Rumors

Tiago Splitter took over as interim head coach in October after Chauncey Billups was arrested as part of a federal investigation into illegal gambling activities. In Billups’ absence, Splitter coached the Trail Blazers to a 42-40 record and the franchise’s first playoff berth since 2021. While Splitter remains a candidate for the full-time job, the franchise opened its search before the season ended, a practice that is frowned upon league-wide. “The amount of disrespect (toward Splitter) that’s going on is beyond description,” a league source told Quick. “It’s like, every day, a new name is coming up. It’s the most vicious thing I’ve encountered in 30-plus years.”

New York Times

Sean Highkin: Scoot Henderson on Tiago Splitter: "He was amazing. Having to be put in that role and lead a team to the playoffs, it was special that a former player took that role and didn't second-guess it. He stepped up and put his chest out."

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Sean Highkin: Joe Cronin on coaching search: "Tiago is a candidate, but we're going to talk to other candidates. We decided early on we were going to cast a wide net."

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Sean Highkin: Damian Lillard on Tiago Splitter: "I thought he did well. Being launched into that seat out of nowhere, unexpected, having to be a leader of men in this league is tough. Having to deal with minutes and managing personalities and rotations is tough. He did a great job on the fly."

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Sean Highkin: Deni Avdija on Tiago Splitter: "I think Tiago did a great job. He got thrown in not an easy situation. He did a great job of connecting this group and getting the best out of all of us. Credit to the assistants, too. I definitely love Tiago and love playing for him."

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Sean Highkin: Robert Williams III on Tiago Splitter: "He came in aggressively and we needed that. He let us know nobody is gonna feel sorry for us. I think he did such a great job coaching us and motivating us and letting us know he was in it with us. We were ready to go to war with him."

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Sean Highkin: Tiago Splitter: "I'm still learning. I'm still a young coach. I'm not saying I'm Phil Jackson. But I've gotten better as a coach for sure, from last summer."

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Sean Highkin: Tiago Splitter says he and the team are going to talk about his future. "I've already told you guys I want to stay. But we've got to go through some things. I think there are some things that are exaggerations and clickbait. I have a good relationship with Tom and with Joe."

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Sean Highkin: Tiago Splitter: "When you look over the season, all the moments that we went though, good and bad, on the balance it's positive. One of the main things I wanted was to compete every night. Players got better, I got better, the staff got better. We figured out things."

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Sean Highkin: Jrue Holiday: "I love Tiago. Him being able to step into a role with big shoes to fill, being able to rally us together and push through a season and make the 7 seed has been great. He's exceeded people's expectations."

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Sean Highkin: Joe Cronin, Tiago Splitter and Blazers players are doing their end-of-season media availabilities tomorrow starting at 10am.

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Sean Highkin: Donovan Clingan on Tiago Splitter: "I love Tiago. He's a player's coach, he understands the game, he's won at high levels. He never took any shortcuts or took it easy on us. He showed up every day at his best and I'll always appreciate him for that."

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‪Sean Highkin‬: Tiago Splitter on the season: "Proud of them the whole year. Start to remember the whole season and what we went through. We compete every night for the most part."

bsky.app

Tom Orsborn: Splitter on the Castle-Avdija dustup: "Both teams playing very physical. I just thought that what Castle did was a little excessive and too much and then Deni just reacted, which is normal when you're trying to play and you try to win. I don't think it's a big deal."

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