Executive of the Year

by supremepuntiff on Jan 2, 2008 10:20 PM PST

Will Pritchard win it? I had forgotten about the award until I heard it mentioned in conjunction with Pritchard's name. Personally, I think it will go to Danny Ainge, not because of bias, but because he has built a team with surprisingly deep (for what was expected) bench play, and an ultra-cohesive team despite so many new faces and three now or one-time superstars (Ray-Ray is more of just a plain old all-star lately). If 32-50 to a thirteen win streak is amazing, think about going from 24-58 to probably about 65-17 and a possible finals berth. That is not easy, I don't care who you get in trades.

But... I have not paid enough attention to know if surprise is a huge x-factor in the voting, and if Pritchard establishing a ten-year window instead of three years factors in.

List of past winners: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Executive_of_the_Year_Award

Occurrences of note: Jerry and Bryan Colangelo have won a combined 6 EYAs (4-2), all but one coming with the Suns. Phoenix has had a Colangelo win the award at least once a decade since the 1970's, when the award was established, starting with the surprising '75-'76 team (they got to the finals and played in arguably the greatest game ever, a triple overtime affair in game five in Boston).

Pritchard would be the second Blazer to win it, following Bucky Buckwalter in '90-'91.

New York has never had an EYA. Good luck with changing that.

Bryan Colangelo (Phoenix, Toronto), Jerry West (LA, Memphis) and Bob Bass (San Antonio, Charlotte) are the only people to have won the award with different teams.

Stan Kasten is the only executive to win back-to-back awards, doing so with the Hawks in '85-'86 and '86-'87. Remember the name; I have heard he may be a front-runner to replace Bud Selig (Kasten is president of the Washington Nationals, and had been president of the Braves).

Poll

2007-08 Executive of the Year?

Kevin Pritchard

31 votes

Danny Ainge

22 votes

Joe Dumars

0 votes

Other (please specify in the comments)

1 votes

54 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Long season

Even if the Blazers get into the playoffs it will be hard for KP to beat Ainge out for the award. The Celtics would have to fall to middle of the pack in the East and limp into the playoffs and the Blazers run off another long streak and win the NW Division title for KP to even have a chance at winning it.

I will give Ainge credit. I didn't think the rest of the team would come together enough for them to be doing what they are doing. I still wonder if they will be able to do it for the entire year and the playoffs. Not to mention two to three years from now...

by tssbro on Jan 2, 2008 11:15 PM PST reply actions

You have to give it to Kevin McHale

The Celtics might be terrible again in 5 years, but they are 27-3. It appears they will be great for a couple more. I saw a sportscenter stat showing how only the bulls & blazers equaled the 27-3 start.

I wouldn't rather have Danny Ainge or any other GM for this team, but the award has to be Danny's at this point.

by tweener on Jan 2, 2008 11:23 PM PST reply actions

A big factor I forgot to mention

is that Ainge basically yelled "Avengers assemble!" and brought this
team together in a single offseason, while Pritchard's handiwork is more the fruition of at least this year and last year.

I will never waste a beer. There are too many sober kids in India. -Rod Benson

by supremepuntiff on Jan 2, 2008 11:41 PM PST reply actions