RICK ADLEMAN FIRED

I don't know... if the team gets swept I would say there's a good chance Nate gets fired and they go after Rick.

 

I really, really doubt that the team would fire him right after giving him an extension. The extension implies that they made a decision on him and I find it hard to believe that, in light of that decision, one playoff series would reverse it (and it would be just one playoff series...any perceived playoff disappointments of the past are already factored into the extension decision).

 

It's all about fan support. The team was able to overachieve again, thus many fans were in favor of bringing back Nate and the team realized that they would look bad if they lost him this summer. Much of what the Blazers do is influenced by fan opinion. They're extremely conscious after the "Jail Blazer" years. I believe, however, that Nate will shoulder much of the blame if the team is swept or is embarrassed in the first round after many "experts" picked us to win. If Adelman is available, I could see Nate losing his job and Rick's triumphant return.

 

Understood.

I don't "hate" Nate....but I don't understand the timing of the extension.

 

I think Paul Allen has too big of an ego to bring back Adelman. It would be like he would be admitting a mistake.

 

Ugh

 

I'm no Nate-hater, but I am definitely a huge Adelman fan. I don't think it will ever happen, but I sure would love to see him back on our sideline somehow.

 

MB thinks Rick is headed to So Cal.

 

"To all of you Nate critics, can you name anyone available who'd be just as good?"

Oops, better not say that this summer...

...or any summer. It's only true during the season, not after the season when good uptempo coaches are always available.

 

Please no...

 

Yes, I would.

I would not have last year.

 

Something he's never been man enough to do.

And he's had no shortage of opportunities.

 

What changed your mind?

 

I'd give both a B overall as far as what they bring.

since it's $tern's league, Podunkland would probably most benefit from having a league legend as a coach who the league can promote. Someone who is great with media... a face of the franchise type. I've long suggested McHale

STOMP

 

So Sloan wouldn't make your list then?

 

I love it when Nate supporters say, "Name someone that would be better than Nate."

Well then, you go look for an up and coming talent. Do what Chicago did, they hired Tom Thibodeau. Thibodeau never had experience as a head coach yet Chicago did the homework and hired him. Or, we had a young, talented coach in our own backyard in Monty Williams. Indiana has a great young coach in Frank Vogel. Oklahoma City hired Scott Brooks without any previous head coaching experience. There was once a time when Phil Jackson was an unknown coaching entity.

Point is, there is no rule that says you have to recycle journeyman head coaches (ala the Clippers with Vinny Del Negro). You can do the homework and research and find a talented coach.

 

Exactly. I've been a Mike Budenholzer fan for a couple years now. He'd be a great pickup.

 

I agree with you on Mike Budenholzer. He's been Pop's right hand man for quite a while now. He's in the same boat as Thibodeau. For a while, Thibs was always in the running for head coaching jobs, but supposedly he wasn't the best interviewer. Chicago took the chance on him and look at them now. Budenholzer has also been mentioned for various head coaching jobs around the league yet didn't land any.

 

nope. I think both talent and getting a fair shake from the refs because you've more star power trumps what a solid coach brings to the table in the playoffs for a small market team in DS's NBA.

I'd like to see the Blazers sign Marko Jaric this offseason too...

STOMP

 

Me too. Just so I can see his smokin hot wife at the games.