Continuity is key in the NBA, a reality the Portland Trail Blazers understand better than most. Despite calls to tear down the roster and begin anew after last season's humiliating first-round sweep by the New Orleans Pelicans, the Blazers mostly stayed the course over the offseason, counting on internal improvement and tweaks at the edges of the rotation to spark improvement in 2018-19. Mission accomplished.
Portland advanced to the Western Conference Finals this season, their first appearance since 2000, before being swept by the Golden State Warriors in a series far more competitive than its final result suggests. Even that surprising level of playoff success ignores crucial context of Jusuf Nurkic's absence due to a season-ending leg injury, too. If the Blazers were fully healthy, there's every reason to believe they would have taken a game or two from the Warriors, at least.
But with success inevitably come defections, a dynamic that led longtime Portland assistant David Vanterpool to accept a job with the Minnesota Timberwolves as Ryan Saunders' top lieutenant earlier this month. The Blazers will miss Vanterpool. Noted for his ability to relate with players, he's extremely close with Damian Lillard, and has served as the Blazers' de facto defensive coordinator for the past several seasons.
The good news? Terry Stotts has already found his replacement. According to ESPN's Chris Haynes, Portland is adding former NBA guard Jannero Pargo to its coaching staff.
Portland Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts is expected to add former NBA player Jannero Pargo to his coaching staff, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 21, 2019
Pargo was in out of the NBA for 13 years after going undrafted in 2002. He ultimately played 11 seasons as a backup point guard, most memorably with the New Orleans Hornets in 2006-07.
The 39 year old spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach for the G-League's Windy City Bulls.
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