Yeah, I just don't think that they're hiring anyone that they don't see helping win more games immediately. The only way we go into a full on rebuild is if Dame asks out which I still do not see him doing. I don't see Dame asking for a trade at all but I think it's crazy to think he won't be giving the team at least this next season to show that they're headed in the right direction.
Billups isn’t Hammon. Be real here. You’re going with a first time HC…ok….one has been an assistant for 7 years for pop which is great. The other has been an assistant for only one, after playing in the league forever, winning a title, then tv work - more in line with a Nash or Kerr type. I firmly stand by my thoughts on Hammon, and just get more and more confident in it the more I hear. here’s what I think is happening or will happen. There’s a three headed monster in charge of the next hire of head coach, Damian, Neil and Jody. Neil at this point is telling Jody - I’ll gladly make the hire, I know who I want just give me the green light. I think Neil likes MDA, then Billups. Damian likes Billups and if it’s MDA that’s fine too. Jody wants Becky. I think they make an offer fairly soon but it could go either way. As much as it ruffles feathers I do, really, think Dame would ask to go if he doesn’t like the hire. Hard to believe but it would not surprise me. Neil at this point is almost deferring - like just make a decision here are the three. I also think he ***may*** tell Jody ‘go ahead with Hammon, here’s the risk if we do (Damian) but I’m fine if you are’. I think Neil is sick of being a big fish in a little pond and it’s getting old. That’s the job of GM in Portland vs LA, NY, SF etc. Just my two cents and who they F knows if something comes out of left field.
I doubt olshey prefers mda to Billups. I can see dame liking him, because what point guard wouldn’t and he’s also experienced. I also know Dame thinks highly of Hammon and Billups. I think he’d be ok with all three. If anyone is pushing for Billups it’s Olshey imo. Ownership might prefer Hammon, but if they knew what they were doing, they would defer to the basketball guy.
If presented with FACTS about Becky, why would Jody veto everyone and make the call when she hasnt been involved in a single big decision until now?
If ownership is so adamant about Hammon why wouldn’t olshey just go along with it? If it goes bad he can hold it over their head, we know he loves doing that with the media/fans. This all just seems like pure speculation. Stein has never broken a Blazers story in his life, but now we’re supposed to believe what he says? If we’re still sitting here a week from now without a decision then yeah maybe we get worried, but right now? Nah.
agreed. Two of the three are still yet to meet with ownership. I refuse to believe that : 1. Theyre all impulsive and make rash decisions on who they like/dont like before interviews, and 2. They're so divergent on their views that theyd use the media to pressure a decision being made. This isnt a circus. Contrary to belief, our front office is pretty normal in the grand scheme of things.
Hammon would get a lot of attention and a lot of pressure being a first woman coach in the NBA. She would probably be better off on a rebuilding team with low expectations.
I think it’s lazy “reporting” to suggest that the owner prefers Hammon because she wants to “make history.” Nothing about her actual qualifications as a coach. I doubt that’d be the narrative if the owner was a dude. This is what I’m talking about, we wanna pretend it’s all equal, but we live in a world full of morons and mobs. We don’t even listen to doctors and scientists anymore. It’s all a joke.
If there was a guy who had never played in the League, who had just been an assistant, doesn't seem to have a defined Asst Coach role, it seems like there would be some legitimate questions. Maybe she is the best candidate. Tough to know. But seems fair to ask questions.
Does this not seem like a guy you’d want to hire? I can’t think of a more perfect mentor for Dame and, at this point, keeping Dame happy and in a Blazers uniform should be priority #1. NBA champion (2004) NBA Finals MVP (2004) 5× NBA All-Star (2006–2010) All-NBA Second Team (2006) 2× All-NBA Third Team (2007, 2009) 2× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2005, 2006) J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award (2008) NBA Sportsmanship Award (2009) NBA Teammate of the Year (2013) No. 1 retired by Detroit Pistons Consensus second-team All-American (1997) First-team All-Big 12 (1997) No. 4 retired by Colorado Buffaloes McDonald's All-American (1995) Second-team Parade All-American (1995) Fourth-team Parade All-American (1994) 3× Mr. Colorado Basketball (1993–1995)
He’s been around basketball his whole life and has played for a number of coaches and in a number of different systems, including a championship system. I’d gather he picked up a few coaching tips along the way. Becky, on the other hand, has never played a single minute in the NBA and I have a hard time believing she’ll command the respect of a team full of men on Day 1. Doesn’t seem like a good time to be experimenting, especially with the pressure on the team to succeed next year.
Jody Allen would be a Grade A moron to hire someone knowing Dame would immediately ask for a trade. I mean… The starting point for any candidate should be, “will Dame stay here.” If that answer is no, they shouldn’t be considered. Period. Not just in a basketball sense, but it would immediately tank the value of the franchise. Portland fans would riot. It would be horrible business wise and basketball wise. I simply cannot imagine her being that stupid. Maybe I am wrong.
Dont disagree about Billups time in the NBA. But the idealist in me wants to believe that the players will fully respect Becky's background and credentials. Plenty of coaches were successful in the league without having played. Popovich included.
