The Trail Blazers are compiling a list of candidates to replace coach Terry Stotts and the first round of virtual interviews could begin this week, according to Anne Peterson of The Associated Press.
“We’re running a very expansive, diverse search,” Portland GM Neil Olshey said. “We’ll probably have anywhere from 20 to 25 candidates in there with biographical data, background, intel, impact studies, coaching records, playing records, etc., so that we all are speaking the same language as we vet these candidates.”
Olshey won’t reach out to teams or agents requesting permission to conduct formal interviews until he reviews all of that information.
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- Damian Lillard is expected to have a major say in the Trail Blazers’ coaching search and even went public with his affinity for Jason Kidd, who has since pulled himself out of consideration, and Chauncey Billups. However, Lillard is not making demands of any kind when it comes to the coaching hire, Sam Amick of The Athletic reports. He’ll let the front office and ownership handle the search and they’ll communicate with their franchise player during the process.
- Jazz point guard Mike Conley participated in parts of Monday’s practice, Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune tweets. Conley suffered a mild right hamstring strain during Game 5 of the first round against Memphis. The team has listed him as questionable for Game 1 against the Clippers on Tuesday (Twitter link). He averaged 20 PPG and 10.25 APG during the first four games of the playoffs.
- Not only did the Nuggets eliminate the Trail Blazers without Jamal Murray, they were also missing Will Barton (hamstring) and PJ Dozier (adductor). That could change for the second-round matchup with the Suns, coach Michael Malone said to Kyle Fredrickson of the Denver Post. They won’t play in Game 1 on Monday but they have returned to practice. “There is definitely hope and optimism that they will be available at some point during the series,” Malone said.
Jazz should sit Conley in game 1, his hammy has hurt off and on all season. He needs the extra couple days imo
Agreed, but at least they finished their series in 5, and it took Dallas 7. Those extra days probably helped
I meant LA*
How did it get to be that a know-nothing like Neil Olshey continue to make decisions for Trailblazers. Please explain.
Orlando
Portland
Boston
Milwaukee
Indiana
Dame is the man.
But his approach to not requesting a trade here is a little crazy. It would be like if he decided to take just mid range jumpers and commit a flagrant foul every other game because that’s how it was in the 90’s.
It’s respectable in an abstract sense, but I think he’s proven his point now. He’s most throwback star of his generation. By far.
But now it’s time actually put yourself in a position to get a ring. It’s not happening in Portland.
Agreed. He should call KG and ask him for advice.
Except that is not how he has positioned his brand… not what he says he stands for. He would lose his power. Also in theory, he would gain in fame in NY.
I would like to see him switch with Toppin. Firsts would have to be involved.
Toppin and firsts can get you the game used shorts Lillard wore in game 6.
They need to upgrade the D.
CJ and Devonte Graham (S&T) to Indy
Nurkic to Charlotte
Brogdon and Turner to Portland
Separate trade, Jones and a pick for Larry Nance.
Sign Otto Porter. Resign Powell.
Turner
Nance
Roco
Brogdon
Lillard
6th Powell
7th Porter
8th Simons
These moves would definitely benefit Portland. Is their GM a risk taker though???
Olshey will compile all that data, then go with his gut.
My gut instinct is to say that Denver needs to play “big”. Punish the Suns on the offensive boards and allow whoever is in the mismatch to have the low post. Nuggets offense would be great if they started Jokic, Millsap, JaMychal Green, Aaron Gordon, Monte. Jokic’s main role in that offensive team is to draw Ayton away from the paint. Jokic needs to be prepared to shoot 5 or 6 threes a game. Aaron Gordon was incredibly effective taking Booker to the low block…Suns countered by putting Booker on MPjr and that was gone. The Nuggets could probably start Joker, Millsap, Gordon, MPjr, Monte…and if Booker covers MPjr have MPjr sprint around a lot, while whomever is being guarded by Michael Bridges gets the first touch of each offensive possession down in the low post. I’m pretty sure Gordon or Millsap can overpower Bridges or maybe even Crowder in the low post. Maybe MPjr can be effective taking Booker to the low post? Anyhow…basic premise is that the Suns are small and the Nuggets have a bunch of excellent low post players that can also shoot the 3…Nuggets need to exploit that and dominate the boards…by going big…Gordon/Green/Millsap should each play 30 to 35 minutes a game in this series. In terms of bench, I might throw a curevball at the Suns and sit Joker early and let Joker lead the bench unit. I mean, the goal is to win. If Joker gets bench minutes, he’ll either dominate Dario Saric, or the Suns will have to change up their normal rotations and sit Ayton when the Nuggets sit Joker. I’d start Joker, MPjr, Millsap, Gordon, Monte…after 4 minutes I’d sit Joker replace him with Green…at 9 minute mark I’d bring in Joker, Zeke, Rivers, Howard, and Harrison or McGee…at the start of the second quarter, Gordon and Green are coming back in replacing Zeke and Harrison or McGee, 2nd Q starters are Jokic/Gordon/Green/Rivers/Howard…Joker/Green/Howard sit at 8 minute mark for MPjr/Monte/Millsap (running with MPjr/Monte/Millsap/Green/Rivers)…Joker sits a few minutes replaces Rivers with 5 or 6 left in the half (if he needs it…if Joker can play from the 9 minute mark of the first until the end of the half then Rivers sits at the 8 minute mark)…last 5 minutes of the half are played by Monte/MPjr/Joker/Gordon/Green/Millsap. Nuggets don’t beat the Suns by playing small…Suns have better guards…Nuggets have better lower post players…that’s the only chance Nuggets win.