Rich Eisen’s Advice for Trail Blazers Guard Damian Lillard

[SlyPokerDog]

Sounds to me like Neil Olshey is the new Whipping Post.

Where does the buck stop?

 

[Hoopguru]

Where does the buck stop?

Jody

 

[Phatguysrule]

I've said this before ... there's no reason some really good players wouldn't want to come to Portland. Almost every player that's played for the Blazers has good things to say about the city and community. I just don't think Olshey understands the charm of the city to be able to pitch the advantages. Like someone said in the thread about Olshey's presser ... he's a New York guy, not a West Coast guy. I just think he thinks of what would appeal to him and he can't find anything in Portland that appeals to him. You can't pitch what you don't understand.

History disagrees with you. We can NOT rely on players wanting to come here. They may love it once they get here, but they will not choose it over other markets, all things being equal, having never lived here.

 

[riverman]

The job is probably unattractive because of Neil asshey. Dude sounds like a nightmare to work with.

Didn't take long for the next target I see... the guy who just fired the guy you've hated for years is now hard to work with? Why would you think that? Because he doesn't feed the media his roster plan details before they are implemented? I think he's a pretty smart guy when it comes to keeping a good impression of The Blazers public for maybe making us more of a free agent destination or place where agents want to place their clients...it's his job to do that...I like that he checks the media vitriol in a split second...(Popovich does that all the time)....when asked about trading players under contract I respect his flat out refusal to float rumors...my biggest impression about Neil around here is that folks don't like his acting in soap operas or his haircut. If he fails at the coaching hire, they'll probably question his duration here but I don't sense that at all today. Every GM has hits and misses....Neil is just never going to be trader Bob

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Didn't take long for the next target I see... the guy who just fired the guy you've hated for years is now hard to work with? Why would you think that? Because he doesn't feed the media his roster plan details before they are implemented? I think he's a pretty smart guy when it comes to keeping a good impression of The Blazers public for maybe making us more of a free agent destination or place where agents want to place their clients...it's his job to do that...I like that he checks the media vitriol in a split second.....when asked about trading players under contract I respect his flat out refusal to float rumors...my biggest impression about Neil around here is that folks don't like his acting in soap operas or his haircut. If he fails at the coaching hire, they'll probably question his duration here but I don't sense that at all today.

Where would you rank Olshey in the NBA as a GM?

Is this roster better today then the one he had when he became GM?

Are we close to being a championship contender?

 

[wizenheimer]

Sounds to me like Neil Olshey is the new Whipping Post.

you're the 2nd person to say something like that so I'd like you to point to posters who are criticizing Olshey today who never criticized him before

I've been slamming him since the Aldridge team fell apart in 2015. I've got a decent memory and the people here I've seen gouging him the last 24 hours have been doing so for multiple seasons.

now, there might be a couple of posters so disgusted by the way Olshey threw Stotts under the bus yesterday, they have joined to Olshey-sucks choir, but I'm not sure who they are

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I'll answer!

Where would you rank Olshey in the NBA as a GM?

15-20. Not the worst, not better than half the GMs in the league. With the challenges of a small market franchise I think you need a top 5 GM to be a championship contender. That ain't Olshey.

Is this roster better today then the one he had when he became GM?

We're better at PG and Center. Tie at SG. Worse at SF and PF. So it's a tie. After nine years the roster is not better, not worse, treading water.

Are we close to being a championship contender?

No.

So he's an average GM at best. I think you can be a poor to average GM for the Lakers and see results. Doesn't work for a small market team.

Time for an upgrade!

 

[julius]

Didn't take long for the next target I see... the guy who just fired the guy you've hated for years is now hard to work with? Why would you think that? Because he doesn't feed the media his roster plan details before they are implemented? I think he's a pretty smart guy when it comes to keeping a good impression of The Blazers public for maybe making us more of a free agent destination or place where agents want to place their clients...it's his job to do that...I like that he checks the media vitriol in a split second...(Popovich does that all the time)....when asked about trading players under contract I respect his flat out refusal to float rumors...my biggest impression about Neil around here is that folks don't like his acting in soap operas or his haircut. If he fails at the coaching hire, they'll probably question his duration here but I don't sense that at all today. Every GM has hits and misses....Neil is just never going to be trader Bob

I'm not the biggest Olshey fan, but I think fans are too short attention span at times. They bitch that he ended the LMA teams (though you could argue that A: LMA leaving was the real reason and B: that team had peaked), and then they bitch at who he brought in (admittedly, they were odd choices) but bitched when he broke up that team. Then were excited when he brought in players that actually filled needs (defensive minded wings and decent shooters) and then bitched at him when the coach buried one of them and refused to make any kind of adjustments in the middle of the games (that has to be Neils fault, amiright?).

And the same people will bitch that he didn't bring in superstars as if all it takes is the Blazers wanting them for them to play for the Blazers, nor has there been a long history of them wanting to play for the Blazers over the last 51 seasons (curse you Neil! How could you not have gotten any superstars to play on the 2006 Blazers!!).

I think the biggest issue is that the GM (and imho, the ownership group) and the coach were never really on the same page as to what the teams direction should've been (based on the limitations of what they could trade for/sign, etc). Some bad draft picks were made, some good ones were made. Some players were passed over who probably wouldn't have gotten the same opportunities they got in their current teams.

But it's Stotts who decides who plays, it's Stotts who decides who randomly goes in the doghouse. It's Stotts who decides who can shoot as many times as they want independent of how they're shooting or how their teammates are playing (no one outside of Damian should be given the green light). It's Stotts who couldn't make in game adjustements. It's stotts who would shoe-horn players into roles that didn't suit their talents.

 

[wizenheimer]

Didn't take long for the next target I see.

I'm sorry but apparently this is the new fairy tale

it's on you to point out specific posters who are criticizing Olshey now who haven't before yesterday. If you can't, then it's just a straw man

what is true is that there is a 'speak-no-evil' sub-set here who will go after posters who speak that evil without substantively addressing the evil they are speaking of

 

[riverman]

Where would you rank Olshey in the NBA as a GM?

Is this roster better today then the one he had when he became GM?

Are we close to being a championship contender?

Impossible to answer that until he's hired a new coach in my view....I think there are clearly 4 or 5 better GMs in the league that won't be available for Portland even if I wanted them....I think Jerry West is the best there is...Masai Ujiri number two...I don't think Neil has built a contender yet but I think the roster is better than when he took over....the starting core of Lamarcus, Wes, Nico had been together before Neil got here so that would've been the best starting unit until Wes got hurt...Neil had injury bad luck with Pau Gasol and Festus Ezili and then Zach and Nurk.....I think we'd have been much better with Zach backing up Nurk than Enes but this version of our roster has the deeper 3rd string than we've had in Neil's time.. If we were a contender now we wouldn't have fired Terry......Rodney Hood, Zach, Nurk and CJ being injured this season sucked the chemistry out of the staring lineup from early in the season....Rodney didn't come back to form and Zach didn't get to play a game.....I was banking on next season with fans and a training camp to see what this roster could do with some chemistry....Norm joined the team on the road and barely sniffed Portland or the fans.....I also think the lack of fans affected our home game energy alot more than we think....we were the last team to allow fans to attend games.....Nurk fed off fans and he isn't the same player with canned applause and empty gyms...our problems with being a contender go way beyond Neil's handling of the roster...Terry desperately tried to find a core identity and had to plug in bench players pretty much his whole tenure here

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Neil had injury bad luck with Pau Gasol and Festus Ezili

Weren't both of them were signed injured? Not sure if luck had anything to do with it.

 

[Hoopguru]

The NBA is a good oh boy club for coaches and GM's. Terry will end up in a decent situation as he's highly respected around the league. And there is emphasis on offense now a days just ask Milwaukee.
Neil also, will eventually move on from Portland.

 

[riverman]

I'm sorry but apparently this is the new fairy tale

it's on you to point out specific posters who are criticizing Olshey now who haven't before yesterday. If you can't, then it's just a straw man

what is true is that there is a 'speak-no-evil' sub-set here who will go after posters who speak that evil without substantively addressing the evil they are speaking of

I'm not going after anybody...I know your stance already and I address my opinions clearly...you're welcome to not agree with them...for the record....I think negative affirmations are a bad habit that some folks thrive on practicing...but that's just me. I like Stren...we've actually been friends here for years and we can talk about the Blazers and disagree...I don't need to point out specific posters to you for any reason at all....I was replying to Stren's post ...can't remember the last time I replied to yours until just now.....you and I don't enjoy the team in the same way in my view....you do you. This is a forum of public opinion...you can see it as a "fairy tale" if that makes you feel like the moneyball whisperer...enjoy it. I don't have a problem with Terry or Neil or Jody ...lots of people do. If you want to "speak some evil" around here knock yourself out...just don't engage me in it and we're good.

 

[riverman]

Weren't both of them were signed injured? Not sure if luck had anything to do with it.

It's not just those two guys but yeah....I think we've suffered bad injury luck for decades....I'm used to it....apparently our medical staff thought they would both be able to play backup roles that season and they both had setbacks....bad luck...Nurk...bad luck...Zach....bad luck....Neil signed all those guys so as he said....he's had some big hits and big misses....all GMs do

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I'm sorry but apparently this is the new fairy tale

it's on you to point out specific posters who are criticizing Olshey now who haven't before yesterday. If you can't, then it's just a straw man

what is true is that there is a 'speak-no-evil' sub-set here who will go after posters who speak that evil without substantively addressing the evil they are speaking of

Riverman doesn't really go after people. So wouldn't that be a straw man?

 

[wizenheimer]

Riverman doesn't really go after people. So wouldn't that be a straw man?

you're right....sorry Riverman

but the notion that criticisms of Olshey are a new phenomenon sure do ignore the history around here.

 

[riverman]

You play how you practice. Stotts let's a lot of crap go unchecked all season long.
You cant just flip a switch and play differently for sustained periods.

Actually I think we flipped that switch from quarter to quarter and game to game....Stotts addressed that inconsistency as did the players after losses...and there was no practice on the road for this team....the problem in my view was 3 pt shooting slumps leading to fast break pts for the other team and turning the ball over until we were hesitant to pass fearing another turnover...we literally died by the 3pt shot....and other teams are catching up when it comes to the 3 pt party...defense. improves when it's set and you can play with a lead.....trying to play catchup takes a ton of energy, forces more deep shots and longer rebounds....have to make shots to win in the modern game...and more than 2 guys need to do that. For our team to contend they could not endure shooting slumps like they seemed to have patches of.

 

[riverman]

I'll answer!



15-20. Not the worst, not better than half the GMs in the league. With the challenges of a small market franchise I think you need a top 5 GM to be a championship contender. That ain't Olshey.



We're better at PG and Center. Tie at SG. Worse at SF and PF. So it's a tie. After nine years the roster is not better, not worse, treading water.



No.

So he's an average GM at best. I think you can be a poor to average GM for the Lakers and see results. Doesn't work for a small market team.

Time for an upgrade!

gotta love people answering their own questions.....I answered it in case you missed it....I think there are 4 or 5 much better GMs in the league....but none of them are available to the Blazers ...you rank Neil probably half a dozen spots lower than I would.

 

[riverman]

.sorry Riverman

No problem...

 

[Hoopguru]

Actually I think we flipped that switch from quarter to quarter and game to game....Stotts addressed that inconsistency as did the players after losses...and there was no practice on the road for this team....the problem in my view was 3 pt shooting slumps leading to fast break pts for the other team and turning the ball over until we were hesitant to pass fearing another turnover...we literally died by the 3pt shot....and other teams are catching up when it comes to the 3 pt party...defense. improves when it's set and you can play with a lead.....trying to play catchup takes a ton of energy, forces more deep shots and longer rebounds....have to make shots to win in the modern game...and more than 2 guys need to do that. For our team to contend they could not endure shooting slumps like they seemed to have patches of.

Milwaukee is toast unless they can shoot three's. They are a decent defensive team but of they get behind that D is not as effective. Giannis isnt that great of a shooter from deep and at the FT line. Seems his strength is on fast breaks and in the post but he doesnt spend much time in the post.
Atlanta will be a problem for Philly all series because of the three ball.
I agree that Portland died mostly because of the three.

 

[PCmor7]

History disagrees with you. We can NOT rely on players wanting to come here. They may love it once they get here, but they will not choose it over other markets, all things being equal, having never lived here.

You act like progress never happens and NBA players are a monolithic block that all think the same things and have the same likes and dislikes. I suspect neither of those is the case.

 

[Fairly-Hard]

you're the 2nd person to say something like that so I'd like you to point to posters who are criticizing Olshey today who never criticized him before

I've been slamming him since the Aldridge team fell apart in 2015. I've got a decent memory and the people here I've seen gouging him the last 24 hours have been doing so for multiple seasons.

now, there might be a couple of posters so disgusted by the way Olshey threw Stotts under the bus yesterday, they have joined to Olshey-sucks choir, but I'm not sure who they are

Plenty wanted Olshey gone as well but it is without question Stotts was the whipping boy this season. At least it wasn’t Melo again or Meyers Leonard.
This year it will be Olshey it looks like. I’m good with that.
CJ might be a close runner up if still here.
If Nurk gets injured we can expect a trade Nurk thread I’m sure.

 

[riverman]

I was a huge Stotts fan but Neil Olshey I'm not attached to at all....I'd rather have Jerry West but that's just wishful thinking....I did like Neil's last press conference much more than I thought I would..fact is if he doesn't hit a home run with the coaching hire and roster this offseason he'll probably be replaced.....those guys are all salesmen...folks should understand that by now...the "suits"

 

[Phatguysrule]

You act like progress never happens and NBA players are a monolithic block that all think the same things and have the same likes and dislikes. I suspect neither of those is the case.

Putting our hopes in free agency is a surefire way to be disappointed if you're Portland, and most other small market teams.

Been there, done that. Not interested in doing that again.

 

[Blazerreynolds]

I don't understand the need to trade CJ......CJ is not bringing back a true blue superstar....which is what it would take.....

Bringing in a Jaylen Brown is not realistic, nor will really help......

Who out there is helping us beat LAL, DEN, LAC or the Nets??? Otherwise, we spending money to go to the conference finals. We are in the same boat as Dallas,Bucks,Pelicans, etc....One great player, that other great players have no interest in playing with.

 

[Blazerreynolds]

Putting our hopes in free agency is a surefire way to be disappointed if you're Portland, and most other small market teams.

Been there, done that. Not interested in doing that again.

Nobody is interested in playing in CHI, BOS, DAL HOU, TOR, or the NYK to be fair

 

[blazerkor]

I don't understand the need to trade CJ......CJ is not bringing back a true blue superstar....which is what it would take.....

Bringing in a Jaylen Brown is not realistic, nor will really help......

Who out there is helping us beat LAL, DEN, LAC or the Nets??? Otherwise, we spending money to go to the conference finals. We are in the same boat as Dallas,Bucks,Pelicans, etc....One great player, that other great players have no interest in playing with.

We trade CJ to get a better fit for the team, to keep Norm and to finally stop the lunacy that is the Dame/CJ back court (two guys who need the ball to be their best and are really bad defenders).

 

[Phatguysrule]

Nobody is interested in playing in CHI, BOS, DAL HOU, TOR, or the NYK to be fair

They are far more interested in playing at most of those locations than in Portland.

 

[Shaboid]

More Rich Eisen. Obviously I think the pair would be better on the Blazers.

 

[PCmor7]

More Rich Eisen. Obviously I think the pair would be better on the Blazers.

Actually was just thinking about this when I watched Giannis try to carry the Bucks the other night the way Dame tries to carry the Blazers.