July 12, 2005 Nate McMillan Chat Transcript
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McMillan, who led Seattle to a surprising Northwest Division title this past season, replaces interim coach Kevin Pritchard, who took over for the fired Maurice Cheeks 55 games into last season. He will have his hands full as the Blazers have missed the playoffs for two straight seasons, snapping a streak of 21 straight years reaching the postseason in 2004. The team finished last season with a 27-55 record, their worst mark in 31 years.
McMillan had coached the Sonics since Nov. 27, 2000, and compiled a 212-183 record. He spent his entire 12-year playing career with the Sonics.
Portland, Oregon: How comfortable are you with molding the young talent in Portland. Also, while you had an All-Star in Ray Allen in Seattle, who do you think on the Portland roster can develop into that type of All Star caliber player?
Nate McMillan: Well, I'm comfortable with teaching and working with young players. I still feel that I am young enough to enjoy that part of the game and to be able to get out on the floor and work with you the guys. It's been less than 10 years since I've been on the floor myself. I still have an understanding of what they are going through and what they need and I can help them prepare for the challenging of finding success in the NBA. So, I think I'm very comfortable around the young talents.
Nate McMillan:As for a player on the Portland roster that is comparable to Ray, I think I need a year or so to really get a better feel for these guys. It takes more than talent to become an All-star. No doubt there are some real talents on the team, but I need to spend more time with them to gauge their drive and motivation, etc. that really makes an All-Star.
RD (Beaverton, OR): Welcome to Portland! Your hiring is a great step in the right direction for this franchise. Do you already have your coaching staff set, is Terry Porter an option for an asst coach?
Nate McMillan: Thank you for welcoming me to Portland, RD. Terry is not a guy that I have been in contact with, I'm currently working on putting together my asssitants. I'm looking for guys that would be committed to improving this team. My former assistants Dean Demsopolus and Bob Weis come to mind.
KC (Gresham): How does it feel to be so warmly recieved by the Portland Community? Have you had a chance to talk with all the current Trail Blazers?
Nate McMillan: I have talked to most of the guys by now, I've phoned all of them and am still waiting to hear back from a few. But I have had a chance to meet with most of them. As for my reception, it's great to be wanted, KC. I don't think the fans really know me right now, I think they are basing everything off of what they have seen me do as a player and as a coach. I hope that they are appreciative of my effort in Seattle and I hope to do the same thing here in POrtland. I want to bring a lot of energy and effort, hard work and pride to make the organization the team, the city and the state proud of not only my coaching but of the entire Blazers community.
Allen: (Manila, Philippines): Congrats on the new job! As the new coach of the Portland TrailBlazers, how do you plan to approach the issue on the team's disciplinary issues? How do you plan to get them back to the playoffs?
Nate McMillan: Well, I think we all have to start from the beginning. Basically, we will talk about the direction of the organization and how we want to try and get there. All of them will be a part of that, and it starts from the top. Mr. Allen, Steve Patterson, John Nash and myself all share the same vision for the direction of this team. The players are the most important piece of that direction. I think they have to be on board with our vision, and if they are not, then the organization has to make a decision. So, the discipline issues that so many people are referring to is something that will be decided by all of us and how issues affect our plan and what it takes to get there and what detracts from getting there. It's like any corporation or fortune 500 company. You follow the plan that the organization has laid out for you and if you don't want to be a part of that plan then people have to move on. I think that's how we will approach it. It's as simple as that.
Brian (Portland, OR): Nate, what characteristics do you hope will become the hallmark of the Trail Blazers' game under your leadership?
Nate McMillan: I hope that the fans of NBA basketball will appreciate and respect the effort, the style of play, the commitment and the sacrifice that the players will make out on the floor. Blazer fans will be proud of the effort that that teams gives every night on the floor. I want the fans to respect what the players are trying to do and I think the players have a right to respect the game and the fans, and most of all, the team -- the name that is on their chest. And I think eventually, you will win ballgames if you commit to each other and the Portland Trail Blazers.
Anthony (Vancouver ): Coach McMillan, you are Great. I am glad you got such a great contract. What is the ONE thing that made you choose Portland over Seattle?
Nate McMillan: Well, there wasn't one thing. A lot of factors were involved in my decision to leave Seattle. There was a lot of soul searching throughout the process. Seattle had made an offer, and Portland had shown some interst and after speaking to Portland's management and speaking with them about the plan for the team. ... I was thinking about moving and going in a different direction even though we had a successful year in Seattle. I looked deep inside myself and examined how I was feeling and I felt that I had done for Seattle what I could, even though they have talent and some young guys coming back, but I just felt like at this stage in my career, I was ready to move on. There was an opportunity in Portland and I liked their direction and that got me excited. Can I come down and help turn it around. That excites me. So, there was a number of factors involved, and also compensation, that was a part of the decision to accept the Portland job, too.
Seattle, WA: I hear you've been playing b-ball at Greenlake. Any chance you'll make a come back and be a player/coach?
Nate McMillan: (laughing) Yes, I was down at Greenlake, I was there playing with my son. I just felt like he needed to play some pick-up basketball so we went down there. That was about a week ago and my body is still recovering from those two hours of basketball. I enjoyed it. It was nice to play again, but I think I'm through for at least another month!
Nick (Quakertown, PA): Coach McMillan, I commend you on taking a new challenge and a different direction in your career. What do you think will be the biggest challenge for your team, and many said your Sonics played the Spurs just as hard as Detroit
Nate McMillan: I think the biggest challenge is for me and the fans to be patient. The one thing about pro sports is winning is everything. Patience is something that most professional fans and organizations don't have too much of. The biggest challenge is to understand that we may go through some hard times to get there, but if we do it right, the reward will be great. The challenge is for me as a coach and all those involved with the Portland organization to be patient enough to follow this plan.
Nate McMillan: I really want to thank you folks for signing on today and asking your questions. I hope that I answered you and gave you what you wanted to know. Thanks to all my fans in Seattle and my new supporters in Portland. I hope that I can turn this thing around for the Trail Blazer fans and bring back the exciting brand of basketball and winning tradition that has been missing for the past few years. I know that it will be a challenge, but it is one I'm very willing to accept. Thanks again, everybody. Take care.
