Grading the Portland Trail Blazers offseason: From playoff exit to free agency
The Portland Trail Blazers’ offseason gets a C- from this writer. I breakdown their moves from the firing of coach Stotts to what they did in free agency. More importantly, will their actions be enough to keep Damian Lillard?
Neil Olshey promised big changes this offseason. Unfortunately, I don’t think a C- grade measured up to. From the firing of Terry Stotts to free agency, I will take you through Neil Olshey’s moves to make this a better team for Damian Lillard. Although C- is not a failing grade, it may mean failing moves to Lillard.
The firing of Coach Terry Stotts – B
Terry Stotts was fired almost immediately after exiting the 2020-21 playoffs in the first round – again. Should he have been let go? Yes. But everything wasn’t his fault. Did he have a great roster? No. Did he pick the roster? No. Did he do the best he could with the roster he had? No.
I’m giving Stotts’ firing a B grade because he may not have had the best pieces, but he had enough pieces to do more damage in the playoffs. A good coach listens to his players. In that respect, Stotts failed.
He was booted out of the playoffs in the first round in four of the last five seasons. Further, Portland had the second-worst defensive rating in the league. So finally, after nine seasons, it was time.
The hiring of Chauncey Billups – B
Damian Lillard requested two people to be his next coach. Jason Kidd or Chauncey Billups. Kidd said no. Olshey hired Billups. There were as many people that wanted Billups as Head Coach as those who hated the idea.
Billups’ hiring was shrouded in controversy over past alleged acts. The fuss grew so loud that at one point, Dame denied asking for him. Nevertheless, it was the man Neil Olshey wanted all along.
Other than that, Billups is a first-time head coach. He assisted Tyronn Lue with the LA Clippers last season. That is the extent of his coaching experience. It is Chauncey’s goal to bring the defensive rating up and make smarter offensive moves. It doesn’t have to be three-pointers all the time…does it?