This is Our Guy

by Dave on Apr 17, 2009 9:18 PM PDT

Jason Quick has a great article up about the history and evolution of Nate McMillan as Portland's coach. It's a must-read.

The more I hear about Nate the more I'm glad that he's our coach. You just have a hard time arguing against what he's done with this team and for this organization.

--Dave

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Nate will bring us a championship (or 15).

The BEdger previously known as BR7formvp.

by L-TrainFTW! on Apr 17, 2009 9:20 PM PDT reply actions

I read that story as well

and it simply reinforced all the feelings that I have had throughout the season that Nate was our guy.

The other thing that I took away from the story is this:

Sarge is dead.

More to the point “The Sarge” was not a McMillan creation but rather a Zach creation. Now that Zach is gone “The Sarge” has gone with him, and henceforth on Nate should never be mentioned as “The Sarge.”

The Sarge was a direct result of all that was so bad about this team from the mid 2000s to now. With the waiving of Miles (wish his contract went too), the death of the J*ilblazers became complete and all that was “The Sarge” died with that move.

Here is to tomorrow and our whupping of the Rockets!!!

"Damn the Blazers. Damn them to hell. They are working the rest of the league like a speed bag." - Bill Simmons 6/26/08

by SpyderRyder on Apr 17, 2009 9:32 PM PDT reply actions

I get your point...

but, Sarge is not dead.

Sure, “Sarge” is a pejorative to Z-Bo. Z-bo is dead. If any of the current team were to use the moniker, I assume it would be one of complete respect for Nate McMillan and the discipline he demands from his players. He is “Sarge” because he demands respect. That Kevin Pritchard factors character into his personnel decisions makes it easier for Coach McMillan to tone down the authoritarian side of his personality, but it is still there and I expect to see it if the Coach decides he needs to display it.

by lama on Apr 17, 2009 10:30 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

I read Quick's article just before I came back to the Bedge and saw

your latest post. Nate deserves the COY of course but I’ve also changed my mind about Quick with his latest articles on the Blazers. His series is very fine and he certainly deserves whatever sportswriter awards that are given out.

"Aneurysm".

When Outlaw wins a game on a last-second shot, it’s called an "annthefaneurysm". QualityPie

by annthefan on Apr 17, 2009 9:37 PM PDT reply actions

Time for all the insomnicacs

to start posting – this is going to be a big day (Saturday)….

Here is my Playoff mode signature, that I thought up myself: "Just Do It".

by johnv59 on Apr 17, 2009 9:37 PM PDT reply actions

Insomniacs...on BE...?

Where do I sign in?

"Hey, John Kerry - Why the long face?"

by dirka dirka on Apr 17, 2009 9:51 PM PDT up reply actions

So that's why Jack was always in the dog house

“It’s our first trip, and we have three guys who are late,” McMillan said. “But not just late, not even there.”

Both Randolph and Miles were among the three late. The other was rookie Jarrett Jack.

by Gargen on Apr 17, 2009 9:45 PM PDT reply actions

COY is always a tough award because it doesn't accurately measure tangenial growth

If there were a three-year arc for a superb coach award…coined “Co3Yrs,” then fate says Nate.

"Hey, John Kerry - Why the long face?"

by dirka dirka on Apr 17, 2009 9:50 PM PDT reply actions

Dang, I'd say that Dave is in full playoff mode

cranking out some content today.

Great article by Quick. I can’t imagine how excruciating that first season was for Nate. And how rewarding it must feel to be where he is today.

by tominrehab on Apr 17, 2009 9:53 PM PDT reply actions

it's gotta be nice for him

to only have to worry about basketball and not balancing ego’s and babysitting grown men.
He has to feel an enormous amount of accomplishment from going from that on his first day, to 15,000 fans coming out on a Thursday to show their appreciation

by Peteyhasnohead on Apr 17, 2009 9:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Thanks for the link

What a great bit of history to read. I really respect our guy, Nate, whether he acts like a Sarge or an understanding father.

by staylost on Apr 17, 2009 9:57 PM PDT reply actions

outstanding article

though i think it kind of tailed off at the end…I WANTED MORE DANGIT!!

Nate is awesome. I’ve not gotten down on him once and I’m glad he has made the decisions he has. I’d love to see him spend the rest of his life w/in our organization in some capacity or another.

If I've said it once, I've said it a million times: I heart Portland!!!

by saregister on Apr 17, 2009 10:09 PM PDT reply actions

I'd like to say hello and introduce myself

I’ve been checking in daily for over a year. I started following basketball again when Lebron was drafted and have kept an eye an the blazers from Roy/ LMA on. Live in Pdx. Looking forward to the Playoffs. I could see the finals being Portland v.s. Orlando. Houston’s blog is comparatively bleak in terms of postings. Most comments That I read were from BE Regulars and were very polite. I too wish Houston a good series, but I want Portland to win.

by LewisClark on Apr 17, 2009 10:10 PM PDT reply actions

Welcome!

I hope your prediction comes true!

by lama on Apr 17, 2009 10:33 PM PDT up reply actions

We Are Lucky to Have a Reporter Like Quick

He’s not afraid to dig into moments that most of us fans want to know about but would probably be too afraid to ask about if we were in his position. As much respect as I already had for McMillan before this, reading the article made me respect even more his pretty obvious leadership skills. Making tough choices is always difficult, but McMillan has made them and made them without regret and for the better of the team. Gotta respect that.

by cchellis on Apr 17, 2009 10:27 PM PDT reply actions

he's proved himself well

i still think coach nate could have handled the rodriguez/bayless and oden/przybilla rotations a lot better, but at least it’s paying off now – sergio’s playing a lot better, and coach finally realized the vanilla gorilla is the better center to start. joel’s MORE than earned it, and is a true leader on this team.

coach of the year? definitely.

by stephentheh on Apr 17, 2009 10:29 PM PDT reply actions

We need a stat for "value over replacement coach". Nate would be up high

Coach seems to be a great team leader who has found access to his players and earned their respect (of those that are left) – and they earned his. Reminds me very much of change management projects I was involved in. Sometimes teams and organizations have become so dysfunctional that the simplest of things like respectful communication and trust in other peoples competence don’t work. And then sometimes going back to zero and being tough are the only things that produce any result even if it is somewhat out of character and not what you really wanted to do.

Sidenote: A bit unfortunate that Jarrett Jack gets singled out along with those other two, who by all accounts was very professional for the Blazers and Pacers. Maybe he wasn’t at the very beginning, but he has definitely stepped up and did everything demanded of him.

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 17, 2009 10:31 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Of all those 3 tardy players Jarrett was probably the only one with a legitimate reason.

"Aneurysm".

When Outlaw wins a game on a last-second shot, it’s called an "annthefaneurysm". QualityPie

by annthefan on Apr 17, 2009 10:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Do you know his reason?

The BEdger previously known as BR7formvp.

by L-TrainFTW! on Apr 17, 2009 10:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Nope, just an assumption given his work ethic when he was a Blazer.

"Aneurysm".

When Outlaw wins a game on a last-second shot, it’s called an "annthefaneurysm". QualityPie

by annthefan on Apr 17, 2009 10:59 PM PDT up reply actions

He was a rookie in Portland for the first time

He could have simply got lost. :-)

by grigs on Apr 18, 2009 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions

agreed

Jarrett Jack is and has always been a class act. He always worked his tail off and did the right thing.

by tominrehab on Apr 17, 2009 10:44 PM PDT up reply actions

BLAZER FAN BEHIND ENEMY LINES

ANY BLAZER FANS IN THE L.A. AREA MEETING TO WATCH THE GAME. BIG WANG’S? BARNEY’S BEANERY? SUGGESTIONS?

-BLAZER BILL

by bbails on Apr 17, 2009 10:49 PM PDT reply actions

Man, 7:30 can't come fast enough. This game is going to be insane.

by BRoyInThe4th on Apr 17, 2009 11:32 PM PDT reply actions

I cant wait

How in the world am i supposed to focus on Calc IV homework when all i can think about is tomorrows game? Dave please post something new for me to read.

by benias on Apr 17, 2009 11:54 PM PDT reply actions

Today I had a dream that Blazers are playing in the first game.

I was somewhere and could not watch the game, but when I got home I was really anxious too see who won. When I walked in my home TV was on and Blazers just won. They like by 3 or 4 points. I was so relived that now I know that Blazers got 1 game. The score was something like 87-84. But when I woke up I realized that Blazers did not win yet.

And Oden, once again, is a rookie, so non-stop fast break basketball is like fast-forwarding a song while he's trying to learn the lyrics.

by RipCity on Apr 18, 2009 12:28 AM PDT reply actions

I've loved Nate since day 1...

…and I think that “Sarge” is fitting, still, because he’s kind of made it his own. He’s not the disciplinarian, unapproachable Sarge anymore, because he doesn’t have to be. These young men finally don’t need a babysitter, just a coach who knows what to do.

I’ve loved Sarge’s hiring since day one, and I think the team owes a lot of their success to him. He reminds me of my HS coach from not too long ago. We never had any incredible superstars, but we were good because we always played as a team and won with defense. At the state tournament you couldn’t leave your hotel room unless Coach or one of the assistants went with you. No swimming until the tourney was over. There was a lights-out time. We knew the rules, and no one stepped out of them, because we knew we were there to play ball, and we respected that. Was it authoritarian? Of course, but it produced results. We were better for it, and we respected that, just like our boys respect Nate.

For my money, Nate is COY, hands down. I can’t wait for game time tonight!

by dagraffman on Apr 18, 2009 2:13 AM PDT reply actions

BIG FAN

of nate mcmillan

by 5212872 on Apr 18, 2009 2:16 AM PDT reply actions

But

Why all the NEW love? Most of us who have followed the Blazers for years were surprised and delighted the day that McMillan was announced as the Blazers coach four years ago. He appeared then, before coaching a game for the Blazers, to be the perfect coach for the team, and history has merely reinforced what then was only a promise.

Still, the reason why Portland is fourth seed and is matched up with Houston instead of second seed and matched up with New Orleans comes down to one inexplicable coaching “mistake” that Nate McMillan committed on March 21. The Blazers played Milwaukee that evening in Milwaukee, the last game of a very difficult five-game road trip (Hawks, Grizzlies, Pacers, Cavaliers, Bucks) that had them playing two back-to-backs, the second game of the second back-to-back in Cleveland on March 19, where they played their tails off to the final buzzer, and almost pulled of a W. But against the Bucks, McMillan, his players still fatigued from the Cavaliers effort, fielded effectively a seven-man rotation (eight players made the scorecard, but one had only nominal floor time). The Blazers did beat the Bucks, winning a victory against a last-quartile NBA team, but at what cost?

Two nights later, in Portland, the first game at home after the road trip, the Blazers played the Sixers, and every one of the starting five was sluggish and a step slow. It was as if the players were playing in lead-weighted shoes. The team lost a home game that it should have won — the last time the team lost a home game, incidentally. Yes, Osie Leon Wood, III, had something — a LOT — to do with the Sixers’ victory/Blazers’ loss on March 23, but Wood would not have been a factor had the Blazers been fresher that night. And it was there and then, in retrospect, that the Blazers lost the Northwest Division championship.

Maybe if Nate had kept a little gas in the tank on March 21, the Blazers would be looking to playing Chris Paul in the first round and the winner of Denver vs. Dallas — home court advantage Portland — in the second round, rather than Yao Ming in the first round and — even if the Blazers win the Houston series — almost certainly the L*kers in Round Two with home court advantage EllEh.

by monkeysuncle on Apr 18, 2009 3:12 AM PDT reply actions

Correction

If the Blazers had won the Sixers game on March 23, they would be #2 seed and playing the #7 Hornets in Round One, as stated; but the Nuggets would then have been the #4 seed, and the Rockets would be playing their first two playoff games in Denver. If, in that scenario, the Blazers then beat the Hornets in Round One, the Blazers would have faced the winner of #3 San Antonio vs. #6 Dallas in Round Two.

by monkeysuncle on Apr 18, 2009 3:52 AM PDT up reply actions

Impossible to say

I think the point of the article is that Nate is pretty good at reading his team and getting them to produce. It is hard to argue with the results. That loss to the Cavs seemed to give them confidence that they could play with anyone. Nate preaches every game is as important as any other game. Maybe when the team is filled with veterans who have been through the playoffs and produced and won, Nate will go through another change and that message will be relaxed a bit.

PTB Liberation Day - 2/10/04

by tssbro on Apr 18, 2009 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Quick

is covering the Blazers like no other writer in Blazers history, this last month of articles has been unbelievably insightful.

Keep up the good work JQ, I hope the behind the locker room doors stuff continues throughout this playoff run.

I try to help with everything," Fernandez said. "If the coach says go rebound, I go rebound. I work for the team.

""If I'm playing this game to get media and attention, I shouldn't be here," Aldridge said. "I'm here to play basketball, and do what I can do to help this team win."

by Dragonage on Apr 18, 2009 7:18 AM PDT reply actions

I've always loved Nate

I know a lot of people jump on him and maybe occasionally he makes a mistake, but you know what, it happens, players have off nights, why not a coach once in a while. But I love this guy. I think his personality fits our team so well. He’s business, just like Roy and Aldridge, our 2 stars. Nate’s a northwest guy, fits our culture, he’s no nonsense, which fits with our core and our entire organization. Like KP is always preaching, it’s a culture that we’ve developed from top down throughout the entire organization, and Nate is absolutely perfect, and I really hope he enjoys a LOOOOONG tenure of success with this club. I don’t think our players will let him down either.

by Jason3123 on Apr 18, 2009 8:57 AM PDT reply actions

I thank Seattle for being stupid enough

Not to try to keep him., so we could get him in Rip City…

Proud member of Duck nation!

by skywaker9 on Apr 18, 2009 11:11 AM PDT reply actions

i think he knew that seattle was going to move

thus the sudden change for him coming to portland, just so he could stay in the pacific northwest instead of in okc

"There are a few teams you have to watch out for in the fourth quarter."
"Yeah, but Portland definitely is not one of them."

-New Orleans Hornets broadcasters at the end of the third quarter with the Hornets leading 74-59. Portland later ends up winning 97-89.

"They don't mind him shooting that shot at all. Rudy Fernandez is not that great of a 3pt shooter."

-New Orleans Hornets broadcasters right after a Rudy Fernandez missed 3pter. Rudy Fernandez finished the game with three 3pters on six attempts.

by Tofu Anonymous on Apr 18, 2009 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Liked Nate before he came to Portland

I got really sick of the style of play the Blazers were playing a few years ago so when Luke Ridnour left U of O, I followed his career in Seattle. Didn’t hurt that I loved watching Ray Allen jumpers and Rashard Lewis was such an intriguing talent.

I watched what he did in Seattle quite a bit. Loved him as a coach there. I was ecstatic when Nate came to the Blazers.

He is a great coach. Absolutely the best coach for this team for now and the foreseeable future.

by grigs on Apr 18, 2009 2:22 PM PDT reply actions