Blazers to Change Up Coaching Staff
Ezra Ace Caraeff | Sunday, June 13, 2010 at 1:38PM The Oregonian is reporting that the Blazers are drastically changing their assistant coaching situation. The rundown:
Dean Demopoulos = Gone!
Joe Prunty = Gone!
Maurice Lucas = Gone (due to illness).
Monty Williams = New Orleans Hornet!
Bernie Bickerstaff = Hired!
McMillan on Sunday said he is “looking to make changes” with his staff but refused to say which coaches will be replaced. When asked if Demopoulos and Prunty were given two weeks notice earlier this month, McMillan was short.
“I don’t want to go into that,’’ McMillan said.
Demopoulos on Sunday said he is under contract until June 30, and has not been told one way or the other on his status for next season. He has coached with McMillan for nine seasons, including four in Seattle.
Prunty, who just finished his second season in Portland, declined comment.
The initial report is that Bickerstaff is McMillan’s new “right-hand man,” while Bill Bayno and Kaleb Canales still have jobs. While Timberwolves’ assistant John-Blair Bickerstaff (Bernie’s son) is named as a possible replacement, no word on who else will be on the bench starting next season.
Hey, I heard Tom Izzo is available.
Nathan Begley
How will the reported assistant coaching staff shake-up impact the Portland Trail Blazers on the court?
Joe Prunty was a fairly recent addition to the Blazers staff, originally hired to offset the loss of the now-returned Bill Bayno to Loyola. The most visible impact that Prunty had was his input on the defensive schemes that Portland used against the Dallas Mavericks. Dallas swept Portland in the regular season the year before, but only won one game against Portland in the 2009-10 season. Prunty is rumored to be on newly minted Nets head coach Avery Johnson’s shortlist since Prunty worked under Johnson in Dallas.
Maurice Lucas has been ill with pneumonia and bladder cancer and his status going forward is uncertain.
Dean Demopoulos, who recently interviewed with the Atlanta Hawks, has worked under Nate McMillan since 2001. Demopoulos is widely recognized as a “zone guy” after spending 17 seasons under legendary master of the zone defense and hall of famer John Chaney at Temple University. In fact, Demopoulos was interviewed on NBA TV after the Phoenix Suns’ use of the zone defense lead to a game five victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in this year’s Western Conference Finals.
Demopoulos is also known as The Turnover King because of his distaste for turnovers.
Both the usage of zone defense and a turnover averse offense have been hallmarks of Nate McMillan’s system since he has been a head coach. Is the dismissal of Demopoulos indicative that McMillan is seeking to diversify his approach? Possibly, however the choice of Bernie Bickerstaff to be McMillan’s alleged right-hand man is hardly a signal towards innovation. Rather, the addition of Bickerstaff is an addition of experience. Bickerstaff has been an assistant coach, a head coach, a general manager, and an executive vice president.
Now, this is just conjecture, but it seems to me that the addition of Bickerstaff, the addition of someone with a great deal of front office and personnel experience, is exactly the type of addition that a coach might make if he anticipated broadening his role. If Kevin Pritchard really is on his way out, perhaps Nate McMillan envisions stepping into Pritchard’s shoes, taking on more of a Greg Popovich style role with more input on personnel decisions. Could this be the real reason behind McMillan’s refusal to take a long term contract extension?
What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
Reader Comments (24)
Well something has to change. McMillan has one of the youngest rosters in the league (less Camby and Howard) and regularly the team has no fast break points. These young guys need to run the court while they still can. It's like watching JV style ball out there sometimes.
How is Pritch out and Nate still in?
Roster getting older,maybe Nate feels he needs experience on bench for Playoff battles.
Roy,Aldridge starting 5th season
Batum,Rudy,Bayless their third
Oden his fourth
Webster his 6th
Cunningham,Pendergraph their second
Miller his 12th
Canby his 15th
Prybilla his 11th
I don't know what to think about Nate wanting more input.
How much input did he have with KP? KP says a lot, but KP fudges just enough to make me wonder.
If it means consolidating the roster for more consistent, veteran help, then okay. Otherwise, pass.
It is certainly looking like Paul Allen is in "Win Now" mode and can't be troubled with the long-term health of the franchise.
Could be good, could be disastrous. I guess we'll see.
Happiness, I have discovered, is nearly always a rebound from hard work. (David Grayson, American journalkist)
Post by Air Jordan shoes
I really thank to one who wrote this article.
I have always been reading and writing texts like this in blogs. Also, I, as a daily writer, present my respects to everyone. I just watched videos like this in research in all areas.
I think people must first research before writing.
Thank you for the information
The article is very professionally written. I enjoy reading every day
abercrombie and fitch uk
abercrombie fitch uk
Abercrombie & fitch uk
abercrombie london
Abercrombie and fitch london
Abercrombie fitch london
abercrombie & fitch london
tiffany uk
tiffany online
tiffany outlet
Abercrombie outlet
Abercrombie fitch outlet
Abercrombie and fitch outlet
Notice that the Chinese know how to do a stimulus package, while no one in power seems to know how to do a stimulus package here in the US.
ed hardy
outlet
thank to one who wrote this article. abercrombie fitch
I have always been reading and writing texts like this in blogs.
I, as a daily writer, present my respects to everyone.hollister uk I just watched videos like this in research in all areas
It's so lucky for me to find your blog! So shocking and great! Just one suggestion: It will be better and easier to follow if your blog can offer rrs subscription service.
Great articles and it's so helpful. I want to add your blog into my rrs reader but i can't find the rrs address. Would you please send your address to my email? Thanks a lot!
Your blog is very good,very novel,let I learned a lot from,thank you very much.if you have time also attention our products.
I'd like to read the articles in this website.May be you can go to louis vuitton,there will be some new and cheap louis vuitton products for choosen.You know louis vuitton didn't have the outlet store himself,but we provide the discount louis vuitton handbags,shoes,wallets,belts for Factory Direct price.So,enjoy yourself on our online shop.
just go around, but surprised by your blogs, the information is so interesting,I deeply attract by it.
Welcome to my website http://www.nflgoshopping.com
We are a professional manufacturer of football jerseys,If you want to buy a cheap nfl jerseys but with authentic quality to support you loved team, http://www.nflgoshopping.com is just ready for you.You can also find memoriable throwback jerseys,thanksgiving jerseys.etc.Welcome to choose.Thanks a lot!
UGG Australia is a brand that is all about luxury and comfort for everyday life. Only the finest quality materials are used to create UGG boots and UGG shoes. UGG? Australia is the largest distributor of sheepskin footwear. Every shoe will feel great from the moment you put it on, year after year.The UGG Australia kids collection flaunts the same style and comfort offered in the adult line. From slippers to boots to casual footwear, UGG Australia Kids will pamper the feet of your infant, toddler or big kid. Yourlittle one will love the feeling of sheepskin as much as you do.
discount clothing white
discount polo shirt
discount personalized t shirts
clothing hoodie sale
hats clothing cheap
clothing hoodies
wholesale seven jeans
wholesale clothing jeans
wholesale jeans
wholesale mens jeans
diesel jeans wholesale
discount women clothing
Suapply chanel bracelets
selling jewelry necklaces
silver bracelet sale
silver pendant cheap
wholesale silver jewelry
gold bracelet buy,football jerseys
cheap silver jewelry
discount chanel earring
wholesale pearl earring
mens watch, watch net
wholesale men's watches
discount strap watches
watch wholesale,belt buy
watch wholesaler
cheap wholesale watches
wholesale fashion watches
mens wholesale watches
wholesale handbag
cheap costume watches
rhinestone watches
ghd hair straightener
flat iron, hair straightener
wholesale straightener cheap
wholesale hair straightener
wholesale handbags
bulk wholesale, beaded purse
wholesale merchandise handbgas
wholesale apparel
wholesale clothing
wholesale clothes
wholesale clothing distributors
wholesale brand name clothing
buy shoes wholesale
designer jeans wholesale
shirts wholesale
wjholesale purse bags cheap
expensive purse buy
women handbags discount
wholesale western belts
web belts wholesale
western rhinestone belts
chanel belt cheap
handbag belt wholesale
shoes belt cheap
brand belts dhiscount
belts, cap hat wholesale
buy baseball caps hats
wholesale discount cap hats
hats and caps wholesale
louis vuitton outlet store is one product of louis vuitton outlet stores.Louis Vuitton outlet store are so fashionable, classic and comfortable. Captivating designs and superlative materials, so meticulously crafted. Signature pieces that proclaim one's personal style. louis vuitton outlet have straps in midfoot and welt to defend your foot and decorate your shoes. They available rich colors for you to choice, with high quality and security payment. Back to Louis Vuitton outlet stores to know more products information.