Olshey not too sure about Freeland

Olshey talks like he's gung-ho about Claver, but more cautious with Freeland. He mentions a possible "positional conflict" with Joel, and wants to wait till after the draft. Well, we currently don't have any centers on the roster, so this may imply that he has a high interest in Drummond.

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...shey_discusses_the_chances_that_trail_bl.html

I find his statements odd, because I'd think at the very least, there is a solid backup job open for Joel.

 

I didn't read it that way.....

 

Does seem like an odd comment about him, but not Claver.

 

Olshey was a professional actor, and I think he enjoys the smokescreens.

At least the GM spot is fun again, like it was under Whitsitt and then Pritchard.

 

I really got the impression that it will be a stretch for Freeland to be here next year. I don't know if it may be because the Blazers don't want to make a huge commitment. Remember that Freeland is outside the 3 years so he signs as a free agent. He is not bound by the rookie scale any more. Freeland will be a hot commodity in Europe and can make quite a bit of money over there. If Portland doesn't peg him as a starter then he will probably be able to make more money staying in Europe.

 

He was one of the best bigs (if not the best) over in Europe this past season...

I wonder what he could net the Blazers on draft night?

 

I personally have no interest in Claver. I like the thought of Freeland. I am not too sure about this one...

 

Prior to Olshey taking over I would have said the chances of bringing Freeland over at 90% and Claver at 40%, now I would swap that. I just think the Blazers don't want to make a huge investment in Freeland and he may want that in order to come over.

 

Maybe he sees Freeland as a PF in the NBA? I do.

 

I think the hedging was from wondering what exact role does Freeland expect to have? He is probably not going to come in and be a starter, so off the bench, limited role at least to start and after playing signiifcant minutes in euroleague that may not sit well with him....

 

Maybe he thinks he sucks? I do.

 

Europe disagrees with you.

 

Doesn't Freeland also have to buy out his contract? I think Freeland might ask for more money then he is worth (He should get max about what splitter is) and thats probably were the conflict will come in.

 

I have never thought that Freeland really wants to come to the NBA; I have read his statements as trying to boost his European offers rather than trying to get a better offer from the Blazers.

 

Have you actually seen him play? I haven't. But honestly unless he's fucking amazing I don't want to deal with the hassle. He's already chosen Europe over the NBA a couple times and I don't like his attitude at all from what I've read.

 

I am on record as saying I have no problem with a GM lying to the media. So I will give him the benefit of the doubt. This is poker. But right now with now with few skilled big men on the team, I hope he knows what he is doing. The fact that he has not watched him play very much worries me.

 

I'd rather him blatantly lie than say stuff like "we like what we've got, we're a family" BS that KP loved to spew.