I get the feeling that the Blazer brass loves Stotts...he won them their 1st playoff series in 200 years. But if you evaluate this team statistically, it's plain that the defense is what needs to improve. We've been an upper echelon team offensively every year under Stotts (including being #9 this year), but the defense is terrible. And it doesn't make sense because it seems that we have the pieces to at least be decent. Amini, Harkless, Davis, Crabbe, Plumlee....those are some long athletic guys.
...for now. We're having a good run. I think that's just as much chemistry as good coaching. But I'm not quite yet convinced he's our long-term solution; a franchise Head Coach.
You make your $ in the playoffs as a head coach. It's all about adjustments and match ups. If he can get this squad to the 2nd round, it'll be sold.
Yes on both accounts. I think the team is undeniably gelled, and coaching isn't as paramount... not that Stotts is doing a BAD job...
Stotts is a great coach....you guys are nuts thinking another coach would have this kind of success with this roster..I don't know what the guy has to do to get under the microscope other than win a second championship
Can you imagine Nate "Sarge" McMillan with this roster? Lillard would still be coming off the bench behind Steve Blake.
Well, he hasn't won a championship with THIS roster as a head coach... the one at dallas was eh, he was an assistant... The heat firmly moves when you move a couple seats over. And really, I think the players force the hand with their play more than Stotts does his magic. Before this year, it was the LMA dump and watch. Over and over. This year, the players are defining how to play with more wideopenness. The personnel feels like the change rather than the coach doing the job. And mind you, I actually like Stotts. And really don't think we can get "any better" since coaches in the NBA outside of pop don't really get a lot out of their players. So I'm kind of in the middle (though it does waver... I'm just showcasing both sides.)
C'mon now. It would be the Iso- Dame/CJ show. People hate on Nate but he played to the strength of his best player.
CJ and Crabbe are the results of Stotts coaching period...Stotts has made players like Rolo and Barton grow in leaps and bounds. ..why keep watering down the importance of his coaching? It's almost as if you think nothing happens in practice or the film room...I think you ask anybody on the roster who deserves credit and they're all going to point directly at the coaching staff and front office. To say the Stotts isn't doing the heavy lifting getting these guys on the same page is just watering down good coffee
I hate coffee, so... And players are trained to say the coaching staff and blah blah blah are why... so I wouldn't believe them anyway. Every player interviewed will say coaching staff/other players... I just tune it out.
Lies. He's too good to not start. He'd be playing SF with a backcourt of Blanky and "Vet Presence" Gerald Henderson.
The defense have been better the reason is there more active at that end of the court. Do they got a rim protecter no but that not coaches fault. I been one that been critical of Stotts defense but again I think the players are out there reacting more than over thinking ever thing.
You're missing out on some great coaching Stren....you might consider tuning back in...and I don't buy the stereotype that the culture we have here is just PR bull...I think it's genuine and I think we have coachable guys, not selfish ball hogs and divas...Stotts has stepped up here and I hope he stays for the duration of Lillard's career
