This is my first season with SC2 and I'm still getting a feel for the rhythm and flow of how things work as we get some games under our belt. So.....if and when we go on a 5-6 game winning streak, is that when the "Stotts For Coach Of The Year" thread starts???
Stotts just signed an extension before this season. He has a contract through 2020. Don't think we would make a move until at least end of 17/18 season. Much better idea to spend some of Paul's money on a legit defensive coordinator.
Have the players tuned him out? I was never the biggest Stotts fan but thought he was deserving of an extension. However, the passion this team played with all of last year is gone. They rarely look like they're having a good time out there. I don't think anyone has the answer as to what's really going wrong in Rip City ... Is it Terry's fault? Does it all fall on Neil's shoulders? And, at what point, do you start calling out the players? Likely answer: It's a combination of all three.
Yeah. I know Terry has his limits but this team is badly constructed. It's like the roster equivalent of a Goodwill sale run. Lots of players acquired under pressured trades, unrealized draft picks that didn't work out for other teams, and free agents that really didn't push the needle. It worked last year when they caught the league by surprise.... but it's obvious other teams have broken us down.
I don't see a lot of natural defenders out there. Making matters worse, our two best players (Damian and CJ) are both very poor at that end and will probably never be any better than average (length, lateral quickness, desire/inclination don't change much this far in). Add in the fact that a shitload of guys got paid and it's only human nature that some of their fire is going to go out when they aren't playing for a tangible, physical reward. Is it Terry's fault? Well, he's never been much of a defensive coach, but I don't see guys completely confused on the court and it's basically the same personnel that managed a somewhat average defensive performance last year. Maybe they are tuning him out and need a different voice, but they're going to need to do something with this roster no matter who you might bring in to replace him. That said, Neil Olshey isn't likely to fire himself and it's going to be tough to reshape the roster with all of the salary he threw at it last summer, so firing Stotts would certainly be the most expedient "solution."
I appears to me that Stotts has lost the players. I agree it is a combination of all three. The list has its evident flaws, but the strategy of having lots of reasonably priced assets, will hopefully enable us to make a big trade or two to improve. Stotts offence is working well for the most part, but the defence is awful/atrocious/abysmal. It needs to change. The players are not putting in enough effort, on either end; but especially on defence. Someone needs to call them on their bullshit. I think we're really missing Kaman, and Henderson in this regard. I don't know how Stotts manages the players, but he seems like a supportive, encouraging coach. That approach obviously isn't working right now. Given I think Stotts has lost the players, I also think he should change tack, and go absolutely apeshit at them. Really challenge each, and every one of them, especially the leaders. Even if it backfires, and alienates them even more, I don't see how they could play any less for him.
There has got to be a better way than giving away starters like Robin Lopez. That hurt us. Imagine the shorter Plumlee at PF. Do we blame Denny, or Sly?
Glad someone brought up height so I could mention: Tonight I noticed that Meyers Leonard is a couple inches taller than JaVale McGee, who I had thought was the same height.
