Once Again, McMillan's Substitution Patterns Cost Us The Game.

[Freshtown]

Yes, Nate is a good motivator, disciplinarian, etc etc. But he continually chances the game with his retarded substitution patterns.

Lets see, how about I take out a hot Sergio and put in a cold Blake in crunch time when there's 3 fucking minutes left?

Oops, changed my mind.

Nope, just kidding.

Game.

Thanks again Nate!

 

[B-Roy]

He usually leaves player's who have been playing well, in. According to him at least.

Nate (On the Celtics game, being asked about why he kept with the bench): They were the ones who got us there, so I left them in.

 

[Freshtown]

He usually leaves player's who have been playing well, in. According to him at least.

Nate (On the Celtics game, being asked about why he kept with the bench): They were the ones who got us there, so I left them in.

I guess, occasionally. But how many times have we seen Batum go off in the first 5 minutes of the game, only to be subbed out just because it's midway through the first and that's what the sarge pre-determined before the game? How many times has Sergio been yanked after dropping some dimes and wetting a three?

KP has masked Nate's inability to insert the correct lineup in at the correct time by taking away most of our bad players (read: Jack), but it's a frustrating and re-occuring theme.

Anyone who's been watching him for more than a few games has to agree.

 

[MAS RipCity]

Joel going to the pine was baffling as well...he had a double dip tonight, so we decide to pull him?

 

[yenniedn]

I don't buy that subbing Blake in for Sergio lost us this game. Sergio was playing great for most of the 3rd and into the 4th quarter -he was getting A LOT more burn than he normally does and rightfully so b/c he was playing well. But he might have been getting winded and you also need Blake in the game in those late game, free throw shooting situations because he's a 90%+ FT shooter and is accustomed to those late game FT situations - Sergio not so much.

Several errors in the last minute lost us the game - Nate substituting Blake for Sergio didn't kill the game for us.

 

[MARIS61]

He usually leaves player's who have been playing well, in. According to him at least.

Other than the BOSTON game, which was a blowout that he clearly stopped actively coaching at halftime, I've NEVER seen him do it. He certainly didn't tonight. Blake for Sergio defied all reason at that point. This was Blake's worst game I've seen him play. He probably didn't even want to go back in.

 

[MARIS61]

I don't buy that subbing Blake in for Sergio lost us this game. Sergio was playing great for most of the 3rd and into the 4th quarter -he was getting A LOT more burn than he normally does and rightfully so b/c he was playing well. But he might have been getting winded and you also need Blake in the game in those late game, free throw shooting situations because he's a 90%+ FT shooter and is accustomed to those late game FT situations - Sergio not so much.

Several errors in the last minute lost us the game - Nate substituting Blake for Sergio didn't kill the game for us.

Those errors that lost us the game were committed by a cold, foul-laden Blake, and did you even watch the game?

 

[The Sebastian Express]

My favorite Nate coaching sub this year was actually just in the Toronto game. He takes out Joel in the 4th (admittedly Joel was getting abused by O'Neal all game) and instead of putting in Oden (this was around the 7 minute mark I believe) he puts in Travis and goes small! This was when Oden had been having a great defensive game and really controlling the boards by either getting the rebound or tapping it out to a teammate. It almost cost us the game.

 

[BrianFromWA]

It wasn't just a 2-3 zone that leaves the elbow 3's open....it was a 1-2-2 that leaves the corners open. And guess where the rain was coming from???

 

[yenniedn]

Those errors that lost us the game were committed by a cold, foul-laden Blake, and did you even watch the game?

Yeah, I watched the game - from the cold start in the first quarter through the hot shooting of the third/fourth to the agony of the last minute. Blake didn't single handedly lose the game for us - you still need him in the game for his free throw shooting in those situations.

I'd love to see all the ape-shit craziness that would've been this forum had Sergio been left in there and made even one mistake.

Nate played the percentages and went with his more seasoned vet and the better free throw shooter. So it didn't work out - but you don't/can't win them all. You DID see that Hedo BANKED in a three pointer, right? I'm fairly sure he didn't call bank on it.

 

[bodyman5001]

The decision to go zone for that long was mind boggling to me. It wasn't as if Dwight was dominating us inside where we had to play zone to neutralize the post. Joel was doing a great job on Dwight.

What, don't you know the old saying?
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me 6258 times, WTF are you thinking.


I never thought any defense should be illegal, but I wish zone was illegal just to keep Nate from doing this shit.

 

[yenniedn]

Man, I just love this place. We lose a game that we should've won because of a miracle shot. That shot could've just as easily missed. And after just about every loss, even an impropable one like this one, you got people shitting on the coach and Blake. Shit, what has Blake done for us lately besides hit that game winning three vs. Toronto just two nights ago? I guess nothing. The guy's going to make some and he's going to miss some - that's why they keep shooting stats.

And people bitching about McMillan's sub-patterns - which I understand is a recurring theme around here - but since the team has won about 2/3rd of their games, I guess he's just been lucky 2/3rd of the time and is coaching the team to wins in spite of himself?

It's a tough loss that should've been a win. We got two or three that went in our favor already this season (Rockets, Spurs and Sacto) so you lose some. Can't win them all.

 

[The Sebastian Express]

People have been discussing Nate's bad coaching substitutions and defensive/offensive sets for year. It's only getting louder now as more people realize it.

 

[bodyman5001]

I could coach this team to a good record. Let me keep the assistant coaches so I would know what I was talking about and this team would still win. I am sorry but pro sports franchises baffle me sometimes.

Here are two examples in the NFL....Norv Turner and Wade Phillips. HORRIBLE, just HORRIBLE.

 

[bodyman5001]

The thing is, we actually went back to a half-ass zone later in the 4th quarter. That's the reasons for all the mismatch on the perimeter with Sergio or Blake on Rashard. We played a half-ass zone then quickly switched to man to I guess... confuse them?

Did you just make a mistake? Sergio and Blake on Rashard? Does someone on the Blazers want to make it seem like Lewis is worth his contract?

I am kinda happy I missed the end of this game. YIKES!

 

[yenniedn]

I could coach this team to a good record. Let me keep the assistant coaches so I would know what I was talking about and this team would still win. I am sorry but pro sports franchises baffle me sometimes.

Here are two examples in the NFL....Norv Turner and Wade Phillips. HORRIBLE, just HORRIBLE.

According to just about every fan here, they all can coach better than Nate . . . and probably wheel and deal better than KP. And have fatter wallets than PA.

For us to sit around posting our thoughts after the fact is pretty easy to do. Put yourself in a suit trying to manage/coach 10-12 multi-millionaire 20-somethings on TV, in front of 20,000 screaming fans and the ever present media - then we'll see how you really do. Must be how you explain the fact that we all know the answers to Jeopardy when watching at home - but the people actually on the show sometimes have those deer in headlights look? It's the effect of the spotlight.

 

[bodyman5001]

According to just about every fan here, they all can coach better than Nate . . . and probably wheel and deal better than KP. And have fatter wallets than PA.

For us to sit around posting our thoughts after the fact is pretty easy to do. Put yourself in a suit trying to manage/coach 10-12 multi-millionaire 20-somethings on TV, in front of 20,000 screaming fans and the ever present media - then we'll see how you really do. Must be how you explain the fact that we all know the answers to Jeopardy when watching at home - but the people actually on the show sometimes have those deer in headlights look? It's the effect of the spotlight.

I don't actually know all of the answers to Jeopardy, even at home. I do believe McMillan is making millions of dollars coaching this team. I would say someone who makes that money might need to prove that they are exceptional at what they are doing.

As for Jeopardy, I think that Ken Jennings guy (I think that is his name off the top of my head..me=genius) would be a better coach.

I bet my wallet is fatter than Allen's. It isn't loaded with cash but I recently bought one at Ross that is way too thick. I was in a hurry.

I think KP is a genius, I just wish I could read his mind after games like this one. I would bet good money that ridding the team of McMillan is in his plans. Patience is a virtue that I just don't generally display.

 

[B-Roy]

Nope. They had several possessions with our PGs switching on their fowards. Blake was on Rashard when Rashard drove and had that and 1.

We switched on everything. That's just BAD defense.

 

[bigbailes]

According to just about every fan here, they all can coach better than Nate . . . and probably wheel and deal better than KP. And have fatter wallets than PA.

For us to sit around posting our thoughts after the fact is pretty easy to do. Put yourself in a suit trying to manage/coach 10-12 multi-millionaire 20-somethings on TV, in front of 20,000 screaming fans and the ever present media - then we'll see how you really do. Must be how you explain the fact that we all know the answers to Jeopardy when watching at home - but the people actually on the show sometimes have those deer in headlights look? It's the effect of the spotlight.

nope you are right, i could not coach this team as well as Nate does, but i know a bunch of guys that could. I've said it for the last two years, when this team gets to the elite level and is challenging for championships, nate will not be our coach.

 

[STOMP]

Anyone who's been watching him for more than a few games has to agree.

Have you read this forum? We all watch the games but we disagree about everything under the sun and this isn't a rare exception.

STOMP

 

[WillG]

Nate seems to be a good motivator and an excellent disciplinarian as far as the average fan can see.
He seems to be a good bloke to boot, but,

For the love of god his coaching style is absolutely, hair tuggingly, frustrating.

I truly believe this team would perform at a higher level under the reigns of a more suitable coach.
I've lurked a long time, and have often thought of starting a thread voicing my frustration with McMillan, and now I see some other posters are feeling the same way that I have for quite some time.

Nothing would please me more than to see the front office putting this young squad in the hands of someone who is willing to let them stretch their legs a little and find out who they really are as a team. A few subpar minutes now (experience without being yanked out of the game) could lead to a much more savvy player farther down the road...

Just my two cents, . . and now. .

Let the lurking recommence. . . . . .

 

[Mediocre Man]

Nate is a really bad X's and O's guy. Either management needs to step in and make him change out some assistants, or get rid of him. This team really needs a defensive concept better than leaving guys wide open for 3's. They could also use someone who can construct a better offense than jacking up 3's hoping they go in, and losing when they don't

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

I dont understand why Nate takes Batum out so quickly all the time. The kid starts getting in a groove, then boom, here comes Chucker Outlaw.

 

[BatumKaboom]

We lost because Orlando beat us. Not because Nate.

 

[Mediocre Man]

We lost because Orlando beat us. Not because Nate.

Orlando is good, but I don't think Nate made a very smart move by leaving Outlaw in the game to play defense when Batum, who is much better, was sitting on the bench.

Here is another thing to consider. Outlaw only cares about offense. Outlaw made a bonehead play on the possession right before that. Do you think he was still thinking about that???? I do. Nate should have subbed in Batum.

 

[Crimson the Cat]

I sure did disagree with Nate's coaching moves this game. Just like the team, he's still learning to be a great head coach. It's going to take time. More time than some of us thought. It's all good though. Blazers played very well tonight. I can't say I'm sore that we lost, but I'm not disappointed in the team.

Having so many good players is making it tough on Nate I think. He's got to do a better job of figuring out when to lean on which players. He will figure it out.

 

[1 Eye Jack]

Orlando is good, but I don't think Nate made a very smart move by leaving Outlaw in the game to play defense when Batum, who is much better, was sitting on the bench.

Here is another thing to consider. Outlaw only cares about offense. Outlaw made a bonehead play on the possession right before that. Do you think he was still thinking about that???? I do. Nate should have subbed in Batum.

I would have loved to see Batum in for that last possession but Nate would have looked even dumber if Batum came in and ended up fouling Terk on that last play. Fans in here would have ripped him a new one.

 

[andalusian]

Other than one good defensive play - Nic had a pretty bad game.

Travis had a pretty good first half and was already in the game when we went on a run that had us up 8 within 2 minutes to the end.

Yes, we made some mistakes, the Magic shot the ball like crazy - but the substitution game was just fine. We did make a big run on them right before that end of game.

It happens - there is no need to get all upset because the guys that were in there managed to make a big run 5 minutes from the end but had a bad spell in the last two minutes.

Basketball is a game os streaks and we had some bad plays. It happens. Nothing to see here.

 

[Nikolokolus]

You guys really need to read post game interviews, not to say that Nate did anything masterful with his subs, but it's pretty clear that Travis didn't react all that well on the last offensive possession, and he completely owned it in his interview with Jason Quick. This was more about failure to execute in the last minute and a half than it is some kind of failure in coaching.

Let's give the Magic a little bit of credit, they hit some pretty clutch threes down the stretch, and even Hedo's last shot only went in off a lucky bounce off the glass. It's weird, but I actually feel pretty OK with the loss, because I saw couple of things that really bode well for future success: LaMarcus completely dominant last night, if he brings that kind of fire tomorrow night (and after) this team is going to be in a pretty sweet spot -- he looks like a changed player after the Boston game. Secondly, I saw pretty good ball movement and interior defense, guys had trouble getting out on Orlando's shooters, and they were blisteringly hot. Them's the breaks.

 

[blue32]

Yah, besides the nice shooting from the Magic -- LMA and BRoy were freaking awesome, and Sergio/Rudy alley-oops baby, damn!