Not sure if anyone listened to Wheels today on his show. He had Michael Thompson on today and they asked if he would be interested in coaching GO. His response was it would be a dream job and he would love to be part of Blazer organization. Wheels also mentioned he had heard Alonzo Mournings name mentioned as a possibility.
Zo would be good because he could emphasize quickness and agility on defense. Michael strikes me as too nice of a guy.
Unfortunately it sounds like Coach Luc might be sidelined for a little while with his current health issues (get well soon, Luc). In the interim, I think it'd be great to bring in an accomplished big man to work with Greg. Patrick Ewing is working with Dwight Howard in Orlando and Kareem is working with Andrew Bynum in LA. I'd be all for Zo. Strikes me as a perfect coach for G.O. since both of them are in the same mold. Physical specimens who can dominate the glass and the defensive paint, and guys who you can go to for a basket down low when that's what the game calls for. Oden's not quite there yet, but I see his game developing to be like Zo was in his prime. -Pop
Is Olajuwon currently employed by a team? The main thing I want Oden to learn is fluid footwork. The two best big men ever, in terms of footwork, were Olajuwon and Kevin McHale. Since McHale is otherwise occupied, I'd love to see Olajuwon work with Oden. I know he worked with Yao Ming a few years back, but I don't know if he's currently a part of the Rockets organization.
I think you are making a joke, but I'm not sure. I don't think either would do it, but Robert Parish or David Robinson would be good personality fits.
I love Luke and all, but Zo would be light years better for many reasons. 1. He was actually a center 2. He ie a little more relevant in the eyes of a younger player, and Greg might listen more 3. He was a defensive force 4. he has a fire to get all up into Greg's grill if he is slacking in any way. So does Mo, but moreso I think. Huge if the Blazers could get that done.
Zo would be terrific because of his intensity and I could really see him pushing Greg. If Greg does not follow, Zo would have no problem pritch-slapping him.
This IS the number one priority for the Blazers this summer, imo. Without GO at least living up to at least 3/4 of the hype from pre-draft, this team will not go to the promise land in the playoffs. And a proper coach can get him (and subsequently, the team) there. Mourning is a terrific option. He and Oden have similar games, but they're polar opposites in their in-game mentality and approach . Get GO some of that fire.
I think the best part of adding someone like Zo is that he could still bang with Greg some. Any of the older guys can't really. Lucas can't. Zo is still young enough and agile enough to play a lot of 1-1 type scenarios with Greg. If Lucas is trying to help Greg with his defense, he isn't going to post him up and try to score on him. Well, hemight, but it probably doesn't help his defense any. Whereas, Zo could, and actually be a threat. I would love that. Doubt it happens.
I would definitely be in favor of hiring a big man coach for G.O. It couldn't hurt at all. The one thing I like about Mychal Thompson is he's got great communication skills. I don't know if he's ever coached before, but I'm sure he could be a lot of help for the franchise.
Being an effective coach/teacher usually isn't about having been the best at something, but rather the ability to communicate and demonstrate how something should be done clearly and efficiently. Is that Mychal? I have no idea, but if the team really is going to invest in a big man coach, I care far less about the 'star quality' of that person than I do his reputation/ability as a teacher.
Mutombo is a fine choice - one of the great defending centers ever, and that seems to be Greg's strength. For old time's sake, I nominate Sabas, or Walton.
I actually think Bill Bayno has done an awesome job with our bigs when we have had him. At least on the offensive end. The thing is, he hasn't been around a whole bunch with Greg around. He went off to coach at LM for a while then came back. Give him some time. He will sharpen him up. As for defense, I don't think that is one of Nate's weakneses. It will come in time and with getting used to the speed of the game, and getting his explosiveness back so he can just trail guys and block from behind.
Too bad the Timberwolves played pretty well after McHale took over as head coach. If Minnesota ever lets him go, I'm all for Paul Allen making him the highest paid assistant coach in the NBA. He was a bad GM, but as a coach, he's great with young big men. Just look how Kevin Love flourished after McHale took, over on the bench. McHale had the best footwork of any big man I've ever seen. Due to his injuries, he could bearly jump over a sheet of paper, but he could still score on anyone in the low post. With all of his fakes, spins, up-and-unders, drop steps, etc. he was also very good at drawing fouls on opposing big men. He was also an excellent low post defender (1st or 2nd team all-defense). I'd love to see him working with Oden. BNM
Depends on your priorities. Mutombo, if he was interested, would be good for Oden's defensive development. If you want to improve his footwork and low-post moves, former Blazer Steve Johnson would be great. He had tremendous moves in the post, despite having the worst knees this side of Bill Walton. Zo would be the best (in theory) as he could actually hurt folks at both ends of the floor. I would worry, however, that his ferocity would be a bad fit with Oden's stoic demeanor.
