9Oct/0818
Be the coach
Now that I'm getting back into the swing of it and getting really close to playing again, a lot of people have been telling me their opinions about whether we should play our star players during pre-season or play people who wouldn't normally get a lot of minutes so the coach can try different players, etc.
So here it is: if you were a coach and it was a perfect world, like all the players are healthy and ready to play during pre-season, what would you do? How would you run the team during pre-season?
October 9th, 2008 - 14:38
Hey Channing, great blog.
I’m not even a Blazers fan, but you guys are great, so I’m watching your games as eagerly as if I am one.
The first 4-5 games, I would start the regular starters, give them enough minutes to get some rhythm with the offense we’re learning. After that, in the remaining games I would start the bench and young players–give them the bulk of the minutes and let them gain some valuable experience. Then I would bring the older guys in to get warm in the third quarter, and then after one more sub to give them a breather I’d bring them back in to close the game.
This would accomplish everything you want to do in a preseason and more:
1. Get the starters in game rhythm coming into the preseasson
2. Get the young guys major playing time in a game atmosphere
3. Limit your starters’ minutes in the last few games to avoid injury
4. Even while limiting your starters’ minutes, give them 3-4 late game experiences to get adjusted to playing turnover-free, high-level basketball before the season starts.
Of course, if the other team doesn’t play along and you have YOUR bench going against THEIR starters, this might be the worst idea ever…lol
But then again…you’re on the Blazers…I think it would probably still work
October 9th, 2008 - 15:54
I would like to see a bulk of the game go to the newbie’s or the non-guaranteed contracts. We have a lot of talent that the city has yet to see. Diogu has already impressed me and it’s just been two games. It puts the question in my head of what the others are capable of.
I’m not saying we should bench Outlaw for all four quarters, but if Jackson is fighting for that final roster spot make him work. The fans can already see the improvement in Sergio, but Bayless needs to prove he’s a Blazer (and earn our love) and Tatum deserves the shot.
A healthy mix of players that favor the fresh faces in minuets and in numbers would suit us best I think. I know Tuesday night was an amazing start and such a fun game to watch, but this is pre-season, give them the opportunity to prove themselves. They might fail and the team might loose, but I would rather see that happen now then some time after the 26th.
October 9th, 2008 - 15:59
Channing,
I’m all for the NFL model. Play your starters in the first quarter. Get them into a rythim and find out your combinations. After all until preseason games are free the fans should get to see the stars for at least a couple minutes.
Bench and non-guarantee should play the rest of the game. And then maybe the week prior to the season starting starters are out for risk of injury.
October 9th, 2008 - 17:37
I’m all for letting the coach practice his trade too. I say you play your normal rotation for the first half at the very least. If the young guys want minutes then they should be earning them in practice by working extremely har and doing everything as perfect as their abilities and intelligence allow them to. The preseason is the time when you get down the 8-10 man rotation you want to use an should be used as such. If the young guys are to play, then let it be in the third quarter, maybe early fourth, but bring in the normal rotation to close the game as you would for every game that counts.
The more important question here though is: If you were coach what would you do?
October 9th, 2008 - 22:07
Yo Channing-
Great question for all us armchair quarterbacks and coaches.
I think you have to answer this based on your team- The Spurs, for instance, know each other and have played together for years. As they are famous for saying, games don’t count until the playoffs, so you gotta be smart about pushing your luck early with the veterans. Play the guys that might be the missing piece or filling in the back of the roster while getting the vets the work to get in shape.
If you’re the Blazers, you are still young and mostly unproven. To boot, you are trying to mix three important rotation players into the mix as rookies, so it’s important for everyone to get serious runs in together to learn each other’s games. Who cares about the fifteenth spot? That guy won’t get you to the playoffs- experience and playing the key guys together will.
Get well soon!!
October 10th, 2008 - 09:36
I love what Coach McMillan is doing. He clearly knows his business. He is taking it easy with guys coming off injuries, he is giving Oden a chance to work himself back into game shape without overdoing it.
At the same time, he is getting to experiement with some different combinations (LOVING the Spanish Fly backcourt!) at a time where failed combinations don’t really hurt.
Finally, he is correctly realizing preseason results don’t really matter, it is the process that counts. I loved it against the Warriors when he had a line-up of Outlaw and 4 guys who, if they are on the court in crunch time this year, it means something went very, very wrong…in the 4th quarter. Give them a chance to play, he had already seen some things that worked and others that didn’t.
By the way, apropos of nothing in this post, I LOVED your radio work with Wheels at Fanfest. You are an entertaining guy. I hope in 10 – 15 years when you are done here and have your fingers weighed down with the rings that you are our next color guy, assuming you want a career in radio. You would rock at it.
October 10th, 2008 - 10:52
hey channing,
i’d definitely treat the first half as an opportunity to fine tune the offensive and defensive sets while using the 2nd half for total experimentation (i.e. – strange lineups, funky plays, and the like)
on another note, i really do hope you become a permanent fixture with the franchise. your attitude and demeanor is exactly what this city wants in a pro athlete.
we’re looking forward to seeing you back on the court.
later big fella. -KEL
October 10th, 2008 - 14:07
Injuries are going to happen whether or not it is the preseason, let your players play and get ready for the season. Only way I start thinking differently is if a scrub on the other team is playing out of control and could hurt one of my guys.
October 10th, 2008 - 17:56
Given the current situation, they should go with the starting rotation to start the game and end it, but keep the rotation players’ minutes reasonable. Right now, we need another 3. If Batum can prove he’s not a detriment to the offense, he’s the guy. I think he’ll be a quality player in this league, but he needs more experience against NBA competition. Now is a good time to give him that experience.
Since Outlaw has asthma, I question whether he’s a starter in this league. Not that he won’t be an All Star someday and dominate the game as a 6th man–no disrespect meant. As a smoker, I see what happens to my ratball game when I’m winded: bad decisions, lower basketball IQ, more bricks. We need TO rested for the 4th quarter, which means don’t overdo it on his minutes and figure out who’s going to fill the void at 3. Let’s take a look at Jackson, but I don’t think he’ll get the spot.
We need to see more of what Hill and Randolph can do, whether they’re viable NBA players. We’re down a couple of bigs, as you know, and have a couple of centers that had a hard time staying healthy in the past (knock on wood).
So yeah, play the aspiring pros (since when does a ’scrub’ get invited to an NBA training camp?) because we can’t afford to lose any more guys.
Can’t wait to see you back on the floor.
October 10th, 2008 - 19:23
Let’s see more Bobby Hill. Go, Bobby, it’s you’re birthday!
Oh wait I meant Steven Hill. Sorry for the “King Of The Hill” reference.
That aside,as it is pre-season, let the man do what he needs to do.(Sarge, Enforcer,Dean,Monte,K.P,& lastly Mr. Allen)This is the time set aside, in fact to decide: where to hold, when to fold, and know your best deal.
Keep 1, or 2 known starters in to feed the game, and run the plays.Let them act as floor generals, but do not run the plays through them. Let the ?-marks, and hungry make the plays they need to in order to see how they would fit in any given rotation or scheme.
October 10th, 2008 - 19:28
Channing,
Great question. I think that you can experiment a little to see the chemistry and still use your starting rotation enough to keep everyone fresh. Those coming off injuries should not over due! Good luck this season as it will be a pleasure to watch you in action.
Good times ahead! Go Blazers!
October 10th, 2008 - 20:36
I would use what I needed to help the season. For instance, BRoy needs time to jell with Oden, Rudy and Bayless. It has been suggested that you may be a great 3 with your new found range. If you were healthy, giving you playing time at the 3 would be important. Although, we can’t give the injured to much time. we can give them quality time by putting them in at the times when we have something to teach them or with specific players. Try as many combination of players that you can think of and don’t worry so much about the win and losses.
hg
October 11th, 2008 - 03:32
Channing-
I think every night you try to begin with around 3 regular starters (though injuries could make rotating this tougher) and work maybe one reserve and one guy fighting for a roster spot in at the outset. Chemistry is important, and without creating at least a small chance to establish it in a game situation, a coach would be making a decision with less information than is available. From there as coach, I’d let the rotation flow– I don’t think all the starters should be out there at a time, nor should they all be benched. Unless as a coach I want to create a situation where there are two groups that function completely separately and sub five at a time (which I don’t), keeping a small veteran/starter presence on the floor is helpful. If your starters and players who will see heavy regular-season minutes are going over about 26 minutes a game in the preseason, the daily grind will begin to catch up at just the wrong time.
Lastly,give guys a chance to prove themselves as part of the team, not a selfish individual–all the conditioning has happened for most players, and the opportunity to stay in shape while demanding the mental focus from a flexible lineup is a beneficial one.
October 11th, 2008 - 08:56
My first move as a coach in preseason would be to predominantly play my opening day rotations on the first day to give the fans a taste of what the team is going to look like. Scratch that, my first move would be to make sure that the game is going to be universally broadcast for the fans so they can see their team. Make it almost an extension to the fan fest.
Once that is out of the way, I would start evaluating some of my up in the air positions, giving subs more and more time. We all know LaMarcus is going to start, so I would back off a bit. I would start my starters, and then bring in the second unit like normal, but second half is eval half.
Once we hit game five in preseason, I would really start working my planned rotations. The main reason is to give the team a feel for how they are going to be playing together once the season starts. At this point if there are serious questions on say a 15th roster spot, I would focus some substitutions on how they both play with second rotation. One thing for sure, if the game is close, I would end with the first string and try to win the game, get everyone used to stepping it up when tired.
October 12th, 2008 - 12:37
i just want to see them play you more. it seemed like when you were playing last year they were winning.
but what the hell do i know, i am new in the nba.
October 13th, 2008 - 04:44
Sergio/Rudy/Luke (I am your father)/Randolph/Joel 4 of those white boys can legitimately dunk, and maybe Joel could give Sergio a boost, so he can dunk it too!
for reals though i’m starting
Point guard/Roy/Outlaw/Lamarcus/Oden and I’m saying ‘alright Travis show us you should start’ because if this doesn’t work i’m starting
Point guard/Roy/Batum/Lamarcus/Oden as a scare tactic and then if that doesn’t get Travis into gear i’m going to
Point guard/Rudy/Roy/Lamarcus/Oden only as a last resort because in this lineup Travis becomes the 6th man, and I want Rudy as the 6th man, nor do i want Roy out of position that much and we can’t get Batum and Outlaw both off the bench really… though I do like this lineup
and once I have successfully integrated Travis into starting lineup, those guys just play old-man slow nobody gets hurt ball like Mike Rice in China.
so that once regular season comes along we’ve got
sergio/rudy/batum (webster when he gets back)/you/joel playing more up tempo, and with trav’s asthma I don’t think he’s going to cut it playing that style.
with the idea that eventually we phase out the idea of a ‘backup 3′, and the backup 3 minutes for a more versatile 3 able to play both styles, and those backup minutes get eaten up by getting Batum some run, and playing big with you at the 3, and 3 guard with roy there.
so yeah, i’d spend pre-season with our starting linup and getting different looks at that 3 spot, because I think it has a pivotal role in how and where everybody else fits in, and I leave it up in the air until tip off as far as the lakers are concerned, cause they got to have something to ponder.
October 13th, 2008 - 12:42
If I was a coach, during Preseason games I would definitely want to have a healthy mix of our star players, second string and newbies playing. Here is why, During the first home Preseason game, the excitement, the fun it was just ecstatic and there was a mixture of all kinds of players in the game… But yesterdays game just wasn’t the same. Without you, Roy, Aldridge, Webster or Fernandez, the team just felt lost. And even though I am huge Blazers fan I just don’t feel as excited when there isn’t a mixture of our stars in the game.
However with that being said, I wouldn’t want to risk any of my players getting hurt because lets face it, the preseason games are not what’s going to get us to the playoffs. I want to see who has it in them to be a star, does Bayless or how about Batum?
In the end there needs to be a mixture, give everyone some minutes and let everyone do their thing. Let’s see who rises up and who falls back.
I can’t wait to see you play again!
October 18th, 2008 - 13:40
Hi Channing…
Interesting question. Given your “perfect world” pre-conditions, I would give starters more time on the floor to get them back into a “real-world” game type rhythm.
However, I would be looking at a lot of different combinations of players. I would be putting rookies and new acquisitions into a lot of different situations to see how they responded, and letting them try to work stuff out on the floor, as opposed to calling time outs every time the other team makes a run.
I really like your blog, I look forward to reading during the season…
mojo sends