HoopsHype.com Rumors

Portland Trail Blazers Head Coach Terry Stotts has begun the process of interviewing various candidates for their assistant coach opening vacated by Kaleb Canales, who took the same position with Dallas, CSNNW.com has learned. CSNNW.com

Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers, Coaching, Kaleb Canales, Terry Stotts 

Jason Quick: Before Canales' decision, Stotts said he was going to eliminate "coordinator" positions on his staff and make it a collaborative effort Twitter @jwquick

Portland Trail Blazers, Coaching, Kaleb Canales, Terry Stotts 

Jason Quick: Terry Stotts said he hopes to have a new assistant hired by Summer League in July. He said hire won't necessarily be defensive-specific Twitter @jwquick

Portland Trail Blazers, Coaching, Terry Stotts 

Q: How would you assess the first seasons of Olshey and Stotts? A: “I think they’re both doing a very good job. Obviously, here at the end of the season, we’ve had — injuries can really get you. Between Wes (Matthews) and Nic (Batum) and (LaMarcus Aldridge) having issues with his ankle and so forth, there’s just been, that can always — especially when you don’t have as much depth as you would like — that can really hurt you. I think you saw Terry institute that new brand of basketball to start out the season. I think it’s, as compared to the styles we’ve had previous seasons, I think it’s a refreshing, unselfish style. In terms of what Neil did, I think we did very well on the draft. I don’t think there’s any question about that. And I think getting Eric Maynor at the trading deadline, that was a nice move. So we’re positioning ourselves with the future, with cap room, draft picks, flexibility. So it’s going to be a very interesting offseason.” Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Coaching, Paul Allen, Neil Olshey, Terry Stotts 

Ben Golliver: Allen says his health is good and he is generally happy w/ jobs of GM Neil Olshey & coach Terry Stotts, & direction of 2012-13 Blazers Twitter @blazersedge

Portland Trail Blazers, Coaching, Neil Olshey, Terry Stotts 

Terry Stotts had not yet spoken with Eric Maynor when the Trail Blazers wrapped up their morning shootaround on Friday, but he already was contemplating ways to play with his new toy. “I think he’ll complement our guys well, as far as running the team and taking his opportunities,” Stotts said. “He’s a solid, solid point guard. I don’t know if he necessarily has any outstanding, defining characteristics. But he comes in and just does a solid job.” Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Eric Maynor, Terry Stotts 

Jason Quick: Blazers coach Terry Stotts thinks LeBron James' strength and athleticism will put him "in conversation" for NBA Defensive Player of the Year Twitter @jwquick

Miami Heat, Portland Trail Blazers, LeBron James, Terry Stotts 

These Blazers could be just as vulernable, and therefore volatile, as Miles. There is pressure for Aldridge to carry the team. For Batum to live up to his big contract. For Lillard to win Rookie of the Year. For Matthews to show he is more than just an effort guy. How Stotts handles them, and teaches them, is important. “He is patient with us,’’ Batum said. “In practice, he teaches us. Every time we do film, he teaches us a lesson. Every time. Where we are right now, with this group we have? It comes a lot from him, because he does a good job with us.’’ The teacher in the 11th row behind the Blazers bench, agrees. “I’m so proud of him,’’ Phelps said. Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Coaching, Terry Stotts 

Stotts said he’s rarely surprised when a coach is fired. Johnson is the second coach fired this season, which is not even two months old. In November, the Lakers fired Mike Brown after a 1-5 start. “It’s the unpleasant truth of our profession,” Stotts said. “It’s a zero-sum game. There’s a winner and loser. That’s the reality.” Oregonian

Brooklyn Nets, Portland Trail Blazers, Avery Johnson, Coaching, Terry Stotts 

Since the first day of training camp, every Trail Blazers player has received a morning text message from coach Terry Stotts. “9:01 a.m.,’’ Nicolas Batum says, pulling out his cellphone as proof. “9:01, 9:01, 9:01. Every day.’’ The message is inspirational in nature, chosen from a cache that Stotts has accumulated throughout the years. Sometimes, Batum admits, he has to read the passages twice to understand them. Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Coaching, Nicolas Batum, Terry Stotts 

On Saturday, before the Blazers would go out and beat the Phoenix Suns 96-93 for their fifth consecutive victory, Stotts sent the following: “It is the present that holds the next step to the future, and each present step is independently as important as the next. Accomplish today.’’ “It’s pretty cool, huh?’’ reserve guard Ronnie Price said, scrolling past all the messages, which go back to October. “A lot of coaches, they don’t put forth the effort to be involved in their team that way. So it’s neat.’’ Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Coaching, Ronnie Price, Terry Stotts 

Stotts is sick and tired of the general masses crushing LaMarcus Aldridge. "He's been doing everything that's been asked of him at both ends of the floor," Stotts said of his All-Star power forward. "And he's done it willingly and effectively. And it just bothers me when people throw darts at him, when they are disparaging. He doesn't deserve it. I don't think the criticisms are valid." Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, LaMarcus Aldridge, Terry Stotts 

And while it may appear to the naked eye that Aldridge has abandoned his low-post game, Stotts said the reality is that his franchise power forward is actually averaging "slightly less than one fewer postup every 36 minutes" compared to last season and roughly the same number of free throw attempts (4.9 to 5.0). "I think it's a legitimate observation," Stotts said, referring to Aldridge's dip in shooting percentage and rebounding. "But it's undue criticism that he's not being aggressive or he's being soft or that he's not pounding inside. He is doing all those things when he has opportunities." Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, LaMarcus Aldridge, Terry Stotts 

Following the game, Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts did something he has never done during his brief tenure as the team's coach...he called out one of his players. “He (Meyers Leonard) needs to work on his individual post defense,” Stotts said. Gortat scored on him, Jermaine O'Neal scored on him. He's trying, but right now, he's a poor post defender one-on-one.” Stotts is clearly trying to send a message with those comments. But you won't hear Leonard disagreeing with his coach's critique. “I got to get better at defense,” Leonard admitted. “It's a learning process. I got to have better anticipation, better everything. So we just as a team, got to get better and definitely for myself.” CSNNW.com

Portland Trail Blazers, Jermaine O'Neal, Meyers Leonard, Terry Stotts 

It's only six games in, but to sit back and dismiss that the bench play isn't an issue, is illogical. “I'm more concerned about what happens on the court when they're in the game than actual numbers, points, rebounds,” head coach Terry Stotts said after the game. “Like I said, the bench was a positive in the first half and we had a bad stretch, a horrible stretch and obviously we scored enough points to win. It's not about bench production, we scored points.” CSNNW.com

Portland Trail Blazers, Wesley Matthews, Terry Stotts 

The Trail Blazers' bench ranks last in the NBA in scoring, contributing a combined 51 points and averaging a measly 12.8 points over the first four games of the season. So what? Ask Blazers coach Terry Stotts about this seemingly glaring deficiency and he shrugs his shoulders. "Personally, right now, I don't think it's a problem," Stotts said. "Our bench is providing us exactly what we need. They're all very good complementary players and they're all fulfilling their roles." Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Terry Stotts 

Chris Haynes: #Blazers head coach Terry Stotts says he'll probably go with Nolan Smith as the backup PG oppose to Coby Karl. Twitter @ChrisBHaynes

Portland Trail Blazers, Coby Karl, Nolan Smith, Terry Stotts 

Mike Tokito: Terry Stotts wants Ronnie Price to go through a full practice before Lakers game. If he does, Price goes straight into #Blazers rotation. Twitter @mtokito

Los Angeles Lakers, Injuries, Ronnie Price, Terry Stotts 

Mike Tokito: Stotts gave a thumbs up on the All-Star ballot change. Twitter @mtokito

Portland Trail Blazers, All-Star, Terry Stotts 

Ben Golliver: "The roster decisions will be made next week." -- Blazers coach Terry Stotts Twitter @blazersedge

Portland Trail Blazers, Terry Stotts