Possible Pendergraph solution?

by bfan on Oct 11, 2010 11:04 AM PDT

Forgive me if this has been discussed/mentioned elsewhere, but I am wondering if the team could release Pendergraph and sign him as an assistant coach? I assume the team is on the hook for his injury cost either way since the injury occurred while in service to the team, so releasing him doesn't free the team of their obligation to cover his costs. So although seemingly disrespectful, releasing him to free a roster spot really only deprives him of team camaraderie during his rehab, which could be alleviated if he is kept on with the team as an assistant coach, personnel director, ball boy, whatever. Are teams limited by the number of assistant coaches they can have? Would this be viewed as some sort of salary cap circumvention by the league? Would Pendergraph see this as some sort of slap in the face and refuse such a deal? Interested in other perspectives here.

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Hmmm

He could wear the mascot uniform:)

by Chea Cubana on Oct 11, 2010 11:33 AM PDT reply actions

No need to sign him as an assistant coach...

He’s already paid for the season and he’s a free agent at the end of it either way.

"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 Oct 11, 2010 12:22 PM PDT reply actions

True that there is no need, but....

I think the post was aimed at what is the right thing to do from a PR and team building perspective. With Joel’s contract expiring and GO being a restricted free agent after the year, having more bigs in the fold is still a good idea.

"What we have here, is a failure to communicate."

by with_a_z on Oct 11, 2010 12:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Joel is a Blazer

I wouldn’t be surprised if he signed on the cheap to stay with PDX.

by gtbassett on Oct 11, 2010 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions

he is also a basketball PLAYER

he has a chance for a big pay day, and lots of playing time on any number of center starved teams. he was loyal before with us, but i would not be suprised if he signed for more money and playing time, as opposed to sharing his position with two other starting caliber players.

"I told somebody to stop crying," Pendergraph said after the game. "Actually, I told them all to stop crying."

by cornplant on Oct 11, 2010 2:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Joel wants to be in Portland

he’s said repeatedly that he started the Blazer’s rebuilding (’05) and he wants to be around when the team is competing for the finals

keep Przy

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

by two4larue on Oct 11, 2010 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions

he said that when he was a starter and gettin 30+ a night. things change, situations change, minds change. i want him to retire as a Blazer but you never know….

kObe iS thE aNtiChRiSt

by Brendan Holladay on Oct 11, 2010 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions

he said it again this summer

Joel isn’t going to leave Portland unless the Blazers fail to make him a fair offer. They can’t negotiate with him until July 1 so there’s no way to know how this will turn out until then (unless he’s traded beforehand) I suspect there’s mutual interest to make sure this season isn’t the last rodeo for #10 in red/black

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

by two4larue on Oct 11, 2010 11:03 PM PDT up reply actions

i would love to see him retire a blazer

but common sense says this might not happen. joel talks falls in with the company line. he is not going to say he hopes to sign somewhere else, obv.

"I told somebody to stop crying," Pendergraph said after the game. "Actually, I told them all to stop crying."

by cornplant on Oct 11, 2010 11:24 PM PDT up reply actions

he's also not the kind of guy who says one thing and does another

midwestern values, gotta love ’em

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

by two4larue on Oct 12, 2010 12:18 AM PDT up reply actions

if he said it again this summer then

i bow to your Blazer knowledge, it is deep, much, much deeper than mine. hard to say he will indeed stay tho, unless someone gets hurt again his minutes this year will be lower than year’s past. REALLY hope he stays! ‘all the Girlys say he’s pretty fly for a white Guy….’

kObe iS thE aNtiChRiSt

by Brendan Holladay on Oct 12, 2010 4:24 AM PDT up reply actions

i wonder what the rules are for players that are cut

and their participation with a team they are not signed with. i know teams seem more than welcoming to players using their facilities during the offseason.

"I told somebody to stop crying," Pendergraph said after the game. "Actually, I told them all to stop crying."

by cornplant on Oct 11, 2010 2:28 PM PDT reply actions

I think we need more sideline reporters

by Name's Ash on Oct 11, 2010 2:34 PM PDT reply actions

I think this is the best idea.

by panfolk on Oct 11, 2010 3:48 PM PDT up reply actions

+1.

Actually a great idea. Aren’t they still trying to replace Haarlow?

"These are dreams that we have." --Rudolfo Fernandez

by bfan on Oct 11, 2010 4:07 PM PDT up reply actions

I'd rather it be an excited Pendy than a dour Porter.

by panfolk on Oct 11, 2010 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions

What, exactly, would a second year player offer as an assistant coach?

I would be fine with him replacing Jay Jensen though.

by Roybot on Oct 11, 2010 2:37 PM PDT reply actions

i think the point is not what he would offer but keepin him with the team while opening up a roster spot (cuttin him.) at least that’s how i read this…

kObe iS thE aNtiChRiSt

by Brendan Holladay on Oct 11, 2010 3:40 PM PDT reply actions

I think you're trying to reply to Roybot.

But you are exactly correct. The team needs a roster spot, and cutting Pendergraph makes the most sense. So could the team keep him around in an alternative role so that he can still benefit from team comaraderie? This isn’t about PR, nor what they could get from whatever role they give to him. Just thinking out loud about how the team could meet its in a humane manner.

"These are dreams that we have." --Rudolfo Fernandez

by bfan on Oct 11, 2010 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions