Woj Exposes Inside Story of the Heat's 2011 Draft

When Dempsey and Stevens discussed the matter, they brought Tang Tian in as well.

Tang Tian was the Team Core, and several of his suggestions had proven effective. His influence within the front office was growing as well.

Tang Tian had been a coach in his previous life, so he was familiar with all these coaches.

Hollins was the first one he ruled out.

Hollins had been a star player in his playing days. He was proud by nature, had a strong desire to control the team, and lacked interpersonal skills.

In other words, he was better suited to be a Head Coach than an assistant coach. If he came, he might end up arguing with Stevens every day.

Next were Brown and Bickerstaff.

Tang Tian leaned more toward Bickerstaff.

Bickerstaff was nowhere near capable enough to be a Head Coach, but he was excellent as a defensive assistant. He was young, had potential, and would get along well with Stevens.

Brown was somewhere between Hollins and Bickerstaff. Coming from the Spurs system, there was no questioning his ability.

But he had spent most of his career as a Head Coach, including as James's Head Coach. Whether he would respect a young coach like Stevens was still uncertain.

After hearing Tang Tian's opinion, Dempsey asked Stevens, and Stevens had no objections either.

The next day, he flew to Boston, preparing for a more in-depth round of negotiations with Bickerstaff.

But unexpectedly, the trip was wasted.

After hearing that the Pelicans were poaching again, Ainge had an overnight talk with Bickerstaff and ultimately persuaded him to stay.

Just like D'Antoni before him, the Pelicans' First Assistant Coach slipped through their fingers after they had practically secured him.

Fortunately, Dempsey had experience with this sort of thing already. He did not waste