Just Follow the Portland Model, Right?
by shrink on Nov 9, 2009 1:18 PM CST
68 comments
Money Talks with shrink
As Wolves fans cringe through losses like last night, they try to focus on the future, hoping the team is emulating the successful Blazer turn-around under Kevin Pritchard. Can they? A brief examination of the Trailblazers recent history is in order.
Just five years ago, the once proud tradition of the Trailblazers was a mess, with a financial situation that was worse than the Timberwolves ever were. In 2004-05, they had the third highest payroll in the NBA, with four players (Theo Ratliff, Damon Stoudamire, Nick Van Exel, and Shareef Abdur-Rahim) all making over $10 mil a year, and a new contract headed to Zach Randolph for $10+ as well. Their record? 27-55.
The Blazers brought in Kevin Pritchard in 2004 to be Director of Player Personnel, but under GM John Nash, the Trailblazers got worse. By 2006, the Blazers had the worst record in the NBA (21-61), Nash was fired, and Pritchard was given the GM job. While Nash was more of a traditional GM, Pritchard was new school. He worked heavily with scouting and player development, and relied deeply on statistical analysis. Pritchard quickly made several draft picks and trades to acquire top young talent that has now positioned the Trailblazers as a young contender that may be destined for great things.
Can the Wolves emulate this?
Well, let's start at the top. While Portland owner, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen is on a different financial stratosphere, Glen Taylor is still one of the wealthiest owners in the NBA. Both have demonstrated a willingness to spend money when they believed they could acquire a key player to be a contender. Neither Portland nor Minnesota are major media markets, and they face similar competition. While its impossible to compare anyone with Pritchard's success, David Kahn could be a likely heir. Both are heavily focused on development, hard workers, and willing to make trades to acquire young talent that they believe in.
However, the next step is talent. The NBA is a superstar league, and in most cases, the potential to be a superstar that wins multiple championships (a Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal or Tim Duncan) come from a Top 3 pick That now means not just picking well, but winning a lottery, and unfortunately, teams can't control lottery balls. The more unlikely way is to trade for a true superstar. Teams rarely trade a player of this level in his prime, so like drafting, a GM needs to predict who has the potential to become a superstar. Pritchard made an excellent trade to acquire Brandon Roy, though we don't know yet if he can reach the championship success of the Jordan-level superstar. Good scouting can improve a team's odds, but there is obviously a measure of luck involved here as well.
So if the Wolves follow the Trailblazers approach, in two years will they become the exciting young franchise that Portland is today? Possibly, but they'd need to make good decisions and also be lucky. Wolves fans can be optimistic though that the team is positioned to succeed. They have the ownership, the GM, and are making the big bets (like Ricky Rubio) to try to find that star. They've shed their financial burdens and added assets, so they are open to more opportunities in free agency or through trade.
There's no way to control the lottery balls or have perfect knowledge of the future through immaculate scouting. However, while Wolves fans endure losses like last night, they can take heart when they look at Kevin Pritchard and the Trailblazers that it can be done. The Blazers were in worse shape than we are.
0 recs |
68 comments
Email
Print
Comments
So essentially we need Love to turn out similar to LMA. Flynn to become Brandon Roy. We need to trade away our Zach Randolph in Big Al, and then win the 2010 Draft Lottery to get our Oden, Derrick Favors, and still have our Rudy Fernandez in Ricky Rubio ready to come over from the Euro League. Corey Brewer is already our Martell Webster, except we haven’t extended him yet.
In order of the above similarities likely to happen I might rank it the following.
1. Love equaling the production of LMA
2. Determining the Proper trade value for Al and making an effective trade
3. Ricky Rubio coming over as an immediate efficient contributor
4. Flynn becoming a Brandon Roy type player
5. Winning the 2010 Draft Lottery with a Big Man worthy of being picked #1 (Good Season for Favors or Aldrich)
The only advantage we would have over Portland is that we would have cap space available sooner in our rebuilding plan versus them having to wait longer to rid themselves of unwanted salary commitments.
I agree we need luck to go our way in a lot of this, hopefully Kahn is up to the task of making the right choices, but until he starts making choices, I will continue to give him an incomplete.
by Ebomb on Nov 9, 2009 2:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
We need to draft Evan Turner and have him turn out to be our Brandon Roy type.
by LoveTo on Nov 9, 2009 2:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I guess I should have been more clear, by type I meant lead player on a playoff team. I understand that Jonny won’t play the same positional role on a team as Brandon Roy.
That being said, a wing who can handle the ball in the triangle who is also a strong shooter is definitely a need. Evan Turner may be that guy, but he may not be. For instance, per 40 minutes, Turner has averaged 3.9 TO’s both his Freshman and Sophomore year. Roy never had a season above 3.4 and had it at 2.5 his Junior season. If Turner can become a better outside shooter and reduce his turnovers in his Junior Season, I could be convinced to gamble he is the guy, but Wings to me take a long time to develop in the Pros and I would prefer we find our Wing via Free Agency or Trade.
by Ebomb on Nov 9, 2009 3:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Here’s my 4 step plan:
1. Draft Evan Turner
2. Sign Rudy Gay (and teach him to play D)
3. Get Ricky (and to a lesser extent Peko) over here ASAP
4. Do something whacky like Trade Flynn and Jefferson for Bynum.
Voila:
Rubio
Turner
Gay
Love
Bynum
When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story.
by Xand1 on Nov 9, 2009 3:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
But why would the Lakers...
want Flynn and Jefferson? It’s already been definitively proven over a large sample size of seven games that they can’t fit in the triangle offense.
by Bethke on Nov 9, 2009 3:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Intersting wacky trade
Trading Al to the Lakers because he just doesn’t fit with the Wolves trying to install the Triangle.
by Ebomb on Nov 9, 2009 3:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t buy the system issues so much. I was just throwing out the first big C who would fit better next to Love than Al does, or vice versa.
When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story.
by Xand1 on Nov 9, 2009 3:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
*the first big C that came to mind
is how that last part should read.
When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story.
by Xand1 on Nov 9, 2009 3:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
And why trade
For an injury prone center like Bynum? He’s hardly someone I would count on to be a cornerstone at this point. Granted the Lakers are deep, but he’s only the fourth best player on that team at best. Who knows how he’ll do when he’s asked to be the number 1 or two guy, or maybe you don’t think of him like that?
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
by biggity2bit on Nov 9, 2009 4:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
To be honest, I didn’t put much thought into it at all. It was a general idea, namely: find a big C who is a better complement to either Al or Love than they are to each other.
When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story.
by Xand1 on Nov 9, 2009 4:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I say target
Pryzbilla. Young, attitude, nasty, good defender and rebounder. Decent price for the age.
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
by biggity2bit on Nov 9, 2009 4:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Would be
The foundation of our All Minnesota 5 rotation-Pryz and Cole!
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
by biggity2bit on Nov 9, 2009 4:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Bynum is injury prone
But Joel isn’t?
—Morty
by Mortimer on Nov 9, 2009 6:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Good point
Big men tend to have leg problems. That’s a risk I’d be willing to take. I’d take Bynum over Al, considering he has the ability to be a good low post scorer as well as a dominant defensive force.
by nja700 on Nov 9, 2009 6:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I thought he was getting up there.. how old is he? He’d be almost ideal as a 3rd big. Unless I’m mistaken, Brendan Haywood is also going to be a FA this year, and he’d also be great in the enforcer/defender role (if he’s healthy, that is).
When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story.
by Xand1 on Nov 9, 2009 4:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Pryzbilla would be a tough player to get
I like Pryzbilla’s defensive game, but he is over-priced in the current NBA economy. In addition, he’s a terrific fit for Portland, because of his experience, style of play, and protection for Greg Oden’s injury and foul problems.
Each player has a specific value to each team. I agree that Pryzbilla would fit nicely with our team, but the cost of getting him out of POR probably makes it impractical.
by shrink on Nov 9, 2009 8:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The center that's gonna be available this summer is D.J. Mbenga from the Lakers.
Legit 6’11" guy, good defender, bad passer, can score the ball. Room for development. A fan favorite, seems like a good dude.
Currently making $1M or something and will be going somewhere for MLE or less after his contract runs out this season. No way that the Lakers will be able to keep him…
As for the Wolves issues, I think they were set up for this draft but misplayed it going for the PGs but not the right one (Lawson) and should have been trading down for Casspi. But that’s water under the bridge at this point.
Big Al and Love are both PFs, and long-term the team probably needs to turn one of them into a scoring wing. If it’s really gonna be the triangle, that means Big Al gets dealt. Rubio should also be converted into something tangible, even if that’s nothing but a couple picks.
Next draft Wolves need to make damned sure not to be picking any more PGs. But that’s axiomatic at this point… I have no idea what that draft was about………
"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal
by timbo on Nov 11, 2009 12:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Welcome to reality
Where the Timberwolves only have 2 pgs.
That being said, Mbenga is almost too much of a project even for our team. He is better suited on a team that he can be a role player and they can cover up his weaknesses. He looks good on LA because he is the player that the defense focuses on the least in the triangle.
Lawson would have been very nice! Personally, I would rank his chances at having a better career than Flynn at 50%. And having him and Ellington would have been good for the cohesion factor. They know where each other are gonna be and when and where the ball is coming.
I am ok on not having Casspi. With out current lineup, we need an explosive player at the wing and he is not it. I’d rather bet on Brewer (granted neither of them will be exactly what we need).
by Mplax on Nov 11, 2009 12:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Blazer Nation
Can’t even read comments on SNP’s game write-up. Blazer nation is in full force… makes me want to hurl…
by DR_JPK on Nov 9, 2009 2:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
When the wolves do turn the corner
Let’s not go over to the Blazer’s website and start acting like idiots.
by DR_JPK on Nov 9, 2009 2:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
When you whine about another teams bench players throwing down an ass whipping on your team while trying to impress their coach enough to earn minutes on a stacked team, you are kind of inviting criticism. Most of SNP’s work is rock solid but that little line about wanting the players to intentionally hurt the Blazers players warrented some backlash.
Blazersedge mods suck
by lrh86 on Nov 9, 2009 2:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You should stay on the Blazers’ website.
by LoveTo on Nov 9, 2009 2:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
correction
it is @$$ Whooping…not whipping. Just thought you should know.
by TheEvilProfessor on Nov 9, 2009 2:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I think the "hurt" thing is a misunderstanding
There’s a difference between a hard foul and hurting someone. He in no way endorsed that. He just endorsed some rougher play and possibly a hard foul to keep those players in check. That sort of thing happens a lot in the NBA. Nobody’s whining about the ass whipping. I just think that he’s upset that the Timberwolves appeared to just sit there and take it.
And there’s a difference between impressing the coach and just getting yours, and I feel like it was more of the latter. It could’ve been a little more reserved, though if you allow yourself to get beat by 20/30/40 whatever points as a professional team, you deserve a lot of it.
by nja700 on Nov 9, 2009 3:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
What did they do that was so inflammatory?
The tone of benevolent condescension is hardly the worst I’ve seen from people online. I’d rather they’d think through their opinions a bit past “We once lost too,” but it’s no skin off our knuckles.
"It has come to the editor’s attention that the Herald-Leader neglected to cover the civil rights movement. We regret the omission."
by feral on Nov 9, 2009 4:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Solid...
….there is definitely a lot to look at in terms of how quickly the Blazers have turned themselves around. They have a solid GM who took advantage of the luck that came their way. Here’s hoping Kahn can do the same.
Forever splitting the Cheechakos from the Sourdoughs
www.canishoopus.com
by Stop-n-Pop on Nov 9, 2009 3:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Kahn's honesty was refreshing to me
And shows he seems aware of the current roster’s problems, and is dedicated to fixing it over sticking his head in the sand and trying to make non-A-level players into the core.
Going to the triangle is bold as well, and someone no one has done (at least not stuck to). That could pay off HUGE, but, of course, ya need the right guys for it. I like the bold moves (snagging Rubio when he fell) like that, and it’s what ya need.
Love should fit the triangle in the Pau Gasol type way… the reason Pau is great for it is that he’s a great passer, as is Love, and that’s why Big Al doesn’t work in it. This type of offense, more than most, requires certain player types AND is a tough one to learn. So, it takes time in every way.
You guys would likely have made a bigger return to goodness after the KG trade if McHale wasn’t stuck trying to make his past bad decisions seem like good ones. Admitting the mistakes of the past and moving on was very important for Kahn to do.
From afar I think Kahn has done a good job, and I hope he’s allowed to make the hard decisions.
Morty
by Mortimer on Nov 9, 2009 3:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
i feel like in the minority
when I take exception to statements like “Big Al doesn’t work in [the triangle].”
It’s been seven games, coming off an injury, learning a new, complicated system, and showing signs of progress. Al’s AST%, for example, went from an 8.8 last year (at that point, a career high) to a 15.3 so far this year.
It’s way, way too early to call Al incompatible with the future of this team. At the All-Star break it will STILL be way too early to make that judgement.
Right now, the “Al isn’t compatible with the system” argument is pretty much the same as “this team isn’t compatible with the system” or “it takes Phil+Jordan/Kobe to work the system.”
Give it time, curb the knee-jerks.
by losDelFuego on Nov 9, 2009 6:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I think one can get better at passing
But it’s a largely natural skill, similar to rebounding. One has court vision or they don’t. It isn’t defense, or shooting, that can be improved through hard work.
I just don’t see Al as a passing big man, which the triangle needs.
Fortunately, you got Love, who IS a passing big man. The triangle doesn’t need to run through Big Al most of the time for him to be effective on offense. When Rambis brought over the triangle offense to the Wolves, I gotta imagine he thought about it running through Love, not Big Al… but Big Al’s offensive rebounding and one on one post scoring will always be effective.
Morty
Yeah, it is very early for Al, coming off an injury, learning a new system, etc… but I think most agree that he isn’t a passer. It’s not that he’s really a ballhog, but that he isn’t a good passer.
by Mortimer on Nov 9, 2009 6:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I think the general feel is...
that Al has never been the type of player that would fit in the triangle in the past… It seems doubtful he will “change” into that type player in the future. The triangel isn’t a high usage post type offense… and for better or worst that is where Jefferson excels.
Just an opinion though…
by Ilikeemall on Nov 9, 2009 6:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
"Chance Favors the Prepared Mind"
I think Louis Pasteur got it right.
Hopefully David Kahn’s changes are getting the Wolves prepared as well.
by shrink on Nov 9, 2009 3:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Even the Blazers had to get lucky
As great as Pritchard has been at assembling his team – with the breadth of talent being just about as impressive as the depth – the only way to make that next step is to get lucky. One would’ve assumed that this happened in the lucking-into of the #1 pick and subsequently Greg Oden, but the jury’s still out on that. At some point, it’d be nice for the T-Wolves to land a top-3 pick where #3 isn’t OJ Mayo or Christian Laettner. To get a top pick in an Oden/Durant type draft would be a huge relief.
If we can assemble a big 3 with the upside and ability of Roy/Aldridge/Oden, let alone a young roster with that much depth and versatility, I would be ecstatic. OKC is looking pretty good themselves, too. Their core is still unproven and their depth is weaker, but things are looking up for them as well. They have more talent as well as more cohesive talent. I can only hope we turn these assets into a team with that much tangible potential for a brighter future, or we’ll be eating those teams’ dust for a long time. Here’s hoping Kahn’s up to it.
by nja700 on Nov 9, 2009 3:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
this is their year..
….to get the #1 pick. With the top 2 guys being a point guard and a power forward, this is their year to shine! ;)
Forever splitting the Cheechakos from the Sourdoughs
www.canishoopus.com
by Stop-n-Pop on Nov 9, 2009 3:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I would just like to point out
That the Blazer’s best player wasn’t a top three draft pick. Oden, despite his great promise, isn’t a dominant presence in the NBA yet. LMA is becoming one, but even he is a clear second fiddle on that team.
The truth of the matter is that Pritchard got very, very lucky. LMA and Roy in the same draft? Then you add Oden when Pryz is already producing at a high level? We can only hope that someone from the Jawai/Hollins/Pech triumvirate develops into an impact player or even starter. That would be a nice piece of Pritch-luck!
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
by biggity2bit on Nov 9, 2009 4:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I hope so too
Forever splitting the Cheechakos from the Sourdoughs
www.canishoopus.com
by Stop-n-Pop on Nov 9, 2009 3:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Keep plugging away
The 04-05 Bulls got off to an awful 1-11 start and ended up winning 47 games. Their core group of players included Eddy Curry, Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, and Kirk Hinrich, all of whom were between the ages of 19 and 24.
We knew it woud be ugly early and often the first part of this season. I still think this squad could turn some heads in the second half of the season, certainly not to the tune of 47 wins, but perhaps a couple nice stretches of .500 ball that gets us into the upper 20s as a season-ending win total after a dismal start.
I think the difference between us and the Blazers rebuilding process will be we’re going to have to go outside for one or two of our core players (which we have the assets to go do). I just can’t see a Roy-LMA-Oden draft bonanza. What’s beautiful about LMA and Oden is that they compliment each other perfectly, something which can’t be said about Rubio/Flynn/Sessions or Love/Jefferson/Pekovic, our 6 most valuable assets.
by Rascal Flatts on Nov 9, 2009 4:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Along those lines
SnP, Wyn, or whoever-I think a really nice feature for CH to do this year would be a player development tracker. Maybe a weekly or bi-weekly feature on how a player is coming along throughout the season-like where they started, some notable ups or downs, how it looks like they’re improving their game, the role of the coaching staff in coaching them up, and perhaps where they are headed. It could even focus on the coaches instead of the players. For example, you could do a story on Laimbeer/Rambis if it turns out that some of their coaching has helped Pech and Jawai to career highs in scoring in the same week. Or you could do one on Hollins and how his offense is (or is not) progressing, and how his defense is (or is not) progressing.
The list of players I’d be interested in are:
Flynn
Sessions
Hollins
Jawai
Pech
Ellington
Brewer
I would offer to write some of these myself, but I don’t feel like I have a good enough grasp of what to look for/knowing what they should be doing, etc. Also, I don’t have any contacts within the Wolves that might provide some tasty nuggets. I have the feeling that one or more of those players will be traded by season’s end, and that their development will factor into it. Besides, player development is probably the biggest story this season, right?
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
by biggity2bit on Nov 9, 2009 4:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Portland has taken on some cap lunkers along the way.
Soaking up big contracts, like Raef LaFrentz’s, was instrumental in the Roy draft-day maneuvers, wasn’t it? Portland’s been willing to do that.
I’m not honestly sure how I’d react if we made a move on a player we coveted in the draft by taking on that kind of cap weight. We’ve spent so much time earning the space…. Any deadline deal might include such “garbage management.” It’d make me flinch.
"It has come to the editor’s attention that the Herald-Leader neglected to cover the civil rights movement. We regret the omission."
by feral on Nov 9, 2009 4:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
We've kind of already done that
We were the ones who ended up with Theo Ratliff’s contract in the end, and we’re currently sitting on Brian Cardinal and Mark Blount.
If it takes us having to sit on another big deal for a year or two to get the player we want, then I don’t see a problem. We have the resources to do that.
by Oceanary on Nov 9, 2009 4:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Ratliff was an expiring, which is desirable -- not a 'bad contract' like LeFrentz
Getting the huge contract the year it expires is a huge plus for most teams. That’s why it was a plus in the KG deal.
The Blazers got a solid lottery pick in exchange for Bassy Telfair, largely because they were willing to accept back Raef’s odious contract. That was in 2006 — which meant there was still 06-07, 07-08, and 08-09 left on the contrast, all at big money for a player who couldn’t get on the floor at all.
By last year, LaFrentz’s deal was an expiring — and it was being described as a “golden ticket.” As in, Time to cash in that golden ticket, Blazers.
"It has come to the editor’s attention that the Herald-Leader neglected to cover the civil rights movement. We regret the omission."
by feral on Nov 10, 2009 6:52 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
It wasn't just an expiring -- it was an expiring with the salary like 80% paid by insurance.
Paul Allen pocketed the cash.
"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal
by timbo on Nov 11, 2009 12:28 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
And then he used the cap space on Miller.
Who I would much prefer to Richard “fat legs” Jefferson, thank you very much. I don’t think there were a lot of salary dump guys available who I would really want. Certainly not as attractive as some of the free agents.
The Nets refused to give up Carter unless Courtney Lee was included. I’m sure they would have wanted Rudy at least. The Bobcats wanted Batum for Wallace.
You know KP tried to move it, but teams just aren’t super eager to help the Blazers these days.
by Nick Van Excellent on Nov 11, 2009 4:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
All this talk about the Blazers makes me want to ask this...
When does Portland start being more than just another 3 or 4 seed in the West? When do they make a run deep into the playoffs? Shouldn’t a squad with such a massive core of talent be looking at WC championship this year or next? Do the parts fit? Are there enough balls to go around? Or is Portland just another talented and entertaining team (like the Suns and Mavs) in the West?
by nextmove on Nov 9, 2009 5:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Whoa slow down. Last year was the first year Portland made the playoffs since starting rebuilding
And the team they lost to took the Lakers to 7.
Just three years ago, Portland was the worst team in the league (21-61). They have 10 players age 25 or younger, including Roy and Aldridge, who, by the way, are still on their rookie contracts. This is, so far, the first season Oden has been healthy for, and showing real progress.
People mistakenly think Portland is a veteran team because of how fast they rebuilt and because Roy plays way beyond his age, but the truth is they are one of the youngest teams in the league, and just breaking into the playoffs is exactly where they should be.
by Oceanary on Nov 9, 2009 5:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Good point about Oden
But, seriously, a first-round exit this year for the Blazers wouldn’t be considered a disappointment? They seem to have moved up the pecking order in the West, partly due to attrition (Houston.) Those windows of opportunity don’t stay open forever. Remember when New Jersey was supposed to be next power in the East with Marbury, Van Horn, Kittles, K-Mart and J. Williams? Is just making the playoffs a good measuring stick for Portland?
by nextmove on Nov 9, 2009 5:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
This year it would be a disappointment
Unless they draw a team like the Lakers or Spurs in the first round. But I think competing for a western conference championship is a step too far for them right now. The incumbent contenders (Lakers, Spurs, Mavs) plus the Nuggets all have reason to be considered better than Portland right now.
by Oceanary on Nov 9, 2009 6:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Blazers will beat the Spurs if they draw them. They would have beat them last year, too.
"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal
by timbo on Nov 11, 2009 12:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Bold statement
But I hope you are right. I’m not what you would call a “Spurs fan”
by Mplax on Nov 11, 2009 1:01 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
IMO, Pritchard isn't doing anything brilliant.
He merely stands out compared to the incompetence of everyone else. As long as he stays smart, Kahn should have no problem replicating the main course of rebuilding that Pritchard took.
If a team is bad enough to have a 6th, 2nd, 7th, and 1st pick over three years, they ought to be able to turn those four picks into a core like Webster, Aldridge, Roy, and Oden, all while the bloated contracts from the previous regime expire. The Wolves are already in the process of doing something similar, having drafted 6th, 7th, 3rd, 5th/6th in the past four years. They’ll keep taking high picks until they get it right and the drafted players pull them out of mediocrity, at which point they can sign a few choice vets (Miller, Blake, Pryzbilla, in Portland’s case) to bring along for the ride before their young guys’ contract extensions kick in and use up the remaining cap space. Rinse. Repeat. I don’t see why any team with a half-decent GM shouldn’t be able to follow this model.
Where Portland does deserve credit is:
1) For having the foresight to pursue foreign players with draft picks where the immediate value is lower, but the long-term return is higher than any college player available at that spot. Portland has only just begun to reap the rewards of Fernandez, Batum, and Claver. Fortunately, the Wolves seem to have picked up on this as well, with Pekovic and Rubio.
2) For having an owner with deep pockets. The NBA salary cap is much better than baseball, but rich owners/markets still have the advantage of being able to buy extra draft picks. So far, we have a rich owner only in the theoretical sense, as selling assets for cash has cost us Deandre Jordan, Nick Calathes, and the opportunity to turn Atkin’s waivable contract into a pick or asset. Hopefully, Taylor will come around here as the Wolves start winning more.
by John Doe on Nov 9, 2009 6:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I don't think you're right about Pritchard
Here’s what he’s done distinctively:
- Target a few specific players and fid a way to get them. This is rather different from a best-player-available strategy.
- Get rid of knuckleheads and bring in character. These days you never hear about a player who doesn’t work hard, play hard, and get along with the team. (A possible exception is Andre Miller recently, but that might still work out well.)
- As you mention, scouting Europe and using Europe as a stash for developing players so they don’t crowd the current bench and the cap.
I wouldn’t claim Pritchard has been perfect, but you should recognize some of the positives. This was a smart post overall.
by Kaboomm on Nov 9, 2009 7:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
And one more thing
- He was in a position to get a lot of creative things done while under the cap, and now the owner puts him in a position to pay some high salaries when over the cap. But don’t expect to see the same kind of maneuvering by the Blazers in the future. They’ll have to be very smart/lucky to bring in any big talents, like the Lakers and Spurs have done lately.
by Kaboomm on Nov 9, 2009 7:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'd say he was pretty fair in his analysis
He pointed out the facts as they are. He used a lot of common sense in what he did. Oden was the common sense pick: great fit and defense to compliment the offense. Whereas Durant was the reach pick: high potential, clashes with current roster, no defense.
Foreign players were common sense in that most people in the league do that (at least the ones who can get their immediate needs through FA or have a full bench as is). People usually recognize when there isnt space on the roster.
Many teams have been moving towards character lately. And I think this has been good for the league as a whole. There are fewer “bad boys” entering the league today than there were in the past. Now it’s really only the Nuggets, Knicks, Griz, Clippers, and an occasional other team that are taking on the dbags.
by Mplax on Nov 11, 2009 1:06 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Pritchard most definitely HAS been brilliant
Because keep in mind he TRADED for Roy and Aldridge. I mean, of anyone in the NBA, Wolves fans should know he traded for Roy.
The Blazers right now could be starting Randy Foye and Tyrus Thomas, and that will definitely NOT get a team 54 wins. Pritchard has done a lot more than just inheriting a wealth of assets.
by Oceanary on Nov 9, 2009 8:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He also:
-Traded down from the pick that could have become Deron Williams or Chris Paul then took Martell Webster over Andrew Bynum and Danny Granger.
-Took Aldridge before Roy (so it’s not like he really knew what Roy was going to become).
-Took Oden over Durant. You can’t really hold this one against him, but nevertheless.
Looks to me like he’s had some hits and some misses. The important thing is that he had 4 high lottery picks to try to find that one star player. Given enough chances, most competent GMs would do the same.
by John Doe on Nov 10, 2009 2:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
1. You’re talking about John Nash.
2. Aldridge was more generally coveted, therefore he had to take him first.
3. As you say, hindsight is great. Plus, Durant wouldn’t look so great if he were playing on the Blazers.
*Unless KP has a secret plan that makes this statement incorrect.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
by staylost on Nov 10, 2009 6:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He would probably look better than he does now
It’s just that the team would look worse.
by Mplax on Nov 11, 2009 1:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
To be fair
He HAD to take LMA before Roy, because LMA was going to be drafted by someone before Roy would. The only way you get both is to take LMA first.
PLUS, I dunno if you guys know this fun story, but KP totally swindled the Rockets to get Roy… the story goes, the Rockets wanted Roy, and had a deal with the Wolves in place where the Wolves draft Roy, the Rockets draft Foye, and they swap.
KP heard rumor of the swap, and drafted Foye (a player he didn’t want) to force the Wolves to deal with the Blazers over dealing with the Rockets.
Supposedly true, and pretty ballsy.
The previous regime was responsible for not drafting Paul (as legend passed down through the ages tells it, KP argued hard for Chris Paul, but John Nash overruled him), drafting Telfair (who KP traded as soon as he was in charge), drafting Ha Seung-Jinn, etc.
I will argue Oden over Durant is clearly the better pick RIGHT NOW. I am a professed Oden homer, but Durant’s abysmal playmaking and defense doesn’t work on a good team. Even if Oden never improves one iota and is only a 10/10 with 2 blocks good defense type of guy he is currently, he is worth more than a guy who only scores— especially on a team that has Brandon Roy.
Durant will certainly lead the league in scoring, but scoring is cheap. Having a guy who can pass, make plays, is worth more on offense.
I really liked Durant coming into the league, hoped he’d be a transcendent player, but he’s just Kevin Martin. Scores, does nothing else. And I haven’t found one person in the history of the NBA, as a perimeter player, who started his career out as such a bad passer and become a good one. It doesn’t happen; similar to rebounding. Doesn’t matter how young he is, playmaking and rebounding are skills that have shown, over the decades, to be skills one can get better at but largely are innate.
Horford over Durant, even. Individual scoring stats are the single most overrated skill in the NBA.
Mortimer
by Mortimer on Nov 11, 2009 2:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
One glaring difference...
is that the entire culture of the team needed to be changed. Portlanders had no other major sports teams besides the Blazers. Not only were they playing terrible ball with a bloated payroll but they had a roster so thuggish they should have added a new column to the stats for criminal charges. The team so many were proud to follow had become a bad joke.
The situation Pritchard inherited was so severe that he was able to take some bold, risky moves in an attempt to keep the team from imploding. With some smart moves and fair helping of luck Pritchard and the rest of the Blazer office pulled of a remarkable makeover. That story is still very much unfinished. If the team doesn’t end up doing much better than last season (at least in the playoffs) than the Pritch-praise will be considerably more quiet. The instant payoff came in getting fans excited again. Every home game sells out, and young fans have much better role models than five years ago.
Minni just needs some time. Some key pieces are already there. Kahn too has his work cut out for him, but I don’t think as of now such a drastic change is called for (partially because much of that was taken care of last season/offseason). Count your blessings you never had to deal with your team being called the Timberthugs or Prisonwolves or anything like that.
That being said I look forward to seeing Minni in the playoffs in a couple years. I also look forward to them get sent home, dreams and hearts broken, by Roy/LMA/Oden and company (in 4 games)! Screw Denver and LA, let’s get this new rivalry going!
An Oregonian in Texas.
by NoiseMekanik on Nov 10, 2009 1:05 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Correct on the culture change and fortunately MN doesn't have to worry about that (other than the fact that they SHOULD worry about, like all teams should worry about it)...
KP is no smarter than any of six or eight or ten other GMs, including the dudes running the Knicks, Rockets, and Thunder… His team is VERY good assessing college players and he knows who he wants and then pursues them. I got the sense from the last draft that Minnesota didn’t know who they wanted and wound up picking “best player available” without regard to actual need. I really don’t understand all the PGs picked — they’re really hard to guess right on (See: Telfair, Sebastian), they can take a long time to develop, and they ultimately aren’t the guys who win games for you unless your PG is named Chris Paul (who is a scorer) or Deron Williams (who is a scorer)…
KP has a philosophy of big is good, and he chases that; and he’s OBSESSED with character, and I’m totally convinced there is something to that as well (See: Memphis, LA Clippers).
Of course the draft also involves a lot of luck. No arguing that.
But there are definitely lessons to be learned from the Blazers’ (slow, painful) model of turning it around.
"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal
by timbo on Nov 11, 2009 12:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Once again, welcome to reality
where the Timberwolves have 2 pgs.
Sorry I sound kind of aggressive about it, but it gets old when reality is thrown out the window for an easy headline. “Timberwolves new GM drafts 5 pgs!”
Actually he drafted 2 and a SG, then two other teams told him to draft two other PGs. Good job national media.
by Mplax on Nov 11, 2009 1:12 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
For the record
I am very for the drafting of Rubio, and I see no reason to trade him anytime soon. Kahn will do his best to convince the kid to play for the Wolves, and WORST CASE SCENARIO Rubio fever will escalate as the time for him to come to the NBA draws nearer.
There is no reason for the Wolves to move him anytime soon, if ever.
I agree with Timbo on a lot, but in the lottery, on a bad team, it is BPA all the way and figure it out later. Get the talent, because the fit will change on a bad team. At least you’d HOPE so— you get a player who fits this current roster of the Wolves but isn’t the best player available, you’re shooting yourself in the foot.
Mortimer
by Mortimer on Nov 11, 2009 3:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
As painful as it can be to watch in the short term. Although I do remain pretty High on Flynn even if he only ends up being that Jason Terry like guy off the bench that makes that unit an opposing teams achillies heel.
by TheEvilProfessor on Nov 11, 2009 10:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I like to think of it as Karma.....
In the 06-07 season there were clear TANKERS!!! tankers that almost (but never reallly did) openly declare their intention to tank. boston… uh… boston…. and ….well… boston.
They were not interested in winning games and had every intention of stacking their odds of getting that #1 set of balls.
in the Mean time…. there was this one team up in the Pacific northwest that was…. well…trying, no portland didn’t win all thier games, but there was a clear effort to do so on the floor…
in the end, boston got skrew’d …. and we got a new center 2 years later.
we all know how ^^ really worked out, but at that second… there was a outcry in bean town of “injustice and unfairness”
karma. not luck… Stick it out and do what you can to earn your’s …. or…. don’t and be prepared to bitch if things don’t go your way.
The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out, burns out farms, and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.
"New Man Law: If you don't show up for the draft you don't get to come later if you're picked. If you believe in yourself, show up and sit there. If nobody else believes in you, take it and cry like a man...in front of the cameras."
-Dave
by faith on Nov 10, 2009 2:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
