This new Portland Trail Blazers head coaching position is becoming Darth Maul's double-bladed lightsaber for Micah Nori.
On one end, he finally gets one of the league's coveted 30 head coaching positions. A position he's consistently finished second in interviewing for around the league because of his lack of experience in the role. He gets that audition with a Blazers team finally willing to take a chance on him.
Better yet, as Nori pointed out in his introductory press conference, it's a rare opportunity for an incoming head coach to be taking on a playoff team. Portland was different and controversial in their approach under new owner Tom Dundon, beginning the interview process to find Tiago Splitter's potential replacement while he still had this team fighting the Spurs in the playoffs.
Micah Nori has short window to sort out a messy Blazers roster
For Nori, the downside of inheriting such a talented roster is immediate expectations.
He doesn't get the chance to grow and develop alongside his players, which is where his 28 years of NBA experience will come in handy. Still, he'll face an immediate challenge in figuring out how to optimize what is a talented but lopsided roster.
Playmaking concerns may have been addressed, though at the expense of a defensive identity and the opportunity cost of ignoring their shooting woes. He has to navigate all of this while competing with the Western Conference superstars on a nightly basis.
This is yet another reason why Nori's uniquely structured contract seems to be at his disadvantage.
Nori took a bet on himself with an unfavorable contract
The Blazers, using their leverage in Nori having never secured a head coaching role, were able to get him to agree to a three-year contract in which only the first is guaranteed. That includes consecutive team options in year two and three.
It was so unconventional (and objectively against Nori's best interest) that the National Basketball Coaches Association complained, with President J.B. Bickerstaff calling it a "slap in the face."
Nori continues to bet on himself with this deal, and it ultimately could pay off if he's able to put these imperfect pieces together (or Portland were to make another trade). Portland has to be thrilled to have all this leverage in controlling Nori's future.
Hopefully it's a successful season in which both sides are happy with the results and simply want to continue a good relationship into a second season. Nori is likely just happy to be in this situation regardless, but he certainly made a big bet on himself that could ultimately backfire.
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