I feel like booing...
by Krang on Jun 16, 2010 10:37 AM PDT
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Honesty? That's what's missing.
Let me admit to a few upfront prejudices. #1, if you ask me if I think Kevin Pritchard has done a good job, I'm going to answer yes. This is entirely based on empirical information. and evaluation. It's based mostly on where I perceive the franchise was when he arrived and was given GM duties, and where the franchise is today. In general under Pritchard the overall direction of the franchise has been positive. This is my opinion. So I would have to line up with the Kevin Pritchard supporters.
Having admitted that, I'd go further and say I don't really care if he's let go. Huh?....The way I look at it, as KP himself says, "They" can do whatever they want...The idea that Paul Allen, Vulcan, or whomever...I'm assuming Paul Allen...wishes for whatever reason, good, bad or indifferent to change GM's is alright with me. I think it happens in business all the time.
The major problem I'm having is simply the way this has been handled. We've had months of denial, no comment, nothings been determined, this is just "normal"...don't ask us, we'll tell you when and if we feel like it. And that's what wrong. I realize in business and in life, there might be circumstance either business related or personal that make revealing details to the public impossible or problematic....and I'm okay with that as well. For example...***warning this is pure hypothetical speculation just to illustrate a point*** Let's say Paul Allen decided he simply does not like Kevin Pritchard....for any reason...maybe he's allergic to his aftershave...maybe he told a joke that Paul didn't find funny....whatever....I think as an owner that has invested as much as Paul Allen has into The Blazers he has every right to let KP go and replace him. But what I would of hoped for The Franchise as well as Paul Allen was a striving for every degree of honesty and openness about the process and decision. That has not happened. Really, I don't even need the details...but instead of "Nothings Been Determined" or callous silence on the issue, a simple honest....Yes...The Blazers have decided to pursue a different direction and we are looking to replace Kevin Pritchard...would of been fine with me. But for whatever reason that level of honesty was not forthcoming...and as a fan that's what bothers me most.
There is another aspect that bothers me. With human beings and life, I'm not asking for perfection. BUT how do you bungle this whole thing this badly? Really?
The Blazers and Kevin Pritchard can say they are totally focused on The Draft and everything is being executed professionally and competently but it seems to me if you are approaching a draft with your acting GM in direct and public conflict with ownership then things simply cannot be ideal. This should of never been allowed to happen. How is everything okay? Even during years where I felt KP and Allen were on the same page, I always assumed that ultimately Kevin Pritchard needed Paul Allens approval to excute anything on draft day or before, during or after the draft. At the very, very least you'd think that avenue of communication would be awkward. Add to this the reality that this "break-up" has been so twisted and public and so drawn out and what other GM's are going to respect Kevin Pritchard as a legitimate representative of The Franchise?...I mean imagine the phone conversation from Kevin to other GM's...."Hello this is Kevin Pritchard, GM of The Blazers..." other end of the conversation..."That's not what I hear".
No this has been handled horribly...and with every non-statement from Larry Miller and every statement from Kevin Pritchard I just feel like booing the franchise I grew up supporting and loving. These are not great days to be a Blazer.
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Excellent commentary
This is largely where I come out on the issue. Paul Allen has the right to hire and fire whoever he chooses – it’s his team. Fans are perfectly entitled to agree or disagree. But the manner in which this has been handled by the organization is so devoid of tact, empathy or class it makes it difficult for me to follow this story and think anything but the worst of Allen/Kolde/Vulcan
Gotta say, Joey Crawford recognizes the importance of having a big 3rd quarter. He always brings it after halftime. - J.A. Adande
One explanation for how PA is handling KP's firing
that fits so perfectly that I cannot dismiss it as a possibility is that PA wants KP to quit so he won’t have to pay his salary for next season.
It makes no sense when you consider how much money PA has paid the last few years to unload Zach Randolph, Darius, and others, but it makes perfect sense when you remember that PA fired 80 staff employees a few years ago to cut costs. Maybe he is one of those folks who is comfortable spending a dollar but hates to waste a penny, or he doesn’t mind spending big on players but resents spending little on anyone else.
Especially when you consider that KP is reportedly,woefully, underpaid as it is
Phil Mickelson: "A Great shot is when you pull it off.....a smart shot is when you don't have the guts to try it"’
by 92wastheyear on Jun 16, 2010 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions
when you consider how much money PA has paid the last few years to unload Zach Randolph, Darius, and others
Thanks for reminding me, this is another point that Quick brought up this AM. The Darius Miles situation. Jason said that Tom Penn noticed how much cap money the team would have in July 2009 if Miles went bye-bye and so KP sold PA on the idea of buying out Darius so he’d retire and the cap money would be freed up
And everyone knows what happened next, Boston and Memphis conspired to put Darius on their rosters just long enough to screw the Blazers out of the extra 9 mil windfall
Allen was not happy, and (like David Banner) you won’t like him when he’s unhappy. Guess who took the brunt of that unleashed fury? (I’ll give you a hint: no good deed goes unpunished)
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I've thought about creating a fanpost about KP's mistakes.
I’ve noticed quite a few just from what I’ve read in various BE posts. Someone else can do it if they want, but the bottom line is that KP is not prescient and his luck has not consistently been good. I’d hate to think PA is judging him negatively for those reasons.
FWIW, Bruce Banner is the Hulk. David is his father.
On the old Bill Bixby TV series
David Banner was The Hulk (from which the “You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry” meme comes from).
Phil Mickelson: "A Great shot is when you pull it off.....a smart shot is when you don't have the guts to try it"’
by 92wastheyear on Jun 17, 2010 8:02 AM PDT up reply actions
Are you sure?
Because the Hulk bio on Marvel.com states clearly that Bruce is the Hulk.
I like that KP is Hulking-out a bit, lately.
by MiledAnimal on Jun 17, 2010 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions
Yeah ....that old series was weird in that way
They changed his name from the comics…for some reason
Phil Mickelson: "A Great shot is when you pull it off.....a smart shot is when you don't have the guts to try it"’
by 92wastheyear on Jun 17, 2010 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions
I actually looked that up once
“Bruce” was considered an ‘effeminate’ name when the series was made, so the executive decision was made to change it to “David”.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Jun 17, 2010 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions
I wondered if that was it
Phil Mickelson: "A Great shot is when you pull it off.....a smart shot is when you don't have the guts to try it"’
by 92wastheyear on Jun 17, 2010 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions
That seems like revisionism.
Tom Penn was promoted and given a big raise long after that happened.
Don’t ignore the obvious, Tom Penn was fired in March for something he did. KP did not publicly support PA’s decision to fire Penn. KP’s (and Penn’s) agent publicly went off on PA. KP never publicly repudiated his agents remarks. Then we don’t know what else happened between KP and Allen, but the next thing we know KP is banished from his seat next to Allen for the rest of season.
It’s easy to go back over KP’s mistakes now and claim they sum up to the reason PA wants to fire him. But then you also have to look at the things KP did right, like rebuilding the fan base which means PA doesn’t lose so much money on the Blazers, and acquiring Roy, LMA, Miller, Camby etc. to get a terrible team back to within striking distance of contending again. On whole, there are plenty of plusses to balance the minuses.
I think you have to look at when KP was suddenly (!) banished from PA’s seats to find the smoking gun. It can’t be because Paul just woke up one morning and decided KP had done a bad job. There’s something much more personal about it, and it happened when Penn was fired.
"Brandon eats first around here" - KP
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jun 16, 2010 7:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Miller himself said that there was "no HR" reason for firing Penn.
You seem to assume that Penn’s firing was justified, and that it was reasonable for PA to expect Pritchard to back him in that firing. There is no real public information to support those assumptions.
You may be right that KP is primarily being fired for LeGarie’s comments and his apparent unwillingness to repudiate them publicly. If that is the primary reason for firing KP, I would say it is pretty darn petty. If you compare firing KPs right hand man with LeGarie’s statements, which have proven to be spot on, I think it is clear that KP is the wronged party far more than PA.
Furthermore, if PA is willing to risk the entire future of the organization by firing the architect of its resurrection, he is a fool and a petty tyrant.
by upper left corner on Jun 17, 2010 8:09 AM PDT up reply actions
I wouldn't say it's petty
if an employee shows more loyalty to their pimp than the guy signing the paychecks. LeGarie has shown himself over the years to be a loudmouthed bully. Wouldn’t surprise me at all if PA just said, “oh yeah, well screw you.”
For what it's worth, I listened to Mike Barrett when he was subbing
for Canzano on the BFT last week and a caller asked him about the infamous seating arrangement. Barrett replied that he knew the particulars of KP no longer sitting with PA but he couldn’t talk about it and it was not what people think. Vague, I know, but interesting nonetheless.
#52
That's the difference between Canzano and MB...
Canzano actually knows nothing but talks like he knows everything…
MB knows everything and doesn’t say a damned thing because he can’t…
"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
Well what does MB assume that people think?
Because there’s a few theories but what do “the people think” in his mind?
I want to know what IT’S NOT so we can speculate with a clearer focus.
"I come to you now, at the turn of the tide." -- Brandon "Gandalf" Roy, April 24th, 2010
Honesty, in the world of business is rare, just as it is in our personal lives.
A lot of people are assuming that the PA/KP situation demonstrates a lack of competence, that nobody in the Blazers organization knows how to properly fire somebody.
However, I suspect that PA and his reigning cabal have their reasons for this unfolding melodrama and the mysteries behind it, and that those reasons and mysteries have to do with money, power and pride.
To my mind, the least likely explanation is that the Blazers are being run entirely frivolously. We will probably never know what has been transpiring behind the chaotic public facade, but you can be sure that the principal actors are not simply behaving randomly.
Honesty, in the business world may not be the best policy. It can tip your hand to competitors or those you are negotiating with; it can expose you to law suits or even criminal prosecution; and, as we well know, it can lead to hurt feelings and the severing of relationships.
I can’t help but believe that PA and his cohorts have weighed the damage ensuing from following their present course, and they have decided that it is worth certain other benefits or mitigated detrimental effects, the nature of which will probably remain unknown to us.
#52
by CatMan2 on Jun 16, 2010 12:23 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Well said.
Business is business.
"I come to you now, at the turn of the tide." -- Brandon "Gandalf" Roy, April 24th, 2010
I honestly believe they want Pritch for the draft
because he has proven to be the premier draft day GM in the entire league over the last few years. He lives for the draft and it’s where he makes his money. Then they will fire him shortly after saying that the franchise “wants to go in a new direction”. In comes Wark or West or Petrie; all considered better at the other aspects of GM duties (negotiating contracts, trades, perception among other GMs, etc). Not saying it’s right, but what other reason is there to drag it out a month?
you see much, Eomer son of Eomund
perhaps too much…
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Jun 16, 2010 4:48 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Why should I welcome you,
Gandalf Stormcrow?
I see your Wormtongue, and raise you a Gimli.
by damonrayhymer on Jun 17, 2010 11:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Bit on contracts brought odd thought
In many ways once the draft is done the team is on cruise control.
There’s 5 set starters,5 set backups,a recovering big and a young physical big.
Just add a back-up wing for depth(perhaps the draft),a third string PG(perhaps Mills or even Blake) and the roster is set. Biggest decision is prob Howard or a rookie big.
No big contracts to negotiate,rookies are fixed,Howard would get min,Blake can’t be too tough to do.
But next yr,ah a different matter. Nate,Oden,Miller are big decisions. All against a backdrop of KP’s contract being up as well. So if PA is uncomfortable w/KP or whatever,just after draft is perfect time to dump him. Gives the new guy a yr to get comfortable,understand the culture and settle in.
Oden has to be done this summer if The Blazers want to avoid Restricted Free Agency
Phil Mickelson: "A Great shot is when you pull it off.....a smart shot is when you don't have the guts to try it"’
by 92wastheyear on Jun 17, 2010 8:04 AM PDT up reply actions
I can't imagine even discussing it this summer
It’s up to Oden to either stay healthy this year or go down again.
Then the Blazers can decide whether to match the offers Oden gets. There’s nothing to be gained by signing him to an extension now.
For us or Greg.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Jun 17, 2010 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions
For us? Yes there is
Think about Paul Milsap…you want another team with that kinda power over what he is paid …..someone is likely to offer him a “toxic” offer sheet. I would say this is an important summer to get him at a reasonable price ….which, by the way, KP has done in the past (Martell and Blake[?]).
Phil Mickelson: "A Great shot is when you pull it off.....a smart shot is when you don't have the guts to try it"’
by 92wastheyear on Jun 17, 2010 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Man, it's a gamble for either side, though
Unless you can find that 7-8million sweet spot (and I think that is highly unlikely from either side), someone is going to end up getting hosed.
I feel very strongly that no serious discussion will take place this summer.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Jun 17, 2010 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions
It's fiscally prudent to let Greg Oden enter restricted free agency during the summer of ...
2011, which is especially true considering the likelihood of a lockout at that point. That aside, however, Martell Webster is an example of Kevin Pritchard signing a player to a supposedly low-cost contract extension, even though I’d argue that the team would’ve been better waiting it out and re-signing him in the summer of 2009 instead of the fall of 2008.
I think this may be accurate.
"I come to you now, at the turn of the tide." -- Brandon "Gandalf" Roy, April 24th, 2010
I do not have faith
that this turn of events will put a better team on the floor or make the team more endearing to ME – a fan. I still remember the horrible talent Nash and Patterson accumulated and the way they came across in interviews. Pompous and impatient. Like talking to the media, to the fans, was a waste of their time as we were just cattle to them.
by LicketyBrindleDowntheMiddle on Jun 16, 2010 4:02 PM PDT reply actions
Well stated thoughts.
I couldn’t agree more.
"Who Shot KP?" - Krang
Maybe it is Nate
Maybe Nate is somehow behind some of this. Maybe he wants more personnel control. He has known the mysterious “Hat Man” from his Sonic days and supposedly “Hat Man” Paul Allen’s ear. Nate wants to shake up his assistants and bring in someone with head coaching experience. This would free up his time for some GM duties. Maybe KP is still around because there is no intention to fire him, just demote him. Maybe Allen is giving Nate some time to assemble a new staff, and if Allen considers it a good enough staff KP
will get a job change. And if KP doesn’t like it they will figure he will walk.
Or maybe not!!
I don't think it is Nate
I am pretty confident Nate didn’t want to ax his assistants and Nate has been the only guy to back KP in public
Phil Mickelson: "A Great shot is when you pull it off.....a smart shot is when you don't have the guts to try it"’
by 92wastheyear on Jun 17, 2010 8:07 AM PDT up reply actions
I too doubt it's Nate
Although I wondered a lot about it when this first started.
Letting assistants go and hiring others with head coaching experience isn’t something coaches do by choice. It’s usually the first salvo in the “Win or be gone” warning.
If he hires Dwayne Casey, we’ll know Nate isn’t long for the (NBA) world.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Jun 17, 2010 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions
I feel like pooping
Geriatric Dunk Squad!
1/4/10 - Juwan Howard dunks on Chris Kaman.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTkOqDgLb6s
3/7/10 - Andre Miller Tomahawk jams on the Denver Nuggets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-JVgm7F1QA
4/12/10 - Marcus Camby drops 30 and 13 on OKC to cement 50 wins. http://www.nba.com/blazers/media/camby_chant_041310.mp3
by Eat Politicians on Jun 17, 2010 1:44 PM PDT reply actions
you look like it too
Phil Mickelson: "A Great shot is when you pull it off.....a smart shot is when you don't have the guts to try it"’
by 92wastheyear on Jun 17, 2010 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions
understand your sentiments and a very good post
Although there is definitely two sides to the story, this is clearly public humiliation of KP.
No matter what the motives are or what the outcome yields, it will not be soon forgotten in the Blazer public eye. The only fix for this whole puzzling scene, is a successful 2010-2011 season.
It’s not just KP that this is hurting. Nate is getting beat up with his own side show. (and he’s never in the mood for sideshows) The integrity of the organization continues to dish out collateral damage that may prove difficult to repair.
Add: Vulcan is a sideshow in itself. It’s a conglomerate of philanthropy, hobbies, real estate, technology, and the big business of the professional sports world.(partial list) It is quite diversified and therefore needs specialized mangers in each of it’s operations.
It is my feeling that there is a conflict of interest when it comes to combining pro sports into a bottom line for Vulcan. I say this because there is too much potential to rob Peter to pay Paul (pun). So it’s very important for PA to, not only have unbiased advisors, but also uphold the integrity of the organization when the final decisions are made.
The sports world is a different animal for sure. It is a high profile, deeply scrutinized, and spotlighted public enterprise. PA has been becoming more and more introverted as he ages (possibly due in part to some health concerns). This could allow his “cabinet” to gain more influence over his decisions. (I do know his sister is not too enthused with the sports world and wanted him to get out of the Portland franchise, when they were losing big money).
so I guess what I’m saying is; The best interest of the Blazer organization may have been compromised by this back door approach to the handling of the most recent events. Not in the same sense that would apply to a new direction or a leveled step up to progress, but simply the public image of an organization that seems to have lost its way.
But like I said, the only fix for this whole confusing development is having a successful 2010-2011 season. However, the gauntlet will have to be run with a lot more concerns attached than before . We once knew the direction this franchise was heading, now we don’t. (hope someone does)
It's all about defense......
Spock would never fire KP.
The tawdry and the salacious occupy our time and energy. We do not see the walls falling around us. We invest our intellectual and emotional energy in the inane and the absurd, the empty amusements that preoccupy a degenerate culture, so that when the final collapse arrives we can be herded, uncomprehending and fearful, into the inferno.
It would, indeed, be illogical.
"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
If (I almost say when) KP is fired
I don’t know that I will be able to be a blazer fan anymore honestly. I may just end up becoming a fan of whoever KP ends up with next…unless its the L*kers
persistence is the key
I wouldn't go that far
I’m a fan of the team, not the GM. I guess that’s the rub, and PA knows it.
"I come to you now, at the turn of the tide." -- Brandon "Gandalf" Roy, April 24th, 2010
don't be surprised
if KP is retained….dropping the “imminent firing” rumor float out there (and then KP being very active in trade possibilities—for the benefit of a team he’s supposed to be fired from in the very near future—makes no sense)…my take is that with KP’s draft day rep among other GM’s (pritchslapped etc), that the idea of KP negotiating with other GM’s as a way to “save his job”…or even to allow other GM’s think that they are getting more than what they bargained for (no, we won’t trade Batum for the #4 overall…he’s just TOOO valuable)—only to turn around, pull off two trades (can easily get the #4 and #13 overall picks—at reasonable prices)…retain his job (snicker) and build what would be a monster team…then again..if he does get fired, then the Blazers are being run by idiots…seems like you would want your new GM to bring in his guys (draft picks etc) instead of watching your predecessor have one final go at it…nope…my guess…a ruse to dupe the other GM’s into giving away valuable assets for not so valuable assets…
Announced that Pritchard would be fired
Pretty sad – Wheels should come on and say it’s a Sad day to be a Blazer fan.
I've been following this team since 1983.
And I am retiring my Blazer fan status, that was B.S the way they have handled this whole situation and really shows why the Blazers have been so unsuccessful as an NBA franchise considering the wealth spent on it.
Anyone who knows business, knows how it starts at the top and how success tends to follow it’s owner or leader to the staff.
If Allen is going to stay as current owner, you can bet that the Blazers will be good, but not good enough, look at the track record.
The Phoenix Suns have an opening for a GM, I wonder if Pritchard will wipe Portland off the map for the next 15 years.
If I put on a Spain jersey and dunk in Dwight Howard's face, they give me a "50"- Rudy Fernandez.
8 days ago I asked...
….How do you bungle something this badly?
Today…The Blazers up the ante.
Kevin said, “May the Best Man Win”.
Sorry Kevin, I don’t think it ever really was a fair contest. As so often happens, the best man did not win…the richest man did.
Some say success is the best revenge….well I wish you every success in the future.
"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"
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