LMA put up monster numbers two years ago when he started to play like a center. When he plays primarily on the low-block he had his way with anyone who guarded him. The first thing Kaleb did when he took over? Took LMA out of the post and primarily played him at the high-post. Hopefully Grgs will talk him out of this.
It didn't matter who coached Lillard in summer league..... it's summer league. He's about to start playing against defenses that scout and take away your first or second favorite moves. He'll face players that are twice as athletic and talented as the guys he faced in SL. I'm not saying Lillard isn't up to the task, but I don't want a coach that's going to just give him the ball and say "go out there and do your thing." I want to see Lillard started off right, with a coach that understands X's and O's and can draw up a real play, because we sure as hell haven't seen much of that over the past seven or eight years.
Maybe we can hire his old Weber St head coach... I think MM has said he'd be better than Canales, which means a college coach would be better than MM, who only taught HS basketball.
I just don't understand how someone can be qualified to be HC when they only have a couple years of coaching experience. Prior to that he was a practically a ballboy and an AV boy like HCP.
I understand the concern, but Canales seems to really like the pick-and-roll and Lillard definitely seems comfortable playing it, so from that perspective I don't think he's going to stunt him ... but I do worry that he's not going to stretch him and help him grow beyond himself. I guess we just have to trust that Olshey will be capable of judging the job that he does objectively and will know if/when it's time to pull the plug and go in a different direction.
I wonder what happened to Malone? And D'Antoni, who I was not crazy about (although these 4 sure don't float my boat)?
Rice is a run and gun guy. Played for Tark in college, so probably has ties to Grgs. It would probably be a demotion though.
I think Kaleb has been the guy all along. This coaching search strikes me as mostly a dog and pony show to give the appearance of due diligence. All I can remember is Olshey's introductory press conference and him gushing about Kaleb. I guess it could be somebody else, but I'll be surprised.
Jason Quick @jwquick "Just like Thibs was overlooked forever before he got a shot, I feel the same way about Clifford,'' Van Gundy said. 1m Jason Quick @jwquick Van Gundy compared Clifford to Tom Thibodeau, who also served on his staff before finally getting a head coaching job in Chicago 1m Jason Quick @jwquick Van Gundy on Clifford: "I give Portland and Neil a lot of credit. He’s the first one to recognize the greatness of Clifford.'' 2m Jason Quick @jwquick Jeff Van Gundy had Blazers' coaching finalist Steve Clifford on his staff for seven years in Houston and NY: "He's a no-brainer.''
Jason Quick @jwquick JVG on Clifford: "I’ve always said, some GM is going to make a lot of $$ off him ... he is going to get the max level output from a team.''
Jason Quick @jwquick Van Gundy said one of Clifford's strengths is dealing with players. "He combines passion with intensity with humaneness.''
