Or is he too much like Nate? I have no idea about his coaching style. Would he let our guys run? Would he relax and let them play? Or is he a lot like Nate?
I really am starting to want to see a new coach. I am sick of blaming our players when we all know they are better then they way they are playing.
Something came out last year that Poppavich was thinking about hanging it up and wanted Monty to be his replacement. Don't know if any of that was true. But it did come out. By listening to Monty on the radio. He firmly understands the importance of a low post presence. That alone is a upgrade of thinking. If there is a potential replacement on the bench for Nate, I think it would be him. I think Dean would be too much like Nate. Joe and Mo might be good but wouldn't be my choices for this team.
Really? You read my post and thought to yourself... "That bastard. His avatar suggests something other than what I interpret his post to be. I sure had better tell him!!!" ??? lol The things some people find important.
I have an honest question with regards to a coaching change. Does anyone else wonder why the team doesn't play even decent perimeter defense and hasn't in years? Is the problem Nate's defensive game plan or that the players are simply incapable of playing good D? Is it a combination of both? In all seriousness I haven't a clue.
Part of the problems can be attributed to scheme, but largely KP has done a better job of assembling talent with an "offense first" mentality, and in some cases certain guys aren't especially well suited to playing good perimeter defense due to age and/or physical limitations. B-Roy carries a huge scoring load and has mostly been only an average to mediocre defender, but he has the physical tools to probably be at least an OK defender with enough commitment. Martell has been in years past a non-factor on defense, recently he seems to have bought in mentally but his physical makeup probably dictate he'll never be a lock-down guy (long arms a plus, average lateral quickness a minus) Rudy is awfully slight and often gets turned around on defense, he can probably become a credible team defender in time, but he's always either going to give up bulk or quickness depending on who he's guarding. Blake understands how to play defense and isn't a bad help defender, but physically he gets overmatched by stronger guys and has a terrible time cutting off dribble penetration and can get posted up by point guards with even average strength. Bayless has a lot of physical tools and at time last year displayed a willingness to play defense, but his short arms and the fact that he still commits a lot of silly touch fouls and hand checked guys indicate that the understanding of rotations and assignments isn't there yet (who knows maybe he's improved a lot behind the scenes). Miller is an OK defender, but he's lost a few steps with age. I don't think you can count on much but good team defense and fairly poor man defense at this point of his career. Then finally there is Nicolas. When he gets healthy, he's long enough, quick enough and already polished enough to be a great wing defender. We probably miss him more than most people think.
There is something to be said about the desire to be one of the best defensive teams in the league. To have the ability to shut a team down for minutes is Golden, especially when your shots aren't falling. I think Nate has this desire and it's his #1 focus this season. I think he was a little embarrassed that a team with this much Athleticism was letting teams pick them apart. I am a little worried about Nate, but I give him one more season.
