Warren2ThaG Posted July 11, 2009 Report Share Posted July 11, 2009 http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/07/small_natemc211.JPGBlazers' McMillan wants to earn his pay one year at a time"Nate McMillan has long preached to his players that nothing is given around the Trail Blazers, you have to earn it. And, the Blazers coach is putting his money where his mouth is. The Blazers last week picked up a one-year option on McMillan's contract, keeping him in Portland through the 2010-2011 season. But in a rare and and daring move, McMillan said that after his contract runs out in 2011, he will not look to sign a long-term extension with the Blazers. Rather, he will ask only for one-year contracts. One at a time. "I think that's the way it should go," said McMillan, who has been in Portland since 2005. "It might be crazy ... I know my agent thinks I'm crazy. But I think it should be based on your performance. I don't think there is another coach who would say that, and I say that because everybody talks about security. For me, security is knowing you want me to be here, and that I'm doing what I need to do. Not you wondering, 'Why is he here?' Or, 'How are we going to get out of this?' " McMillan made it clear that his one-year-at-a-time stance is based purely on ethics, and is not a reflection of how he feels about Portland and the Blazers. In fact, he said he intends on following in the footsteps of one of his coaching idols, Utah's Jerry Sloan, who has been with the Jazz for 21 seasons. "Some people may say, 'Well, is there somewhere else you want to go?' And I'm like no, this is where I want to be," McMillan said. "For me, having a one-year deal doesn't allow you to slip. I like that. For me, I look for ways to keep myself sharp, and that will certainly keep me sharp." McMillan, who turns 45 next month, has a record of 148-180 in Portland, but has improved by an average of 11 wins in each of the past three seasons. Last season, with the NBA's second youngest roster, the Blazers won 54 games and advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 2003. "I love his coaching," forward Martell Webster said. "We respect him because he has been to the playoffs as a player and a coach, and all of us want to move forward after getting a taste in the playoffs this year. I think he is the best man for the job in order to get us there." In the summer of 2005, Blazers executives Steve Patterson and John Nash pulled off a stunning hire, luring McMillan from Seattle, where he played for 12 seasons and coached for seven seasons, including the last five as head coach. McMillan signed a five-year deal with Portland, with a team option for a sixth season, with each season paying McMillan around $5 million. It was a daunting task for McMillan, who was taking over a franchise that had become known more for what it did off the court rather than the team's performance on the court. The once loyal fan base had turned its back, leaving the Rose Garden half-empty, which early in McMillan's tenure forced owner Paul Allen to consider selling the franchise. -----http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/07/blazers_mcmillan_wants_to_earn.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Check my Stats Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 Byron Scott said the exact same thing not too long ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KurbyFX Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 Best developmental coach in the league. Wish Wright had the privilege to play for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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