Fire Nate?

[Rastapopoulos]

I happen to think that the idea is ridiculous. I'm not a huge fan of the style of play of the Blazers, but the fact remains that they've put up a solid winning % despite losing a ludicrous amount of games to injury. So maybe, just maybe, Nate knows what he's doing, more than certain self-proclaimed High School coaches on this board.

But, there's enough whining and squealing that it's worth seeing what the overall view is.

 

[MIXUM]

never in a 1000 years will he get fired this year. with all injuries no way.

 

[STOMP]

I'm of the belief that success in the league is much more about the talent then the coaching... I also think it's hard to really judge coaches as their value is obscured. Most of their work takes place outside of game time and often the reasoning of those decisions happens outside of our scope. The kiss of death for a coach is when the team starts tuning them out. That doesn't seem to be the case here as guys generally seem focused and giving good effort.

KP seems a pretty bright bulb and he's in the proper position to judge whats what with the job Nate has been doing and which way the club is headed. He also probably has a good idea of who else he might be able to hire. So regardless of what he decides to do at the end of this season when Nate's contract is up, IKPIT. But I confess that if Nate is reupped I will enjoy watching the know-it-alls here melt down

STOMP

 

[Rastapopoulos]

never in a 1000 years will he get fired this year. with all injuries no way.

Notice that's not what the poll is asking. Learn the "is/ought" distinction.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

I hate watching the snail paced borefest.

The only player that really fits his style just happens to be the franchise player.

Though, I'm still hoping he's eventually canned for a coach who'll bring out the best of the entire roster, not just Brandon.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

I voted for:
What's all the fuss? Most people think he's in the running for COY

I will admit that I am getting more and more frusterated with our lack of fast break offense and Nate's substitions often times leave me scratching my head. But overall I think he's a good coach who will only get better.

 

[Wheels]

agree with Beerboy.. well said my friend.

 

[Reep]

I don't hate Nate, but I could see this going on forever too. The team seems to either lack identity, or Nate just can't get them to do what he wants.

I would love to see Bill Laimbeer coach this team. He did great on the WNBA level and is just the kind of tough guy who could do well in this league.

 

[RagingBull04]

I don't think he should be fired. But on the other hand, I'd hate to see him back for one more year. It's time for this team to grow.

Here's to hoping a philosophical difference between he and KP runs him off in the off season. Him resigning.

 

[<-=*PdX*=->]

If Nate wins COY this year then I guarantee he gets canned in the next 2 seasons. It is a trend amongst COY winners.

 

[STOMP]

I don't hate Nate, but I could see this going on forever too. The team seems to either lack identity, or Nate just can't get them to do what he wants.

I would love to see Bill Laimbeer coach this team. He did great on the WNBA level and is just the kind of tough guy who could do well in this league.

the league sure seems celebrity driven. It would be understandable if they wanted to play to this and hire someone who would put more of a media friendly/familiar face on the marquee. I'm thinking McHale well before Laimbeer but what do I know?

STOMP

 

[Nikolokolus]

I've always felt that as long as he had the ear of his team then Nate should stay as long as he had them playing hard and improving. I'm not sure if it's the horrendous rash of injuries that have numbed some of these guys, but increasingly I've felt that some of the guys on this squad might be tuning him out. Regardless, I don't see him getting fired anytime soon, unless KP has somebody in mind that he absolutely believes will help further this team's goals and development.

 

[Nikolokolus]

the league sure seems celebrity driven. It would be understandable if they wanted to play to this and hire someone who would put more of a media friendly/familiar face on the marquee. I'm thinking McHale well before Laimbeer but what do I know?

STOMP

I don't think that's what Reep meant by 'identity' ...

 

[hasoos]

No need to fire a guy whose contract is up at end of season.

 

[RagingBull04]

No need to fire a guy whose contract is up at end of season.

Oh, he has one more year.

 

[HailBlazers]

I happen to think that the idea is ridiculous.

Then why make such a ridiculous poll? I was ready to vote, but there was not a single option for me.

 

[J_Ray]

Can Donald Trump be brought in just for this?

 

[Mediocre Man]

For PR sake let him coach out the season, then let him go.

 

[HailBlazers]

For PR sake let him coach out the season, then let him go.

For Real, I can't believe Nate injured all our players by being such a bad coach

 

[andalusian]

Unless a much better option is made available (namely - Pop), I do not think Nate is the problem and there is no need to fire him.

These guys still pay attention to him, they still over-achieve when you factor in health - and sure, they have problems sometimes to get motivated - which makes sense given the horrendous injury bug this year. I know the players get paid handsomely for their services and as such, should be going 100% all the time, but the reality of the situation is that they are human, this has been a very, very trying year for them - and logically, like anyone else - they just can not run 100% all the time. Human beings are not machines - no matter how handsomely they are paid.

So, overall, this team still plays hard, they still win more often than they lose, even if the talent on the court is diminished or inconsistent because of age (See Bayless, Nic, Webster, Rookies) or nagging injuries (See Roy, Rudy, Nic, Aldridge).

We have seen that when Nate was not with them on that road trip after he was injured - they did not do all that well - so the idea that Monte Williams (great as he is) will just swoop in if Nate is gone and will automatically right the ship seems far fetched to me.

This team is starting to mature - only a bigger name, more respected than Nate would get them to pay more attention, rather than less, imho. Larry Brown on paper is such a name - but with his roster meddling and prima-donna personality - I do not think he is the right option. If Jackson is still healthy enough to coach, he stays in LA, if Sloan still wants to coach - he stays in Utah, the only one that might (very unlikely) become available, imho - is Pop - if the Spurs really age/lose Timmy.

So, overall - Nate is probably as good a coach out there that is available and has the respect of the team, imho.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

I'm of the belief that success in the league is much more about the talent then the coaching... I also think it's hard to really judge coaches as their value is obscured. Most of their work takes place outside of game time and often the reasoning of those decisions happens outside of our scope. The kiss of death for a coach is when the team starts tuning them out. That doesn't seem to be the case here as guys generally seem focused and giving good effort.

KP seems a pretty bright bulb and he's in the proper position to judge whats what with the job Nate has been doing and which way the club is headed. He also probably has a good idea of who else he might be able to hire. So regardless of what he decides to do at the end of this season when Nate's contract is up, IKPIT. But I confess that if Nate is reupped I will enjoy watching the know-it-alls here melt down

STOMP

I agree with all of this . . . other than konwing what IKPIT means.

As long as KP brings in the talent and the players keep buying into Nate's shtick, that is a winning formula. Problem is taht with nate's coaching style, if you don't buy into his shtick, he can get pretty annoying. Once players tune out Nate, his coaching value goes way down. And again I agree with Stomp in that KP will be in the best position to determine that.

My thought is as long as Roy supprots Nate, all is good with Nate. If Nate loses Roy, it won't be long before a coaching change happens.

 

[STOMP]

I agree with all of this . . . other than konwing what IKPIT means.

in KP I trust

STOMP

 

[Mediocre Man]

For Real, I can't believe Nate injured all our players by being such a bad coach

Our record this season has nothing to do with whether or not to fire Nate.

 

[ironcrotch]

Why are we firing him again?

This is as retarded as ROY and LMA not being who "we" thought they were.

He isn't going anywhere, and if he leaves he's leaving for the Lakers. I hope you can live with that.

 

[hasoos]

Oh, he has one more year.

Um no I believe he is year to year right now. At the end of last season I believe he signed a 1 year extension and I remember seeing an interview where he explicity said that is all he wanted. Did something change after that?

 

[oldmangrouch]

IMHO, there are several factors that come into play here.

First, if the team fires Nate, who replaces him? Nate is far from the best coach on the planet, but he isn't the worst either.

Second, does Nate still have the locker-room? I have my doubts, but I want to see how the team plays down the stretch. If the team continues to play without heart, focus, and honest effort - the case against Nate grows much stronger.

Third, the team has to be careful here for PR reasons. If this as perceived as Nate being scapegoated for all the injuries, there will be a backlash by some fans, and it will be harder to attract a first class replacement.

 

[Minstrel]

Replace him if a clearly better option is actually available. If not, keep him.

I don't think the vast majority of NBA head coaches have a significant positive or negative effect on team success (compared to their peers, not compared to a random person off the street). So the big debate over McMillan seems out of proportion to me. The team will win a championship when it has enough healthy talent to do so, so long as they have an NBA coach who isn't a disaster like PJ Carlisimo.

There are a very few coaches whom I believe would actually make a significant, positive difference (like Phil Jackson or Rick Adelman), but it's unlikely Portland can get such a coach.

 

[Masbee]

I'm of the belief that success in the league is much more about the talent then the coaching... I also think it's hard to really judge coaches as their value is obscured. Most of their work takes place outside of game time and often the reasoning of those decisions happens outside of our scope. The kiss of death for a coach is when the team starts tuning them out. That doesn't seem to be the case here as guys generally seem focused and giving good effort.

KP seems a pretty bright bulb and he's in the proper position to judge whats what with the job Nate has been doing and which way the club is headed. He also probably has a good idea of who else he might be able to hire. So regardless of what he decides to do at the end of this season when Nate's contract is up, IKPIT. But I confess that if Nate is reupped I will enjoy watching the know-it-alls here melt down

STOMP

I am not a fan of Nate's Offense. Sometimes his rotations confuse. I am so done with the word Scrappy.

That said, I agree that unless the coach has "lost" the team, there is little pressing need to dump Nate. Nate is a good coach. Just not sure he is or will become a great one. Only move him if there is a clear upgrade waiting in the wings who will be lost to another team if we don't move.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Um no I believe he is year to year right now. At the end of last season I believe he signed a 1 year extension and I remember seeing an interview where he explicity said that is all he wanted. Did something change after that?

Pretty sure you have all that right.

 

[Pinwheel1]

When was the last time a coach won the NBA championship without one of the 50 greatest players of all time. One team (Detroit) is the only one I can think of. Most of the time the coach has had two of the top 50 players to work with.

My point.......coaches are important, but still way over rated.