The Portland Trail Blazers' search for next season's head coach won't end, as they are set on casting a wide net of options. However, it should end after seeing the player endorsements Tiago Splitter received during the end-of-season exit interviews.
Blazers players had nothing but praise for the job Splitter has done in this unexpected audition after being thrown into the fire.
"On the court, if they throw you the ball with no time in the shot clock and you have to shoot, that's called a 'grenade.' And I think that's what Tiago got thrown this season," Matisse Thybulle said. "As far as I'm concerned, Tiago did an amazing job. He knocked it out of the park."
Tiago Splitter has a strong case to return to Portland
Splitter has made his desire to return next season clear, adding that he maintains a strong relationship with the front office despite any rumors.
"I've already told you guys I want to stay. But we've got to go through some things. I think there are some things that are exaggerations and clickbait. I have a good relationship with Tom [Dundon] and with Joe [Cronin]."
Though they may have a good relationship, I still think it was unnecessary to begin the head-coaching search while Splitter had this team back in the postseason for the first time in their rebuild.
At least the Blazers are considering him as a candidate, which general manager Joe Cronin confirmed at the exit interview. He also added that there's no concern about Tom Dundon's willingness to pay for a coach, despite seemingly never-ending rumors about low-ball offers.
Dundon has previously stated he'd prioritize talent over paying for a resume from an experienced coach. That actually could work in Splitter's favor, as he's still growing into this role. Â
"I'm still learning. I'm still a young coach," Splitter said. "I'm not saying I'm Phil Jackson. But I've gotten better as a coach for sure, from last summer."
In some ways, it's hard to properly evaluate the job Splitter has done. Not only were the circumstances unprecedented with Chauncey Billups' departure, but he also took on what turned out to be one of the most injury-ridden teams in the league. We didn't see the healthy version of this roster until the very, very end of the season.
Additionally, there are serious holes in this roster, particularly in shooting and playmaking, which made Splitter's task an uphill battle. Yet he still overcame all this unexpected adversity to get this team over .500 and back into the playoffs, where they belong.
"When you look over the season, all the moments that we went through, good and bad, on the balance it's positive. One of the main things I wanted was to compete every night. Players got better, I got better, the staff got better. We figured out things," Splitter added.
Blazers continue to grow under Splitter
From top to bottom, the Blazers showed legitimate progress throughout the season. There's no reason for them to risk that momentum coming to a halt by changing a big variable like the head coach. Splitter has had some growing pains of his own due to his relative lack of experience, but the Blazers should let him grow with this young core. The grass isn't always greener when it comes to the coaching carousel. And above all, Splitter has proven to be a players' coach.
"You can ask any player. They love him. They love playing for him," Kris Murray said.
There are countless other quotes we could add to this to strengthen Splitter's case as a players' coach. But I think the most telling part is the on-court product, with multiple players taking huge strides this year under him.
Deni Avdija is the most notable with his All-Star campaign. He had so much freedom in his point-forward role. Portland lived with the turnovers and at times, reckless decisions, because they knew it was in Avdija's best interest to play with that aggression and utilize his strengths.
Shaedon Sharpe was a 20+ point scorer at just 22 years old, benefiting from the highest usage rate on the team. Splitter's experience as a former big man himself had a positive impact on Donovan Clingan, who already emerged as an above-average starting center in Year 2. An untimely hamstring injury derailed Scoot Henderson's season, but he had arguably the most encouraging finish to the season out of anyone on this roster.
The first-round loss to San Antonio was a quick series, but the season served as a proof of concept for this young Blazers team under Splitter. There's no reason to break that up.
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