Baller Mind Frame’s No Layups brings you the hottest NBA stories on the web mixed with personal opinion from our very own Aaron Lanton
The Golden State Warriors fired assistant coach Darren Erman because of what the team called “a violation of company policy,” making him the second assistant to leave the bench in as many weeks.
General manager Bob Myers said firing Erman was not a basketball decision, but rather one made by the organization and unrelated to the recent reassignment of assistant coach Brian Scalabrine. Myers would only indicate that Erman, 37, had committed a serious violation that he declined to reveal.
“We hold all of our employees to the same standard,” Myers said, adding that the team’s general counsel and human resources department became involved following the violation.
“We were unaware, and when made aware, forced to act,” Myers said.
Myers called the timing “unfortunate” as the Warriors look to clinch a playoff berth with six regular-season games remaining. Myers said the decision was made Friday evening to fire Erman, who coached his final game in the Warriors’ win against Sacramento and was informed of his dismissal Saturday morning.
Head coach Mark Jackson said he remained confident in his staff, which now is down to three assistant coaches following his decision to remove Scalabrine from the bench last week due to a “difference in philosophies” along with Erman’s firing.
“He made a mistake,” Jackson said of Erman. “He owns it. He’s done a lot for me. He’s done a lot for this organization, and I’m pulling for him to make a comeback. I’m pulling for him to move on and become a great coach, and I believe that can happen.” San Jose Mercury News
Kudos to the Warriors for handling this issue like a first class organization. No leaks or anything nefarious to sully Erman’s potential opportunities with the NBA.
Whatever happened was very serious. The Warriors were already short on assistant coaches because of Scalabrine’s reassignment. Now the team is missing two coaches on the bench right before the playoffs begin. But this seems bigger than basketball.
Best wishes to Erman on making a comeback to the NBA in the future. – AL
Featured image courtesy of nikk_la/Flickr.
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