kris Dunn has not laced up once, and Bogdanovic was sidelined early with a fractured kneecap.

Not to mention the 17 pts a game and defense we are missing from D’Andre Hunter.

THE X-FACTOR – TRAE YOUNG

I should start by saying that I was never a fan of Lloyd Pierce, nor Trae Young in his days at Oklahoma. As a diehard fan however, I support them both. Trae Young started his rookie year getting tossed around, and not having much of an effect on his team. He finished his rookie campaign contesting his draft trade partner, Luka Doncic for ROY. As his development continued, he began to be regarded in the potential the Hawks drafted him for. His sophomore season saw him named an NBA All-Star starter. Naturally, I grew to favor him as a player as his development continued. As his success continued, I saw a change in his demeanor. He does not play defense, and his stature may limit that some, but should not hamper him as badly as it does. I also noticed an increase in his crying. He is given a technical at least once a game for screaming for what he felt like should be a foul call, and often times this crying comes at the cost of more defense.

Still yet a star is a star, and in the NBA, stars are given a lot of power. If Trae Young were to have thrown his support to Lloyd Pierce, he would still have a job.

Except he did not. He headlines the reports of players pushing for a change. 

Did Trae ever stop to consider that it is not Lloyd’s responsibility to manage his techs, or his effort on defense? Or did he ask himself why his stats do not affect winning enough?

 

CONCLUSION

While there is some evidence to support Lloyd’s termination based on race, there seems to be more to support that he wasn’t. With the NBA being such a star driven league, Trae Young’s support could have easily been the deciding factor. I am disheartened that Lloyd was not able to inherent a better situation, and disappointed at Trae Young’s ethical developments, however I cannot join the voices of those who say the decision was based on race.

Sometimes, the job really is just about your ability.

3.2.21 – The Oracle