During this big slide there's a lot of talk about knees, health, and the team possibly tuning out the coach, but I've been wondering this for awhile, does this team actually have any leaders? Brandon: He always seemed like one of those lead by example kinds of guys but who was possibly a little bit miscast as the guy to take charge and hold his teammates accountable. Now with his injuries and diminished capability the lead by example thing probably isn't working anymore. LMA: ... hmmm ... nevermind Mller: Point guard, floor general, but completely introverted and asocial off the court I could keep going, but when I think about this roster I can't think of a single player that shouts "natural born leader" when I watch their body language and listen to the way they talk. (The closest guy I can think of is Wesley Matthews, but it's pretty early in his run with the team to make any judgements) Granted I think injuries are the main reason for why this team is struggling so badly and the number of setbacks seem to have emotionally tapped this team but does anyone else think this could be part of the problem?
McMillan used to be the leader. It worked extremely well last year, when he rallied them through one injury after another to win 50 games. It's starting to sound, however, like his influence is wearing thin on the players.
IMO coaches who are known as "motivators" are only good for a few years before players begin to tune them out. Time for new leadership starting at the top. Lets hire Mike Budenholzer in the offseason.
Howard was the leader last year. He's gone now. Brandon has played poorly in both playoffs and with his losing so many games late in the 4th quarters that the players were no longer looking to him even before this final episode with his knees. We simply don't have any vocal leaders right now- and that happens from time to time. Vulcan tearing up Nate's staff drained some leadership from the team. So I agree that this is a PA/Vulcan/Cho/Players issue. We're just in a bad state right now. It can be fixed, but the team hasn't the guts to do so. Starting from management on down.
I'm more concerned about the talent vacuum on this team. The players simply aren't talented enough to win with the same tired game plan that Nate rolls out there.
Roy had a PER of 25.9 against Houston while being defended by Shane Battier and Ron Artest. Fer fuck's sake, if you're going to constantly whine about trolls pervading this board, please try not being one yourself.
Bayless was actually a big leader for this team. His fire and drive were very contagious, and even the vets looked at him as someone to get behind.
That's why someone like Chauncey Billups might be able to turn things around here.... but who knows. We might be beyond leadership making a difference. It's amazing how one of the deepest rosters in the league is now one of the thinnest.
Bayless was certainly fiery, but he never struck me as a "leader" type ... I don't know how to quantify it, but like porn you know it when you see it. (Juwan definitely had "it")
Patty Mills has lots of leadership qualities. He's captained Australia at every junior level, and captained almost every team he's been on. He always does the team thing; always sprints to help our guys up off the floor, is always the first one off the bench and over to the players at timeouts, always give players a clap or pat on the back, always tries to bring the team into a huddle at breaks in play, etc. Unfortunately he's neither good enough, or experienced enough for the other players to follow his lead.
Is that why a guy like Camby came out and said he understands why they made the trade to get rid of Batum? Try again.
Some good names proposed--Bayless, Juwan Howard, Mills...but Nate doesn't allow aggressive leadership to emerge. He pulls players during games and they lose confidence. Nate acts weakly until presented with a challenge. Then he goes into his alpha male act to prevent any potential rival. The management philosophy of keeping the team young and unsure of themselves is another way of preventing confident leaders. It's hard to find versatile experience, but they get rid of it (Juwan) as fast as they can. When your philosophy is to stock your pond with nice guys who won't offend the Oregonian, you won't have any sharks or piranhas, just a bunch of children.
I think its tough for the coach to be the "leader" when he throws his players under the bus every time they lose and NEVER, not once, accepts responsibilty for his part in this mess. I like Nate. I think he is a solid guy and I will be forever grateful for the respect he has helped restore to this franchise. But if I were a player on this team the issue of always blaming the players would piss me off and I am not sure I would be able to get past it.
Przybilla is actually something of a leader, but only for the big guys. There is a leadership vacuum, but I think it's part and parcel of the team's identity crisis. You can't lead if you're not sure where to go, and I don't think anyone knows where to take the team. Without Roy as the unquestioned #1 option, the team is left with questions about where to score points. Whoever can step up as the new #1 option becomes a default leader on the floor --- but I'm not sure anyone is in position to take that mantle.
