By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
As questions continue to surround the future of the Portland Trail Blazers bench, interim head coach Tiago Splitter is keeping his message simple and consistent.
According to Ramona Shelburne, Splitter addressed the ongoing speculation about his role—amid reports that owner Tom Dundon has been exploring alternative candidates—by stating: “Just trying to be a pro,” and adding, “I try to focus on my locker room and my staff to stay and think about basketball. Same way when I got the job and all the stuff that was going on.”
His comments came prior to Portland’s 106–103 Game 2 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, a win that evened their first-round playoff series and underscored the team’s resilience during a turbulent season.
Splitter assumed interim coaching duties under extraordinary circumstances following the arrest of former head coach Chauncey Billups, who has pleaded not guilty to federal charges tied to a high-stakes poker investigation. Since then, Splitter has guided the team to a 42–40 finish and into the playoffs as the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference.
One of the brightest spots of the season has been the emergence of Deni Avdija, whose development into an All-Star and Most Improved Player finalist has drawn praise across the organization. Avdija was emphatic in his support of his coach, saying: “He got thrown in a difficult situation,” and adding, “It wasn’t easy for him to just all of a sudden take the head job. But I think he’s done phenomenal. He’s getting the best out of everybody. He’s believing in each and single one of his players, and we love playing for him. He’s a winner, he’s a competitor. He knows how it is to win a championship. He’s passionate, and he got all the tools to be a great coach, and that’s what he’s doing.”
Behind the scenes, financial considerations appear to be shaping the franchise’s direction. Sources cited by Shelburne indicate that while Splitter received a raise from his assistant salary and engaged in contract discussions, the proposed long-term deal fell well below the standard for NBA head coaches. Negotiations have reportedly been paused until after the postseason.
Dundon’s broader cost-cutting strategy has also come into focus. Reports suggest the organization has reduced expenses in several areas, including limiting travel for two-way players and scaling back complimentary playoff tickets for staff. At the same time, NBA insider Jake Fischer reports that Dundon has already initiated conversations with 15 to 20 potential coaching candidates across both the NBA and college ranks.
Amid all of this, Splitter has attempted to shield his players from distractions. He revealed that he addressed the team early in the play-in tournament, advising them: “that it’s not a time to be in your social media now and reading everything that is out there or even on TV. A couple coaches that I had gave me that advice. I know it’s hard. Social media is part of our lives, but trying to just focus on basketball.”