It's not just the star players guys. It's every player on the team, hot or not, they all come in exactly, well close to exactly each and every game. The stars are a little different. Look up the role players. The only consistency he has is leaving the stars in. Everything else is pretty random. So using Parker, Duncan or even Gionobli (During the years he started) aren't the entire story. Pops utilizes his role players differently game by game. Nate doesn't do this.
What are you saying? I only looked at Parker. Please prove to me that he doesn't use a fairly consistent substitution pattern with his major role players.
8:30 PM ET, December 20, 2008 7:41 Mason out. 8:30 PM ET, December 22, 2008 4:11 Mason out. 8:30 PM ET, December 23, 2008 9:34 Mason out. 7:50 Mason back in 2:30 PM ET, December 25, 2008 1:50 Mason out.
So why is there fluctuation in the minutes of Martell, Travis and Rudy each game? 30 minutes one night, 12 another, 22, 33, 11, etc. Shouldn't their minute logs generally look pretty standard across the board, 22, 24, 21, 20, 19, 25?
They should. But look at the first half's sub patterns. They are almost mechanical straight across the board. His adjustments are made at half time.
No he makes adjustments alright. But usually to bring in those players that he's accustomed to. If you think Nate's a great coach, then we can agree to disagree. I think his subbing patterns, unwillingness to take a chance, and fear of turning the ball over is a detriment to the success of our ball club. Hey if Nate is still coach and still doing what he is doing, I will still praise our beloved Blazers. I'm just pointing out how frustrated I am with those things. Can't I have my opinion?
That's because he is operating with 2 FULL units. Obviously it's really hard to compare this stuff apples to apples without a lot of work...which I'm too lazy to do. Really neither of our 4 game grabs of substitution patterns proves much of anything. I tend to believe if the rosters were switched with Nate coaching SA and Pop in Portland the substitution patterns would look similar...I would not be opposed if someone wanted to set that up for us, though!
Who knows really. Maybe this is a norm and I'm taking crazy pills. I ain't no B-Ball scholar. All I know is I see good talent on the bench and players playing out of position. Is it to make others happy? Are those wins really from a three guard line-up, or just bringing Miller in the starting rotation? Would the Blazers have the same record if they just replaced Miller with Blake? I would much rather see a better utilization of our talent. Longer minutes for the big three and if someone is truly cold, please bring the hot hand in to at least change up our 4th quarter offense. I don't know what changed from last season, but we were such a good 4th quarter team. We always had a tough time in the first half and had to battle back in the 3rd and 4th quarters. I want something in the middle. Maybe Nate needs to bring in that 4th quarter team that won so many games in the late season push. Wasn't it Roy, Fernandez, Outlaw, Aldridge and Oden? Well since Outlaw is out, who will be able to replace him?
Not bench players. Players that should be playing more minutes. You are on the bench when you aren't in the game. That can apply to Aldridge, Oden, Pryzbilla, Fernandez, Miller or Bayless among others.
Pops may have schedule - but I wonder if that schedule includes having Parker, Duncan, and Gino off the floor *at the same time*?
I'm guessing Nate would prefer to have one of Roy, Oden or Aldridge on the floor at all times, but often times, Oden, with his fouling, doesn't comply.
He did have a great opportunity last night. And you know what. All but 1 minute and 19 seconds, one of those 3 were in there.
