At the end of May it was announced that the Idaho Stampede were to become the single affiliate of the Portland Trail Blazers, and doing so enabled the Blazers to run the organization from a basketball operations perspective. Well, it didn't take long for Portland to put their signature city-known hipster stamp on the Idaho franchise when they selected Michael Peck as new head coach of the Stampede. How very Portland of them to choose a former "high school" coach, a very outside the box hire, and one that will likely pay off for the franchise down the road.
More after the jump.
Peck will bring his developing talents to Boise, Idaho and look to help transform the franchise into a winner again. The Stampede have missed out on the playoffs since the 2008-2009 season. It has been noted that Peck has helped transform young talent into NBA caliber players, including Avery Bradley (Boston), Tristan Thompson (Cleveland), Joel Anthony (Miami), and Louis Amundson (Indiana), to name a few.
What the Stampede and ultimately the Blazers hope to expect, are similiar results for players on their roster this upcoming season. Portland's roster is littered with youth and raw talent, and a coach with Peck's background can surely help groom them into the NBA player that the Blazers think they can be.
Portland decided to take it's time with its head coaching decision for the Stampede after it was announced that Randy Livingston would not return to the club shortly after their single affiliation announcement in May. With numerous of well qualified applicants available, the decision to go with Peck, a rather unknown and unproven coach outside of the college prep ranks, is a unique approach.
Generally former NBA players, coaches, and front office executives are the popular considerations lately for a head coaching position in the D-League. Again, Portland took an alternative approach, and hopes this coaching hire will be the equivalent to that of a underground indie band who played in numerous coffee houses for years before being "discovered" by a major label.
A formal introduction for head coach Michael Peck will take place Monday, September 17 at 2:30pm in Boise, Idaho.