How do you judge Nate?

by chrischa on Jan 22, 2009 10:20 PM PST

First off, I gotta say that I'm a Nate guy. Maybe I've allowed myself to be too influenced by Jason Quick's stories in the Oregonian, but everytime I read about Nate's talks with the players and all the late night meetings he puts together, I just feel like he's dedicated to building this team the right way. I hear the compliments by players like LBJ who have worked with him outside of the blazers, and I see the praise bestowed upon him by national writers and it confirms how knowledgable and professional he is. But this hasn't stopped many people (including Nate himself) from openly wondering if he will be the coach to lead us to a championship.

Is Nate really that much smarter (baskeball wise) than any of the coaches who have gotten fired this year? Probably not. Does he really not know how to defend the pick and roll? Thats laughable. When some people critique Nate, they challenge his basketball knowledge or question his ability to write x's and o's. But when people rush to defend him, we blame the players, their youth, or their general tendencies as players (they're just not defensive minded!).

So how do we measure this coach's success or ability? Wins and losses? I think most blazer fans are smart enough to look deeper than that, especially those of us who have observed Nate closely since his first year. A coach isn't judged on how much he knows (at this level, there isn't a head coach in the league who isn't a great basketball mind) its how effective he is at transferring that information onto his players and getting them to show what they've learned on the court when it matters (at least for a young team like ours; I understand that with some veteran NBA teams, a coach only needs to be a motivator or personality manager, not so much a teacher).

Nate has earned patience from understanding fans, and yes, the youth of the players must be taken into consideration. But I can't help but feel a little anxious about our development. I don't see players tuning him out but I don't get the feeling that what he's teaching them in practice is carrying over either. I know he's a smart guy, I believe he's a good coach. But can he get our guys to buy in? Do we have an identity? At what point do you hold Nate accountable for the short comings (or success) of the team?

Tweet Comment 23 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

completely differently after every game

Sorry, couldn’t resist

by DominicanAvenger on Jan 22, 2009 10:36 PM PST reply actions

nates criticism

i dont really see too many people here criticizing his knowledge of the game. the most common things people criticize him on are his substitution patterns (taking out players when they are hot…not playing players situationally), and his predictability on offense. If you add up his pros and cons…obviously his pros outweigh the cons. He has shown that he is capable of getting better, but at the same time he has been stubborn with other aspects of coaching and will not change. I’ve definitely noticed that his substitutions have been a lot better this year than any other year he has coached here. With the exception of a few games…nate has been rewarding players with extra minutes compared to their average when they are shooting well.

as far as picking a coach to teach a young team…nate is perfect. he is a good teacher and the fact that we are well ahead of the learning curve is a testament to his teaching skills.

he also must be a good motivator and adjustment maker. we often have much stronger performances in the 2nd half. whenever our morale is down, nate seems to get the players back into the correct mindset in the 2nd half as well. we supposedly have the best rating for points after a timeout as well.

nate does a lot of good things, and the other aspects of his coaching get frustrating to watch as a fan, bc they consistently happen and never seem to improve (bad substitutions prior to this year, and slow starts). i’m not completely confident that he will lead us to a championship, but i’m not going to write him off either.

The most hated Blazer is like the least hottest supermodel - Sabonis4Ever

by Philthyanimal on Jan 22, 2009 10:41 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

I would love to see Nate have a Jerry Sloan like career here

Except with a championship or two or three or four or… now I am just being greedy. Nate has said he wants to be here for a long time and we know he is a loyal guy based on his long career with the Sonics. I’m all for Nate for the long hall.

This is what Lucas would do. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0aPkIE2qK0

by 123_G.O._RipCity on Jan 22, 2009 10:51 PM PST up reply actions

Maybe

He should have signed his damn contract extension.

by Sabonis4Ever on Jan 23, 2009 12:30 AM PST up reply actions

You nailed it Philthy! rec

Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog

by LaMarvelous on Jan 22, 2009 11:06 PM PST up reply actions

We've won quite a few games when down at the half.

I haven’t looked at any stats but I would have to guess we’re somewhere near the top in that category??

GO
THE TEACHER ......come into my classroom "THE PAINT" for some tutelage.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The rancor reflected in that remark I won't dignify with comment. But I'll address your general attitude of hopeless negativism." – Everett "O Brother, where art Thou?"

by Blazer1342 on Jan 23, 2009 5:39 AM PST up reply actions

I see the substitution pattern issue get raised alot.

Has anyone stopped to consider that with a young, inexperienced team, Nate has to stick with predictable substitution patterns and offensive schemes because that lessens the mental burden on the players, allowing them to learn the basics and build confidence?

hakkaa päälle !

by timg56 on Jan 23, 2009 3:24 PM PST up reply actions

Consistent improvement

Since Nate’s first year with this team we have improved by 9 games every year. That is a great sign especially when you consider that when Nate took over we were the worst team in the NBA. When looking at how well Nate is transfering information to his players it is important to remember that we are the second youngest team in the league (the youngest if you don’t count Raef) and we have been starting at least two rookies for the majority of the season.

I think everyone needs to realize that Nate has been doing a great job and he is better than any coach that we could get our hands on. I challenge anyone to name a coach better than Nate that is available. Seriously, I double dog dare you.

This is what Lucas would do. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0aPkIE2qK0

by 123_G.O._RipCity on Jan 22, 2009 10:45 PM PST reply actions

Avery Johnson or Jeff Van Gundy

Either of these guys would probably be an improvement, especially defensively.

by redblazer on Jan 23, 2009 11:16 AM PST up reply actions

I dunno

Nate seems to straddle the line between “drill seargent” and “anal blowhard” without crossing it.

Guys like JVG, AJ, and Scott Skiles (and Larry Brown as well, though he has Other Issues) far too often fall off the fence, lose the locker room, and then you are back to where you started.

Nate, it seems, has figured out when to relax, just a bit.

by EngineerScotty on Jan 23, 2009 12:22 PM PST up reply actions

I have stated several times.....

Get the crap off of Nates back!! I would not, nor could not think of a better coach than the “untouchables” (http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/1/18/727714/what-is-the-problem-with-n) just to re-enforce my point. It makes me freaking nuts when people call for Nates head. I don’t think that’s the case here but my point is still valid. I think people need to understand that we are one of the youngest teams in history, we are in the thick of the playoff hunt well ahead of schedule and the future could not be brighter for our Zers. Even if we dont make the playoffs(which seems impossable at this point) we still get a top 15 pick(tradeable like the day is long) and are primed for next year. Name me a team that can say that? You cant, can you? There are those of us out there who seem to want a title RIGHT now. Hate to tell ya, it aint gonna happen. Nate is the man, this team is put together the RIGHT way. Let the cake bake and we’ll pull it out the oven when it is good and ready and it shall be good for all. Please support Nate, Go Zers!!!!

by blazerbeliever97504 on Jan 22, 2009 10:48 PM PST reply actions

Nate's back has crap on it?

"Now with a non-provocative footer!"

by timbo on Jan 23, 2009 8:36 AM PST up reply actions

Let the cake bake and we’ll pull it out the oven when it is good and ready and it shall be good for all.

I won’t worry until someone leaves it out in the rain. I hate it when all the sweet cream icing starts flowing dow-own. – Richard Harris

I get what I deserve. I deserve what I get. I have it so I deserve it. I deserve
it for I have it. I get what I deserve. What I deserve - what I deserve what
I get. I have it so I deserve. - Gentle Giant

by 22baylor on Jan 23, 2009 3:41 PM PST up reply actions

Bake the Cake*

lol oops

by blazerbeliever97504 on Jan 22, 2009 10:49 PM PST reply actions

I think there are some legit gripes, but overall he's done a solid job

Nate’s fine imo

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Jan 23, 2009 7:35 AM PST reply actions

I always like it when happy, positive leeroy shows up.

hakkaa päälle !

by timg56 on Jan 23, 2009 3:26 PM PST up reply actions

usually it's angry negative Leeroy though.

by 22baylor on Jan 23, 2009 3:42 PM PST up reply actions

Not so much.

He’s been far more positive this season.

And even his criticisms have been either toned down or more constructive sounding.

hakkaa päälle !

by timg56 on Jan 24, 2009 7:03 PM PST up reply actions

Nate's Great

Fans love to blame the coach when things don’t go as they wish, and praise the players when things are chugging along. I can’t imagine another coach getting any more out of this young squad than Nate is currently getting, and all you have to do is look around the league at the Warriors, Grizz, and other very young teams and you realize how aberrant being 25-12 really is for a team with 4 rookies now getting major rotation minutes.

by nikolokolus on Jan 23, 2009 9:29 AM PST reply actions

Ugh, typo

meant to say 25-17

by nikolokolus on Jan 23, 2009 11:25 AM PST up reply actions

some of the problem in my opinion

stems from the one and done system, most kids want to get noticed and drafted in the lottery, so scoring points on a big program is the quickest way to get noticed.

one year of college is not enough for most kids to learn the basics, most lottery picks are just better athletically that they can overpower lesser players, or outjump them.

however when they get to the NBA and are faced with other big, strong, athletic players, they have to relearn the basics properly, and pay attention.

by Yawnie on Jan 23, 2009 9:36 AM PST reply actions

For Now

For now the best way to judge Nate is on the progress and cohesion of the players. This is a young group and we want to see them getting better. As it is, we give Brandon the credit for Brandon’s progress, not Nate. We give Nate the fault for Trout’s habits. I think the answer is somewhere in the middle.

So far as a developmental coach he’s been spectacular. We’ve got one All-star, one borderline allstar, he’s developed and 4 rookies progressing to a point where they will be able to start and probably star in this league. Our locker-room is cohesive and friendly.

All this and we’ve got a good shot of heading to the playoffs this season.

In 3 years Nate will be judged by playoff victories. In 5 years by rings.

But he’s passed the first test can he develop young players pretty well.

by boppitywop on Jan 23, 2009 11:10 AM PST reply actions