Free agent press conference

[THE HCP]

I was talking about the people who supposedly cover the team. You know, like Fentress, Jaynes, etc.

I’m not sure you “know” how spelling words correctly works my guy.

THAT was your reply? Thats what you got, that on my phone I didn’t hit a K? Really?

 

[SharpesTriumph]

There are lots of things that the hard cap prevents us from doing, but dealing for KD isn't one of them. You saw what they asked for from Minny. There is no permutation of Blazer assets that would equate to Brooklyn accepting a KD-to-Portland trade, hard cap or not.

Pure speculation on your part, you don't know this. Sharpe, Hart, Little, 6 years of unprotected picks, 3rd teams involved, the Blazers have assets that many teams don't have.

Sure you could be right, but you could be wrong. Especially if KD started working with Dame to pressure the Nets just as Grant did to the Pistons.

We won't know this until likely December at the earliest, as its currently mathematically impossible to trade for Durant unless Dame is in the deal.

 

[THE HCP]

I was talking about the people who supposedly cover the team. You know, like Fentress, Jaynes, etc.

I’m not sure you “know” how spelling words correctly works my guy.

OK, so as long as you know those above mentioned have NO affiliation whatsoever with the team. Still cracks me up you took the time to point out I didn’t type a K. Who the fuck are you bro…HA!

 

[THE HCP]

Keep drinking that hate-a-rade, suckaz. This team is destined for greatness

Day drinking again I see.

 

[RR7]

i mean... Public and media relations is a part of the job, no? we want to treat him with kid gloves now? I would bet anything Olshey woulda been killed universally for the "heart" comment.

I dont mean treat him with kid gloves. Was more pointing out how no matter what he responded to the questions people wanted asked, people wouldn't have been happy with the reply. So it's almost like asking for something to happen to give one am excuse to complain.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

If he was asked about the tax, he'd have likely pointed out that we're currently over the tax, that Jody is committed to spending to win I'd we can win. And people would have flamed him for it.
Or, he could say hey, we're currently in the tax, so obviously Jody is ok with it, but if we start to suck, then why pay the tax for a loser? And people would have flamed him for it.

So instead of asking him this question, a very reasonable question that other markets media would ask, all we get is a bunch of posters arguing about what Joe would say.

Its not hard to ask basic questions about the teams roster construction. Maybe the GM gives a non-answer or evades the question, maybe not and he provides insight. That's what a press conference is for, to get that clarity or get that question pushed aside from the man in charge.

 

[blazedanugz]

So now that we know details for the contracts…where does that put us salary wise?

 

[riverman]

So instead of asking him this question, a very reasonable question that other markets media would ask, all we get is a bunch of posters arguing about what Joe would say.

Its not hard to ask basic questions about the teams roster construction. Maybe the GM gives a non-answer or evades the question, maybe not and he provides insight. That's what a press conference is for, to get that clarity or get that question pushed aside from the man in charge.

Joe was asked about roster construction and answered it clearly...he said we're always looking to get better and make trades that'll make us better but we feel we have a core we can grow with with these guys now..and we're going to make other teams nervous. ....he didn't say anything about being done, etc....he could be negotiating a deal right now but he's not going to bring that up

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Do you honestly think they will have another? I mean, if that press conference has been set up and the reporters know about it, then this all makes sense. I just seriously doubt they're planning on having that presser.

No they won't in this case, but I agree with Riverman it would be better if the Blazers did this.

Such as have the players introduced, do pictures, have the media give them questions, media question joe and chauncy on the players, then have those players exit the podium. Then Joe and Chauncy could give their offseason remarks with questions.

 

[Propagandist]

You just described the opposite of Mike Richman, ha ha. He often whines about "lesser" media and how he hates people who pretend to be reporters/journalists.

For real? He seems so down to earth (and super dorky).

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

I can't wait for the game tonight so we can all start talking basketball!

 

[Natebishop3]

You guys act like local media are interested in writing stories that appeal to the .1% of Blazers fans who are CBA nerds. They want human interest stories that appeal to average fans. They want excitement about the team, players who are excited about being in Portland, and excitement about the upcoming season.

I act like I think it's fun to make jokes.

 

[hoopsjock]

Q: "Did you stretch Bledsoe's dead money?"

A: we'll decide at the end of the season

Q: "Are you trying to keep staying under the tax an option?"

A: of course...we don't foreclose on an option until circumstances say otherwise

They have to make the decision to stretch or not when they waive him.

 

[hoopsjock]

You guys act like local media are interested in writing stories that appeal to the .1% of Blazers fans who are CBA nerds. They want human interest stories that appeal to average fans. They want excitement about the team, players who are excited about being in Portland, and excitement about the upcoming season.

While I agree not everyone cares, it does affect everyone whether or not they're trying to duck the tax or don't care about the optics of being cheap.

Jody says she is dedicated to winning, but the actions show otherwise. Now, a lot of that is justified by the team sucking but they're choosing to go cheap again while claiming otherwise.

 

[Wade Garrett]

I like Joe and Chauncey a lot. They are what this team needed and they're always in the room together. I get the sense that they are doing what they think is best for Chauncey's vision moving ahead and for the players. Fact is they value guys that returned and that tells me, they're going to help Watford, Brown and Walker guys who can give you length when you need it. Going to be a fun season. To any armchair GM out there complaining....maybe wait until you see what this team looks like before you second guess Joe. To the accountants out there....cap space doesn't win games....players do.

Thank You, river.
100%.

 

[hoopsjock]

I dont mean treat him with kid gloves. Was more pointing out how no matter what he responded to the questions people wanted asked, people wouldn't have been happy with the reply. So it's almost like asking for something to happen to give one am excuse to complain.

I think a simple question like "Was it a tough decision weighing how much you wanted Gary versus the cap implications of that signing?" For a "cap expert", he should want to answer thoughtful questions like that.

 

[blazerkor]

i mean... Public and media relations is a part of the job, no? we want to treat him with kid gloves now? I would bet anything Olshey woulda been killed universally for the "heart" comment.

Olshey would have been killed because he would have said a bunch of other stuff about how this team is ready to win it all right now and bullshit us with a whole lot of other placating condescension. Cronin said that he likes the talent and heart of the players we added and wants to see them play together. There was an obvious ellipsis to that statement which was... before we make future moves to balance the roster.

I wish the press would have pressed him harder obviously. I wish Jason Quick would have been there because he would have. That being said, Cronin wasn't condescending with his answers. I don't think he does that so there won't be follow up questions or so the fans will like him, I think that's just who the guy is but the media being soft on him and fans liking him are definitely logical byproducts of his demeanor especially after Olshey.

 

[Wade Garrett]

The guys who signed here give a fuck but fans....they don't care about first impressions...when I hire an employee I don't want to be asked why I didn't hire a different employee on national tv...there's a time and place for the questions you want answered and a welcome format for new guys isn't it. The cap had nothing to do with this interview and shouldn't...that will come out in short order and you'll know...but you can feel let down if you want....choices..I just think your post about this is just impatience and probably you need to justify your views about all the cap and signings for your own gratification....I tune in to find out what the new guys have to say..not Fentris and Quick. I personally got zero sense that they are worried about the cap at all...I'm sure not...Grant and Payton sure aren't. Joe isn't going to show his cards to the media at this point in the off season..no GM is going to say...we're working on a deal to try and get such and such a player .....this happens between closed doors. He's not going to say..."Ant will be traded for a taller player on camera either" not sure what you expect the front office to provide you with but I think you're asking for something that they aren't going to discuss today.

Again, river..
You are talking logic, common sense and decorum.
Those don't seem to register here.

 

[Natebishop3]

Again, river..
You are talking logic, common sense and decorum.
Those don't seem to register here.

 

[noknobs]

I don't have a problem with Joe getting flamed. I actually like the way he's addressed everything. I don't think the reporters there asking questions should be concerned with how they'll make Joe look as long as they ask them respectfully. I get why Joe wouldn't want the questions asked, I just don't get why they weren't asked.

It's not that they don't want Joe to look bad. It's a player introduction press conference, I think that's been said already?

I can't imagine a more disrespectful question than asking Joe, while those players are up there getting introduced to the organization, if he's looking for trades (as an example) during a player introduction press conference. Or asking why they signed GP due to the hard cap. I mean really?

The reporters didn't ask those types of questions because they didn't want to look bad themselves, and they must not of felt like being complete assholes.

 

[Natebishop3]

Best comparison I have come up with between some of the fans on here....

I rode a motorcycle as my primary transportation for about 4-5 years. I never went down. I never came close to getting into a wreck. It's not that there wasn't times that could have potentially gone bad for me, I was just a very defensive rider. I viewed all cars around me as someone that's actively trying to kill me. If there was a car up ahead that was trying to turn, I anticipated that they weren't going to see me and they were going to turn in front of me. If it didn't happen, great, if it did... I was ready. I wore all the protective gear. I didn't take unnecessary risks. It made me a better driver because even in my car, I see potential risks that I never would have paid attention to if I hadn't ridden a bike for a while.

I view the Blazers the same way that I approached riding. I see potential risks. If they don't happen, great. If they do, well, it's unfortunate.
What happens if Nurk gets hurt? Who plays center?
Where are we going to find minutes for Sharpe? For Hart? For Little?
How is Dame and Ant going to be different than Dame/CJ?

I am very much a pragmatist. But many of you on here aren't like that. If you were riding a motorcycle, you'd be a weekend cruiser. You're out riding your bike in jeans and a tshirt. You're enjoying the nice weather. You're speeding along without a care in the world. That's nice...... right up until the moment a car turns left in front of you and you slam into them, flying through the air and onto the pavement without any of the nice protective gear that saves your skin. If that's how you want to go through life, that's fine. Be my guest. Just stop attacking those of us who don't view things that way.

 

[Predator]

OK, so as long as you know those above mentioned have NO affiliation whatsoever with the team. Still cracks me up you took the time to point out I didn’t type a K. Who the fuck are you bro…HA!

Yo daddy, bro. HA!

And never did I say the Blazers employed these people, hence the lack of “ ‘ “ in the sentence, which would imply they were under the Blazers employ.

Child please.

 

[riverman]

To Nate's post...I rode a motorcycle for over 40 years as my main transportation....daily in a city of 7 million people with bumper to bumper traffic...never had a scratch.(but the one time) .always wore a helmet....when in the Navy in 1971 I was driving 10 mph on the base when in the middle of an intersection with a green light I was blindsided by a carload of drunk sailors that ran the red light....I woke up in the hospital from being knocked out for hours and was sent home without issues...no concussion but my helmet looked like a mess of bailin wire..it was mangled....I'd flown over the roof of the car and landed on the road ...without the helmet I'd be dead today....next day...drove my second motorcycle back to work and rode one everyday until about 2000 when I moved back to Portland....protective gear will save your life but not make you win a basketball game and if you have commuted on a motorcycle you become acutely aware of what's going on around you or you eat concrete.

 

[Wade Garrett]

Best comparison I have come up with between some of the fans on here....

I rode a motorcycle as my primary transportation for about 4-5 years. I never went down. I never came close to getting into a wreck. It's not that there wasn't times that could have potentially gone bad for me, I was just a very defensive rider. I viewed all cars around me as someone that's actively trying to kill me. If there was a car up ahead that was trying to turn, I anticipated that they weren't going to see me and they were going to turn in front of me. If it didn't happen, great, if it did... I was ready. I wore all the protective gear. I didn't take unnecessary risks. It made me a better driver because even in my car, I see potential risks that I never would have paid attention to if I hadn't ridden a bike for a while.

I view the Blazers the same way that I approached riding. I see potential risks. If they don't happen, great. If they do, well, it's unfortunate.
What happens if Nurk gets hurt? Who plays center?
Where are we going to find minutes for Sharpe? For Hart? For Little?
How is Dame and Ant going to be different than Dame/CJ?

I am very much a pragmatist. But many of you on here aren't like that. If you were riding a motorcycle, you'd be a weekend cruiser. You're out riding your bike in jeans and a tshirt. You're enjoying the nice weather. You're speeding along without a care in the world. That's nice...... right up until the moment a car turns left in front of you and you slam into them, flying through the air and onto the pavement without any of the nice protective gear that saves your skin. If that's how you want to go through life, that's fine. Be my guest. Just stop attacking those of us who don't view things that way.

First off, on a serious note, I am happy to hear that you take cautious precautions on your bike. Too many don't, so as a driver on the road, I thank you for being one less cyclist I need to worry about. Good on you.
But your comparisons, to me, are apples and oranges...
What you do on your bike, is being a realist.
The way you view the team, is being a pessimist.

 

[Natebishop3]

First off, on a serious note, I am happy to hear that you take cautious precautions on your bike. Too many don't, so as a driver on the road, I thank you for being one less cyclist I need to worry about. Good on you.
But your comparisons, to me, are apples and oranges...
What you do on your bike, is being a realist.
The way you view the team, is being a pessimist.

A pessimist would only see things negatively. I have high hopes for Sharpe. I think Dame will come back and be just as good as he was. I'm hopeful that Ant will continue to break out. But I also see some major issues on the team. I can't ignore those.

 

[Natebishop3]

Also, I find that people who are purely optimistic seem to view people who are even a little pessimistic as being purely pessimistic, when it's really not that black and white. There are people who are a little optimistic and a little pessimistic. There are people who are going through a phase of mostly pessimism. Just because you only have one speed and that's pure optimism, doesn't mean that anyone who isn't purely optimistic is conversely purely pessimistic.

 

[blazerkor]

It's not that they don't want Joe to look bad. It's a player introduction press conference, I think that's been said already?

I can't imagine a more disrespectful question than asking Joe, while those players are up there getting introduced to the organization, if he's looking for trades (as an example) during a player introduction press conference. Or asking why they signed GP due to the hard cap. I mean really?

The reporters didn't ask those types of questions because they didn't want to look bad themselves, and they must not of felt like being complete assholes.

Um... if he's planning on adding more to the roster was asked. What wasn't asked and wouldn't have been disrespectful at all would have been a question about the hard cap which someone already mentioned could have been in regards to how great Gary must be to be willing to do that in order to sign him. Another question that has nothing to do with what kind of press conference the team wanted it to be but more about the fact that there is no guaranteed availability to Joe for a while after this is if the team is looking to get under the tax as an option now that we are hard capped so it's only a difference of 6M.

These questions aren't disrespectful and when GMs (all of them do this, not just Joe) limit their media availability so much, they should expect questions off topic from what they called the presser to announce. It's actually normally what happens with every team in the league at these things and has happened in the past for us. Whatever, it's done... so you guys keep brightsiding shit, that's cool.

 

[wizenheimer]

They have to make the decision to stretch or not when they waive him.

are you certain about that?

the balance of his contract is automatically stretched. It's Portland's option if it's a 1 year hit on their cap, or a 3 year hit, and either way it isn't calculated until the end of the regular season in order to see if another team picks him up and for how much money. Would make a lot more snse if the Blazers could know all that before they commit to stretching. Of course the CBA doesn't always have to make sense

 

[noknobs]

Whatever, it's done... so you guys keep brightsiding shit, that's cool.

I have a lot of the same questions, just don't think it was the time to discuss them. They didn't bring the players up there to just ask Joe a bunch of salary cap questions.

Joe's availability for those questions is another subject entirely. I think he needs to do that.

 

[blazerkor]

Also, I find that people who are purely optimistic seem to view people who are even a little pessimistic as being purely pessimistic, when it's really not that black and white. There are people who are a little optimistic and a little pessimistic. There are people who are going through a phase of mostly pessimism. Just because you only have one speed and that's pure optimism, doesn't mean that anyone who isn't purely optimistic is conversely purely pessimistic.

Seriously, I think GP2 was a good signing, just a puzzling one considering the makeup of the roster. I think the Grant trade was brilliant. I thought the Nurk contract was an overpay but I'm over that. Same with Ant. I just hope both of them perform at a level that keeps them as positive trade assets should an opportunity arise in which that would be necessary. I really like Joe's attitude and think he ended up getting enough out of the CJ/Larry deal and may have been pressured into the absolutely horrible Norm/RoCo deal by ownership.

I guess I'm just an asshole for thinking he should have been asked about hard capping us and what his thoughts about the luxury tax are this season, since he is a cap expert but fuck anyone with any criticism though right?