You know, I have been thinking (scary, I know)... I always felt Nate was the guy brought into to get the talent up to par (which he has done for the most part). I never thought he would be the coach that would take the team to the promise land. I always felt he would be replaced by a proven coach. Add this to the fact that KP had said a few years ago that he had a FA on his mind that no one else was thinking about and hinted at this coming off season. McMillan came out last off season and said he is only doing year by year contracts from here on out (I feel this was more of KP's wanting than Nates). Here is where I am getting to, what if KP is targeting not a player but a coach. All you guys talk about that fantasy trade or player that you want to come to the team, I have been wanting a Coach like Phil Jackson. Could you imagine what he could possibly do with the talent on this team. His triangle offense would most likely work wonders with Roy-Aldridge-Oden holding it down. Add to it shooters like Rudy and Martell, play makers like Outlaw and a back up center (if resigned) like Pryz... He could actually possibly turn this roster into a dynasty. Now, I know it is a pipe dream but what are your opinions? What coach do you think would be a good fit here (even if you feel it is McMillan)? I just do not see Nate as a championship caliber coach, if he stays I would gladly love to be proven wrong.
It's all Nate. There was an article about it over the summer. KP has tried to sign Nate to an extension numerous times already.
I think Monty would be a better coach...He learned from Pop. I think Nate is extremely stubborn and has lost the players this year. The odds of him getting fired are slim to none though.
I'm willing to give Nate until the all-star break. If this team is still seriously underperforming and massively regressing at that point then it won't matter what the poll says, it will be almost a given that Nate gets the axe ... Let me rephrase: I hope KP is smart enough to know when to let the axe fall
I voted yes on the assumption that the team doesn't really get much better in the next 10 games or so. If the team is still playing good but mediocre ball by the end of December, I think a change needs to be made. Gramps...
No way. NBA careers are two short. I don't want to waste an entire season waiting for Nate McMillan to pull his head out of his ass and see what's so obvious to everyone else on earth. 1a) Greg needs to play more - and he needs to get the ball more in the low post. 1b) Andre Miller needs to start and play every second that Greg Oden is on the court. Playing with Steve Blake is a complete waste of Oden's talent. Miller actually gets Oden the ball in position to score easy baskets. Blake can't/won't. I've never seen a supposed PG worse at making the entry pass than Steve Blake. 1C) Steve Blake needs to see his minutes cut to 12 MPG immediately and forever more. He brings NOTHING to the starting line-up. Its like playing 3 on 5 on offense (because we get nothing from Blake or Oden when Blake starts) and 4 on 5 on defense since Blake can't keep anyone in front of him and doesn't get back on defense. He can't run the break, and he can't stop the other team from doing it either. At his point, I wouldn't mind seeing Blake relegated to 3rd string behind both Miller and Bayless. Shit, I'm convinced Nate McMillan is the ONLY person left on this planet that thinks starting Steve Blake is a good idea - and that includes Steve Blake. Portland fans are too polite to boo anyone who isn't a total assclown (Bonzi). Thankfully, we don't have anyone like that on the roster these days. So, when player totally sucks, the entire crowd groans in unison when they make an especially boneheaded play. At the Memphis game, Steve Blake lead the team in groans. He fails to get the ball to a wide open Oden under the basket GROAN, he then tries to force a soft pass to a triple teamed Aldridge GROAN and fails to get back on defense after his pass is picked off and Conley scores an uncontested lay-up at the other end GROAN. He misses TWO free throws in the 4th quarter when the Blazers are trying to get back in the game GROAN. Seriously, Blake isn't stupid, He'd probably rather come of the bench at this point rather than have the home town fans turn completely against him. BNM
Again: Doesn't that seem even more risky to you? Unless we are completely bombing at some point of the season, I just can't see Nate getting fired.
You are assuming that 1.) The team has given up on Nate. Response: The team has proven time and time again that it won't and it ain't going to sell out for Nate McMillan. The only way this team is going to win something significant is if they start to and consistantly do this. 2.) They will embrace the new coach. Respnose: I think they will embrace a popular assistant. Monty Williams is awfully popular 3.) The new coach is better than Nate. Response: We won't know that until we give it a try. However, I would place the interim label on the new head coach. And if he ain't the answer at seasons end then I would go out and find the answer. 4.) The team can learn a new system on the fly. Response: If it's a current assistant. More than likely the system doesn't change 5.) The new system is significantly better than the one we currently have. Response: We can hope that the system is more efficient and productive under a new coach 6.) The new coach will utilize Oden and Rudy better. Reponse: If it's Monty Williams, I have to believe he has learned enough playing under and coaching under Gregg Popavich to understand the value of someone like Greg Oden and Rudy Fernandez. Therefore, he will use them the right way
Firing Nate would be a huge risk for this young team (think Bulls). I would only fire Nate if I knew I could get an upgrade at coach otherwise it's not worth it. BTW I think we'll be fine although we are going through some major growing pains.
How many games in a row do we need to dig ourselves into a 20-point hole in the first half before a change is desirable. This is the easy part of our schedule. You think the hard part is going to be any better? Are you willing to throw the a season away on the hope that the team full of players who don't know their roles will somehow magically start to play better as the opponents get tougher? Honestly, the way Nate is coaching this season, I don't think you could find someone who could do a worse job with the talent he has. He completely under uses Oden, and after training camp, 8 preseason games and 19 regular season games, the players on this team still don't know the roles he expects them to play. He's pissed away the easy part of our schedule. What makes you think he won't do the same against the tough opponents? The only moves he makes are boneheaded - the 3 guard line-up, staring Blake, the small line-up against Atlanta, pulling Oden at the 6 minute mark of the 1st quarter NO MATTER WHAT THE SITUATION. If there was an award for anti-coach of the year, Nate McMillan would be winning by a landslide right now. BNM
It depends on how this team responds. The two consecutive blowout losses sting like hell, but all teams have a few terrible home losses every season and we've historically sucked in Utah, as in the games have not been close. The Blazers haven't experienced these double digit deficits (except in GS) this season until now. Even games against Denver and Atlanta haven't been terrible losses, so I don't know what happened. If GMs always fire coaches after two consecutive bad losses, I would assume that the number of coaches fired over the past decade would be higher. I've hated his moves too, but there is no guarantee that his replacement will be much better. It's crazy, but as bad as his moves have been, he hasn't gotten us killed until now. And no matter how easy our schedule has been, I just can't see a coach getting fired when his team is 12-7. So like I said, unless we are completely bombing at some point, I can't see enough justification for firing him. HOWEVER, from December 17-25 we play Phoenix @Orlando @Miami @Dallas @San Antonio Denver So if we completely fuck up, as in 5-6 losses (in a row), you might get your wish.
Does anybody here think Nate's got a little Mike Schuler in him? Can't say I'd cry if Adelman left the Rockets and took this team over again.
Mikes successor came off his staff. Nate's successor will probably come from the same place if and when he is relieved of his duties. Monty Williams is this generations Rick Adelman.
Geeez...I did not think so many people would be blaming the coach for the team playing like shit. These guys all need to book a deschutes river steelhead trip and bond or something. The x2 blowouts are hard to swallow with all this damn talent. I am telling you these guys need some bonding time maybe even bowling.
