2000-01 in Review: In his seventh season as an assistant coach with the Seattle Sonics, Bob Weiss became a bit of a forgotten man. Despite being the only assistant coach with previous NBA -- or for that matter any American -- head coaching experience, Weiss was passed over for any promotion after the firing of Paul Westphal, as Nate McMillan was named head coach and Dwane Casey became associate head coach. With only two assistants on the staff, Weiss took on increased responsibilities after the move. Perhaps the high point of his season was when Weiss worked with Jelani McCoy on his free throws and managed to turn around the big man's stroke almost 180 degrees.

Previous Career: Weiss has been in the NBA in some capacity since being drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1965 NBA Draft. He had a 12 year NBA career, and was a member of the inagural Sonic roster after being selected in the expansion draft. Weiss' first coaching job came in 1977 as an assistant with the Buffalo Braves. Two years later, he joined the Dallas Mavericks as an assistant, spending six years with Dallas before being named head coach of the San Antonio Spurs. Weiss was fired by the Spurs after leading them once to the playoffs, and spent a year with the Orlando Magic as an assistant before being named head coach of the Hawks in 1990. In three seasons in Atlanta, Weiss' clubs made the playoffs twice, but he was still fired in 1993. He landed on his feat, moving to LA to become head coach of the Clippers, whom he coached for one season before being fired. In 1994, Weiss came to Seattle as an assistant coach and has remained here ever since, becoming one of the league's highest paid assistants thanks to his experience.

Overall: At this point in his career, it's highly doubtful that Weiss will ever become an NBA head coach again, and also questionable if he wants to serve in that capacity anymore. The Sonics have had two vacancies at head coach since Weiss has been on the staff -- after the 1997-98 season and last November -- but he has not put himself forward as a candidate or campaigned for the job in any manner. It seems now that Weiss is content to finish his career in the anonymity that comes as an assistant. He remains extremely useful because of his head coaching experience and teaching ability, and makes an ideal complement to the rest of the Sonics' staff, generally light on head coaching experience.
Grade: B-