http://www.blazersedge.com/2012/10/20/3530952/transcript-blazers-gm-neil-olshey-interviewed-during-warriors-game Isn't this kind of a dick move? Let's hold on to guys we know we aren't going to keep until it's too late for them to get another job? Am I reading that wrong?
I imagine they are guys other teams are not going to keep either, so I don't think it's an issue of them missing out on an NBA job, but an issue of which DLeague team they play for, and Olshey prefers it is ours. That's the way I take it, anyways.
I dunno, seems like you could say "we are cutting you now so that you have a chance to catch on w/ another nba team, but in case you don't, we really really want you to play for our d-league team and hopefully get called up to the blazers later in the season, and here's a contract for the stampede, we hope you'll sign it if you don't get an nba contract." So it seems like a dick move to me too, but I don't mind much. barfo
Actually, maybe it's not even a question of what d-league team they play for. Maybe it's just a question of whether they practice w/ the blazers for the next couple of weeks, or sit at home. Maybe they are already signed up for the Stampede, and Olshey is keeping them on the roster here just so they can continue being with the team. I don't think they are allowed to practice w/ people that aren't under contract, although I've never really understood why. barfo
I have said for years that we should free Kammerichs, Nicola, Sheffer, and Sinanovich. Why hold their rights for 15 years? Others answer me, we might need them, and I answer, you're right, you just can't have enough 41-year-olds on your roster. They say, what does it hurt, and I say, what does it help.
If Olshey's goal was to help other teams he would trade LMA for a 2nd round pick. His job is to make the Blazers better and he is doing so within the rules based off the contracts these players signed.
Those guys are all under non-guaranteed contracts. If they get an offer from another NBA team, they are free to leave whenever they want. What Olshey is doing isn't blocking them from signing with another NBA team, he's just preventing them from signing another non-guaranteed contract with another team that will just turn around and cut them anyway. Not sure why it's a big deal. And, if any of them look like they have potential, we sign them to a contract with the Stampede to continue developing them. BNM
I don't think it's a big deal. I posted the thread for the entire interview, and only commented on one part. I thought it was an interesting interview. And for what it's worth, I LOVE that we are going to have our own D-League team and put 6 or 8 guys on it. And I approve the strategy that by making the D-League offensive and defensive coaching and schemes consistent with the A-league team, if / when we send someone down / call someone up they will be working on what we need them to work on, and be ready to fit on the team. It's all good.
I wrote a paper to KP about that 5 years ago, but it involved the new ShoWare arena in Kent. I wish I still had it, but it was 3 laptops ago and I can't find it. Regardless, it's a good move and I hope they're aggressive in their use of it.
