Rich Cho's Recipe For Improving The Trail Blazers (Quick)

[ABM]

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2010/07/rich_chos_recipe_for_improving.html

The plates of Het Paa Naam Tok and bowls of Tom Saep soup go by, none of them escaping the curious and analytical eye of Rich Cho.

He is at Pok Pok restaurant, looking at his options, trying to figure out what could best satisfy his insatiable appetite for Asian food. He is a newcomer to Portland, hired July 19 as the Trail Blazers general manager, but not surprisingly, he has done his research on Portland cuisine, and has requested a seat at the popular restaurant in Southeast Portland.

Once he is placed amid the bustling and packed restaurant, he is keenly observant. As he talks, he studies from afar the dishes as they leave the kitchen, and as he listens, he scans both chalkboards on opposite walls of the restaurant detailing specials and drink offerings. At one point, he goes as far as to ask the table next to him what dish was just delivered.

He knows his time to order is approaching and he wants to make an informed decision.

It mirrors his reputation as a basketball executive. When he was an assistant general manager under Rick Sund in Seattle, Sund recalls many a time when he asked Cho about acquiring a player on another team. Shortly after, Cho would present him with as many as 10 options on how to acquire that player, each scenario complete with whether he wanted to use one, two or three players to make the acquisition, and the salary cap implications for each scenario.

Research. Options. Input.

It's the Cho way..............................

 

[ABM]

Noteworthy:

"You know, deals aren't easy to make in our league. But I've been involved in a lot of deals over the years, and lot of them happen really fast. Some of them take a long time. Right now, nothing is imminent."

 

[Nikolokolus]

Maybe it's my background in statistics and my job as an analyst, but I find it incredibly comforting to know that we have a process oriented and systematic thinker at the controls, it leads me to believe that he looks at players as sets of skills moreso than people. I'm sure some of you will wrinkle your nose at that and I can understand why, but I think it will pay real dividends to have somebody who is dispassionate and able to look at players as objectively as possible without being blinded by sentimental or emotional attachment.

If he's not making moves my first instinct is that it's because those deals don't meet the bar he's set for a trade, not because he has romantic notions about all of these players being potential future all-stars.

 

[ABM]

If he's not making moves my first instinct is that it's because those deals don't meet the bar he's set for a trade, not because he has romantic notions about all of these players being potential future all-stars.

Let's hope so. We certainly don't want/need an acute case of Pritchslack settling in here.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Maybe he wont waste millions of Paul's money on Euro prospects that could never see an NBA court (Freeland/Koponen) -- a better half of a decade and they're still "seasoning" in Europe.

 

[OddEnormous]

Maybe it's my background in statistics and my job as an analyst, but I find it incredibly comforting to know that we have a process oriented and systematic thinker at the controls, it leads me to believe that he looks at players as sets of skills moreso than people. I'm sure some of you will wrinkle your nose at that and I can understand why, but I think it will pay real dividends to have somebody who is dispassionate and able to look at players as objectively as possible without being blinded by sentimental or emotional attachment.

If he's not making moves my first instinct is that it's because those deals don't meet the bar he's set for a trade, not because he has romantic notions about all of these players being potential future all-stars.

 

[OddEnormous]

he plates of Het Paa Naam Tok and bowls of Tom Saep soup go by, none of them escaping the curious and analytical eye of Rich Cho.

He is at Pok Pok restaurant, looking at his options, trying to figure out what could best satisfy his insatiable appetite for Asian food. He is a newcomer to Portland, hired July 19 as the Trail Blazers general manager, but not surprisingly, he has done his research on Portland cuisine, and has requested a seat at the popular restaurant in Southeast Portland.

Once he is placed amid the bustling and packed restaurant, he is keenly observant. As he talks, he studies from afar the dishes as they leave the kitchen, and as he listens, he scans both chalkboards on opposite walls of the restaurant detailing specials and drink offerings. At one point, he goes as far as to ask the table next to him what dish was just delivered.

He knows his time to order is approaching and he wants to make an informed decision.

It mirrors his reputation as a basketball executive. When he was an assistant general manager under Rick Sund in Seattle, Sund recalls many a time when he asked Cho about acquiring a player on another team. Shortly after, Cho would present him with as many as 10 options on how to acquire that player, each scenario complete with whether he wanted to use one, two or three players to make the acquisition, and the salary cap implications for each scenario.

Research. Options. Input.

It's the Cho way..............................

This proves he's some sort of meticulous genius?

Fucking hell, he just sounds like every woman who's ever gone to a restaurant.

"Oh whats that? Oh what's he having? What are the specials? Oh I can't decide... What's the soup today? OH! WHATS THAT?!?!?!?"

 

[Further]

wow, I found that to be one of the least informative articles ever. Good thing Quick asked Cho if he was a yes man, now we know he's not.

I like the Cho hire, I just don't like that puppy dog essay.

 

[barfo]

This proves he's some sort of meticulous genius?

Fucking hell, he just sounds like every woman who's ever gone to a restaurant.

"Oh whats that? Oh what's he having? What are the specials? Oh I can't decide... What's the soup today? OH! WHATS THAT?!?!?!?"

The alternative in that analogy is the guy who goes into the restaurant and just orders the same thing he always orders.

I'll have a raw power forward, no seasoning. And I'll start with a small forward with the low shooting percentage dressing. And bring me a mess of those undersized point guards.

barfo

 

[BlazerCaravan]

The alternative in that analogy is the guy who goes into the restaurant and just orders the same thing he always orders.

I'll have a raw power forward, no seasoning. And I'll start with a small forward with the low shooting percentage dressing. And bring me a mess of those undersized point guards.

barfo

They're crunchy, and good with assistant coach sauce.

...eww.

 

[barfo]

wow, I found that to be one of the least informative articles ever. Good thing Quick asked Cho if he was a yes man, now we know he's not.

I like the Cho hire, I just don't like that puppy dog essay.

Well, in Quick's defense, all he really had to write about was "I had dinner with Cho and he wouldn't tell me anything". Not exactly a compelling story, and yet the column inches must be filled regardless.

barfo

 

[OddEnormous]

The alternative in that analogy is the guy who goes into the restaurant and just orders the same thing he always orders.

I'll have a raw power forward, no seasoning. And I'll start with a small forward with the low shooting percentage dressing. And bring me a mess of those undersized point guards.

barfo

It's not an analogy. It's just a bunch of bullshit that means nothing except Portland should have possibly interviewed my stepmother.

 

[barfo]

It's not an analogy. It's just a bunch of bullshit

Ok, I was giving your post the benefit of the doubt, but if you say was just a bunch of bullshit I'll have to take your word for it.

barfo

 

[RoyToy]

Maybe it's my background in statistics and my job as an analyst, but I find it incredibly comforting to know that we have a process oriented and systematic thinker at the controls, it leads me to believe that he looks at players as sets of skills moreso than people. I'm sure some of you will wrinkle your nose at that and I can understand why, but I think it will pay real dividends to have somebody who is dispassionate and able to look at players as objectively as possible without being blinded by sentimental or emotional attachment.

If he's not making moves my first instinct is that it's because those deals don't meet the bar he's set for a trade, not because he has romantic notions about all of these players being potential future all-stars.

If we're going by this forum's logic it means he can't get the big deals done. This is what I've been told here, and I assume it will still apply to Cho.

 

[OddEnormous]

Ok, I was giving your post the benefit of the doubt, but if you say was just a bunch of bullshit I'll have to take your word for it.

barfo

Does anyone know if Danny Ainge reads the chalkboards at restaurants?

More importantly, does Daryl Morey?

 

[ironcrotch]

The alternative in that analogy is the guy who goes into the restaurant and just orders the same thing he always orders.

I'll have a raw power forward, no seasoning. And I'll start with a small forward with the low shooting percentage dressing. And bring me a mess of those undersized point guards.

barfo

KKKAAAAHHHNNNNNNNNN

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

"Nothing is imminent".

Oh that's great. I told everyone we had no plan and every single poster on the board told me how I was wrong and we had these trades just waiting to pull the strings on.....

Nice to know, again, I've been fully justified.

On the other hand, starting the season with this team certainly gives us depth at SG. That says something.

 

[barfo]

"Nothing is imminent".

Oh that's great. I told everyone we had no plan and every single poster on the board told me how I was wrong and we had these trades just waiting to pull the strings on.....

Nice to know, again, I've been fully justified.

On the other hand, starting the season with this team certainly gives us depth at SG. That says something.

Before you pat yourself on the back too much, realize that there is a big difference between "no plan" and "nothing is imminent". Not to mention the fact that a GM saying nothing is imminent means absolutely nothing. When have you ever heard a GM say, "yeah, we are about to make a big trade in the next couple of days. Hold onto your shorts."?

barfo

 

[Entity]

Maybe it's my background in statistics and my job as an analyst, but I find it incredibly comforting to know that we have a process oriented and systematic thinker at the controls, it leads me to believe that he looks at players as sets of skills moreso than people. I'm sure some of you will wrinkle your nose at that and I can understand why, but I think it will pay real dividends to have somebody who is dispassionate and able to look at players as objectively as possible without being blinded by sentimental or emotional attachment.

If he's not making moves my first instinct is that it's because those deals don't meet the bar he's set for a trade, not because he has romantic notions about all of these players being potential future all-stars.

I have a similar background and I feel the same way, though I guess it's easy to have bias for our own ways.

 

[MARIS61]

Quote Originally Posted by OddEnormous View Post

This proves he's some sort of meticulous genius?

Fucking hell, he just sounds like every woman who's ever gone to a restaurant.

"Oh whats that? Oh what's he having? What are the specials? Oh I can't decide... What's the soup today? OH! WHATS THAT?!?!?!?"

The alternative in that analogy is the guy who goes into the restaurant and just orders the same thing he always orders.

I'll have a raw power forward, no seasoning. And I'll start with a small forward with the low shooting percentage dressing. And bring me a mess of those undersized point guards.

barfo

Both approaches are shortsighted and lacking in useful info of any detail.

Smart diners ask the Maitre d' or waitress what's good.

 

[barfo]

Both approaches are shortsighted and lacking in useful info of any detail.

Smart diners ask the Maitre d' or waitress what's good.

If you read Quick's story you'll see that Cho did that. So, therefore, Chris Paul will be here soon.

barfo

 

[MikeDC]

Maybe it's my background in statistics and my job as an analyst, but I find it incredibly comforting to know that we have a process oriented and systematic thinker at the controls, it leads me to believe that he looks at players as sets of skills moreso than people. I'm sure some of you will wrinkle your nose at that and I can understand why, but I think it will pay real dividends to have somebody who is dispassionate and able to look at players as objectively as possible without being blinded by sentimental or emotional attachment.

If he's not making moves my first instinct is that it's because those deals don't meet the bar he's set for a trade, not because he has romantic notions about all of these players being potential future all-stars.

I have a similar background and I feel the same way, though I guess it's easy to have bias for our own ways.

I'm kind of similar in background, and while I liked most of the details of the article, I actually didn't like the bit about extremely detailed proposals to his boss. It's all well and good to plan for contingencies, but this seemed kind of overboard to me

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Maybe he wont waste millions of Paul's money on Euro prospects that could never see an NBA court (Freeland/Koponen) -- a better half of a decade and they're still "seasoning" in Europe.

Is "better half" new math for "3/10"? Or maybe the world will end in 3 years, and the next three years are going to be really shitty. Shit, time to stop wasting my life on Blazer discussion boards!

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Fucking hell, he just sounds like every woman who's ever gone to a restaurant.

As if you weren't annoying enough without the tiresome misogyny.

 

[Ed O]

Is "better half" new math for "3/10"? Or maybe the world will end in 3 years, and the next three years are going to be really shitty. Shit, time to stop wasting my life on Blazer discussion boards!

He just misspoke. He meant "better half of the better half of a decade".

EdO.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Before you pat yourself on the back too much, realize that there is a big difference between "no plan" and "nothing is imminent". Not to mention the fact that a GM saying nothing is imminent means absolutely nothing. When have you ever heard a GM say, "yeah, we are about to make a big trade in the next couple of days. Hold onto your shorts."?

barfo

That's right. Quick stated last week a trade would be announced last Monday. Here we are, a week later, and the great "Blazer Insider" not only was dead dog (apologies to owners of Thai restaurants) wrong, but now he states we have no trades to report on at all.

Look, Quick, do what you do best- peeping thru window blinds.

 

[MARIS61]

If you read Quick's story you'll see that Cho did that. So, therefore, Chris Paul will be here soon.

barfo

Of course, I don't read Quick's stuff.

That's what you guys are for.

 

[barfo]

Of course, I don't read Quick's stuff.

That's what you guys are for.

I was wondering what my purpose was. Now I know. I am content at last.

barfo

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

ah soooooooo!

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Well, after reading this I think it even less likely that the Blazers might be rethinking trading Rudy. Two things that he looks for in a player, consistency and playing defense as well as offense, do not seem to be present in Rudy. And I have to wonder if he had been GM would he have drafted guys like Rudy, Sergio and Kopponen, as for all three their defensive potential seems to be limited.