Who's most responsible for the lack of fast-break points?

[Rastapopoulos]

Well?

 

[BrianFromWA]

I say Nate. His administration is built on discipline, and if the players aren't doing what the coach says, that's usually punished.

To be specific, if Nate's barking to "run, run, RUN!" and the players aren't, it's time to bench them and get someone who will. If he doesn't want them to run, don't keep barking. Right now, Nate's insistence that he wants to run more, coupled with the continued presence of the Blazers in the bottom of the FB points category, is another thing that makes him look a bit foolish in my eyes.

 

[illmatic99]

I say Nate as well.

There's no question that Roy CAN run uptempo. He did it @ UW pretty comfortably, both as a finisher on the wing and as an outlet passer to faster players. There is however a concern whether he WANTS to run, and that's where Nate comes in. If this is indeed a case of Roy liking to remain in his comfort zone, even if getting out of it might be better for the team, it's all on Nate to do what he's paid to do: coach the TEAM.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I say Nate as well.

There's no question that Roy CAN run uptempo. He did it @ UW pretty comfortably, both as a finisher on the wing and as an outlet passer to faster players. There is however a concern whether he WANTS to run, and that's where Nate comes in. If this is indeed a case of Roy liking to remain in his comfort zone, even if getting out of it might be better for the team, it's all on Nate to do what he's paid to do: coach the TEAM.

So in other words: even if it's Roy, it's Nate?

 

[illmatic99]

So in other words: even if it's Roy, it's Nate?

I guess I should have made it clearer. If Nate actually had an uptempo offense in place, Roy should have no problem running it. Even if he doesn't like it.

 

[Minstrel]

Nat Mac. The coach determines how the team plays. Even Jordan played the triangle (even if he broke away from it occasionally), despite being quite opposed to it at first. McMillan wants a safe style of play, perhaps to teach fundamentals, perhaps because he's risk-averse, perhaps because he doesn't know how to coach an uptempo style.

If the coach instituted an uptempo style, I think Roy would play within in. And I think he has the tools to do very well in it.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Nate is the answer.

A coach is who determines what style the team is going to play. It's quite simple really......If Nate wanted them to run, they would run or they would sit.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Nat Mac. The coach determines how the team plays. Even Jordan played the triangle (even if he broke away from it occasionally), despite being quite opposed to it at first. McMillan wants a safe style of play, perhaps to teach fundamentals, perhaps because he's risk-averse, perhaps because he doesn't know how to coach an uptempo style.

If the coach instituted an uptempo style, I think Roy would play within in. And I think he has the tools to do very well in it.

He would be awesome as a trailer with Oden. Simple basketball really. Miller, Aldridge, Webster out on the break, and if it's not there then go P&R with Brandon and Greg.

 

[RoyToy]

Roy definitely likes to play at a slow pace. There's no denying it. He said as much during his rookie year when he said he likes Nate's slow style of offense because that's the way he likes to play. Pretty cut and dry.

 

[RR7]

I selected Roy, bu I think it's a combo of Roy and Nate. I think it is essentially Nate's doing, but it is his doing because of Roy. He is attempting to maximize and play to the abilities of his best player, so it's ROy's fault that Nate does it, basically.

 

[hasoos]

Fast break players don't wait for the coach to make a play call, they just make a decision on the fly. So unless they are told specifically not to run, I don't see how this can be the coach.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Fast break players don't wait for the coach to make a play call, they just make a decision on the fly. So unless they are told specifically not to run, I don't see how this can be the coach.

Really?

Miller is a fastbreak player that is a lot better than Blake, but plays less minutes. Do you think if he walked the ball up the court instead he might play more? I do. The players know what Nate wants, and they also know if they don't do it that somoene else will play in their place.

 

[alex42083]

Nate. Although I can understand why this team didn't run much in the past when you have Steve Blake and Jarrett Jack as your PGs.
But with a PG like Andre on your team, you should at least try it. But it's the entire coaching staff as well with the attitude it seems like. When the Blazers make a turnover on a fast break, you can see all of them drop and shake their heads like it was the worst thing in the world. You gotta live with it, when the reward being more easy buckets over the course of the game rather than grinding it out all the time.

 

[hasoos]

Really?

Miller is a fastbreak player that is a lot better than Blake, but plays less minutes. Do you think if he walked the ball up the court instead he might play more? I do. The players know what Nate wants, and they also know if they don't do it that somoene else will play in their place.

So, how does that differ from what I say? I said unless the coach specifically tells them to not run, did I not? Otherwise, it is on the players.

 

[THE HCP]

The whole team! If they wanted to really run, they would. If they were getting easy fast break points on the regular, Nate wouldn't stop them from running. They need to make a choice as a team to become uptempo.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Nate.

 

[WillG]

Nate McStubborn

 

[Minstrel]

Roy definitely likes to play at a slow pace. There's no denying it. He said as much during his rookie year when he said he likes Nate's slow style of offense because that's the way he likes to play. Pretty cut and dry.

What he likes isn't all that relevant. If it were up to players, coaches wouldn't be needed at all. Roy may prefer a certain thing, but that doesn't mean it's the best choice for the team to win. Obviously, the team can't play a style that Roy is unable to play...but not preferring a style of play isn't the same thing as being unable to play it.

 

[Mediocre Man]

What he likes isn't all that relevant. If it were up to players, coaches wouldn't be needed at all. Roy may prefer a certain thing, but that doesn't mean it's the best choice for the team to win. Obviously, the team can't play a style that Roy is unable to play...but not preferring a style of play isn't the same thing as being unable to play it.

It's also not like any of us want to be the Suns or Warriors. Roy could be perfectly happy, I would even argue happier, in a fast paced offense because when we do set up the offense could then run through him.

 

[Run BJM]

Fast break players don't wait for the coach to make a play call, they just make a decision on the fly. So unless they are told specifically not to run, I don't see how this can be the coach.

Its more feasible that the players aren't running because they're afraid that a shot early in the shotclock, a TO, etc. will lead to Nate yanking them. NBA players aren't dumb and for the most part they're naturally talented enough to run a good break. Especially so when considering Miller, Roy, and Blake (I know you guys rail him constantly but from an outsider perspective he seems like a perfectly good player to lead a break) can push the break and Webster, Fernandez, Aldridge can run as the wings/trailer.

Nate may say he wants to run more but I get the feeling that if a fast break ended up in a TO, missed shot early in the shot clock, or an easy bucket on the other end for the opposing team then the player involved would get an ear-full. Especially on your guys' roster where there's major competition at every position. Why would a guy make a risky outlet pass that could lead to a TO and him being subbed for the next guy in the rotation when he could just walk it up and dump it to Oden in the post and Nate will keep playing him?

 

[BBert]

Fast break players don't wait for the coach to make a play call, they just make a decision on the fly. So unless they are told specifically not to run, I don't see how this can be the coach.

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[Nikolokolus]

If a team spends zero time practicing running the break (this according to interview with Andre Miller btw) then why would they be good at it in a game. Secondly, I never see the team run when Roy is out of the game; Brandon might not be super thrilled about uptempo basketball, but it's the same with him on the sidelines.

This is 90% Nate and maybe 10% on Roy and Blake.

 

[hasoos]

Its more feasible that the players aren't running because they're afraid that a shot early in the shotclock, a TO, etc. will lead to Nate yanking them. NBA players aren't dumb and for the most part they're naturally talented enough to run a good break. Especially so when considering Miller, Roy, and Blake (I know you guys rail him constantly but from an outsider perspective he seems like a perfectly good player to lead a break) can push the break and Webster, Fernandez, Aldridge can run as the wings/trailer.

Nate may say he wants to run more but I get the feeling that if a fast break ended up in a TO, missed shot early in the shot clock, or an easy bucket on the other end for the opposing team then the player involved would get an ear-full. Especially on your guys' roster where there's major competition at every position. Why would a guy make a risky outlet pass that could lead to a TO and him being subbed for the next guy in the rotation when he could just walk it up and dump it to Oden in the post and Nate will keep playing him?

I get what you are saying, but for one part. Steve Blake is absolutely one of the worst fast break decision makers there is in the league at the PG position.

The thing I would say about players who are so unsure of themselves to not run because they think the coach would yank them, is what do you have to lose? If you make a great play, there is nothing he can do about it. If you fuck up, there is. So go out and make a play. Don't look over your shoulder, because it doesn't matter. Nate jerks everybody around.

 

[BBert]

Nate jerks everybody around.

Everybody but Steve Blake.

 

[hasoos]

Everybody but Steve Blake.

He probably even jerks him in private!

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

I really, REALLY want to say Roy because I don't think he has any interest in running. But ultimately, play falls on the coach. Nate is anal when it comes to turnovers. Turnovers alone is why this team doesn't run.

 

[Ed O]

Look at his history as a coach and tell me it's NOT Nate. I don't think it can be done with a straight face.

Ed O.

 

[BBert]

He probably even jerks him in private!

Oh, no, you didn't!

 

[Nikolokolus]

Look at his history as a coach and tell me it's NOT Nate. I don't think it can be done with a straight face.

Ed O.

I ... uh ... hrmmm ...

OK, I got nothing.

 

[LittleAlex]

Fast break players don't wait for the coach to make a play call, they just make a decision on the fly. So unless they are told specifically not to run, I don't see how this can be the coach.

They ARE told specifically not to run. You can see it happen in the game.

Of course no one person is to blame. Blake is incapable of leading the break. Roy can't lead it either. No one else in the starting lineup can handle the ball well enough to do so.


Though that lineup is Nate's call.

How about this. Fuck Blake and Miller. Start Rudy and Roy, with Bayless as the third guard. Rudy can lead the break just fine. If nothing is there, Roy become the primary play maker.

Problem solved.