The Portland Trail Blazers assistant coaching staff are engaging in a “quiet competition” over opening plays this season, according to NBC Sports Northwest’s Mike Richman. In the piece, Richman explains how the assistant coach in charge of the night’s scouting report is also responsible for drawing up the team’s first play. The team practices the opening play at morning shootaround for the first time. A success gets celebrated on the bench.
The first play has become a quiet rivalry among the Blazers assistant coaches. When games open with a successful play there will be high-fives and fist pumps up and down the bench.