If he would have done the silly running through the locker room in Houston before the game high-fiving anyone and hugging media guys when Phoenix lost and we gained a playoff berth. I think that may have sent the wrong message to the team that "we've arrived" when they are still fighting for playoff seeding and HCA. Really seemed to go against Nate's whole philosophy of "not too high, not too low." After he did that, the team has gone out and laid three absolute eggs to start the games. -Pop
Nate's been through a lot these past few years and endured tons of losing. I think he deserved to celebrate a bit with his team.
It shouldn't be but the guy is human and has emotions. He's not a robot, and should get excited once in awhile with his team's success.
When you are a head coach, you get paid a ton of money to keep your emotions in check. If his philosophy is to set a good example for his players and not get too high after wins or too low after losses, he should be able to control himself from running through the locker room screaming "We did it! We did it!" My thought when I read that was "We did what? There are still eight games to go and we have a chance at HCA. The season isn't over." I worried at the time it would have a negative impact on the motivation for our guys. Looks like I was right. -Pop
Just a difference in philosophy I guess. I like coaches showing some emotion once in awhile, not all the time however. This wasn't just one win or one loss. It was making the playoffs, which was our goal since the beginning the season. I'm sure he wasn't jumping in the air and screaming at the top of his lungs like we won a championship. But eh, you could be right that it had a negative impact on our motivation. Or simply, there was just a letdown after we knew we clinched it.
No. You can't say Nate's actions there are why we didn't play well against Houston and now San Antonio. We've played badly vs good teams on the road all year. Plus, we'll win tonight.
Playoffs were this team's aspirations. Are they now being penalized for their overachieving? Everything after that Phoenix loss has been gravy...
Lol. I can understand the frustration that went into this post, given the 1st quarter, but when will you chicken little's learn to at least wait and post this crap AFTER the game... I didn't get to watch it, luckily taped it, but I was sure shaking my head in shock at the boxscore there for awhile. This team loves a good challenge, like spotting the Spurs almost 20. And Nate's reaction was human, he's the last person on Earth to be content with JUST making the playoffs.
You're right. Honestly, I was suicidal after the 1st quarter. But we DOMINATED the Spurs for the next 3 quarters. Who goes down by 19, yet wins in DOMINATING fashion? The Blazers. That's who.
You know - Nate is a young coach. Yes, what he did was not great - but I expect him to be calm and collected after they sweep the Cavaliers in the finals - so the team will be motivated next year as well!
