PorterIn2004

Mostly I think McMillan's done a great job and I think my inclination would be to stick with him. However, rumor has it that D'Antoni won't be back coaching the Suns next season and if the team were to make a change, D'Antoni is someone I'd think they'd take a serious look at.

So if the Blazers were to decide to give D'Antoni real thought, the two main things I'd be concerned about regarding his coaching style are defense and use of the bench. The first concern might be more about the players he's got to work with -- Karl used to be known as a defensive coach but with a roster where his best six or seven players are primarily offensive players, we get the current Nuggets. The bench, though, sits squarely on a combination of coaching and management, and iirc, D'Antoni's had a lot of pull with personel decisions until this season.

So what would his rotation be with the Blazers' roster next season if no moves are made? Blake, Roy, Fernandez, Webster, Jones, Outlaw, Aldridge and Oden? That's already more than depth than he's used with the Suns and presuming they're healthy and on the roster, I'd hope that guys like Rodriguez, Frye, Przybilla, and yeah, probably even Jack would still get at least some time. It seems like a good running team should really use depth and he never has.

All that said, it seems worth kicking around and I'll be interested to see what others have to say. Again, though, I think I'd be inclined to stay with McMillan.

B-Roy

No, as much as I don't like Nate-ball, I can't stand D'Antoni and his terrible decision making. Plus, McMillan has a connection with the team. Keep him.

whatsmyname

how about asistance coach?

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PorterIn2004

Er... if you can talk someone who won the NBA's Coach Of The Year award just a few years ago to sign on as an assistant coach, then perhaps. Even then, though, if you could somehow get that to happen, how well does that work for McMillan and the rest of the coaching staff?

alext42083

I don't think there's any way D'Antoni goes back to being an assistant after his run in Phoenix if he's fired. Interesting that he was an assistant here just before taking the Suns job, which kind of goes unnoticed.

I'd rather have Nate anyway as he seems to actually preach defense.

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HurraKane212

^ I think you mean Mike Iavaroni

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PorterIn2004

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...x.html?eref=T1

craigehlo

Nash is the real reason for the Suns success. As his skills decline, so do their chances. D'Antoni mostly just got out of the way and let them play. There's not a ton of in game coaching to do when you are trying to jack up a shot in the first 7 seconds of the shot clock.

HurraKane212

I wasn't wondering about the firing, but rather being a Blazers assistant coach. Turns out that he was during the 2000-01 season. Mike Iavaroni was a former Blazers assistant and PHX assistant that is also on the chopping block. Since I was unaware that D'Antoni was also a former Blazers assistant, I thought perhaps alext meant Iavaroni (you know, two italian sounding names associated with phoenix).

However, since Alext was correct, I rescind my earlier comment.

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BenDavis503

No. I think we should keep Nate for now. After next year, if he coaches terrible, then we can talk about moving Nate.

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sasaint

D'antoni doesn't coach MUCH offense and NO defense. However, I will give him credit for changing his style on the fly when the Suns (dumbly) traded for Shaq. Portland doesn't want or need D'antoni. We'll see how good he is when he has less talent in his next stop. Portland will contend for a championship next season if the players it has stay healthy and gain experience. Just see what Nate does with all of the pieces.

BTW it's Marc Iavaroni.

Utherhimo

Dantoni will head back to europ, he have the top young coach in the league!

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Oldmangrouch

Not very well, which is actually too bad. D'Antoni reminds me a bit of NFL coach Norv Turner....he has been a big success as an offensive coordinator, but crashes and burns whenever elevated to the top job.

D'Antoni has some flaws that are seriously exposed as head coach - not the least of which is his inability to develop and manage his bench. As an assistant coach with only ONE job to do - develop an offense - he might be very effective!

I doubt we will ever find out. He will either get another head job or migrate to the TV set.

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