Fox News Flash top headlines for March 3
Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.
Lloyd Pierce’s departure from the Atlanta Hawks on Monday may have shocked the NBA’s coaching community but the decision reportedly appeared to be driven by the frustration of top players on the team.
Pierce’s long-reported strained relationship with star point guard Trae Young reached its boiling point this week after a 14-20 start left the Hawks with no decision but to side with Young and other players’ desire for a "new voice," according to The Athletic.
MAVERICKS’ RICK CARLISLE CALLS HAWKS’ FIRING OF LLOYD PIERCE ‘INSANE’, QUESTIONS TIMING OF DECISION
Pierce was losing the support of players outside of Young toward the end of his tenure with several players expressing their desire for a change with management, sources told the outlet.
Pierce, hired in 2018, was 63-120 (.344) with the Hawks, missing the playoffs in each of his two completed seasons.
According to the report, Pierce’s coaching style did not sit well with the Hawks’ top players, including Young, John Collins and Cam Reddish. Additionally, players reportedly began to feel like they were not being heard.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle was among the coaches who slammed the firing, calling it "insane." He even questioned the timing of the decision.
"This is a shocking development to all of us in the coaching world. The timing seems odd. The team had injuries, a lot of those kinds of things, but Lloyd is a guy that has had a profound effect on the landscape of social justice, particularly over the last 12 months."
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The Hawks defeated the Miami Heat 94-80 on Tuesday night in the team’s first game without Pierce.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.