Sonics set a deadline, Nate signs with Portland

Haven't seen it, but here's a choice excerpt:

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">It wasn't the money," McMillan insisted. "I thought Seattle offered fair money."</div>

A-Rod said the same thing. In other words, it's about the money

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Roland Hood:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't want Collins either. I don't really care for him as commentator - not that he's not usually right, it's just that his mannerisms kind of irritate me. I imagine it's the same when he's coaching.

I tell you what would be ironical - if Nate brought Flip down the freeway with him and he blossoms into a 25ppg scorer that terrorizes the Supes for years and years under Nate's new free-wheeling style.</div>

Collins is as about a soft a coach as you can imagine. He was pimped by Jordan in Chicago and Washington. I wouldn't want him to fluff my pillows let alone coach my team.

As far as Flip going to Portland--Nate signing totally nixed that. It's a shame that that was one of the first thing I thought when I heard about Nate going down I-5.

With Nate and AD leaving it would now make sense for the Sonics to resign Flip. I would much rather see Flip in a starting role, but if he had the opportunity to play starters minutes in the green and gold for someone other than Nate, I'd be all for it.

I'm glad that Nate has lost the title of Mr. Sonic. If his career in the green and gold is the stamp that is on this city then this franchise hasn't accomplished sh*t.

Time to move on, fam. Rick Sund will not let us falter.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Roland Hood:</div><div class="quote_post">A-Rod said the same thing. In other words, it's about the money </div>


Actually, A-Rod said it WAS about the money, at least part of it.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">Collins is as about a soft a coach as you can imagine. He was pimped by Jordan in Chicago and Washington. I wouldn't want him to fluff my pillows let alone coach my team.

As far as Flip going to Portland--Nate signing totally nixed that. It's a shame that that was one of the first thing I thought when I heard about Nate going down I-5.

With Nate and AD leaving it would now make sense for the Sonics to resign Flip. I would much rather see Flip in a starting role, but if he had the opportunity to play starters minutes in the green and gold for someone other than Nate, I'd be all for it.

I'm glad that Nate has lost the title of Mr. Sonic. If his career in the green and gold is the stamp that is on this city then this franchise hasn't accomplished sh*t.

Time to move on, fam. Rick Sund will not let us falter.</div>

I have a feeling the situation came down to Sund or Nate, at least in part. Probably didn't feel like butting heads with Rick for 3 more years.

I don't know what kind of relationship Nate and Flip had, and if his leaving opens the door for Flip to want to come back. I'm not sure why he would, it's not he has any reason to love Seattle so much that we'd get a *cough* hometown discount. Would love to see him back, though, gel with Ray Allen and find a role in the backcourt ala Radmanovic last year.

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Casual:</div><div class="quote_post">Actually, A-Rod said it WAS about the money, at least part of it.</div>

I remember several interviews with A-Rod where he said it was about a 'winning organization', and the cheapskate Mariner management wasn't willing to do the necessary things to get the team to win year after year (which had some validity of course).

And I distinctly recall an interview he did with Angie on FSN where she quoted him and asked 'If it's not about the money like you say, why is it in your contract that you'll always be the highest paid player by $1?' - man you shoud've seen A-Rod squirm outta that one.

250 million surely had something to do with it - hell I'd hit my grandmother over the head with a shovel for some of that - but he sure made it sound like it was about esoteric things like 'committment to winning' and 'respect'.

 

He had an interview where he said the money had something to do with it. I remember because I was pissed at him for saying it wasn't about the money, but he really never did say money wasn't a factor. So, I stopped being mad about that and started being mad about him saying he wanted to be on a winning team and going to the Rangers.

 

im pissed off right now, i cant believe nate would leave and actually go to the otherside of the i-5 rivalry, im just pissed off and hate nate mcmillan right now...if he went to ny..ill be happy for him..but portland?..SMH.

but hopefully we can pick up flip saunders or maybe terry porter..i dont like any of the other coaches avalible.

 

More perspective:

No use crying over split McMillan

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">He privately grumbled about his assembled talent, including All-Star guard Ray Allen, feeling he was set up as the scapegoat by fumbling management.

In fact, the only member of the team's inner circle who was consistently optimistic -- other than superfan Lorin "Big Lo" Sandretzky -- was general manager Rick Sund, and most observers deemed him one of two things at the time: loony or full of it. At least until he proved to be correct.
</div>

 

...and more perspective

<font size="2">Keeping Allen outweighs losing McMillan</font>

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Just as the eight-month-long cloud layer over Seattle begins to lift for the summer, a new one hangs forebodingly as the somber news that longtime icon Nate McMillan is leaving for the Portland Trail Blazers germinates in the collective consciousness.

It's almost as if news about Ray Allen's agreeing to a five-year, $80 million deal two days ago evaporated into a mist of sadness. McMillan, Mr. Sonic, whose retired No. 10 jersey hangs in the rafters of KeyArena, will saunter down I-5 and hook up with billionaire Paul Allen in an attempt to resurrect a franchise that has become a parody of all that is wrong with pro sports.




The bigger picture led Nate to Portland.


But I suggest to those feeling the sting of rejection to glance wide-eyed at the bigger picture.

</div>

 

Been gone and without internet access for the past few weeks...missed all the big news...the draft, Ray and then Nate.

My thoughts.

Nate had a LOT to do with last years performance. It will be difficult to say how much impact his loss alone is next season since we have lost MOST of our coaching staff this season, with Casey being as big a loss as Nate. It is a big loss however.

It is often said, and always true, players win games. Coaches only put them in the position to do so. Coaches CAN lose games (e.g. benching key players), but they cannot win games. Only the five players on the floor can win games. If the Sonics keep their core...replace lost role players and sign a coach who connects with the players, understands the game and prepares the team well, they can still grow this year. Signing Ray was more important than keeping Nate, at least for the team. Only for the emotional fan (like myself) is losing Nate a bigger impact.

Good for Nate. Everyone needs to see if they really have what it takes. Sometimes the only way to find out is to throw off your potential crutches (excellent help from Casey, a working system and players who stick in it) and start from scratch somewhere where you can make your mark. Nate has faced and met every challenge in Seattle except winning the west and the finals. He may need to prove to himself that he can build a winning team somewhere else (on his own) before he is ready to tackle those next steps. Right now was the best time for him to take that leap away from the "safety" of the Sonics and be MORE than Mr. Sonic. I am thankful for the 19 years he gave this city, proud to see him reach this point, and wish him every future success. I will be standing, clapping, cheering, and probably attempting to hide unmanly misty eyes when we first play the Blazers this year. I also want to see a start of multiple season sweeps by the Sonics of their I5 rivals.

Collins is bad.
Saunders is good.
Silas is OK.
Lenny is great, but done. (assistant to Weiss???)
Weiss is OK (even Danny likes him).
Sikma is NOT ready.
Iavaroni is good.

 

I am late on the scene, and this one really hurts.

25 years as a Sonic. He never earnt the title of Mr. Sonic through gaudy statistics on the court or leading the team to titles, but he was the absolute epitome of leadership, selflessness and heart.

This had to be about money. Unless the rumours about him being at loggerheads with management are true and as bad as you would think, what other benefits would he get out of going to Portland? A developing roster? I don't think so, I'd rather work with Luke, Nick, Cas and Johan than Martell Webster and some highschoolers. Seattle has a better roster, a more cohesive unit, Ray Allen back in town and is slowly developing a nice core. Maybe working with someone like Telfair was a big drawcard for him, I can picture that.

I don't hold a grudge, I wish him well in Portland, as long as the Supes are always out in front. Silas is my first choice, although I would have no issues with Saunders, Iavaroni or Weiss.

 

Afterthoughts.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/thiel/232984_thiel18.html

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">If you're yellin', yellin' yellin' all the time and never praising ... If you don't develop the relationships, players can go south on you," Allen said. "We didn't have a bad relationship. Nate just seemed very focused. When he came into the gym in the morning he had on his mind exactly what he wanted to do. There' was not a lot of laughing and joking with Nate. He was always so serious.</div>

 

BTW, got around to yesterday's sports page. Nate took out a full page ad (I guess he can afford it now) to thank Seattle and all the owners and management he's worked with.

I expect most will call it a classy gesture by a classy guy. Call me bitter, but I personally wasn't impressed by it.

 

Bitterface.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Casual:</div><div class="quote_post">Bitterface.</div>

 

I read that article in the PI, some pretty strong comments from Ray. The bit that surprised me was saying he felt the loss of Jerome more.

Anyway as I've said, I don't hold a grudge. He gave us 25 years of his life and took part in one of the most memorable seasons in franchise history - I can see how taking over in Portland and building around a core of Randolph, Telfair and Webster would be appealing to him, and he had the chance to be in the top group of coaches in terms of how much he was paid.