Blazers begin interviewing for vacant assistant position

[Boise Blazer]

http://www.csnnw.com/blog/blazers-talk/blazers-begin-interviewing-vacant-assistant-position

Portland Trail Blazers Head Coach Terry Stotts has begun the process of interviewing various candidates for their assistant coach opening vacated by Kaleb Canales, who took the same position with Dallas, CSNNW.com has learned.

Stotts conveyed to CSNNW.com last week that he is hoping to hire a new assistant closer to Summer League in July.

Detroit assistant/big-man specialist Roy Rogers was inquired about by the Trail Blazers recently, according to a league source. But both sides agreed it wasn't the right fit. Stotts pursued Rogers last offseason, as well.

So who should Stotts call for an interview? Here are three interesting names.

Elston Turner is known as a defensive guru and that's exactly what the Trail Blazers lacked last season. He is currently in the running to become the Head Coach of the Charlotte Bobcats. If he fails to land that gig, his skill-set would be a perfect compliment to Stotts and his offensive creativity.

Turner made it to the final four of the Trail Blazers' Head Coaching search last offseason.

Patrick Ewing makes some sense. He has publicly stated to CSNNW.com that he would like to get back on an NBA bench. His knowledge of how to play the center position on both sides of the ball will help out the development of Meyers Leonard tremendously.

Ewing has made it clear that he feels like he's more than just a big-mans coach, but if he's on your staff, how could you not assign him to the bigs more often than the other assistants?

The Hall-of-Fame center agreed to interview for the Trail Blazers Head Coaching vacancy last offseason, but a family vacation prevented him from doing so.

The dark horse is Brandon Roy: The 2006 NBA Rookie of the Year told CSNNW.com back in January that he would love to get into the coaching profession immediately if his knees were unable to hold up, ending his playing career.

Unlike most All-Stars who have dominated this league using their athleticism, Roy did it mostly with his smarts and knowing how to play angles on both sides of the ball. Players that played the game from the neck up, tend to be better coaches. Plus, it would be a great story in Portland.

Chris Haynes, Trail Blazer & NBA Insider

 

[KeepOnRollin]

I don't mind Roy having a spot in our organization but I don't think it should be as a coach.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

The only one I find interesting at all is Turner. Wasn't he a former Blazers Coach?

 

[chris_in_pdx]

Give my nod to Roy. Even though it could be a side-show circus distraction, Assistant Coaches are there to basically take the "grunt work" of coaching off of the HC's hands, and Roy did plenty of that when he was a player.

 

[blue9]

The only one I find interesting at all is Turner. Wasn't he a former Blazers Coach?

Yeah, I think that's who I wanted us to hire last summer. Maybe.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

They should look at Danny Manning. He's probably the best big man coach in college basketball right now.

 

[BBert]

If they hire the sentimental favorite Brandon Roy instead of the defensive specialist / big man coach we need, I'm going to cry.

Now if they hire both Turner/Ewing and Roy in some capacity, I will do the dance of joy.

 

[RoyToy]

Elston Turner sure worked wonders for the Phoenix Suns the past two years

 

[handiman]

That would be seriously messed up if we paid Roy to coach while still paying him to play. And not as a player/coach.

The story about Ewing not interviewing for the job because of family vacation plans reminds me of why Drexler failed as a coach. Stay away from star players who want the coaching gig without first proving that they can coach.

 

[Wheels]

Elston Turner sure worked wonders for the Phoenix Suns the past two years

sarcasm? Havent followed the suns much.. were they good defensively last few years?

 

[Reep]

I would try for Bill Laimbeer if there was any chance at all. He's an experienced coach and brings the grit this team needs.

 

[THE HCP]

We need to start a petition to get me hired as an assistant!


Sent from HCPs Baller-Ass iPhone 5...FAMS!

 

[RoyToy]

We need to start a petition to get me hired as an ass!

I'll sign it.

 

[OregonHuskerMan]

If we hired Roy over any of those guys, I'd seriously question to front offices judgement - but I acknowledge that they know more than I, but that would be a tough pill to swallow.

 

[magnifier661]

Gary Payton?

 

[DaLincolnJones]

I would try for Bill Laimbeer if there was any chance at all. He's an experienced coach and brings the grit this team needs.

nce idea

repped

 

[PapaG]

The Hall-of-Fame center agreed to interview for the Trail Blazers Head Coaching vacancy last offseason, but a family vacation prevented him from doing so.

Haha!

OK, cross him off the list.

"I really want to coach in the NBA again, but have YOU spent two weeks at Atlantis in the summer?"

 

[Rastapopoulos]

None of the above! Make David Joerger the league's highest-paid assistant!

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Here's another soon-to-be-former-player name for you: Brian Scalabrine. I think he's going to be an awesome coach somewhere someday.

 

[jlprk]

Haynes' article failed to guess Tibbetts. As for Roy, he could work like Hersey Hawkins. Shag balls a couple of seasons before you earn the title Asst. Coach.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Give my nod to Roy. Even though it could be a side-show circus distraction, Assistant Coaches are there to basically take the "grunt work" of coaching off of the HC's hands, and Roy did plenty of that when he was a player.

I think Roy should be apart of this team still.

 

[BlazerWookee]

I think Roy should be apart of this team still.

It's "apart from." Or "a part of."

Just sayin'.

And no, thanks to Brandon as a coach.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I thought Stotts only had a two year contact. I guess if he's looking for a new assistant it means he'll be back next year.

 

[PapaG]

I thought Stotts only had a two year contact. I guess if he's looking for a new assistant it means he'll be back next year.

The team has a an option for next year. Plus, this is an old thread. :MARIS61:

 

[SlyPokerDog]

The team has a an option for next year. Plus, this is an old thread. :MARIS61:

Well shit, I was just getting ready to fax Stotts my resume. Moderating and coaching have a lot of similarities.

"Meyers Leonard, your play last night was a personal insult to basketball. You're suspended for 24hrs."

 

[Natebishop3]

I think either someone who can work with our guys on perimeter defense, or a big man coach for Robinson/Leonard.

 

[PapaG]

I think either someone who can work with our guys on perimeter defense, or a big man coach for Robinson/Leonard.

The staff is full.

 

[BlazerWookee]

I think either someone who can work with our guys on perimeter defense, or a big man coach for Robinson/Leonard.

You mean in place of Kim Hughes, the guy who was actually hired to replace Kaleb?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

You mean in place of Kim Hughes, the guy who was actually hired to replace Kaleb?

Speaking of him: I wonder if he's helped Lopez this year. His big success story was Chris Kamen; I see similar offensive tools in Lopez.

 

[Natebishop3]

The staff is full.

I'd still really like to see us bring in someone like Gary Payton to work with the guards.