ChrisHaynes, CSNNW.com Trail Blazers Insider (@ChrisBHaynes)
Today,Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts announced that his coachingstaff which will consist of Kaleb Canales, Kim Hughes, Jay Triano,and David Vanterpool.
Stottssays he has never worked with any of his new coaches before, but sayshe has heard many great things about them via his trusted NBAfriends.
TheNBA is a small community and you're always aware of the coaches whocan coach, Stotts told CSNNW.com. Rick Carlisle never worked with me orDwane Casey when he took the job in Dallas. So, I'm not concernedabout that.
Triano,53, most recently held the position of Vice President of Pro Scoutingfor the Toronto Raptors. Prior to that, he was the head coach of theRaptors from 2008-11 compiling a record of 87-142. He's also the Canadian men'snational team head coach.
Treviso,Italy is where Stotts met Triano during one of his basketball campsyears ago and he says the drills and methods that Triano used, arebeing recycled around the league today.
He(Triano) is just a bright mind an a great basketball coach, Stottssaid. He will add so much experience to our staff.
Hughes,60, will be the assistant in charge of the development of MeyersLeonard and Joel Freeland. That's his expertise having been praisedfor the improved post play of Chris Kaman and Elton Brand while hewas an assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers for seven seasons.
In1998, the 6-11 assistant coach began a five year stint as the Director of Scouting,Director of Player Personnel and assistant coach for the MilwaukeeBucks and he played six seasons in the NBA and ABA.
Hedoes a great job developing big men, Stotts said. Hughes hasbeen around. The development of Joel and Meyers will be vital to ourprogram and I feel we have the right coach for the job.
Stottsran into Vanterpool a former 6-5 professional guard fiveyears ago while he was playing overseas ball for the European clubCSKA Moscow. Thecoach at the time, Ettore Messina, told Stotts that Vanterpool would make a great coach someday.
Ayear later, Vanterpool,39, attended an NBA coaching clinic in NewJersey in which Casey, Carlisle, and Stotts were present,as well. The two got reacquainted and apparently Vanterpool blewStotts away with his coaching mind and work ethic.
Vanterpoolwill be working primarily with the guards.
Withhis playing experience and being young enough to get out there andbang with them in practice, will really benefit our program,Stotts said. He will work mainly with the development of ourperimeter players and I'm happy to have him on board.
Andas for Canales, Stotts already has an idea on how he will use him.
He(Canales) will be our defensive coordinator, Stotts said. Iwant to use all of our coaches strengths and give them the freedom todo their jobs.
Stottswouldn't comment on who he will select to be the lead assistant andhe even went as far to say that he doesn't really like naming a coachthe lead guy.
Allsigns still point to Canales filling that role.
Thecoaching staff is now complete two weeks before players arrive intown for training. And even though each coach seems to have their ownarea of expertise, Stotts doesn't want them focusing solely on theirstrengths.
Iwant all of my coaches to just coach basketball. Doing it all,Stotts said. I want them to be able to do everything from drawingplays to skill development. I want us to be as well rounded aspossible.
Thisstaff bringspositive energy with an emphasis on teaching. We have a wealth ofexperience and a diverse staff from and X's on O's standpoint. We arevery pleased with our new additions.
Other Notes: Big man specialist & Detroit Pistons assistant coach Roy Rogers was offered same position by the Trail Blazers & he decided to remain with the Pistons, CSNNW.com has learned...Former NBA guard Hersey Hawkins will remain with the Trail Blazers as the Player Development Director...Trail Blazers Player Development Assistant, Dan Dickau, status with the organization is unknown being that he's on a part time deal and Stotts is not making that decision.
