Pritchard - Free Agency Loser?

[GrandpaBlaze]

Full article: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-winnerslosers071109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

As the rejections and criticisms mounted lately, NBA executives and agents described Portland Trail Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard as “agitated” and “panicked” and even “desperate.” He kept returning to teams with the same proposals, only to be dismissed again and again. All his plans had imploded.

.....

After the first 10 days of free agency, so far Pritchard stands as the summer’s biggest loser.

Hedo Turkoglu humiliated him with an 11th-hour dash for Toronto. By then, Trevor Ariza had already taken the Houston Rockets’ money. Pritchard couldn’t pry Detroit Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince nor Chicago Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich. The job wasn’t as hard when owner Paul Allen gave him tens of millions of buy up draft picks, but free agency is a far more level playing field. Truth be told, Pritchard has failed.

All this cap space, all these big plans, and Pritchard offered a $34 million offer sheet for Paul Millsap to play behind LaMarcus Aldridge. They need a small forward, but he refused to make a bid for the most talented one on the market – the Los Angeles Lakers’ Lamar Odom.

Odom could’ve been had for the Blazers, but Pritchard has, for now, committed his money to a backup power forward. He could’ve dented the Lakers and met his most pressing need with Odom’s length, athleticism and versatility.

For every advantage Pritchard had in assembling these Blazers, he’s struggling with the next step: managing it all.

Pritchard’s greatest gift has been his ability to persuade owner Paul Allen to spend money. Now, Pritchard is struggling to convince Allen to give Brandon Roy(notes) a full five-year max extension. The process has increasingly stunned and angered Roy. Whatever anyone thinks, no one has had more to do with the Blazers’ revival than Roy.

Beyond that, Pritchard has a problem with one of the most well-regarded coaches in the NBA: Nate McMillan doesn’t want to sign a contract extension. He’s tried to explain his desire for one-year contracts as some kind of self-motivational tool, but no one buys it. It’s clear that McMillan wants to be a free agent in 2011.

“He knows Portland isn’t the last place he’ll be,” a league source said. “Everyone will want him.”

Multiple league sources believe there’s a wedge between Pritchard and McMillan, but both general manager and coach have long denied it. Even so, it makes league officials wonder how deeply McMillan believes in his boss’ blueprint that he refuses to commit long-term to it.

 

[PapaG]

The shine is off of Pritchard. This summer is looking like a disaster at this point. I can't disagree with anything written about him in that piece.

 

[julius]

I like how "losing" Ariza apparently is a big loss.

Wait..wait..this was an article by Adrian Wojnarowski. I want the time it took me to read that shit back.

 

[alex42083]

Wojo hates KP anyway, but I got to admit that we haven't really had a great off-season to this point, so I'd put us as a loser too. KP's moves haven't gone the way he's wanted to, but in Roy's situation, I have a hard time placing that entire blame on our GM. He's got a higher force at work hovering over him, but everything else? Probably been frustrating as hell.

 

[Nikolokolus]

How did I know this was going to be an Awoj piece before I even clicked on it. I'm not real happy with KPs off-season so far, but for some reason Wojnarowski has a major hard on for KP in the last year.

 

[B-Roy]

I like how "losing" Ariza apparently is a big loss.

Wait..wait..this was an article by Adrian Wojnarowski. I want the time it took me to read that shit back.

Why the hell is it that every time someone disagrees with an article, they attack the writer? Is it not enough to argue against his points instead?

 

[Mediocre Man]

Wow.


I can't wait to see all of the kool-aid drinkers reaction to this.



In KP we trust.....LOL.

This article is spot on. He has done nothing but convince PA to cough up money. He has done an incredible job finding talent, but is horrible at making trades, and obviously in landing FA's

 

[julius]

Wow.


I can't wait to see all of the kool-aid drinkers reaction to this.



In KP we trust.....LOL.

This article is spot on. He has done nothing but convince PA to cough up money. He has done an incredible job finding talent, but is horrible at making trades, and obviously in landing FA's

So you've finally come around to Nate McMillan being a good coach and wanted by other teams?

 

[Mediocre Man]

Why the hell is it that every time someone disagrees with an article, they attack the writer? Is it not enough to argue against his points instead?

Exactly.

 

[GrandpaBlaze]

I like how "losing" Ariza apparently is a big loss.

I don't look at it so much as it is a big loss (although with his playoff performance, he became one of the "bigger" names in the free agency market) but as one option that looked to possibly be a good fit for Portland that was gone.

Portland, it appears, put all their eggs in one basket (Hedo) and when that basket broke, they were left scrambling to find some way to "salvage" the summer.

Mind you, I'm not overly concerned about not getting Hedo, but I am concerned about the treatment of Roy/LMA. To me, that sets a dangerous precedence, especially when it is in regard to our so-called "cornerstone" players.

Gramps...

 

[Mediocre Man]

So you've finally come around to Nate McMillan being a good coach and wanted by other teams?

No article is perfect.


Nate is not the right coach for this team. He was a decent choice to help the young guys become men, but now they are, and Nate is not the guy to take us to the next step.

 

[illmatic99]

Why the hell is it that every time someone disagrees with an article, they attack the writer? Is it not enough to argue against his points instead?

The guy has a personal vendetta against KP. I wonder why.

 

[alex42083]

That opening paragraph also scares me a bit... KP losing his mind and giving other teams the same proposals over and over and over, and being turned down again and again. I hope the guy doesn't lose it..

 

[Nikolokolus]

Why the hell is it that every time someone disagrees with an article, they attack the writer? Is it not enough to argue against his points instead?

I hope you're not lumping me in there? I've just found it odd how hard he goes after KP (but in this instance I think it's probably a even handed article).

 

[Mediocre Man]

That opening paragraph also scares me a bit... KP losing his mind and giving other teams the same proposals over and over and over, and being turned down again and again. I hope the guy doesn't lose it..

For some reason KP thinks he should never have to give up anything to get something.

 

[B-Roy]

I hope you're not lumping me in there? I've just found it odd how hard he goes after KP (but in this instance I think it's probably a even handed article).

Depends. It's not just Woj that gets this treatment from us fans. Quick? Liar. Canzano? Asshole. Marc Stein? His source is probably his mother. Ric Bucher? LOL.

No article is perfect, and I certainly don't agree with all of Woj's points (Though I agree with some as well), but I don't understand why people waste time insulting the writers.

 

[Sedatedfork]

That opening paragraph also scares me a bit... KP losing his mind and giving other teams the same proposals over and over and over, and being turned down again and again. I hope the guy doesn't lose it..

You think KP keeps sending proposals that just say "All work and no play makes KP a dull boy."

 

[oldmangrouch]

Why the hell is it that every time someone disagrees with an article, they attack the writer? Is it not enough to argue against his points instead?

It's called "credibility".

Some of the article is based on verified fact. Some, including the whole first paragraph, we are expected to just take his word for it. Tough to do when he has lied about KP in the past.

 

[Nikolokolus]

For some reason KP thinks he should never have to give up anything to get something.

Yeah, that certainly seems to be his M.O. You have to be willing to give something to get something, and all I ever hear him talk about is basically wanting to rob another team because they are in dire financial straits.

 

[Ed O]

How did I know this was going to be an Awoj piece before I even clicked on it. I'm not real happy with KPs off-season so far, but for some reason Wojnarowski has a major hard on for KP in the last year.

It is very weird how many shots he's taken at KP. It's like he's just been waiting around for a rough spot to pile on him.

Happily, the team will still win games and KP will (somehow) continue to improve the team and Wojo will still have to keep ineffectually sniping.

Ed O.

 

[julius]

That opening paragraph also scares me a bit... KP losing his mind and giving other teams the same proposals over and over and over, and being turned down again and again. I hope the guy doesn't lose it..

I doubt that he is calling the teams again and again, with the same offers.

Despite what people think, and even with the recent fiasco with re-signing Brandon, this team did not HAVE to upgrade.

The Spurs had to. They're getting old (Bowen might as well be useless now).
The Lakers had to (not because they lacked talent, but they have 2 major FA's).

Other teams needed to (I can't think of any right off the top of my head).

It's funny how, while we had the cap space and Denver didn't, you don't hear anyone bitching about what they haven't done this summer. They've drafted a PG and haven't resigned Klieza (I guess?) yet, and overspent on Chris Andersen.

Yes, we've lost out on Bass, but so much of the anger derived from the signing or not signing of a player, is the "grass is greener" mentality that is rampant among fans. Bass is good, but really, is it that big of a deal?

For Portland, we still have a young and strong nucleus. I doubt that Brandon and LaMarcus won't be re-signed within a month. And who knows just how good Bayless could turn into. This team didn't NEED to change. Getting Millsap I think would be more beneficial to the team than Hedo.

Sometimes fans just want to have something to be grumpy about. Over inflated expectations for this off season, and seeing other teams making moves (not all moves are good or wise to make) builds up irritations. Ad to that Hedo bolting, and you have a great recipe for fans to be over-zealous over little things.

Btw, if anyone should be mad about Hedo leaving a team high and dry (even with the S&T) it's Orlando fans. They went to the finals and he left that team for a lotto team.

The Brandon thing sucks, but I think that is being slightly blown out of proportion by fans and ratings/hits hungry media.

All in all, I'm not surprised that AW wrote this shit.

 

[Pinwheel1]

How did I know this was going to be an Awoj piece before I even clicked on it. I'm not real happy with KPs off-season so far, but for some reason Wojnarowski has a major hard on for KP in the last year.

I was going to say the same thing. I have absolutely no respect for the guy. Whether it is about the Ducks or the Blazers, he is always a fucking prick.

So how long has jerry sloan (who nate has a great deal of respect for) been with the Jazz? On one year contracts?

 

[Nikolokolus]

It's called "credibility".

Some of the article is based on verified fact. Some, including the whole first paragraph, we are expected to just take his word for it. Tough to do when he has lied about KP in the past.

When has he "lied" about KP in the past, I've heard him say some pretty harsh things and he certainly seems to look at KP with a certain level of disdain or disgust (his articles on the Miles situation were particularly personal) but I don't think I've ever read a lie.

 

[oldmangrouch]

When has he "lied" about KP in the past, I've heard him say some pretty harsh things and he certainly seems to look at KP with a certain level of disdain or disgust (his articles on the Miles situation were particularly personal) but I don't think I've ever read a lie.

He claimed KP, not Miller, was the author of the infamous Miles E-Mail. In one fell swoop he tried to make KP sound like a douche (for making the threats) and a weasel (for letting Miller take the blame).

 

[RoyToy]

Other then the Roy fiasco(which I don't think is KP's fault), I don't see where else he has failed.

Hedo - not his fault. I personally didn't want him.
Ariza - lol
Odom - rumored that Blazer players just don't like the guy.
Prince - that guy is throwing out names now.

I just don't see the big fail thing here.

 

[Mediocre Man]

He claimed KP, not Miller, was the author of the infamous Miles E-Mail. In one fell swoop he tried to make KP sound like a douche (for making the threats) and a weasel (for letting Miller take the blame).

I am not trying to argue against this, but do we know it was Miller and not KP? All I have ever heard KP say is that it was a joint decision.

 

[RoyToy]

Now that we know the Blazers are so worried about $ it was probably the Vulcan guys behind it.

 

[Idog1976]

Now that we know the Blazers are so worried about $ it was probably the Vulcan guys behind it.

It absolutely is Vulcan, from Roy to Miles-gate, whenever $ is involved Vulcan gets in there and those guys aren't fun to deal with to say the least. PA desperately needs to dissolve that corporation!

 

[RoyToy]

Also

"Some people may say, 'Well, is there somewhere else you want to go?' And I'm like no, this is where I want to be," McMillan said. "For me, having a one-year deal doesn't allow you to slip. I like that. For me, I look for ways to keep myself sharp, and that will certainly keep me sharp."

from Quick's article

This guy from yahoo is an idiot, and it's why I rarely read his stuff.

 

[Nikolokolus]

It absolutely is Vulcan, from Roy to Miles-gate, whenever $ is involved Vulcan gets in there and those guys aren't fun to deal with to say the least. PA desperately needs to dissolve that corporation!

Vulcan could certainly be the main culprit, but to date we don't know that they are the driving force behind the Roy contract debacle and the threatening e-mail, etc. In fact there's nothing but idle speculation at this point. Doesn't it seem awfully convenient to use them as a whipping boy and let the rest of management off the hook? Are you saying KP is incapable of failure or fucking up?