Does Stotts make it through the rest of the season?

[hoopsjock]

Has there been a head coach of a playoff team who got fired with less than 15 games left in the regular season?

Can't think of any and this is why Stotts will be allowed to keep his job but I think he's doing irreparable harm to the franchise right now.

The closest ones I can think of:

Pat Riley taking over for Stan Van Gundy in the 2005-06 season, in which they won the championship but that was early in the season..

Hawks went from 6 games under .500 to 6 games over .500 this year with Nate McMillan (19-7 since he took over) but again not this late.

Ty Lue taking over for David Blatt in the 2015-16 season and won the championship.

Paul Westhead replaced Jack McKinney and won a title with the Lakers in 1979-80 and then in 1981-82 was fired during the season and Pat Riley took over and won the championship that year.

In 1977-78 Lenny Wilkens took over for Bob Hopkins after a 5-17 start and they got all the way to the NBA Finals and lost in 7 games and won the title the next year.

But yeah can't find an example super late in the season (for obvious reasons). I will say looking at this there could be a strong argument that making a coaching change works if you hire the right person.

 

[Tince]

Can't think of any and this is why Stotts will be allowed to keep his job but I think he's doing irreparable harm to the franchise right now.

The closest ones I can think of:

Pat Riley taking over for Stan Van Gundy in the 2005-06 season, in which they won the championship but that was early in the season..

Hawks went from 6 games under .500 to 6 games over .500 this year with Nate McMillan (19-7 since he took over) but again not this late.

Ty Lue taking over for David Blatt in the 2015-16 season and won the championship.

Paul Westhead replaced Jack McKinney and won a title with the Lakers in 1979-80 and then in 1981-82 was fired during the season and Pat Riley took over and won the championship that year.

In 1977-78 Lenny Wilkens took over for Bob Hopkins after a 5-17 start and they got all the way to the NBA Finals and lost in 7 games and won the title the next year.

But yeah can't find an example super late in the season (for obvious reasons). I will say looking at this there could be a strong argument that making a coaching change works if you hire the right person.

Awesome post! I forgot about Westhead, that was a great pull.

I hope the next guy makes us a championship contender. As you know, I'm far from optimistic the next coach will even get a Dame/CJ roster back to the WCF unless Olshey adds an all-star forward. I want to be wrong!

 

[hoopsjock]

Awesome post! I forgot about Westhead, that was a great pull.

I hope the next guy makes us a championship contender. As you know, I'm far from optimistic the next coach will even get a Dame/CJ roster back to the WCF unless Olshey adds an all-star forward. I want to be wrong!

We should be the first to try that strategy though. Fire the coach and then whoever our playoff opponent is will have little to no film on who the new coach is. Could take a team by surprise, lol.

At this point it couldn't really be any worse than it is (for a good team that is).

 

[Tince]

We should be the first to try that strategy though. Fire the coach and then whoever our playoff opponent is will have little to no film on who the new coach is. Could take a team by surprise, lol.

At this point it couldn't really be any worse than it is (for a good team that is).

I certainly don't want it to get any worse! LOL

How many years are you good with Olshey if we can't get out of the 2nd round with the next guy?

 

[hoopsjock]

I certainly don't want it to get any worse! LOL

How many years are you good with Olshey if we can't get out of the 2nd round with the next guy?

I never like to put time limits or that specific of goals on things. If he does a bad job either with tweaking the roster or with his next coaching hire then he shouldn't survive that.

I just want to see this roster with a new coach and some fresh approaches before writing it off as incapable of working. I don't think drastic changes are needed yet, unlike most people.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Over and over and over? We made the WCF 2 seasons ago. I know you hate that but it’s true.

You like Terry Stotts?

 

[MickZagger]

I have a weird hunch if we lose the Memphis game tomorrow that I’m going to get an ESPN app update on my phone saying the Blazers fire Terry Stotts.

At this point, when talented rosters underachieve GM’s deflect and look for a scapegoat. I wouldn’t think Olshey especially would be any different.

 

[crandc]

Not sure if I will last the season.

 

[Natebishop3]

I have a weird hunch if we lose the Memphis game tomorrow that I’m going to get an ESPN app update on my phone saying the Blazers fire Terry Stotts.

At this point, when talented rosters underachieve GM’s deflect and look for a scapegoat. I wouldn’t think Olshey especially would be any different.

I keep expecting it, but it never seems to come.

 

[Tince]

I keep expecting it, but it never seems to come.

I'm not sure why anyone would expect something as unprecedented as firing a coach who's team is currently in the top 8, has a winning record, and only has like 14 games left (not to mention this team only had 1 all-star). There has to be a first for everything, but this seems like an unlikely first to me.

 

[Natebishop3]

I'm not sure why anyone would expect something as unprecedented as firing a coach who's team is currently in the top 8, has a winning record, and only has like 14 games left. There has to be a first for everything, but this seems like an unlikely first to me.

I mean, sure, if you haven't watched the team at all this year and you're only going off record, I guess I could see that.

If you have watched the team and are aware of their major deficiencies, well..... yeah.

 

[TBpup]

I still don't see it as Dame's fault in the least bit. First off I still don't think that Dame is the puppeteer that so many in here claim he is. If Dame is pulling all of the strings at this moment, this is a business and Dame while a big part of this iteration of the company... is not the company. While those in charge may have ceded away the decision making power to Dame that is their decision to make every second of every day.

Responsible management would sit Dame down, explain to him that his way (if this has been his way) is not working and tell him the direction that they are going in. In this case it should be bringing in a new GM that will come in fire his head coach and trade away a bunch of his friends, in order to make this a contender that's built around him.

If Dame doesn't like that then I would let him give me a list of destinations he wants to go and try to accommodate him while getting the most trade value for him. I would also make sure that Dame understood that when asked why the trade was made the organization would have to tell the truth, that Dame requested a trade even if that did hurt Dame's "letter O" brand. I do not think it would come to any of this. I think we should fire Stotts and Olshey today and the new GM should trade CJ. I think we would see Dame do what he always does and say that it's a business and it's time to try and win with his new teammates.

I certainly wasn't meaning to imply that Dame is a puppeteer. But I do believe he wanted Stotts (has sad as much and more) and that management (not responsible management) wanted to keep him happy on this point and maybe weren't dead set against firing Stotts in the first place. Dame's preference/insistance/whatever, may have been enough to keep him here.

 

[GrandpaBlaze]

I'm not sure why anyone would expect something as unprecedented as firing a coach who's team is currently in the top 8, has a winning record, and only has like 14 games left (not to mention this team only had 1 all-star). There has to be a first for everything, but this seems like an unlikely first to me.

Uncertainty principle - you can either know (focus on) the current location or the trajectory. Granted this is not particle physics but still, the same principle applies.

You are citing where we are (Top 8, winning record).

The ones calling for immediate dismissal are focused on the trajectory - headed out of certain playoffs and into play-in (or in worst-case, out altogether) and in, essentially, a free-fall.

Yes, the last few games have been competitive. Unfortunately we have managed to continually lose and Stotts comments elicit no feeling of assurance that he has any thought about what to do or change to stop the losing.

As you head into the post-season, I'd say trajectory is much more important that overall record. Our record may enable us to get into the playoffs but unless something significant happens with our trajectory, it is likely to be an early and unpleasant end to our playoffs this year.

 

[Strenuus]

People here were ready to fire him after the WCF, a month into the season after the WCF run... 2 years after is a lifetime for those people.

I was one of those. All wins are in spite of him.

He is far and away the worst coach we have ever had. No, thats not hyperbole. It's fact.

Olshey is the worst GM we have ever had. No thats not hyperbole. It's fact.

 

[Tince]

I mean, sure, if you haven't watched the team at all this year and you're only going off record, I guess I could see that.

If you have watched the team and are aware of their major deficiencies, well..... yeah.

I don't think is anywhere near the most dysfunctional NBA team heading into the playoff in the history of basketball. In fact, this isn't even near the most dyfunctional Blazer team heading into the playoffs in my lifetime (see the 2001 Blazers).

Dunleavy didn't get fired heading in to those playoffs and in fact, I thought firing him was a mistake back then. I still think it was a mistake.

 

[GrandpaBlaze]

I was one of those. All wins are in spite of him.

He is far and away the worst coach we have ever had. No, thats not hyperbole. It's fact.

Olshey is the worst GM we have ever had. No thats not hyperbole. It's fact.

When you can present the "facts" to demonstrate the truth of both of those statements (Stotts/Olshey being the worst ever), I may believe.

Until then, they are opinions.

Are they good, perhaps not, but not sure I'm willing to declare either of the worst ever.

 

[Tince]

I was one of those. All wins are in spite of him.

He is far and away the worst coach we have ever had. No, thats not hyperbole. It's fact.

Olshey is the worst GM we have ever had. No thats not hyperbole. It's fact.

While I may agree with some of your opinions, your use of the word "fact" is not in line with the true definition.

 

[Natebishop3]

I don't think is anywhere near the most dysfunctional NBA team heading into the playoff in the history of basketball. In fact, this isn't even near the most dyfunctional Blazer team heading into the playoffs in my lifetime (see the 2001 Blazers).

Dunleavy didn't get fired heading in to those playoffs and in fact, I thought firing him was a mistake back then. I still think it was a mistake.

This team is vastly underperforming for the talent that we have.

 

[Tince]

Uncertainty principle - you can either know (focus on) the current location or the trajectory. Granted this is not particle physics but still, the same principle applies.

You are citing where we are (Top 8, winning record).

The ones calling for immediate dismissal are focused on the trajectory - headed out of certain playoffs and into play-in (or in worst-case, out altogether) and in, essentially, a free-fall.

Yes, the last few games have been competitive. Unfortunately we have managed to continually lose and Stotts comments elicit no feeling of assurance that he has any thought about what to do or change to stop the losing.

As you head into the post-season, I'd say trajectory is much more important that overall record. Our record may enable us to get into the playoffs but unless something significant happens with our trajectory, it is likely to be an early and unpleasant end to our playoffs this year.

Can you name one NBA team that was in the top 8 of their conference (on any trajectory) that fired their coach in the last 15 games of the season?

Not saying it can't happen. Not saying this Blazer team is the exact same as any other team in the past. But I am saying this would be unprecedented. This is nowhere near the biggest dumpster fire of a team heading into the playoffs in league history.

I would be willing to bet anyone he won't get fired before the season is over. I'm guessing nobody, even the people "predicting" Stotts to get fired next week, would actually take that bet.

 

[Tince]

This team is vastly underperforming for the talent that we have.

Could be true. The computers didn't seem to think we were THAT talented heading into the year and those projections (ESPN had us 9th in the West) are looking fairly accurate.

They wouldn't be the first team to fall under that category if it were the case.

You want him fired, yet you don't really think he's going to get fired mid-season either, so where are we going with this?

 

[Natebishop3]

Could be true. The computers didn't seem to think we were THAT talented heading into the year and those projections (ESPN had us 9th in the West) are looking fairly accurate.

They wouldn't be the first team to fall under that category if it were the case.

You want him fired, yet you don't really think he's going to get fired mid-season either, so where are we going with this?

Logically I think he should have been fired many games ago. Maybe if we drop all of the games to Memphis they'll finally just get fed up?

 

[hoopsjock]

Can you name one NBA team that was in the top 8 of their conference (on any trajectory) that fired their coach in the last 15 games of the season?

Not saying it can't happen. Not saying this Blazer team is the exact same as any other team in the past. But I am saying this would be unprecedented. This is nowhere near the biggest dumpster fire of a team heading into the playoffs in league history.

I would be willing to bet anyone he won't get fired before the season is over. I'm guessing nobody, even the people "predicting" Stotts to get fired next week, would actually take that bet.

Why do you keep asking a question you know the answer to?

 

[Tince]

Logically I think he should have been fired many games ago. Maybe if we drop all of the games to Memphis they'll finally just get fed up?

I would bet against it. Again, not saying it's impossible, and not saying it would be a horrible thing, but it seems highly highly unlikely to me.

It just feels like another thread where people are trying to talk themselves into a scenario where their wishes come true, so they can be even more outraged in a week.

 

[Tince]

Why do you keep asking a question you know the answer to?

I don't know the answer... I haven't done the research. I saw your stab at it, but I didn't know if you truly looked at every team or were just listing off what you remember.

GrandpaBlaze has more Blazer games under his belt than us.

The better question is why are we asking if Stotts is going to get fired for the last 5 years? We know almost every coach gets fired, so we know the answer is yes.

 

[Natebishop3]

I would bet against it. Again, not saying it's impossible, and not saying it would be a horrible thing, but it seems highly highly unlikely to me.

It just feels like another thread where people are trying to talk themselves into a scenario where their wishes come true, so they can be even more outraged in a week.

If you're Neil and McGowan, what do you have to lose? The team is in a free fall. Does anyone actually think this team with Stotts will get out of the first round?

 

[Tince]

If you're Neil and McGowan, what do you have to lose? The team is in a free fall. Does anyone actually think this team with Stotts will get out of the first round?

If Neil gets rid of the coach and brings in another coach who also can't get them out of the first/second round, it's going to become increasingly more difficult for him to not own the teams shortcomings as being his inability to bring in NBA finals level talent around Dame.

I think the smartest thing Olshey has done for himself is give himself an out for as long as he has. People here are totally fooled that he's doing a good job, even when he's the one responsible for signing, and resigning the coach they think is garbage, it's amazing. How can anyone claim coaching is so important, hate our coach, and still give Olshey a pass? It doesn't pass the logic test.

A new coach next week and maybe the team continues to tank, now the pressure on him next year is really high. Wait until the off-season and he most likely can get one extra year before he's exposed.

 

[Minstrel]

This team is vastly underperforming for the talent that we have.

I think the team's talent level is greatly overrated on this forum.

And what talent Portland does have is ill-fitting. Nurkic is "talented," but he's also mismatched for this era of basketball. McCollum is "talented," but he's a poor fit with Lillard offensively, as both are at their best dominating the ball, and he can't do anything to help with defensive assignments that are beyond Lillard. And those are arguably Portland's two best players outside of Lillard.

Powell is a step in the right direction if Olshey can keep him in the off-season and retool the roster so that three of their four best players aren't small guards.

 

[Tince]

I think the team's talent level is greatly overrated on this forum.

And what talent Portland does have is ill-fitting. Nurkic is "talented," but he's also mismatched for this era of basketball. McCollum is "talented," but he's a poor fit with Lillard offensively, as both are at their best dominating the ball and he can't do anything to help with defensive assignments that are beyond Lillard. And those are arguably Portland's two best players outside of Lillard.

Powell is a step in the right direction if Olshey can keep him in the off-season and retool the roster so that three of their four best players aren't small guards.

I basically agree with everything you said, top to bottom. Well put! Powell as the starting 2 (not 3) is moving in the right direction. If CJ/Nurk are as good as many think, we should be able to get a legit all-star big in return without any issue. Sadly, I don't think other GMs rate them as high.

 

[wizenheimer]

the thing that I wonder when I see so much resistance to any of these ideas...fire Stotts...fire Olshey...trade CJ...trade whoever...change the defense...is what would the Blazers really be risking? They are not a contender; they aren't even a high level pretender. They are stuck floating around the 5th-8th seeds with an occasional rise into HCA, but ultimately, they always bow out of the playoffs with a whimper

they are on a treadmill that doesn't generate good draft picks and doesn't generate realistic hope. There's little in that situation to value enough to not risk. Yet all the Blazers do is rearrange the deck chairs in the back rows. They tinker with the supporting cast, but pay the starting guards so damn much money they might not ever be able to afford any player good enough to actually alter their trajectory. And they won't take the risks of even going after a player like that anyway because the perceived cost is "too high", and that's because they ridiculously overvalue their role players

it's a train to nowhere engineerd by the GM's ego that's being mostly powered by Dame's prime.

 

[MickZagger]

I'm not sure why anyone would expect something as unprecedented as firing a coach who's team is currently in the top 8, has a winning record, and only has like 14 games left (not to mention this team only had 1 all-star). There has to be a first for everything, but this seems like an unlikely first to me.

That top 8 can be at out of the playoffs in the blink of an eye. Don’t get too comfy with saying top 8. The trajectory is not looking good.