I'm So SICK & TIRED of Neil Olshey (1 Viewer)

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Five things I knew before and after watching the interview.
1. NO only takes interviews where he can control the narrative.

Right or wrong this part seemed really obvious to me. Not sure why some thought it was about money.

1. Olshey was very blunt about the reasons for not bringing back Ed Davis and it had very little to do with money. It's all about clearing more playing time for Collins. They didn't want to bring Davis back and then cut his role and playing time. Collins' ability to "spread the floor and pass out of the high post" is a big plus for a team that seems finally to be dealing with its shortage of long-distance shooters.

I would rather they made Collins compete for minutes instead of clear out the guys who threatens to take minutes from him.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Paul is good at buy seconders whenever he wants. Just a thought?

That's not always true; in 2017 Olshey had already spent the cash allowed and so no 2nd rounder could be bought. And when you spend two future second rounders to buy one, like this year, then you start to run out of assets to use to buy another.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Five things I knew before and after watching the interview.
1. NO only takes interviews where he can control the narrative.

I would rather they made Collins compete for minutes instead of clear out the guys who threatens to take minutes from him.

Right, if it's not about the money; why not sign Ed and let him work with Collins some more and then trade Ed at the deadline. In fact, why didn't he trade Ed for a second rounder at last year's deadline? And Napier, who was looking really good at the deadline?

 

[BBert]

Five things I knew before and after watching the interview.
1. NO only takes interviews where he can control the narrative.

I would rather they made Collins compete for minutes instead of clear out the guys who threatens to take minutes from him.

I think it was more like, they were going to play Collins ahead of Ed based on his skill set and the offense they want to run, so in fairness to Ed they thought he should go to a team where he would play more and earn a bigger contract. I think they were doing Ed a solid by being honest with him.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Here is a quote from the interview: "We thought for sure the Allen Crabbe trade exception would have huge value in the league. And like I said, teams just are not in the business of giving up quality players the way they were because I think everybody understands they’re going to have to pay the freight this summer for what everybody did back in 2016 and there just wasn’t as many pieces in the marketplace to do the absorption deals we’ve seen in the past."
Just what the hell does that mean? It seems like if what everyone did in 2016 was overspend, then they would want to get rid of some contracts, so the TPE should have been worth something.
BTW, in another quote he says "everyone" overspent in 2016; that is surely an exaggeration; some clubs had more sense.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I think it was more like, they were going to play Collins ahead of Ed based on his skill set and the offense they want to run, so in fairness to Ed they thought he should go to a team where he would play more and earn a bigger contract. I think they were doing Ed a solid by being honest with him.

I think this is right. I think they respected Ed enough to encourage him to go where he wanted. Not saying I would have done it that way, but it appears that they did.

 

[dviss1]

Five things I knew before and after watching the interview.
1. NO only takes interviews where he can control the narrative.

I would rather they made Collins compete for minutes instead of clear out the guys who threatens to take minutes from him.

He competed for those minutes last year. He proved he deserved more. As much as I hate losing Ed, Collins earned those minutes.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

He competed for those minutes last year. He proved he deserved more. As much as I hate losing Ed, Collins earned those minutes.

I don’t really agree that Collins proved much of anything last year. His stats were pretty bad (not that stats can tell everything), he was definitely good on defense. I think getting rid of Ed, just for Zach to get more minutes just reduces the amount of quality bigs you have.
You could argue they were both liabilities on offense and you in the current NBA it’s hard to play two guys with out much of an offensive game at the same time. I just don’t see how playing Zach all of Ed’s minutes makes the Blazers better. Since Zach is not as good as Ed at least right now in my opinion.

 

[BonesJones]

I believe wb4 can guard 1-3 against most teams.
So when Turner plays like ass, or harkless goes Mia. I expect to see wb4 in getting minutes.
But I also expected better coaching from stotts in the playoffs.
So who know what will happen. Maybe we'll see Nik.


I wasn't sold on wb4 last year. But his defense alone should get him minutes.

Sorry for slow replies
I have to be careful with electronics.

WB4 cannot guard SFs. He'll consistently habe a 4-5 inch disadvantage. Guys will just shhoot over him.

 

[tester551]

WB4 cannot guard SFs. He'll consistently habe a 4-5 inch disadvantage. Guys will just shhoot over him.

Badwin's standing reach = 8'-4"
Harkless' standing reach = 8'-6"
Jimmy Butler = 8'-5"

I agree he'd be a a severe disadvantage, but he could do it for 4-5 minutes per game.

 

[Scalma]

The most surprising thing about Neil’s tenure in Portland is he hasn’t signed Jimmer Fredette yet.

 

[CupWizier]

Right, if it's not about the money; why not sign Ed and let him work with Collins some more and then trade Ed at the deadline. In fact, why didn't he trade Ed for a second rounder at last year's deadline? And Napier, who was looking really good at the deadline?

Signing Davis to a one year contract means he can reject any trade.

 

[H.C.]

WB4 cannot guard SFs. He'll consistently habe a 4-5 inch disadvantage. Guys will just shhoot over him.

I mean outside of the top five guys who everyone struggles to check.

I wouldn't hesitate to throw him out against guys like Brown, Hayward, Crowder, Butler, Evans, etc.
It's rumored WB4 has a significant wingspan.
The only hesitation I'd have is if the other teams 3 is known to board, or get direct post ups like Barnes does.

 

[BonesJones]

Signing Davis to a one year contract means he can reject any trade.

No it doesnt.

 

[BonesJones]

I mean outside of the top five guys who everyone struggles to check.

I wouldn't hesitate to throw him out against guys like Brown, Hayward, Crowder, Butler, Evans, etc.
It's rumored WB4 has a significant wingspan.
The only hesitation I'd have is if the other teams 3 is known to board, or get direct post ups like Barnes does.

You also have to think about who'd be guarding him. Hed struggle to create against SFs, since he really like to use his body against the defender.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

I mean outside of the top five guys who everyone struggles to check.

I wouldn't hesitate to throw him out against guys like Brown, Hayward, Crowder, Butler, Evans, etc.
It's rumored WB4 has a significant wingspan.
The only hesitation I'd have is if the other teams 3 is known to board, or get direct post ups like Barnes does.

This Marcus Smart isn’t a “tall” guy but he can guard just about anyone. Baldwin’s gotta prove it still but I think he could be an elite defender like that.

 

[Scalma]

Alright, watched the interview. Probably the best interview he’s done when it comes to actual basketball talk. The other stuff was GM speak, but at least he seemed honest instead of defensive.

He still sucks.

 

[BonesJones]

This Marcus Smart isn’t a “tall” guy but he can guard just about anyone. Baldwin’s gotta prove it still but I think he could be an elite defender like that.

Baldwin doesn't have that man's strength, and I haven't seen the same level of hustle from Baldwin (or really anyone else in the league).

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Baldwin doesn't have that man's strength, and I haven't seen the same level of hustle from Baldwin (or really anyone else in the league).

Strength comes with time, Baldwin may not get to Marcus Smart level, in that or hustle my point was just that he can make up for his size with other tools. He guarded Harden pretty well and Harden is not a small guy...

 

[Scalma]

Smart and Baldwin are two different type of defenders, but both are effective in their own way. Baldwin is taller and longer, Smart is stronger.

 

[dviss1]

I don’t really agree that Collins proved much of anything last year. His stats were pretty bad (not that stats can tell everything), he was definitely good on defense. I think getting rid of Ed, just for Zach to get more minutes just reduces the amount of quality bigs you have.
You could argue they were both liabilities on offense and you in the current NBA it’s hard to play two guys with out much of an offensive game at the same time. I just don’t see how playing Zach all of Ed’s minutes makes the Blazers better. Since Zach is not as good as Ed at least right now in my opinion.

Bro, I'm on record for being PISSED at NO for getting rid of Ed.

FWIW I think we should've kept him and Neil deserves a "Shirt Off Ed" backhand for "counseling him" to take the BK deal. I'd actually pay to see that.

We never should've signed Turner and we should've let Meyers walk or take a SIGNIFICANTLY smaller (years & money) "prove it" type of deal.

But I think that Zach earned this minutes and should've cut into TURNER'S minutes by playing Aminu/Harkless 7-10 more minutes at the 3. I really wish we could trade Turner and divide those minutes up between Hark and Aminu (Trent would see some time there too) so Zack could play more 4.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Bro, I'm on record for being PISSED at NO for getting rid of Ed.

FWIW I think we should've kept him and Neil deserves a "Shirt Off Ed" backhand for"counseling him" to take the BK deal. I'd actually pay to see that.

We never should've signed Turner and we should've let Meyers walk or take a SIGNIFICANTLY smaller (years & money) "prove it" type of deal.

But I think that Zach earned this minutes and should've cut into TURNER'S minutes buy playing Aminu/Harkless 5-6 more minutes at the 3.

I’m good with this. I realize I’m not as high on Zach as others are. He definitely looks good defensively. I think ET is a bad fit with this team and Would like to see Aminu more at the 3.
I know you were upset about Davis leaving (me too). I hope Zach wins me over, it would make that sting of Davis leaving hurt less. For whatever reason I have a like a weird gut feeling that tells me not to buy in on Collins yet. Time will tell, and I absolutely understand my gut feelings don’t make for a good arguement based on logic.

 

[dviss1]

I’m good with this. I realize I’m not as high on Zach as others are. He definitely looks good defensively. I think ET is a bad fit with this team and Would like to see Aminu more at the 3.
I know you were upset about Davis leaving (me too). I hope Zach wins me over, it would make that sting of Davis leaving hurt less. For whatever reason I have a like a weird gut feeling that tells me not to buy in on Collins yet. Time will tell, and I absolutely understand my gut feelings don’t make for a good arguement based on logic.

I see differently with Zach. It's in him to NOT allow his man to score. That's innate. On offense I think he rushes his shot quite a bit. There are times he catches and squares up in rhythm and it's a much better shot. That's why his jumper is so inconsistent. He also seems to still be adjusting to the speed of the NBA game on offense. Him getting stronger will help his overall game. He just needs a bit of time and I'm all for throwing him to the wolves.... Just not at the expense of the Ed...

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

I see differently with Zach. It's in him to NOT allow his man to score. That's innate. On offense I think he rushes his shot quite a bit. There are times he catches and squares up in rhythm and it's a much better shot. That's why his jumper is so inconsistent. He also seems to still be adjusting to the speed of the NBA game on offense. Him getting stronger will help his overall game. He just needs a bit of time and I'm all for throwing him to the wolves.... Just not at the expense of the Ed...

Yeah I pretty much am with you. I really hope Zach puts it together on offense. I don’t need him to be a 20ppg type just an efficient 10-12ish to go with his defense and I’d be fine having him start at PF.
I was against the Zach pick and I do wonder how much that plays into my “feelings”, now. He’s a Blazer now though and I am definitely cheering for him!

 

[dviss1]

Yeah I pretty much am with you. I really hope Zach puts it together on offense. I don’t need him to be a 20ppg type just an efficient 10-12ish to go with his defense and I’d be fine having him start at PF.
I was against the Zach pick and I do wonder how much that plays into my “feelings”, now. He’s a Blazer now though and I am definitely cheering for him!

I was ecstatic about the pick.

 

[riverman]

I have no problems with the team direction now...Olshey explained it pretty clearly to me...Brooke gave a great interview and I think it shows in the content...makes a lot of difference in how he comes off as a GM as opposed to being interviewed by Jaynes or Quick

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

I was ecstatic about the pick.

Well to each their own. I really didn’t want another project that we had to trade two 1st’s to get and I felt there were better players available. I have been wrong before and I might be wrong on this and I will be wrong in the future too heh.

 

[CupWizier]

No it doesnt.

Sorry

There are two additional circumstances in which a trade requires the player's consent:

• When the player is playing under a one-year contract (excluding any option year) and will have Larry Bird or Early Bird rights at the end of the season. This includes first round draft picks following their fourth (option) season, who accept their team's qualifying offer for their fifth season. When the player consents to such a trade, his Larry Bird/Early Bird rights are not traded with him, and instead becomes a Non-Bird free agent3. The player's consent is also required for any subsequent trades that season.
  

 

[BonesJones]

Sorry

There are two additional circumstances in which a trade requires the player's consent:

• When the player is playing under a one-year contract (excluding any option year) and will have Larry Bird or Early Bird rights at the end of the season. This includes first round draft picks following their fourth (option) season, who accept their team's qualifying offer for their fifth season. When the player consents to such a trade, his Larry Bird/Early Bird rights are not traded with him, and instead becomes a Non-Bird free agent3. The player's consent is also required for any subsequent trades that season.

Weird. I've never heard of that. Could've made the 2nd year partially or fully non-guaranteed.

 

[H.C.]

You also have to think about who'd be guarding him. Hed struggle to create against SFs, since he really like to use his body against the defender.

Valid.
But I don't really care about what he does on offense.
WB4 imo needs to play because he's shown the ability to get after someone @ 94.
Reminds me of Matthews.

If he's playing off lillard or CJ or Curry as the 3 in the offense. Is it required WB4 creates for himself or others?
I'm not so sure.
My only concern would be shooting.
But I have that concern about the entire roster outside of Lillard/CJ/Curry.