PA supports Pritchard

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toutlaw25

toutlaw25

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The Trail Blazers made a change in the vice president of basketball operations position, and that’s all. Decisions like this are made at the top levels of Blazer management, and are not made unless we have good reason, have worked through the issues involved, and feel we should make an immediate change.

We are not going to make any more long-term decisions today. When the season ends we will evaluate how best to move the Trail Blazers forward. That’s no different than the way we have operated for the past 21 seasons.

I support everyone who works for me, including Kevin Pritchard, and that’s why he’s our general manager. We all have the same goal -- to bring another NBA Championship to the great fans of Portland.
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Interesting.

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2010/03/trail_blazers_owner_paul_allen_2.html
 
"including Pritchard"--I read that as, "I refuse to take sides in this public forum. I support the people in the organization opposing him as much as I support him. I will not play favorites and just say that I support him, because that would imply to them that I favor him over them. I support the organization as a whole, and him only insofar as he contributes to its well-being and gets along with his fellow management. In this internecine squabble, I refuse to give blanket endorsements."
 
Still not reassured about KP's future here. Seems contrived, to avoid saying so, much like Larry Miller's comments.
 
I read it as we got rid of one person and that doesn't change how they feel about any other person. Most teams check where they are at at the end of the season, that's nothing new. This has been a lot about nothing. People tring to read something that isn't there. KP isn't going anywhere.
 
I agree with mgb.

barfo
 
The whole f'd up mess is the Vulcan's negotiating KP's salary. Fire his buddy, make a big stink about how he might lose his job, then sit down and talk contract extension. Sounds like something a Vulcan might do. :devilwink:

Go Blazers
 
mgb said:
I read it as we got rid of one person and that doesn't change how they feel about any other person. Most teams check where they are at at the end of the season, that's nothing new. This has been a lot about nothing. People tring to read something that isn't there. KP isn't going anywhere.
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Exactly. A lot of Blazer fans are to paranoid.
 
I don't think Pritchard is going anywhere, but I do think there's some kind of disagreement between the suits and him. The lack of an endorsement could be posturing to prevent his trying for a large pay raise. This could be an advance beat-down to bring down his expectations. Similar to Stern saying that he wants a large pay cut even for all existing contracts.
 
If PA really supported Pritchard, why wouldn't he give a strong statement like, "KP will be back next season", or "I still have complete faith in KP". If you owned the team, and wanted KP back next year - why the hell wouldn't you say so? It would turn this whole thing into a non-issue.
 
mgb said:
Most teams check where they are at at the end of the season, that's nothing new.
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Isn't that what they always say about coaches just before firing them? Any examples come to mind of someone referred to in that manner that didn't get canned?
 
Chuck Taylor said:
If PA really supported Pritchard, why wouldn't he give a strong statement like, "KP will be back next season", or "I still have complete faith in KP". If you owned the team, and wanted KP back next year - why the hell wouldn't you say so? It would turn this whole thing into a non-issue.
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As I said, if he said that, he'd be favoring one side. He'd be telling whichever of his employees are in conflict with Pritchard that he is tilted against them and has already decided the issue. The higher ups, whoever they are, would then probably quit and he'd have to replace some competent people. I think Allen is planning to make Pritchard be a little less arrogant within the organization, and no one will be pushed out.

But you're correct that the literal reading of his words (mgb's post #4) is too simple. There has to be a reason for Allen and Miller not endorsing Pritchard as they have in the past, and I think my theory explains it.
 
Chuck Taylor said:
If you owned the team, and wanted KP back next year - why the hell wouldn't you say so? It would turn this whole thing into a non-issue.
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Welcome to the National Basketball Association. GM is the top of the food chain and your jobs always ups for grabs no matter what you have accomplished. That's why this is a non-issue, KP knows he has to continue to produce in order to stay, it's simply the nature of the business.

That being said, In KP I trust
 
jlprk said:
As I said, if he said that, he'd be favoring one side. He'd be telling whichever of his employees are in conflict with Pritchard that he is tilted against them and has already decided the issue. The higher ups, whoever they are, would then probably quit and he'd have to replace some competent people. I think Allen is planning to make Pritchard be a little less arrogant within the organization, and no one will be pushed out.

But you're correct that the literal reading of his words (mgb's post #4) is too simple. There has to be a reason for Allen and Miller not endorsing Pritchard as they have in the past, and I think my theory explains it.
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I agree that is a possibility...and I hope it's true. Still, if there are sides, I would be fine with Allen picking Pritchard's and letting everyone know about it.
 
HailBlazers said:
Welcome to the National Basketball Association. GM is the top of the food chain and your jobs always ups for grabs no matter what you have accomplished. That's why this is a non-issue, KP knows he has to continue to produce in order to stay, it's simply the nature of the business.

That being said, In KP I trust
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Huh? Then why didn't all of this happen last year, and the year before that? Sure, lots of people want to be GMs in the NBA, but that doesn't come close to proving that this is a "non-issue".
 
Chuck Taylor said:
Huh? Then why didn't all of this happen last year, and the year before that? Sure, lots of people want to be GMs in the NBA, but that doesn't come close to proving that this is a "non-issue".
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It didn't happen last year because the internet didn't decide KP was about to be fired last year.
Also, it seems KP's contract is up at the end of this season, and presumably wasn't last season.
Since KP isn't under contract for next season, it would be a little odd for the Blazers to say he'll be back. It would be like announcing that Marcus Camby will be back next year.

barfo
 
I've supported Pritchard since the day he became a Blazer. But come on people. Who gives a shit? Does he put on a Blazer uniform? I follow my team as closely as any of you, even though I don't have 8 million posts on this site, so don't waste your time explaining to me what KP has done. My only concerns are Paul Allen, and the guys that suit up for the games every night with Portland on the front of their jersey.
 
barfo said:
It didn't happen last year because the internet didn't decide KP was about to be fired last year. Also, it seems KP's contract is up at the end of this season, and presumably wasn't last season. Since KP isn't under contract for next season, it would be a little odd for the Blazers to say he'll be back. It would be like announcing that Marcus Camby will be back next year.
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Nothing to see here, folks. Pritchard's sad sack face, nonconfidence about staying, and threats from his agent are routine for any GM whose contract is ending. Move along. Totally routine. Keep walking.
 
barfo said:
It didn't happen last year because the internet didn't decide KP was about to be fired last year.
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Tom Penn wasn't fired last year, prompting worries about KP's future. Last year, KP didn't essentially beg for his job in a press conference. And last year, if you asked them, I highly doubt the front office would be so vague when it comes to KP's future.

barfo said:
Also, it seems KP's contract is up at the end of this season, and presumably wasn't last season.
Since KP isn't under contract for next season, it would be a little odd for the Blazers to say he'll be back. It would be like announcing that Marcus Camby will be back next year.

barfo
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I wish I could buy this as an excuse. But KP has 2 years left. 1 is a team option, 1 is guaranteed. http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=15662
 
PHXBlazer1 said:
I've supported Pritchard since the day he became a Blazer. But come on people. Who gives a shit? Does he put on a Blazer uniform? I follow my team as closely as any of you, even though I don't have 8 million posts on this site, so don't waste your time explaining to me what KP has done. My only concerns are Paul Allen, and the guys that suit up for the games every night with Portland on the front of their jersey.
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Yeah! I just care about the players!! Why should I care about the guy who is in charge of what players we have?? There's no correlation there at all!!!
 
Chuck Taylor said:
Yeah! I just care about the players!! Why should I care about the guy who is in charge of what players we have?? There's no correlation there at all!!!
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You mean the guy that signs his name on EVERY transaction? That's Paul Allen. But I see your point, and I don't hold the GM position in the same high regard that you do. :cheers:
 
I do not think that Allen's statement was a positive endorsement of KP. He could have said something Like "Kevin has been doing a terrific job for us" without slighting anyone else. And he could have said even a lot more. That was really weak, Mr. Allen. I'm glad I don't work for you.
 
PHXBlazer1 said:
You mean the guy that signs his name on EVERY transaction? That's Paul Allen. But I see your point, and I don't hold the GM position in the same high regard that you do. :cheers:
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Maybe you should. Listen, I think Paul Allen is a great owner. But you have to be blind not to see the ups and downs between different GMs in Allen's 21 years as owner. Do you really want a Nash/Patterson type back? If you don't think that a GM matters, consider that John Nash took Martell Webster when KP was arguing for taking Chris Paul. Both guys have been GMs under Paul Allen's ownership - but if KP had been the GM just a little earlier, we'd have Chris Paul on our team right now. It's not ALL about the owner.
 
What is the source of that Chris Paul information?

Hint: The self-serving source has the initials KP. Now guess.
 
Paul Allen gave Pritchard as much support as the Hay Salesman gave the First Little Pig supplies to build his house.

The Big Bad Wolf (Vulcan) is going to blow that house down and we'll be left with a mess, the norm when it comes to Paul Allen and one of his business adventures.
 
Chuck Taylor said:
Maybe you should. Listen, I think Paul Allen is a great owner. But you have to be blind not to see the ups and downs between different GMs in Allen's 21 years as owner. Do you really want a Nash/Patterson type back? If you don't think that a GM matters, consider that John Nash took Martell Webster when KP was arguing for taking Chris Paul. Both guys have been GMs under Paul Allen's ownership - but if KP had been the GM just a little earlier, we'd have Chris Paul on our team right now. It's not ALL about the owner.
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My god lets not rehash that whole debate...if we got CP would we have Roy/LA etc? Who fuckin knows. I think John Nash was hired to come in and be the bad guy, fuck I'd do it for that kind of money. I never said KP wasn't a good evaluator of talent, because he is, but who are you to say that our next GM would be a Nash/Patterson type? What if he was a Mitch Kupchak type? It's not ALL about the GM.
 
Chuck Taylor said:
If PA really supported Pritchard, why wouldn't he give a strong statement like, "KP will be back next season", or "I still have complete faith in KP". If you owned the team, and wanted KP back next year - why the hell wouldn't you say so? It would turn this whole thing into a non-issue.
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Exactly.
 
PHXBlazer1 said:
My god lets not rehash that whole debate...if we got CP would we have Roy/LA etc? Who fuckin knows. I think John Nash was hired to come in and be the bad guy, fuck I'd do it for that kind of money. I never said KP wasn't a good evaluator of talent, because he is, but who are you to say that our next GM would be a Nash/Patterson type? What if he was a Mitch Kupchak type? It's not ALL about the GM.
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I'm not saying our next GM would be a Nash/Patterson type. I used them, and more specifically the CP3 draft, as an example that specific GMs makes a big difference - even if they are under the same owner. I made this point because you specifically said that all that matters to you was our owner and our players. The GM is a big, big deal.
 
BlazerBenner said:
Exactly.
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It is a non-issue pretty much everywhere except this complimentary internet basketball forum. If PA wants KP gone, it might be that the cancer stricken man doesn't know how much time he has left to "let the cake bake". I say let the billionaire spend his money the way he wants. We all know his ultimate goal, and it involves Larry O'Brien.
 
PHXBlazer1 said:
It is a non-issue pretty much everywhere except this complimentary internet basketball forum. If PA wants KP gone, it might be that the cancer stricken man doesn't know how much time he has left to "let the cake bake". I say let the billionaire spend his money the way he wants. We all know his ultimate goal, and it involves Larry O'Brien.
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Yeah, all the signs, the guys selling save KP t-shirts at the game, the on-line petitions - all say it is no big deal - that sports two forum was making a mountain out of a mole hill. And all the articles in the Oregonian and ESPN and Yahoo Sports all report that this is no big deal, that it was all rumors coming from a sports-two forum. And when TNT discussed this tonight - they did so to confirm that it was no big deal - and that it was merely a bunch of hype started by sports two forum.
 
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