In the News

Aldridge leads Blazers to 119-106 win over Wolves (Yahoo! Sports)

LaMarcus Aldridge scored 26 points in his return after missing one game with a sore left elbow, leading the Portland Trail Blazers to a 119-106 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night. Nicolas Batum added 24 points for Portland, which is 5-5 since interim coach Kaleb Canales replaced the fired Nate McMillan.

Bucks win 6th straight vs. transitioning Blazers
Drew Gordon scored 19 points, and the Milwaukee Bucks beat Portland 116-87 on Tuesday night in the Trail Blazers' first home game since coach Nate McMillan was fired last week.

Gooden leads Bucks past Blazers, 116-87 (Yahoo! Sports)

While Golden State Warriors fans are clearly still irked that he was traded away, Monta Ellis is enjoying the Milwaukee Bucks. Ellis had 14 points and nine assists to help Milwaukee beat Portland 116-87 on Tuesday night for the Bucks' sixth straight victory. "Everybody's out there having fun, sharing the ball and everybody's on the same page trying to get some wins," Ellis...

Skidding Trail Blazers fire coach McMillan
The Portland Trail Blazers have fired coach Nate McMillan.

Trail Blazers fire coach Nate McMillan (Yahoo! Sports)
The Portland Trail Blazers have fired coach Nate McMillan. The Blazers announced the move on Thursday, one day after a 42-point loss to the Knicks in New York. Assistant coach Caleb Kanales will be the interim head coach. The firing was first reported by Yahoo! Sports. The Blazers have lost seven of their last 10 games to fall out of the Western Conference playoff race.

Blazers fire Nate McMillan as coach
The Portland Trail Blazers fired head coach Nate McMillan Thursday, Yahoo! Sports reported.

Reports: Skidding Blazers fire coach McMillan
The Portland Trail Blazers have fired coach Nate McMillan, according to multiple media reports.

Blazers top Hornets to snap 3-game skid (AP)

LaMarcus Aldridge asserted himself in a halftime huddle with his Portland Trail Blazers teammates, imploring them to snap out of their recent funk. Then he took his own advice. Aldridge scored 16 of his game-high 22 points in the second half, and Portland snapped a three-game skid with an 84-77 victory over the slumping New Orleans Hornets on Monday.

Magic hand Trail Blazers first home loss (AP)

Portland's pick and roll nearly undid the Magic. Orlando led by 23 points against the Trail Blazers on Wednesday night, but allowed Portland to close to within three points in the final minutes. The reason? Portland figured out how to work the pick and roll around Dwight Howard. "Yeah, we saw something," Blazers guard Jamal Crawford said.

Blazers C Camby tweaks knee, to have MRI (AP)
Trail Blazers center Marcus Camby was ruled out for Portland's preseason finale against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night after tweaking his left knee during warmups. Camby will have an MRI as a precaution on Thursday, but coach Nate McMillan didn't believe the injury was serious. Kurt Thomas started in place of the 15-year veteran.

Blazers promote Greer, add Dickau (AP)
The Portland Trail Blazers have promoted advance scout Larry Greer to assistant coach, and added former guard Dan Dickau as a player development assistant. Blazers head coach Nate McMillan also announced that he has retained assistants Bernie Bickerstaff, Bob Ociepka, Buck Williams, Kaleb Canales and Dean Cooper.

Felton looking to stick with Blazers (AP)

During the summer of 2010, the Portland Trail Blazers took a long look at free agent point guard Raymond Felton before deciding he didn't fit on the roster financially. A year later, Felton has joined the Blazers after a draft-day trade with Denver. Felton, who was introduced Monday during a news conference in Portland, said he's looking to make the Blazers his team for years to come.

Mavs draw nemesis referee for Game 2 (AP)
The officiating in Game 2 of the Portland-Dallas series was already going to be scrutinized after Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan was fined $35,000 for his comments about the opener. The Mavericks found out that Tuesday night's officiating crew included Dan Crawford. Dallas was 2-18 in playoff games where he has been a referee.

NBA fines Blazers coach McMillan $35k
Portland coach Nate McMillan has been fined $35,000 by the NBA for disparaging comments about the officiating in Game 1 of the Trail Blazers' playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks.

2011 NBA Playoffs: Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan fined for comments about officiating after Game 1 vs. Dallas Mavericks
Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan was fined $35,000 for his comments about the officiating after his team's Game 1 loss to the Mavericks.

NBA fines Blazers coach McMillan $35,000 (AP)
Portland coach Nate McMillan has been fined $35,000 by the NBA for disparaging comments about the officiating in Game 1 of the Trail Blazers' playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks. McMillan was angry because Dallas took 29 free throws and his team took 13. Mavs star Dirk Nowitzki had 13 free throws in the fourth quarter alone, helping lead Dallas to an 89-81 victory.

2011 NBA Playoffs: Portland Trail Blazers' Nate McMillan upset about officiating in Game 1 vs. Dallas Mavericks
Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan was perturbed about the free throw disparity, particularly in the fourth quarter, in Game 1 versus the Dallas Mavericks.

Blazers hand McMillan extension
The Portland Trail Blazers and coach Nate McMillan have agreed to a two-year contract extension.

Nate McMillan, Portland Trail Blazers agree on a two-year extension
The Portland Trail Blazers and coach Nate McMillan have agreed to a two-year contract extension.

Blazers' McMillan gets 2-year extension (AP)
The Portland Trail Blazers and coach Nate McMillan have agreed to a two-year contract extension. McMillan is in his sixth season as coach of the Blazers. He has a 234-239 record with the team, which plays at Miami on Tuesday night. McMillan has taken the Blazers to the playoffs twice in his tenure. In 2008-09 he guided Portland to a share of the Northwest Division title and its first postseason...

Aldridge scores 40 as Blazers beat Spurs (AP)

As Portland forward LaMarcus Aldridge was leaving the court following the Trail Blazers' 99-86 victory over the NBA-leading Spurs, San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich reached out to shake his hand. Aldridge had a career-high 40 points along with 11 rebounds to hand the Spurs just their eighth loss of the season.

'Frail Blazers' keep finding ways to win (AP)
Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan dreads hearing his phone ring first thing in the morning because it usually means bad news, like another injury. McMillan has had quite a few of those calls, and they haven't let up since early in the season. It's gotten so bad that fans have dubbed McMillan's team the "Frail Blazers." Portland has been besieged with injuries -- particularly...

Sixers hand Blazers fourth straight loss (AP)

Elton Brand scored 18 points while Jrue Holiday and Andres Nocioni added 11 each to help the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Portland Trail Blazers 88-79 on Tuesday night. Philadelphia trailed 72-70 midway through the fourth, before going on a 15-4 run that put the game away with 1:50 left. Andre Iguodala, who entered the game averaging 14.8 points, was held to seven -- although four came in the fourth...

Blazers C Oden to miss another season (AP)

With Greg Oden facing yet another knee operation that will keep him off the court for yet another season, Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan confronted the perceived curse that has hung over his oft-injured 7-foot center. There's a tendency to grasp for answers why Oden is injury-prone, or why former Blazers Bill Walton or more infamously Sam Bowie were, too.

Rudy Fernandez not responding to Portland Trail Blazers, NBA investigating possible rule violation
Rudy Fernandez is not returning calls from Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan, and the NBA on Thursday was investigating whether Fernandez or his agent violated league rules by threatening a holdout.



Portland Trail Blazers add Bernie Bickerstaff, others to coaching staff
Longtime coaching veteran Bernie Bickerstaff has been named an assistant on Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan's staff.

Bickerstaff named Blazers assistant (AP)
Longtime coaching veteran Bernie Bickerstaff has been named an assistant on Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan's staff. McMillan also named Bob Ociepka and former Blazer Buck Williams as assistants. Bickerstaff's coaching career started in 1973 and has included stints as a head coach in Seattle, Denver, Washington and Charlotte.

Blazers' Aldridge out with stomach virus (AP)
Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge will not play in the regular-season finale against Golden State because of a gastrointestinal virus that landed him in the hospital. Aldridge was hospitalized on Tuesday night and was released Wednesday morning, Blazers coach Nate McMillan said. Aldridge is the Blazers' second-leading scorer with 17.9 points per game.

Blazers clinch playoff spot, beat Knicks (AP)
Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan quickly congratulated his team after they locked up a playoff spot. Brandon Roy said his coach was all business after that. The Blazers didn't get much time to celebrate following their playoff-clinching 118-90 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night.

Blazers' Roy misses second straight game (AP)
Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy will miss his second straight game because of a sore right hamstring. Roy hoped to play Monday afternoon against the Washington Wizards. But after consulting with coach Nate McMillan and a team trainer following warmups, Roy decided not to play. He also missed Friday's game against Orlando.

Bayless gets hobbled Blazers past Spurs (AP)

Jerryd Bayless scored a career-high 31 points in his first start for injured All-Star Brandon Roy, leading the hobbled Portland Trail Blazers to a 98-94 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night. Portland played without Roy and center Joel Przybilla, who ruptured a tendon in his right leg in a win against Dallas on Tuesday to become the latest Blazers player to go down.

McMillan needs surgery after rupturing Achilles
Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan ruptured his right Achilles tendon during practice Friday and will need surgery. McMillan will coach Saturday night's game against Houston, but he will miss next week's four-game road trip. The Blazers say McMillan will have surgery on Monday. Assistant coach Dean Demopoulos will take McMillan's place starting Monday in New York.

Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan ruptures Achilles in practice
Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan ruptured his right Achilles tendon during practice Friday and will need surgery.

Roy lifts Blazers to sixth straight win (AP)
The Portland Trail Blazers have won six straight overall and are 5-1 on the road, so coach Nate McMillan had plenty to be happy about even in a game that wasn't pretty. "We made plays," McMillan said after an 80-74 victory over Charlotte. "We got stops when we needed to. We're scoring when we need to.

Miller scores 21 as Blazers rout Wolves (AP)

Portland coach Nate McMillan's experiment with a three-guard starting lineup has sparked the Trail Blazers. Portland won its second consecutive game since McMillan employed a starting lineup that includes guards Brandon Roy, Andre Miller and Steve Blake. It was Miller leading the way Sunday, as he scored 21 points to lead Portland to a 116-93 win over Minnesota.

The Portland Trail Blazers extended Nate McMillan's deal through 2010-11
The Portland Trail Blazers have exercised their option on coach Nate McMillan's contract, extending it through the 2010-11 season.

Blazers extend coach McMillan's contract
The Portland Trail Blazers have exercised their option on coach Nate McMillan's contract, extending it through the 2010-11 season. McMillan led the Blazers to a 54-28 record last season and their first appearance in the playoffs since 2003. It was the sixth-best record in franchise history. McMillan, 44, was just the second NBA coach to improve a team by at least nine wins in three straight seasons. His overall record in a nine-year coaching career with Seattle and Portland is 360-363.

Blazers exercise option on McMillan (AP)
The Portland Trail Blazers have exercised their option on coach Nate McMillan's contract, extending it through the 2010-11 season. McMillan led the Blazers to a 54-28 record last season and their first appearance in the playoffs since 2003. It was the sixth-best record in franchise history. McMillan, 44, was just the second NBA coach to improve a team by at least nine wins in three straight...

NBA free agents: Hedo Turkoglu to visit with Portland Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan is flying to Orlando to have a Wednesday night dinner with the Blazers' top free-agent target, Hedo Turkoglu.

Trail Blazers G Blake out 7-10 days (AP)
Portland Trail Blazers guard Steve Blake will be sidelined for seven to 10 days with a separated right shoulder. Blake, who is averaging 11.6 points and 4.7 assists, was injured in Wednesday night's 100-79 loss at Philadelphia. Coach Nate McMillan said Blake returned to Portland for further examination.

Blazers end Pistons' 7-game win streak (AP)

Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan was direct and simple with seconds to go against the Detroit Pistons. "Go to work," McMillan said, singling out Travis Outlaw during Portland's final timeout. Outlaw followed his coach's instructions, and hit a fadeaway jumper with 8.9 seconds left to give the Blazers an 84-83 victory over the Pistons on Wednesday night.

Blazers lose despite Oden's career night (AP)

Stephen Jackson scored 10 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter and the Golden State Warriors overcame Greg Oden's 22 points and 10 rebounds in a 111-106 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night. Anthony Morrow followed up his 37-point performance three days earlier with 25 points for Golden State, including three free throws with 5.6 seconds to play.

Oden OK after rolling ankle at practice
Portland center Greg Oden is OK after rolling his right ankle during the first day of training camp. "He's fine," Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan said Wednesday. "Everybody, he's fine. He's OK." Oden, who missed all of his rookie season because of knee surgery, was injured Tuesday during a drill while pushing fellow center Joel Przybilla for rebounding position. After walking with a slight limp, he finished practice by riding a stationary bike.img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Foxsports/rss/NBA/~4/408471411" height="1" width="1"/

Blazers finally have foundation for success
The Blazers are as young as they are talented, so they'll need leadership from Brandon Roy and Nate McMillan, Matt Petersen says.img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Foxsports/rss/NBA/~4/404811823" height="1" width="1"/

Which NBA coaches make biggest impact?
When Phil Jackson and Gregg Popovich call it quits, young Nate McMillan will stand as the best coach in the game, says Charley Rosen.

Coach K focusing on preparation (AP)
The practice plan coach Mike Krzyzewski detailed was extensive: Situational halfcourt defensive and offensive sets in a "controlled type of scrimmaging." Assistant coaches Nate McMillan handling the defense and Mike D'Antoni monitoring the offense. Krzyzewski knew the guys loosening up behind him would've rather been doing something else.

Oden reprimanded for playing pickup game (AP)
Injured center Greg Oden was reprimanded by the Portland Trail Blazers for playing in a pickup game at a neighborhood gym. "We called him and we told him he can't do that," coach Nate McMillan said Friday. Oden, the top pick in last year's draft, is out for the season after microfracture surgery on his right knee.

Roy keys game-breaking run for Blazers (AP)

With the season winding down and his team's playoff hopes dimming with every loss, Portland coach Nate McMillan was looking for a leader. Brandon Roy may only be a 23-year-old second-year pro, but that didn't stop McMillan from challenging last season's rookie of the year to be that guy. Roy had 27 points and nine assists, playing biggest during a game-deciding 12-2 run in the fourth quarter to...

Roy leads Blazers to 12th straight win (AP)

Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan was being cautious, saving guard Brandon Roy for when the team needed him. With two fouls, Roy sat the entire second quarter Friday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Then he went on to steer the Blazers to a 109-98 victory for Portland's league-leading 12th consecutive win.

Oden quickly adding muscle to upper body
Greg Oden might be too pumped up for his eventual NBA debut. Oden is doing what most people with too much idle time tend to do: gain weight. Only Oden is bulking up instead of fattening up and the No. 1 overall pick may be too buff, too fast. "We don't want him to get bigger. That's going to come," Portland coach Nate McMillan said on Friday night. "It's very easy for him to put a lot of weight on having a year off. We've really got to be careful about the weight training with him.