Blazers look into hiring new GM

[SlyPokerDog]

I have no doubt it will be ... and the good people of Las Vegas will embrace the Blazers with open arms.

The Maloofs will move the Kings to Vegas if the NBA gives the ok for a NBA team to be in Vegas.

 

[jlprk]

I am shocked that it took this many years for all of you to finally agree with me and ride this bum out of town on a rail. After Nash and Patterson had done the Oregonian's dirty work and dumped all the good players, the paper turned on them. Those two deserve a second chance to tar and feather Canzano.

See ya Pritchard! Don't let the door hit your big butt on the way out!

http://espn.go.com/page2/s/webb/020612.html

 

[Drttimmy]

Yeah, I imagine KP will probably end up getting the better deal out of this. I could see him going to a team and having more success there than whatever poor GM decides to be the GM here.

Paul Allen doesn't know how to win.

The speculation could all be inert, harmless gas fuming from a story-hungry columnist, but in the season of evaluating team components, I think the spotlight should probably come on Allen himself this time. If Pritchard is open to second-guessing, what about Allen? Zero championships in what? a 21, 22 year tenure? For a guy purported to be the "best" owner in sports by some, is that acceptable? And in a season of second guessing, how many hindsight mistakes has his administration made? Under his watch he prematurely dismantled two championship caliber clubs. This might be the beginning of his third. Maybe he should hire a consulting firm to evaluate his performance.

 

[barfo]

The speculation could all be inert, harmless gas fuming from a story-hungry columnist, but in the season of evaluating team components, I think the spotlight should probably come on Allen himself this time. If Pritchard is open to second-guessing, what about Allen? Zero championships in what? a 21, 22 year tenure? For a guy purported to be the "best" owner in sports by some, is that acceptable? And in a season of second guessing, how many hindsight mistakes has his administration made? Under his watch he prematurely dismantled two championship caliber clubs. This might be the beginning of his third. Maybe he should hire a consulting firm to evaluate his performance.

What about the fanbase? Supposedly, the blazers have great fans, but they haven't won a championship in more than 30 years. This has been consistent over many lineups, many coaches, many GMs, and at least a couple of different owners. Is this acceptable? It seems clear that the fanbase has failed and needs to be replaced. Or at least a consulting firm should be hired to evaluate.

barfo

 

[Drttimmy]

THAT would be quite the expenditure though. Evaluating every fan's performance. In these tough economic times, I can sympathize with Allen starting and ending with only himself.

 

[OSUBlazerfan]

Name heard today as a possible target for Paul Allen in his hunt for the next Blazers GM: Jerry West

Jquick

 

[julius]

IF, and imho it's a monumental if, they are replacing KP with Jerry West, then I would take back all the negative things i've said.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

IF, and imho it's a monumental if, they are replacing KP with Jerry West, then I would take back all the negative things i've said.

Jerry West is old and cranky, and drafted Drew Gooden over Amare Stoudemire. I like the rumor about Sam Presti MUCH better.

 

[julius]

Jerry West is old and cranky, and drafted Drew Gooden over Amare Stoudemire. I like the rumor about Sam Presti MUCH better.

He also traded for Kobe Bryant.

 

[LittleAlex]

True, as the Grizzlies GM Jerry West did a hell of a job for the Lakers.

Were he to become the GM here, I would expect a B-Roy for Luke Walton, Sasha and 2 first round draft picks swap within a couple of years.


Jerry West looked good because he was the GM of the Lakers. That team sells itself to prospective free agents. Getting guys to come to Portland is a much different chore.

 

[maxiep]

Jquick

Jerry Fucking West? Has Allen no shame? That guy is a fucking L*ker and always will be.

 

[maxiep]

Jerry West is old and cranky, and drafted Drew Gooden over Amare Stoudemire. I like the rumor about Sam Presti MUCH better.

There's no way Presti is coming here. First, it would be a lateral move, so there's no upside. Second, he has cap space and multiple 1st round picks to play with. It means he can build his own team rather than tweaking KPs. Third, after seeing the way KP has been humiliated over these past months, who would want to take it? No one worth his salt would come to Portland seeing how mercurial the ownership is.

 

[julius]

True, as the Grizzlies GM Jerry West did a hell of a job for the Lakers.

Were he to become the GM here, I would expect a B-Roy for Luke Walton, Sasha and 2 first round draft picks swap within a couple of years.


Jerry West looked good because he was the GM of the Lakers. That team sells itself to prospective free agents. Getting guys to come to Portland is a much different chore.

How else do you expect the Lakers to re-stock?

 

[e_blazer]

I have no idea whether these rumors are true or not, but the refusal of KP, Larry Miller or anybody at Vulcan to comment certainly isn't conducive to a conclusion that all is on an even keel in Blazersville.

I like KP. I attended last year's get together with him that ABM arranged and he seems like a good guy working hard at doing a very tough job. The Blazers have drafted well under his leadership and the turnaround from league punchline to a playoff team speak well of his abilities. That said, I don't think that a lot of the Vulcan-bashing that some have been engaging in around here is necessarily on-mark. I find it very difficult to believe that the rumored grievance with KP is about (or at least predominantly about) drafting Oden over Durant. I do wonder, however whether there may be some significant displeasure over KP's inability to turn RLEC into a significant trade to help push the team into contending status. I do wonder whether there may be some truth to the rumors that KP is viewed as an outsider by other GMs and executives around the league...perhaps the "Pritchslap" description has hurt his ability to make deals. I think Paul Allen, given his investment in the team, particularly given his recent health issues, deserves to have whatever GM at the helm that he trusts to push the team into true contender status. If he doesn't have that trust in KP, then it would behoove the team's future for a change to be made ASAP. There has to be trust between the GM and the owner in order for moves to be made rapidly when opportunities arise.

 

[barfo]

There's no way Presti is coming here. First, it would be a lateral move, so there's no upside. Second, he has cap space and multiple 1st round picks to play with. It means he can build his own team rather than tweaking KPs. Third, after seeing the way KP has been humiliated over these past months, who would want to take it? No one worth his salt would come to Portland seeing how mercurial the ownership is.

I agree it is highly unlikely for Presti to come here, but there is a way. Money. If Paul wants to double or triple what he's making...

barfo

 

[SheedSoNasty]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/feat...insider.espn.go.com/nba/features/rumors#16518

ESPN insider mentioned something about West, but I don't subscribe.

 

[BGrantFan]

I've posted it before, but Paul Allen can't get out of his own way. He seems to thrive on conflict and uncertainty. Thanks for rebuilding the Blazers, Pritchard. Hopefully your next owner won't have small dick syndrome and let's you make your own decisions.

 

[Natebishop3]

I've posted it before, but Paul Allen can't get out of his own way. He seems to thrive on conflict and uncertainty. Thanks for rebuilding the Blazers, Pritchard. Hopefully your next owner won't have small dick syndrome and let's you make your own decisions.

You only have to look at Paul's other business ventures to see that he's a horrible businessman.

 

[illmatic99]

Fuck that West idea. Him coming here would just be a ploy to send all our players down to LA.

 

[Minstrel]

I don't buy the conspiracy theories that West engineered the Pau Gasol trade just to help the Lakers. I think that's extremely silly (and continuing the canard that Memphis made an all-time bad deal, when the main piece in that deal, Marc Gasol, has gone from fine prospect to excellent player).

West almost built a great team in Memphis. He had a deep team with a star in Pau Gasol and was sitting on a draft pick that could have been #1 in 2004. Due to deal from before he became GM (I believe) the pick had been traded but was #1 protected. The pick ended up #2 and therefore went to Detroit. Had it come up #1 instead of #2, imagine that 50 win Memphis team with LeBron James on board with a young-prime Gasol. As it worked out, he merely built a good team where only crap had existed before (and since).

Jerry West is an excellent GM. He's one of the few GMs whom I wouldn't be too disappointed in seeing Pritchard replaced with (though, I'd still probably rather have Pritchard, due to age...I have no idea how long West would be interested in remaining as the GM at this point).

 

[RR7]

West almost built a great team in Memphis. He had a deep team with a star in Pau Gasol and was sitting on a draft pick that could have been #1 in 2004. Due to deal from before he became GM (I believe) the pick had been traded but was #1 protected. The pick ended up #2 and therefore went to Detroit. Had it come up #1 instead of #2, imagine that 50 win Memphis team with LeBron James on board with a young-prime Gasol. As it worked out, he merely built a good team where only crap had existed before (and since).

The crap that existed before he got there(Wright, Gasol, Battier, Jason Williams) is primarily what made it a 50 win team. He came in with that and the #4 pick to use(drafted Gooden). Losing that #2 pick hurt, but doing nothing with the picks he had didn't help any.

 

[maxiep]

I agree it is highly unlikely for Presti to come here, but there is a way. Money. If Paul wants to double or triple what he's making...

barfo

But if he's under contract, most contracts won't allow a lateral move without permission. I don't think OKC is likely to let him go, much less to us. If he's a free agent, then that's another matter.

 

[oldmangrouch]

I'm not the biggest KP fan around these parts - but this situation is absurd.

If they fire the guy, who are they going to find who will do a better job? Why would any top-notch candidate *want* the job with all this extraneous BS going on?

It's no wonder people are kicking around conspiracy theories....the lack of rational explanation for events is maddening!

 

[RoyToy]

I actually buy that the Blazers are trying to get Jerry West.

PA just went to California and spent a bunch of money on Carroll, and now will look to do the same with Jerry West.

 

[anonymous gambler]

Yeah, I guess I'd settle for Jerry West..

It still sucks to see how they are treating Pritchard.

 

[OddEnormous]

I am shocked that it took this many years for all of you to finally agree with me and ride this bum out of town on a rail. After Nash and Patterson had done the Oregonian's dirty work and dumped all the good players, the paper turned on them. Those two deserve a second chance to tar and feather Canzano.

See ya Pritchard! Don't let the door hit your big butt on the way out!

http://espn.go.com/page2/s/webb/020612.html

LOLZ!!!!!!



Hi John!

Or is it Steve?

Or is it Mrs. Patterson....


Whomever you are.... Hello.

 

[jlprk]

Knowing your musical preferences, you can call me...Ringo.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Knowing your musical preferences, you can call me...Ringo.

So...from this reference to the 60s, we can deduce a few things.

A) You are very old.
B) You used to work for Trader Bob, but were hired as an afterthought.
C) After the band broke up, everybody forgot about you.
D) By some twist of fate/karma, you wound up with a smoking hot wife.

Am I close?

 

[The_Lillard_King]

My fast take:

As some know, I have been predicting that all is not well with KP and the Blazers for a while now (for me it was when I noticed KP stop sitting by PA during games).

I don't think KP is as good as a GM as many do here. He hit a homerun with Roy and Aldridge and has been riding that (and I think somehow got some credit or more love when the Blazers got the #1 pick). After "the draft" he has been spending a lot of money and taking a lots swings and misses on players. (For every Batum there are at least two wasted picks). Throw in contract negotiations and KP love for the spotlight and I can see why Allen is thinking of a move. And was KP really complaining to other GMs about his salary?

Having said all that, what I most like about KP is that he puts a lot of work into gettting the right character guys to build around. And while in the past I was a "I don't care about jailblazer just win baby win" kind of fan . . . I got to say that these days I enjoy going to games and rooting for the good guys. I love rooting for Roy, Aldridge, Webster, Camby, Joel, Outlaw, Blake and the rest of the gang. They just seem like good well balanced people.

I have a feeling PA is more about winning than about character and he has grown impatient with all the money KP is spending and the slow progress of the team. I personally get what KP is doing and wish he would stay. But if I was an owner of a basketball team looking for a championship, I might be getting a little impatient too.

 

[Natebishop3]

But regardless of how good you think KP is as a GM, this whole situation is one of the strangest, most inexplicable & idiotic things I've seen from the Blazer organization, and that's saying something. The move is a HORRIBLE business decision, and that's because it's personal. If Paul values winning more than character as you say, I still don't see the problem. We just won 50 games, again, despite over 300 games lost due to injury, and we're still young. Paul Allen is either tragically insecure, or so impotent that he's nothing more than a puppet on a string to power-hungry execs at vulcan, or both.

The Blazer franchise is once again beloved by its city, and the fanbase loves KP. But Allen wants the credit because he's got a small dick. So what does he do to the guys who took a worst-in-the-league, jailblazing laughing stock, hated by its own fanbase, and made them into a beloved playoff team? He not only fires them, he treats them like shit for months before he fires them. Talk about making the same mistake over and over again and you describe Paul Allen perfectly. He can't get out of his own way.

So from a business standpoint: He's pissing off his fanbase and losing the goodwill that KP and his boys have brought back to the franchise. He's getting rid of guys who are good at their jobs without a backup plan. He's creating totally unnecessary instability and distraction when their should be none. He's showing everyone in the league, potential GM candidates included, that he's as fucked up to work for as Donald Sterling.

He's a fucking idiot and I'm fucking pissed. I'm totally disenchanted with the whole organization right now. Everything was fine... so let's fuck it up again. Awesome. Great fucking plan.

You know just as much about this as we do. We have no idea why Allen is unhappy with KP. It could be the whole Tom Penn fiasco. It could be something completely unknown to the fanbase and the media. We have no idea. You're just assuming it's Allen's ego.