Why KP Said "Let It Bake!"

[ABM]

From: The Columbian

No matter how big the stage gets, or how much is on the line, the Portland Trail Blazers keep finding ways to rise to the challenge.

Friday brought yet another example, with the sold-out Rose Garden crowd charged for an epic matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers, playoff implications reaching unexpected levels, and the Western Conference's best team charged up to end its losing streak in Portland.

But once again it was the Blazers — playoff-race rookies — playing like the veteran team, seizing control of the game in the second half and muscling their way to a 106-98 victory — their eighth consecutive win over the Lakers in the Rose Garden...

..."I just think we're starting to mature and believe that we can beat some of these really good teams," said Roy, who had 24 points and eight assists. "It's just a matter of confidence and just learning to play with one another. This is a young team that's finally starting to come together and starting to believe."

That's it right there. Why KP has been patient; Why he didn't make a t-deadline move; Why he said, "We're gonna go to war with the guys we have"; Why the phrase 'let it bake' has become part of his vernacular just about as much as the term 'culture'.

The cake may still be in the oven, but a pleasant aroma is certainly wafting its way throughout the house.

 

[ABM]

As posted in another thread:

Three things stand out:

1) They're good

2) They "genuinely" like/trust each other

3) They're getting more and more experience playing with each other

It's proving to be a successful combination.

As per norm, In KP I Trust!

 

[bigbailes]

AMEN! well said.....LET IT BAKE!

 

[SheedSoNasty]

So, ABM, has the garage been fully cleaned out?

We found a recipe stashed away in an old memory box and decided to make the cake with it.

The analogies have combined!

 

[Ed O]

I don't know that relying on the opinion of a guy who's never been in the playoffs is a very good move.

Not trading may or may not have been wise, but Brandon Roy and every NBA player should have that attitude without it impacting the front office decision-making.

Ed O.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Meh. KP got (50%) lucky. If not for Webster's injury, Batum would have wound up anchored to the end of the bench, and the SF position would still be a big problem going forward. The unlucky part of the equation is at PG, where Bayless is nowhere near ready, and Sergio never will be. Blake's career year has eased the pain....but doesn't solve the problem.

What is with this anti-change phobia?

 

[Ed O]

What is with this anti-change phobia?

I think that some fans get very attached to players that they like, and this team is pretty full of nice guys.

The team has also been improving, so it's possible that some fans don't see how they could improve MORE with the right deals. Or that they don't want to risk what they see in the future by mixing things up.

Further, I think there is a portion of the fanbase that will support the team's moves no matter what they are... including non-moves. ABM, as an example, was very supportive of PatterNash's moves in spite of overwhelming evidence on the court and off of it that the team was being screwed up.

Ed O.

 

[ABM]

I don't know that relying on the opinion of a guy who's never been in the playoffs is a very good move.

Gee, Ed, why not? This team has already surpassed many people's (perhaps, even your own) expectations for this season. Roy has had a huge part in all that has been accomplished. I say dance with the date that brought ya.

That said, I'm certain KP will continue to make the team better....he always does. I mean, he's improved the team each and every year for the past three years. Until that changes, I'm supporting his plan, as well.

 

[Minstrel]

If there wasn't a good deal available, KP should have passed. If there was a good deal, he should have taken it. Since Pritchard has such a good track record, my default assumption is that he made no deals because he saw nothing worth taking. Part of that equation should be the on-court chemistry of the team. Disrupting a comfort level to make a marginal improvement in talent may not be worth it.

In the off-season, though, I think Pritchard will be more aggressive. Mid-season changes can be disruptive. Off-season changes are much less so, as they'll have training camp and preseason to get a comfort level together.

 

[ABM]

Part of that equation should be the on-court chemistry of the team. Disrupting a comfort level to make a marginal improvement in talent may not be worth it.

In the off-season, though, I think Pritchard will be more aggressive. Mid-season changes can be disruptive. Off-season changes are much less so, as they'll have training camp and preseason to get a comfort level together.

+1

KP even said as much about mid-season vs. summer moves/acquisitions.

 

[MARIS61]

As posted in another thread:

Three things stand out:

1) They're good

2) They "genuinely" like/trust each other

3) They're getting more and more experience playing with each other

It's proving to be a successful combination.

As per norm, In KP AND MARIS61 I Trust!

Fixed it for you!

BAKE IT!

 

[Ed O]

Gee, Ed, why not? This team has already surpassed many people's (perhaps, even your own) expectations for this season. Roy has had a huge part in all that has been accomplished. I say dance with the date that brought ya.

Because Brandon Roy isn't qualified to make personnel decisions. He has very little experience in being around winning teams and he has friends that may or may not be the best use of roster spots. He gets paid to play and play well... not to make trades or sign free agents or select draft picks.

Roy is entitled to his opinion and I'm glad that he is positive about the team's direction, but his opinion should NOT be the reason KP makes a move or does not make a move.

Ed O.

 

[ABM]

Roy is entitled to his opinion and I'm glad that he is positive about the team's direction, but his opinion should NOT be the reason KP makes a move or does not make a move.

Ed O.

As it relates to KP, it wasn't Brandon's opinion, Ed, it was my opinion. Truly, though, I think what Brandon related here is partly what KP had in mind when he stated 'let it bake.'

 

[Wheels]

Because Brandon Roy isn't qualified to make personnel decisions. He has very little experience in being around winning teams and he has friends that may or may not be the best use of roster spots. He gets paid to play and play well... not to make trades or sign free agents or select draft picks.

Ed O.

I'm sure the same thing could have been said about KP when he was playing.. or for any GM who was a former player.

 

[Ed O]

I'm sure the same thing could have been said about KP when he was playing.. or for any GM who was a former player.

I'm not sure I follow.

A former player is no longer attached to the current roster a way that a current player is.

And anyone hired as a GM--former player or not--is presumably qualified to make those decisions.

I'm not saying that Roy is less qualified than any other current player... just that current players should have little, if any, say in personnel matters.

Ed O.

 

[Wheels]

I'm not sure I follow.

A former player is no longer attached to the current roster a way that a current player is.

And anyone hired as a GM--former player or not--is presumably qualified to make those decisions.

I'm not saying that Roy is less qualified than any other current player... just that current players should have little, if any, say in personnel matters.

Ed O.

The comment was just more of saying some players have a better Idea of whats needed than other players. Roy may be one of them. Same with KP appearantly.. I guess I was just saying that someone is paid to play not make decisions didnt mean they dont know whats best for the team too.

 

[Nikolokolus]

If there wasn't a good deal available, KP should have passed. If there was a good deal, he should have taken it. Since Pritchard has such a good track record, my default assumption is that he made no deals because he saw nothing worth taking. Part of that equation should be the on-court chemistry of the team. Disrupting a comfort level to make a marginal improvement in talent may not be worth it.

In the off-season, though, I think Pritchard will be more aggressive. Mid-season changes can be disruptive. Off-season changes are much less so, as they'll have training camp and preseason to get a comfort level together.

Absolutely.

That has been KP's MO since he took the job and I don't expect to see that change -- especially this off-season, since it will truly be the last time for many years to come that he'll have enough cap flexibility to make some decent free agent signings or some aggressive lopsided deals.

I absolutely love this team and most of the guys on the roster, but I also understand that some consolidation probably needs to take place in order to pare down some of the redundant 'decent' players (too many guys log jammed at the small forward and point guard positions in particular) , and also the playoffs are probably going to reveal holes you just don't see in the regular season.

I really think we've started to take for granted just how unusual it is for a team to play ten or eleven deep, and I expect that with salaries increasing for Roy, Aldridge, Oden, etc. over the years, the team is going to want to maximize their bang for the buck by ceasing to pay guys 3-5 million a year to sit on the bench and play cheerleader or practice dummy. You still want some depth in case of injury, but not 13 or 14 rotation ready players.