Explosion Head Coach, GM and Ownership have direction for remainder of the season

May 29, 2009 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Snohomish County Explosion News Release


Monroe, Washington - May 29th 2009 - The Explosion organization and head coach Chris Weakley know what is needed to help the team win the remaining 9 games of the season and advance past the first round of the IBL playoffs. With that ownership and staff have met and have a clear direction for the rest of the season.

The player-coach was, for many decades, a long-time fixture in professional basketball. Many notable coaches in the NBA served as player-coaches, including Bill Russell and Lenny Wilkens. This was especially true up through the 1970s, as teams had head coaches who were also players, as it was extremely common for senior players to take a role in coaching more junior athletes. The practice fell out of favor in the 1980s (though Mike Dunleavy Sr., while an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks, once came out of retirement and played several games when a rash of injuries decimated the team). One example of a player in recent years who was groomed for eventual official coaching duties using this practice was Avery Johnson.

"Weakley always wants to give his team the best chance to win and I respect that." comments Courtyard Media Foundation president and owner Nathan Mumm.

"He has always been a competitor but we need to make sure everyone understands he is our head coach first and foremost ." "This weeks practices were very good", comments general manager Sean Keck.

"Head coach Chris Weakley was in a few practices and sat out a few so we could evaluate, and he understands our decision."

The decision will be very clear Saturday evening in Monroe, and with this out of the way the organization can look forward to the new few additions to the team this past week.

The Explosion are currently 5-6 on the season and look forward to redeeming themselves at home. The young talented team has nine games left in the season with seven of them at home. The Explosion look to the Monroe Sports Arena and the home town fans to return on May 30th against the Vancouver Titans. Tickets can still be purchased online at www.explosionbasketball.net or via the phone at 425-339-BALL.



International Basketball League Stories from May 29, 2009


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