Olshey interview at draft combine

[hoopsjock]

Anyone else get the feeling Ed or Nurkic may not be back next year? I don’t know how you get more time for Collins in the post when Ed can’t spread the floor and if Nurkic is going to be successful then he needs to be diving into the paint on PnR.

When Stotts had Aldridge he posted up a lot even though Robin Lopez was at center too. If anything I wonder if Aminu will be traded. He's our most tradeable asset outside Dame, CJ, and Collins. He also is an expiring contract.

 

[AFully22]

That might be the first time I’ve ever heard Olshey admit a wrong doing. The frustrating part is he got so defensive about people being upset we weren’t more aggressive at the deadline or in the offseason essentially saying fans were being irrational, and then today says they should have been more aggressive and willing to use our pick and TPE to acquire talent.

That’s all a lot of us were saying, Neil! And I agree with another poster that it sounds like Paul Allen told him to speed this thing up a bit and it’s past time to rebuild and now time to take the next step. I’m actually encouraged.

 

[kjironman1]

When Stotts had Aldridge he posted up a lot even though Robin Lopez was at center too. If anything I wonder if Aminu will be traded. He's our most tradeable asset outside Dame, CJ, and Collins. He also is an expiring contract.

I was actually going to say Aminu in the post above but that seems to be a hot button issue.

 

[hoopsjock]

Unfortunately this probably means we aren't looking to move up in the draft.

 

[hoopsjock]

Yuck... talk about a deal the pushes the team further into purgatory. One of the worst proposals I have seen... give up a 1st to pay a non difference maker 2-3 time his salary in luxury tax

Where is your suggestion on a possible CJ trade?

 

[kjironman1]

Unfortunately this probably means we aren't looking to move up in the draft.

Can he do both with a trade and a pick?

 

[Drttimmy]

they just had him on. Two things stood out
It’s time to think of playoff success rather than can we make the playoffs while retooling.”

“One of the things we were too conservative with this past off season and at the trade deadline was we were probably far too protective of our draft pick and trade exceptions, and the tools we had to build the roster long term.” (Inferred that they didn’t think they were good enough to advance far in the playoffs, hence choosing to hold onto their assets.)

Eh....I dunno if that's the best way to go. Drafting has been our best tool acquiring talent, and there are plenty of examples of first year players contributing meaningfully. I think I'd hold onto the picks and let the scouts do their thing. Open to trading CJ, though.

If your inference is accurate, then I believe the team was wise to hold fast. I have a hard time believing there was a trade we passed on that would have us competing with GS and Houston.

 

[hoopsjock]

Can he do both with a trade and a pick?

Well proven playoff performers seems to contradict adding draft picks.

 

[kjironman1]

That might be the first time I’ve ever heard Olshey admit a wrong doing. The frustrating part is he got so defensive about people being upset we weren’t more aggressive at the deadline or in the offseason essentially saying fans were being irrational, and then today says they should have been more aggressive and willing to use our pick and TPE to acquire talent.

That’s all a lot of us were saying, Neil! And I agree with another poster that it sounds like Paul Allen told him to speed this thing up a bit and it’s past time to rebuild and now time to take the next step. I’m actually encouraged.

He was human in that interview. He is not perfect.
Kind of think he was pretty defensive about getting swept because he was also emotionally invested into this team.

 

[kjironman1]

Well proven playoff performers seems to contradict adding draft picks.

They are in a tough position. We got one of the richest men in the world as an owner and money IS an object.

 

[Orion Bailey]

No i'm not really feeling that. Davis and Nurk are centers. Collins is a PF. they can co-exist if the team can make the salaries work?

Not if they want collins playing inside out. How would that work with Ed?
It would work if they are fine with collins on the outside like this last season, but not if they reverse the priority

 

[e_blazer]

That tells me he would rather go all in on McLillard and trade a potential stud in Collins for veterans than trade CJ and try to get a more balanced roster

This tells me that you like to infer things that feed your anti-Olshey passion.

 

[kjironman1]

Not if they want collins playing inside out. How would that work with Ed?
It would work if they are fine with collins on the outside like this last season, but not if they reverse the priority

Point for sure.
I sure wish Ed had a mid range jumper. Even 10 foot would be a huge boost.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Point for sure.
I sure wish Ed had a mid range jumper. Even 10 foot would be a huge boost.

If ed had a 10-15 foot jumper he would demand close to 20 mill a season and be our starting pf. Lol

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Talking of the combine, here's footage of the scrimmages today:

http://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=3372574

 

[Drttimmy]

Nope. Called Collins a foundational piece of their roster earlier in the interview. Said they want Zach closer to the basket Playing inside/out (instead of outside/in) next season and compared him to Aldridge, McHale, and Rasheed.

I like Zach...maybe my favorite Blazer...but comparing to those three?? Forget McHale. His unbelievable wingspan allowed him to master all those post moves. Collins could practice the same moves all day and night for the next year, but he'll still be inhibited by a less than ideal wingspan for a elite post player. I don't know Sheed's vertical numbers, but I saw him catch an alleyoop near the top of the back board against the Rockets on a fast break, so it's gotta be pretty good. The nice mix of pretty good wingspan, height, and vertical made his post game elite.

Aldridge is an attainable comp, they have similar measurements and verticals (in my estimation) and especially since I think Zach will eventually become a reliable outside shooter. But Aldridge didn't become one of the better post players until he added beef and a lot of strength. Collins is probably 2-3 years from that. I think for now or awhile, a guy like Mirotic is a comp to strive for. 7 footer that can score anywhere on the court and with good vision. And that's not a bad player to have at all. Olshey....what a character!

 

[BonesJones]

Why? Honest question. He is aggressive on defense and is the size they need. He shoots well from three. He has 50 playoff games of experience in the post season. He is a solid veteran player and would be priced right.
Not sure why that is awful?

Because he's not worth a 1st round pick. He's a solid player but not worth 24. And paying $25M plus for him (incl. tax) when he's staring his decline, while giving up likely our only chance this off-season to acquire a true difference maker when New York probably doesn't even want his contract makes it an awful deal.

 

[kjironman1]

Because he's not worth a 1st round pick. He's a solid player but not worth 24. And paying $25M plus for him (incl. tax) when he's staring his decline, while giving up likely our only chance this off-season to acquire a true difference maker when New York probably doesn't even want his contract makes it an awful deal.

I understand the pick part. Yeah.
But if they could get him and maybe add a pick somewhere else or even not give the pick up that would be a good addition in my opinion. He could help this team and he is only 32. He is not done in the league by any means.

 

[kjironman1]

Because he's not worth a 1st round pick. He's a solid player but not worth 24. And paying $25M plus for him (incl. tax) when he's staring his decline, while giving up likely our only chance this off-season to acquire a true difference maker when New York probably doesn't even want his contract makes it an awful deal.

First round picks also are absolutely no guarantee of a quality productive player any time soon. Lee produces now and pushes this team closer to where they want to be.

 

[Scalma]

That might be the first time I’ve ever heard Olshey admit a wrong doing. The frustrating part is he got so defensive about people being upset we weren’t more aggressive at the deadline or in the offseason essentially saying fans were being irrational, and then today says they should have been more aggressive and willing to use our pick and TPE to acquire talent.

That’s all a lot of us were saying, Neil! And I agree with another poster that it sounds like Paul Allen told him to speed this thing up a bit and it’s past time to rebuild and now time to take the next step. I’m actually encouraged.

Same. First time I ever heard Olshey admit to maybe making a mistake.

 

[Scalma]

Not if they want collins playing inside out. How would that work with Ed?
It would work if they are fine with collins on the outside like this last season, but not if they reverse the priority

Olshey literally compared him to three power forwards. Has nothing to do with Nurk and Davis. They just want Collins posting up more instead of floating on the perimeter.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Olshey literally compared him to three power forwards. Has nothing to do with Nurk and Davis. They just want Collins posting up more instead of floating on the perimeter.

But it does. Its all about spacing. If they want collins posting up more that means ed needs to clear the paint and give him space. So where does ed go? Outside? His defender will just double zach.

 

[hoopsjock]

But it does. Its all about spacing. If they want collins posting up more that means ed needs to clear the paint and give him space. So where does ed go? Outside? His defender will just double zach.

How did they ever post up Aldridge with Lopez on the team?

 

[Orion Bailey]

How did they ever post up Aldridge with Lopez on the team?

Robin had a 12-15 foot jump shot. Unfortunately ed has zero shot away from the rim.

 

[hoopsjock]

But it does. Its all about spacing. If they want collins posting up more that means ed needs to clear the paint and give him space. So where does ed go? Outside? His defender will just double zach.

It's actually quite simple. Nurk can get the ball at the high post. Collins can take his man (most likely a smaller guy if he's playing PF) down to the block and then seal him so Nurk can make an easy entry pass. In games where Nurk has the advantage just switch that up. Saying he wants Collins to play inside more doesn't mean he'll always be in the post.

 

[hoopsjock]

Robin had a 12-15 foot jump shot. Unfortunately ed has zero shot away from the rim.

Robin was okay at that shot. There is a reason teams left him open from that range though.

 

[Orion Bailey]

It's actually quite simple. Nurk can get the ball at the high post. Collins can take his man (most likely a smaller guy if he's playing PF) down to the block and then seal him so Nurk can make an easy entry pass. In games where Nurk has the advantage just switch that up. Saying he wants Collins to play inside more doesn't mean he'll always be in the post.

I said ed, not nurk.

Robin was okay at that shot. There is a reason teams left him open from that range though.

Good point. Much easier to make those shots when you are open, but ed cant make those open.

My point is i think ed becomes expendable if they llan on playing zach in the post more.

 

[hoopsjock]

I said ed, not nurk.



Good point. Much easier to make those shots when you are open, but ed cant make those open.

My point is i think ed becomes expendable if they llan on playing zach in the post more.

I really think the plan is for Zach to eventually start at the 4 so he'd be playing with Nurk not Ed. Why can't Ed be the backup center?

 

[Orion Bailey]

I really think the plan is for Zach to eventually start at the 4 so he'd be playing with Nurk not Ed. Why can't Ed be the backup center?

He can but so far its been colljns and ed on he court together.
Im sure the plan is to have colljns as our starter, down the road. Next year i think he wins it at some point, but ed is going to need money and i just think collins move to the interior will make ed expendable based on the salary situation. Olshey will likely look for a similar replacement on a rookie contract

 

[BigGameDamian]