Poll: If You Were Kevin Pritchard, Would You Resign?
by Ben Golliver on Jun 5, 2010 6:08 PM PDT
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PrintYahoo! has broken the news that the Portland Trail Blazers have started a search for Kevin Pritchard's replacement.
If you were Kevin Pritchard, how would you respond? Fall on your sword? Say, "enough is enough"? Hold out and force a firing to obtain the best financial considerations for yourself? Remain loyal to an organization that gave you your first big-time job to the bitter end?
What's the overriding priority for you here? The ability to do your job? Your personal sense of pride and honor? Money? Your ability to get hired by another team in the future? Saving your organization from negative headlines and distractions? Ego?
Vote in the poll and discuss in the comments.
-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter
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Depends on if you believe Woj
I’m not sure I do yet. His track record isn’t exactly perfect with us.
If they were recruiting my replacement behind my back though, then I would probably resign.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
by skywaker9 on Jun 5, 2010 6:10 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Metaquestion: why would you ask any question based upon that columnist?
Linking up a series of maybes with a disreputable column is not a chain of evidence, but completely speculative. Unless you have actual evidence, who cares?
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
by OhOhOden on Jun 6, 2010 12:16 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
"Pride never helps; it only hurt." -- Marcelus Wallace, Pulp Fiction
facebook.com/year5000
by Y5k on Jun 5, 2010 11:44 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
No, but...
Obviously the answer is no given what we know at this point.
However, if he definitely has another job lined up, or if he can negotiate a buyout (one involving a lot of money in exchange for his silence on various matters that might cause embarrassment to the organization), then I’d just make it happen now rather than drag this thing out.
RIP John Wooden.
by The Cactus Leaguer on Jun 5, 2010 6:17 PM PDT reply actions
No job lined up
Remember, last week when asked if his agent was putting feelers out there for KP’s next job he said, “He better not be.”
"I come to you now, at the turn of the tide." -- Brandon "Gandalf" Roy, April 24th, 2010
I would probably try to go big or go home in the draft
Either I save my job with a home run, or I screw the team by giving up a ton of assets and then draft a player that makes only trouble in the future (i.e. probably DeMarcus Cousins) ;-)
KP is going to be in a room with other folks
and Paul Allen will likely have the final say before a player is drafted or any trades are made.
"I come to you now, at the turn of the tide." -- Brandon "Gandalf" Roy, April 24th, 2010
I'm sure he wants the paycheck
Keep working, but start looking for a job. Make them fire you, because I’m sure they have to buy out his contract.
I doubt that he can screw the Blazers in the draft, because if they are genuinely searching for a replacement, he will be on a short leash.
I would also note
that it is Adrian Wojnarowski that is reporting this. I’ve found him to be rather unreliable in the rumor dept.
by hercher on Jun 5, 2010 6:26 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
If this is true,
Bad Form, Blazers.
Why would PA do this before, and so close, to the draft? This is counter intuitive, and self defeating.
Ditto
Business as usual until they let him go, and make them pay the full value of his contract and severance.
"I come to you now, at the turn of the tide." -- Brandon "Gandalf" Roy, April 24th, 2010
No way
How is this better for him if he resigns? He’ll get a bigger buyout by not resigning, and it won’t look bad on him – clearly there is some weird Vulcan politics are forcing him out.
M, period. Fresh, comma.
by manzell on Jun 5, 2010 6:41 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Right!
No advantage to resigning.
He can and should be giving a certain Russian and Mark Cuban and etc and etc each a resume …
just in case. (I’m sure he is already being called – he is the BEST at what he does.)
I could easily see him hooking up with Dallas.
It is my understanding that they have a mutual respect based around their appreciation for sabermetrics.
Donnie Nelson is entrenched with the Dallas Mavericks, so the best that Kevin Pritchard could ...
do there is a scouting gig. I, however, am curious as to what Pritchard’s prospects are of receiving another GM job after he leaves Portland, since his reputation might be sullied in some circles. I’m sure Pritchard will land on his feet, but a crash landing with a bumpy roll isn’t out of the question.
I'm sure that KP's agent, Warren LaGarie
is doing his own “fact-finding” for his client, around the league
It’s not like Paul and the Vulcans can hold that against KP, since they’re doing the same thing
Sad, but predictable. If KP’s real estate agent was taking pictures of his casa back in March, then A-Woj’s report certainly hasn’t caught him off guard.
It’s just that Blazer fans now know that there’s no going back. Like when the Bolshevik’s murdered the Czar and his family, a regime change is now inevitable
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
His agent already was looking
Part of the problems that started all of this were that his agent was pushing too hard.
I think he’s done a fantastic job of turning around the organization and making it into a highly effective business. That isn’t his job any more, but it was until Miller came on. At the same time, he’s done a fantastic job with rebuilding a team with some fantastic draft maneuvering and trades.
So, I’m sad to see him go (and think it is stupid to get rid of him), but I don’t think we should get too caught up in the pride issue.
All that glitters isn't chrome
Agreed
I know that part of the reason there was a falling out between KP and Paul was because of LaGarie, I was just saying that now that Allen has hired a head-hunting firm to replace KP, there’s no way he or the Vulcans can complain about KP’s agent doing likewise. Both parties are moving ahead in different directions, behind the scenes
KP has done a masterful job of acquiring talent. If that was the only responsibility of a GM he’d be in line for a promotion, but there are other areas where KP didn’t do so well that we’ll probably never hear about, in full. Suffice to say if the boss wants to replace you, he’ll eventually replace you. Do the best job you can in the interim because your reputation is all you’ll take with you to your next gig
I’ve got nothing bad to say about KP or Paul Allen, to me it’s kind of like being friends with a married couple who’ve had “irreconcilable differences.” You’re still their friends individually, but you don’t plan any get-togethers where they’re both under the same roof. (And if one starts talking bad about the other you’ll try to change the subject and try to talk about more recent events…)
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Man I hate the word resign.
If I was KP…No. I would not resign. No I would not re-sign. Neither. Resigning might make me look bad around the league. Re-signing would mean I would have to deal with the Vulcans.
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
It's pretty skeezy to be actively searching for a replacement without having fired the current employee.
"Ain't nothin' in this world for free."
Really?
It makes perfect sense in the bizarro world they seem to live in. Always a good idea to an your GM right before the draft and let him take your intel to another team. Genius really.
"...it was like he brought his own personal cross-wind to the arena." - Dave
I would not resign
but my focus would be on my next job only doing what is minimally necessary to meet my contract obligation.
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
The Blazers uppers are killin me...
What the heck! AJ is not a great insider but it makes sense that they are looking. Penn is gone. Vulcan is in charge. Pritch is gonna be a goner. I see Sarg not extending. No loyalty from Paul means disaster. Here comes a blow up! Why? I just do not understand. Any belief that Ferry is their target? Weird timing if you ask me! I am curious as to what Vulcan is planning.
Time to start cheering for OKC?
Just kidding.
"...it was like he brought his own personal cross-wind to the arena." - Dave
You may be kidding
but I might be looking for a new team soon, and I can’t think of too many better ones right now than OKC to root for.
I can think of at least 29 others.
Clay Bennet is a *&^% I would never root for a team with that guy as owner.
Somebody step up! - Mike Rice
Stupid timing if there is any truth to this rumor
Right before the draft. With KP having all the planning and knowledge as to what moves, needs, and plans the Blazers are and will be making.
Like the logic to possibly move Webster for CAP space, move KP out sounds like a Vulcan business move.
It must be to save $$$ for a salary increase that they expect to have reward him for all the pass EXCELLENT work.
The team is almost built. After this draft, there won’t be a need for big moves. Dumping KP is all about $$$$.
It must be to save $$$ for a salary increase
My best guess is that the next Blazer GM will earn more than KP was. We’ll see
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
if i remember correclty, KP is on the low end of the pay scale for GMs.
"I told somebody to stop crying," Pendergraph said after the game. "Actually, I told them all to stop crying."
yes, 850k
this came out back in March, when the news broke re: Penn
I serously doubt that PA is firing KP to save a few bucks on the team’s next GM. If “saving money” was the object, there are easier ways to do it. Like not carrying 15 players on the roster.
Or staying under the luxury tax threshold. That’s a big one
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Hey Ben
Can you or Dave post an article on what is known about Allen and his Vulcan companions? There is just way too much bad development happening in this front office.
You don't have to look into Allen and his Vulcan companies.
Today’s business ethics are all about short-term profit. Just think of how we got into this Recession.
I was just hoping over these last few years that Allen would not inject that XXXX into the Blazers.
I hope this is just another of Wojnarowski’s Throw-it-at-the-wall-and-see-if-it-sticks.
This makes me very sad...
Please don’t fire KP – this would be a major step backwards for the organization!!
I'm sure there is a lot more to the story than we know.
It’s sad to me that so many people are simply writing off Paul Allen and saying he’s making a bad business decision. Considering what he’s done for the world (I go to a school where buildings are named after the guy), much less the team, we should probably wait to find out more details instead of trusting a writer who has a history of writing negative things about Pritchard. Kevin Pritchard has certainly done great things in bringing this team to where it is today. In spite of these rumors, his constant support of the team’s administration and ownership and his hard work for this team to improve show that we obviously don’t know the full extent of this story.
Most people on this site, including myself, will agree that Pritchard is an important part of the team and should not be fired for no reason. I bet Paul Allen agrees. Obviously there is a “reason” that has precipitated all of these rumors and speculations, and I personally will wait until we find out more before dismissing Paul Allen’s management capabilities and business skills. It’s business. Sometimes people make mistakes that are hard to make up for. Maybe this is one of those cases.
I’m not saying Paul Allen is doing the right thing or the wrong thing, but I am saying that he has done far more than enough for this organization to deserve a chance to explain what is going on.
Agree with everything you say
Still, this is a piss poor approach by PA and whoever is firing Pritchard (if that’s even true). They need to recognize that Pritchard has a huge following among fans, and at the very least let us know WHY they’re doing this. Otherwise, we have a reason and right to riot.
Was there a statement following Penn's firing?
Don’t expect any in-depth statement from Paul Allen about KP if this does happen.
Actually, there was a statement.
There was even a rare statement from Paul Allen. The team cited gave a reason of “philosophical differences”. While this is unclear to us, it might have even been to Penn’s advantage. If Tom Penn did something unethical or unwarranted, as has been suggested (I’m not saying he did), then this is actually better than to come out and say what he did and put future employment at jeopardy for him.
Sometimes you have to trust your ownership, and considering Paul Allen’s unwavering dedication to the success and future of this team in Portland, we have little reason to throw him under the bus.
"philosophical differences".
I don’t call that “in-depth”
“Sometimes you have to trust your ownership, and considering Paul Allen’s unwavering dedication to the success and future of this team in Portland, we have little reason to throw him under the bus.”
sounds like a Political Party line… how sad
by spencerbutte on Jun 5, 2010 11:23 PM PDT up reply actions
this is actually better than to come out and say what he did and put future employment at jeopardy for him.
Not to mention that this kind of disclosure could get you sued
Paul’s “unwavering dedication” can be a positive or a negative force, at times. Like I’ve been saying for awhile, patience is not one of his virtues. Fans and reporters want to know the reasons why he’s doing this to KP, but Allen isn’t obligated to hold a press conference every time he makes a decision. When the new GM is hired, then we’ll hear about the change in direction. That’s it. Choose to renew your seasons tickets, or not. Root for the team, don’t “choose sides” re: front office politics
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Indeed.
Obviously, Penn and KP obviously did some things that rubbed their boss the wrong way. Perhaps it was even borderline ethical such as using a nonexistent job to leverage better financial package as it was rumored with Penn. And, we know KP can be boisterous and did rub other GMs the wrong way with his ego.
At any rate, I am not as quick to throw PA under the bus as the rest…at least not until we have a full story.
"I think he’s been doing some good things. I think he’s been doing some good things. He’s had to play a lot of minutes lately with Blake being out. I think he’s been doing some good things." -Nate McMillan
It's really odd that there is such a HUGE gap
between the popularity of Pritchard with the fans, and his presumable fall from grace with PA and whoever else in upper mgmt.
It’s frustrating to not know more, especially in today’s instant-answer-google world we live in.
Miller, Camby and Howard FTW. Love me the geezers.
by RenoBlazerFan on Jun 6, 2010 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions
AWoj is disgusting.
“It’s clear he can do little, if anything, without the approval of his superiors.”
Seriously? Worst “news” article ever.
by thetsaiguy on Jun 5, 2010 8:07 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
The Question Assumes Too Much
How do you know KP and the Blazers haven’t already agreed upon a parting of the ways? Maybe KP has agreed to “resign.” This seems far more likely than the assumption that the Blazers are somehow sneaking around around behind his back looking for a replacement. Things like that don’t remain a secret for long – as you can see. If KP is preparing to leave town, which appears to be the case, he probably already knows what’s going on. Sheesh.
I think you may be right on
And IMO it really seems more likely that some agreement is already in place. My guess would be that he completes the draft. Not a lot of teams are going to add or delete the most important personnel decision maker this time of year.
I also want to echo the sentiment that Paul Allen is a good dude. It would be interesting to know the whole truth here, and though of course I don’t know, I’d bet it would offer some valuable perspective.
volatilelyle.wordpress.com
by almost awesome on Jun 5, 2010 9:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Not a lot of teams are going to add or delete the most important personnel decision maker this time of year.
Maybe KP and Danny Ferry are going to job swap, less than 3 weeks before the draft?
Craziness
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
KP won't resign, Blazers will fire him after the draft
I think the timing explains everything. Assuming the story is accurate KP won’t be making the decisions this draft. If there is enough good will remaining, perhaps he’ll contribute his opinion and coordinate the draft logistics, but I’d say that isn’t terribly likely. However, the Blazers will want to keep him under contract through the draft to ensure our secrets are kept. KP probably won’t resign, because they’ll let him know they don’t want him with another organization pre-draft, they’ll remind him he is still under contract, and if he walks he’ll have a lot to lose in an acrimonious parting.
I wish KP much success whereever he goes. He brought respectibility back to Portland basketball, something many others would have (and some did) failed at.
If KP didn’t do something egregious to deserve this — if the rumors about conspiring to get Tom Penn a fatter contract aren’t true — then I’ve lost interest in Blazers basket until the Vulcans are out. I wish they could find another team to screw up and still keep a team in Portland. I have the utmost distaste for that organization. I think they steer Paul Allen wrong at most every turn.
I agree that KP will be around until the draft
It would be silly to let a GM go right before the draft, but C-town just did that very thing for other, more important reasons (LBJ, probably)
And KP won’t resign because hat would be affecting his bottom line and reputation around the league. Even though the other teams might sympathize with the way he was treated, nobody likes a quitter. Stick it out, do your best, make the boss fire you. Your next employer will appreciate your integrity and not have to wonder if you’ll leave him high and dry, if things don’t go your way in the future
Paul and the Vulcans are a fact of the Blazer’s existence; how much interest you give Portland’s basketball team is completely up to you. (I doubt they’ll come running after disgruntled fans and beg them to stay…although if you cancel your season tickets they’ll probably spam you, from time to time)
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
if i was kp
I would resign on the day of the draft
by Kosta0027 on Jun 5, 2010 9:16 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
there are better owners and situations with availability
Cleveland for instance. (with lbj of course)
"I told somebody to stop crying," Pendergraph said after the game. "Actually, I told them all to stop crying."
If I was KP, I would do my best up to the time they said go!
KP is that sort of guy I bet.
It looks like the vultures at Volcan are giving Paul more bad advice.
Rapid Bob
kevin was great.
he is a professional and im sure he wont create any distractions and will perform his duties to the best of his unbelievable ability in the draft. he can go out with integrety and the reality is even if he is offered the same money he is making now, he can go to a team where his talents are more needed, appreciated, and where he can be even more effective with higher picks, less alienated trading partners etc.. the blazers are crazy in my opinion, they should have tried to trade him. the timing is as horrible and can be, and after the last ordeal its Over. I hope he takes nate with him.
I'm close to this situation right now
I coach a club swim team
I’ll be leaving my current coaching job at the end of the summer for another team.
My current employer does not know this, but things have been going south for a while on the buisness end of the team. Whitch makes tensions high with my boss. My responce to this has been to redouble my effortds to give the best performance I can the last three months and let them know what they lost.
I hope KP does the same – Take the high road. Work magic in the draft and leave no room for those that fired him to feel good about it.
We went like this, he went like that. I say to Hollywood: Where'd he go? Hollywood says: where'd who go?
The timing is crazy
Maybe the Vulcans have been looking for a while and this just broke but the timing is crazy.
If the Vulcans let KP run the draft I would be amazed. In their world They think KP will torch the team(that is what they would do in his shoes).
BURN IT ALL DOWN KP!!!!!
GO OUT PYRO STYLE!
Sign Darius miles to a 1 billion dollar contract and get JR Rider, ruben paterson and zack R on the phone ASAP!
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
PYRO!
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 5, 2010 9:55 PM PDT up reply actions
If I was KP
it’d be a beautiful summer. I’d relax since the rest of the crew is taking care of the draft. I’d give PA a big wet kiss for the great years and the very generous severence. And all I have to do is smile while my agent gets a couple of offers cooked up. Yeah, Charlotte’s a nice town and you can win a few games with that crew. Everythings coming up roses. Thanks Portland, you guys were great (except for the Greg Oden thing).
i love how people are basing opinions off anonymous sources
i wont believe kp is gone until he is actually gone
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
draft Ekpe Udoh
it seems like there have been multiple anonymous sources over the last several weeks
Miller, Camby and Howard FTW. Love me the geezers.
by RenoBlazerFan on Jun 6, 2010 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions
I went "other".
Apply for the job.
Not sure if I’d resign, and apply for the vacancy I created,
or throw my name up against the field as the defending champ.
Either way, I’d put my qualifications for the job up against anyone and everyone.
Do it! Do it! Do it 'til you're satisfied!
Dude!
Prichard and Penn must have comityed some gnarly felonies to get treated this way. Seriously. BP and Transocean environmental criminals are treated with more respect.
Either P&P were behind the oil rig blunder or Mr Allen has gone soft in the head — bigtime.
facebook.com/year5000
by Y5k on Jun 5, 2010 11:34 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
yeah, I would blame the oil spill on KP...sounds about right
#26 - Quitters Unite!!!
It was on company property, with company property. So, double jeopardy, we're fine.
I don't know what KP did, but I think its clear that Allen’s issue with KP is personal, not player personnel.
I suspect it is related to Tom Penn’s firing, but I have no need to know.
If KP is innocent of wronging Allen he could simply resign and shouldn’t have to worry about getting a new GM job. Since he put up with the humiliation of being banished from his seat at Blazer games (when has that happened to a GM before?), and continues to stick around it seems like he thinks he needs to try to ride this out and get back in Allen’s good graces (perhaps do something spectacular in the draft?).
But I suspect this is going to end with a negotiated buyout of the last year of KP’s contract. It’s as though Allen refuses to fire him (and then have to pay the last year of his contract) and KP refuses to quit because he thinks he is going to need that salary.
"Brandon eats first around here" - KP
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jun 6, 2010 12:10 AM PDT reply actions
He is OWED that salary. It was a contract.
Why should he quit without it, when he is obviously not the one who wants to the contract to be terminated? PA can buy him out, fire him and pay the last year’s salary, or just keep him on the payroll and DNP CD him so he can’t go to another team. But, he can’t refuse to pay him unless he is willing to say in court why. It’s not KP twisting in the wind here. $850K is nothing to PA but if he’s ticked off for some reason, it may aggravate him that KP is still getting his money and he’s hoping KP will just go away.
Would you stay in your job if you were publicly humiliated every day by your boss
and you could easily get another job that would make up the difference of what you would lose (on a contract) by quitting because you were already underpaid? Of course not. What a deal – be humiliated while you are being underpaid to finish a contract? I’d be gone yesterday.
If KP did nothing wrong then he should be able to easily get another, better paying GM job (he has done a great job personnel-wise, every GM would have drafted Oden). Of course try to negotiate a settlement, but if you didn’t do something wrong, why allow yourself to be treated as he has been? It makes him look guilty of something. The longer this goes on the more guilty and desperate to hang onto a job he looks, and the harder it will be to get another GM job.
"Brandon eats first around here" - KP
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jun 6, 2010 2:24 AM PDT up reply actions
Kevin Pritchard probably isn't "guilty" of something, but his brash personality may lead to him ...
being blackballed by the people who run the good old boys club in the NBA. As it stands, Pritchard’s best bet is to ride things out here, get his nice severance package once he’s officially fired, and try to network himself into a new gig. Then again, networking seems to be Pritchard’s weak point.
Since he put up with the humiliation of being banished from his seat at Blazer games (when has that happened to a GM before?),
Since when has a new Blazer GM been introduced at a press conference and given a player’s jersey with “Your Name Here – GM” on the back?
Everything about KP from day 1 has been a media event, why should his dismissal be any different? I’m ready for another GM like Petrie who was rarely heard and seen almost never.
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I've enjoyed KP's willingness to at least say "something" while he has been GM.
Of course he needs to be guarded and not say much of substance until something has actually happened, but I like that better than never talking to the fans. At least it felt like communication.
"Brandon eats first around here" - KP
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jun 6, 2010 6:00 PM PDT up reply actions
It's been fun, and educational
At the end of the day, his job is to make amicable deals with the other GMs, and not keep the fans in the loop, or impress the quants at the Sloan conference
I think there’s a locker room attitude of “what you hear here, let it stay here when you leave here” that is understood between old-school front office execs. It’s like “OK, you just scored a touchdown, now act like you’ve been there before and don’t show the other guy up!” KP may have violated that code, and now he’s not welcome in the fraternity. That makes it hard to get trades accomplished. Like I’ve said a few times, I think he’d make some NBA team one heckuva lead scout. We’ll see if an up-and-coming team gives him another GM job, and how he learns from his experiences in Portland
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I don't think he was that powerless.
In fact, I thought the Camby trade was pretty spectacular considering we only gave up two guys that would be free agents in July anyway. One of them we are much better without, and if we want Blake back we could pick him up again this summer for a portion of the MLE (I doubt we will). Then after we got Camby here KP apparently orchestrated his reception and continued to make him feel at home. Even if those weren’t directly KP’s efforts, he still has to get credit for getting Camby to sign a contract extension. So that’s some pretty good GM’ing. We end up with Camby on a nice 2-year deal (when we know Denver, NY and probably LA would have wanted him) and essentially give up nothing (if wanted to pick up Steve again).
I think KP’s inability to make a trade deadline deal in 2009 was more about him overvaluing his baking cake than other GM’s being willing to deal with him. At the end of the day, the other GM’s are judged on the deals they can make, so I don’t think they much care if they are friends with their peers.
"Brandon eats first around here" - KP
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jun 6, 2010 9:15 PM PDT up reply actions
You scatch my back, I'll scratch yours
I think there’s a certain level of give and take that goes on, without some element of trust no one would ever make a trade. If enough GMs get the feeling that KP was going for the jugular on every deal, eventually word gets around and he’s non gratis. Oh sure, you can always stick it to the Clippers when they’re in transition from Dunleavy to their latest GM. But the kind of deals that Portland will need to pull off in the future might very well be hindered by bad blood between KP and his former “slap” victims. I’ve seen it before, in baseball with Jim Bowden. If you’re a ruthless negotiator eventually you run out of rubes to fleece, and then what do you have? An owner searching for your replacement
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Firing KP is a few steps back, with no guarantee of moving forward
The injuries this year was hard to watch, however the firing of Penn, to me, felt worse. It seemed to indicate a discord in the organization and with the rumors flying around about KP, it left me questioning the ability this team has in making sound decisions in order to move in a positive direction.
How things have changed in two short years – an up and coming team that seemed solid from top to bottom. Now, injuries and questions about a supposed franchise center, management/ownership that looks shaky in their ability to make good decisions.
Whisper Tickle Finger
facebook.com/year5000
by Y5k on Jun 6, 2010 8:42 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I remember my old whisper tickle finger....
it was way gross, kept asking to be inserted into places it didn’t belong
#26 - Quitters Unite!!!
It was on company property, with company property. So, double jeopardy, we're fine.
really? you say this? what are you a squatter?
#26 - Quitters Unite!!!
It was on company property, with company property. So, double jeopardy, we're fine.
Resign? No
That would signal “OK, you win, I give up.” If he chose to mess up the draft either by a bad move (which I doubt he could do because Allen is always there) or by resigning, it would be a sour grapes, childish moment and he’d have a hard time finding another job in the NBA. As others said above, you do your best till you are gone. You have to be an adult, “professional”, and thick skinned. If he didn’t continue to do his best then he’d be killing the team he put together and the fans who supported him so strongly (I still have my Cult of KP shirt). I hope his ego isn’t that big.
We’ve heard the rumors for some time that there are GMs in the league who don’t like dealing with him, maybe even refuse to listen to him. We cheered his draft day deals, but maybe he strutted too long and too obviously. Maybe his smoke screens were toxic for the future of his job here. I still feel betrayed by him – he spoke often of the personal connections he made with potential draftees – that the interviews over lunch were the most important part of the decision – and he drafted Bayless without ever talking to him. Maybe that’s why I’m still on the fence about JB – he didn’t go through the process. And as an older female I hate the trophy wife angle.
I think the person above who suggested that things have already been agreed to between the uppers and KP may have hit on it. “We’ll keep you through the draft, but then you are gone. If you keep silent, we’ll keep silent.” Makes sense. He put his house on the market because he knew he wouldn’t be needing it any longer and knew it wouldn’t sell quickly. The latest rumors may be old truths that just weren’t public till now.
I never liked Bert Kolde when he was Blazer mgt. and he’s at more Blazer games now than P.A. Someone suggested awhile back that he may have his eye on the GM job. He’s P.A.‘s best friend. If Allen & Pritchard don’t see eye to eye, toss out KP and install someone you know thinks like you do. It may not be the best for the team, but it’s good for the two of you.
I have a sick feeling that things are going to get worse – that the Vulcans – the business people who only think they know basketball – will have more of a say and I don’t remember that working out well for fans. I hope I am wrong.
by jorga on Jun 6, 2010 10:21 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
You have a good perspective on what (has already happened)
Also , you would have to consider that KP is part of the problem. He has presented himself to the Blazer public as a man of high integrity, but it sometimes appears that he has polished this up some behind the scenes. I don’t know the man, but I sometimes get the vision of this guy standing in front of the mirror and vigorously rehearsing a public appearance or press conference. Similar to what politicians do, not really saying much, but looking good doing so. ) This is fine, but talking and walking may not always be one and the same. I actually think he became a little arrogant in lieu of the recent draft success and when you do that, you lose your edge……with that said, KP (and Penn) have done a remarkable job in the draft, and PA owes them a lot for helping to rebuild this team.
This whole scene was really more obvious than most would agree…With PA/Miller closed mouth and KP “drinking his soup” in public, it became more hope than reality. However, up front, it does not appear that any of this, (at present) , is in the best interest of the Blazer organization.
When you own a major professional sports in a small market, it does not have the same fit as it would in the larger markets. You have to have more of a family atmosphere and a connection to the public that allows them (at least) the feeling of being part of the whole thing. In that respect, I think PA has failed.
I do find it odd that PA has chosen the low road, and have let the fans down by closing the doors and resigning to his executive privilege. This scene should have played out differently in my eyes (with or without KP) I guess when you have lots of money you can afford to experiment with making the right choices.
PA has probably made more good decisions than bad, but most of these came before Vulcan had it’s hold..High profile professional sports is an animal that has to have many good quality people to remain viable. PA has a questionable record at filling these key positions.
I sometimes get the vision of this guy standing in front of the mirror and vigorously rehearsing a public appearance or press conference. Similar to what politicians do
This sounds more lik a description of Steve Patterson than KP. Kevin’s a straight shooter when he’s in front of the camera (perhaps a little too honest, like Brandon). The other side of Pritch that we don’t get to see is more likely the reason why he’s unpopular with his peers.
Here’s a possible scenario that I’ve been thinking about. Completely hypothetical
Let’s say that there’s a deal that PA wanted to get done, but KP wasn’t able to make it happen for whatever reason. So Paul decdes to call his fellow owner and ask what it will take to get the process moving. The other owner levels with Paul and says “look, we’re tired of doing business with your guy Pritchard. He’s been a real ______ in the past and our front office is tired of his ______ . I’ll tell you what, if you want to do business with us and our friends, then you need to replace that _ .”
I’m not saying a conversation like this actually happened, but if it did Allen would have a choice to make. Does he keep his GM who is popular with the fanbase, or does he look for a new “mouthpiece” to the rest of the league? I suspect it wouldn’t be long before he decided that doing business is more important than looking like a benevolent owner to the fans.
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I don't think so
I don’t think it’s an issue of other GM’s not wanting to work with him – this wouldn’t lead to Paul not wanting to sit with him, the firing of Penn – this is personal – the former says I’m angry with you and don’t feel comfortable being with you.
Right, there's something on a personal level that, for whatever reason, irked Paul Allen. It's ...
Allen’s personal plaything, too, so he can consequently do whatever he pleases with regards to running the Portland Trail Blazers—even if that involves “running” it into the proverbial ground.
well, it could be both
I doubt it’s just one snarky remark by KP that set Paul off, more likely it’s the culmination of a series of events, most of which we’ll never find out about
Going back to WyEast’s original comment
sometimes get the vision of this guy standing in front of the mirror and vigorously rehearsing a public appearance or press conference
If that were the case with KP, he never would’ve worn those old granny glasses while the DVRs were running, back in the day. On second thought, maybe he should have kept the glasses?
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
wow an older female who is a fan enough to post on blogs! you are like an effin beta max!!
(they don’t make you any more)
#26 - Quitters Unite!!!
It was on company property, with company property. So, double jeopardy, we're fine.
I don't know if that's a compliment or not
but I’ve been hanging out with Dave for quite a few years; I just haven’t been around much this past one. The long-timers here know me.
Devils advocate
What if this all started because KP (or his agent) has been threatening to resign if he did not get X. Everything since could be posturing in a big game of chicken. Both sides could be firing shots using leaks to the media. Firing of Penn. KPs agents comments. KPs house on the market. Serach for a new GM.
Throughout this whole thing, KP says he wants to stay and do his job, and the Blazers say they are going through a process. What if the Blazers are the classy ones and not airing KP’s dirty laundry, and not the other way around?
What if KP has continually played off his bad decisions as a ‘group consensus’ instead of owning up to them? Hedo, Milsap, the Miles letter, lack of trades etc? When has KP ever owned up to a bad decision?
Around the league, it seems like KP is seen as an arrogant jerk. The public loves him, but maybe that is just a carefully crafted image.
Maybe we do not know the real story.
I'm starting to think the resignation has already happened
and that this summer’s events are part of an orchestrated departure. An amiable divorce, if you will, in which the couple continues to live together and raise the kids (and agree to keep mum) until the paperwork is done, then dad moves into an apartment. My cousin went through a divorce like that (w/o kids)—nobody knew there was an issue until he and his ex announced that the deal was done already, though there were a few signs something was up. Both he and his ex remain “friends” (i.e. on good terms with each other, though they seldom socialize) and both have since remarried.
Unfortunate, but better than the alternatives.
If it were a case of KP wanting to be gone, he could simply resign. If it were a case of Allen wanting to be rid of KP, he could simply fire him (KP’s remaining salary is chump change to Paul). The elaborate dance suggests that it’s a negotiated departure.
Si equum mortuum flagellēs, non celerium currat.
This is way, WAY too much smoke
for there not to be a fire. I have no opinion about the professional integrity or the validity of their sources of any of the columnists who have reported on the Pritchard situation, but I do have an opinion about integrity of Paul Allen (who needs to stop getting a free pass in Portland. Now) or Larry Miller (whose hands may well be tied by the aforementioned Allen). They have none.
If Pritchard lacked integrity of his own, which I believe he does have, he could stay with the team in order to sabotage it, something he would obviously never do, if for no other reason than because of his pride in being part of building this team. I can’t imagine why he’d want to do all this work for the draft on behalf of the Blazers when it is so clear he’s going to be fired. Yes, he should resign.
I have never been so conflicted about a sports team in my life. I am very, very close to never being a Blazer fan again, at least not while the team is owned by Paul Allen. This taints absolutely everything for me. I can’t root for a team that acts this way any more than I could support a company that makes a product I love, but boils puppies alive to make their secret ingredient for it.
I am going to need to hear some VERY compelling evidence that Pritchard needed to be let go (which still doesn’t excuse how this has been handled, so I dunno…) and I don’t think that will be forthcoming; partly because no one will say publicly, and more importantly, because I don’t think there is any such evidence.
I’m so angry about this. I almost wish the team was a mess on the court too. It would make it easier to walk away.
I will trade you Mark Warkentine for Kevin Pritchard
-The Nuggets
#26 - Quitters Unite!!!
It was on company property, with company property. So, double jeopardy, we're fine.
If he resigns
He gives up his guaranteed money. If it were me, I would make them fire me so I wouldn’t lose part of the salary they owe me.
by BlazerFanFromDenver on Jun 7, 2010 12:35 PM PDT reply actions
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