Coaching Staff will remain the same

Glad to hear that they plan to keep the staff together. They exceeded expectations this year and lead the team to the first playoff series win in 14 years. Now they know what the weak points are and I expect them to work on them during the offseason.

The future is really bright with this team. I'd argue that it is brighter than when we had Oden Roy and Aldridge. This time we have known producers to build around and no big question marks. I can't wait to see who they add in the offseason, and will feel comfortable with whoever they pick as long as they get 1 of big(ger) names out there.

People need to stop hounding this teams defense woes, and blaming stotts for it. It was publicized multiple times that they stuck with the defensive schemes they practiced all summer and training camp. I expect Stotts to use his brilliant basketball mind to adjust the schemes and see the team plays much stronger d next season.

 

Okay, Mrs. Stotts. Or are you his best friend.

 

[video=youtube;lputIMecalw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lputIMecalw[/video]

 

Who exactly do people expect Stotts to fire after a 54-win season?

It's the best season for the Blazers in 14 years, in terms of winning a playoff series, and tied for the best in terms of regular season wins.

Wow

 

I'm just looking at it rationally. We can't bring another coach in and guarantee that it will work. In my opinion the best bet is to keep things the same and hope they can improve on their success the previous season. I don't know why you would instigate a turnaround after so much success.

 

One pickup I would be down for is Juwan Howard, I think this will be his last season and there is a reason he has stayed around so ling. they heat have paid him to wear a suit the last 2 years.

 

I don't care how they do it, but the defensive schemes need to drastically improve. If that means bringing in a new guy, so be it, but something must be done.

 

I'm surprised to see you say the schemes need to improve. I thought the schemes were pretty solid, actually. Way, way better than last year, IMO

 

Fire him!

 

Bad news! I like Stotts, But!!! He is a big step up from where we have been and more is needed.

It's pretty damn obvious a big man coach is needed and has been for several years.
Robin brought his own style and knowledge to Portland, I don't think anyone here coached him into being the good center. When I watch the big guys on Portland team for fundamentals. footwork, use their ass for positioning, go to the right place on a shot, and more, Robin is the only one playing Center. That is all coaching and it will take coaching to turn Leonard into a Center instead of a guy that is too big to play like the 6'7" in shooting guard he has stuck in his mind. SGs watch the rebounding action, Centers are in the right place by the time the shot hits the rim and that takes a mind implant.

An assistant that actually knows offensive systems would be very helpful. Its pretty obvious we don't have that on this team.

An assistant the knows how to raise the defensive effort to the hyper shutdown level when it is that time
would be marvelous.

Standing pat will leave the team playing like it does and pretty close to the same result. Fun but no titles.

 

You bring up a good point. The mark of a really good team is when it can get a crucial stop when they most need it. And as Doc Rivers has said on many occasions, defense is something guys can actually control, so it can be good on a nightly basis.

As of now, I don't have the confidence that the guys can get even one stop in a crucial time. And since it's completely controllable, it HAS to get better for us to do anything in the playoffs next year.

 

[video=YouTube;vesPBAt7azo]http://youtu.be/vesPBAt7azo[/video]

Not crucial enough? Or do you have a very short term memory. This team actually did pretty good at getting stops when they needed it, their problem was their defensive consistency.

 

I can point to so many other instances in the regular season and even this series that are the exact opposite.

 

Thank you for agreeing that consistency is the problem! I appreciate it! Now that you understand the team can play defense and just needs to do it on a regular basis perhaps I could now get you to agree the blame shouldn't fall on stotts shoulders?

 

What's with the condescension?

One possession where we get a stop, and a significantly larger number where we get more kinda highlights WHY I don't have the confidence in the team to get a crucial stop.

 

Our team was the worst in creating turnovers during the season. It's obvious the players and coaches need to make changes in that department.

SAS showed our boys what it looks like to work as a cohesive unit on defense. It's time to learn from those lessons and apply them next season.

 

Under the right changes do you think they can become the well oiled machine, defensive juggernaut SA is after just one year. Or do you think it takes awhile, practice and repetition to get like that?

 

It takes a while to get like that. Fortunately, our team should be able to improve from 30th in creating turnovers!

And as I mentioned, learn from those lessons and apply them.

 

Another thing to look at when bringing in an assistant is how much of the teams energy and resources does Stotts want spent on that side of the floor. He is an offensive guy so more than likely he's going to want most of the teams energy and resources spent on that. Any defensive coordinator you bring is going to demand a certain amour of energy on that side the floor. Is that going to clash or take away from what coach is trying to do on that side of the floor. Which could make him apprehensive to bring a guy in.

 

Sure and that's going to define Stotts' tenure in the next couple of seasons.