Poll: Who get's fired first, Pritchard or McMillan?

by hotstuffdb22 on Mar 3, 2008 4:40 PM PST

There seems to be a lot of stirring these days in the media between the Blazer front office and the coaching staff. The point guard situation and recent rumors seem to be stirring the organization and the community. The NBA has never figured out this dilemma of how the front office is to get along with the coaching staff. How long will the current front office and coaching staff survive? Is the "Jerry Sloan" era over? Could Sarge handle a GM/Coach position?

Let's face it, multibillionaire Paul Allen isn't going to invest his money to a youth development program that lasts the next 20 years. Yes, championships could be in order, but they may not be. Allen himself, is likely to think of this very question, or perhaps read it for the first time, on this blog.

The ultimate question is, who get's canned first, McMillan or Pritchard? No business marriage lasts forever, it's gonna end, but who first?

Poll

Who gets canned first, McMillan or Pritchard?

Kevin Pritchard

7 votes

Nate McMillan

110 votes

117 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 41 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

I don't this is even an issue right now.

The NBA, where Von Wafer happens

by JTDuck22 on Mar 3, 2008 4:46 PM PST reply actions

I agree.

by annthefan on Mar 3, 2008 4:51 PM PST up reply actions

Job security is

always an issue in the NBA... I never said McMillan or Pritchard would be canned right away, but I'm merely probing who people think would go first.

by hotstuffdb22 on Mar 3, 2008 5:02 PM PST up reply actions

the chicken

no... the egg...

no... the rooster.

Team OK just has to say that we'll take the lead with no delay. We have the players to keep the pace and in the end we'll win the race.

by ratbastird on Mar 3, 2008 8:46 PM PST up reply actions

3-4 years from now???

Geez!

by 92wastheyear on Mar 3, 2008 4:50 PM PST reply actions

Nate and KP will quit together

In 2030. They'll have run out of championship trophy space on their mantles. Their new gig will be travelling around the country together-- giving lectures on management teamwork to business groups.

"Ime caught the guy in mid-air with a fist and calmly continued his dispatching of oncoming people." -Gabe Muoneke

by hurryup09 on Mar 3, 2008 5:02 PM PST reply actions

By 2030

we'll need a new draft pick... I bet Oden is full time television analyst by then...

by hotstuffdb22 on Mar 3, 2008 5:07 PM PST up reply actions

Or the Governor

by Blazermaniac77 on Mar 3, 2008 7:55 PM PST up reply actions

His son will be that draft pick

"Ime caught the guy in mid-air with a fist and calmly continued his dispatching of oncoming people." -Gabe Muoneke

by hurryup09 on Mar 4, 2008 10:11 AM PST up reply actions

Don't you mean his grandson?

Oden's son should be a sophomore in college right about now. :)

by EngineerScotty on Mar 4, 2008 10:45 AM PST up reply actions

I voted "Nate"...

...but only because GMs have a longer lifespan in the NBA than do coaches.

I don't see the departure of either anytime soon--unless it's for a better job elsewhere. And 'taint many of those.

by EngineerScotty on Mar 3, 2008 5:08 PM PST reply actions

Me too

Also Nate wasn't a KP hire. I mostly voted just to see the results.

"This reminds me of my father's last words: 'Don't son, that gun is loaded!'" - Chains from the greatest movie ever, Stone Cold (1991)

by tominhawaii on Mar 3, 2008 5:16 PM PST up reply actions

Another vote for the lesser of two evils. Sigh.

by annthefan on Mar 3, 2008 5:23 PM PST up reply actions

It's far more interesting to vote for...

the greater of two evils. Then you can sit back, watch the disaster happen and say proudly, "I was a part of that!"

"I could see that, if not actually disgruntled, he was far from being gruntled." -P.G. Wodehouse

by T Darkstar on Mar 3, 2008 6:12 PM PST up reply actions

Good old Pelham. I love that guy.

by annthefan on Mar 3, 2008 6:51 PM PST up reply actions

You can just click on the results link

by Section323 on Mar 3, 2008 5:34 PM PST up reply actions

Really?

I always vote for junk, If I don't care about the results. I wish I learned that a long time ago.

"This reminds me of my father's last words: 'Don't son, that gun is loaded!'" - Chains from the greatest movie ever, Stone Cold (1991)

by tominhawaii on Mar 3, 2008 5:38 PM PST up reply actions

It's not true on a lot of sites

but since BE is the best site ever, it works.

by Section323 on Mar 3, 2008 5:41 PM PST up reply actions

Also thanks from me

for that info. Thee are a number of polls I don't vote on because I think they are lame, but still am sometimes curious enough to wonder if and what others are voting.

Cool!

by TwoDeep on Mar 3, 2008 9:11 PM PST up reply actions

Now that states are going to electronic voting

you can also do the same with elections. Saves the time of filling out the ballot.

by timg56 on Mar 4, 2008 2:52 PM PST up reply actions

not an issue now

but you have to say mcmillan would go first if anyone. KP has put together this team and more than bought himself some breathing room for awhile. he's flat out made brilliant moves. i'd say he's iron clad as GM for at LEAST five years. now, it's up to nate to position the pieces of the puzzle and i'm sure he's got at least two to three more years to get it all figured out. by then we should be pushing for the conference title.

fateorfortune.net // support independent music!

by avalonzero on Mar 3, 2008 5:42 PM PST reply actions

This is a goofy poll

It is like voting for who will die first, Zack or Cody? (for those of you without kids, they are 12 year twins on the Disney channel show "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody")

by 92wastheyear on Mar 3, 2008 6:21 PM PST reply actions

Both

It'll be a coke-induced murder-suicide pact (Zack & Cody, not Nate & KP).

by DonkeyShins on Mar 4, 2008 11:38 AM PST up reply actions

I voted Pritchard

Right now, his fate is inextricably linked with Oden's. If the big guy's health prevents him from fully realizing his potential and if Durant goes on to be the superstar many project him to be, the Bowie/Jordan narrative will re-emerge with a renewed vigor. Allen will need a fall guy; Pritchard will be it.

Unfair? Most definitely. But as the public face of the biggest draft day decision in the last decade or so, it also comes with the territory.

McMillan on the other hand, has generated nothing but positive PR for the franchise since he came on board. First, there was the much ballyhooed, high-profile signing of "Mr Sonic" from right under Seattle's nose. That gave the Blazers a real shot in the arm at a time when its fortunes were looking rather moribund. There is also his work as a Team USA coach for which he has garnered high praise from some of the game's biggest stars.

Like him or not, McMillan is highly respected around the league and, as a coach, commands a much higher public profile than a GM. Although Pritchard is arguably the one more responsible for the removal of the "Jail Blazer" stigma, McMillan is the real public face of the new-look Blazers. Firing him would generate a heap of negative publicity and would threaten to undermine the team's newfound positive image. Nate would really have to screw up royally for that to happen.

Ultimately, the correct answer to this poll all hinges on Oden. Having already proven that he can get his team to win without Oden in the lineup, McMillan will be given a pass if Greg is injury prone or otherwise underachieves. Pritchard, on the other hand, will be the the one blamed if the team struggles as a result of a sub-par Oden. But if #52 goes on to enjoy the Hall of Fame career that many have predicted, both McMillan and Pritchard will grow very old and very happy together.

by knickfan on Mar 3, 2008 7:12 PM PST reply actions

You might be right about KP being linked to Oden

I really hope he is not, because KP has done some spectacular things. Personally, I will forever remember the Aldridge/Roy draft. KP got the two best players out of that draft and went into that day with only a #4 pick. He managed to turn Veektor, Telfair, Theo, the #4 pick, and PA's $$$ into Aldridge, Roy, and Sergio. Thats magic...

Rudy > MJ

by myemic23 on Mar 3, 2008 8:58 PM PST up reply actions

True .... but if media

reports were correct Nate was pushing for Oden while KP was leaning toward Durant. If so, Paul Allen is certainly aware of that situation. Also, supposedly P.A. too was strongly pushing for Oden.

It stands to reason if KP simply got out-voted, his job would not likely be jepardized if Oden ends up a medical mess.

by TwoDeep on Mar 3, 2008 9:06 PM PST up reply actions

And if Oden is good

and we don't win it all within four years, Nate becomes the fall guy.

I don't think you've proved anything.

I didn't vote. Who could know what will happen?

Probably, after Roy retires with 14 straight championships, 12 of which he will have been Finals MVP, Nate will be kicked upstairs as coach emeritus, Roy will become the coach, and KP will go on making draft day trades and wearing his pink tie to games for as long as John Wooden has been attending Bruin games.

I say probably, because this is not certain. Because of Roy's occasional health problems, he might have to settle for 13 championships and only 10 Finals MVP trophies. If his longevity is better than expected, he may exceed these numbers. But as a realistic fan, I must avoid excessive optimism or pessimism, and deal in probabilities. I'm sure you understand.

I'm frequently right, but always certain

by jscot on Mar 4, 2008 6:58 AM PST up reply actions

Pritch isn't going any where.

I think Pritchard will be sitting next to Paul Allen for a very long time. They are both computer nerds who speak the same language (probably Klingon).

I wouldn't be surprised to see Pritchard some day being director of Sports Management for all of Vulcan Incorporates sport businesses like the Sporting News, Seahawks, Blazers, Seattle new soccer franchise, the Rose Garden and what ever else he has by then (there has been talk about acquiring the Southampton Saints which I'm sure would help them get back in to the English Premier League).

K.P. has also been working on the money ball computer program which I'm sure has Allen all exited.

Don't forget how loyal Allen was to Whitsit, no reason to think he wouldn't be the same with Pritchard.

by Blazermaniac77 on Mar 3, 2008 8:19 PM PST reply actions

Hello

KP will not be the fall guy if Oden is injury prone. That's just dumb. KP has done a fantastic job. The Jail Blazer era is over. He got Roy and LA in the same draft. He's got great young talent. Rudy is ours and we're all exited about him. Well those who know basketball that is. KP is setting up a run at the two PG's. Paul or Williams. Wait til Kev makes a mistake and then maybe we'll talk. Til then...

Nate would be first but because if he has this loaded team and can't win in a couple years than he might be gone. I like Nate. He's good. He's not Phil Jackson, (best coach in league) but he's damn good. He can improve but has the total willingness to do so.

KP isn't so ego filled or dumb to want to be rid of Nate just because he didn't hire him. Whitsit had weak enough character to do that but not the slapper.

I consider this matter closed. ; !

I love women and basketball... but not women's basketball.

by T REX on Mar 3, 2008 9:13 PM PST reply actions

No Way

Phil Jackson is not the best coach in the league. He manages douche bag prima donnas better than any other NBA coach. What he does is not coaching, it's douche bag management.

Phil Jackson is also douche. Not a brand new fresh Summer's Eve Island Splash disposable douche with a Comfortip® nozzle. No, he's a old sun-faded douche. The kind that is made out of an old Tyson red rubber hot-water bottle with a douche tube thingy. The kind my grandmother once left out, to my horror, when I made a surprise visit. The kind that will haunt my dreams forever. He's an old sun-faded haunting douche bag.

It is only natural for an old douche bag to be able to mange new, fresh douches. That is all he does, he is not a coach, he's an experienced douche bag manager.

"This reminds me of my father's last words: 'Don't son, that gun is loaded!'" - Chains from the greatest movie ever, Stone Cold (1991)

by tominhawaii on Mar 3, 2008 9:52 PM PST up reply actions

I vote Gregg Popovich

by Blazermaniac77 on Mar 3, 2008 10:14 PM PST up reply actions

so true

Phil has only gotten this far cuz he has managed douches better than anyone else has. If he does manage to win again I will give him credit for developing a young team all on his own sorta.

Greg Pop is probably the most underrated coach in the NBA. For a guy who has won as much as he has, you always hear about the other coaches/owners before you hear about him.

by Philthyanimal on Mar 3, 2008 10:33 PM PST up reply actions

LOL! Tom you amaze me...

only a master of the fine art of "SmartArse" could have thought that one up. Thanks for the laughs!

35:35 Min, 10-18 FG, 2-2 FT, +6 +/-, 5 Off, 8 Reb, 2 Ast, 3 Stl, 22 Pts - LMA vs. LAL

by LaMarvelous on Mar 3, 2008 11:11 PM PST up reply actions

Ok, I'll bite

KP will not be the fall guy if Oden is injury prone. That's just dumb.

If Oden is injury prone and comes to be regarded as a bust, there will be a fall guy.

And it won't matter if Pritchard really wanted to draft Durant but got over-ruled by Paul Allen and Nate.

Paul Allen won't be the fall-guy. Nate won't be the fall-guy.

No, the fall-guy will be the man whose job it was to make the biggest, most-publicized lottery decision in the last ten years or so. No one will care about his slick deals to land Roy, Aldridge and Rudy. He'll forever be tarnished as the man responsible for Sam Bowie, V. 2.0.

On Draft Day 2007, Pritchard played for the highest possible stakes that a GM can play for. If it turns out that he bet wrong, he'll take the hit. Nate, on the other hand, has yet to play a high stakes hand. His time won't come until the Blazers advance far into the playoffs and the fans and media are hanging on his every coaching decision. If, through some fault of his own, he screws that up - he'll take the hit. But that's likely a few years away yet.

Right now, the bulk of the pressure is on Pritchard. If Oden returns and starts to live up to the hype, then the pressure will gradually shift over to Nate.

by knickfan on Mar 3, 2008 11:08 PM PST up reply actions

Add to this that Nate

has already served, and will likely be placed again, to help coach the Olympic team. This is a high honor, that's already been given to McMillan, and distinguishing him from many existing coaches.

KP's experiments haven't really even started yet... Once they do, he'll also be either distinguished from the rest of GMs or extinguished.

by hotstuffdb22 on Mar 4, 2008 8:35 AM PST up reply actions

KP's experiments havent started yet???

Webster, Joel, and Jack are the only leftovers from the Nash/Patterson era. KP's experiments are well under way. Here is how I see it:

We win 21 games and have the worst record in 05/06.
We get cursed with #4 pick in 06 draft despite having the most ping pong balls.
KP pritchslaps his way to 7 draft day trades turning the #4 pick and change into Roy, LMA, and Sergio.
We win 32 games with our redesigned team, KP's pick wins rookie of the year.
KP wins the lottery, drafts Oden and Rudy, brings in Jones and Frye, and rids us of Zach.
Portland is immediately feared by many as a potential contender in 3-5 years.
Oden hurts the knee, yet we have still won 31 games and have 22 left to play, smells like a 10 game improvement to me.
KP's pick makes all star team in 2nd year.
This summer, Oden returns, Rudy comes over, KP works more draft magic, and we win the championshp!

OK, I got a little excited with #8, but I think KP's 3 year resume speaks for itself.

Oh ya, and KP was the guy that desperately wanted to draft Chris Paul over Webster. The answer is: distinguished...

Rudy > MJ

by myemic23 on Mar 4, 2008 11:46 AM PST up reply actions

Luv the answer!!

by hotstuffdb22 on Mar 4, 2008 12:14 PM PST up reply actions

Wrong, wrong, wrong

KP didn't win the lottery. Roy did. Everything he touches turns to gold. His parents should have named him Midas.

I'm frequently right, but always certain

by jscot on Mar 4, 2008 11:40 PM PST up reply actions

This is one of the worst

posts I've ever seen.

Get Greg outta the burbs

by BigCelPhone on Mar 4, 2008 10:06 AM PST reply actions

What's not to like?

This diary - and the subsequent comments - has it all: idle speculation; unsubstantiated rumor; impassioned debate over trivialities; lazy generaliztion; mock expertise; Hawaiian snark; and good ol' fashioned vituperation. In short, it's got everything that makes blogging fun.

Besides, how else ya gonna occupy your time between games?

by knickfan on Mar 4, 2008 11:00 AM PST up reply actions