Is there really not a thread about this, or did I just miss it completely? On June 17th, during the a Quick radio interview, Jason stated that Nate was put on informal notice. While management backed him now, if he starts slow it will not be good. A few things. 1. It's Jason Quick 2. Informal notice sounds a lot like double secret probation 3. It's Jason Quick Still though, I thought it was worth bringing up.
There was no thread per se, but it was discussed, especially after news came down that Prunty and Dean would not be back.
He comes Bernie Bickerstaff! The idea that any elite coach or GM will want to work for this clusterfuck of an organization is a pipe dream.
Look around the NBA, pal, There's certainly a lot worse places, or owners, to work for. Sure, PA/Vulcan & Co. are eccentric/erratic as all get-out. But, c'mon, now......................
Let's see: Sarver, Sterling and Heisley for sure ... what other owners are likely to be a major pain in the ass? (because of erractic behavior, tightfistedness or meddling) I have to say I think Allen unfortunately falls into a category all his own. Meddlesome and willing to spend.
The GSW owner should make the list - but he is supposedly selling the team. The whole fustercluck in Atlanta (with members of the ownership group dragging each other into court) is also pretty bad. That still leaves the Blazers uncomfortably high on the list.
I would venture to guess "extremism"? During the Whitistt years, the pendulum swung one way. However, ever since the "the economic model is broken" condition, the pendulum appears to be swing the other.
I call bull shit on this. Isn't Nate's contract year to year? Are you going to tell a coach he better start off fast next year or he is gone, when several other teams have openings? Right. Nate told his last owner to basically "fuck off". You don't think he would do it again?
I can't see Nate being particularly concerned if he ws told he is on a short leash (if told that) . . . we are talking about a coach who won't sign more than a one year deal.
This is, like, impossible to believe. This is never done a year in advance. Was this on the 95.5 Morning Sports Program, because if so, there are links to listen to it. Where was this broadcast so I can look for it?
I seriously think that Quick made it up as part of the latest anti-Allen campaign. Why would the Blazer organization put him on probation, why would they use the grade school or minimum wage expression of "informal notice" (it's at Quick's IQ level, but not the Vulcans), and how would word of this have gotten to Quick? McMillan is mature and doesn't confide to Quick like Pritchard does.
Realistically an NBA head coach is always on informal notice. They tend to get fired when they don't perform well no matter what their contract's length is. Nate has bragged that he can clean out his office in 5 minutes and be gone. He knows the score.
Word? Half of his coaching staff is gone or going, one of whom has been with Nate for almost ten years (Dean). Maybe Nate came to the conclusion on his own that his staff needed a shakeup, but it's not exactly a stretch to assume that there was some pressure from above to shake things up. My gut tells me that Allen likes Nate, but that still doesn't absolve him from needing to show improvement.
Is "informal notice" like "double-secret probation"? And I agree...just about every coach in the league, even Monty Williams and Tom Thibodeau, are on "informal notice" starting Oct. 28. Except MAYBE Pop, Sloan and Jackson.
