Is it now a general concensus around here....

[MickZagger]

...that Nate is not a good coach? I mean c'mon folks. He might be great with younger players because he's a motivator, but thats really where his expertise ends as a head coach. Motivating coaches are good for awhile, but eventually they get tuned out.

His offense is stagnant, no moving, no cutting. We are predictable in end of game situations, 4 corner ISO ball with either Roy or Andre up top. His subsitution patterns are awful as well, always have been.

A lot of the guys who played for him during Team USA basketball loved him. But, maybe he's just a good assistant. I think the task of a good head coach is too much for him.

I just don't think he's a very good coach, I think most around here feel the same way I do.

 

[craigehlo]

I don't see any indication that he understands that jump shooting isn't viable plan for this team's success. The Blazer need easier shots, either in the paint or at the FT line. I'm sick of hearing the same "shots just didn't fall" quotes from Nate on the nights of losses. Amazing insight from a coach.

 

[Natebishop3]

...that Nate is not a good coach? I mean c'mon folks. He might be great with younger players because he's a motivator, but thats really where his expertise ends as a head coach. Motivating coaches are good for awhile, but eventually they get tuned out.

His offense is stagnant, no moving, no cutting. We are predictable in end of game situations, 4 corner ISO ball with either Roy or Andre up top. His subsitution patterns are awful as well, always have been.

A lot of the guys who played for him during Team USA basketball loved him. But, maybe he's just a good assistant. I think the task of a good head coach is too much for him.

I just don't think he's a very good coach, I think most around here feel the same way I do.

Since some of us have been saying this for literally three or four years, I think it's way past time to come to these conclusions. I personally have given up hope on Nate being fired.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I think Nate is a great motivator in that he can get more out of players than you would expect he could given their overall talent or composition. The trouble I see with that approach is that it only carries you so far for so long if you don't also develop strong fundamentals or have a real offensive philosophy beyond "scrap" and "tip-ins" off of offensive rebounds. Now, I think it's possible that this group is starting to tune him out; that he's gone to that "scrappiness" well one too many times and now he's no longer getting the supreme effort that generated wins like they did in the past, that compensated for that lack of fundamentals.

Will Paul Allen fire him? I doubt it. But I also wouldn't be shocked to see Nate walk at the end of the year and take over for Phil in LA or try to whip that mess in Miami into shape (which he will probably fail to do). But don't get too excited, given the current state of the roster and the uncertain future of Roy and his knee (not to mention the age of Miller and Camby and the grave doubts about Oden) I wouldn't hold your breath for a big name to come to this team's rescue any time soon; this has rebuild written all over it.

 

[MickZagger]

Since some of us have been saying this for literally three or four years, I think it's way past time to come to these conclusions. I personally have given up hope on Nate being fired.

Oh, I haven't been big on him as a coach for awhile either. This isn't some epiphany for me.

I'm just saying, I see the McMillan supporters fewer and fewer around here lately. Seems its a general consensus he sucks as a coach.

 

[Natebishop3]

Oh, I haven't been big on him as a coach for awhile either. This isn't some epiphany for me.

I'm just saying, I see the McMillan supporters fewer and fewer around here lately. Seems its a general consensus he sucks as a coach.

Well, it was easier to defend him when the team was still coming into its own, young and exciting... but now it's been about three years since we've passed that mark... and we really haven't made any progress.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Since some of us have been saying this for literally three or four years, I think it's way past time to come to these conclusions. I personally have given up hope on Nate being fired.

Amen

 

[Tince]

I don't know why we don't go down low more often. Camby, Aldridge, and Cunningham might be the three biggest bruisers in the league. What is Nate thinking?

 

[Kingspoint]

I used to think that Nate's style could never ever win an NBA title.

Now, I think that Nate was just succumbing to Roy's needs to stand around the whole game.

But, in reality, I really think that Nate is not a bad coach. He's just not an "elite" coach. He's 10 times better than Maurice Cheeks. That was a "bad" coach.

What Nate lacks is "cahones". He's never had the "cahones" to limit Roy's minutes from the very get-go. Nate's as much to blame for Roy's bad knees as anybody. Roy never should have been allowed to average more than 30 minutes per game for any season.....EVER. That's on Nate.

And, now everything's a mess.

 

[maxiep]

I think Nate has done a terrific job rebuilding the character of this team and teaching fundamentals to a young group. We went from being one of the dumbest teams in the league to playing "veteran" basketball, even though we were young. You have let a coach see that development through.

It seems now, however, we're at a different point. Injuries, some picks that haven't panned out and some tough breaks have dimmed the once bright future of this team. I'm not so sure we want Nate to rebuild and I'm not so sure Nate wants to rebuild this team. I could see him in Charlotte.

 

[OddEnormous]

...that Nate is not a good coach? I mean c'mon folks. He might be great with younger players because he's a motivator, but thats really where his expertise ends as a head coach. Motivating coaches are good for awhile, but eventually they get tuned out.

His offense is stagnant, no moving, no cutting. We are predictable in end of game situations, 4 corner ISO ball with either Roy or Andre up top. His subsitution patterns are awful as well, always have been.

A lot of the guys who played for him during Team USA basketball loved him. But, maybe he's just a good assistant. I think the task of a good head coach is too much for him.

I just don't think he's a very good coach, I think most around here feel the same way I do.

Fuck sake

:shakeshead:

 

[OddEnormous]

Amen

Amen

 

[VanillaGorilla]

Amen

Amen

Ramen

 

[Nikolokolus]

I think Nate has done a terrific job rebuilding the character of this team and teaching fundamentals to a young group. We went from being one of the dumbest teams in the league to playing "veteran" basketball, even though we were young. You have let a coach see that development through.

It seems now, however, we're at a different point. Injuries, some picks that haven't panned out and some tough breaks have dimmed the once bright future of this team. I'm not so sure we want Nate to rebuild and I'm not so sure Nate wants to rebuild this team. I could see him in Charlotte.

I'm not looking to pick on what you're saying or anything, but I'm not sure what fundamentals you are talking about? The only player we have (had?) who sets a decent pick is Joel and a team has to be able to generate cleaner/higher percentage looks at the hoop after 6 years of a system being implemented for me to call them fundamentally sound.

If we're talking about getting guys to play hard, I would agree that he's been able to do that from nearly day one.

/justsayin.

 

[jlprk]

McMillan keeps his nose to the grindstone and makes no enemies within the organization.

What might get him out is the annual Oregonian poll. Last Spring, 39% wanted McMillan gone. If it gets to 60% like it was with Rudy, maybe management will notice.

http://blog.oregonlive.com/blazers/2010/05/you_be_the_gm_2009-10_rewind.html

 

[BlayZa]

thats the way we play royball.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

I don't know why we don't go down low more often. Camby, Aldridge, and Cunningham might be the three biggest bruisers in the league. What is Nate thinking?

Aldridge is an average finisher inside, Camby for some reason way below average and Cunningham is too small.

 

[Minstrel]

I think McMillan is in the vast majority of NBA coaches who don't make a major difference, either positive or negative. I think very few NBA coaches make a significant difference over and above the talent on hand.

Therefore, I'd be happy to replace him if someone like Rick Adelman or Phil Jackson were available to Portland, but otherwise I see him as interchangeable with most head coaches.

 

[THE HCP]

I'm telling you, coaches get too much credit and too much blame! Supposed one time Coach of the Year Avery Johnson isn't going to do shit with NJ. Is it his fault..... no....... but should he have received the credit he did for being handed a stacked Dallas squad. Their are only a couple coaches that straight up make a difference. Pat Riley was one, Phil Jackson and I believe Jerry Sloan.

 

[Natebishop3]

I'm telling you, coaches get too much credit and too much blame! Supposed one time Coach of the Year Avery Johnson isn't going to do shit with NJ. Is it his fault..... no....... but should he have received the credit he did for being handed a stacked Dallas squad. Their are only a couple coaches that straight up make a difference. Pat Riley was one, Phil Jackson and I believe Jerry Sloan.

Do you think Jerry Sloan would be considered a great coach if he had never had John Stockton or now Deron Williams? The guy has been unbelievably lucky in getting amazing point guards.

 

[THE HCP]

Do you think Jerry Sloan would be considered a great coach if he had never had John Stockton or now Deron Williams? The guy has been unbelievably lucky in getting amazing point guards.

I say yes. He season in and out gets the most out of least. His PG's have been great, but he gets guys to play their asses off!

 

[jlprk]

I think McMillan is in the vast majority of NBA coaches who don't make a major difference, either positive or negative. I think very few NBA coaches make a significant difference over and above the talent on hand...I see him as interchangeable with most head coaches.

I'm telling you, coaches get too much credit and too much blame.

If McMillan doesn't make a difference, why not try one of those other interchangeable coaches? Maybe we'll get lucky and find an underrated one. Nothing to lose, since the ones available are all about the same as him.

 

[oldmangrouch]

I think McMillan is in the vast majority of NBA coaches who don't make a major difference, either positive or negative. I think very few NBA coaches make a significant difference over and above the talent on hand.

Therefore, I'd be happy to replace him if someone like Rick Adelman or Phil Jackson were available to Portland, but otherwise I see him as interchangeable with most head coaches.

I agree. The question then becomes, do you believe the truism that all middle-of-the-pack coaches eventually wear out their welcome, and that the team will respond better to a new voice. (even if he isn't "better")

 

[hasoos]

Players win games for the most part, not coaches. The only time the coaches really set it apart is when 2 elite teams meet and the difference in coaching gives one side a slight advantage. I have seen for years people complain about Nate's system and how it slows down players. I have never, ever seen a player out on the court stop and ask a coach for permission to run a fast break when the situation arises. Good players know when to break, and when not to.

So now that has been said. I saw several threads up there saying the team needs more attempts at the rim. Who exactly do you guys want to get the ball to the rim. Who is going to post up on this team and create some spacing?

1. How is the team supposed to function when there is nobody on the team setting picks?
2. How is the team supposed to have spacing when there is nobody that creates a post presence?
3. Now that I have established 2 major problems for the team, I will talk about the 3rd. How is anybody supposed to get to the rim to attack it when nobody is setting picks and there is no spacing to provide them lanes to get to the rim?

There is no coach that can work a miracle with that crew out there. Nobody is doing the little things that allows a team to have a chance. The team needs some bigs that can bang, lay hard picks and fight for post position. When that happens, other players will start to be more effective. No coaching change is ever going to fix that.

 

[Natebishop3]

Players win games for the most part, not coaches. The only time the coaches really set it apart is when 2 elite teams meet and the difference in coaching gives one side a slight advantage. I have seen for years people complain about Nate's system and how it slows down players. I have never, ever seen a player out on the court stop and ask a coach for permission to run a fast break when the situation arises. Good players know when to break, and when not to.

So now that has been said. I saw several threads up there saying the team needs more attempts at the rim. Who exactly do you guys want to get the ball to the rim. Who is going to post up on this team and create some spacing?

1. How is the team supposed to function when there is nobody on the team setting picks?
2. How is the team supposed to have spacing when there is nobody that creates a post presence?
3. Now that I have established 2 major problems for the team, I will talk about the 3rd. How is anybody supposed to get to the rim to attack it when nobody is setting picks and there is no spacing to provide them lanes to get to the rim?

There is no coach that can work a miracle with that crew out there. Nobody is doing the little things that allows a team to have a chance. The team needs some bigs that can bang, lay hard picks and fight for post position. When that happens, other players will start to be more effective. No coaching change is ever going to fix that.

That's why I've honestly felt that it's Roy who has kept our pace so slow. I've felt this way since midway through last season. I think guys like Miller, Rudy, and Matthews are trying to push the tempo, but it's Roy who likes to keep things slow (his pace).

 

[Minstrel]

I agree. The question then becomes, do you believe the truism that all middle-of-the-pack coaches eventually wear out their welcome, and that the team will respond better to a new voice. (even if he isn't "better")

I don't really subscribe to that. I don't mind switching out McMillan for any other competent coach, I just wouldn't view it as likely to make a significant improvement. One of the benefits of McMillan is his interesting willingness to go with a series of one-year contracts. That means he'll always be much easier to replace if a difference-making (or potentially difference-making) coach becomes available....whereas, most other coaches want a 3-4 year deal, giving the team less flexibility. Which is fine for a coach you know you'll want around (a Phil Jackson type) but I'd rather have an "interchangeable" coach on a series of one-year deals.

 

[Natebishop3]

I don't really subscribe to that. I don't mind switching out McMillan for any other competent coach, I just wouldn't view it as likely to make a significant improvement. One of the benefits of McMillan is his interesting willingness to go with a series of one-year contracts. That means he'll always be much easier to replace if a difference-making (or potentially difference-making) coach becomes available....whereas, most other coaches want a 3-4 year deal, giving the team less flexibility. Which is fine for a coach you know you'll want around (a Phil Jackson type) but I'd rather have an "interchangeable" coach on a series of one-year deals.

I agree with this, but unfortunately I think we HAD a good coach and we let him leave. Now he has NOR playing fabulously and we're still stuck with Nate.

 

[Minstrel]

I agree with this, but unfortunately I think we HAD a good coach and we let him leave. Now he has NOR playing fabulously and we're still stuck with Nate.

What made you think he was a good coach, prior to being hired by New Orleans? I'm just curious, not disagreeing. What were you evaluating him by?

Also, New Orleans' play to me is more connected with Chris Paul returning to MVP-caliber form. Prior to last season, the Hornets were playing very good basketball under a different, now removed, head coach. Last season, Paul was hurt a lot and not as good. Now he's back to form and New Orleans is back at a high level. I'm not saying Monty is a bad coach, but nothing yet suggests to me that he belongs outside the "interchangeable" category and in the group of difference-makers (which I think is very, very few coaches...like 2-3).

 

[Natebishop3]

What made you think he was a good coach, prior to being hired by New Orleans? I'm just curious, not disagreeing. What were you evaluating him by?

Also, New Orleans' play to me is more connected with Chris Paul returning to MVP-caliber form. Prior to last season, the Hornets were playing very good basketball under a different, now removed, head coach. Last season, Paul was hurt a lot and not as good. Now he's back to form and New Orleans is back at a high level. I'm not saying Monty is a bad coach, but nothing yet suggests to me that he belongs outside the "interchangeable" category and in the group of difference-makers (which I think is very, very few coaches...like 2-3).

Mostly I was basing my opinion on all the positive things we heard from the media, the players, and the coaches. He also seemed to have a different philosophy than McMillan (didn't he coach a few games last year? Can't remember). I think he coached summer league... I just remember watching him coach in either SL or while McMillan was out last year. I have just always liked what I've heard about Monty, and now we're seeing the realization of the potential that we've heard about over the past couple years. Unfortunately it's in New Orleans.

I think getting CP3 back is definitely helping that team, but I had also heard that Monty is really stressing defense and hard nosed play. I'm only tentatively following their situation though.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

I've always thought coaching was overrated. They don't do that much.