Whether you are a Nate fan or not, if the team doesn't make the 2nd round of the playoffs then there's no question the front office has a plausible reason to find another coach. Only tricky thing at that point is getting someone better, which definitely isn't guaranteed. Then you risk just hiring guys just to find someone new and that gets old fast.
I'm not a McMillan basher by any means--in fact, I've supported him 100% since he came to Portland. However, with the talent level on this team, if they flame out in the first round for the third year in a row, you can bet he'll be gone. Take it to the bank.
I disagree, a little. It has nothing to do (for me, maybe not the Vulcans) that it would be 3 years in a row. It's all about the Oden, as usual. If Oden is healthy and we don't get HCA and advance, then yes, you look at the coach.
I suspect that Portland management (wisely) isn't counting on Oden for anything, and that they want their coach to deliver a successful playoff performance regardless. At some point, this team has to start moving head, with or without Oden, and that point is now.
Walton's injury problems didn't save Wilkens from getting the boot. One key difference, however, is that when Wilkens was let go, Dr Jack was available as a replacement.
yup, it's primarily about the talent. If the talent is injured again come the playoffs, it really doesn't matter who the coach is. They won't be advancing. STOMP
I'm not a huge McMillan backer, not a big supporter either. I think he's too set in his ways. I also, don't think there's too many other great coaching candidates out their who would fill his shoes and do much better. With that roster we had last season (because of injuries), I doubt you could find too many coaches in the league who would've had the success that McMillan did. It unfortunately gave us, unrealisitic expectations going into the playoffs.
Advance in the playoffs? ADVANCE IN THE PLAYOFFS?????? I'm just hoping we can hold our playoff blowout loss ratio below 50%. :fingerscrossed:
Yeah, because everybody knows that the Blazers had all of their pieces on the court in last year's playoff series and the first round loss truly represents what this team is capable of.
It seems to me the number of coaching "retreads" getting jobs these days is much lower than in the past. Like front offices would rather take a chance with a new guy than a known bad. Collins and Byron Scott both got jobs this year. That's what happens when teams have some success with a different method. Other teams see what they have done, and copy them.
That's a good excuse for getting played off the court. We were the 5th seed with the players we had. 5th seeds should not be getting dicked on their own floor by 4th seeds. And against Houston we had everyone including GO. We've been uncompetitive (Blown the fuck out) in 60% of our playoff games under McDillon. If you're fine with that so be it. I'm not.
There is no question the franchise has been very patient with Nate. You have to wonder (warning! pure speculation ahead) if that had some role in the KP dismissal. Maybe KP dared to suggest that it was time for Nate to move on?
Seriously - what talent level are you speaking of? Do we have a PG? Do we have a Center? How deep is our bench? With Roy and Oden done, it will be easy "not to blame Nate" once again. But due to the many expiring contracts (as the roster stands today) I can easily see how the team will be blown up over the summer. And with no GM in place, I'd imagine this summer will see someone new coming in. This scenario may very well play out where Nate moves on. But he won't be fired - I envision a "mutual parting of the ways" taking place. Don't be suprised to see Nate coaching the Nicks...or perhaps even the Spurs, should Pops retire.
