I agree with your conclusion that replacing Olshey will result in replacing Stotts; that's a move I'm totally ok with at this point.
If by chance the end up in the finals this year would you still advocate for a change? Id have to drink and sleep on that one?
I would definitely not advocate for changing the current regime. I would be happily surprised and want to try and make a go of it with as close to the same team as possible next season. Even if we got swept out of the finals. The only thing I've been asking the keep both crowd is that we show progress this season by at least winning a game in the WCF if we're going to keep both... and by both I mean Olshey first and foremost.
Because of his time with Golden State. It says everything that a team would fire you and the teams record was as good as it was. And then they win a title or three. There’s stuff beyond basketball that are enough to eliminate him from being a candidate. He wasn’t easy to get along with - front office, assistant coaches, etc. Huge ego. Not a great X and O guy. Heard too many stories.
https://www.blazersedge.com/2014/5/...y-finishes-third-in-2014-nba-executive-of-the https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/new...es-for-executive-of-the-year-award-2/2025861/ Olshey has consistently finished in the top 5 of GMs in the league as voted by other front offices around the league. He did this with both the Clippers and Blazers. This takes into account more than just wins. I think front offices around the league generally know what they're talking about. And before you bring up Stotts and ever being close to being voted Coach of the Year, that's not voted by anyone inside the NBA. Just sportswriters. Olshey is a lot better at his job than Stotts is.
Yeah it takes into account that he bid against himself on a crippling contract that he gifted CJ and the terrible one for Meyers. I'm sure they think it's wise to consider a guy that's never even sniffed the all-star game "untouchable". I'm sure they love Olshey because he keeps his team just good enough to keep him and bad enough that they don't have to worry about us getting in their way of winning a title.
Fans are too often 0 or 100 without any in between. Olshey certainly has his flaws, but he's also really good a lot of the time. Believe me when I say this, he's one of the upper echelon GMs in the league and front offices around the league agree. Unfortunately he has tied his legacy to Terry Stotts who has proven to be a mediocre coach at best. His record at drafting bigs ain't great either. He should have moved CJ for Jimmy Butler when he had the chance. Or Paul George. Or Leonard or Harden. While not being perfect, he's also way better at his job than Stotts, who he is also responsible for.
The thing is, Stotts and CJ don't seem to be going anywhere without Olshey getting fired first. Also, even if he is upper echelon we should get someone with a fresh perspective after giving Olshey nine years to get us to a championship or finals appearance or conference finals win... it's time to move on. Could it be a mistake to let him go? It could look like it in hindsight but like you just pointed out Neil has been unreasonable about CJ and that's pretty damning when a GM needs to be about the business of winning and fiscal responsibility.
Paul Allen hired Stotts...he interviewed Caleb Kanales and Terry Stotts and chose Stotts...Neil had very little to do with that
Maybe we don't have a top 2 roster in the west, but would you say we have a roster that should be better than almost dead last in defense?
Got it. So Olshey is in a position (GM) where you feel voting is valid, Stotts is not in a position (coaching) where you think the voting is valid. Therefore, all GMs are better than coaches? I'm not seeing how you're comparing the two.
a lot of minutes going to bad defenders: Damian Lillard 36.0 CJ McCollum 33.8 Gary Trent 31.2 Enes Kanter 26.3 Carmelo Anthony 25.6 Rodney Hood 19.2 Anfernee Simons 17.0 Blazers should be better than they are though
To your last question, I would say yes. Top half in the NBA? No. My big concern is wins and playoff success relative to roster talent. Are we seeing players come to Portland and appear to improve or are players leaving Portland and blossoming.
