Fire KP!

by mowensmd on Oct 30, 2009 12:08 PM PDT Comment 42 comments

OK, I'm prone to be a grass is greener kind of guy. Especially in retrospect.

But seriously, examine how our trades/off season went vs. our competition.

1. Ty Lawson: 4 spots away from us in the draft. We needed a PG badly.

2. Ty Lawson: future 1st round draft pick nabs him from Twolves

3. Dejuan Blair: we pass on him about a bazillion times.

4. Richard Jefferson: would have cost TO and RLEC

So how are these guys doing so far? (OK, Jefferson isn't lighting it up...but which would you rather have TO vs. RJ?)

Our rotation might have been:

Oden/Pryz

LMA/Blair

Blake/Lawson

Roy/Rudy

Jefferson/Martum

We would have to assume that we would not have some combination of Pendergraph/Cunningham/Claver.

We'd still have had cap space during free agency; a la acquiring Andre or alternatively a backup PF/Center.

We'd still have future trade bait in Bayless/Martum if needed.

I'm not so sure KP is really better at finding talent than assembling talent together.

Woulda, coulda, shoulda...

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I agree completely

Today I came in to work and realized that our number one sales person this month didn’t do as well as last month. So I went ahead and fired him cause he is now compeletely worthless.

by BanDenjamin on Oct 30, 2009 12:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Just A Guess...

but if Oden makes those free throws last night does this post happen? Or if the Blazers shoot better than 35%?

Because obviously those things are KP’s fault. Personally I was very encouraged by last night’s game. Why? Because we played very poorly and were still there with a chance to win at the end against an elite team.

Have patience. Once this team figures things out they are going to be scary good. I’m much more concerned about April and May than October and November.

by FeelTheLove on Oct 30, 2009 12:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

One point

Agree with everything, gotta remember it’s been a while since we got to be concerned with late season success rather than early. :-)

by BanDenjamin on Oct 30, 2009 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree, but don't fire KP...

1. Ty Lawson:

The lack of a move to get Ty really does bother me. He’s the type of player that Nate would absolutely love. I think in getting Ty they would have had to admit that drafting Bayless was the wrong move (not because he’s a bad player, but because his style of play doesn’t fit for what they need at point guard), and they wouldn’t do that.

Also, I don’t think they wanted to take the time to grow another player into their system. However I think they over-estimated how long it would take Ty to fit in with the NBA. I think he’s the type of player who can make an immediate impact, and he seems to have a pretty good basketball IQ to back it up.

2. Dejuan Blair:

This may or may not have been a bad move. Remember, they drafted Claver so they wouldn’t have to pay for him right away. This helped with the financial situation in signing Brandon and LA. That being said, last night’s game against the Nuggets definitely showed their lack of a post-up game, and Blair would have definitely helped there.

3. Richard Jefferson:

Not sure I agree with this one. While Jefferson probably would fit in with the Team’s character pretty well I think he would demand too many touches. Offense isn’t our problem (except maybe some work on the free throws). Jefferson is not know for his defense.

by thorfio on Oct 30, 2009 12:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

A trade up

may not have been available.

"Fernandez, to my eyes, is the Blazer who walks that walk most comfortably. A lot of Portland's fans (egged on, dare I say, by their local broadcasters) lament things like how Ron Artest or Yao Ming get to hit Brandon Roy's arms.

But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html

"I told Pau the Lakers never win here in Portland; I think it's great." -- Rudy Fernandez

by ratbastird on Oct 30, 2009 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I seem to remember that it's Denver's GM

that takes so much issue with KP.

But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html

"I told Pau the Lakers never win here in Portland; I think it's great." -- Rudy Fernandez

by ratbastird on Oct 30, 2009 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes it is...

Warkentine (former Blazer I might ad) is the guy who supposedly leaked the comments about GM’s hating KP.

He’s said some iffy things about the Blazers over the years, too.

by DC Blazer on Oct 30, 2009 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mark Warkentein

it’s widely acknowledged that he’s A-Woj’s league “source” for all things dark side re: KP

Billups > MIller and ’Melo > Oden

and that means (so far) Mark’s playoff roster > Kevin’s playoff roster

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Oct 30, 2009 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't get the Melo better than Oden comment....

unless its to judge the 07 draft pick against the 03 draft pick. The 03 draft got his first taste of playoff success last year, in his 5th season. We can give 07 a few more. That’s what so far meant, right

Frankly, Joe Dumars deserves more credit for those two successes than Warkentein. Made them both possible. Mind boggling pick of Darko and trade for Iverson

"its tough to play with one eye, unless you're a pirate." Delonte West
"una canasta a Pau en la cara" Rudy

by Honka Playboy on Oct 31, 2009 12:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Besides....didn't Kiki draft Melo anyway??

"And in the end
The love you take
Is equal to the love you make." -The Beatles

by 92wastheyear on Oct 31, 2009 8:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK, you got me

I just didn’t have time to research the Denver media guide thoroughly, the dog ate my homework, I swear to Gawd!

KP is a better drafter than MW. At least, from 2006 – 2008. 2009 hinges on how Claver develops. BTW, I just happened to see the post-draft special that the Blazers did on Comcast, back in June…Nate said they were targeting Claver for the 22nd pick “all along”

(assuming they couldn’t trade up and snag Hansbrough, of course…)

Lawson wasn’t on the radar. For better or worse, Bayless is their guy

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Oct 31, 2009 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who had "after our first loss"...

in the “when will people start clamoring for KP’s head” pool?

Ridiculous to speculate on woulda-coulda-shoulda…

by Visionary2 on Oct 30, 2009 12:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

KP's made a lot of mistakes

He’s still a well above average GM. I think its healthy to realize that he’s not GMing circles around the league like was thought around here for a while, but its not time to fire him.

by jksnake99 on Oct 30, 2009 12:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Fire KP!!! Fire Nate!!!

Find the player in the league who most resembles ZBo (who isn’t ZBo) and sign him to a max contract. Trade LMA because he stunk last night. E-mail all season ticket holders to inform them that due to a “policy change,” their tix are now triple the cost retroactive to 1999. If they don’t pay, cancel their tix while simutaneously garnishing their wages. Finally, only serve Coors Light at the concession stands and make it $20 a can. That’s right – No tap, no bottles, just cans.

Make it happen, PA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Sean M on Oct 30, 2009 1:02 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs

KP deserves some credit for the deals he hasn't done

The temptation is high to give away your players but from everything that I have heard he is demanding a lot for our guys which is fine. The economy will be a factor this year and we still have a lot of poker chips to play with.

by Jacksonville on Oct 30, 2009 1:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Fire mowensmd!

by tominhawaii on Oct 30, 2009 1:47 PM PDT reply actions 3 recs

Ditto

~ visualize whirled peas

by BlazerMunky on Oct 30, 2009 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm fairly certain KP at least tried to trade up for Lawson. One big problem just based on the facts: The Nuggets could offer a Charlotte first round pick, which is worth more than our picks since they are very likely to be worse in the standings.

But slowly things happen that they cannot help and the Blazers Fellowship of the Ring begins to break apart

by Norsktroll on Oct 30, 2009 2:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ty is a shorty

I’d post him up all day.

by Stryder9 on Oct 30, 2009 2:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

but Lawson could post up

Patty Mills all day long

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Oct 30, 2009 6:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I’d rather mentor Ty Lawson for the next 2-3 years and hope he turns into a playoff caliber PG. Wait, haven’t we been doing that with Rex all along? Ah ok, I understand why we snagged Miller now.

Regarding Hedo Türkoğlu:

Look at the bright side, Blazers fans -- you dodged a bullet. He peaked statistically two years ago. He's allegedly 30 but could be closer to 32 or 33 for all we know. (Do you trust Turkish birth certificates? And isn't it weird that he played four years of pro ball in Turkey in the 1990s?)

- Bill Simmons of ESPN.com

by halo_on on Oct 30, 2009 2:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

My one complaint about KP

Is what seems like a tendency to overrate his own players and go after young players with big upside. At some point he needs to start consolidating some of this young, high potential talent into proven commodities. I still think he missed out on trading in a huge chip in the RLEC. Maybe he wasn’t getting good enough offers, but that asset essentially turned into Miller and Juan Howard. I imagine he could have done better than that at the trade deadline last season, especially if he throws in a young player or two to sweeten the deal.

Blake + Outlaw + RLEC for Hinrich and Deng is starting to look better and better to me. Who knows if that was ever actually on the table though. It was Quick that reported it…

by Rudiculous on Oct 30, 2009 3:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

BTW

Yes, I still have a huge mancrush on Hinrich. Its not to let to make it happen KP! He was born to play next to Roy! Its destiny!

by Rudiculous on Oct 30, 2009 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Blake + Outlaw + RLEC for Hinrich and Deng is starting to look better

It was on my table, except I think I had Sergio in the trade offer, instead of Blake. Steve’s arm was in a sling at the deadline.

Cap’n Kirk and Luol looked pretty good against the Spurs, in the early TNT game, eh?

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Oct 30, 2009 6:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I sure thought so. Hinrich looks pretty good tonight as well(besides not hitting squat from deep)

I really don’t think there is a better fit next to Roy in the NBA, that is reasonably attainable(sorry no CP3, Dwills, or Harris’s in this argument). I would trade Miller for him straight up with no hesitation, but that raises the problem of having Blake and Hinrich, who are simply too much alike. Ah well, hopefully Miller and Roy figure out to play off each other…

by Rudiculous on Oct 30, 2009 7:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

problem of having Blake and Hinrich, who are simply too much alike.

That’s not a problem" that would’ve scared me away from acquiring Kirk. He’s a much better defender than Steve and he gets to the FT line 3x more often

And, if KP had done the deal last Feb, Hinrich would’ve moved into the starting lineup immediately, because Steve was out. It would’ve been a “abrupt learning curve” transition with Brandon and Kirk, but by the time of the playoffs they would’ve been used to playing alongside each other, and maybe Nate wouldn’t have had the “who’s the best starting PG?” debate from July-November, like we’ve seen with Miller

Ahh, what might’ve been. We’ll never know. But it’s easy to speculate if the team would’ve been better off, or not. We know the Blazers lost in the first round without making a deal, and it’s hard to imagine them doing worse last year, if KP had rolled the dice. (No, they might not have won 54 games with Hinrich and without Outlaw, but in the long run that’s not the real measure of success, anyway)

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Oct 31, 2009 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lets make a new rule.

Anyone who suggests firing the coach or GM has to have a suggestion on who to replace him with. Ok, so we fire KP or Nate. Who is the unemployed coach or GM out there that’s going to be a significant upgrade. The list is pretty short on both counts.

by lickety brindle on Oct 30, 2009 3:43 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

+92!

"And in the end
The love you take
Is equal to the love you make." -The Beatles

by 92wastheyear on Oct 30, 2009 3:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great idea!!!

My post was a joke if that wasn’t obvious, except for the part about Coors Light. If your going to drink “malted spring water” in a town with so many superior options, you should be forced to drink it from a can.

by Sean M on Oct 30, 2009 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fire God!!

Isn’t God omniscient and omnipotent??

Then we the heck doesn’t He arrange fate properly so our team can be the winner EVERY time? Why doesn’t He do a better job of orchestrating reality in our favor?

To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead. -- Thomas Paine, US patriot & political philosopher (1737 - 1809)

by Love on Oct 30, 2009 5:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I did me some talkin' to the Sun

said that I didn’t the way he got things done
Sleepin’ on the job
While those raindrops keep fallin’ on my head they keep fallin’….

Hal David is the poet of my angst

"its tough to play with one eye, unless you're a pirate." Delonte West
"una canasta a Pau en la cara" Rudy

by Honka Playboy on Oct 30, 2009 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What everyone is forgetting ...

Is that Claver and Mills might start playing and be beast. What if Mills ends up being exactly what we need at PG? What if Claver fills our backup role at PF? Our draft this year was a “watch out in two years” kind of thing. We have all the assets we need right now; we have our big three and we have some great players. Now is time to compliment them and make sure we are secure in the future.

by Seven06Renault on Oct 30, 2009 5:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

What are they feeding Victor, these days?

The last time I checked, Claver was 6’9, 220#. Unless he bulks up, he’ll be a “Travis Outlaw kind” of PF. Just as skinny. Better passer. Hopefully a better team defender and rebounder

but I think the Blazers are projecting him as a 3-4, not a 4-3. That puts Victor on a direct collision course with Nic and Martell, for PT, in a couple of years (not to mention…Dante Cunningham!)

You had better eat hearty and hit those weights, Mr. Claver.

Joel Freeland is a better “backup PF” candidate, at this time. But he’ll have to duke it out with Jeff Pendergraph, for PT

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Oct 31, 2009 9:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Martum-- best blazer, or best blazer ever?

by 50backflips on Oct 30, 2009 5:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I assumed that this post was a joke when I saw the title.

You are serious? I am sorry sir or ma’am, but I completely and wholeheartedly disagree with your opinion offered up for discussion.

KP has been instrumental in assembling this dynamic young team we currently have, now the job is up to the coach and the players.

Do you have KP’s office, blackberry and vehicle all wiretapped? How do you know how many deals he has been close to, offered, passed on, or anything, really? Is this based on media reports?

Sir or ma’am: it is two friggin games into the season. Perhaps you can hold off judgement for a couple more months, at least…..

I am an oasis of Blazer fandom in a bleak desert of Laker fans.

by RenoBlazerFan on Oct 30, 2009 6:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

As much as it pains me to say it, Kevin Pritchard is a top-ten GM in the NBA.

Pritchard has some definite flaws in his managing style — such as overvaluing culture, falling too in love with his own players, and not focusing enough attention on roster balance — yet, all things considered, he’s done a fine job so far and deserves a shot over the next few years to make this team a championship contender.

Dear Paul Allen:

Waive Patty Mills & sign Ime Udoka.

Sincerely,
AK1984

by AK1984 on Oct 30, 2009 10:15 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

w0rd

Blaming KP when our normally reliable offensive players couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn is silly.

M—

by Mortimer on Oct 31, 2009 1:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

But one thing remains in KP’s quest to become a Jedi-GM. He must face Vader…and that means pulling off a midseason blockbluster deal that provides his roster with the “missing piece” to finally contend for a championship. It could happen this February, or maybe the next one. But rebuilding a team through draft day deals (while being assisted by Mr. Allen’s millions) is a padiwan achievement

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Oct 31, 2009 9:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What if this team wins it all??

or a reasonable facsimile?

"And in the end
The love you take
Is equal to the love you make." -The Beatles

by 92wastheyear on Oct 31, 2009 11:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

what if they don't?

Even Inman and the ‘77 Blazers didn’t build their roster entirely through the draft

Trading Petrie and Wicks away was a pretty big deal at the time, but their “replacements” turned out pretty well, eh?

You’re gonna have to go a long way to show me an NBA championship team that was built “from the ground up” via the draft, and whose GM never made a “consolidation deal” to tweak the roster before they won it all. It comes with the job description

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Oct 31, 2009 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The bulls sort of did....

They got Pip and MJ through the draft, and we all know those two carried whatever role players were there.

by Rudiculous on Oct 31, 2009 3:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sheesh, you guys can't spot sarcasm if it bit you in the balls.

“fire KP” was tongue in cheek.

The reality however, is that KP does stick with his young guys too much. He has passed up people who are making an impact NOW while our young guys are still “developing”. I don’t think it takes a crystal ball to see that a Ty Lawson is a different kind of player after the years of success at NC vs. a one and done with limited college CV to evaluate like Bayless. I don’t think it takes genius to tell that Blair DOMINATED the NCAA, while Klaver is a whole different type of player with no similar experience.

Seems like poor decision-making, though I agree there is likely more to the story.

Don’t fire the guy, but a little stirring the pot that gets some attention on the issue doesn’t hurt.

by mowensmd on Nov 3, 2009 4:16 PM PST reply actions 0 recs