Is Terry Stotts still the right coach for this team?

[BlazerCaravan]

I wanted Thibodeau when I wanted McMillan fired. Still do

We might actually have the physical specimens with the right work ethic for that to be worthwhile now.

 

[Denny Crane]

Stotts' system seems predicated on ball-movement and spacing through shooters on the wing. Who are our shooters now? Who can create offense besides Lillard and who is our bail-out scorer when everything else goes to shit?

I don't think Stotts should be fired, but I wouldn't expect him to be able to do much with this roster offensively next year. But that's more about Jimmies and Joes than Xs and Os.

He at least deserves a shot. He may know how to coach all kinds of players, not just jump shooters. Heck, the defense got a lot better last year - seems he adjusted some things.

 

[santeesioux]

We're going to be bad next year, may as well keep a coach that doesn't fit with the current roster so we can lose as many games as possible and get a top pick.

 

[LuckyShot]

To be honest, I was tired of Stotts at the end of our season. I don't think he has what it takes to adjust to playoff basketball. Now we keep acquiring players who can't shoot to play for a coach who likes his players to shoot lots of 3s. It just doesn't make much sense to me. But then again, if we are just blowing it up and playing for ping pong balls, who the hell cares who the coach is?

 

[Sinobas]

Well at least we will be confident that "Stotts leaving the most inefficient shot open" may pay dividends to whomever team Aldridge plays for.

For whomever team? =P It might if he gets hot. But LA only made about 40% of those shots. I'll take 40% for my defense any day!

 

[Sinobas]

I think a "free flowing" offense works just as well for penetrators as it does for shooters.

 

[Minstrel]

Didn't say that he sucks. Asked if his system would work with this roster as it is.

What about his system do you think is suspect with this roster?

I don't think anyone is going to fire him based on a vague notion like that he might have a system that will only work with exactly one kind of player in the league. He figured out a way to turn a mediocre offense and mediocre defense into top-tier units, that's much more concrete. If you have specific criticisms of Stotts and how he might relate to the current roster, that would be a pretty interesting discussion.

 

[maxiep]

I think with the changeover, now is the time to change coaches. I agree with many others in here that Thibs would be perfect. We need hustle and defense. The skill comes later.

 

[oldmangrouch]

What about his system do you think is suspect with this roster?

I don't think anyone is going to fire him based on a vague notion like that he might have a system that will only work with exactly one kind of player in the league. He figured out a way to turn a mediocre offense and mediocre defense into top-tier units, that's much more concrete. If you have specific criticisms of Stotts and how he might relate to the current roster, that would be a pretty interesting discussion.

Fine, I'll hazard an answer: the current roster is inferior in both 3 point shooting and ball movement. At a stretch, Henderson and Plumlee might be as effective as Wes and RoLo. Aminu and Davis are way inferior to LMA and Nic as passers. As for shooting - do I even need to break it down?

I don't know about you, but I was sick of Nate's ISO offense and really appreciated having some ball movement.

 

[Minstrel]

Fine, I'll hazard an answer: the current roster is inferior in both 3 point shooting and ball movement. At a stretch, Henderson and Plumlee might be as effective as Wes and RoLo. Aminu and Davis are way inferior to LMA and Nic as passers. As for shooting - do I even need to break it down?

I don't know about you, but I was sick of Nate's ISO offense and really appreciated having some ball movement.

Okay, but that seems like a criticism of the roster, not the coach. Are you saying that there's some reason to believe that Stotts will be worse than some other coach at figuring out how to create a good motion offense with this group?

I think the offense will revolve around a lot of Lillard/Plumlee and Lillard/Davis pick-and-rolls. While the team's shooting prowess has definitely dropped off, which is a problem, they have superior roll men in the pick-and-roll, which is very important. Hopefully, Olshey isn't done and finds another good shooter or two.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Okay, but that seems like a criticism of the roster, not the coach. Are you saying that there's some reason to believe that Stotts will be worse than some other coach at figuring out how to create a good motion offense with this group?

I think the offense will revolve around a lot of Lillard/Plumlee and Lillard/Davis pick-and-rolls. While the team's shooting prowess has definitely dropped off, which is a problem, they have superior roll men in the pick-and-roll, which is very important. Hopefully, Olshey isn't done and finds another good shooter or two.

Darn right it is a criticism of the roster! That really isn't my point. No one can turn this roster into an efficient offensive machine. The question then becomes (to me anyway) is whether it is better to let Stotts flail away in futility, or bring in somebody like Thibs to try something different. Guys like Aminu and Davis are never going to be great scorers - but somebody like Thibs *might* hone their defensive abilities from good to very good. He might even coax improvement from Dame, CJ, and Leonard.

To put it another way, is Stotts the best guy to develop these players into somebody who might be able to contribute to the next good Blazer team?

 

[DaLincolnJones]

Said it before, bring in Thibbs to be a bona fide defensive coordinator, pay him like a rock star and let Stotts run the offense..championship duo

Cant put it any better, salute!

 

[Hobbesarable]

Darn right it is a criticism of the roster! That really isn't my point. No one can turn this roster into an efficient offensive machine. The question then becomes (to me anyway) is whether it is better to let Stotts flail away in futility, or bring in somebody like Thibs to try something different. Guys like Aminu and Davis are never going to be great scorers - but somebody like Thibs *might* hone their defensive abilities from good to very good. He might even coax improvement from Dame, CJ, and Leonard.

To put it another way, is Stotts the best guy to develop these players into somebody who might be able to contribute to the next good Blazer team?

We need a coach that'll utilize the young players' athleticism while building a solid defensive foundation. Thibs sounds like he fits the bill.

 

[riverman]

I think there's a direction for more balance now between slashers and shooters. Dame, CJ, Leonard, Crabbe and even DWright if he returns can shoot the 3. Henderson is a very high percentage 3 shooter but only from the corners and Aminu shot 64% during the playoffs after struggling from deep regular season. Henderson, Lillard, CJ, Plumlee, Davis, Aminu and Vonleh are good at scoring in traffic or slashing to the rim and finishing. Kaman shoots midrange and can spin and finish in traffic. What's even better is we have way better defenders in the new guys.