Trail Blazers fire coach McMillan
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E-mail Xinhua, March 16, 2012
The Portland Trail Blazers fired head coach Nate McMillan on Thursday after almost seven years at the helm, local newspaper The Oregonian reported the move.
The sacking came in the aftermath of a 121-79 defeat against the Knicks in New York on Wednesday night, the seventh loss in nine games for the club, which began the season winning seven of its first nine and now occupies last place in the Northwest Division with a 20-23 mark.
Assistant coach Kaleb Canales will finish the season as interim head coach, according to the paper. The Blazers continue a seven- game road trip in Chicago on Friday.
McMillan racked up a 266-269 record with the franchise, since coming over from the rivals Seattle SuperSonics prior to the 2005- 06 season.
He led the Blazers to three straight playoff appearances from 2009-11 but his teams were 6-12 in the post season, losing in the first round in each of the past three seasons.
This year, the Blazers again suffered serious injury setbacks, with former All-Star guard Brandon Roy forced into retirement because of his troublesome knees.
