OCR Text |
Show 10 Tooele Transcript, Thurs. January 7, 1982 Can His Cheerleading Overcome Jazz Blues? He has been whooping, cheering, slapping backsides, raising clenched fists and throwing towels for three weeks now as head coach for the Utah J azz. But all that enthusiasm has only produced three wins for Frank Layden and the Jazz, pitted against nine losses. Last night the Jaz thumped division and looked leading San Antonio, hke a team that could handle anyone in the NBA ranks. We have just lieen through what I cull a "buzz-saschedule, Layden says. We have played good against all the great 130-11- NBA teams Lakers, Philadelphia, Celtics and Seattle. "However, he continues, "we have had bad lapses that have cost us those Last night there were no second or third quarter syndromes for the Jazz and they skated away to an easy 15 point win over the Spurs. Layden's coaching style contrasts his predecessor, Tom Nissalke, more than the Benaisance reciprocates the Roaring 20s. Nissalke was basically reserved in his praise for his players. I le makes alot of money. He should play like that every night. That's what he's paid for, Nissalke often commented to reporters seeking a snappy quote. But, Coach Layden dishes out compliments more freely than a polished politician in late Octolier. Nissalke kept pretty much confined to the bench, only to rise occasionally to signal a play or question an official. Frank Layden, however, has more moves within the coaching I mi ." 28-fo- than a head cheerleader of a state championship team. "It comes natural with me, Layden says. That is the way I coached while in college." It is not just at the Salt Palace that liiydcn can lie seen jumping up and down and constantly chattering at his players, it is wherever the Jazz hit the road during its 41 road games. Whether the Jazz are chasing the Inkers in the packed Forum or in front of a sparse Cleveland gathering, Layden will lie holding Ixith hands high, motioning more action, hanging his head in and slapping high fives in jubilation. I have to do it more on the road, there are seldom any of our fans there, Layden says. Its kind of like being a sixth man when you are on the road. But he says the jumping and yelling isn't just cheerleading. Alot of our strategy comes directly from the liench, he points out. But layden has only been at it for three weeks. Will the energy run dry, the vocal cords weaken and the man return to a more sophisticated sideline position? Oh no, Layden says. Not by any means. I went hoarse at first, lecau.se the throat was out of shape, but now it is used to it." In each of the games the Jazz has played under Laydens guidance, the head mentor feels they have been competitive. We have played well, although not for the entire game. Now we have to play XT A . with consistency through the entire ball game. He still hands out the old line that Jazz fans have lieen hearing for three years. We are still young and workinghard. We are in what 1 would call a maturing process. The Jazz are the second youngest team in the NBA, averaging just slightly over two years of NBA experience per player. In that vein they are very similar to the Jazz that moved to Salt Lake from New Orleans three years ago. But that is where the resemblance ends. Of the 12 players that ended the first dismal Utah season, only Adrian Dantley, Ben Poquette and James Hardy remain on the Jazz roster. Only three of the remaining 12 are even in the league, the others couldn't find a home after being released by the Jazz. Nearly all Jazzmen on the current roster are early first round draft picks. He says the Jazz are trying a lot of new things and have taken on a new running look. This contrasts Nissalke's patterned, patient offense that Jass fans watched for better than two seasons. We are trying things that they would leant if I had them as a coach in training camp, Layden adds. The offeasive changes are obvious to even the most casual of Jazz But Coach Layden says defensive changes are also in the mold Defensively, the Jazz has extended its pressure and are now guarding at half court. We are working on some basics, then we will get into some sophisticated stuff. 1 look at it this way, 1 am taking them back to high school and bringing them up to the pros. Prior to coming to the Jazz, Layden served as director of player personnel and assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks. When the Jazz moved to Salt Lake, Layden jumped at the chance of becoming general manager. After the firing of Nissalke, Layden was named head coach, but he still keeps his responsibilities of general manager. is And he doesnt feel the double-dut- y the hindrance to organization. any I was watching the 49ers the other day and understand when Walsh took over as coach and general manager is when they had success, Layden says. If it can be done in football, I am confident that I can do it in basketball." Look at the Celtics, he says. Bed Auerbach makes all the important Not quite, just another two points scored by Adrian Dantley. r decisions. Tlie Brooklyn native, however, clearly points put that he never interfered with coaching duties while Nissalke was at the helm. When it came to substitutions, timeouts or who to start, that was all left up to Tom. In fact, there were only two decisions that Tom and I didnt agree on, Layden says. I felt we should have cut Boone, while Tom wanted to keep him and he felt that we should go after and sign John Roche, which I didnt agree with. Layden says that he and Nissalke were in unison on the Pete Maravich, Tom Boswell, Jeff Judkins and all other player personnel decisions. When he took over head coaching At that time reigns the Jazz were Layden set a goal of winning a division Get In There Layden has eyes that follow every move on the court and come up with a new move on every shot. 2. championship. but his goal Now the Jazz are hasnt changed. Until we are mathematically elimianted that is going to be our goal. We can win eight games in a row as fast as we lost eight. 11-2- 0, At Valley Forge Here, Layden bows his head in disbelief over an officials call. photos and text by Charlie Roberts What Do You Call That? All coaches plead with officials and beg for explanations, and Layden is no exception. However, when he gets slapped with a technical foul, he matches the $100 fine with a donation to the Utah Special Olympics. f Even while the game is in full procession, Layden shouts instructions to substitutes on the Jazz bench. |