That's absolutely true. It also raises an interesting question: how much influence does Nate have over the roster? Were Felton and Crawford "his" guys - or were they foisted off on him by Chad/Larry/Bert?
PapaG, its pretty obvious that you're a diehard Nate apologist. People on this board are always bashing Nate and you throw out stats and numbers to disprove them. Now Let me ask why you what skills or positives does Nate offer as a head coach? What does it take or how long before you realize he's not the right fit for this franchise? In over 11 seasons as a head coach, his possesses a .500 regular season record, a .250 playoff record and advanced out of the first round of the playoffs only one time. What justifies him remaining the head coach?
Stats and numbers don't prove or disprove anything regarding someone's opinion of Nate as a coach. It's when I read things that I don't think are supported statistically, and my instinct seems validated after I look at the stats, that I enter the debate. I posted last week that I finally do think it's time for Nate and the Blazers to part ways. I just don't think that is going to do much more than placate, if for only a little while, a fanbase that is always eager to find a scapegoat. No coach is going to come in and save this season, at least in terms of making any noise in the playoffs. Unless the wheels completely fall off on this road trip, Nate will coach through the season, he and Blazers will part ways after the season, and at that point, a solid GM is going to need to be given free reign to hire a coach, and shape a roster, as he sees fit. The Paul Allen/Bert Kolde approach has never worked, and any progress or direction the organization has had seems to be getting more erratic, volatile, and unpredictable in each subsequent year.
If the the slide continues and its obvious that this team will not be a playoff contender, wouldn't it be beneficial to part ways with Nate and play the young guys to better evaluate their potential and skills (i.e. Elliot Williams, Nolan Smith, Luke Babbitt)? The franchise did the same thing when they fired Mo Cheeks midseason and assigned Kevin Pritchard as head coach to evaluate the roster. We know that with Nate as head coach he's going to go down his way. There is no way on earth he will play the young guys.
I think Nate hand picked those guys, IMO. I think he wanted to do whatever he could to get rid of Miller. Of course this is only my take, but it points that way.
I think Nate hand picked those guys, IMO. I think he wanted to do whatever he could to get rid of Miller. Of course this is only my take, but it points that way.
Just a hunch, but I think management takes what Nate said last summer to heart. He was in the war room wasn't he during draft day?
Just a hunch, but I think management takes what Nate said last summer to heart. He was in the war room wasn't he during draft day?
I agree with the guy who wrote it and team defense is right at the top. Either not teaching it properly or not holding the players accountable for executing it. Also good point about our pick and roll is always a pick and pop. Either not teaching or not holding accountable for execution of fundamentals of screening, blocking out and passing.
The article in the opening post compiles the deficiencies which many of us have noted for years. Nate always had the excuses of youth and injuries until this season. He's finally getting the criticism he has deserved for lo these many years. Very good article.
