Nate Demands Toughness
posted: 10/06/2008 at 10:25 PM
You're probably familiar by now with Nate McMillan's coaching style, and his motivation techniques. His fire locker room speeches have been known to peel a little paint, and even though he's not had to raise his voice as much in training camp this season, he's still good for a few catch phrases that are designed to stick with his players.
Monday the message was simple, and was repeated throghout the morning workout- "There's no room for soft play." And, it's obvious when he wants the team see more physical play in practice. It's not difficult for a coach to design a practice to illustrate a message, and Monday's workout was intense.
"If you're soft, you're not playing. It's that simple," McMillan said on several occasions. He followed that up with, "I know we're young, but we're past that. That stuff was one or two years ago."
During one portion of practice, the players were told to ignore the sidelines and baselines. In other words, scrambles for loose balls could continue all the way to the wall. It never got out of control, or overly violent, but the point was to never give up on a play. He stressed the importance of fighting through picks, boxing out on rebounds, and doing just about anything necessary to get to the ball.
The players responded, and one of the more spirited practices of training camp, was also one of the best. The agressive play resulted in some turnovers, and sloppy play, but under the circumstances, that was acceptable. This was about toughness.
I can also tell you that the players are tired of facing off against each other. Tuesday night they'll get the chance to play someone who's not wearing red and black. The Sacramento Kings are in town, and take on the Blazers in the first pre-season game, at 7pm at the Rose Garden.
Greg Oden will start, and will most likely play between 15 and 20 minutes. Brandon Roy will play as well, and most likely won't play on Wednesday against Golden State. In a scheduling quirk, the Blazers play back-to-back home games to open the exhibition season. We'll televise Wednesday's game against the Warriors on KGW, and the Blazers Television Network.
The countdown is on. We're just 21 days until the season opener against the Lakers in L.A.
RSS FEED
Beat LA! Beat all of Califoria for that matter! Sac and the Warriors! 107 to 92 Blazers beat Sac tomorrow! I wont be surprised if it's more like 117 to 80 Blazers! I will absolutely freak out if the Blazers loose! The Blazers didn't match up too well with the Knigs last year, but this year there's just no excuse to loose to teams like that.
Why don't they televise the first game? Or all of the preseason games? I hope you guys can post some video highlights after because I really want to see how that goes.
MB
I can't wait for tonight's game. I think the three big additions who are being added to the lineup this season, are all Nate's type of players. Greg is definately not a soft player, and even though he may have some anxious moments early on, he's going to have an impact on the defensive end, and on offense, he may threaten to tear down some rims this season.
Also, "the magician" (yes, that's Rudy's new nickname) is tough as nails, and always hustling. And that energy is going to rub off on every one of his teamates on the floor with him.
Lastly, if Jerryd can be as fearless against NBA competition as he has been thus far in his career, then the sky's the limit for him, and the rest of this team.
Ultimately, the preseason is just a bunch of tune-up games, and the real test is on the road on Oct. 28th in L.A.
Here's to a great season, & to the Blazers shocking the NBA world, and embarrassing the Lakers on national tv! (it could happen)
See you all at the game tonight!
Blazers_Joe
Thanks Mike for the info.
let the games begin.
hg
Just 21 days away! I have been waiting for this month to come. I am so excited for the season to start. Oh wait! I can't watch hardly any games because I don't have Comcast. This has been the one frustrating thing for me about the Blazers Organization. While I understand the business behind it, the Blazers "Brass" needs to kick Comcast in the butt and get a deal done NOW. I can't believe we are going to start yet another season without a deal and a bunch of Blazer fans alienated from watching their favorite team! Larry Miller needs to get Comcast going. Get a deal done with Dish and DirectTV. This has gone past ridiculous. We just want to watch our favorite home team.
My wife and I love to watch the Blazers every time they come to Utah. We also appreciate that Mike takes some time to talk to us after the game. We are so excited for this season we can hardly wait. If the Blazers really can be more physical it will really send a message to the rest of the NBA that the Blazers are for real
Alright! Finally a game!! And I'll be there!! :)
GO BLAZERS!
Oh, and as always, thanks for the post, MB!!
Clay,
I can certainly relate! This is ridiculous! After doing so much right how the Blazers can let this continue is beyond me!
The Blazers are very popular now, but many fans that have stuck by the team during the bad times are now being left out in the dark because of this Comcast BS. The Blazers need to step up and make this right.
Any news on this MB? Please don't say they are negotiating. I swear nothing would make me happier than to hear a deal has been made.
PLEASE BLAZERS GET THE DEAL DONE!!
Does anyone know if the preseason games are going to be on the radio?
Does anyone know if the preseason games are going to be on the radio?
It isn't up to the Blazers. The people you need to put pressure on are the satellite providers. Call up Dish or DirecTV and tell them you're going to cancel the service unless they get Comcast Sportsnet Northwest. You don't have to do it, just tell them you're going to. Get your friends who don't have satellite service to call the companies and act like they're ready to sign up until they find out that Comcast Sportsnet Northwest isn't available. The satellite companies will carry it when their customers make it clear that they have to carry it.
Hey MB,
It's been a while. But it's that time again!
It was great to hear coach say "If your soft, your not playing. It's that simple." Sounds good to me.
I'm so excited for tonight and for this season to get started. Although I won't be able to watch because I live in NYC, I'll listen as long as I can stay awake.
have a good time at the game everybody!
Rip City baby
I,M A LITTLE TIRED OF YOU PLEOPLE COMPLANING.ABOUT THE COMCAST DEAL LET TALK BASKETBALL INSTEAD GO BLAZER
mgb,
I am one of those right here. I lived in Massachusetts from '02 - '06 and I paid for League Pass to watch the Blazers stink. I've stuck with them through thick and thin. Now, my company moves me to Bend, and after all of that I won't be able to see any games even though I live over 150 miles from the arena. I just can't believe it.
I've been reading Mike's blog since the day Rudy arrived on Rip City and I just can't imagine how wonderful must be to be a Blazers fan these days in Detroit. I'm soooo happy for Rudy, I mean: the team looks really great, McMillan seems to be doing an excellent job with the boys and, even from Spain, I can feel the fan's excitement and the feeling that this is the beginning of something really special, perhaps a Blazers era.
With your enthusiastic comments you have made of me a Blazers fan, I mean it. Thank you guys, you really deserve this team.
Go Blazers!!!
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