Apr 19, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Author’s note: Lots of teams utilize bulletin board material as a source of motivation. This material can be extracted from opposing players and coaches; the media; and even fans. Portland Trailblazers forward Nicolas Batum got himself into a little bit of controversy with his…unusual source of motivation. The following is my creative interpretation of what happened.
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Portland Trailblazers coach Terry Stotts assembled his players following their last practice before the playoffs. Stotts’ team had overcome great odds just to be where they finished in the standings. Despite injuries to Wes Matthews and Arron Afflalo, the Blazers were set to face the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Stotts and the Blazers faced a daunting challenge versus Memphis, but what matchup in the West wasn’t in 2015? To play in the best conference in the NBA, everyone has to play the same arduous schedule, and contend with injuries. The team that would eventually emerge from the conference would likely be the team that is able to successfully manage both.
Stotts swung up the large metal door of the Blazers locker room and walked confidently towards his players sitting at the locker. The young coach wanted one more chance to rally his troops before their day off the next day with the playoffs starting the day after.
“Ok, guys,” Stotts said. “Let’s talk about what’s motivating us this series. We’ve worked hard for this all year long and we need to make the most of it.”
Damian Lillard, the team’s all-star spoke first. “Coach, our early exit last year has been bothering me ever since it happened.”
“Yes, Dame! That’s good, that’s good.”
Following his point guards lead, LaMarcus Aldridge raised his hand.
“Coach, I heard Skip Bayless say that I’m not a max player. I’m gonna prove I’m the best power forward in this series.”
“Excellent, LaMarcus,” exclaimed Stotts. “Anyone else?”
“Yeah, coach,” said Meyers Leonard. “I’m playing for my brother who fought for our country in Afghanistan.”
Stotts grinned approvingly and wrote Leonard’s suggestion on the board.
“It’s good to see that you all have individual motivators, but what’s going to bring you together and put you over the top?”
“I got one, coach,” said Nic Batum.
“Well, let’s hear it,” said Stotts.
“WE DON’T LOSE TO SPANISH PLAYERS,” Batum said emphatically.
“Er, uh, sure…ok,” said Stotts as he begrudgingly added his small forward’s suggestion to the list.
“Coach,” said veteran center Chris Kaman.” I’ve got one.”
Stotts, still flummoxed by Batum’s response, gestured to his big man to speak up.
“We don’t lose to any animals or even teams named after animals…YEAH!”
The coach stared blankly at Kaman for a few seconds, pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger before saying, “You know what? Good talk guys, I think we’ll call it a day.”
“Wait, coach,” Robin Lopez interjected.
“Robin, I said no more–“
“It’s about Grizz, the Grizzlies mascot”
“Please, another day.”
“Coach, I just want to say that I’m going to picture every player as that stupid, furry-faced bear.”
“Thats…that’s terrific, Robin,” said Stotts. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I think I have a headache.”
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