Okay, your job is to convince KP and Allen to keep Nate. How do you sell it? Yes, the teams record has improved every year, and if you overlook the fact that they were the worst in the league when he started, this looks really impressive. Bringing in talent is overrated. Okay, other than the record..... player development, offensive schemes, game time adjustments, substitutions, motivational....What are his selling points?
Is this serious? Alright, I'll bite: Nate is good at enforcing discipline on a bunch of panty-waisted malcontents and making them toe the line or helping them see the door ... for about 4 or 5 years, he was also good at identifying who his most talented player was early on and telling that player, "go to work, it's your team." Now? uh ... the Sarge routine and calling for "scrappiness" without actually installing an actual 5 part offense (or even a simple inside-out offense) is starting to wear thin. I think it's becoming clear that this team has outgrown the elementary school teacher.
Hey, KP, Paul? You know those pictures Blakey has of Nate? Well, I wanted to remind you that you two are in the photos with Nate. And Blakey will not be pleased if you fire Nate, since no other coach is going to start him over Miller. But it's your decision. Do what you think is best. barfo PS: Posting pictures on the internet is so easy these days, isn't it?
I'm very serious....I am truly interested. All I hear is people saying that Nate won't be fired, he's a good coach, and there is nobody better than him available. I really want to know what people see as his strengths. I hear the discipline thing a lot, yet I never really see it on the floor. Yes, he may have strange rules about headbands and what not, but as far as discipline, you would think it would show on the defensive side. How about his single beast attribute? My guess is running conditioning drills....Isn't that why he was hired for Team USA?
KP- I know these are trying times, but I wish to prove to you that I am the right man for this job. No other coach will bring both predictability and unpredictability at the same time. I will substitute players predictably, regardless if they have a hot hand or are playing like hot garbage. However, I will unpredictably decide whom has earned playing time. You see, predictably, I will tell the players the person who earns the playing time will get it, but unpredictably I will actually do the opposite (see: Blake's extended minutes over both Miller and Bayless). Our offense will be predictable, but the long rebounds from forced-against-the-shot-clock-jumpers will add the unpredictability to keep our opponents on their toes. Utilizing a potentially dominant inside presence is far too predictable, you see. Instead, I will make sure he doesn't play play with our best entry-passers and we will instead minimize movement by going with a myriad of ISO plays. I will preach scrap and defense, but unpredictably will play our worst defenders (Outlaw for example) extended minutes. I mean, it would be too predictable for a defensive-specialist-coach to actually put out a good defensive product. So if you will notice, none of the teams I have coached have ever finished better than middle of the league in overall defense. You guessed it--unpredictability. I will emphasize doing things the "right way" (see my no headbands rule), then have double standards for what I will allow players to get away with on the floor (turnovers, bad shots, etc.). I will say I want to run, then year after year have the slowest pace in the league. Thank you KP, you will be thrilled by the upcoming first round exits, I assure you. Signed, Predictably unpredictable, Nate Edit-I also forgot to add, I'm a NW guy. Nevermind the fact I'm known as Mr. Sonic.
No one is saying he's a great coach. I don't like his moves or his offensive and defensive strategies, but they have worked the past 4 years, for the most part. He won't get fired. At least not now. Has any coach in history been fired with a 12-7 record or something similar? KP has tried to sign him to an extension multiple times so I assume the FO likes him. If you fire him, give me a coach that is available that is unquestionably better than Nate. I don't think you can.
I think the best argument anyone could make is "he got the Blazers a Top 4 seed last season, and he's had a rough time working the new guys in and adjusting to a couple of key injuries - give him a few more weeks, at least, before you decide anything." That's the best anyone can do right now. If the Blazers go into freefall and go on a prolonged losing streak, it'll be hard to save him. If McMillan can instill offensive sets and defensive intensity that have the team nipping at the Nuggets' heels for the Northwest Division lead at the end of 2009, his job is safe. It's not an argument anyone on this board, or even Nate himself can make at this point - the team needs to right itself. And the front office will likely give him some time to show Nate can accomplish that.
Not really....What I want to know, is what specific strengths Nate brings that make him better than the other coaches available. So far, I have not heard one. Where does he excel? I can't think of any...I really want to know specifically what the Nate supporters like about him as a coach. From what I hear so far, replacing him with anyone would at least be a lateral move.
Because? You are convinced every coach out there is as good or better? Maybe you should watch some of the other teams games.
I think you, the newbie, should coach the team. You seem to have a feel for throwing red meat to the anti-Nate animals who inhabit this place. This alone makes you an acceptable candidate, in the eyes of certain beholders.
oooh....Not the newbie dismissal. So, what I hear you saying, is you can't think of anything? I do find it strange that those who support Nate as coach, can't support it with any substance.
I said that you should coach the team. You asked who should coach the team. I'm not Nate's agent. I don't have to present an argument for him, Ben. I'll counter by asking why you think he should not coach the team, since neither of us have the power to change the situation.
