I know the NBA better than the PL or European leagues. The top players more or less call the shots- ever since Wilt Chamberlain. This summer Kevin Durant supposedly asked for a new coach and GM or to be traded, but the Nets ignored him and couldn't find enough value in a trade. The owner did not "stand up to him", in my view. If they start out poorly they will fire Steve Nash and keep Durant.
The only reason he was hired two seasons ago with zero experience is that it was understood he would never be a domineering head coach and would let the stars run the show. The successful experienced coaches usually operate that way anyway- Phil Jackson, Lenny Wilkens, Pat Riley, Steve Kerr, even player-coach Bill Russell back in the day. (The exceptions are Popovic and Doc Rivers- who are more visibly engaged- Pop is beloved by his star players). Durant, 33, Kyrie, 30 (a mess off the court) and Ben Simmons, 25 need very little coaching as to tactics anyway.
I don't follow the Wolves day-to-day or off the field, but when they landed Podence I was excited...then disappointed. I understand why a team would be cagey about injuries...but I just could not fathom why Traore and Podence never played together- or why Traore never played. (I read some stuff about weak midfield...etc.)
The received "wisdom" used to be that Michael Jordan could not be in the same backcourt Clyde Drexler ("only one ball", same skill set...); that Tim Duncan was too big to play with David Robinson (different skill sets, but both natural centers); that you need a strong coach willing to bench the superstar... These notions were proved ridiculous.
Messi and Neymar don't play much defense- nor does Luis Suarez. That's a different level, of course, but if they struggled at Barcelona the coach was out the door. When Lionel rejoined him at PSG they struggled despite all the experience.
So this year they got a new coach. I'm certain one would never bench either of those two unless they asked to sit. If the team were smart they would have consulted the stars before hiring- even though by now it appears that the job would be to fix the defense and leave them alone.
Adama is 26 and again seems on the verge of a breakthrough. I can't help believing that if he had played more minutes his finishing touches would now be more polished, and if with Podence, the offense more dynamic. The dash to the goal line and cross is still a great option but it needs something: either more drilling or more variation.
I would choose a coach who can work with and support these guys- everything else is secondary. For one thing, the coach should be screaming and jumping around like Pep or Klopp whenever Traore gets mangled on a breakout run. Seems to happen several times over 90 minutes...