Notice Blazer press conference today at 10am

[BrianFromWA]

this will sound much snarkier than I mean it to (because I liked Oden a lot), but is he saying KP was "on the right track" drafting oft-injured or red-flagged players and then feeling unlucky when they deteriorated?

 

[B-Roy]

Kim WAS fired because of the interview.

 

[TBpup]

It was really hard to let Kim Hughes go. I've worked with him for 15 years. It hurt be deeply on a personal level but I don't want to get into particulars but it is probably pretty clear.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I am paraphrasing but I agree with this statement of Neil's:

Because our market is an issue for some free agents, Retention of our players is important, that's why trying to keep LMA was so important

 

[illmatic99]

lol

 

[BBert]

Are there going to be any player introductions?

 

[TBpup]

I was tired and a little rude to Jason (Quick) on Draft night but it's all good now. There is a $50 bet that no one can piss me off. (laughter)

 

[BrianFromWA]

there's the difference...some may say retention of the *value* of those players is so important that you don't let one go for nothing, even if you have to be one year early.

 

[ThugginPaulyGAllen]

TBPup, I'd like to thank you immensely for the frequent updates - they are invaluable!

I like what I'm hearing (reading, once again thanks to Pup) about Olshey.

Also, seems like LMA really bent us over in this whole situation. I'm glad Paul got on the phone with him and asked him what the fuck?

 

[TBpup]

Are there going to be any player introductions?

Yes, when Neil is done with FA'cy questions is my understanding.

 

[Natebishop3]

Are there going to be any player introductions?

Yes, but they knew that they needed to put Neil out there to talk about LA and the team. He basically said it. He's out there to take their best shots. It's honestly extremely commendable. He's not dodging anything. He's taking it right on the chin and still plowing through.

 

[TBpup]

TBPup, I'd like to thank you immensely for the frequent updates - they are invaluable!

I like what I'm hearing (reading, once again thanks to Pup) about Olshey.

Also, seems like LMA really bent us over in this whole situation. I'm glad Paul got on the phone with him and asked him what the fuck?

You're welcome....no problem. I know now everyone can listen or it may not even be available in some places. Trying to get it as close to quotes as possible...Neil speaks very quickly.

 

[B-Roy]

They're going to talk extension with Meyers.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

Anyone else think TBpup and BBert's signature picture/gif are way to big?

 

[TBpup]

Clearly we want Meyers here long term. It has been really inspiring that Meyers has been here all summer and wants to go to Vegas to practice with the team. CJ is practicing everyday as well. Seeing things like that is exciting to me. These guys always needed someone else or didn't have a choice as to whether they went to SL or not. Dame, CJ and Meyers were all doing drills with the SL guys yesterday. That is a great culture for them to embrace.

Jim Moran was promoted to Big Man Coach.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

im kinda excited! should be a fun year

 

[Nikolokolus]

TBPup, I'd like to thank you immensely for the frequent updates - they are invaluable!

I like what I'm hearing (reading, once again thanks to Pup) about Olshey.

Also, seems like LMA really bent us over in this whole situation. I'm glad Paul got on the phone with him and asked him what the fuck?

Yeah thanks TBPup, really appreciate it.

As for LMA fucking over the organization, that's a little bit revisionist history IMO. He gave this team nine years to build a consistent winner, and they couldn't, which is why he started intimating two years ago that he'd bolt when he got to his next contract. It was Olshey's responsibility to indemnify the team against that possibility . . . so that failure is on Neil, but I'm not really mad about it since I figured this team needed a tear down and rebuild anyway to get to true title contention. LMA may have actually saved us from trying to keep turning him into something he wasn't - a transformative player.

 

[Pinwheel1]

there's the difference...some may say retention of the *value* of those players is so important that you don't let one go for nothing, even if you have to be one year early.

And I would argue that because of the market we are in, that if you have to roll the dice, and both directions were gambles, that trying to keep him was at the very least, just as good as an option as the other.

 

[TBpup]

Keith Bogans has been great. A great guy doing everything with the young guys. I don't want to speculate about guys on the roster like Chris. I spoke to Blake about him opting in letting him know his salary was very viable in a trade.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

Sounds like Kaman will be traded. His contract # is more valuable to the team right now than his contribution on the court.

 

[Natebishop3]

Man, I could listen to Neil talk about the business all day.

There needs to be a Neil Olshey movie.

 

[HailBlazers]

Neil seriously cracks me up.

He's quite the character. And despite the thoughts of many, honest.

 

[BBert]

Anyone else think TBpup and BBert's signature picture/gif are way to big?

I do.

How do I make it smaller?

 

[BBert]

Sounds like Kaman will be traded. His contract # is more valuable to the team right now than his contribution on the court.

His contributions as a coach are pretty valuable too.

 

[Pinwheel1]

"What was our motivation to lie"

Exactly. The guy is at least logical.

 

[riverman]

Neil is like that 3rd string pt guard who comes in and calms things down

 

[TBpup]

There were a lot of rumors that we were hiding things from our fans. They were completely false. I could even show you the phone log if you want. LA said he still wanted Portland to be in the mix. More than anything, what would be the upside of lying? Whatever the report, what would be the motivation to lie for 96 hours? It's not like there was a big season ticket holder push or that FA's would only come here if LA stayed. They could have easily called LA to find out his thoughts if that was the case.

 

[Natebishop3]

If Neil ran for office, I would vote for him.

 

[TBpup]

One of the things that was so hard to understand coming from Los Angeles is it is the "Trail Blazers". LA left. If we had just re-signed the other players, we would have been placing a lesser product on the floor (for a lot more money).

 

[RR7]

Sounds like Kaman will be traded. His contract # is more valuable to the team right now than his contribution on the court.

That makes no sense to me, unless a team is specifically interested in him, since we have cap space, we really don't need his salary.