Sorry if it was posted elsewhere: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Duncan_starts_against_Trail_Blazers.html
The Blazers have certainly tried to model themselves after the Spurs' franchise. I knew KP brought the idea of a player rating computer system from there but until I heard Mike and Mike say it I had no idea we'd also brought over 2 former Spurs coaches. San Antonio is a very classy well run franchise, it means more to me when it's coming from Pop instead of a reporter.
Has/had Jeff Ma done work for the Spurs, as well? He's the guy KP has contracted to help develop/implement the personnel quantatative analysis application.
I haven't heard that name before but I remember the newspaper saying that KP did make some tweaks to the Spurs' program. If Jeff Ma is the reason for turning this franchise around and Rip City v.2 I need to hire him to fix my life!
Jeff Ma is an MIT graduate and the basis for the main character in the book "bringing down the house" and the movie "21". he's also set up some interesting websites, one is protrade.com where you can treat teams and players like they are stocks. as for KP he got his NBA start as a scout for the Spurs, and i know he has looked at them for a model of how to run your franchise. in that vein, i don't think any should be shocked when he becomes gm/coach.
I really don't get people calling for Nate's head when we do bad, as I feel that he has this team under control, and everyone knows their roles. Changing coaches, IMO can only do the team harm in this next season or two. We are a well-coached team, and many of the other coaches in the NBA have commented on that as you see Pop did.
I do not see the problem with Nate as well - I just think that people are so in love with the talent and potential on this team - that they lose sight of their collective youth and lack of experience. They are on track for a 3rd consecutive year improvement of 10 more wins over the previous one - so they are clearly on the right track. If this team was regressing - I could see an issue - but they are clearly not. If in 2 - 3 years they have problems contending - there might be a point - but it is pretty clear - if you keep your expectations in check - that this team is doing very very well thanks to some very good coaching.
Yeah, what Blazer Freak said. And the most important part is the players are all on board with Nate's coaching system. Look at Phoenix and Terry Porter, the players never bought into it and he lasted 10 minutes, and he never even got the chance to really coach the Suns.
funny i don't remember calling for his head, but the guy didn't resign and his contract, iirc, is up at the end of the season. things happen, popovich was crucified for taking over the coaching position when he did, do you think any of the spurs have a problem with that decision now?
Maybe not you, but quite a few posters were saying Nate needs to be fired. And Nate also said he wanted to earn his contract, and just like a player does in his contract year. If the Blazers make the playoffs and surprise a team, Nate is looking at more $$ then he could have by resigning then.
It's not at all uncommon for young teams to take a jump after changing a head coach. It worked for the Lakers with Shaq/Kobe, Chicago with Jordan and the Lakers and Celtics in the 1980's. I'm not necessarily calling for Nate's head, but continuity with coaching doesn't seem to be that important for a team being championship level. Ed O.
Good point, and I can see that kind of situation possibly happening down the road. I was just addressing Nate's situation, and I just think that at this point of our team's development we should stick with him. Now if we struggle to make it out of the first round in the next 2-3 years with Nate still at the helm, then I would agree that a new coach is needed.
It seems like the majority (if not all) of the superstars and top coaches in this league all think Nate is a great coach and doing a wonderful job. I'm guessing the only people who don't think he's a good coach are the ones that typically bag on our coach. It's wonderful to hear people in the know give Nate love, it just gives me reassurance that we've got the right guy doing the right things.
That's a good point. For *right now*, I see no benefit to changing coaches. Nate is playing the hand KP dealt - and I see no compelling proof that any coach currently available could do better. The only player who would possibly make a leap forward under a new coach is Bayless. Conversly, I think Nate has done an above average job getting production out of Outlaw, Joel, and Blake. (arguably Batum as well) On the flip side, almost every coach in NBA history has worn out his welcome at some point. IF KP can pull off a significant deal this summer, and bring in an impact player to go with LMA and Roy, and IF Nate can't take advantage of that, then we need to revisit the issue.
i'm glad to see nate starting to mix up his rotations and actually coaching with the guys on the court. he's gotten away from his ridgid rotation the last couple games. now all we need is more batum.
Those teams were not growing and thriving as we are, they had average coaches who were letting the teams down, and they changed more personnel than just coaches. I don't think any of those teams were all that young, either.
