David Aldridge article on Millsap situation

[SodaPopinski]

I don't see the point in pointing out that he's got a billionaire owner behind him when we're under the luxury tax.

Yes, but we're still buying draft picks and storing guys overseas (Claver, Freeland, Kopponen, etc.). Other teams not willing to spend don't have that luxury. And while we still possess their rights, they don't affect our cap once the season is underway.

 

[OddEnormous]

Well it's starting to be posted by more and more sports writers. Either Ainge and Wallace are working over time or there is something else going on. Jealousy or a bit O'truth lord knows I don't know which it is.

It only takes a few GM's to talk to blow anything out of proportion. Over and over its generally the exact same type of quote. Paul Allen has money!!!!!!! It could easily be the same dick head over and over.

Am I supposed to get all wound up and bash KP because he's trying to only make trades where Portland comes out on top?

He's in a power position today, He might not be in 4 years. I say turn the screws now, because we've had them turned on us in the past and we will again in the future.

 

[OddEnormous]

Yes, but we're still buying draft picks and storing guys overseas (Claver, Freeland, Kopponen, etc.). Other teams not willing to spend don't have that luxury. And while we still possess their rights, they don't affect our cap once the season is underway.

Luck of the draw.

LA and NYC have an unfair advantage being big cities where everyone wants to live.

Is that fair?

Is it fair that Toronto has more Turkish restaurants than Portland?



Other GM's complaining about what we have makes them look the fool. It gets them nowhere.

 

[maxiep]

Honestly, I think some of this "resentment" GM's are expressing comes from the fact they don't have the financial backing of a wealthy owner like KP does.

But at the end of the day, they have to look out for themselves, and we have more attractive assets (i.e. cap space) than other teams do in this economy. And if we're the best looking girl at the dance, we're eventually going to be asked to dance. The other GM's might scuff their feet in the corner by the punch bowl waiting for us to ask them to dance, but the closer we get to the last song, the better looking we become and the more desperate they become.

Absolutely correct. I tried to rep you, but I have to spread some around.

 

[OddEnormous]

Honestly, I think some of this "resentment" GM's are expressing comes from the fact they don't have the financial backing of a wealthy owner like KP does.

But at the end of the day, they have to look out for themselves, and we have more attractive assets (i.e. cap space) than other teams do in this economy. And if we're the best looking girl at the dance, we're eventually going to be asked to dance. The other GM's might scuff their feet in the corner by the punch bowl waiting for us to ask them to dance, but the closer we get to the last song, the better looking we become and the more desperate they become.

Agree with the other guy.

Great post.

 

[maxiep]

As an aside, I had a "brush with greatness" (to use the Letterman term loosely) with DA. It was a Christmas party in 1990 at a friend of mine's house on E. Capitol St. At the time Aldridge was a beat writer for the Washington Post. A very nice guy, but we started talking hoops and he started talking about how good the Spurs were. Of course I come back at him with the Blazers. He responds by calling them a "dumb" team whose run was over.

So we bet dinner and drinks at the Old Ebbitt that the Blazers would come out of the playoffs above SA. The time between bet and collection was going to be six months, so I never thought I'd collect on it or have to pay. However, the day after the Blazers beat the Supes to advance to the semi-finals (the Spurs had lost in the first round), he called to remind me he owed on his bet. He's a good guy.

 

[RickyRubio]

I think it is awesome that everyone hates KP!! hahah sissy ass GMs

 

[Minstrel]

Well it's starting to be posted by more and more sports writers. Either Ainge and Wallace are working over time or there is something else going on.

Or sportswriters are repeating each other. It's what they do. Once a good narrative is out there, especially a moral one...so-and-so good, so-and-so evil...lots of sportswriters pick it up and run with it. It's the lifeblood of sportswriters: sports as morality plays. Winners are clutch, losers have no heart, some winners are classy but boring, other winners are arrogant and we should hate them, etc.

Even if it's true that there's some resentment, it's nowhere near as important to other GMs and owners as it is to sportswriters. How can the writers write their narrative if there's no come-uppance for the "bad guy?" For them, it's important to the plot. For other front offices, they have a job to do and they're not going to cut off their noses to spite their faces by avoiding doing business with a certain GM, even if it helps their team, because of a petty grudge.

 

[John Law]

I'm still trying to figure out how Paul Allen's deep pockets are a huge advantage for the Blazers. I watched a couple of different teams buy picks this year, and Portland wasn't one of them. Did they get a Rudy or Batum out of it like Pritchard and his staff did? I think that in the past, when the Blazers were way over the cap, that might have been a fair criticism, but how is it one now? KP basically gave Zach Randolph away...how did that trade reflect this idea that he only trades if it is completely in his favor? I seem to remember Knicks fans thinking what idiots we were for making that trade.

THe other thing I don't get is that earlier this week, we heard how 'desperate' KP was and how he was bringing up the same trades over and over in a pathetic, snivelly way. How can also be arrogant and laughing at other GM's at the same time? It seems to me, if you are going to make stuff up about a successful GM, you should stick to one narrative if you want to be believed.

At any rate, since the beginning of free agency, I have been of the opinion that the Blazers should wait this out if they can't get a decent deal and just see what falls to them. I certainly don't blame our guys if they want to get the better of a trade...that's more or less the whole point in my mind. Maybe Kevin McHale is considered a really nice guy for making a gift of Kevin Garnett to the Celtics, but I wouldn't like him much if I were a Timberwolves fan.

 

[Masbee]

As an aside, I had a "brush with greatness" (to use the Letterman term loosely) with DA. It was a Christmas party in 1990 at a friend of mine's house on E. Capitol St. At the time Aldridge was a beat writer for the Washington Post. A very nice guy, but we started talking hoops and he started talking about how good the Spurs were. Of course I come back at him with the Blazers. He responds by calling them a "dumb" team whose run was over.

So we bet dinner and drinks at the Old Ebbitt that the Blazers would come out of the playoffs above SA. The time between bet and collection was going to be six months, so I never thought I'd collect on it or have to pay. However, the day after the Blazers beat the Supes to advance to the semi-finals (the Spurs had lost in the first round), he called to remind me he owed on his bet. He's a good guy.

Great story. I always liked DA. He does seem like a good guy. He is still a chump for hatin' on the Blazers - then and now.

 

[Blaze01]

Come on...the billionaire owner and buying picks comment is pure trash....

Rudy and Batum were late 1st round picks, that means a lot of these same GM's passed on these guys to select stiffs like Joe Alexander, Jared Dudley, Acie Law & Julian Wright....

Maybe they should look in the mirror first and ask themselves why they passed on those players with thier picks, before they blast KP for picking them....

That is just an idiotic statement by whatever GM said that....

 

[Mediocre Man]

Come on...the billionaire owner and buying picks comment is pure trash....

Rudy and Batum were late 1st round picks, that means a lot of these same GM's passed on these guys to select stiffs like Joe Alexander, Jared Dudley, Acie Law & Julian Wright....

Maybe they should look in the mirror first and ask themselves why they passed on those players with thier picks, before they blast KP for picking them....

That is just an idiotic statement by whatever GM said that....

They were still late first round picks that Paul Allen bought.

 

[OddEnormous]

Or sportswriters are repeating each other. It's what they do. Once a good narrative is out there, especially a moral one...so-and-so good, so-and-so evil...lots of sportswriters pick it up and run with it. It's the lifeblood of sportswriters: sports as morality plays. Winners are clutch, losers have no heart, some winners are classy but boring, other winners are arrogant and we should hate them, etc.

THIS

Just spent the past 3 years building him up, now it's time to tear him down.

 

[OddEnormous]

They were still late first round picks that Paul Allen bought.

So? Is it against the rules?

 

[Mediocre Man]

So? Is it against the rules?

No, not at all.

But most other GM's don't have the ability to take gambles on guys because they only get one shot. I can see where other GM's would get ticked off. They all have big egos, and KP has been praised for his work during the draft, probably angering other GM's. While KP has been great, other GM's simply don't have the resources KP does.

 

[OddEnormous]

No, not at all.

But most other GM's don't have the ability to take gambles on guys because they only get one shot. I can see where other GM's would get ticked off. They all have big egos, and KP has been praised for his work during the draft, probably angering other GM's. While KP has been great, other GM's simply don't have the resources KP does.

Too bad for them.

Every person in every walk of life has advantages and disadvantages in their position over others. John Nash and Steve Patterson had the same financial backing and they drove this ship into the ground at 500 mph.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Too bad for them.

Every person in every walk of life has advantages and disadvantages in their position over others. John Nash and Steve Patterson had the same financial backing and they drove this ship into the ground at 500 mph.

That is not true at all.

Nash did not have any financial backing. He was brought in during the post spend at will era.

Patterson got us to the WCF, and only because his players were worthless pieces of shit outside of basketball did he fail. With that money, he was able to assemble a ton of talent though. Without that money I doubt we would have been anle to make some of the moves we made at the time.

 

[Minstrel]

Patterson got us to the WCF, and only because his players were worthless pieces of shit outside of basketball did he fail. With that money, he was able to assemble a ton of talent though. Without that money I doubt we would have been anle to make some of the moves we made at the time.

I assume you mean Whitsitt.

 

[Blaze01]

They were still late first round picks that Paul Allen bought.

They were STILL passed over 23-24 TIMES by other teams.....

Yeah, lets blame the guy that bought the pick AFTER you made a poor pick....


You can do better than that MM

 

[Minstrel]

I don't think general managers "blame" Pritchard for using purchased draft picks or resent him for it. They all know that if they had a lot of money to use, they'd do similar things.

That said, it is definitely an advantage, even if they are late first round picks. Sure, almost everyone had a shot at the players they get used on but when you have multiple first round picks to play with, you have more chances to hit on a good player.

 

[Mediocre Man]

They were STILL passed over 23-24 TIMES by other teams.....

Yeah, lets blame the guy that bought the pick AFTER you made a poor pick....


You can do better than that MM

I think you are misunderstanding what I am saying.


It's not KP's fault that Rudy and Batum were there at all. I think what GM's resent is the fact that he is able to obtain multiple picks to get them.

For example: KP took Bayless last year earlier than Batum. Most GM's don't have the financial ability to take a lootery pick and then take a flier on a euro.

 

[GODunk]

I think you are misunderstanding what I am saying.


It's not KP's fault that Rudy and Batum were there at all. I think what GM's resent is the fact that he is able to obtain multiple picks to get them.

For example: KP took Bayless last year earlier than Batum. Most GM's don't have the financial ability to take a lootery pick and then take a flier on a euro.

To give a different slant to the "girl at the dance" analogy (which was right on, BTW). It reminds me of High School where you had the guys that would say or do anything to get the pretty girl. It might make all of the other guys mad, watching the girls fall for it, but it didn't matter to him. The NBA is all about the "dating scene", it helps to be good looking, but when you got money to go along with it... well, there is bound to be jealousy.

There are some teams that can compete with our looks (i.e. better cities, comparable talent on the roster), and there are some teams that can compete with our money (NY for one, and probably LA), but there are only a few that can do both. We may lose out on the Hedo's of the NBA, but as long as there are teams that are in financial trouble and need to sell picks, we are probably always going to be there with the 3mil to take it off their hands.

BTW - It is complete idiocy to blame KP for the Hedo debacle. We had him completely sold on coming here. If he had a different wife, who knows. I don't see how it is KP's problem. To insult him over this perceived failure shows the comprehension level of those who throw those opinions out there. Just my opinion.

 

[Masbee]

That is not true at all.

Nash did not have any financial backing. He was brought in during the post spend at will era.

And here I thought it was Nash who was around when those contracts (that I HATED) were given to Miles, Zach and Theo. You had to have "financial backing" to comit to spending that large chunk of change. Man that was a lot of money.

My mistake. Who was the GM for those deals?

 

[Ed O]

And here I thought it was Nash who was around when those contracts (that I HATED) were given to Miles, Zach and Theo. You had to have "financial backing" to comit to spending that large chunk of change. Man that was a lot of money.

My mistake. Who was the GM for those deals?

Truth. There is an odd revisionist streak in some Blazers fans that ignores how much money PatterNash not only wasted when they were here but put the Blazers on the hook for in the future.

There was very little reason to extend Zach at that level, even less reason to extend Darius, and NO reason to extend Theo. Ugh.

Ed O.

 

[GODunk]

And here I thought it was Nash who was around when those contracts (that I HATED) were given to Miles, Zach and Theo. You had to have "financial backing" to comit to spending that large chunk of change. Man that was a lot of money.

My mistake. Who was the GM for those deals?

Ouch! Scoreboard.

 

[LittleAlex]

And here I thought it was Nash who was around when those contracts (that I HATED) were given to Miles, Zach and Theo. You had to have "financial backing" to comit to spending that large chunk of change. Man that was a lot of money.

My mistake. Who was the GM for those deals?

QFT

Though in all fairness I read that PA was the main force behind signing Miles to that absurd contract.

 

[Blaze01]

I think you are misunderstanding what I am saying.


It's not KP's fault that Rudy and Batum were there at all. I think what GM's resent is the fact that he is able to obtain multiple picks to get them.

For example: KP took Bayless last year earlier than Batum. Most GM's don't have the financial ability to take a lootery pick and then take a flier on a euro.

That is ridiculous....

Take a flier? Yeah b\c CHA took Jared Dudley, Philly took Daequan Cook, Miami took Jason Smith, Lakers took Crittenton, NO took Julian Wright and ATL took Acie Law....but let's not blame them for making those picks instead of drafting Rudy Fernandez...no..no..no...Let's resent Pritchard b\c he had a "rich" owner with the money necessary to buy that pick AFTER those teams made their "stellar" choices and scooped Rudy up....give me a break...

EVERY ONE OF THOSE TEAMS PASSED ON HIM...that has ZERO to do with POR buying the pick and EVERYTHING to do with those teams GM's making POOR draft decisions....any one of those teams (and several more) could have drafted him, but they didn't...

This is nothing more than petty jealousy...and it has less to do with Allen's pocket books and more to do with being outworked and out scouted by Pritchard and his management team....not just with Rudy, but with Batum, with Aldridge and with Roy....

Maybe it isn't Pritchard's ego that is the problem here...maybe it is these other GM's egos that don't like being upstaged....