Fanfest is nothing more than a glorified all-star game. It's not real competition. I wouldn't use it as any kind of evidence one way or the other.
Neither a Kings preseason game or a fan scrimmage is much defensive competition. I guess that's why his stats were pretty close at both: Fanfest: 19 points/5 boards 1-4 3-pointers. Kings: 15 points/6 boards 1-5 3pointers
I don't understand how you can compare a fan scrimmage (something the players are putting on to entertain the fans) with a preseason game (something players take seriously when they're trying to earn playing time or a spot on a team).
That argument would work if the we didn't have players trying to make the squad at fanfest as well. Steven Hill, Jamaal Tatum and Shavlik Randolph were all fighting for the last roster spot. Plus rookies like Batum, Rudy and Bayless were all making a case for themselves in the summer as well (especially since Webster was healthy at the time and minutes were even less scarse).
Okay, so the fanfest had players that wanted to make the team. Assuming that they were taking it seriously and were playing their hardest, it would mean the defensive competition would be BETTER, not worse. Either way, Martell put up 19 points in the scrimmage and 15 in the preseason. Decent numbers in both outcomes. I don't see what leg you're standing on here? You're saying he didn't shoot well from the perimeter, so most of his points came off dunks. But in other threads you're saying he can only shoot, so I'm confused about what your stance is exactly.
On the plus side maybe KP realized how pathetic our offense and defense are and will fire Nate and his over rated ass.
I'm still a fan of Nate's. Sure, there are still some principles and things we could work on such as Greg playing more, more fast breaks and getting more easy points, and our pick and roll defense. But there's only so much a coach can do, and you're only as good as your players are. Doesn't matter if Red Auerbach rose from the dead to coach this team, we still aren't a championship level team this year. Doc Rivers looked putrid as a coach one year, and the next year wins an NBA title. I think Nate's done a fine job, and doesn't get the credit he sometimes deserves. Guys like Brandon and LMA are playing like vets, and they're only in their third year. And I don't see a huge upgrade available out there.
I'm not critical of Nate, but even I was getting pissed last night in the first quarter. Watching their assistant coach absolutely dominate Nate was embarrassing. All we were doing was going 1 on 1, and they were cutting, passing, alley ooping, pick and rolling and everything. Our movement is embarassing, and I don't get how the assistant coaches don't tell Nate something needs to change. Do they not see it? Its sooo obvious. Our stagnant offense and switching on picks are aggravating. Also, not going into the post/going away from the post is not good. Lately, good things happen when Oden has the ball in the post, be it a foul, a good pass out, or a pretty good shot attempt (he is shooting over 50% anyway).
Fire him and replace him with whom? And no matter how often you repeat the assertion that the team's offense sucks, it will remain untrue. Portland has one of the most efficient offenses in the game. Their PPG isn't remarkable because they have the slowest pace. Slow pace doesn't help or hurt...it means less possessions for both teams. What matters is offensive efficiency (turning possessions into points).
I like Nate, I think that sometimes he just goes a little bit too far "fishing" for solutions. In particular last night it blew me away that after the 3rd quarter that Channing Frye was in the game for the bulk of the beginning of the 4th quarter, when Greg Oden was not in foul trouble. Greg Oden should have got a 2 minute rest and been back in the game. The same with the rest of the unit that made the run in the 3rd quarter.
I don't know why Nate isn't trying to establish Oden more. The guy has shown he can be effective when we go to him. The only way he's going to get better (and more consistent) is if he gets more touches.
