Paul Allen, Neil Olshey stood pat in draft, but wasn't inactive

[SlyPokerDog]

The 2014 NBA Draft has come and gone with the Portland Trail Blazers opting to stand pat. This year’s draft was one of the most anticipated, filled with projected difference-makers capable of turning franchises around, as they say.

However, for a team fresh off a 54-win season that includes eight players that are in their first two years in the league and at most, two roster spots available for next season, the organization has made it clear from their stance that its strategy is to improve the team’s depth via free agency.

General Manager Neil Olshey tirelessly and feverishly worked the phones Thursday from start to finish, surveying the landscape, seeing if there was a beneficial deal to be had in order to move into the draft. Some deals were enticing, some not so. Procuring a late first round was being discussed, but ultimately that was the extent, we're told.

Read the rest of the article here -

http://www.csnnw.com/blazers/paul-allen-neil-olshey-stood-pat-draft-wasnt-inactive

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Fluff....

Like every team does.

I like marshmallows.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Upgrading talent should override development.

Developing Clint Capela >> developing Leonard.

 

[HailBlazers]

Upgrading talent should override development.

The World Championship Spurs disagree.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

The World Championship Spurs disagree.

Wow. So true.

This board is so divided. We could deepens our bench, for certain, but I like what we have here otherwise. Yes, explore opportunities to improve 1-12, especially at the 2/3, but we have a lotta room for growth with our young core. I like some of the young guys we have on the bench. I expect growth next year without moves.

We don't have to ask... Neil is looking for ways to improve. He's brought us this far. I'll be patient.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

You can't compare the two.

The system in San Antonio turns shit to gold. They also have a coach who knows how to get everything out of player by putting him in the right role.

 

[bodyman5000 and 1]

Patience doesn't do shit if the rest of the team gets better when Aldridge gets old. Swing for the fences or do something creative. Like use Paul Allen's money to transplant DuJuan Blair's brain in M Leonard's body.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

The World Championship Spurs disagree.

Yes and no. The Spurs know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em. Khawai Leonard was acquired via trade. Patty was developed after being picked up. Yes, they mine the late first and second rounds like old prospectors. But they know when they need to pick up someone too.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Patience doesn't do shit if the rest of the team gets better when Aldridge gets old. Swing for the fences or do something creative. Like use Paul Allen's money to transplant DuJuan Blair's brain in M Leonard's body.

If we actually had Billionaire Supervillain Science, we'd have just given Brandon Roy new knees... if only. *sigh*

 

[PDXFonz]

Free agency is going to be very exciting for us!

 

[bodyman5000 and 1]

If we actually had Billionaire Supervillain Science, we'd have just given Brandon Roy new knees... if only. *sigh*

I still don't know why they can't. Meniscus transplant and a year of swimming and cycling for exercise. Guy is still young. Tommy John surgerynof the futurem

 

[cmeese47]

Free agency is going to be very exciting for us!

So exciting with that abundance of cap space we have.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Amico was on ESPN radio prior to the Kings pick and thought they'd go Elfrid.

He said that the consensus around the league is Isaiah Thomas' market is between $4m-$6m/per.

I think he could be attainable -- Wes Matthews structured, front-loaded deal? He's instant offense and was very efficient. We'd have our go-to guy off the bench.

 

[cmeese47]

Lets see here Shabazz Napier taken at #24 he would be a good fit for a team who needs a back up PG.
Thanasis Antetokokounmpo long athletic defensive wing, makes sense for a team with a terrible bench and little defense. Bonus value watching Rice try and say his name.

Fuck you Olshey stop holding on to the one good move you made in Lopez and improve the team.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Lets see here Shabazz Napier taken at #24 he would be a good fit for a team who needs a back up PG.
Thanasis Antetokokounmpo long athletic defensive wing, makes sense for a team with a terrible bench and little defense. Bonus value watching Rice try and say his name.

Fuck you Olshey stop holding on to the one good move you made in Lopez and improve the team.

I actually liked Huestis, a 3-D guy, but I thought for sure we'd have a chance at him late in the second round or as an undrafted FA.

 

[Blazinaway]

Lets see here Shabazz Napier taken at #24 he would be a good fit for a team who needs a back up PG.
Thanasis Antetokokounmpo long athletic defensive wing, makes sense for a team with a terrible bench and little defense. Bonus value watching Rice try and say his name.

Fuck you Olshey stop holding on to the one good move you made in Lopez and improve the team.

and how do we know Napier is not another Nolan Smith? rather go after a vet backup PG like Ramon Sessions or several others

 

[BigGameDamian]

Patience doesn't do shit if the rest of the team gets better when Aldridge gets old. Swing for the fences or do something creative. Like use Paul Allen's money to transplant DuJuan Blair's brain in M Leonard's body.

Or walks away.

 

[blue9]

However, for a team fresh off a 54-win season that includes eight players that are in their first two years in the league and at most, two roster spots available for next season, the organization has made it clear from their stance that its strategy is to improve the team’s depth via free agency.

This is such a disingenuous statement. At best TWO of those eight players were contributors to the team.

I really hate this idea that by bringing back the same roster we can only improve upon last season's success. The only starter that has potential for major improvement is Lillard, and even there the potential improvement is limited to defense and efficiency - his PPG/APG/RPG aren't going to change significantly. Robinson and CJ are the only two bench players that have significant upside that they may or may not fulfill. Barton, Freeland, and Leonard may all improve but realistically there's not a whole lot of untapped talent that they can grow into...they just might become slightly better 8th-man rotation players.

Incremental improvement is not going to push this team over the hump.

With that said, I don't think that's the plan. Looking forward to significant changes this summer.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

^You don't think Barton can improve much? That's kind of silly, really. You see it in flashes. That kid could be legit. I watch him, and yes, sometimes he's out of control... and then I cover my eyes... and then he still finishes the play.

 

[cmeese47]

Honestly I think Barton and Robinson have the most upside on our bench. Barton is probably too confident for his own good but the kid has crazy energy on the court. He is aggressive on defense, both in a good and bad way, he attacks the basket and rebounds the hell out of the ball for being like 170 pounds.

Robinson like Barton is a high energy guy. Give me our starting lineup with 5 energy guys off the bench and this team could actually be a threat.

 

[oldmangrouch]

This is such a disingenuous statement. At best TWO of those eight players were contributors to the team.

I really hate this idea that by bringing back the same roster we can only improve upon last season's success. The only starter that has potential for major improvement is Lillard, and even there the potential improvement is limited to defense and efficiency - his PPG/APG/RPG aren't going to change significantly. Robinson and CJ are the only two bench players that have significant upside that they may or may not fulfill. Barton, Freeland, and Leonard may all improve but realistically there's not a whole lot of untapped talent that they can grow into...they just might become slightly better 8th-man rotation players.

Incremental improvement is not going to push this team over the hump.

With that said, I don't think that's the plan. Looking forward to significant changes this summer.

You're a bit more optimistic than I am, but over-all a good summation. Internal improvement is just not a realistic plan.

Sadly, I don't expect any meaningful changes until next summer. The team has almost nothing to work with this summer.

 

[blue9]

^You don't think Barton can improve much? That's kind of silly, really. You see it in flashes. That kid could be legit. I watch him, and yes, sometimes he's out of control... and then I cover my eyes... and then he still finishes the play.

I like Barton - he won me over this year. I actually like him more than CJ at this point. So don't take what I said as me bashing him. I think he's quite talented. But I would be surprised if he ever gets to the point where he's a legit 6th-man on a contender. I think he could maybe become a 7th/8th man on a contender. He's talented - but we shouldn't be counting on his development to take us to the next level.

 

[lawai'a]

in this age of instant gratification, I for one am honestly surprised that PA showed restraint and patience concerning the 2014 draft. we haven't been party to the summer workouts to see the effort and improvements of the current team's young players. the spurs continuity has shown to be a successful model for development and growth, both individual and team wise. stotts is entering his third season and has shown flexability and a willingness to embrace changes to his system that improve the final product. as the current players are evaluated by the coaches in their suitability to perform in the system vs. the value of bringing in an individual of marginally better talent yet less experienced and or suitable to the system, can see many reasons for standing pat.

 

[cmeese47]

You're a bit more optimistic than I am, but over-all a good summation. Internal improvement is just not a realistic plan.

Sadly, I don't expect any meaningful changes until next summer. The team has almost nothing to work with this summer.

Exactly Olshey got lucky with the Lopez deal, drafting Lillard was decided by Allen but worked out and now Neil gets to sit back and relax until next summer. At that point he will need to put up or be fired. My money is on the latter.

 

[BlazerWookee]

"wasn't," lol...

 

[Scalma]

Exactly Olshey got lucky with the Lopez deal, drafting Lillard was decided by Allen but worked out and now Neil gets to sit back and relax until next summer. At that point he will need to put up or be fired. My money is on the latter.

Lolol yes he got LUCKY with lopez and Lillard was all Paul AllenAnd what about getting Trob for nothing?

 

[blue9]

the spurs continuity has shown to be a successful model for development and growth, both individual and team wise.

I also really hate holding up the Spurs model to support the idea of standing pat. You can't compare us - or any other team - to the Spurs. They are unique. They work because they have the best coach of the past 20 years who knows how to get the most out of marginal talent. Not to mention the best PF of the modern era, and one of the best PGs in the league. But it all starts with the coach. We aren't going to emulate the Spurs under Terry "Can't Develop Players or Implement Adequate Defensive Schemes - And Let's Base Our Offense Around The Least Effective Shot In The Game" Stotts.
You know what's had greater success than the Spurs model? Acquiring the best talent possible.

 

[Scalma]

Btw if Lillard was Allen's choice, who was Olsheys? You can't just say something like that unless you know it for a fact

 

[cmeese47]

Lolol yes he got LUCKY with lopez and Lillard was all Paul Allen??????And what about getting Trob for nothing?

I will give him credit for that if T-Rob becomes a valuable bench player this season.

 

[maxiep]

I think the analysis in the eyes of the Blazers was that whatever we could have gotten in this year's draft wasn't going to be greater than what we already have.

Players don't simply remain static. They add to their games, they mature emotionally and physically, they learn the game better, etc. Given how young our bench is, I expect guys like McCollum, Robinson, Barton, Leonard, Freeland and Crabbe to be better than they were last year.