Do I remember these two Nate quotes/attributions correctly?

by Ojala John on Feb 7, 2009 12:54 PM PST

Like many here I'm a coach. I admit that I have used the media more than once for political spin or to bring home points and motivate my players. Thus I take second hand (media) representations of team dynamics with a grain of salt. I also think Nate's been great so far.

But two recent statements attributed to him in the media (and the lack of their manifestation on the court) are bothering me. If I understood correctly Joel was quoted as saying that "pound the paint" has been part of nearly every game plan for quite some time. He also allowed that the players have ignored that directive until recently.

I also remember Nate as being quoted as saying that switching on picks is a breakdown/emergency option. That doesn't seem to be born out on game film. Do I misremember these two statements? Trusting that I'm close, I make the following observation:

I have lost the focused attention of every one of my players over the course of long, multiyear associations. And I've seen plenty of my peers lose their audiences as well. In my experience it's the core players- those closest to the coach- that often seem to lose listening skills first. This in and of itself isn't such a big deal in my opinion. To me it's simply the product of monotony and fatigue.

But what the coach does after realizing that his team has tuned him out is a defining quality of the team and the coach. I am reminded of a story about Pat Riley burying his head in a bucket of half melted ice for quite a length of time in an effort to get Alonzo Mourning and friends to refocus on what he wanted them doing differently.

We all seem to agree that it's time for Nate to get a dozen guys to change some habits. But first do I remember these two quotes correctly?

If so, how would you as Coach-for- a-day make dedicated and seemingly coachable (but young) professionals begin listening again and doing as directed?

I propose that changing their bad habits (isos, jump shooting and coasting around picks) won't happen until they are reengaged. Your thoughts?

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I too remember these statements

I have no idea why they are not being followed by the team. I’d be mad as hell if I was the head coach.

persistence is the key

by OOODDDEEENNN on Feb 7, 2009 1:52 PM PST reply actions

Yeah, I agree that the rhetoric from Nate and others doesn't translate to the court.

They talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk.

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by LaMarvelous on Feb 7, 2009 2:15 PM PST reply actions

nice post.

the team focuses a lot better at home, has trouble getting up on the road. some of it is that this is just a long season, i think the guys are counting days/games to the all star break. another part is i think they were starting to believe their hype, especially as they tallied up wins they probably shouldn’t have gotten. i think nate enjoys a solid relationship with the guys, i think “tuned out” is going too far to describe the current state of the team.

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by Ben Golliver on Feb 7, 2009 2:29 PM PST reply actions

I agree with Ben

and just want to add that both of these things have to do with contact. When the Blazers decide to play physical, they take the ball into the paint, they crash over screens, and they win games.

I’m hoping that someone in practice today is challenging the manhood of this team. Maybe Pryz could do it. Fadeaway jumpers and switches on defense are for pansies. It’s time to cowboy up.

by LicketyBrindle on Feb 7, 2009 4:05 PM PST reply actions

Every team is obviously different

But if I were in Nate’s position, and this particular group of players weren’t executing instructions, I think I might be inclined to have a meeting with Brandon and LMA. I would string together video of about 50 representative plays where instructions weren’t carried out, and where Brandon and LMA were the major culprits. Then, I would show them video of about 100 representative plays where someone else was the major culprit.

And then I would tell them that if they don’t set the tone, no one will.

And then I would tell them that if players don’t execute coach’s instructions, it isn’t going to work, and you either change the players or change the coach. And (channeling Nate) I would tell them that I can get a coaching job at the drop of a hat, and if our execution doesn’t improve, I probably won’t be back next year.

I might just have the meeting with Brandon. He’s the main guy who needs to kick some rear ends (including his own). Brandon is The Guy on this team. And I don’t know enough of the internal dynamics here. But I would be inclined to include LMA because you want him to really step up, too. You want him to be saying in the huddle, and even on the court, “Why aren’t you looking inside to Greg?” etc.

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by jscot on Feb 7, 2009 10:46 PM PST reply actions

Oh, and...

this is a great fanpost and question. One that I hope someone points out to Nate. Because our problem is not what Nate is telling the team, it is a lack of commitment to execution.

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by jscot on Feb 7, 2009 10:47 PM PST reply actions

thing is our team is young

when their shots are falling, they play great defense because they feel better. when brandon goes to the hoop and hits his shot, he might complain about the foul but he gets back and plays defense all the same. when he goes up and misses—he looks up at the rafters and can’t believe there’s a no call. Even though it lasts probably 1-2 seconds, the other team takes that opportunity to push the ball. he’s the team leader. I would take him aside and make him watch tape of it (you can see it repeatedly in the 4th q of the OKC game). Regardless of whether or not you’re fouled, you get back and you play defense—the refs can’t take that away from you. When the game stops, THEN you tell the refs to look out more.

Please, for the love of all that is holy, please stop using the following: "Book it.", "FTW", "Epic" & "Fail".

...no seriously--stop.

by nima on Feb 8, 2009 7:10 AM PST reply actions