In the market for a talented power forward with soft hands? How about a small forward with a bad jumper? If so, the Trailblazers may want to talk with you.
After a series of disciplinary actions levied by head coach Nate McMillan, Zach Randolph and Darius Miles expressed uncertainty over whether or not they want to remain with the team.
The gist of Miles’ and Randolph’s complaints are twofold: They don’t like playing on what has turned out to be the NBA’s worst team; and they don’t care for the discipline meted out by first-year coach Nate McMillan.
An almost certain topic in Miles’ discussions with team personnel will be his relationship with McMillan, who says he probably won’t play Miles for the second consecutive game tonight.
The two never meshed as McMillan prodded Miles for more effort and production. Miles distanced himself, complaining of an unresponsive right knee that underwent minor surgery in December, and a reduced role that featured him coming off the bench.
The friction between McMillan and Miles intensified in the last month of the season. Miles was benched for missing a shootaround March 23 in Phoenix, saying he overslept, then last week he was sent home from Los Angeles after he changed into street clothes during halftime of a game against the Clippers.
“It’s got a lot to do with the front office,” Randolph said. “A lot to do with (general manager) John Nash, (team president) Steve Patterson, you know, they put this team together.”
Randolph also alluded to what has become a tenuous relationship with McMillan. Randolph has been kicked out of a practice, late to five shootarounds, and was suspended one game after leaving the Rose Garden during the third quarter of Saturday’s game.
Beyond being disciplined for his tardiness, Randolph said he had a difficult time adjusting to McMillan’s demanding, detail-oriented ways.
“(Management) thought (Maurice) Cheeks wasn’t a hard coach, or didn’t demand nothing, so I guess that’s what the people in the front office told (McMillan),” Randolph said. “So he came in with the attitude where, I don’t know, he thought he’s got to be hard. Like Sarge. So it’s been tough, because I ain’t never had . . . I always had coach Cheeks, who is more of a players coach, and I was accustomed to his actions and ways. Now it’s just a lot different.”
These guys don’t know how good they have it. All they have to do is show up on time and play basketball, yet they are missing shootarounds, practices and team meetings. They think it’s “hard” playing for Nate McMillan? I’d like to see Bobby Knight coach them for a season or two.
