Let's say the following scenario occurs, which is (IMO) realistic: 1. We beat the Nuggets in 6-ish games. 2. We advance and lose to the Clippers/Lakers in 5-6. Does Terry keep his job for next season? As crazy as this sounds, if the answer is yes, I would almost rather see us lose in the first round if it would ensure that Terry goes. I just don't think I could handle another year of the same core. (Obviously, the best scenario is that this team goes really far and Terry gets canned no matter what).
The only way I think he should stay is if we get to the finals. 9 yrs without winning anything of substance is a long time.
I still maintain that it's WCF or fired for Stotts. The momentary excitement of once again having a hot streak going into the playoffs will wear off if we get ousted in the first or second round. Especially if Denver beats us in 5 (I don't see that). If we beat Denver in 7 and lose in 4 or 5 to the next team, that'll cause a change. 9 years of just making the playoffs to just wither away except for one year (where we didn't even win a game and gave up 3 big leads in the WCF).... THIS is put up or shut up time for stotts.
I hope so no matter what playoff results happen....Terry has captained my favorite Blazer era since Clyde was on the team.
If we go out, I think it depends on how we go out. Getting eliminated in 4 straight losses for the 5th straight year would be a bad look even if it’s in the Finals. People who want us to lose to fire Stotts have no respect for Dame and should have their fan card taken away.
I think and this may be an unpopular take, but Terry has one more year left. He coached the Blazers to the playoffs for the 8th year in a row, the NBA's longest active streak. I think the Blazers might give him the last season on his contract.
All blazer eras have had a change. Can't get sentimental if the coach isn't getting the job done in the playoffs. But like I said, WCF or fired for stotts. No matter how the first two rounds go. So he has a chance, but he has to work for it.
Yeah, I think that it is ridiculous to want the Blazers to lose just so Terry gets fired. I get wanting Terry gone, but come on. I will never want or root for the Blazers to lose. That is anti-fan.
That is a saving grace for him. But, 8 straight years and only 2 years out of the first round? 16 teams make the playoffs... half the teams (or darn near close!) Play ins don't count as actual playoff games IMO. Making the playoffs is one thing... making noise in the playoffs is another.
I don't disagree with you. I think it is however, possible that the Blazers brass don't have as big an aversion to Stotts as many here do.
There's a difference between being sentimental and being respectful and loyal....I believe front office stability is more important than the revolving door method. Making the playoffs in the west for 8 straight seasons and making the conf finals in the west for the first time in 14 years is success.......the rest of the negativity springs purely from buzzkill and the temporary hot streak venting fest it gives the doubters. 10 more years! We can beat anybody right now in my view. I did not think we'd have a shot with Trent and Hoodie starting but with Norm and Nurk....it's a new game.
Quick has an interesting article in The Athletic this morning about how much Dame wants and dreams about winning a title in Portland. This caught my eye: Dame has been grilling Norm Powell about what it took in Toronto to become champions. Powell said, more or less in passing, that “you gotta play defense” and that’s when Dame took it on himself to really up his D and challenged his teammates to do the same. He also talks about how players on title contenders have to have an absolute belief that they can get the job done. He has that belief and he’s challenging his teammates to have it for this season too. Dame is aware that he’s been in the league for nine years and his chance to win in Portland is more urgent. All of this leads me to believe that Terry’s time is now. I think the team has to, at a minimum, make the WCF and either win there or at least push it to 7 games. If there isn’t the demonstration that the team is going to contend next season under Stotts, I don’t see Dame pushing for him to stay. And without that vote of confidence from Dame, I think Terry will be out of a job.
That's a little troublesome for me; that just before the playoffs begin, he has doubts about whether they have the personnel and coaching to win it all. I think it's unlikely we can win it all; but I think you have to go in thinking that somehow you can. If he has problems with the coaching, go to the coach and let's get it ironed out and fixed as much is possible in the week off here.
The way I read this is that after he talked to NP, Dame looked at himself in the mirror and took it upon himself to step up defensively. His teammates will follow his lead. So maybe he does not blame Terry. I think if the Blazers can keep NP and get Collins back next year, along with an improved Little and Ant, they have a good nucleus for next year. ( I see Jones and Mello moving on ) Not sure how much Kanter will cost but I would like to see him back too. Having said that if they get swept by Denver, Terry is gone. My hope is GS beats the Lakers in game one and Portland beats Denver and plays Phoenix in round 2. (and hopefully play Utah in the western finals) I really have enjoyed watching this team the last month. Much more so than the first couple of months.
I think that since you didn't have the advantage of reading the article and relied just on my synopsis you took Dame's quote in a negative way. He absolutely believes that they can win it all this season and he's pushing his teammates to adopt that same mindset. The quote was more about what he thinks about each offseason regarding any changes that may need to be made.
Yeah, I don't think that there was any sense of blaming Terry about the D. I think he saw that as something that the players had to change, starting with himself. It's showed in the past couple of weeks.
I hope so. I still hope he has a sitdown with Stotts and Powell and Nurk and CJ; gets some stuff ironed out. It's hard to interpret that quote as saying he is really happy with the coaching.
