There was nothing here (that was potentially true) that wasn’t already known. Here’s just running down a checklist of the (mis?)information that is already out there.

This whole interview was about building up Steve Patterson’s resume.

Ridiculous some of you can’t see things for what they really are.

Just like I had to take crap from people on June 23rd when I said the Rudy rumors were false, his trade value is nil, and guaranteed 100% that he would not be moved on draft day.

But Jason Quick said…

Pay attention.

Hated his interviews and soundbites when he was GM. Most of his comments make sense and really give insight to the dysfunction of the Blazers’, Vulcan and PA. Portland is still, probably, fortunate to have PA’s money backing the team but not as successfull as if we had a real cohesive team running the Blazers. I had forgot all about Miles and his extension…YUCK! He soured me on the Blazers and the NBA. He did not put forth an honest effort to come back in a timely manner from his surgery and then stuffed us when he should have retired. Still could not play well because I do not believe he really put the work in to make it back. You don’t get that fat and soft if you are driven to come back.

He was the titular GM at the time (interim position) but Pritchard was publicly acknowledged as responsible for the draft and the driving force behind all the draft day trades.

Patterson was not the basketball man – that was Pritchard and the scouting team. Patterson’s claim for responsibility is akin to an attorney taking all the credit for winning a case when his legal aid did all the work.

Kevin tried to play both sides. Some GMs may be allowed to do this. But Paul Allen was not going to provide cover for his GM to play both sides. In other words, Paul Allen did not want KP to use him as the bad guy by saying, I would give you a max contract for max years, but Paul Allen doesn’t want to do that. Or if it were up to me I would do this for you, but Paul Allen won’t go for it. Even if it was true! And maybe this was part of KP’s downfall? Maybe KP forgot that he worked for Paul Allen and not the players or staff?

The other concern is that their appears to be a rivalry between the local management and Seattle management. It seems like there may by too much bureaucracy at Vulcan for the local Portland management team to go through in order to get anything done. I can understand any GM or the Portland based management’s frustration going through the bureaucracy. Especially, when you probably think you can run the organization and make better decisions then the Seattle based group. However, Seattle is where the bills are paid. And of course any good owner who cared about his organization would want to be involved. Going forward, if the Blazers want to be more successful there will have to be a better bridge between Portland and Seattle management groups. And to have these two groups become one rather than rivals would go a long way toward reducing this dysfunction.

During Patterson’s time in Portland – the management had a feel of paranoia – seemed to want to shut people out as they were concerned what others would see…it just felt pretty unhealthy.

Pritchard was a breath of fresh air in the way he spoke to the media and fans – opened up communication and made folks feel welcomed to the organization – it hadn’t been that way for some time.

Maybe Allen, the Vulcan’s and Patterson didn’t appreciate that oppeness and/or exposure to the organization and perhaps thought such exposure brought Kevin too much adoring attention. There is a lot of speculation about what this was all about – errogance, bride, disrespect…who knows. What is known is that the truth may not ever be known and that this kind of thing seems to repeat itself.

I’m hoping the next GM can be as open as Kevin seemed to be and would be out front trying to make a connection with the media and fans, would draft players with good talent and character – not substitute one for the other, and if over time this alienates Allen and the Vulcans, that this person can have at least 3-4 good years before he gets fired, but the team will have at least moved in the right direction during this time versus going back to how it was before.

when I read the headline, “Steve Patterson interview”. But wasn’t for the GM position, thankfully! That guy has about as much charisma as Saddam Hussein.