Regarding Kevin Pritchard
by OhOhOden on Jun 16, 2010 4:25 AM PDT
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PrintI believe I understand how witnesses to Kevin Pritchard’s path to being fired have different accounts on the events and understanding about what caused such events. It would be as absurd to believe that any two people saw and interpreted things exactly the same as to assert they saw with the same set of eyes or breathed with the same set of lungs. This is what I mean when I write that I get people have multiple viewpoints.
Nevertheless, only one set of events did happen and no matter how many people interpret, spin or evade the facts, the outcome is abundantly clear: Kevin Pritchard is being tortured by excruciating and public means. His only consolation is the same as any prisoner on the rack before being executed. Soon it will all be over.
I do not know either Mr. Penn or Mr. Pritchard personally, and seeing how even decent, honest people with public lives have different private lives, I cannot attest to their character. But having followed the team the past decade, I can’t remember a public statement from Pritchard that wasn’t decent or honorable, nor any which in retrospect seemed the least unworthy. On the contrary, his conversations are astonishingly rational, focused on steady, long-term prospects, and characteristically moral, emphasizing fair dealing, honesty, independence, integrity. He didn’t have to come across that way, and indeed few public figures seem willing to be so forthright about doing things the right way. That’s what a leader has to do, however, to change a bad culture to a good one, and I know no jobs done so successfully as Kevin Pritchard did his.
I am concerned with a good man being unfairly persecuted. I would like to do more than write this, but because no crime has been committed and I have no greater stake in this matter than being a fan of a basketball team, I can’t think of what else to do. As a person, if Mr. Pritchard’s conduct behind the scenes is as upright as it is in public (and I have no reason to think otherwise), I would like to offer him support. Presumably he has nothing to gain from staying here after being treated so, and just let the reader ponder what that dark fact says about the team we have up until now followed. I hope wherever he goes he carries no bitterness toward people in general.
As a fan, however, the obvious fear is that the era of good basketball Pritchard shepherded will be as swiftly replaced by the basketball which preceded it: the Jailblazers. Paul Allen’s ownership has unnecessarily transformed a rising, healthy culture into complete uncertainty with utter depravity a few short years in the past. With such inept judgment in public relations, why should Paul Allen’s judgment be any better when it comes to personnel? Or financial management? Or basketball decisions?
No. People who say that losing a GM and an assistant GM are minor factors to being a basketball fan miss the point: Paul Allen is an obstacle to the Blazers’ long-term success. Despite his money, he is not known for good business decisions. Despite his success, he has a history (soon to be reconfirmed) of firing successful people. Beyond that I cannot say anything more than I don’t have confidence in any franchise of which Paul Allen is an owner. I don’t believe he is a rational man; his decisions seem at times driven by whim, such as his fascination with speedy point guards, or his desire to have a championship now, to hell with the long-term consequences (such as bankruptcy or a team ranked first in criminal misconduct). I have never heard any statement or of any of his actions which would lead me to believe he is a moral or principled man, which are necessary ingredients to long-term success. I see no reason to follow a team which can change so drastically according to the secret desires of a man with questionable character.
To summarize, unless this Pritchard thing turns around completely—if he were, for instance, to be granted a long extension and full control over the team—or, on the other hand, if he were revealed to be a sadistic monster having committed unspeakable crimes—I don’t have interest in the Trailblazers much anymore. I might watch for entertainment, and if by luck they win a championship I will be excited for the city and the players and staff of the team. But I am indifferent to an organization so carelessly run.
I can’t imagine any decent and talented individual seeking employment there. Why should being a fan be any different?
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I had tuna for breakfast.
I like the team. I probably will tomorrow, and most likely will like them at the beginning of the season. And if for whatever reason I don’t enjoy the team sometime down the line, I will watch some other teams I like. However, I will not stop liking the team because a GM has been fired. I personally think Mr, Pritchard has done a very nice job putting together a good young team….heck….he even signed one of my favorite point guards. But sometimes people think he may have put together a team with an injury prone borderline star. A team with an injury prone center who MIGHT be pretty good. A team with a tweener combo guard who will turn out to be an inconsistent bench guy (all of which has been spoken of before they were drafted). There has been grumblings and maybe even self-admittence that he has become to close to his players, maybe let some good trades and such fly by. Maybe the guy is really arrogant behind closed doors. Whatever all the drama I will like the team for the team, not for the management behind it. And if that makes me a bandwagon fan, than so be it.
I think his statement was more of
“I will stop being a fan, because Paul Allen will just break my heart everytime I start to believe.”
And I can respect that opinion. I am more like you, in the fact that I will still be a fan even when Kp is fired, but I won’t like the decision as I feel Kp has done a good job. Whoever they choose as his replacement will make a big difference thought, as there are other respected GM’s in the league that can take this team from here and get to a championship. KP has a special place in most fan’s hearts though, because he was at the helm when this team came out of the dark and back into repectability. He lead the way so that Blazer fans didn’t have to hear about the JailBlazers, and he will always be a fan favorite because of it.
As much as we fans want to believe this team is our team, it is really PA’s team and times like this just show that to be true. If the rumor about KP getting too much credit for reshaping this team are true, then it seems that Paul Allen might just be showing us fans that it is in fact HIS team and now ours.
Ben II Blazersedge.com || New to Blazers' Edge?
I definitely agree he has done a solid job, he also seems like a heck of guy. Wouldn’t it be great if when they introduce the new GM, it is just Pritchard with a funny mustache? I think that would be the best day of my life.
by jordanneale on Jun 16, 2010 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions
KP has a special place in most fan’s hearts though, because he was at the helm when this team came out of the dark and back into repectability
That’s right. KP is like Bucky Buckwalter, although the circumstances before Bucky was hired weren’t quite as dire (more like mired in mediocrity…) he took over player personnel after the old stalwarts Ramsay and Inman left and drafted the Blazers right into the finals. Then Geoff Petrie came along and took over as GM, and now Bucky is a footnote in Blazer history, he barely drew a mention during the 40 year celebration. But make no mistake, the Porter-Drexler-Kersey team was Bucky’s, just like the Roy-Batum-LMA-Oden team will always be KP’s, in memorium
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
If I may
I believe your characterization of my post
I think his statement was more of "I will stop being a fan, because Paul Allen will just break my heart everytime I start to believe."
is in danger of missing the moral issue by (I hope) unfairly seeing it as an emotional one. When the Lakers came back to beat us in the 2000 WCF—THAT was breaking my heart. What I’m reacting to here is perceived injustice against what seems to be a decent and competent man, and a feeling of revulsion following a whimsical man’s toy. It’s unjust to treat someone who seems to have done so well so badly, and I’m concerned the result of such bad behavior will be when we try to recruit precisely those “other respected GM’s in the league” and find that no self-respecting one wants to be subject to the whims of a glorified hobbyist. Bad behavior is bad business.
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
I'm definitely a bandwagon fan, too
in that I lose interest when the team loses or their story becomes uninteresting. I guess I’m trying to look at the bigger picture. You say:
Whatever all the drama I will like the team for the team, not for the management behind it.
but what do you mean as “the team”? The team on the court is essentially composed of fifteen free agents from all parts of the world, most of whom will be gone in five years. They were all brought together—by the management behind them. This comment seems somewhat facile in that it invokes someone blythely rooting for whatever these people put in front of you. Your reasoned analysis preceding it paints a different picture, one I think should impact your view of the team more profoundly.
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
Off court
I think what most people disliked about the JailBlazer era was the off court problems. Yes, on court there were too many ‘Ts’ and flying towels. But it was the lack of player’s character, the front office disregard for more than just basketball skills that caused less attendance in the Rose Garden and less eyes watching T.V.
Yes, owners/management have the right to select new GMs/players, etc. But the way they proceed and carry out their duties is what many people are reacting to in this case. Once again the off court behavior appears to be less than desirable.
As a teacher of young children I often ask myself, “Is this the best way to learn?” Is this an example of good character (mine or theirs)? In this case I would have to say no. I believe ‘off court’ behavior will effect how this team/franchise goes forward and I don’t like what I’m thinking.
"Who Shot KP?" - Krang
Absolutely not.
People stopped watching because they were loosing. Not only were they bad character guys, they were Zach Randolph, and Darius Miles. Randolph was pretty good, but thats all there was. They had a bad team, and when you have a bad team that doesn’t have W’s covering up you missteps….thats when people care . The “beginning” of the jailblazers was awesome. Damon, Wallace, Pippen, Smith, Wells….they were a blast to watch.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n560gRzJnCY
by jordanneale on Jun 16, 2010 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions
Our bums.
There are losing teams and there are loser teams.
Who assembled our “loser” team?
The current Blazers have been a blast to watch. Will the team still be in a couple of years under new GM direction? I’ll be waiting to see.
"Who Shot KP?" - Krang
Correction:
They were a blast to watch—for a while.
When your long-term basketball strategy seems to be to fire people when you’re not having “a blast” anymore, I submit you’re looking down the barrel of the Los Angeles Clippers or New York Knicks.
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
I didn't think it was awesome
That team gave me so many mixed feelings. The fourth quarter collapse against the Lakers was a shame, but it would have hurt more if it was a team I felt more connected to and would have hurt less if it was a team like the Spurs instead of the Lakers. .
PA as a business man
I don’t really think of him as a business man. I think of him as a very rich hobbyist. If he is not enjoying himself with a certain thing, then he is going to change it, because he wants to. Not for any other reason. Unfortunately and fortunately, we are all along for the ride.
by Name's Ash on Jun 16, 2010 9:15 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
^this
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I also agree with this characterization
I believe the spirit of my post was to contradict that “we are all along for the ride.” What for?
I think another way to look at my post is to justify being a “bandwagon fan,” given the erratic nature of the owner.
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
See Ya
You’ve done an admirable job KP, but not good enough. It’s time to move on. You haven’t done anything for me since ‘06. I’m not gonna give you credit for stumbling onto Andre Miller or opening up the gift that was, Marcus Camby, wrapped up and hand delivered to you with pretty little bow from the Clippers. I laugh at all the fans who consider KP to have a spotless record. That’s crazy. The media covering this team (oregonian writers) have their own agenda. Rather than reporting the truth they report their opinions, and just like KP has done with this team, the media is letting their feelings get in the way of business.
Stealing Batum from the Spurs and forcing Utah to swallow a tough pill (Millsap) are good things in my opinion. Turning Jack, McBob and Rush into Bayless wasn’t half bad either.
Yeah, Nic Batum was good, but
I can’t give KP credit for drafting Scottie Pippen, until Nic plays and puts up numbers like SP. Plus, taking a chance on a SG who’s too small to play SG, one year before a lot of highly regarded PGs are projected to be drafted (’09 draft) will get your GM in the dog house every time.
I dont know....
Based on what I have seen I think I would like Jack over Bayless right about now, granted I only watched like seven Raptors games.
by jordanneale on Jun 16, 2010 10:03 AM PDT up reply actions
yeah, Jarrett wanted to be the starting PG in Portland
and that wasn’t going to happen, he was better suited in the same role as Jerryd, 3rd guard off the bench, provide penetration and scoring. I think Bayless has a chance to eventually become a starting PG alongside Roy, but I never got that impression with Jack, and he received plenty of chances to win that job
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I am not sure what Pippen has to do with anything, but Batum (a starting rookie) was acquired using Darrell Arthur and Joey Dorsey. They only decent player picked behind him was Goran Dragic at 45, which could also mean that every other GM missed out on him. Jerryd Bayless was projected to go to OKC at 4, but made a surprise pick by going with Westbrook, causing JB to fall to the Blazers.
I am not saying KP has a spotless record; he has a few stinkers, but I don’t see much else out there that is better.
Also, I am not sure how trading away the coaches favorite (steve blake) and the the Brandon Roy’s best friend (travis outlaw) is considered “wrapped up and hand delivered to you with pretty little bow”.
Blazers wanted Westbrooks
I always wondered why the Sonics/Thunder took Westbrook so high – he’s turned out to be pretty good – but I thought they were going to take Brook Lopez – maybe they saw more in him when they knew Pritchard/Blazers saw a lot in him.
so you can not give KP any credit for drafting any player
until they turn into a hall of famer? Seems a little stupid to me.
picture me rollin'
Not what I'm saying
It just seems to me like everybody wants to give KP credit for drafting a great player in Nic Batum. Yes, I see Nic’s potential but as of right now it’s just that unrealized potential. So, that said, I’m not ready to give KP credit for the Nic Batum draft pick until he fulfills his potential. To call somebody great before they’ve actually done anything great seems stupid to me.
I think "See Ya" is a fine illumination of the soul of Paul Allen
The ups and downs of this team seem more and more to me the fluctuations of a rudderless man. Interesting that you should be so willing to join in.
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
You don't see
how the Clippers got absolutely nothing for Marcus Camby who’s one of the best defensive and rebounding Centers in the league. What did the Clippers get? They got Travis Outlaw for two weeks (probably not gonna resign) and Steve Blake (who maybe resigns and thats a big maybe). What would you say if the Blazers gave up Joel and got nothing in return? Clippers should have gotten more especially from a Blazers team that desperate to make playoffs. That trade was a gimme. Here ya go Portland stick it to the Lakers that’s what that was.
Why is it KP’s fault that the Clippers are crazy? All three of the players have expiring contracts. There was no guarantee Camby would have signed with the Clippers, anyway.
How to swindle the Clippers on on page 1 of every GM’s handbook. The section takes up about a paragraph, and it is written in a larger font to make it appear bigger.
It is not a valid knock against KP.
Let me try to help.
You can say that he could have been better at convincing PA, Nash, Patterson to draft Chis Paul or Deron Williams instead of Martel. You can say that Hedo was a mistake, (although, another team was even dumber for paying more for him). You could say that publicly outing the Vulcans as the reason for delay on B-Roy’s contract. You could say missing out on Dejaun Blair (but everyone did). You can say that his public persona started to become bigger than the team. There are probably other draft things he missed out on.
With all of that, he still was instrumental in getting the team go from the worst in the league to 4th in the Western Conference in a few short years. Who else has done that?
Oh that's right. I forgot
The Clippers are too retarded, and had no idea what they had with the veteran center Marcus Camby, so they got Pritch slapped. Son please. THEY GAVE IT TO HIM.
heres a poll
would you rather see kp still with the team and the team under the cap or kp but a memory and the vulcans spending lavishly over the cap to bring home another title. as a fan and as long as the team is financially committed to winning im going to side with paul on this one.
Awesome.
Welcome to the New York Knicks. Los Angeles Clippers and every other over-the-cap team who thought they could buy their way to success in any league. Name me every time it worked, and I’ll name you a dozen times it didn’t, plus point out how every time it worked, worked once and then someone else won.
Or you can build your franchise wisely, spending wisely, developing players over the long term. You could do that, if you have someone like Kevin Pritchard running your franchise.
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
Sorry for the overly snappy reply
I was overreacting to your comment. I am NOT willing to name dozens of teams. Your comment has merit insofar as you’re willing to ride the roller coaster. I’m not.
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
Your poll taken to the extreme.
Why shouldn’t PA just buy out all the Celtics or Lakers (your choice) and then we would know that the blazer team would be competing for the rings next year.
And it’s root, root, root for the home team.
"Who Shot KP?" - Krang
ok time to kick kevin while hes down
lets be Realistic, kp is probably overpaid. sure hes made a couple decent moves in the draft but given the financial resources available, he has had quite an advantage. he should be abover average. with those advantages if he is not clearly ahead of the pack something is indeed wrong. ill say he is rather one dimensional as a gm. yeah hes good with the draft but not so good at all dealing with free agency. he completely blew the miles, rlec advantages we had. mabey he should be a head scout or would do better as a #2 guy assistant gm somewhere. so the blazers are paying him gm money who hasnt shown he is capable of running a top tier team. mabey he would be good in a perrinial loser system like minn or the clippers where all they have to look forward to is draft picks everyyear. even then would he be any better than average without pa buying him extra picks. he definitely hasnt been capable of bring in even one allstar top tier player during his reign and being unable to get out of the 1st round… makes him slightly better than half the teams out there. cmon more than half the teams make it to the 1st round, yes that is average.
Lets not forget
Everybody wants to dog on PA and call him a bad business man for getting rid of KP, but it was Paul Allen who gave KP a chance to begin with. KP was a good scout but had no XP at GM, and over the years it has shown, and now PA is the bad guy for wanting to look else where.
One addition to an already long post
I would change my characterization of Paul Allen in the following way.
I speculated that he didn’t strike me as an overly rational or moral man, and I’m willing to stand by those speculations (I have no way of knowing one way or another). One thing we all know for sure, however, is that he is undergoing treatment for a second bout of cancer. I wish him well in this respect. But someone like him facing a shortened life has every reason to think along a shorter timeline than young, healthy people like Kevin Pritchard and Tom Penn. I can only imagine that being that close to dying has a profound impact on how one views one’s time. In that light, I think that can justify Paul Allen wanting people to get him satisfaction now, and KP and TP were thinking too far ahead for his tastes.
Now the following is PURE speculation, but I could imagine that scenario playing out pretty easily. PA finds his cancer has come back, his future is uncertain, and he’s a billionaire. He’ll do anything to get the results he wants now because he can’t get it after he’s dead. He goes to KP to speed things up. But KP and TP are professionals with a cultural vision; they can see all the hard work they put into the franchise and all the hard work it will take to get it back. TP balks first, and he is fired. KP is characteristically honest, and, besides, he’s a builder. So he can’t do what he sees as a good job long enough to stay.
Again, my fantasizing, but I guess I feel compelled to produce a narrative given a lack of evidence
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
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