How necessary are GMs?

[Sug]

Please discuss.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I would think very necessary. Although I don't know the inner workings of every NBA team, it seems to be the functions of a GM is to be in charge of scouting worldwide, evaluating talent, salary negotiations and signings, trade proposals and comlpeting trades, lead person for knowledge of NBA rules regarding players/CBA...., a go-between for the coach and upper team leaders...

Anyway, seems like an important and necessary position.

I mean, those jobs can be parceled out to a handful of others, but the GM position brings cohesion to that area of a team.

 

[Mediocre Man]

We will find out soon. If stuff gets done, then not very. If nothing happens then maybe more so.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

We will find out soon. If stuff gets done, then not very. If nothing happens then maybe more so.

I'd like Al Davis to place Vulcan in full charge of all GM duties and let's see how they do.

 

[Sug]

I would think very necessary. Although I don't know the inner workings of every NBA team, it seems to be the functions of a GM is to be in charge of scouting worldwide, evaluating talent, salary negotiations and signings, trade proposals and comlpeting trades, lead person for knowledge of NBA rules regarding players/CBA...., a go-between for the coach and upper team leaders...

Anyway, seems like an important and necessary position.

I mean, those jobs can be parceled out to a handful of others, but the GM position brings cohesion to that area of a team.

How many GMs do you suppose report to their owners?

 

[Sug]

We will find out soon. If stuff gets done, then not very. If nothing happens then maybe more so.

This is an interesting time to be observing the GM situation.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

How many GMs do you suppose report to their owners?

every

single

one

 

[Sug]

every

single

one

How many GMs have 100% autonomy from their owner?

 

[maxiep]

The GM's decide on the course the team will set. When you constantly change them, you're constantly changing course, and that's disruptive to a team.

Look at the successful teams in any sport. The best ones have stable front offices. Our front office is about as stable as a bowl of jello with a vibrator stuck in it.

 

[Sug]

The GM's decide on the course the team will set. When you constantly change them, you're constantly changing course, and that's disruptive to a team.

Look at the successful teams in any sport. The best ones have stable front offices. Our front office is about as stable as a bowl of jello with a vibrator stuck in it.

So the GM decides the course of the team? Do the majority of owners just agree?

I am interested in your statement about the successful teams in any sport, can you give some examples of these teams that have had consistent performance tied to a consistent GM?

 

[maxiep]

So the GM decides the course of the team? Do the majority of owners just agree?

I am interested in your statement about the successful teams in any sport, can you give some examples of these teams that have had consistent performance tied to a consistent GM?

Tex Schramm--C*wboys (dammit!)

Jerry West--L*kers (double farts!)

Gregg Popovich--Spurs

Stu Inman/Geoff Petrie--Blazers

George Young--Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

NE Patriots

Utah Jazz

These are franchises that have been patient through the highs and lows, where the identity is set by the front office. Their owners haven't been the wealthiest, but they've been the wisest.

 

[Sug]

Tex Schramm--C*wboys (dammit!)

Jerry West--L*kers (double farts!)

Gregg Popovich--Spurs

Stu Inman/Geoff Petrie--Blazers

George Young--Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

NE Patriots

Utah Jazz

These are franchises that have been patient through the highs and lows, where the identity is set by the front office. Their owners haven't been the wealthiest, but they've been the wisest.

How do you define success in the NBA?

 

[maxiep]

How do you define success in the NBA?

First, let's note that you didn't disagree with any of my examples.

Second, I define success in the NBA by putting a team on the floor that has on-court success and the fans can get behind. You're not going to win the title every year, there are going to have to be years where you have to rebuild, but being competitive and having a direction is critical. The Blazers used to be one of those teams before Whitsitt. Trader Bob accomplished the on-court success part (using hundreds of millions of PA's dollars), but alienated the fan base.

 

[Nikolokolus]

How necessary? Probably very. A GM ostensibly is the guy that sets the tone for and is the final arbiter of all things on the basketball side of the operation and he bridges the gap between the talent evaluation world of the scouts and the business side of the operation via the president. Certainly Larry Miller is probably qualified to handle contract negotiations and Chad Buchanan and Mike Born are qualified to evaluate talent, but Miller's lack of basketball knowledge and each guy's lack of day to day dealings with agents and other personnel guys around the league is going to probably hinder the team's ability to do deals in the short term.

Then again we had a GM last summer and free agency was mostly a disaster until Andre Miller practically recruited himself on to the team when he sought the brain trust out in Vegas.

 

[oldmangrouch]

How necessary is a Captain on an aircraft carrier?

He doesn't fly the planes, load the bombs, fix the engines.....hell, he even has some kid turn the steering wheel for him.

Autonomy? Forget it! He answers to all kinds of rules and a chain of command.

Might as well just replace him with a committee of dancing penguins. ........which is basically what Vulcan is.

 

[BGrantFan]

Depends on how important a person thinks having daily leadership is, I suppose? Organizations by committee tend to be chaotic and lack long-term focus. Congressional committees are an example of this. No real vision, and people typically looking out for their own self-interest.

Whether you want to call the leader a "GM" or otherwise, having somebody with final authority, leadership, and vision is the hallmark of pretty much all successful organizations. If that is Paul Allen on the operational side, great. I think the basketball side needs that person, and right now, it is lacking that person.

 

[Sug]

First, let's note that you didn't disagree with any of my examples.

Second, I define success in the NBA by putting a team on the floor that has on-court success and the fans can get behind. You're not going to win the title every year, there are going to have to be years where you have to rebuild, but being competitive and having a direction is critical. The Blazers used to be one of those teams before Whitsitt. Trader Bob accomplished the on-court success part (using hundreds of millions of PA's dollars), but alienated the fan base.

I don't disagree, I am just having a discussion.