Imagine your team suddenly losing its head coach amidst a storm of scandal and legal trouble. That’s exactly what happened to the Portland Trail Blazers, and what followed is nothing short of an NBA miracle. They’re not just surviving; they’re thriving under interim coach Tiago Splitter, becoming a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference. But how did this unexpected success story unfold?
Just before the storm hit, Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards was already taking notice. “If you coming to play Portland, it ain’t no more nights off, it ain’t no more gimme wins against Portland, man,” he declared after a close victory against them in late October. He even admitted, “I’m not gonna lie, I love their team.” His words foreshadowed the Blazers’ newfound intensity, but nobody could have predicted the shocking events that were about to unfold.
The very next day, the NBA world was rocked by news of Coach Chauncey Billups’ arrest. He was indicted on serious charges, including wire fraud and money laundering, allegedly linked to an illegal poker ring with mafia connections. Billups was immediately placed on unpaid leave, leaving the Blazers in a state of sudden turmoil.
Enter Tiago Splitter, the interim coach. “I was sleeping and my phone was buzzing, so I just woke up to the whole thing,” Splitter revealed in an interview. “Of course I didn’t expect anything like that to happen… And then a couple hours later, I’m the head coach. It was a strange situation.” Imagine waking up to that news!
Splitter’s first move was to address the team with honesty and transparency. He acknowledged the adversity they faced, reminding them that they had all overcome challenges before. He framed the situation not as a crisis, but as an opportunity for growth. He then made himself available to each player, offering individual meetings to listen to their concerns and ideas. This personal approach seems to have been key to uniting the team.
Veteran guard Jrue Holiday praised Splitter’s leadership, saying, “He definitely has maturity to him and the demeanor to balance us out… I think the way that he carries himself is very stoic. So coming in here, we definitely have confidence when he talks and everybody listens.”
But here’s where it gets controversial… Is it simply Splitter’s demeanor, or is there something more to the Blazers’ sudden surge?
Splitter, at just 40 years old, isn’t just holding the team steady; he’s guiding them to victories against some of the NBA’s elite. The Trail Blazers, who finished 12th in the West last season, are now a competitive force. They’ve secured impressive wins against powerhouses like the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, and even the reigning NBA champion Thunder.
Their victory against Oklahoma City was particularly noteworthy, marking the Thunder’s first loss of the season after Portland overcame a 22-point deficit. It was also their first win against the Thunder since April 2021.
Their success isn’t just about luck; it’s built on a foundation of strong defense and a fast-paced offense. The Trail Blazers currently lead the NBA in turnovers forced, averaging 20.8 per game. They’re forcing opponents into mistakes and capitalizing on those opportunities.
And this is the part most people miss… Splitter’s coaching philosophy.
Before joining the Trail Blazers, Splitter was the head coach of Paris Basketball, where he revolutionized their offense with an emphasis on pace and speed. He led the team to their first-ever EuroLeague playoff qualification. Interestingly, he replaced Tuomas Iisalo in Paris, who then joined the Memphis Grizzlies. Billups also hired one of Iisalo’s former assistants, Patrick St. Andrews, adding him to the Portland coaching staff.
Splitter combined his pace-and-speed concepts from Paris with the off-ball movement strategies that St. Andrews helped implement in Memphis. The result is a dynamic, free-flowing offense that thrives on fast breaks and paint touches.
“We sat down in the summer before the season even started and (discussed) how are we even going to play as a team,” Splitter explained. “It was a coaching staff team effort to make this team play well because we don’t have a pick-and-roll-dominant player… So what are we going to do? We’re going to drive, we’re going to cut, we’re going to shoot the ball. We’ve got to play fast. That was the idea behind the whole thing.”
Under Splitter’s guidance, key veterans like Holiday, Deni Avdija, and Jerami Grant are flourishing. Avdija’s scoring has jumped significantly, while Holiday anchors the defense. Even Grant, who previously expressed frustration with the team’s offensive scheme, has fully embraced the new system.
Splitter emphasizes tailoring the team’s strategies to the strengths of his players. “When you see your roster and you see your players, slowly you see them in practices and where they like to excel,” Splitter said. “That’s how we put together our offense and our defense… You know, it’s not hard, to be honest. It’s just like you put 1+1 = 2. You have Deni, he loves to play with speed and drive; okay, how can we start an offense that way? We need to give them the tools so they can perform the best they can.”
The Trail Blazers’ commitment to their identity will be tested as the season progresses. The Western Conference is fiercely competitive, and the road ahead won’t be easy. But Splitter remains confident in his team’s plan and vision. “We just have to stick with our plan and our vision,” he said. “We have confidence in our plan.”
What do you think? Is Splitter the right coach to lead the Trail Blazers long-term, or is this just a temporary hot streak? Could the team’s success be attributed to a collective effort, or is there something uniquely special about Splitter’s coaching style? Share your thoughts in the comments below!