The Portland Trail Blazers 2017 Exit Interview (The Ringer)

[illmatic99]

It was hilarious! "Come on I can't make Nurk shoot threes--the Portland fans would say 'Oh great...we finally get a center and this Stotts guy has him shooting threes jeez" hahaha

Edit: I thought it was interesting that Stotts talked about Nurk including the three eventually in his game but right now he wants him to focus on what he's good at in the post. Why didn't we do that with Meyers then?! We just decided to throw him on the three line because he has a good shot.

Think it was a Meyers decision. Or Terry is learning. Would you look at that? These guys do change

 

[illmatic99]

“I look at it like we are really blessed and lucky to have Dame and CJ, understanding it does present some challenges on the defensive end,’’ Olshey said. “So it’s my job, and the job of guys on my staff, that we support them and make them less vulnerable when they share the floor together.’’

I can dig it

 

[riverman]

I like that Olshey mentioned they hadn't probably given Meyers the help he needs...maybe they'll hire that big man coach..maybe it'll be Kaman

 

[Nikolokolus]

I like that Olshey mentioned they hadn't probably given Meyers the help he needs...maybe they'll hire that big man coach..maybe it'll be Kaman

Fuck it, why not? He probably knows he'll be next to impossible to move, so he sees him as a sunk cost. What would a special assistant cost them per year? A million? 500K? Might as well try.

 

[Scalma]

I like that Olshey mentioned they hadn't probably given Meyers the help he needs...maybe they'll hire that big man coach..maybe it'll be Kaman

He said today he would love to have Kaman on staff but that Kaman isn't interested in coaching. I never saw Kaman as a coach. He's got other interests.

 

[riverman]

Fuck it, why not? He probably knows he'll be next to impossible to move, so he sees him as a sunk cost. What would a special assistant cost them per year? A million? 500K? Might as well try.

I'd consider Sheed...smart post player also a 3 pt shooter with a quicker release

 

[Nikolokolus]

I'd consider Sheed...smart post player also a 3 pt shooter with a quicker release

Does Sheed have any interest in coaching?

 

[riverman]

Does Sheed have any interest in coaching?

he mentored Dwight Howard in the off season back when Howard was in Orlando and has worked with guys...he's got great footwork and timing...something a kid like Meyers needs to learn.

 

[Chris Craig]

I thought Meyers was playing with an injured hip and back issues...suddenly he is healthy?

 

[Dougnsalem]

I thought Meyers was playing with an injured hip and back issues...suddenly he is healthy?

Well, yeah. It's vacation time! (only "a week or two" though.) Guess we'll see....

 

[THE HCP]

Serious question- does he have a choice? I'd MAKE his ass go....

League's collective bargaining agreement I believe says he doesn't have to because they aren't actual league games. That said, wonder how they differ from pre season games?

 

[THE HCP]

Does Sheed have any interest in coaching?

He was on the Pistons staff I want to say 3 or so years ago. Not for long though.

 

[Chris Craig]

Does Sheed have any interest in coaching?

He'd give the refs hell once again, do the dirty work for Stotts. Though Stotts needs to stop being the officials bitch, and sound off once in a while to build son respect.

 

[Dougnsalem]

League's collective bargaining agreement I believe says he doesn't have to because they aren't actual league games. That said, wonder how they differ from pre season games?

And that's a good question. I know zilch about the CBA. That could be interesting to dig around and find out though....

Edit: Especially when the coach is saying the Leonard mainly needs playing time during the summer. What is Leonard actually obligated to do, and what extra is he willing to do on his own.

 

[GDiama]

Scalma and Ukrainefan, you are missing the meaning that I see in Meyers interview. He is clearly sensitive to the barrage of negative vibes that he is getting and is reflecting the truth that basketball is a game of confidence. What Meyers is missing is that zoning in that he has shown in earlier years when making 40% or more of swish3s, screening with excellence, and sharp passing. Both Dame and Meyers stated that feeling the confidence (which is what they mean when talking about getting the feel or getting the rhythm) is needed for optimum success. Yes, Meyers is stating some opposites, especially when he says that the criticism by fans is not a factor. "I could care less" is an opposite platitude. I think he says that because he hopes that saying this might decrease the negatives that he will receive.

What Dame, CJ, Allen, Noah, Chief, or any of the Blazers must feel as a major negative force against their performance is the kind of criticism that is showing in this forum. The negative vibrations of being booed that we saw in the game 4 playoff are hard to overstate. What all of the Blazers need is the feeling of fan support for the positives that they accomplish to play their best. When a player shoots with that "in the zone" feeling (or rhythm) based on confidence in what he can do for the team, you see the kind of success so vividly demonstrated by Curry, Durant, Thompson, and Green for the Warriors. When a player shoots with the haunting sounds of boos from his home court fans, the elements of fear negate that feeling of excellence and lead to missed attempts.

If you listen to the Dame and Meyers interviews carefully, you can see why it is important to provide these guys with confidence that leads to success. IMO, choosing to boo and to post condemning comments about Blazers is just destructive behavior. To make progress, I suggest that we look for ways to boost Blazer confidence, bringing more success with swish3s, screens, ball movement, defense, and wins next season.

If some posts and this booing is making Leonard play like shit then i cannot wait for him to come over here, Europe. He ll cry after every game.

 

[Scalma]

I thought Meyers was playing with an injured hip and back issues...suddenly he is healthy?

Shhhhhhh

 

[TBpup]

Meyers basically said that the Blazers don't support him enough. He is practically crying.

They drafted him AND gave him a 4 years extension. How much support does he want? Softness personified.

Agreed. Might be a good thing though. Come back hungry next year.

For once, can they start better instead of being so bad early and then needing a hot streak at the end?

 

[Mediocre Man]

I know Olshey keeps everything secret, but man, that sounded like Fabio might be back

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I know Olshey keeps everything secret, but man, that sounded like Fabio might be back

Every NBA GM has an AMC Pacer on blocks in their back yard.

 

[Scalma]

Scalma and Ukrainefan, you are missing the meaning that I see in Meyers interview. He is clearly sensitive to the barrage of negative vibes that he is getting and is reflecting the truth that basketball is a game of confidence. What Meyers is missing is that zoning in that he has shown in earlier years when making 40% or more of swish3s, screening with excellence, and sharp passing. Both Dame and Meyers stated that feeling the confidence (which is what they mean when talking about getting the feel or getting the rhythm) is needed for optimum success. Yes, Meyers is stating some opposites, especially when he says that the criticism by fans is not a factor. "I could care less" is an opposite platitude. I think he says that because he hopes that saying this might decrease the negatives that he will receive.

What Dame, CJ, Allen, Noah, Chief, or any of the Blazers must feel as a major negative force against their performance is the kind of criticism that is showing in this forum. The negative vibrations of being booed that we saw in the game 4 playoff are hard to overstate. What all of the Blazers need is the feeling of fan support for the positives that they accomplish to play their best. When a player shoots with that "in the zone" feeling (or rhythm) based on confidence in what he can do for the team, you see the kind of success so vividly demonstrated by Curry, Durant, Thompson, and Green for the Warriors. When a player shoots with the haunting sounds of boos from his home court fans, the elements of fear negate that feeling of excellence and lead to missed attempts.

If you listen to the Dame and Meyers interviews carefully, you can see why it is important to provide these guys with confidence that leads to success. IMO, choosing to boo and to post condemning comments about Blazers is just destructive behavior. To make progress, I suggest that we look for ways to boost Blazer confidence, bringing more success with swish3s, screens, ball movement, defense, and wins next season.

Two questions for you.

1. Are you Meyers Leonards wife?

2. Are you Meyers Leonard?

 

[Hobbesarable]

I'd consider Sheed...smart post player also a 3 pt shooter with a quicker release

And he would absolutely shatter what's left of Meyers confidence when he throws a towel in his face!

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Olshey isn't the type to let anyone in on what he's doing. I can't think of any deal he's made where we weren't caught off guard as a fan base.

I hope no Blazer fans thought he'd go to the exit interview saying we were going to be making some wholesale changes.

Yeh, I didn't get any indication from the interview that would make me think he is not still searching for a really good player to add.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

All the exit interview videos are now on Trail Blazers website.

http://www.nba.com/blazers/?tmd=1

 

[swish3]

Two questions for you.

1. Are you Meyers Leonards wife?

2. Are you Meyers Leonard?

Scalma, no to both.

As a Blazer fan, I see that in the face of negative comments it is appropriate to defend this Blazer and look for ways to improve results. As a Blazer fan, don't you recognize the value of finding and cheering all accomplishments as important? While you have your opinion that contrasts with mine, why can't we find ways to encourage every Blazer and enhance winning?

 

[Scalma]

Scalma, no to both.

As a Blazer fan, I see that in the face of negative comments it is appropriate to defend this Blazer and look for ways to improve results. As a Blazer fan, don't you recognize the value of finding and cheering all accomplishments as important? While you have your opinion that contrasts with mine, why can't we find ways to encourage every Blazer and enhance winning?

I've defended/stayed patient with Meyers more than say, the average, more realistic fan might have, and I do see his value when he's at his "best" but it's been 5 years with little to no development and at this point, I'm past encouragment, and just want the experiment to end. It's literally in everyone's best interest.

 

[SIeepwalker]

Two questions for you.

1. Are you Meyers Leonards wife?

2. Are you Meyers Leonard?

3. Are you Meyers Leonard's dog ?

 

[Voodoo]

3. Are you Meyers Leonard's dog ?

Careful, don't get SlyPokerDog jealous, he's always wanted to be Meyers Legends dog.

 

[BonesJones]

I've defended/stayed patient with Meyers more than say, the average, more realistic fan might have, and I do see his value when he's at his "best" but it's been 5 years with little to no development and at this point, I'm past encouragment, and just want the experiment to end. It's literally in everyone's best interest.

This is me too. I was defending him to out-of-line insults all of last year, and I'm just done with the dude. 4-year projects are frowned upon. He's a 5-year project that has gotten worse.

 

[SIeepwalker]

Also how about you stop with the dumb font ?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Also how about you stop with the dumb font ?

No--it's important that swish3's posts are easily identifiable without even looking to the left. That font is wonderful.