Mitch Lawrence: Stotts' Staff Not feeling good about returning

[Natebishop3]

It's Mitch Lawrence, so take it with a grain of salt...

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/lawrence-article-1.1738803

The West is tough enough without coaches also having to look over their shoulders and worry if they’re on the way out.

But that’s the situation out in Portland, where Terry Stotts is on the last year of his contract, and management hasn’t said whether he’ll be back for his third season on the Blazers’ bench.

But let’s just say that Stotts’ staff is not feeling very good about its chances of returning after sliding down to fifth place in the West and in danger of finishing even lower.

The recent loss of Stotts’ best player, LeMarcus Aldridge, for seven games with a back injury did not help. He’s been good for 23 points and 11 rebounds every night out in a breakout season.

But overall, since starting the season atop the West by winning 33 of their 44 games, the Blazers have been sub-.500, losing 16 of their last 29 games entering the weekend, and losing all seven of their games against San Antonio (twice), Houston, Oklahoma City, the L.A. Clippers, Indiana and Miami.

The Blazers need to turn it around in the final weeks, or else this could be a short playoff run, with a coaching change at season’s end. …

 

[Hobbesarable]

It's Mitch Lawrence, so take it with a grain of salt...

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/lawrence-article-1.1738803

Hmm. Will we see a new assistant defensive coach here next season?

 

[OneLifeToLive]

I think if Nate and the job he did was worth 6 years. Terry has earned another year. And if he and his staff would look at that and how Mr. Allen handled that situation which was MORE than fair. That should be worthy of a sigh of relief. Just coach and the rest will follow.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

if there is an opportunity to bring in a name brand coach go for it, but if not, let it ride

 

[OneLifeToLive]

Hmm. Will we see a new assistant defensive coach here next season?

Let's watch what the team and the players do in the final weeks now that they have their star back.

Let's see if they send any messages.

 

[Hobbesarable]

Let's watch what the team and the players do in the final weeks now that they have their star back.

Let's see if they send any messages.

Yes, I expect the team to finish out the season with the current coaching staff. They may make changes (if necessary) after the playoffs.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Mitch's opinion is just like the rest of us on this website, meaning we all have one. He has proven over the years that he has no sources outside of New York, and has a very poor prediction rate. He could say this about 20 other teams in the NBA every year.
I think most coaches worry about being retained. It is the nature of the business.

 

[jlprk]

That's the first news site that's ever asked permission to read my geolocation. After I denied it, it sought revenge by giving me a big list of non-sports news articles. Good thing you quoted the article.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

Yes, I expect the team to finish out the season with the current coaching staff. They may make changes (if necessary) after the playoffs.

My point is...

I've mentioned to you before. I still think defensively it's the players and not coaches. The players have shown that they have an on and off switch. And it would not be suprising if they flipped that switch again. And if they do. I think that also means defensively. If you look at their last two games. Prob the best defensive performances of the year. If they maintain that same level and finish the year strong. I think it proves that its players and not what's being set up.

 

[riverman]

Sports journalists more often than not have regional bias keeping them from being objective. Woj is an exception but many are not Blazer fans and their loyalty to other franchises can lead to focusing on dissecting the competition as opposed to showing support. I have no doubt the defensive holes in this team need to be addressed and would welcome a defensive specialist as an assistant under Stotts.

 

[riverman]

My point is...

I've mentioned to you before. I still defensively it's the players and not coaches. The players have shown that they have an on and off switch. And it would not be suprising if they flipped that switch again. And if they do. I think that also means defensively. If you look at their last two games. Prob the best defensive performances of the year. If they maintain that same level and finish the year strong. I think it proves that its players and not what's being set up.

very good point

 

[Natebishop3]

Mitch's opinion is just like the rest of us on this website, meaning we all have one. He has proven over the years that he has no sources outside of New York, and has a very poor prediction rate. He could say this about 20 other teams in the NBA every year.
I think most coaches worry about being retained. It is the nature of the business.

I would say it's just his opinion, but he says the "staff" doesn't feel good about returning. Not sure who he talked to though.

 

[jlprk]

Even if Stotts is canned, Olshey will keep some assistants. Olshey, not Stotts, picked them and thinks they're good.

Also, I think one of them is our next Head Coach.

 

[riverman]

Even if Stotts is canned, Olshey will keep some assistants. Olshey, not Stotts, picked them and thinks they're good.

Also, I think one of them is our next Head Coach.

which one? Tibbetts?

 

[OneLifeToLive]

Even if Stotts is canned, Olshey will keep some assistants. Olshey, not Stotts, picked them and thinks they're good.

Also, I think one of them is our next Head Coach.

Vandterpool?

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I should be the next coach of the Blazers. I'd even let you guys call a couple of plays during the game.

 

[Natebishop3]

I should be the next coach of the Blazers. I'd even let you guys call a couple of plays during the game.

You'd be way too busy flirting with the dancers to actually coach the team.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

Sly's coaching strategy:

 

[SlyPokerDog]

You'd be way too busy flirting with the dancers to actually coach the team.

I'm not seeing a problem.

 

[riverman]

I'm not seeing a problem.

Those pom poms might be clouding your vision causing you to forget to take a timeout or worse, have you putting Meyers on the court and leaving him there.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Rick Adelman?

 

[riverman]

I thought Nate would've been the perfect assistant under Stotts but Indy got him. Now I think Hollins, Laimbeer or Ewing might be good fits on the bench

 

[Sinobas]

So how does this guy know what the Blazers assistant coaches are thinking?