Hollinger: Biggest offseason winners (hint: we made the cut)

[Nikolokolus]

Insider only: http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=winners-100726

As crazy as this sounds with all the mayhem in the front office, the Blazers actually came out of this offseason better than when they started. Since Kevin Pritchard was allowed to operate the draft before being unceremoniously dumped as general manger, Portland ditched Martell Webster's contract and got three promising rookies out of draft day -- most notably high-scoring forward Luke Babbitt, who is exactly the kind of floor-spacing 4 who Nate McMillan loves.

During the interminable delay before hiring Pritchard's successor (note to Blazers management -- if you know several months ahead of time that you're firing the GM, it might be wise to have some kind of succession plan in place), what was left of Portland's front office managed to lure Wesley Matthews from Utah. They overpaid, sure, but they overpaid for a piece that really fits. Matthews will help them with his defense and 3-point shooting -- every team is looking for players like this -- and since I don't imagine Paul Allen will have major objections to the Blazers' being a luxury tax team, the dollars aren't going to hurt them.

Finally, the Blazers made a strong hire by bringing in Oklahoma City's Rich Cho to take over. He adds the cap expertise that the team lost with the firing of Tom Penn earlier in the spring. The Blazers lose Pritchard's scouting eye and deal-making skill, but the organization was already very strong in the former department with NBA scouting director Michael Born and college scouting director Chad Buchanan. Given what a mess this seemed like two months ago, they've ended up in fantastic shape.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

The Blazers lose Pritchard's...deal-making skill

 

[Mediocre Man]

Impossible!

Paul Allen and Larry Miller are demon spawn

 

[<-=*PdX*=->]

Good read, and I agree. My only problem, though, is that Hollinger is almost as much of a homer as all we are. He is the main guy that is always pro-portland due to his connection with the team and where he lives. Will always enjoy reading him but I always feel he tries to preach to the market and get it onto a national stage via ESPN (which isn't bad at all, he will just be the only one doing it).

 

[Nikolokolus]

"Sometimes the best deal you make is no deal at all." "We like our team." "I don't believe you can have too much talent."

 

[B-Roy]

Yeah, that part got me too.

 

[crandc]

What is the difference between being "unceremoniously dumped" and ceremoniously dumped?

How many people get ceremoniously fired?

 

[Nikolokolus]

What is the difference between being "unceremoniously dumped" and ceremoniously dumped?

How many people get ceremoniously fired?

I don't know about you, but I think a public hanging would have been just the ticket.

 

[Idog1976]

"You know we really love our guys...in a Hallmark After-School Special kind of way."

 

[Idog1976]

Good read, and I agree. My only problem, though, is that Hollinger is almost as much of a homer as all we are. He is the main guy that is always pro-portland due to his connection with the team and where he lives. Will always enjoy reading him but I always feel he tries to preach to the market and get it onto a national stage via ESPN (which isn't bad at all, he will just be the only one doing it).

Are you kidding? Hollinger is actually one of the most reasonable ESPN guys for not fellating his hometown team. Compare him to say The Sports Douche and Hollinger looks as unbiased as King Solomon.

 

[Idog1976]

What is the difference between being "unceremoniously dumped" and ceremoniously dumped?

How many people get ceremoniously fired?

Any 4 year president?

 

[Idog1976]

I don't know about you, but I think a public hanging would have been just the ticket.

*Paging RoyToy, OddEnormous and BGrantfan* *Meltdown on aisle three!*

 

[Ed O]

I don't know about you, but I think a public hanging would have been just the ticket.

Thank you, JR Rider.

Ed O.

 

[CelticKing]

Did he say anything about the C's? (I don't have espn insider lol)

 

[oldmangrouch]

What is the difference between being "unceremoniously dumped" and ceremoniously dumped?

How many people get ceremoniously fired?

When it is disguised as a retirement? "Here's a gold watch, and a ceremonial pillow for that rocking chair."

 

[Nikolokolus]

Did he say anything about the C's? (I don't have espn insider lol)

No.
In order he listed:
Heat, Bulls, Bucks, Warriors (because Cohan sold the team), Spurs then Blazers

 

[<-=*PdX*=->]

Are you kidding? Hollinger is actually one of the most reasonable ESPN guys for not fellating his hometown team. Compare him to say The Sports Douche and Hollinger looks as unbiased as King Solomon.

He is the only guy in the national media that will put the blazers in said type of discussions. I am not saying he is a straight up homer like Bill Simmons, he does it with class and trying to present things in legitimate ways. All I meant was, its a great read and it is ture, I would just like to see it coming from some one else than just Hollinger all the time. It just shows how no body in the national media (except for the guy from portland) pays attention to the Blazers.

 

[Minstrel]

"Sometimes the best deal you make is no deal at all." "We like our team." "I don't believe you can have too much talent."

Yeah, that part got me too.

Yeah, where is Hollinger's head? The only players of significance the Blazers got through trade with Pritchard in charge were Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Jerryd Bayless, Nicolas Batum, Marcus Camby and perhaps Luke Babbitt (remains to be seen if he's significant).

If only Pritchard had made one or two deals during his time here.

 

[OddEnormous]

*Paging RoyToy, OddEnormous and BGrantfan* *Meltdown on aisle three!*

Someone doesn't agree with the group mind think = meltdown

 

[CelticKing]

No.
In order he listed:
Heat, Bulls, Bucks, Warriors (because Cohan sold the team), Spurs then Blazers

Alright, thanks Niko.

 

[OddEnormous]

Yeah, where is Hollinger's head? The only players of significance the Blazers got through trade with Pritchard in charge were Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Jerryd Bayless, Nicolas Batum, Marcus Camby and perhaps Luke Babbitt (remains to be seen if he's significant).

If only Pritchard had made one or two deals during his time here.

Those don't count because we didn't get Vince Carter or Gerald Wallace that one time.

 

[Idog1976]

He is the only guy in the national media that will put the blazers in said type of discussions. I am not saying he is a straight up homer like Bill Simmons, he does it with class and trying to present things in legitimate ways. All I meant was, its a great read and it is ture, I would just like to see it coming from some one else than just Hollinger all the time. It just shows how no body in the national media (except for the guy from portland) pays attention to the Blazers.

I agree with that well said.

 

[Idog1976]

Someone doesn't agree with the group mind think = meltdown

I was just teasing man. Besides I don't remember threatening you with violence at any point. (punch in face? really?) It's not like I don't have Oden related meltdowns on a bi-weekly basis at least! Heck, your argument is probably more reality based then mine.

Also for the record I think KP is the best GM we've had since the Drexler days. I'm praying that Cho is a bit better at consolidation trades as KP amassed all sorts of talent. We wouldn't be where we are - sitting pretty that is - without KP's great eye for talent and awesome draft day deals.

I just don't see the point in complaining about the now sailed KP boat. You actually haven't said much in weeks. Again I was just teasing as is required by forum rules...or culture.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Anyone else think this is a slap in the face to John "The Blazers Have No Plan" Canzano?

 

[OddEnormous]

I was just teasing man. Besides I don't remember threatening you with violence at any point. (punch in face? really?) It's not like I don't have Oden related meltdowns on a bi-weekly basis at least! Heck, your argument is probably more reality based then mine.

Also for the record I think KP is the best GM we've had since the Drexler days. I'm praying that Cho is a bit better at consolidation trades as KP amassed all sorts of talent. We wouldn't be where we are - sitting pretty that is - without KP's great eye for talent and awesome draft day deals.

I just don't see the point in complaining about the now sailed KP boat. You actually haven't said much in weeks. Again I was just teasing as is required by forum rules...or culture.

Hey man, Why are you still complaining about the Iran Contra thing dude? That boat has sailed. Granted I haven't heard you mention it in over 20 years... but damn dude. Get over it.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Yeah, where is Hollinger's head? The only players of significance the Blazers got through trade with Pritchard in charge were Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Jerryd Bayless, Nicolas Batum, Marcus Camby and perhaps Luke Babbitt (remains to be seen if he's significant).

Brandon Roy--questionable level of involvment in the deal that netted us the pick
LaMarcus Aldridge--see above
Jerryd Bayless--appears to have been a downgrade from Jack so far
Nicolas Batum--excellent deal
Marcus Camby--excellent deal

Now, let's also mention the lack of a deal with RLEC, the unfavorable Zach trade, the inability to close the Hedo deal (thank GOD), and the Roy/Aldridge extension issues. I think it's fair to question the "deal-making skill" of our recently dearly departed. I wanted him retained as much as anybody, but it's not as though he ever demonstrated himself to be a top-notch negotiator.

 

[OddEnormous]

Brandon Roy--questionable level of involvment in the deal that netted us the pick
LaMarcus Aldridge--see above

For some.

 

[Jayps15]

Brandon Roy--questionable level of involvment in the deal that netted us the pick
LaMarcus Aldridge--see above
Jerryd Bayless--appears to have been a downgrade from Jack so far
Nicolas Batum--excellent deal
Marcus Camby--excellent deal

Now, let's also mention the lack of a deal with RLEC, the unfavorable Zach trade, the inability to close the Hedo deal (thank GOD), and the Roy/Aldridge extension issues. I think it's fair to question the "deal-making skill" of our recently dearly departed. I wanted him retained as much as anybody, but it's not as though he ever demonstrated himself to be a top-notch negotiator.

The extensions for Roy and Aldridge are actually pretty good for the Blazers, it's not like they didn't get done and they went into restricted free agency. He secured a team opt out in Roy's final year, and with Roy's injury concerns and the uncertainty of how the cap will operate in the next CBA that's a very good thing. And Aldridge's contract looks like a total steal after seeing what other guys from his draft class were able to get this offseason with so much money to spend. I'd say those 2 contracts are pluses on KP's record.

 

[Minstrel]

Brandon Roy--questionable level of involvment in the deal that netted us the pick
LaMarcus Aldridge--see above
Jerryd Bayless--appears to have been a downgrade from Jack so far
Nicolas Batum--excellent deal
Marcus Camby--excellent deal

Unless you're comparing a 26 year old Jack to a 21 year old Bayless, that doesn't look like a talent downgrade at all. Bayless, at 21, had a season comparable or better than any season Jack had until this past season at age 26. So unless you think Bayless has ended his development right here and now, he seems like a significantly better talent.

And yes, if you don't give Pritchard much credit for Roy and Aldridge, his legacy changes. Of course, it was widely reported at the time that he was in charge, and there was the Paul Allen quote to Pritchard, at the time, of "It's your draft." So I think calling his involvement in those deals "questionable" is questionable.

Now, let's also mention the lack of a deal with RLEC, the unfavorable Zach trade, the inability to close the Hedo deal (thank GOD), and the Roy/Aldridge extension issues. I think it's fair to question the "deal-making skill" of our recently dearly departed. I wanted him retained as much as anybody, but it's not as though he ever demonstrated himself to be a top-notch negotiator.

I'll absolutely agree with you on Randolph and Turkoglu (but then, you're being incomplete if you don't credit him with closing the deal on Miller on very favourable terms). I don't see what "issues" there are with Roy and Aldridge. Roy deserved to be maxed. I think this off-season is vindicating his extension with Aldridge. In this atmosphere, I think it's very clear that Aldridge would have gotten a big offer, at least along the lines of what David Lee got.

While Pritchard has, of course, not been perfect when it comes to trading/signing, I think he's been one of the better GMs over the past four years in making his team better through trades/signings. Hollinger said that Portland lost his "deal-making skill"...he didn't use any extreme terms. I still can't see much rational reasoning for why such a comment should be ridiculed.

 

[crandc]

Not sure how KP or anyone else could have "closed the deal" with Turkoglu after he decided to go where his wife preferred. What exactly should the Blazers have done to "close the deal"? Hire Turkoglu a divorce lawyer?