T-wolves update which segues into a Blazer question

by jorga on Oct 30, 2008 10:00 AM PDT

Canis Hoopus ambassador report - it's in a fanpost because I want to read some discussion on point #3.

1. Timberwolves won last night, beating Sacramento. The main page story was "hey, Love wasn't all that bad", but most of the comments were why did Wittman play the 3rd string pg in the 4th quarter instead of Foye. (Telfair suspended, remember.) And probably even more posts of "why did we trade Mario Chalmers - look what HE did last night!"

2. Earlier in the week someone posted a trade suggestion - "I don't think it would take much to pry [Joel Przybilla's] salary away from the Blazers. He is a backup center on a team with multiple guys at 6'11" or greater. Give up one of our late round 1st round picks (we'll screw it up anyway)." Naturally I said they were mistaken and Joel was a very important part of the Blazers and keep your furry hands off him. (No, I was very nice.) No replies except from Norsktroll :-)

3. There was a comment from one poster that apparently Randy Wittman has said rookies cannot wear headbands. A few replies indicated that was stupid and lame and Wittman was only flexing his muscles. I replied that McMillan has said NO players can wear headbands. So now here are my questions for discussion : does anyone remember WHY they were banned? Does anyone (fan) care? I know I try to picture headbands on Brandon and Blake ... most any of the guys ... and I just start to giggle. I know they can keep the sweat out of your eyes (aren't they really called sweatbands?) but mostly are worn as a statement - of what?? Right now from the perspective of several years without them I look at them as what my high school journalism teacher referred to as "junior high trash" - something we should have outgrown and was not permitted in our paper ( like gossip columns which now are mainstream media - ah Mr. Jones, wherever you are, we need you!) I was going to attach a poll about headbands, but I'm really more interested in WHY you would say yes or no to reinstating them rather than just the yes or no.

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I say yes on reinstating them

Mostly cause we grew to love the headband around here and I’m all for self expression.

But I can see why he bans them. He wants his players focused on the game and nothing else. Nate wants tough guys, not prima donnas that are worried about their “look.”

I don’t like the idea of the rookie rule though. It’s just another way to make them feel uncomfortable and unsure of themselves. If you’re gonna put the rule in make it the same for everyone.

by KobeStoppa on Oct 30, 2008 10:29 AM PDT reply actions

Rename the Blazers the Saturns

and make shaved heads and headbands mandatory.

"Personally, I'd rather give an elephant a prostate exam on Chili Day." --Dave on rooting for the Lakers or Celtics

by MiledAnimal on Oct 30, 2008 10:46 AM PDT reply actions

wow

it reminds me too much of the jail blazers era and i love the t*wolves this over 30 wins this season and i’ved missed you the lovely&beautiful jorga how are you dear

by fatty on Oct 30, 2008 10:48 AM PDT reply actions

Back in the day

Headbands were used more at a way to protect a horrible call, (by taking it off and throwing it) especially by Zach. I think Nate decision to band them was a good one for that team. I think I read a story over the summer about how Nate relaxed that this year or last year, and the guys on the team didn’t care, because none of them really liked wearing one anyways.

BTW, BRoy wore on a few times his rookie season before they got band.

by usmcr3049 on Oct 30, 2008 10:50 AM PDT reply actions

He did not.

Roy wore one for the first half only of the rookie-sophomore game. When asked why he did this he responded that Rudy Gay (may have been Marcus Williams of the Nets) was the only one wearing one and was nervous so Roy wore one for the first half to make him not be the only one.

The headband-bans were implemented when Nate arrived, I believe. He put them in because he felt players were more concerned with looking cool on the court than playing the game the right way. Or at least this was his reasoning if I recall correctly.

by TSE on Oct 30, 2008 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions

nate is looking for uniformity, professionalism and a clean image. the guys don’t wear very baggy jerseys or shorts either. especially when compared to some other teams.

the downside to a headband ban is that when things go south, players and media can point to it as an example of an overbearing coach that’s not in touch with today’s generation.

personally i am in favor of headbands.

honor terry porter

by Ben Golliver on Oct 30, 2008 11:04 AM PDT reply actions

I seem to remember Roy wearing a garrish red headband a couple years ago

How long has this headband ban been in place?

And heck yes I’m totally down with headbands. Headbands are cool. Not every player should wear one though. Only certain types can wear them well. That tennis dude Blake WhatsHisFace wears a headband very well.

The perfect is the enemy of the good.

by fisheyes on Oct 30, 2008 11:21 AM PDT reply actions

If I remember correctly he wore one during the Rookie vs Sophomore game.

"Thanks for coming to the game." - Kevin Pritchard

by DarthBlazer on Oct 30, 2008 6:39 PM PDT up reply actions

A couple of summers ago, my son went to Nate's basketball camp down in Tualatin.

On the last day, they had all of the kids sitting on the floor waiting for Nate to come out and talk to them. After a couple of minutes, Nate came walking out with his hat on crooked, his shirt untucked, his shorts pulled way down low, his shoes untied, etc.

Then he started giving a speach about how you present yourself, and how you are judged by the image you portray. At one point while he was talking, he just straightened his hat, tucked in his shirt and pulled up his shorts, and bent down and tied his shoes… almost all in one motion. wa la… he looked like a different person.

A few months later, when Brandon was selected to the all-star team, the Blazers had an announcement ceremony at the Rose Garden. I didn’t make it, but I listened to the broadcast of it on the radio. At one point, Nate got up to talk, and he started naming all of the Blazer players he could see. After he said the names of 3 or 4 of them, he paused and said… “I could see Travis if he would take that hoodie off while he’s inside”.

I flashed back to the talk he had given the kids at his camp and knew exactly what he was saying to Travis.

I like the way the way the Blazers carry themselves now, as opposed to how they were a few years ago. It may seem sort of petty for them not to wear the headbands, but there’s a good reason for it, and it does make sense. It’s not about the headbands… it’s about the image the Blazers want to portray.

I don’t know if he’s the best coach we’ve ever had, but I know I’ve never respected another one more… and I do think he’s the best coach for us at this point… being so young and learning the NBA game and all.

Sorry for the book… just thought this post was a good place to prop the Coach.

by ***Jason*** on Oct 30, 2008 1:25 PM PDT reply actions

Very good story

Lots of good insight. There’s nothing wrong with long posts as long as you break it up accordingly, and you did.

I completely agree with Nate on this point. If you want people to respect you dress accordingly. If you’re young and not worried about it or have a job that it doesn’t matter, then by all means do your thing.

I still think headbands look perfectly respectable, but I can see where he’s coming from.

by KobeStoppa on Oct 30, 2008 4:15 PM PDT up reply actions

I think Mortimer once posted that Nate instated that no-headbands rule while with the Sonics

At a time when players started dressing very casual/urban plus wore a lot of bling and much more importantly their overall work ethic went south. So he wanted to send a statement of uniformity and professionalism like Ben said above.

Odenied: If you're given lemmings—make lemming-ade (Bow4Meow)

by Norsktroll on Oct 30, 2008 4:24 PM PDT reply actions

Honor uncle cliffy

I propose that we start an Honor uncle cliffy campaign and mandate that one and only one trailblazer shall wear a headband, and by wear I do not mean throw a headband in protest of a call.

I nominate Joel as honorary uncle cliffy for the home opener and wearer of the uncle cliffy costume.

by contemnor on Oct 31, 2008 4:49 AM PDT reply actions