Exclusive Nico Harrison (the one that got away)

[MickZagger]

Much of the Mavs success has hinged on the acquisitions that Nico Harrison has made. He was an executive with Nike and went to Tigard high school. Closely affiliated with the Blazers from his days at Nike.

He is very close with Kyrie and made that deal and supposedly has kind of mentored him and got him to behave. Acquiring PJ Washington and Gafford, plus Derrick Jones Jr to a lesser extent have been amazing moves. Even Jaden Hardy in the 2nd round was a great draft pick, along with Lively.

The fact we had this guy in our backyard, close knit with the organization and a team like the Mavs realized his talent and were stuck with Cronin Joe is very sad.

Sometimes it’s not the moves you make as an organization, but the moves you don’t that can define where you’ll go.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Don't forget Rick Carlisle was a Blazers assistant coach...

 

[Whyachi]

Much of the Mavs success has hinged on the acquisitions that Nico Harrison has made. He was an executive with Nike and went to Tigard high school. Closely affiliated with the Blazers from his days at Nike.

He is very close with Kyrie and made that deal and supposedly has kind of mentored him and got him to behave. Acquiring PJ Washington and Gafford, plus Derrick Jones Jr to a lesser extent have been amazing moves. Even Jaden Hardy in the 2nd round was a great draft pick, along with Lively.

The fact we had this guy in our backyard, close knit with the organization and a team like the Mavs realized his talent and were stuck with Cronin Joe is very sad.

Sometimes it’s not the moves you make as an organization, but the moves you don’t that can define where you’ll go.

Cronin & Billups are skipping anything Oregon to hire their Colorado buddies. Their plan of attack has left a dumpster fire of bad NBA basketball in Portland.

The NBA designed a ping pong safety net for failed management, and massive TV revenue sharing checks that cover an increasingly emptier Moda Center.

Blazer fans that are disappointed with losing can go away. This new Blazers era can cook the books and turn profit without fans buying tickets or tuning in.

optimistic approach: complainers need to give management some slack, this "rebuild" is proceeding swimmingly, and a contending OKC-esque Blazers squad is on the horizon.

grumpy approach: the other tank squads will eclispe the Blazers rebuild, and keep Portland in rebuilding mode for more then a decade.

 

[MickZagger]

Don't forget Rick Carlisle was a Blazers assistant coach...

Yeah they screwed the pooch on that one too. He would’ve been better than anyone they’ve had since Dunleavy.

 

[wizenheimer]

approaching the 12 year anniversary of one of the worst decisions in Blazer history

 

[HailBlazers]

View attachment 64745

approaching the 12 year anniversary of one of the worst decisions in Blazer history

So 2012 was the end of the world.

 

[e_blazer]

Much of the Mavs success has hinged on the acquisitions that Nico Harrison has made. He was an executive with Nike and went to Tigard high school. Closely affiliated with the Blazers from his days at Nike.

He is very close with Kyrie and made that deal and supposedly has kind of mentored him and got him to behave. Acquiring PJ Washington and Gafford, plus Derrick Jones Jr to a lesser extent have been amazing moves. Even Jaden Hardy in the 2nd round was a great draft pick, along with Lively.

The fact we had this guy in our backyard, close knit with the organization and a team like the Mavs realized his talent and were stuck with Cronin Joe is very sad.

Sometimes it’s not the moves you make as an organization, but the moves you don’t that can define where you’ll go.

I’m sure Nico is good at what he does, but I would bet that Luka had more to do with Kyrie joining the Mavs than Nico did.

 

[MickZagger]

I’m sure Nico is good at what he does, but I would bet that Luka had more to do with Kyrie joining the Mavs than Nico did.

I dunno I really doubt that. I think Nico sold Kyrie on joining Luka

 

[e_blazer]

I dunno I really doubt that. I think Nico sold Kyrie on joining Luka

Yeah, maybe, but could he have been as successful at getting him to join the Blazers as Sharpe’s backcourt mate? The Mavs are years ahead of the Blazers in the rebuilding process.

 

[MickZagger]

Yeah, maybe, but could he have been as successful at getting him to join the Blazers as Sharpe’s backcourt mate? The Mavs are years ahead of the Blazers in the rebuilding process.

Im sure he could’ve done better but of convincing as something than Joe has.

as the old saying goes, it’s not who you know, but who you blow

 

[Tince]

Went to NYC last year with a friend who worked at Nike, we checked out two Big East tournament games at MSG, Nico was there so we went over to talk to him for nearly a half. Blazers got brought up a bit and it sounded like there was no interest in either direction.

 

[STOMP]

I dunno I really doubt that. I think Nico sold Kyrie on joining Luka

based on what?

STOMP

 

[PCmor7]

So 2012 was the end of the world.

The Mayans were right after all.

 

[MickZagger]

based on what?

STOMP

Based on Nico having very close affiliations with him from his days at Nike

 

[MickZagger]

based on what?

STOMP

https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/m...s-input-assessing-the-west-and-buyout-market/

 

[STOMP]

Based on Nico having very close affiliations with him from his days at Nike

I appreciate the link for context and it does make sense that Nico having a relationship with Kyrie helped bring him to Dallas, but lets not get it twisted that Nico would have brought him to PDX if he was the GM. All Star vets do not embrace joining situations like the one in Portland at the time. Dame was here for one and thats not exactly a complimentary mix. I'd imagine the Nets would have been very interested in a package for Kyrie with Dame coming back... lol just thinking of that shitstorm around here giving up the franchise's all time leading scorer for someone as prickly and having the toxic PR challenges (Covid, anti-antisemitism, general nuttiness) that Irving did. Playing alongside Luka replacing Dinwiddie and not a beloved icon like Dame is a vastly better situation. Portland's roster was absolutely awful from years of mismanagement... even with the benefit of hindsight I don't see a clear way the current piss poor situation could have been avoided post Niel.

STOMP

 

[Phatguysrule]

 

[MickZagger]

I appreciate the link for context and it does make sense that Nico having a relationship with Kyrie helped bring him to Dallas, but lets not get it twisted that Nico would have brought him to PDX if he was the GM. All Star vets do not embrace joining situations like the one in Portland at the time. Dame was here for one and thats not exactly a complimentary mix. I'd imagine the Nets would have been very interested in a package for Kyrie with Dame coming back... lol just thinking of that shitstorm around here giving up the franchise's all time leading scorer for someone as prickly and having the toxic PR challenges (Covid, anti-antisemitism, general nuttiness) that Irving did. Playing alongside Luka replacing Dinwiddie and not a beloved icon like Dame is a vastly better situation. Portland's roster was absolutely awful from years of mismanagement... even with the benefit of hindsight I don't see a clear way the current piss poor situation could have been avoided post Niel.

STOMP

I never wanted Irving to come to Portland. I just think his Nike connections and his connections throughout the league, also his eye for talent would’ve been a much better fit for the Blazers. I’m just not impressed with much of anything Cronin’s done.

 

[STOMP]

I never wanted Irving to come to Portland. I just think his Nike connections and his connections throughout the league, also his eye for talent would’ve been a much better fit for the Blazers. I’m just not impressed with much of anything Cronin’s done.

I thought the haul he got for Dame was surprising and solid. The two drafts he's conducted are still in a wait and see mode, which was expected when drafting such young talents. I was for targeting others, but those guys would still be in the wait and see mode too. The upside of Sharpe and Scoot is obvious, so I understand. I was/am very pleased that he shipped Nurk out and do like Ayton.

STOMP

 

[illmatic99]

Oops.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Oops.

One of the best bumps ever.

 

[illmatic99]

One of the best bumps ever.

Honestly I was looking for something on Google. I felt like Lamar Hurd or Nate Jones or someone kept on bringing up Harrison as a homegrown guy from Beaverton who had strong ties to the Blazers. Ended up finding this. Sorry @MickZagger

 

[BlazerWookee]

The Mayans were right after all.

That one phrase they couldn't translate on the Mayan Calendar, that was the final sign of the End?

"Daddy needs the Culligan man to swap out this jug."

 

[Chris Craig]

This didn't age well

 

[MickZagger]

Honestly I was looking for something on Google. I felt like Lamar Hurd or Nate Jones or someone kept on bringing up Harrison as a homegrown guy from Beaverton who had strong ties to the Blazers. Ended up finding this. Sorry @MickZagger

Good talent evaluator who let his inflated ego get in the way.

Trading Doncic was complete ego driven move.

It’s too bad. He had a good thing going.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

This didn't age well

Nothing he posts rarely does.

I will say this however, I wouldn't be blaming Nico for the Mavs debacle. People think he went ahead and did what he wanted without any direction from ownership - this was 100% pushed by ownership and anyone who believes otherwise is silly.

 

[andalusian]

The following does not paint him in a positive light...

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/44704219/inside-end-luka-doncic-era-dallas-mavericks

 

[illmatic99]

The following does not paint him in a positive light...

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/44704219/inside-end-luka-doncic-era-dallas-mavericks

What a hit job.

But also.... what a maniac. Glad we don't have to deal with him.

 

[Natebishop3]

It's amazing how quickly you can run an organization into the ground with the proper motivation.

I bet Tisse is happy he didn't end up going there.

 

[inconceivable]

Once upon a time, there was an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years.

One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. “Such bad luck,” they said sympathetically, “you must be so sad.”

“We’ll see,” the farmer replied.

The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it two other wild horses.

“How wonderful,” the neighbors exclaimed! “Not only did your horse return, but you received two more. What great fortune you have!”

“We’ll see,” answered the farmer.

we'll see

The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune. “Now your son cannot help you with your farming,” they said. “What terrible luck you have!”

“We’ll see,” replied the old farmer.

The following week, military officials came to the village to conscript young men into the army. Seeing that the son’s leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out. “Such great news. You must be so happy!”

The man smiled to himself and said once again.

“We’ll see,”