New Orleans Hornets Fire Byron Scott
by Ben. on Nov 12, 2009 10:50 AM PST
in News
199 comments
According to NOLA.com and ESPN, The New Orleans Hornets have fired head coach Byron Scott. The Blazers are set to play New Orleans tomorrow.
The Hornets, led by all-world point guard Chris Paul, had hoped to be a mid-level contender in the Western Conference but have started out the season 3-6.
ESPN's Marc Stein writes...
The New Orleans Hornets have responded to their 3-6 start by making the first coaching change of the young NBA season, firing Byron Scott on Thursday, according to NBA coaching sources.
Sources said the Hornets made the decision to dismiss Scott following New Orleans' 124-104 loss in Phoenix on Wednesday night and will formally announce the move later Thursday.
It was not immediately known who will replace Scott.
No word yet if the emergence of a bigger, badder, ballhandling Greg Oden was a contributing factor in the decision.
Scott was named NBA Coach of the Year in 2007-2008 and had been hailed for overachieving with his young Hornets team.
There are no big name coaches on Scott's assistant coaching staff so it will be interesting to see which direction they go. Hopefully the security outside Monty Williams' hotel room is in place.
Update (11:02AM): Ric Bucher reports...
the Hornets are adding head coach to GM Jeff Bower's duties and bringing in Tim Floyd to be top assistant
TickTock6 of the Hornets blog HornetsHype weighs in hilariously on the decision...
Yeah, whoo, Jeff Bower. He doesnt need to be coaching. He needs to be trying to trade the massive life-sucking contracts he gave old players
So, to sum up. FiringScott & replacing him with an NBA coach = maybe good move. Firing him to replace with NO ONE = what we were afraid of
Update (11:13 AM): David Aldridge tweets...
Hornets will retain assistant coaches Charlie Parker, Robert Pack and Rob Werdann...
Update (11:30AM): A nice summary from Mark Deeks of Bulls Confidential.
Given a warped roster, one hastily put together with payroll coming first and basketball second, Scott couldn't find a combination that worked. He juggled veterans such as Morris Peterson, Devin Brown and Peja Stojakovic seemingly randomly, and overplayed young point guard Bobby Brown to the point of anguish, as if betting the over on how many shots Brown could get up in a 15 minute span.
Here's the official announcement from Hornets.com.
"I want to thank Byron for the hard work he has put in during his time with the Hornets," said Hornets Owner George Shinn. "I've hired Jeff Bower to take over the coaching reign. He knows this team better than anyone, has the respect of the players and in basketball circles, is regarded as one of the best basketball minds in the business. This is our best opportunity to reach our goals this season."
...
"Accountability was our theme this past summer," said Hornets Vice President of Basketball Chad Shinn. "We talked about the fact that everyone on our staff is held to a certain standard of performance and we didn't feel this was happening at the head coach level. We feel like we still have an opportunity with our nucleus to get to where we want and Jeff is the right guy, right now to move us in that direction from the bench."
ESPN's Chad Ford tweets...
What only those who think with their wallets, not their heads could've predicted: Jeff Bower is the new head coach ... Shinn gotta save $$$
Update (12:38PM): Kevin Pelton writes...
Scott sealed his own fate with his reluctance to trust young players. Part of an optimistic assessment of the Hornets in Pro Basketball Prospectus 2009-10 was the belief that Bower had upgraded the team's bench by signing Diogu, trading for Darius Songaila and drafting Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton. Though Diogu has been unable to play, Collison and Thornton have been biding their time on the bench. Instead, the Browns-Bobby and Devin-have been given entirely too many minutes. Bobby Brown has the team's second-highest usage rate (26.2 percent of possessions while on the floor) despite a dismal 44.4 percent True Shooting Percentage. All of that is consistent with his miserable rookie season split between Sacramento and Minnesota. Why was he playing over Collison, the Hornets' NBA-ready first-round pick? Brown is nothing more than a replacement-level stopgap at shooting guard, and while he might be better than Thornton right now, Thornton at least deserves an opportunity-especially with the team struggling so badly.
-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter
PS Thanks to Badalonia Baddie who had it first in the Fanshots.
PPS Let's just say that this scenario (star unhappy, once-popular coach "loses team", star and management likely have closed-door talks, team hits a rough patch on the court, coach gets axed, GM replaces coach) is Nate McMillan's worst nightmare.
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hmmm
I sort of wish this had happened after the Blazers play them. Too often, teams rally around a new coach in that first game and get em a win…
RUDY > MJ
by Rudiculous on Nov 12, 2009 10:53 AM PST reply actions 2 recs
Lets fire nate to counter-act that.
by tevisthe4th on Nov 12, 2009 10:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Ohh, and hire Byron Scott?
My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.
by OCBlazerFan1 on Nov 12, 2009 11:21 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
it would work perfect
Byron will be out for revenge
by Starvin' Marvin on Nov 12, 2009 11:28 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
yup, my thoughts exactly
I am an oasis of Blazer fandom in a bleak desert of Laker fans.
by RenoBlazerFan on Nov 12, 2009 10:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
That is what I thought...
It alwys sucks when you have to face a coach in his first game or a QB getting his first start or something along those lines. Of course it could always mean it will get that much more ugly.
by Escrote on Nov 12, 2009 11:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
You mean like when Portland fired Mo Cheeks
and went out and lost 4 in a row under KP?
"It's Our Time":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O99POVJfglY
by Storyteller on Nov 12, 2009 12:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I think he might be that Championship Caliber coach the Blazers need to get over the hump
by tominhawaii on Nov 12, 2009 10:56 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
no hiring ex-L*kers
it’s just wrong
besides, Hersey Hawkins and Terry Porter are already on board in case Nate gets happy feet
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Nov 12, 2009 4:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, TP's looking golden
with how the Suns have fallen apart after he got canned.
Oh wait….
by howlingfantods on Nov 12, 2009 5:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, TP specifically enacted the system management wanted him to
The players rebelled against it. We’ll never know what would have happened had he coached an uptempo offense there, or his own system with a team of high-caliber players.
Terry’s primary mistakes were likely: a.) taking what was likely a no-win job, because he really wanted to coach, and b.) not finding a way to convince the players that his way could win games. Part b is the one I’d be concerned about most, since it might represent an inability to connect with his players. Though more likely, no coach would have pulled TP’s job off successfully with that 2008 Phoenix team.
Either way, I doubt TP would take over the team if something were to happen with Nate.
Also, Tom was joking.
by Timmay! on Nov 12, 2009 5:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
and two4larue was playing along
(except for the never hiring ex-L*kers part…it only leads to trouble…case in point Antonio Harvey?)
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Nov 12, 2009 6:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Is there a Mo Lucas exception?
What about when we hired Jerome Kersey as a player liason?
We must work out the specifics of the ex-Laker rule.
by Timmay! on Nov 12, 2009 6:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
was only a matter of time.
Maybe a coach will put CP is something other than a motion offense now. Will be interesting to see.
free bayless
by Cablinasian on Nov 12, 2009 10:57 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Yes, he was my #1 candidate to be fired before Christmas, after CP3 already seemed to tune him out last season
Now who wins the office pool?
But slowly things happen that they cannot help and the Blazers Fellowship of the Ring begins to break apart
by Norsktroll on Nov 12, 2009 11:13 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Hmmm
Way to blame the guy who DIDN’T give Peja and Posey ridiculous contracts and mess up their cap space for years. How do bad GMs get away with so much in the NBA?
by sPresley on Nov 12, 2009 10:58 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
This is so true
NO is in trouble financially – they barely made a profit in 2007-08 with a lower payroll, playoff revenue and a share of the luxury tax money. Now (unless they can make major changes) they are paying more in player salaries, will be paying tax both this season and next, won’t be getting a share of tax money and are in serious danger of missing the playoffs (and missing out on the extra revenue). Thanks, Jeff….
This is move #1 to try and shake things up. If it doesn’t work, look for wholesale changes in the roster next summer (if not sooner).
"It's Our Time":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O99POVJfglY
by Storyteller on Nov 12, 2009 11:50 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
So when does CP3 tell them he wants out?
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
by jscot on Nov 12, 2009 11:54 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
*sings* I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
I can dream.
Joel Freeland=Stud
by hightide on Nov 12, 2009 11:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Who knows?
My perception is that Paul wouldn’t go public with such a request, if he ever made one. So even if he made such a request next summer, we might not find out about it until weeks or months (or years?) later – if ever.
"It's Our Time":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O99POVJfglY
by Storyteller on Nov 12, 2009 11:59 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
If he makes the request
we’ll know about it when he gets traded. Because he almost certainly won’t get traded unless he does make a request.
So, since he’s BYC, is there any possible way he could be traded this year, or would it have to wait until summer?
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
by jscot on Nov 12, 2009 12:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Should NO get to a point of trading Paul
1) They’d almost certainly insist on including Peja. First of all, it facilitates the trade because of Paul’s BYC status. But it’s also part of the price of the other team getting Paul, just as LaFrentz was part of the price of getting Boston’s pick in 2006.
2) They’d want expiring contracts, youth, draft picks and/or rights to drafted players, plus enough talent coming back to keep them competitive.
Something like
Paul / Stojakovic / Marks / Brown / Diogu
for
Miller / Outlaw / Przybilla / Fernandez / Blake / 2009 1st round pick / Rights to Freeland
"It's Our Time":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O99POVJfglY
by Storyteller on Nov 12, 2009 12:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Paul / Stojakovic / Marks / Brown / Diogu
for
Miller / Outlaw / Przybilla / Fernandez / Blake / 2009 1st round pick / Rights to Freeland
Get Chris Paul while keeping Brandon, Greg, LaMarcus, Martell and Batum, and having a GM who’s great at making draft-day deals for talent?
I’d sign off on this and never look back. Brandon and Chris would find a way to make it work, they both said they enjoyed playing together at the ASG.
by Timmay! on Nov 12, 2009 12:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Also forgot to note that I think NO would require Brandon or Greg in this trade
It’s fun to dream though…
by Timmay! on Nov 12, 2009 12:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Brandon's very, very, very difficult to trade
as a Poison Pill player (same for Aldridge).
Including Greg would mean no dump from NO’s standpoint (ie, Portland wouldn’t take a contract like Peja’s), meaning that the Hornets would have to include another reasonable contract to counteract Paul’s BYC status. Who?
"It's Our Time":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O99POVJfglY
by Storyteller on Nov 12, 2009 12:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'd completely forgotten Brandon's PP clause. Can you link to the details again?
Thanks for reminding me.
Actually, you may have inadvertently made the argument that Portland isn’t NO’s best choice for a trade partner if they want to move CP, and get a salary dump plus young talent. Do you think there is a better team for NO to work with?
Separately, I have a hard time believing NO would trade CP for a salary dump. Here’s why:
- If they want to sell the team, it may be more valuable if you have a locked-in CP for the new owners to build around.
- If you don’t want to sell the team, trading CP will gut your ticket sales for at least 2+ years. If you can limp through that, ok, but at some point if you get good players, you’re right back in this position again. So are you just having a fire sale so you can get players to have another fire sale? There needs to be a long-term plan.
If their problems are so deep that they dump CP, I don’t know if the franchise will make it. He’s the kind of player you lock down and build around.
by Timmay! on Nov 12, 2009 1:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Unless you want to move the team
Then, you tank and antagonize your fans, so you have an excuse to move because no one comes to the games.
If you are going to take that route, you want things like future draft picks and rights to Euros and things that aren’t going to make you good this year or next.
All the seats are empty, so you call another city and work a deal. Then, you start to get good again.
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
by jscot on Nov 12, 2009 1:07 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Teams in New Orleans, Memphis, and OKC - but not Seattle?
Almost laughable.
Portland's PG of the Future - MORE John Wall
Treat people well because Karma can hit you at any second.
by Net Ranger on Nov 12, 2009 1:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
CP3 won’t be traded because he’s worth too much in resale value to a stingy Shinn.
As Rohan at AttheHive said, if you trade Chris Paul, just fold the franchise. It’s over.
free bayless
by Cablinasian on Nov 12, 2009 1:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Brandon's PPP status
means that he counts as $3,910,816 out for the Blazers but counts over $14 million in for any team that wants to trade for him.
"It's Our Time":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O99POVJfglY
by Storyteller on Nov 12, 2009 1:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks Storyteller.
You’re right, there’s no point in NO making that deal. May as well just keep CP and their existing bad contract.
by Timmay! on Nov 12, 2009 1:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't understand
why doesn’t he count for approximately 10mil/year?
by 50backflips on Nov 12, 2009 3:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
To precisely make trades harder, so you don't screw around with player salaries :)
If a team trades an extended rookie between the date his extension is signed and the date it takes effect, his “trade value” for the receiving team is the average of the salaries in the last year of the scale contract and each year of the extension. This is called the poison pill provision. The sending team uses the player’s actual salary when calculating their outgoing salary. They use the current-year maximum salary in place of the (unknown) maximum salary for a future season, if necessary. – Larry Coon, NBA Salary Cap FAQ
Poison pill is a term referring to any strategy, generally in business or politics, to increase the likelihood of negative results over positive ones for a party that attempts any kind of takeover. Here: Trading a player that was just given a new contract.
But slowly things happen that they cannot help and the Blazers Fellowship of the Ring begins to break apart
by Norsktroll on Nov 12, 2009 3:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
yeah but
wasn’t roy extended? he’s not on his rookie contract anymore, or does that (the extension) take effect next year?
by 50backflips on Nov 12, 2009 7:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah ...it takes effect next year
so does LMA’s
"And in the end
The love you take
Is equal to the love you make." -The Beatles
by 92wastheyear on Nov 12, 2009 8:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Assuming a deal with Portland is even possible,
it’s hard to imagine that the Hornets would not insist that Roy or Oden be a part of it.
by MiledAnimal on Nov 12, 2009 12:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
unless they're serious about selling and moving...
and in that case they’ll want to make the team as least expensive for a prospective buyer wouldn’t they? idk nothin though as it’s been pointed out often.
The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out, burns out farms, and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.
by faith on Nov 12, 2009 12:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
the Mavericks have an expiring contract in Dampier
and a rich owner who likes to shake things up
could CP3 and JKidd share the rock?
I do not want to find out the answer to that question
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Nov 12, 2009 4:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
What makes you think that he hasn't already told them?
I think people has him as a type to never go publicly with his discontent, but that hasn’t been the case this summer, where he’d definitely been saying things to the media that he’s not happy with the direction of the franchise. Unlike fellow Wake alum Tim Duncan, I can totally picture a public trade demand by Paul. He wants to win first, win second, and win third and won’t play good soldier for many years like KG did up in Minny.
by xedubx on Nov 12, 2009 12:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I can’t imagine CP3 wasting away on a mediocre team. that would be really sad.
I hope I can get a bunch of championships, like 15. " - Greg Oden
by mxpx5678 on Nov 12, 2009 12:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
reminds me of Oscar Robertson
playing for the Royals, way back in the day
then he got dealt to the Bucks and won a ring with Lew Alcindor
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Nov 12, 2009 4:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Is CP3 the "New Pistol Pete"
Elizabeth had a partner and he had a rap from the cops, Him and Lenny Suckerpunch were just out Tooling around
by Lizzy Lowblow on Nov 12, 2009 7:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
except way better.
"Ain't nothin' in this world for free."
by Arby on Nov 12, 2009 8:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
See, everyone reads this and says "huh, maybe CPC is available"
I think “huh, I wonder if we’ve locked down KP for a while”. Time to go check his contract details…
by Timmay! on Nov 12, 2009 12:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Technically the Pacers signed Peja to his 5 year $64 million contract, but of course it was a S&T (for the since unheard of Andrew Betts)
But slowly things happen that they cannot help and the Blazers Fellowship of the Ring begins to break apart
by Norsktroll on Nov 12, 2009 12:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
wow
and I thought LMA contract might be a little much. My lordy…
RUDY > MJ
by Rudiculous on Nov 12, 2009 6:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
At that time it seemed like not such a bad deal. Peja was one of the best (small) forwards in the league, before they became much more athletic. You could even win seasons in NBA Live by trading for him and raining threes on the opposition :-)
Giving Hedo that $50+ million deal had a similar feel to it, and it should be a warning example that you get stuck with such a contract once a player’s health starts to become a problem. Peja can still play, but has zero lift thanks to a bad back.
But slowly things happen that they cannot help and the Blazers Fellowship of the Ring begins to break apart
by Norsktroll on Nov 13, 2009 3:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
He was real good back then
But he was already often injured, giving many more warning signs than Hedo ever has (has Hedo had any warning signs aside from his age? I can’t think of any, but I could be wrong).
I remember that one season where Peja was considered a MVP candidate. Crazy.
M—
by Mortimer on Nov 13, 2009 9:50 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I think their problems are more due to a poor roster than bad coaching. Chris Paul is really good but he isnt going to win you every game with his talent alone.
I hope I can get a bunch of championships, like 15. " - Greg Oden
by mxpx5678 on Nov 12, 2009 11:12 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Their owner is a cheapskate
He moved the team from Charlotte because they wouldn’t gift wrap him a new building after all.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
by skywaker9 on Nov 12, 2009 11:31 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
There are too many GMs like that in pro sports.
Some will spend on talent, but they have the gall to demand that taxpayers subsidize their business ventures regardless of the strain on local infrastructure and services. The problem is that too many local officials are lackeys who pony up the money, claiming that there will be a windfall in economic benefits in spite of the evidence.
by Benjamanic on Nov 12, 2009 2:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
How is their roster poor?
Emeka is a terrific defender, who has career averages of 14 and 11. David West is a two time all star. They’ve got CP3.
MVP caliber player, two quality second tier players, and a handful of decent role players, there’s no way this team shouldn’t be a lot better than it is. The team has quit on Scott and he should never have survived after the Denver series.
Plus, any coach who has CP3 and decides the best offensive game plan is to play an extremely slow paced princeton offense should’ve been fired year 1.
by howlingfantods on Nov 12, 2009 5:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Clearly this is divine retribution
for his recent comment professing his undying love for the Lakers.
But New Orleans fans deserve better…..
I am Spartacus and I approved this message
by EngineerScotty on Nov 12, 2009 11:17 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
It's amazing the Hornets are any good
Remember they almost (but for a physical) traded away David West I think it was and with it their chance of being good at all.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
by skywaker9 on Nov 12, 2009 11:32 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
That was Chandler
which they did trade eventually for Okafor.
by xedubx on Nov 12, 2009 11:38 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
That was Chandler
who was eventually traded away for Okafor.
by xedubx on Nov 12, 2009 11:38 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Know it all.
*Unless KP has a secret plan that makes this statement incorrect.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
by staylost on Nov 12, 2009 3:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The new coach
From ESPN’s Rumor Central is Hornets GM Jeff Bowers, former USC coach Tim Floyd to be an assistant.
Beautiful
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
by skywaker9 on Nov 12, 2009 11:34 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
'Pink' Floyd is back!
Still can’t believe he turned down the Arizona job…..
"It's Our Time":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O99POVJfglY
by Storyteller on Nov 12, 2009 11:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
[spits drink]
Tim Floyd? This will be entertaining.
by Timmay! on Nov 12, 2009 12:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Now the first step to my evil plan to free CP3 has been complete.
Step 2 – Blazers hammer NO at home, further infuriating Paul and demanding a trade publicly by All-star break.
by xedubx on Nov 12, 2009 11:40 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
If we can swing a deal without giving up any of the Big 3 for me
I’d take him in a heartbeat.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
by skywaker9 on Nov 12, 2009 11:41 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
For Paul I mean
I’m not worth an NBA player and I have a no-trade clause in my lifetime Blazer fandom contract.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
by skywaker9 on Nov 12, 2009 11:42 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
any of the big 3?
you wouldnt do a LMA plus parts for CP3 deal? i know i would.
I hope I can get a bunch of championships, like 15. " - Greg Oden
by mxpx5678 on Nov 12, 2009 11:43 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I can't now that we signed him.
I like his new attitude and his new found rebounding form.
The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out, burns out farms, and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.
by faith on Nov 12, 2009 12:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Chris Paul is an overrated ballhog.
He’s also showing signs of jackassery.
"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal
by timbo on Nov 12, 2009 1:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
We'd definately have to get him knowing that he was not option no. 1 on our team.
This seems like an impossible quandary for those reasons of attitude.
*Unless KP has a secret plan that makes this statement incorrect.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
by staylost on Nov 12, 2009 3:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
you wouldnt do a LMA plus parts for CP3 deal?
I proposed a deal like that, last year when KP still had RLEC
I had West coming back to PDX to fill the 4 position. It doesn’t “work” now, so KP would have to find a starting PF…alas, if he had only drafted DeJuan Blair…
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Nov 12, 2009 4:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
worry about the starting PF later
IF you could get CP3 for Aldridge and other pieces, you do it and figure out the 4 spot later.
that said, this is all just a pointless exercise anyway
How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009
by douglast on Nov 12, 2009 4:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
But it will take BRoy at least half a season to learn to play with a premier point guard.
He’ll just wander around the court looking lost, have meetings with KP and Allen, then give heart-felt interviews with JQuick.
by FrederickT1 on Nov 12, 2009 12:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah like he's doing now...
Jeez… Shootin 59% on this road trip with a dozen assists and scoring 17pts a game… Whatta head case!
I hope you’re being sacastic… That ship has sailed…
GO BLAZERS!!!
by Ilikeemall on Nov 12, 2009 12:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
More importantly, have him longingly sitting on the bench during blowout garbage time,
imagining how great life could be if he was on the Blazers.
"Travis went all wang-dang diddly wubba SPROING wow-wow on everybody " Dave's recap, season opener
by Berkeley on Nov 12, 2009 12:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Step 2 – Blazers hammer NO at home, further infuriating Paul and demanding a trade publicly by All-star break.
Step 3 – CP3 stows away, in Oden’s carry-on luggage
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Nov 12, 2009 4:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
This is chapter 4 in the legend of Chris Paul becoming a Trail Blazer.
by Mortimer on Nov 12, 2009 11:41 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
Even if the next step is the owner dying of pancreatic cancer (which is a distinct possibility) that will never ever happen
Go Martell!
But slowly things happen that they cannot help and the Blazers Fellowship of the Ring begins to break apart
by Norsktroll on Nov 12, 2009 11:42 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Four, you say?
"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal
by timbo on Nov 12, 2009 1:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Then it's not much longer until Chapter 11, right?
But slowly things happen that they cannot help and the Blazers Fellowship of the Ring begins to break apart
by Norsktroll on Nov 12, 2009 11:45 AM PST up reply actions 5 recs
that is such a pipe dream, but i know every blazer fan sees it happening somehow.
I hope I can get a bunch of championships, like 15. " - Greg Oden
by mxpx5678 on Nov 12, 2009 11:42 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I for sure know that they want Travis and Steve
I think they do Travis and Steve straight up for cp3
by Starvin' Marvin on Nov 12, 2009 11:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
HAHAHA
yeah sure, i almost think the NBA wouldnt let that trade happen.
I hope I can get a bunch of championships, like 15. " - Greg Oden
by mxpx5678 on Nov 12, 2009 11:45 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
hell that's unfair for us
we should get their 2010 1st rounder also
by Starvin' Marvin on Nov 12, 2009 11:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
That trade is more fair than
the Pau Gasol trade.
by superfly05 on Nov 12, 2009 11:48 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Meh
Marc Gasol > Pau Gasol so far this season, and the difference isn’t as big as it seems from here on out. Fits their finances better. Fits their core age better. And they got 3 first round draft picks out of it. And massive cap space. That they used that on Z-Bo and AI is on another page of the story.
But slowly things happen that they cannot help and the Blazers Fellowship of the Ring begins to break apart
by Norsktroll on Nov 12, 2009 12:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
If the salaries match
The NBA couldn’t care less.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
by skywaker9 on Nov 12, 2009 11:49 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The salaries don't match
I think Andre has to go, too.
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
by jscot on Nov 12, 2009 11:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Could see that
in a crazy bizzaro cost cutting universe, we give them andre, fernandez and outlaw and get cp3 back in return? that probably has the most chance of happening but i still dont see it.
I hope I can get a bunch of championships, like 15. " - Greg Oden
by mxpx5678 on Nov 12, 2009 11:58 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Absolutely Andre would have to be involved
My feeling is that any trade involving Paul would also have to include Peja. NO would want young players, draft picks and expiring contracts. Remember that Paul is BYC, so in all likelihood, he couldn’t be dealt by himself.
BTW, this is just the type of scenario that Ben reported on a week or so ago – that supposedly some front office personnel around the league were concerned that Andre had only been signed so that he could be traded after December 15th.
That being said, I wouldn’t hold my breath on Paul being dealt to the Blazers – or anyone else – anytime soon.
"It's Our Time":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O99POVJfglY
by Storyteller on Nov 12, 2009 12:04 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
So you're saying
Dre for Paul works, and fits the rumors that all assume Paul is set to be a Blazer?
Nice.
Mortimer
by Mortimer on Nov 12, 2009 4:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Perhaps....but that's because we never had an "evil" plan before
Roy should be whispering to Paul “hey, I just realized I got a max deal and don’t play with washed-up has-beens like Stojakovic. Anyway, how’s your summer been and do you hear from Tyson often?”
by xedubx on Nov 12, 2009 11:58 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
This just shows how little coaches matter
Byron Scott was once coaching in the all-star game and looked to be one of the best coaches in the league. But in reality as long as a coach doesn’t lose his team, they seem to be interchangeable outside of a few great ones.
Joel Freeland=Stud
by hightide on Nov 12, 2009 11:49 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
It's easy to look like the best coach in the league when you have certain players.
Lebron, Paul, Kobe, Roy, Wade (when the team isn’t injured) and the Celtic three.
If you have those players and the team still looks bad, it will likely seal your fate as a coach. Even if the GM probably should be following you right out the door.
by Timmay! on Nov 12, 2009 12:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
YES!
Day before our game, and this happens? We all need to fall to our knees and thank the lord for his gift he gave us today. YESSS!!!
by roydendremarcus on Nov 12, 2009 11:59 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Don't bet on it
Sometimes teams play much better after a firing.
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
by jscot on Nov 12, 2009 12:06 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Yeah this is actually not a good sign for tomorrow night's game
Which is a shame, because it would be good to pick up that game before the tough 4th game Sat night.
by Timmay! on Nov 12, 2009 12:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
well not necessarily.
mo cheeks fired by PHI on dec 13th. Later that day: (9-14)
Dec 13 WAS W 104-89
eddie jordan fired by WAS on nov 24 (1-10)
Nov 25 GSW W 124-100
sam mitchell fired by TOR on dec 3rd (8-9)
Dec 5 @ UTH L 87-114
pj carlesimo fired by OKC on nov 22. (1-12)
Nov 25 PHO L 98-99
randy wittman fired by MIN on dec 8 (4-15)
Dec 9 UTH L 96-99
its about a 60% chance the Blazers win.
by pdxlifer on Nov 12, 2009 12:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
There's of course opposite examples to that, this is cherry-picking examples to make your point
I mean, there can be an argument about the talent level of the team in NO vs these. None of these teams had a top 5 player on them, for example. Bad teams with few strong players are still bad with a new coach. And many teams do bounce back strong for a few games after a coaching change.
Did the 60% number represent actual research for recent coach firings over x years, or just made it up? Serious question, was curious because I haven’t seen any numbers on it.
The good news is that we only are waiting a day to find out the answer for how NO handles it. The even better news is what they’ve done with the replacement for the head coach.
by Timmay! on Nov 12, 2009 12:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
i picked the 5 early coach firings from last year
nothing more.
i always forget sarcasm is nearly impossible to detect through text alone
by pdxlifer on Nov 12, 2009 12:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
though it is nice that
the two wins came against crappy teams, and the 3 losses came to against good teams (not unlike the Blazers).
I personally think the Blazers could be in trouble. I was originally going to post that I agreed with you and jscot, but then the coach firings from last year didnt necessarily support that. Though OKC did only lose by 1. I think CP3 is just about the worst matchup for our guards and for Oden too. Batum would be nice because he can actually guard CP3 semi-effectively. I can see Martell and Trav slouching off of Peja to help on CP and leaving Peja open too often and killing the Blazers. I can see Greg picking up early fouls with Paul going to the rim and Greg getting too excited/touchy-feely.
Blazers need to be careful tomorrow, with or without a real head coach.
by pdxlifer on Nov 12, 2009 12:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Anything could happen
If they are relieved Byron is gone, they could come out on fire.
If they are mad Byron is gone, they could come out on fire.
Or they could implode.
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
by jscot on Nov 12, 2009 1:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm more concerned with how our players deal with this than how the Hornets react.
by MiledAnimal on Nov 12, 2009 1:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I doubt it makes a difference
Why should it?
The tricky part is the game plan. For all we know, they are going to do something totally radical and unexpected like start three guards, and we won’t be ready for it.
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
by jscot on Nov 12, 2009 1:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
if CP3 was unhappy with Scott and wanted him gone
then Paul could have a huge game to “prove” it was the ex-coach who was holding the team back, etc
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Nov 12, 2009 4:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
bad timing, Portlan's comming to town
hope he doesn’t hurt himself smashing into Oden.
"Travis went all wang-dang diddly wubba SPROING wow-wow on everybody " Dave's recap, season opener
by Berkeley on Nov 12, 2009 11:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
stepped on Joel's foot
I wonder if Chris will take the night off the next time the Blazers come to NOLA in March
Friday the 13th, was Paul tempting fate?
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Nov 13, 2009 8:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Perhaps
But in NO’s losses, they absolutely got creamed. We had a legit chance to win in all of our losses.
NO just does not have the talent to run with the big boys, period.
by xedubx on Nov 12, 2009 1:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Any team with Chris Paul
has the talent to beat anyone on a given night.
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
by jscot on Nov 12, 2009 1:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
And, I agree
But that doesn’t mean you’re going to see them in the top 4 spot going into the playoffs. They can beat anyone on given night, but it’s hard to have sustained success over time without talent.
by xedubx on Nov 12, 2009 1:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
But that doesn’t mean you’re going to see them in the top 4 spot going into the playoffs. They can beat anyone on given night
Well, this conversation has only been about whether NO can win tomorrow night’s game, not their overall season record. So you’re in agreement that NO is dangerous tomorrow night then?
by Timmay! on Nov 12, 2009 2:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
i always forget sarcasm is nearly impossible to detect through text alone
Yeah I’m guilty of that regularly.
by Timmay! on Nov 12, 2009 1:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
we'll be fine
According to the articles Scott wasn’t playing certain players enough. The GM will get in and start playing a bunch of random line ups that haven’t worked together before and will be completely lost……or all get excited that they are finally playing and go off for 130.
by Alaa Abdelnaby on Nov 12, 2009 1:21 PM PST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Yes
Because you wouldn’t have won otherwise..
by atthehive on Nov 12, 2009 12:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
You really think you'll be worse tomorrow because of this?
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
by jscot on Nov 12, 2009 1:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Steps to follow in case of emergency:
First, flip switch on sarcasm detector to “on” position.
Two, read comment again.
;)
free bayless
by Cablinasian on Nov 12, 2009 1:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
But we've already won one contest
You guys fired your coach and we have more comments on our blog about it than you have on yours. Amazing.
Of course, half of our comments are mindless speculation about the insane idea that we might somehow try to pry your PG away from you. Maybe those should count negative.
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
by jscot on Nov 12, 2009 1:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I wonder if...
Bill Simmons is regretting his project for NOLA to win 48 games or Utah to win 51?
by da34shadow on Nov 12, 2009 12:09 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Aww, poor Billie!
I’m almost 300 pages into his basketball book and so far its really good! As a youngin’ with little knowledge of the history of the league its nice to get caught up, even if the stories of some to the oldtimers start to bore me after a while with no mental images to sync up to the story.
Joel Freeland=Stud
by hightide on Nov 12, 2009 12:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Wait till you get to his analysis of Kobe
Funniest part of the book.
When I read the chapter on Isiah and the ‘secret’ of basketball, I instantly thought that the Blazers have to potential to ‘get it’ on that level.
"It's Our Time":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O99POVJfglY
by Storyteller on Nov 12, 2009 12:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
wow, if Storyteller liked it than it can't be bad!
Yeah, I think not only do they have that chance, but they seem to be building for it. Which, helps reenforce the faith I have in the direction of the Blazers.
Joel Freeland=Stud
by hightide on Nov 12, 2009 1:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I enjoyed it a lot
Didn’t agree with everything (does anybody agree with Simmons all the time?) and his homerism for the Celtics is obnoxious…..but yes, I enjoyed the book. Ben and KP2 also commented favorably on it in a recent Wingcast.
"It's Our Time":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O99POVJfglY
by Storyteller on Nov 12, 2009 1:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Expect a trade of
Paul if the Hornets continue losing. NOH must be in financial trouble so either the gate has to improve or salary must be cut. The only asset NOH has is Paul.
by 7677maniac on Nov 12, 2009 12:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Expect a sale or relocation of the franchise before a trade of Chris Paul
But slowly things happen that they cannot help and the Blazers Fellowship of the Ring begins to break apart
by Norsktroll on Nov 12, 2009 12:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Bingo.
Chris Paul is the golden ticket. The price of the team drops dramatically the second he puts on another uniform, unless you get full value in return… which they wouldn’t.
They would not trade Chris Paul before selling the team. If the management is that inept, they might as well fold the franchise and contract it.
by Timmay! on Nov 12, 2009 12:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Or move it to Vegas
The city took a small step forward last week towards the building of a new sports arena.
"It's Our Time":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O99POVJfglY
by Storyteller on Nov 12, 2009 1:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Think Vegas will try to steal the Hornets?
I assume the Kings are eyeing Vegas…
If the Hornets have to move twice in 10 years, I think it should be mandatory to change owners as part of the transaction.
by Timmay! on Nov 12, 2009 1:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Vegas will try to steal whoever might be slightly available
Kings, Hornets, Bobcats, Grizzlies……
"It's Our Time":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O99POVJfglY
by Storyteller on Nov 12, 2009 1:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
My vote is that they become the new Seattle Supersonics
And I can get League Pass again without getting the blazers blacked out, as well as 2 chances to watch the Blazers as an away team that would destroy the new Sonics.
by xedubx on Nov 12, 2009 1:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Sale might not happen if they don't cut some costs
so then a trade of Paul would be credible. But to who? Phoenix?
by 7677maniac on Nov 12, 2009 12:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Phoenix would LOVE to get him since
it provides them a replacement for their beloved Nash.
They would be reborn.
"Travis went all wang-dang diddly wubba SPROING wow-wow on everybody " Dave's recap, season opener
by Berkeley on Nov 12, 2009 1:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Except Phoenix also has a cheapskate owner
that just lost a ton of money. Nyet.
by xedubx on Nov 12, 2009 1:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
This team and any other team is infinitely easier to sell with the star player figurehead on board
Paul isn’t just their best option to win games, it’s also their best option to sell tickets, be in the news, do community events, etc. If Paul Allen wanted to sell the Blazers, he wouldn’t cut cost by trading Roy either. Those guys are much too young and much too good to be traded.
But slowly things happen that they cannot help and the Blazers Fellowship of the Ring begins to break apart
by Norsktroll on Nov 12, 2009 1:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Chris Paul IS the franchise...
Obama will actually end a war before he’s going anywhere, which is to say — SNOWBALL’S CHANCE.
"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal
by timbo on Nov 12, 2009 1:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
oh you had to go there didn't ya. lol
Portland's PG of the Future - MORE John Wall
Treat people well because Karma can hit you at any second.
by Net Ranger on Nov 12, 2009 1:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
PPS Let’s just say that this scenario (star unhappy, once-popular coach “loses team”, star and management likely have closed-door talks, team hits a rough patch on the court, coach gets axed, GM replaces coach) is Nate McMillan’s worst nightmare.
Ben, you’re exactly correct. Nate’s relationship with Roy is incredibly important to his role in Portland. If Brandon’s unhappy enough to start seeing fractures in his relationship with Nate, and the team struggles, Nate will start grabbing his tie like Rodney Dangerfield on the sidelines.
by Timmay! on Nov 12, 2009 12:26 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I was about to post that blockquote and say that the correlation is faulty in almost every respect, but whatever. Better we all stomp around banging pots and gnashing our teeth about Nate.
My team went to the playoffs in my first year.
by pxilpooshr on Nov 12, 2009 5:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
This news has been out there for hours -- HOURS! -- and there isn't a Chris Paul fanpost yet?
Wassup with that? Are Bedgers on vacation?
by Corvid on Nov 12, 2009 12:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I'm doing yardwork
Portland's PG of the Future - MORE John Wall
Treat people well because Karma can hit you at any second.
by Net Ranger on Nov 12, 2009 1:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Paul sucks
People obviously don’t want to trade for him, hence, no fanposts.
by Sabonis4Ever on Nov 12, 2009 4:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
wow... that was quick.
The writing is starting to get thrown up on the chalk board, ….
I don’t see Chris Paul Being part of that team come the deadline…
Lets start fanning them trade for paul flames once again.
Really though isn’t this kindof what happened to our team? (when KP started coaching/evaluating his talent?)
Paul getting traded or demanding to be traded’s chances just increased …alot.
K resume bashing on intel insideless peps :)
The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out, burns out farms, and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.
by faith on Nov 12, 2009 12:34 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Let's not get too caught up comparing Scott's situation with Nate.
Nate is working with an outstanding front office (at least as far as interest in improving the team goes). Scott was working with Ebenezer Scrooge.
"B-Roy is the best shooting guard I have played against"
-Ron Artest
by premthegrem on Nov 12, 2009 12:38 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I don't see that many parallels either
Things have been brewing for a long time in New Orleans. Nate’s pretty good at reading the writing on the wall, and if he saw things heading south, he’d bail before getting fired. Another good reason for him to go for the year-to-year contracts vs. something long-term.
by Corvid on Nov 12, 2009 12:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Sounds like you think Nate is going to submarine our team then bail
I bet the lakers are paying him to do it.
by Sabonis4Ever on Nov 12, 2009 4:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
AAARRRGGGHHH...
Please!!!… No more Trade for CP3 talk for awhile… I just wanna watch these fellers we got play and enjoy’em… Next thing ya know we’ll be seeing the “Trade Machine” guru’s coming up with stuff they say will work so make it happen…
by Ilikeemall on Nov 12, 2009 12:42 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
but.... but....
it’s chris Paul. that one guy we coulda had instead of my boy Webby!!
grin :)
The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out, burns out farms, and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.
by faith on Nov 12, 2009 12:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Deron Williams
was the “other” guy…but if KP had his way it would’ve been CP3
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Nov 12, 2009 4:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
"the belief that Bower had upgraded the team's bench by signing Diogu, trading for Darius Songaila and drafting Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton."
rooooofl
Blazer Fan
by leeroyjenkins on Nov 12, 2009 1:21 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Also it's always funny how teams with bad players usually also have bad coaches
hmmm, I should write a paper
Blazer Fan
by leeroyjenkins on Nov 12, 2009 1:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
To people that says Paul would never be traded: Welcome to the new NBA economy
NO lost ton of money fielding a good team last year and is projected to lose up to $20 million this season. Meanwhile, Memphis turned a profit last season and likely would wind up with a small loss. Now, what makes good business sense for George Shinn? Continue to stay little over the luxury cap or follow the Memphis/LA Clippers business model of pay as least player salary possible + payments from the tax-paying teams? I don’t think even Paul Allen can stomach losing 20 million year after year, let alone someone like Shinn with his spendthrift ways. For small market teams, this is really the only way to operate a team if you don’t want to lose a ton of money year after year.
Trading Paul would make no sense if we were still operating under the old NBA economy. However, the recent downturns have made the difference between the haves and the have-nots even more polarizing.
NO has to cut salary and have to cut it fast. Although they’d want to move guys like Stojakovic, MoPete, and Posey, they have zero trade value at this point due to their massive contracts and minuscule production. If they keep on losing games and more importantly, money, they are going to have to face dealing guys like West, Okafor, and eventually, Paul.
Let’s just be thankful that we have an owner like Paul Allen as well as city that is rabid in its support of its basketball team, because we could easily be the Memphis and NO of the NBA.
by xedubx on Nov 12, 2009 2:36 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
That is a fallacy. Exhibit A for why the Hornets are not following that model is Okafor
Chandler would have been a much cheaper player (outstanding salary $24 million), and taking on the more expensive Okafor (outstanding salary $64 million) was a move trying to push into the upper echelon of the West. That obviously wasn’t enough so far, but they are far from going into full-on cost cutting. They want to win. Memphis e.g. is only taking on players with short contracts, and just enough to not fall under the minimum salary cap (hence the Z-Bo deal, he makes enough money to push them over the limit and is just good enough, but doesn’t come with a long-term contract anymore).
Exhibit B: New Orleans is fielding a full 15 man roster. They wouldn’t if they were all about saving money.
But slowly things happen that they cannot help and the Blazers Fellowship of the Ring begins to break apart
by Norsktroll on Nov 12, 2009 3:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Also, the Hornets didn't lose money last season. But they did take on a loan provided by the NBA as I detailed earlier.
Stern said the Hornets have been profitable. Last month, the Hornets announced 80 percent of their 10,700 season-ticket holders from this past season have renewed. “New Orleans is profitable, and they tapped in,” Stern said. “I can understand you tap (into the league’s line of credit) — some teams do it to cover operating losses so owners don’t dip into their own pockets. Some do it because it’s a good idea. The money is inexpensive and the credit line is a good.” – David Stern, as reported by John Reid, The Times-Picayune
“We accepted the loan that the NBA made available to all its teams to keep our options open in case these funds are needed in the future,” Hornets President Hugh Weber said in a statement sent by e-mail Thursday to The Associated Press. […] “We are experiencing unprecedented success in ticket sales and sponsorships and by no means was this loan acquired to subsidize our daily operating expenses,” Weber said. – ESPN/AP: "Hornets take advantage of loan program
Besides lifting his team on his shoulders, Paul has done more than anyone to save pro basketball in New Orleans. The last two seasons the Hornets have made the playoffs. There’s been a boost in season-ticket holders (11,000, from 6,000 last year) and sponsors, translating into bigger revenues ($95 million for the 2007—08 season, up 5% from the season before) and a rise in the Forbes estimate of the team’s value (up 5% to $285 million). The jump in fan interest kept the Hornets in New Orleans, voiding a clause in the team’s lease with its stadium that would have let it move to another city. – Monte Burke, Forbes Magazine
But slowly things happen that they cannot help and the Blazers Fellowship of the Ring begins to break apart
by Norsktroll on Nov 12, 2009 3:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I respetfully disagree, and NO is/will be following the Memphis model
Exhibit A: The trade for Okafor was a salary cap move disguised as an attempt to get better. While Okafor has more future salary overall, Chandler costs more per year basis (little more than a million dollars this year.
Exhibit B: Immediately after this, they turned around and traded Rasual Butler, who is a pretty decent NBA swingman, and his $4 million salary for nothing to the Clips. Well, they did get a second round pick in 2016 which I am sure NO was thrilled about.
Okafor’s future salary does not have nearly the same impact to the ownership right now since their main goal is to get under the cap. It really doesn’t matter to them Okafor is making $10 million in 2012 as long as they do not take on any more big contract obligations.
I guarantee that before the new NBA calendar kicks in, the Hornets are going to be under the cap by getting at least $3 million in anyway possible.
by xedubx on Nov 12, 2009 4:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Exhibit C
NO is letting their GM take over head coaching duties instead of hiring a coach so that they can save money on getting a head coach.
by xedubx on Nov 12, 2009 4:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Tim Floyd is the new coach
The GM is just a figurehead because Floyd has a bad reputation. So they will rehab his reputation for this year, and then Floyd becomes the official coach next year, if the team plays well.
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
by jscot on Nov 12, 2009 11:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
OK, I might give you that one except..
But still, it is cheaper than trying to go find a coach right now like how most teams would operate. This move makes more sense if there’s only 20 games left in the season, but they have practically the whole season left.
Also, the fact that they are bringing in a coach with a bad rep that is willing to work for peanuts should tell you something as well.
by xedubx on Nov 13, 2009 12:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
How do you go from league coach of the year like 2 seasons ago to this? Someone explain that one for me.
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 Nov 12, 2009 3:25 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
You win coach of the year by exceeding expectation with the talent you have.
Eventually the talent regresses to the mean and you go down along with it.
by raoulduke on Nov 12, 2009 3:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Nate isn't going anywhere anytime soon.....
You don’t fire the coach of the year !!!
Go Blazers !!!!
"That's just how I get down"........ Andre Miller
by FrenchieFan on Nov 12, 2009 3:49 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
you do a year or two after they win the award, apparently.
"Ain't nothin' in this world for free."
by Arby on Nov 12, 2009 8:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I made the mistake of engaging the CP3 trade talk over at O-Live:
rtheda:
I dont think we would want to trade 4 for 1 for CP. I mean Rudy, Travis, Martel and Pryz are pretty valuable to trade 4 for 1. But if KP offered it to NO, NO should take it, its a screaming deal for NO.
douglast:
sorry man, you are way off here. That deal would be a steal for US, and no way New Orleans does it. Winning big in the NBA is all about stars – bench players can always be found. Any team getting one of the league’s top 5 players in a trade wins that trade hands down.
rtheda:
douglast, I bet he wants out non publicly. Basically I see that trade as two future allstars (Rudy and Travis) with two bona fide starters (Martell and Przy) for one allstar player who is not happy. Remember our four players if they got minutes would be putting up huge numbers. TO is a 20 and 10 player easy. RF could average 25 ppg. That would be a steal for NO. Plus NO is not going anywhere right now, so this trade would make them an instant 48 win team and save their GM’s job, if he’s smart? Paul Allen can pay the tax or whatever to make the salary stuff workout somehow Im sure. Its just a win win for both teams, if anything a steal for NO. I mean, 4 for 1? How can they go wrong with that. And CP is not a top 5 player either. maybe top 15? I mean lets list them: Kobe, Lebron, Carmelo, Duncan, Oneal, Orlando Center, Yao, Nash, KG, Duane Wade, Rasheed, Billups, Allen. You seriously think CP is top 5, what are you smoking — (just kidding about that, but halfway serious)? The only problem is, even if Portland wins 70 games, fans will worry Roy will be mad if his average goes from 2ppg to 1 ppg… LOL (and he wouldn’t be mad either, he’s just such a winner of a guy)
I was going to respond again, but decided not to waste my time…
How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009
by douglast on Nov 12, 2009 3:58 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
So many things wrong...
don’t even know where to start. SO MANY THINGS!!!
O-Live…wow
by Sabonis4Ever on Nov 12, 2009 4:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm gonna miss Chandler vs Przybilla
That is the real tragedy here.
"Goals are good. Plans are better." -Ben.
by Sabonis4Ever on Nov 12, 2009 4:22 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Can't we still see Mr. Tantrum play us when we got against his new team?
*Unless KP has a secret plan that makes this statement incorrect.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
by staylost on Nov 12, 2009 4:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
But only twice. He will only get ejected from the RG once this year :(
by Sabonis4Ever on Nov 12, 2009 4:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
That's the real reason we get these two teams back to back
The schedulers marked this game on their calendar, and then said, “Oops! Chandler is gone! Well, we want to see C vs P that weekend.”
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
by jscot on Nov 12, 2009 11:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Hmmmm, namedrop namedrop...
Scott sealed his own fate with his reluctance to trust young players. Part of an optimistic assessment of the Hornets in Pro Basketball Prospectus 2009-10 was the belief that Bower had upgraded the team’s bench by signing Diogu, trading for Darius Songaila and drafting Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton.
Songaila has been playing and Diogu has been hurt.
So the problem is that Scott didn’t sit CP3 to play Collison and didn’t play Thornton???
Analysis Fail.
"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal
by timbo on Nov 12, 2009 4:35 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
He got fired because the team sucks
End of story.
belief that Bower had upgraded the team’s bench by signing Diogu
HA.HA.
by Sabonis4Ever on Nov 12, 2009 4:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
hmmm? He was playing Bobby Brown at point over Collison. That is indefensible.
free bayless
by Cablinasian on Nov 12, 2009 7:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
So you're saying that Chris Paul was his shooting guard???
Actually, he played Bobby Brown at shooting guard over whoever is next on the depth chart.
Collison is a PG. If they wanted to play a rookie, it would have been wise to draft one who doesn’t play the same position as their superstar.
"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal
by timbo on Nov 12, 2009 7:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
ok, let’s pretend that Chris Paul plays 38 minutes per game. There are ten minutes when he is not on the floor.
During those ten minutes, Darren Collison should have been the point guard. This task was handed to Bobby Brown.
Bobby Brown played both minutes at point and shooting guard.
free bayless
by Cablinasian on Nov 12, 2009 9:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Great. Now we get to see 10 "Trade for Chris Paul" posts. Now that they fired their coach obviously they're doomed and will be looking to dump him.
I think Outlaw and Blake should be enough to pry him away. After that trade Raef’s expiring contract for Lebron.
by dario argento on Nov 12, 2009 7:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I also agree that it's pure lunacy.
Let ’em waste their time dreaming a stupid dream if they want to do it, though.
Dear Paul Allen:
Fire Nate McMillan & hire Jeff Van Gundy.
Sincerely,
AK1984
by AK1984 on Nov 12, 2009 7:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Ya gotta have a dream, even a stupid one.
Sung to the tune of “Catch a Falling Star”
With apologies to Lee Pockriss and Paul Vance
Dream a stupid dream and put it in your pocket,
Never let it fade away
Blazers gonna take-off like a rocket,
When CP-3 comes to play.
Chris Paul may come and tap you on the shoulder,
Some point-less night
Blazer Fan will feel a lot more bolder,
With Chris Paul in a Blazer spotlight.
Dream a stupid dream and put it in your pocket,
Never let it fade away
Blazers gonna take-off like a rocket,
When CP-3 comes to play.
AK’s tongue is sharper than a razor
Pay him no mind
CP-3 is gonna be a Blazer
With just a pocketful of SPAM, right!
Dream a stupid dream and put it in your pocket,
Never let it fade away
Blazers gonna take-off like a rocket,
When CP-3 comes to play.
by MiledAnimal on Nov 13, 2009 12:09 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
For everyone who thinks there's even a tiny chance of New Orleans Hornets trading Chris Paul, you're nuts.
George Shinn would sell the Hornets to an out-of-town buyer — or try to relocate the franchise himself — before trading Paul, who’s one of the most marketable players in the NBA today. With Paul on the ballclub, the Hornets are more financially viable as an organization — in spite of Jeff Bower’s medicore showing as GM — and, since money is the bottom line, that’s that.
Dear Paul Allen:
Fire Nate McMillan & hire Jeff Van Gundy.
Sincerely,
AK1984
by AK1984 on Nov 12, 2009 7:35 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
And if that is the case, what is the best way to relocate the franchise?
You should know as an ex-Sonics fan so I won’t spell it out for you. Either way, they’ll eventually have to trade him and it does not matter if they stay in NO, decide to move, or sell to out of town investors (my guess is to Ballmer).
by xedubx on Nov 13, 2009 1:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Wow, I see George Shinn replaced Byron Scott with Jeff Bower. That's insanity.
If anything, Shinn should’ve flat-out fired Bower, too, and tried to pry Bob Bass out of retirement or something as a short-term fix at the GM spot. Adding retread Tim Floyd to the coaching staff also seems like a dumb idea, but that’s just my opinion.
Dear Paul Allen:
Fire Nate McMillan & hire Jeff Van Gundy.
Sincerely,
AK1984
by AK1984 on Nov 12, 2009 7:47 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
actually jscot made an interesting point above
that bower is just a figurehead while floyd is going to be the man “behind the curtains” so to speak, and is being groomed to revive his reputation before officially assuming the head coaching position next year. Judging by how quickly they got Floyd into the organization after firing Scott, I bet they had this move in the works for a long time. Wonder if it effected the shoddy play we have seen the past few weeks from NOLA.
"B-Roy is the best shooting guard I have played against"
-Ron Artest
by premthegrem on Nov 13, 2009 12:28 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
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