Is KP the NBA Ace Rothstein?

by FeelTheLove on Jun 27, 2008 11:51 AM PDT Comment 19 comments

After reading Mike Barrett's blog and coming to the realization that this was the plan all along (Jerryd Bayless, Nicolas Batum, et al) I think this notion has to be seriously considered.

For those who know and love the movie Casino, you know what I'm talking about. If not, Ace Rothstein was a bettor who was so much better than everyone else that he changed the odds of whatever game he bet on. Other big time gamblers followed his lead.

Remember, Jerryd Bayless was #4 on most draft boards leading up to the draft. He was ranked as the 2nd best point guard prospect behind Rose. Most fans didn't talk much about Bayless because it was thought that some of the core would have to be given up to get him. Not to mention that the Blazers brass NEVER mentioned his name. All that you heard about before the draft was Alexander, Westbrook, and Augustin. Batum was also stolen right out from under San Antonio.

If KP was able to change the odds that much because of intentional misdirection this has to go down as one of the best draft days EVER by a front office. I don't think the genius of what has just happened will be fully appreciated for a while.

2 recs | Comment 19 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Get him a jersey

We’ll want to hang it in the rafters someday soon.

by Steve The Hedge on Jun 27, 2008 12:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Scared.

Other GMs are straight up intimidated by KP’s offensive draft and trade tactics. Plus, if his tactics change each draft (this year being the “smoke-and-mirrors” tactic), he keeps other teams backpedaling. KP>MJ

by joelor on Jun 27, 2008 12:21 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

new t shirt

KP > MJ
U GOTTA WEAR IT!

That which prematurely arrives at perfection soon perishes. - Marcus Fabius Quintilian (35-95AD) Roman Rhetorician, Critic

by BlazerFan1 on Jun 27, 2008 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yah

ill take one of those 2:)

"We didn't get our annual free complimentary player from Phoenix this year:("

raoulduke

by ptwnblzr on Jun 28, 2008 3:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

KP is different

he’s not afraid to make a move. Moves are, by their nature, risky. Sure, they are extremely calculated risks, but they are still risks. It’s much safer to take they best guy that falls to you and say “well, we didn’t blow the pick”. But safer only gets you so far.

KP isn’t that guy. He’ll change the game to get the guy he wants. Eventually, he’ll get one of these wrong. I’ll take a guy that hits 80% on these deals over the guy who hits 100% on taking the guy that falls to him.

I expect we start seeing a new breed of GM in the next 5-10 years. GMs that, like KP, force the action more, aren’t afraid to make moves, and aren’t afraid to take a few risks.

by douglast on Jun 27, 2008 12:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

A few things,

I think now is the time for the cake to bake and as exciting as these 3 drafts have been, the future will kinda suck come this time in future years, of course we will be celebrating our championship banners and some will still be hungover from the post championship parties and such, but that’s OK.

I will miss the excitement next year when Stern comes to the podiom and announces “With the 27th pick in the 2009 draft the Portland Trail Blazers select, Goran Dragomonovischsklii of Uzbekistan” and we have to wait for 2 hours for KP to turn that into the #1 overall, Rubio using only Diogu and Sergio.

by SpyderRyder on Jun 27, 2008 12:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I fully appreciate the genius

right now. KP is the man. I am so excited for this team. Too bad I live in Oakland now and am moving to New Jersey just when KP will be winding up for his Deadline Deal Pritchslap.

by kickbrass on Jun 27, 2008 12:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This is

pricesless

I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not so sure.

by JAB21 on Jun 27, 2008 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

OOPS

meant for the post above sorry

I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not so sure.

by JAB21 on Jun 27, 2008 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey you stole my topic

No worries though, great minds and all, plus my post is now well down the list.

by pualo on Jun 27, 2008 1:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Good Call...

Like you said, great minds…

I think that this draft for the Blazers will be eventually be written about in the annals of draft history. It’s potentially just that good. Red Auerbach, Jerry West, ... Kevin Pritchard. He isn’t there yet, but he’s off to a good start.

by FeelTheLove on Jun 27, 2008 1:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Remember all the pre-draft rumors?

8 teams wanted to trade down. 12 teams wanted to trade up. Everyone was going to be moving.

Who moved? Portland and their trading partners. Hardly anyone else.

The NBA. Where teams only make deals that KP approves.

Other people don't have as much practice at being wrong as I do -- HT, timbo

by jscot on Jun 27, 2008 1:48 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs

haha, KP deserves his own NBA commercial

some fan needs to get right on that

Woof

by Charles Barkley McLovin on Jun 27, 2008 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The NBA...where Pritchslaps happen.

Can I buy you a fish sandwich?

by silkybrown on Jun 27, 2008 2:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes that is perfect

That which prematurely arrives at perfection soon perishes. - Marcus Fabius Quintilian (35-95AD) Roman Rhetorician, Critic

by BlazerFan1 on Jun 27, 2008 3:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So what happens next year?

KP comes out big for the guy he really wants and everyone stays away because they think they’re being duped again?

Where does it end? What a stud…

by monkeybones on Jun 27, 2008 2:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

KP's legacy could be

hugely influenced by Oden’s health. If Oden ends up being a Bowie (or worse) that wasted 2007 #1 pick is what most people will remember. If Oden stays healthy, Pritchard won’t be given credit for that pick (‘cuz it was the luck of the draw) but he will be adulated for what he did in 2006 and 2008. That assumes of course Bayless works out which is likely. .

by TwoDeep on Jun 27, 2008 2:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

A Winner

If you didn’t have Oden, had everyone else, and added Bayless and Batum, you’d be a solid team building steadily towards the playoffs. After all, if KP’s right that Bayless is the 4th best player in this draft, then you’ve added another all-star. The backcourt will be formidable, the center without Oden would be steady, and the current Outlaw/Webster/Batum trio would have a nice upside. Combine that with the cap space KP still has for next year, 4-#2’s, and spare pieces from the current team, and if you didn’t like the SF’s as they perform for the next 40-50 games, you’d be able to get a very solid NBA vet at SF. At that point, with a maturing Bayless and Roy, Aldridge, and a good SF giving you 15- 18 ppg, you’d be a solid playoff team – w/o Oden. And as they matured, you’d go pretty deep into the playoffs. And this is what KP will be remembered for – even w/o Oden – because it will be achieved w/the team he built.

KP’s a winner – and he’s a builder. And that won’t go away, year after year. Oden or no Oden.

by Eben Calder on Jun 27, 2008 2:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs