I've said this before on this board, but Neil gets an unfairly bad rap. Over the years I've had few enough interactions with him that there's no reason he would need to remember me, my name or said previous interactions, but every time, he did (including a particularly funny and uncomfortable scenario that is not appropriate to share publicly). I've also had enough interactions to have gotten to know the "real" him (to an extent) and to have been able to tell that he's been genuinely gracious and generous with his time, attention and sincerity over those interactions -- again, in circumstances where there was absolutely no reason for him to be (especially if he were the naturally prickish guy everyone makes him out to be). He's a human being with a lot of passion, pride, and yes -- a bit of a flair for the dramatic -- who's made mistakes. And for several years he got nothing but critical questions, and I think he felt as though he'd proven himself in this industry to the point of deserving a little more benefit of the doubt. Certain posters on here (who think they'd be better at the job than Neil) freak out when anyone disagrees with literally anything they say, I can't imagine how they'd respond to those types of criticisms from the media on a constant basis (spoiler alert: we'd all hate them). Agree with everyone that it was nice to see his more personal side come out last night, but Neil was and is a genuinely good and decent human being -- regardless of what Issac Ropp suggests.
Another thing that stood out to me is that he said something like (when referring to drafting for need), Nassir Little wasn’t just the highest rated person on our board, but he Is also a “small forward” I.e. recognizing SF is a position of need. Not rocket science but some acknowledgment is nice.
Having met Neil and Paul both, I tend to agree with you. There is a certain poster here who likes to report how much “Olshey hates it here” and “doesn’t work hard” and “rubs people the wrong way.” I have a feeling that plays into it. And said poster has “connections”. That info has never aligned with what upper management has thought of Neil, in my experience, nor has it aligned with my dealings with them. I think people are pissed because he doesn’t tell them all the rumors they’d like to hear — as if he didn’t shit can Kim Hughes for making that mistake.
It also doesn't reflect reality, i.e. essentially automatic contract extensions, a positive working relationship with Stotts, arguably the best team chemistry in the league, a true culture of leadership, continued upward trajectory, etc.....
Who says this? Doesn’t work hard? And I guess he does rub people the wrong way - look at 80% of this board.
I loved NO's moves at the trade deadline, I give him credit when I think he deserves it. I've never really liked his personality and the way he talks though, that said I loved his presser last night it seemed legit, less of a sales job and more of a straight this is his thoughts. People have some legitimate frustrations with NO's job performance though, we've had the same bad forwards now for four years. Every summer we're told the Blazers were in the "mix" for some who would really help the team, and we don't get them. That's not to discredit him completely he's at times made some really good moves, and done a good job at using the assets available to make smart roster decisions.
I think that might be reading a little too much between the lines. He was just speaking stream-of-conscious and saying they needed to consider all the options of a roster in flux I was actually a lot more interested in hs comments about shooting. How players come out of college ball, especially the one-&-done guys really raw with generally poor shooting mechanics. And how they look at FT percentages more than 3pt percentages in order to gauge shooting ability. I've heard that before but never seen is 'quantified'. I find it interesting for instance, Dame shot 87% in college and CJ shot 83%; but they were both 4 year guys. Aminu shot 69% and Harkless shot 68%, and they are generally poor perimeter shooters. Hood shot 77% in 2 years of college ball and has shot 37% from three in the NBA. Crabbe shot 82% in 3 years of college and has been a 39% three point shooter in the NBA. it does seem to be that there might be a correlation between FT% and later perimeter shooting in the league...I'm just not sure how big a correlation it is. That Little shot 77% is a bit encouraging. Turner shot 76% in college but then he breaks every mold and gauge he gets near...a square peg wrecking ball crushing Portland's flexibility
Just watched it again and the most interesting nugget came towards the end when he said they were taking trade calls the last day or so but they had more to do with July 1st. Wonder what kind of deals he’s got on the table. Personally I think he will try and open up the full MLE for Hood by dumping an expiring.
Rubbing a bunch of keyboard warriors the wrong way is different than rubbing the people you’re surrounded by near daily the wrong way. And 80% of this board mostly is rubbed the wrong way by ET contract and a couple other decisions and let that cloud their judgment of everything he does.
I would say it’s a monster correlation considering virtually every scout talks about it. They must know something
Sure I dont like the ET contract, or the ML one, or some of his moves, but generally I just find his public persona annoying and hard to listen too. Ive never met him, I have no desire to, but I have no idea how he is in person. Again I thought his presser last night was his best. I really liked the Rodney Hood trade this year, I was a huge Ed Davis fan so it sucked to see him go. I gotta be sort of fair and admit that the Blazers record has continued to get better. I can guarantee you there are people who are around Neil who like him, and people who are around him who don't, thats generally just how things go...
I’m a Olshey fan, so I’m not sure what exactly you’re getting at. I like him. I’ve never heard he doesn’t work hard, that’s ridiculous if someone says that. I do think living in Oregon has been an adjustment for him and his family, coming from LA.
For the record, Ive joked about his hair and golfing and all that, but I know anyone who’s got to that position has worked hard, and is working hard or they wouldn't last long.
