Coach of the Year Discussion with poll
by courtsideerrandboy on Apr 13, 2009 6:37 AM PDT
77 comments
The Coach of the Year award is interesting this year, with Nate McMillan being part of the discussion. Most national analysts will say he deserves a look while stating that he's done it quietly in the same breathe. I believe this is code for, their on the west coast in a small market and we never get to watch them.
So what are the criteria for coach of the year? To me, its not an award for the best coach. Its an award for the best job with what they have to work with. I first should state that being a Blazer homer allows biases, but I believe Nate should be being considered more than he is. Listening to the national media, to my ear, he has no shot.
I was just watching the Hornets Mavs Easter Sunday game and they brought up the discussion. Hubie Brown reiterated what i said above, "The job Nate McMillan has done in Portland with that young team is impressive, but I like Van Gundy, Mike Brown, and then George Karl to win the award for the job he's done in Denver with that team and the injuries." Is this not a contradiction? He said he liked the job Nate has done with that young team, but gives it to George Karl. At the time of this statement, George Karl has brought a team that added Chauncey Billups (after surviving cancer (Iverson)) to exactly one more win than the Trailblazers, with an outside chance they will play for the division title on the last day of the season. A Trailblazers team that without LaFrentz is the youngest roster in the league! A Trailblazers team that was .500 last year! A Trailblazers team that noticeably and statistically endured the NBA's toughest schedule! But George Karl has one more win with vets such as Billups, Anthony, and the first mostly healthy season for Kenyon martin in some time. Brown also talked of the injuries endured by the Nuggets. What about Greg Oden missing tons of games? We dont even have a back up center!! How about our starting small forward sitting out the season and being replaced by a 19 year old rookie?!!
So, if nothing else, with Hubie's criteria, he has proved to me what an amazing job Nate has done this year. With two games to go, the division, 54 wins, and 2nd in the West are still alive.
Here's to Nate McMillan for what sounds like a new approach to things this year with careful management, not too much Sarge, and regular rest as a reward for playing well against this tough schedule. Nate also ranks amongst the best for points out of timeouts (thanks Brandon)
All of that being said, as far as handing out the award? I have to give it to Mike Brown. It looks like they will only drop one game at home this season and may tie the Celtics for the best home record in NBA history. They too, have endured injuries to many starters. Hard to argue with that record. But in the west; it goes to Nate. There is no way anyone in their right mind thought we'd be pushing 2 or 3 in the conference and getting a look at a division title.
If for some reason Denver lost to Sac and we won the division Wednesday night, I think Nate would win it.
Go Kings, Go Blazers, Riptastic City!
~Updates~
Nate finally gets some love via Marc Stein
But Brian Hendrickson says, "Writers' survey: McMillan getting little respect in COY voting
Even the jaded Wendell Maxey can't understand why Nate gets no love.
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Think about how Nate has managed a roster 10 deep while maintaining one of the most cohesive locker rooms. This is also a testament to our personnel but possibly no coach is juggling minutes better than Nate. Here’s a link to another fans appreciation of how this team is coming along: http://davissportsdeli.com/wordpress/2009/04/11/10-reasons-im-looking-forward-to-the-nba-playoffs/
"Rudy’s flashy passes had the place whispering to each other like we were in junior high" ~BlazermaniacAndy
by courtsideerrandboy on Apr 12, 2009 2:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I think Mike Brown will win it where is that option. I would love for Nate to get some pub and recognition by being top 5
by FlyinSouth on Apr 12, 2009 2:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
haha
I’m such a jerk. Brown was who I meant. I fixed it, and I agree, their record is too epic.
"Rudy’s flashy passes had the place whispering to each other like we were in junior high" ~BlazermaniacAndy
by courtsideerrandboy on Apr 12, 2009 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
When you have Lebron James
it is a lot easier to rack up the wins. It also helps to be in the eastern conference. I personally think that what Nate has done with this Blazers team is nothing short of incredible and deserves to be recognized for it. Nate McMillan COY!
by BlazerFanFromDenver on Apr 13, 2009 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oregonlive did a similar poll the other day
I can’t imagine the results of a “who should be coach of the year” poll on a Blazers fan site. :)
But seriously, if you like Nate, you may want to hope he doesn’t ever win COY. It seems like a curse for coaches recently, like winning a Grammy for Best New Artist.
Besides, Jerry Sloan never won COY and is in the NBA HoF.
by Timmay! on Apr 12, 2009 2:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I hope Nate doesn't become Jerry Sloan
Are we going to address wrong by silencing the right? --Dave
by prezofdeath on Apr 12, 2009 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
haha
Thats what I’m thinking…Title please?!
"Rudy’s flashy passes had the place whispering to each other like we were in junior high" ~BlazermaniacAndy
by courtsideerrandboy on Apr 12, 2009 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
you could do a heck of a lot worse the Jerry Sloan
Magneto was right
MEMO TO KP-GET BIRDZILLA!
by WhiteRabbit on Apr 12, 2009 6:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nate > Sloan
No offense, I’m jus’ sayin’.
Are we going to address wrong by silencing the right? --Dave
by prezofdeath on Apr 12, 2009 8:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sloan is an all-time great
Nate is a good coach. I love Nate, and I love the Blazers but in the pantheon of coaches Sloan>>>>>>>Nate
Magneto was right
MEMO TO KP-GET BIRDZILLA!
by WhiteRabbit on Apr 12, 2009 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
the road record for Utah really bothers me
and I can’t remember a time when Utah was a good road team. Do they have a tough time getting themselves up for games outside of Salt Lake? Who should be motivating them?
The Utah boards are interesting reading regarding Sloan, especially his treatment of players like Ronnie Price, CJ Miles, Brewer, Korver.
I’ll never understand his affection for Matt Harpring, either
"its tough to play with one eye, unless you're a pirate." Delonte West
"una canasta a Pau en la cara" Rudy
by Honka Playboy on Apr 13, 2009 9:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Matt Harpring is an ol'-school player and rugged defender at small forward, which ...
would explain Jerry Sloan’s affection for him compared to an athletic, albeit defensively inept wing like C.J. Miles. Ronnie Brewer, who oftentimes gambles for steals, is still pretty poor at one-on-one perimeter defense. Regarding Ronnie Price, Brevin Knight is a more experienced, defensively sound backup point guard than him; it’s as simple as that there. Finally, Kyle Korver is a one-dimensional spot-up shooter on offense who doesn’t effectively cut or slash to the basket — which is a staple for wings in the UCLA high-post offense — thus, Sloan probably is irked by that flaw.
by AK1984 on Apr 13, 2009 9:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sentiment for Ole Rough N Ready types doesn't excuse Harpring his 10 minutes per game
I’d say Brevin Knight is more experienced at being a poor point guard. Do his stats say he is a better defensive PG than Price? Because nothing I’ve ever SEEN would say that.
I’m irked by Korver’s poor defense. Sloan does not seem to be. I’m irked by Korver’s socks, too
"its tough to play with one eye, unless you're a pirate." Delonte West
"una canasta a Pau en la cara" Rudy
by Honka Playboy on Apr 13, 2009 1:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep, all those Championships he's piled up in Utah sure look great.....
I think Sloan knows how to get his teams to run the pick and roll. Every. Single. Play.
I know less than half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
by haildablazer on Apr 13, 2009 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jerry Sloan's UCLA high-post offense > Nate McMillan's rinky-dink high/low zone offense.
Yet, that notwithstanding, I’ll concede that McMillan’s amateurish offensive scheme has led to the Portland Trail Blazers being a remarkably efficient team this season. Nontheless, Sloan’s system requires more intelligent coaching to effectively install it.
by AK1984 on Apr 13, 2009 7:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
this ">" means better - has Sloan's been better this year?
"its tough to play with one eye, unless you're a pirate." Delonte West
"una canasta a Pau en la cara" Rudy
by Honka Playboy on Apr 13, 2009 9:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nope, but the Utah Jazz are still a top-ten team in offensive efficiency this season.
by AK1984 on Apr 13, 2009 9:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Blazers are beating them in that catagory dude.
The Blazers are 3rd in the league, behind the Cavs and L*kers.
I know less than half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
by haildablazer on Apr 13, 2009 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It depends on how you calculate offensive efficiency
The method of calculation that Basketball-reference.com uses indicates that the Blazers are #1 in the NBA in offensive efficiency.
by trk on Apr 13, 2009 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just had this argument with a friend last night over beers.
The friend was arguing that both Utah and Denver were statistically superior in this category.
A little research showed that my friend owed me $10 and some respect.
by ArbyOSU on Apr 13, 2009 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, I know that; hence, my use of the word "[n]ope" in my above post to ...
the prior question of “has Sloan’s [offensive efficiency] been better this year?”
by AK1984 on Apr 13, 2009 6:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Again, y'all need to learn a bit about semantics, sentence structure (i.e., ...
styntax), et cetera. My use of “Nope, but […]” plainly infers that I agree with you.
by AK1984 on Apr 13, 2009 6:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
To that I point again
to the teaching first graders basic math before calc. The greatest teacher in the world can only teach what his class can absorb. Have the blazers been improving each year? I think that’s the real question. Have the plays become more complex as the season has progressed? Are the blazers running more varied plays?
The goal is not to be better, the goal is to be the best.
by ratbastird on Apr 13, 2009 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly
We’re talking about this season. Not Sloan’s 20 year career. They’ve endured injuries, but finding themselves in the 8th seed does not garner coach of the year status. Nate is the big surprise in the West. The consensus team to make a run at the 7 or 8 seed is now pushing for 2-4, has one of the best records at home, won 20 on the road, is the youngest team, and had the toughest schedule! What more evidence need there be!?
"Rudy’s flashy passes had the place whispering to each other like we were in junior high" ~BlazermaniacAndy
by courtsideerrandboy on Apr 13, 2009 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I love Utah's system. I wish we did more cuts like they did. They cut so hard to the basket, someone is usually open for a jumpshot, or has a clear path to the basket.
Nate’s O system is still a work in progress I think. One thing I think Nate has over Sloan, is that he seems a little more willing to change the sets to curtail it to his players strengths.
by dario argento on Apr 13, 2009 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
exactly
The goal is not to be better, the goal is to be the best.
by ratbastird on Apr 13, 2009 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Seriously,
Winning this award is like an SI or Madden cover! Sloan has done an amazing job there. But I couldn’t stand having so many good seasons without a title!
Nate is the definitely a homer pic. But I couldn’t imagine giving it to Karl over him, who has one more win. I just think he has superbly exceeded expectations which is fundamental to the award.
"Rudy’s flashy passes had the place whispering to each other like we were in junior high" ~BlazermaniacAndy
by courtsideerrandboy on Apr 12, 2009 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I chose Adelman on the poll myself (not trying to hide my pick or anything)
I think Adelman is really underrated in the NBA, and coaxed significantly more out of that injury-plagued Rockets team than an average replacement would.
However, I think SVG or Brown is going to win the thing. SVG will have earned it due to his work with both the Heat and the Magic.
I’m sometimes surprised a coach hasn’t declined the award. For every Popovich that wins it, it feels like there are two coaches who are gone within two seasons.
(Re: the above Sloan thread, I can’t hold the lack of a title against Sloan. He ran into a Jordan buzzsaw, like we did in ‘92, and some of Utah’s success, like last season’s WCF, was completely unexpected)
by Timmay! on Apr 12, 2009 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The case for Nate: Has again improved the winning percentage of his team once again. Some injury problems. Very young team. Had to work in several rookies. Great record at home and decent on the road (something that speaks e.g. against Sloan who had a mediocre year by his standards).
The case against Nate: Team record not really distinguishable from Adleman and Karl in the West. In the East Brown and Van Gundy also had to work with a decimated roster (Z, Wally and Wallace respectively Nelson).
I think ultimately it will go to Van Gundy who surprisingly has his team play great defense and coached them to a very good record against Boston and Cleveland. With Brown coming out second, who while just having to hand over everything to LeBron was also wise enough to hire an offensive coordinator since that’s not his strength. Nate might come in third, but a problem is that there are only 3 spots on the ballot as far as I know, so he could easily be left off by many peers who give one spot as some “lifetime achievement award”.
Greg Oden = Robert Parish (HOF, 4x NBA champion, 9x NBA All-Star). The only other rookie with more than 500 points, 400 rebounds, and 65 blocks in under 1400 minutes played. Since 1946.
by Norsktroll on Apr 12, 2009 3:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
If you bring up injuries you have to bring up Nate
No Webster for the season, Oden plays 60 games, and a variety of injuries to the wing players (Blake, Roy, Rudy, Batum) and the Blazers still keep rolling. Not to mention playing four rooks, three of which are in the regular rotation and the fourth had some meaningful minutes due to injuries.
PTB Liberation Day - 2/10/04
by tssbro on Apr 12, 2009 11:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Stan Van Gundy
The Magic did not make any big additions to their roster (cough Mo Williams cough) and yet they’re on pace for 58-60 wins without Jameer Nelson for most of the season. Their defense has definitely been impressive.
by Eventine on Apr 12, 2009 4:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah but
Look how young the Blazers are, look at the jump from last season. Look at our unbelievable offense. Comeback wins. Play in a actually hard conference. The Magic are my East team and I sure as hell didn’t think they would win 55+ games without Nelson. Likely candidates both of em.
http://saboner.mybrute.com
by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 12, 2009 6:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
agreed
SVG flat out deserves it.
Nate’s in the discussion but I can’t put him over SVG or Adelman.
by jksnake99 on Apr 12, 2009 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's a tough one to call because there are so many ways to look at it...
but one thing is clear, the Magic and Houston were already playoff teams last year, Portland had just made a massive improvement to get to 41 wins. Now we have the same record as Houston but are a team full of young players, have a shot at 2nd place and are the only new WC team in the playoffs.
Nelson was lost but the Magic picked up Alston right away (mind you you have to give SVG credit for being able to integrate a new PG on a moment’s notice). They do have Howard who happened to be the starting center for the gold medal team, not to mention a veteran supporting cast.
Nate should be in the race for COY not only because we are so young and have improved our record so much but because we have been so steady and focused as indicated by our having no major losing streaks, winning so many come-from-behind games, winning so many close games. That is incredible proof that the coach has the players’ focused and motivated… that they are so young shows that he was able to teach them progressively as well.
by QuebecBlzrFan on Apr 13, 2009 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good Point
I think we lost 3 in a row only once and 2 in a row only a few times. Keeping the kids focused!
"Rudy’s flashy passes had the place whispering to each other like we were in junior high" ~BlazermaniacAndy
by courtsideerrandboy on Apr 13, 2009 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
you are correct sir.
The goal is not to be better, the goal is to be the best.
by ratbastird on Apr 13, 2009 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ah, I shake my head in dismay at seeing the blatant homerism shine through via this poll.
Now, with regards to reality, Stan Van Gundy should win 2008-2009 NBA Coach of the Year Award.
by AK1984 on Apr 12, 2009 10:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I kinda agree
I thought there would be some homer votes but not a wash! Usually we are more objective around here. I guess this is a sign of us getting wayyyyy fired up for the post season!
"Rudy’s flashy passes had the place whispering to each other like we were in junior high" ~BlazermaniacAndy
by courtsideerrandboy on Apr 12, 2009 11:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So surprising on a Blazer page
I would be interested in hearing your rationale for SVG’s runaway win.
PTB Liberation Day - 2/10/04
by tssbro on Apr 12, 2009 11:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu have become effective defenders
Stan deserves a lot of credit.
draft dejuan blair
by Cablinasian on Apr 13, 2009 12:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Indded, Stan Van Gundy has done something that Nate McMillan couldn't do in his coaching ...
career by converting Rashard Lewis from a subpar defender into an average defender. McMillan, however, is an overrated defensive coach in a multitude of ways.
by AK1984 on Apr 13, 2009 5:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's not coaching to play defense
he’s coaching to win.
The goal is not to be better, the goal is to be the best.
by ratbastird on Apr 13, 2009 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
there are always exceptions
it’s about balance, not about one or the other. Blazers have also started playing defense. The problem with defense is that team defense requires the entire team. It’s about rotations and blah blah blah. The blazers, for the third year in a row, were an entirely new team again (see addition of four rookies, the loss of webster, the trade of jack, the release of james jones)
As the team has continued to play together, their defense has improved. Offense is easier and that’s been exceptional. The defense will catch up.
Again, Nate is winning and the defense is improving.
The goal is not to be better, the goal is to be the best.
by ratbastird on Apr 13, 2009 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
to coin a phrase
"its tough to play with one eye, unless you're a pirate." Delonte West
"una canasta a Pau en la cara" Rudy
by Honka Playboy on Apr 13, 2009 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
it's a mantra repeated without thought
Defense HELPS win championships, it’s not the only thing and it’s often a balance of things. It’s a game of give and take and good coach finds where that balance is with the tools he has to maximize his potential for winning.
You don’t start a first grader out with advance calc. You gradually work towards it.
The goal is not to be better, the goal is to be the best.
by ratbastird on Apr 13, 2009 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It may be a clichéd platitude to some folks, but it's an axiomatic adage to me.
Out of the last six NBA championship squads, five of those were more efficient on defense than on offense.
During that time frame, the Miami Heat were the lone exception. Nevertheless, the team that it beat in the 2006 NBA Finals (i.e., the Dallas Mavericks) was the most efficient offensive team in the league that season, but wasn’t even in the top one-third in defensive efficiency.
Y’know, there’s several reasons that I’d rather have a guy like Jeff Foster on the Portland Trail Blazers than Travis Outlaw. Let’s just say that defense is certainly one of those reasons, with rebounding and overall fundamentals being others.
by AK1984 on Apr 13, 2009 9:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
To those points
I can definitely agree. Defense is something that needs to be tightened for the blazers. I’m definitely not overlooking that. I also think it’s something that requires the team growing together to be able to do it. Understanding each other will help, and then I think we’ll be able to see what Nate can do with a team ready and willing to be molded. I think that two years from now, if Nate is still with the blazers, you’ll see what he can really do as a defensive coach. Right now, he’s going for where he can get the most bang for his buck, and that’s offense.
The goal is not to be better, the goal is to be the best.
by ratbastird on Apr 13, 2009 10:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's my personal opinion
as that’s what I’d do with so many offensive players.
The goal is not to be better, the goal is to be the best.
by ratbastird on Apr 13, 2009 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Um, those two should be the same thing
Unless you’re Don Nelson.
That Steve Nash is exactly the same as Kirk Hinrich, but worse.
by NBA Observer on Apr 8, 2009 12:23 PM CDT
by Ozzie Montana on Apr 13, 2009 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
nope
The goal is not to be better, the goal is to be the best.
by ratbastird on Apr 13, 2009 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I kinda think a Blazers site is the perfect place for a little homerism regarding the Blazers
Not to mention that Nate has done an incredible job this season.
by BlazerFanFromDenver on Apr 13, 2009 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can't make a judement without stats
by tominhawaii on Apr 13, 2009 6:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Stan Van Gundy is world-renowned porn star Ron Jeremy's doppelgänger; thus, he's got a greater ...
“shower presence” than Nate McMillan — or any other NBA head coach for that matter — so that’s settled.
by AK1984 on Apr 13, 2009 7:29 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
george karl
the chaucey billups trade enough said,coach nate is 1 helluva a coach though.he really needs to give this team a true identity next season.
by fatty on Apr 13, 2009 7:22 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Denver Nuggets VP of Basketball Operations Mark Warkentien gets credit for the Chauncey Billups ...
deal. Anyhow, Warkentien undoubtedly deserves to win the 2008-2009 NBA Executive of the Year Award.
by AK1984 on Apr 13, 2009 7:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The interesting thing about the Exec reward
KP deserved it with the Roy/Aldridge deal, but people thought it was a bad move that year. Now it’s pure genius.
KP could have deserved it last year with the rudy/zach move that cleared cap and brought in a guy who’ll be our future. yet it wasn’t genius until this year. I believe Ainge won it with his short term trade the future for a chance now move.
KP is not short term and people don’t appreciate the moves he makes when he makes them. Check out Batum and KP’s acquisition of him. That’ll be appreciated by others in a few more years, but not this year.
KP may never win because he plays the long term game and others will always make more short term splash. Who was teh exec who takes the credit for AI in the first place?
The goal is not to be better, the goal is to be the best.
by ratbastird on Apr 13, 2009 8:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Undoubtedly, Kevin Pritchard should've won the 2006-2007 NBA Executive of the Year over ...
Bryan Colangelo. On the other hand, though, there’s absolutely no way you can reasonably argue that anyone except for Danny Ainge should’ve won the 2007-2008 NBA Executive of the Year. That, without question, was a cut-‘n’-dry decision.
by AK1984 on Apr 13, 2009 8:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree that it's not debatable.
It’s about long term and short term. Ainge won, one championship but may have sold his teams future. It was a gamble and he won, so I give him kudos for the guts to do it and finding a way. On the other hand, that was simply one trade. it was big, it was flashy. However, an idiot can have brilliance sometimes, and prior to that trade Ainge was considered an idiot.
On the other hand, he got that championship and that can be an elusive thing, so i do give him credit for that. He saw the blazers coming and decided to win while the window was open.
Ainge wins if you care about the short term and big and flashy. Personally, I prefer long term. I do recognize that the media won’t though because the reasons for the why tend to be more subtle and can only be shown years later.
The goal is not to be better, the goal is to be the best.
by ratbastird on Apr 13, 2009 9:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The case for nate
1.) Team improves wins by ten.
2.) Starting small forward (Webster, remember him?) out for entire season.
3.) Able to fit a no name rookie into starting position (Batum) and blazers keep winning.
4.) Dealt with other injuries to Oden, Roy, and others and was able to juggle rotation to keep winning.
5.) Record book season in terms of players (see oregonlive.com three point article)
6.) One of the youngest teams (if not THE youngest) EVER to enjoy the success the blazers are having.
7.) Four rookies with three playing significant minutes. And no, you CANT tell me that Rudy doesn’t count. That’s such a whimp out answer. Go look at other euro rookies. Look at Rudy’s stats. Look at the rookies winning rookie of the years… Experience in the NBA counts and those four guys did not have it.
8.) Major line up shifts (see adding four new rookies, absence of Webster and departure of Jack who played 20 some minutes) that disrupted the flow of the blazers during the early part of the season… and yet the team still only lost, five games a month. they won with a fair amount of constancy.
9.) The blazers play as a team 100%. Superstars can carry bad teams, but good teams can beat super stars. Actually team, teamwork, and chemistry are all helped and influenced by the leaders of the team, which would be Roy and… The coach. They set the tone, the preach the hardwork, they set the example.
10.) With the injuries and loss of Webster THE STARTER for the ENTIRE YEAR, the blazers overachieved. They are playing for the top 2-4 seeds. Most predicted 7th and 8th, and that was WITH Webster healthy and Oden dominating on defense. If the blazers had actually been healthy with webster and Oden hadn’t been out for 20 games so he could have continued to get his groove on and a feel for the game…
11.) The blazers are in the playoffs for the first time in five years or so (I don’t remember the exact number), and they’ll likely have home court advantage in the first round.
12.) Every team but cleveland and Lakers have the same record as the blazers (or close to). Oh, but blazers have that youth and inexperience that people USED to talk about. Has anybody in the media actually been watching the blazers??? Maybe they should try.
13.) Blazers beat the spurs on their home court when the game MATTERED. Blazers beat LA on the Blazer home court when Kobe was FIRED UP WITH HUNGER for that game.
14.) And finally, the national media seems to have said it themselves without even realizing what they’re saying. The blazers are the one team that NO team in the NBA wants to play in the play-offs. Think about that for a second. After you pause on that thought; digest it and take in what that means, then you tell ME why Nate doesn’t deserve coach of the year.
So given all that I’m open to hearing why someone else may be worthy. What coach in the NBA tops that?
The goal is not to be better, the goal is to be the best.
by ratbastird on Apr 13, 2009 8:42 AM PDT reply actions 5 recs
Good argument sir.
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
Regarding BRoy:"Another day, another buzzer-beater. This man is so clutch he sets his body clock to go off one second before his alarm does every morning."
~Rob D from NBAmate
by twiggs on Apr 13, 2009 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good job this should almost be a fanpost by itself.
by two buck chuck on Apr 13, 2009 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
but then
i’d have needed to proof read it and corrected the gramar a little to make it pretty. And that’s, like, work and stuff.
The goal is not to be better, the goal is to be the best.
by ratbastird on Apr 13, 2009 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Plus
you know, this thread was all about the coach of the year, so by rules it should be here.
I sort of hope nate doesn’t get it. I mean, wouldn’t that tick YOU off a little as a player? the league failing to recognize? Sports media has only recognized the flashy with the blazers, and failed to see the legit. (13 win streak last year “omg so good” compared to consistency in winning this year and beating extremely good teams)
The goal is not to be better, the goal is to be the best.
by ratbastird on Apr 13, 2009 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey
i’ve noticed no rebuttal. I gave some passionate answers as reasons for nate being COY. I’m honestly interested in why someone else should be. If no one responds here, i’ll probably clean up my above answer, provide links, and then ask again. I am seriously curious and welcome opposing opinions.
The goal is not to be better, the goal is to be the best.
by ratbastird on Apr 14, 2009 8:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
On the Jim Rome show
He said he just received a “Nate Mcmillan Smart Pen” from the Trailblazers, lobbying him for coach of the year. He said he’ll have a take on that in a little while. I’m glad the team is picking him up the way they’ve tried to for Roy for Roy and Roy and Aldridge for All Star.
"Rudy’s flashy passes had the place whispering to each other like we were in junior high" ~BlazermaniacAndy
by courtsideerrandboy on Apr 13, 2009 9:11 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
My heart says Nate.
But I am secretly hoping that Sloan gets it because he has done so much over his coaching career.
My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.
by OCBlazerFan1 on Apr 13, 2009 10:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't think he deserves it this year
or that he’ll ever deserve it again in the future. I think he was robbed in years past. Eventually he may get the pity vote, but it won’t be earned the year he gets it.
The goal is not to be better, the goal is to be the best.
by ratbastird on Apr 13, 2009 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly
We’re talking about this season. Not Sloan’s 20 year career. They’ve endured injuries, but finding themselves in the 8th seed does not garner coach of the year status. Nate is the big surprise in the West. The consensus team to make a run at the 7 or 8 seed is now pushing for 2-4, has one of the best records at home, won 20 on the road, is the youngest team, and had the toughest schedule! What more evidence need there be!?
"Rudy’s flashy passes had the place whispering to each other like we were in junior high" ~BlazermaniacAndy
by courtsideerrandboy on Apr 13, 2009 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm gonna puke if Mike Brown wins it. I think he is vastly over-rated. People talk about how great thier defense is, and it is good, very good.
But I think LBJ deserves the credit to their defensive dominance. LBJ can switch on the pick and roll almost every play and guard just about anyone. They have a horde of rugged, defensive players to throw at you, and big bodies to prevent too many offensive rebounds. And the cavs offense is painfully predictable, LBJ at the top of the key, drives to the basket every time and takes it himself, or dishes.
by dario argento on Apr 13, 2009 11:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree
I can’t get over years past when he simply blabbered love about LB.
Personally I think it should be Blazers, Magic, and then Cavs, in that order. The improvements with what I still consider sub par players, ARE impressive. So i’d rank him third, but I think the improvement of the Magic is also impressive and the improvement of the blazers would be the most impressive if anyone actually took a look back at what they had expected at the beginning of the year (who WASNT a blazer “homer”/fan)
Heck I said 48-52 wins so even I’m surprised (although I was really trying to be pesimistic. I would have lowered it, but i honestly couldn’t think of a legit reason to do so even after webster was hurt). that said, i didn’t expect us to have a chance at the #2 play-off seed in the west. Blazers definitely overachieved… again.
The goal is not to be better, the goal is to be the best.
by ratbastird on Apr 13, 2009 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
... and their offense has gone from 20th last year to 4th this year
give the man some credit.
by jksnake99 on Apr 13, 2009 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
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