Dave from Blazersedge puts his finger on something important ...

Well sure, if the T's were totally at random they wouldn't have any effect.

But how many times has the team being absolutely fucked by the officials and Nate just stands there like a statue.

I do think there is something to be said for a coach standing up for his players in a situation like that to show them he has their back.

Sometimes that results in a T. The technical is incidental to the purpose of what they coach does.

 

They can't keep a team healthy and on the floor? That loses me right there. It's like it's the Blazers fault that they've had these injuries during a season they were suppose to grow together and so forth. Injuries happen and we've had more than our share this season so this season hasn't been what we expected, but even so we have done really well considering the injuries. How tough and consistent this team is has a lot to do with getting players use to playing together which because of injuries and new players has been difficult this year, yet even then we've been pretty tough if you look at the wins we've achieved considering all of that.

 

I'm not sure, but the stats say that the Blazers are #4 in the NBA in FT differential at +2.9. I suppose if Nate was more of a hardass, perhaps they would be #1, but whatever he is doing seems to be working better than 26 other coaches, at least in terms of his players getting to the FT line.

http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/team/_/stat/differential-per-game/sort/avgFreeThrowsMadeDifference

 

I've always felt this was a myth. I know the theory, but I've seen it go both ways.

Until I see data that shoes a team plays better after his coach gets a technical, I'm not going to hold it against any coach.

 

Did you actually read my post? I said the recieving of the technical was irrelevant compared to showing your team that you have their back.

But you definitely should show your team you have their back in a situation that warrents it. Nate does't do that, other coaches do.

 

As I already pointed out, Nate's team gets to the FT line 3 more times a game than their opponents, 4th in the NBA. Would giving the opposing team an extra FT every game or so help the team? What Nate is doing seems to be working, at least somewhat well.

 

Repped.

 

Yes, I read your post. And I'm assuming you read all my posts in this thread, so my response should make sense.

I didn't see anywhere in your post where you said getting a technical is irrelevant when it comes to standing up for your team. You actually connect the two by saying that sometimes standing up for your team results in a technical. If you are saying that getting a technical is irrelevant, than we agree, so that's good!

I've never read anything from current or former players of Nate that implies they felt he never defended them or didn't have their back. Just because he isn't a kicker or a screamer doesn't mean he doesn't defend his team. He does get upset with the officials multiple times a game.

 

I can't tell you how grateful I am that first words in the first post on this thread weren't "Daniel Baldwin's Prostate Gland."

 

Greg. Oden. Once it becomes his team even his teammates will be afraid of him.

Roy. He won't bring it for 48/82, especially on defense, but he'll bring it when it counts.

Nico. The quiet assassin. I want this guy to have my back when the game is on the line.

Bayless. Although he may not have the talent, we'll see.

Two years ago I thought Aldridge might develop an attitude. Then came the contract? Someone needs to punch him in the mouth a few times and turn him mean. But really it's on Nate to make him the player we want him to be. Exactly what Mychal Thompson said in the Bosh article. I won't hold my breath.

Rudy is a big stage, big time, clutch player, but who knows who will even be on the team by then? There's no sense speculating on the rest.

I think what's important here is that the team can make changes to get over the hump that incorporate the kind of psychological factors you are speaking of as well as filling talent needs.

And the coach needs to be re-evaluated for all those factors every year.

 

Does toughness just mean a smooth consistent work ethic, or does it mean opponents bouncing off of you as you stomp on them in the paint and on fast breaks? Only Oden plays that way, and McMillan will change him.

 

Considering Oden's inability to stay on the court due to foul trouble, perhaps he does need some help tempering this instinct.

 

I hope to God Brandon gets the killer instinct soon. He needs to 'Kobe Up'

 

This is exactly what I was going to post. Greg is a winner. Every where he goes, he wins. You don't have a record like his without being a badass. Just because he's a nice guy off the court doesn't mean he's not tough on it. GO is like Tim Duncan in that sense.

 

yup, I think Dave (and some on the board) might be going through some Blazer withdrawals with this long stint between games

STOMP

 

I've long thought that this problem stems from the two leaders Roy & Aldridge.
The problem is that neither has the drive or fire to push, not only themselves, but their teammates to the pinnacle of the NBA.
LMA plays like he's been lobotomized of the intensity section of his brain, so I wouldn't even expect it from him at this stage.

Roy on the other hand is the unquestioned leader of this team. I think the problem is a filter down effect from him.

He yelps/complains on most of his drives, which I don't think instills respect in anyone, and was a bit sulky at the start of the season regarding the Miller situation.
Not the way to lead by example.
He's looked like basketball has made him weary this season, he took the offseason off (to get away from bBall) and he even recently said in an interview that basketball had become "like a job" for him.
That is worrying to hear from your leader/superstar. If he's got no passion for the game it will certainly trickle down to the young guys who play with, and look up to him.

I think Brandon is still trying to figure it all out (see the Kobe comment "It's not a switch" after Roy asked him why did he want to play hard in the all-star game?), and I don't want to seem to harsh on Roy as he's a young man that has had a lot on his plate the past few years.
He's still a young guy, a new father and has experienced being thrust into the leadership role of a borderline Star in only a few short years.
Whether Brandon can or even over time, HAS, the desire to reach the summit of basketball remains to be seen.

Regardless of if he can or cannot, we still have Oden, who I think is a "winner" and will lead by example.

 

I don't see where Brandon isn't tough. His best games he's had in his career have came against really good teams. The Christmas game he was tough as a nails, same with the first game we played against the Lakers.

No matter how hard a defender tries to get into Brandon and make him speed up his game, he's still a cool customer and it doesn't effect him at all. To me, thats tough. Just because he isn't barking at opponents after he drains one in their eye, or trip up defender or throw elbows like Kobe, doesn't mean he's not tough.

Those who think Brandon isn't tough, is a little misguided.

As for getting into his teammates, he does. He's called successful player meetings in the past and the players have responded to him. He's constantly talking on the court, getting teammates involved. His defense, needs work, but as long as he can bring it at the end of the game when it matters, I'm cool with that.

Aldridge on the other hand, I can't say that he's tough. I've seen glimpses, but he's just not tough, he fades away way too often.