Olshey

[riverman]

Funny how the Lakers are doing fine with all their new players.

Some of those new Laker players have played together on Team USA or the Olympics games so, not buying it. They also loaded up on players who just got rings recently...from the Warriors, Raptors.....same as the Clippers...how could you lose many games with that roster?,,,and those teams are a couple of injuries away from not being so good which is where we stand with 5-6 injured or hobbled rotation players. Get back to me on the Lakers in March and we'll see how they've held up going into the playoffs..

 

[hoopsjock]

Everyone knew those two were good defenders. Maybe overrated, but solid. And everyone knew we needed a shooter. And everyone knew we had limited resources (how long are we going to talk about 2016, it is what it is). He flipped Turner and Bazemore and I dont recall anyone being opposed to that. Aminu was given $30M/3 years by Orlando, and we werent going to do that. Harkless was sent away with Meyers, another consistently railed against Blazer, to get Hassan. I dont recall many upset about that. Hezonja was a 4th pick, who Neil always liked, played well in NY when given opportunity, is 24 years old, and has a connection with Nurk. And he makes $1.7m. We have a track record for reclamation projects, this was a gamble well worth it. Mario needs to fucking play better. As for Neil's press conference, thats what NFL, MLB, NBA pressers are - a chance for the team to pump up their new guys. 100% are like that. Not sure what hes supposed to do. "Well I am excited about these guys but we'll see, this could backfire"?

I do not think Neil is blameless in this. But I am not big into the 20/20 hindsight this reeks of. And it always amazes me that when a team struggles it almost always goes to coach, GM.....then players. When its a players league, they are paid to perform, and are expected to at a MINIMUM give full effort and be competitive. Add to that new players, none of this is a shock to me. Yet. - maybe this will change in a month. Neil may have blown this, but I can see why he made the decisions he made.

In 2018/2019, the team overachieved - unless they were expected to go to the WCF. Thats the definition of overachieving, isnt it? Or did people have them pegged for going to the Western Conference Finals? If people thought that, and maybe they did, hat tip to them. I sure didnt. ESPN had them finishing at 43-39 (https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24365036/nba-standings-predictions-espn-summer-forecast). They exceeded almost all expectations, and naturally (I dont blame anyone) that became the new bar. It just puts more attention on their bad start. Had they ended last year 43-39, just a notch over .500, maybe this start doesnt sting so much?

If Aminu and Harkless are such good defenders why did they have a worse defense than the Blazers defense this year in 2016-17 at this point in the season? It was historically bad.

 

[hoopsjock]

This is my main problem with Olshey. He has drafted good players, but three of them are variations of the same player--short shooting guards. Olshey's fault is not that he hasn't drafted good players, it's that he is all in on a starting unit with two short guards who are average defenders at best. He sees individual talent, but gets so locked in on the individuals he struggles to build a great team. The shortcomings of his construction are hidden somewhat when Nurkic, Collins and Harkless/Aminu/Little) man the other three positions. But, as soon as one or more of those is injured, the whole thing falls apart because there is no fall back plan.

Don't take Michael Jordan because you already have Clyde Drexler! Drafting for need instead of best player available has been so good for this franchise.

 

[calvin natt]

If Aminu and Harkless are such good defenders why did they have a worse defense than the Blazers defense this year in 2016-17 at this point in the season? It was historically bad.

I'm trying to throw people a bone for missing Aminu and Harkless. They were fine defenders.

 

[Reep]

Don't take Michael Jordan because you already have Clyde Drexler! Drafting for need instead of best player available has been so good for this franchise.

I'm not suggesting you don't draft the BPA. I'm suggesting that at some point you have to make trades to build the best team. You draft Jordan and then trade him or Drexler for good center after you figure out which one you want to keep. Although in that situation, I don't think there is any reason to believe Drexler and Jordan could not have played together as you don't have the CJ problem of no defense and Drexler and Jordan were both capable of bringing the ball up the court, defending point guards, and initiating the offense.

 

[wizenheimer]

Don't take Michael Jordan because you already have Clyde Drexler! Drafting for need instead of best player available has been so good for this franchise.

don't take Chris Paul because you already have Sebastian Telfaire

 

[hoopsjock]

I'm not suggesting you don't draft the BPA. I'm suggesting that at some point you have to make trades to build the best team. You draft Jordan and then trade him or Drexler for good center after you figure out which one you want to keep. Although in that situation, I don't think there is any reason to believe Drexler and Jordan could not have played together as you don't have the CJ problem of no defense and Drexler and Jordan were both capable of bringing the ball up the court, defending point guards, and initiating the offense.

I think with Nurkic (and Collins as he continues to get better) that Dame and CJ can be fine on defense. Besides, there is still time to make trades to balance out the roster.

 

[BonesJones]

The Blazers continuously overachieve. Almost every year! But let’s fire Stotts and Olshey though.

Overachieved only based on uneducated opinions. Deciding to keep a coach or GM because on uneducated opinions would be silly.

 

[jlprk]

The Blazers continuously overachieve. Almost every year! But let’s fire Stotts and Olshey though.

If we have a low talent level almost every year, why would we keep Olshey? Bad logic.