Why is Nate's comment so outrageous? Everybody knows that there are at least nine contenders in the West for eight playoff spots. The Blazers are the youngest and least experienced of the bunch. Given that the Blazers best player is a bit injury prone and the guy they had pencilled in for the starting SF spot hasn't played a minute this season, I'd say that it's a pretty accurate assessment to say that things are going to have to break our way in order to make the playoffs. But then, I'd say the same is true for the other four or so teams competing for the bottom half of the bracket in the West.
No. I think it was a lame attempt at a personal attack. It's lame enough, though, that editing it would be more trouble than it's worth. Ed O.
You know whats kind of funny about this. We have threads talking about Nates bullshit. Or who is our Gasol. But amazingly enough, when I was watching NBATV the other day and they asked Gasol about the Lakers success and what he thought was the key to the success, and he answered: "The mixture of experienced veterans and young up and coming athletic talent, along with championship experienced coaching." You know what? I believe him. I also believe Nate too. For some reason, I tend to believe a guy who played and coached in the NBA as compared to the fans.
Are you absolutely sure of that, Ed? *edited: Whether or not you were trying to be satirical, please avoid overtly sexist remarks. Thanks*
Between Seattle and here in Portland, I would hope the guy would strengthen his weaknesses and play to his team's strengths, he hasn't. I don't know of anyone out on the market that would be better than Nate as a coach right now but I witht he money Paul Allen is spending? You can bet someone will be axed by next season if we aren't going in the right direction. And it won't be Kevin...
It seems like the only way to get people who start threads like this to crawl back under their rock is for the Blazers to lose. Glad I don't go through life like that.
Would you like to hear what coaches say about Zach . . . becuase I suspect you don't believe them when they priase Zach.
Dec. 2006 http://blog.oregonlive.com/oregonianextra/2007/06/zach_randolph_for_better_or_wo.html Jul 2007 http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpa...0A35754C0A9619C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all
I tend to believe a guy who played and coached in the NBA as compared to the fans (Thanks for the links BfW)
I guess I should add stuff to the *crickets* response as well: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/b...mike_dantoni_sees_big_things_for_zach_ra.html One big man who does not worry the new coach is Zach Randolph. D'Antoni admitted that Randolph's skills and demeanor have pleasantly surprised him. Randolph was on his best behavior last season but he still has a reputation for being a ball hog and trouble maker. But D'Antoni sees a well-mannered veteran who can score from just about anywhere on the court and average 20 points without having many plays run for him. "There is no way Zach is going to average less than 20 points," D'Antoni said. "There is no way. You couldn't devise a system where he gets less than 20 points. He's just that good." http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/16/sports/basketball/16knicks.html “[Randolph] is a lot better basketball player than I thought he was,” D’Antoni said Wednesday. “He’s good. His instincts are good. He’s fun to be around. He’s a really good personality and he wants to get it done. He wants to get it done the right way.” http://www.nba.com/clippers/news/zrandolph_collins_081121.html “In an attempt to make our team more competitive, we are excited about the acquisition of Zach Randolph,” Dunleavy said. “He is a 27-year old highly-skilled scorer and rebounder. Getting a player like Zach cost us two highly skilled veterans in Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas, but we feel that the move will help us both now and in the future. http://www.courant.com/topic/la-sp-clippersfyi1-2008dec01,0,4047178.story Said Coach Mike Dunleavy: "We ran a bunch of these Elton Brand plays for him and he did the rest. That's what we were expecting and hoping and thought he'd have a comfort zone in it, and he did. "The main thing about him that's so special is his effort. Every single play he's in there battling, keeping balls alive. . . . He had 27. He could have had 35 or 40. He had a lot of chippies that didn't go in for him, that, on some nights, they all go in
Of course, not all NBA minds think alike on the topic of Zach Randolph: http://www.fanhouse.com/2007/05/29/mavericks-on-zach-randolph-hes-not-a-bad-ass-hes-a-dumb-ass/
For all of Zach's accolades he's also been traded twice in the span of a year. I'm not saying Zach isn't a talent, but I tend to skip what coaches/GMs say and just watch what they do.
