Defending Olshey

[magnifier661]

I think the plan was to make Aldridge happy. Most of the moves were made to keep him happy. So the biggest question is whether the most recent moves were to keep him happy so he would re-sign, OR were they to start the rebuilding process?

I think "rebuild". Using my "hindsight 20/20 meter", I think Olshey finally knew the moment Matthews went down.

I think the Batum deal was a "keep Aldridge happy" move, then plan B was signing Monroe as the last ditch effort to keep Aldridge. When that failed, the rebuild move was trading with Brooklyn.

It could still be a retool if we can make a splash tonight. I think he will try too. But if that fails, then he has an out with rebuild on other players and or future draft picks.

 

[riverman]

Olshey was really clear about the 3 year window to make the WCF and that window closed. It's not a mystery any more and he's just doing what needs to be done while not taking on any long term expensive contracts beyond Dame.

 

[blue9]

I think the plan was to make Aldridge happy. Most of the moves were made to keep him happy. So the biggest question is whether the most recent moves were to keep him happy so he would re-sign, OR were they to start the rebuilding process?

And that's why GMs shouldn't base moves around what a particular player wants. Fuck letting divas have control over roster moves - just build a good team and ship out any divas.

 

[Orion Bailey]

And that's why GMs shouldn't base moves around what a particular player wants. Fuck letting divas have control over roster moves - just build a good team and ship out any divas.

Flaw. Most superstars are divas.

 

[magnifier661]

And that's why GMs shouldn't base moves around what a particular player wants. Fuck letting divas have control over roster moves - just build a good team and ship out any divas.

You mean like Cleveland who just reached the NBA finals?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

When you look at the individual moves Olshey has made, it is easy to rationalize and justify every action.

However, when you look at all of the moves Olshey has made as a group since signing on as the Blazer’s GM, I do not see a long term plan.

The only pattern or plan I see is how Olshey has used his cap space to sign free agents. Every July, he has missed out on signing his primary free agent target, and then gone dumpster diving to fill in some of the holes.

This ride Olshey is taking us on feels like an out of control rollercoaster. Everyone is hanging on hoping for a safe landing, including Olshey.

Of course you can't see how they all fit into a long term plan, because there have been two separate long term plans. One was to build a team around Aldridge that could compete for a title before his contract was up. He did that...until Matthews' achilles ruptured.

Now the plan is to put a hyper-athletic team around Lillard, and that plan appears to be in process and progressing nicely.

 

[blue9]

You mean like Cleveland who just reached the NBA finals?

Because LBJ's moves have been so great? Remember LBJ's first stint with CLE? That was a TERRIBLE team - and LBJ still took them to the Finals. That's the nature of the East - LBJ is going to walk any team he's on into the Finals. Now, if he actually let the GM do his job (like Pat Riley was allowed to do) then maybe the roster would be good enough to WIN the Finals.

 

[blue9]

Flaw. Most superstars are divas.

Kobe and LBJ are the only active diva superstars who've won titles...and they only won titles when their GMs weren't catering to their whims and desires.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Kobe and LBJ are the only active diva superstars who've won titles...and they only won titles when their GMs weren't catering to their whims and desires.

I would question that. I think PP is a diva. I think Howard is a diva. I think harden is a diva. I think Westbrick is a diva. I could go on and on and no they haven't won, but they would all be solid parts of a winning team. NBA is full of divas.

 

[1eyejack]

Love to get Butler..whatever it takes

I'd throw max at a player like Butler and tell him it's his and Lillards team. Guys like Butler want to be the man on their team he could be on ours.

 

[magnifier661]

Because LBJ's moves have been so great? Remember LBJ's first stint with CLE? That was a TERRIBLE team - and LBJ still took them to the Finals. That's the nature of the East - LBJ is going to walk any team he's on into the Finals. Now, if he actually let the GM do his job (like Pat Riley was allowed to do) then maybe the roster would be good enough to WIN the Finals.

Well I don't know. Looks like all the players came back, they went to the finals with almost everyone injured. Seems like it went pretty well.

Would you be happy with us going to the finals?

 

[magnifier661]

Kobe and LBJ are the only active diva superstars who've won titles...and they only won titles when their GMs weren't catering to their whims and desires.

Wrong again. Pierce was ready to bolt and Ainge promised him a contender. Brought in Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. Looks like you need the diva and right GM to massage their ego

 

[blue9]

I would question that. I think PP is a diva. I think Howard is a diva. I think harden is a diva. I think Westbrick is a diva. I could go on and on and no they haven't won, but they would all be solid parts of a winning team. NBA is full of divas.

Sure, all divas - but aside from Pierce (who I totally forgot is still active...along with KG), none of those guys have won a Championship. Pierce/KG did - because Ainge did his job. Westbrook might in the right situation. But, to my knowledge, these guys haven't been making roster demands. Maybe they are, and their teams do a better job of keeping it quiet than the Blazers/Cavs. Eh - either way, I still stand behind my "fuck divas" comment.

 

[blue9]

Wrong again. Pierce was ready to bolt and Ainge promised him a contender. Brought in Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. Looks like you need the diva and right GM to massage their ego

Bolting and making specific roster demands are two different things. If a player wants out I have no problem with that. But when a player wants to take on the duties of the GM, that's what I have a problem with.

 

[magnifier661]

Bolting and making specific roster demands are two different things. If a player wants out I have no problem with that. But when a player wants to take on the duties of the GM, that's what I have a problem with.

Aldridge didn't demand players. Where you get this from?!