As we're nearing the start of free agency, I was thinking about how different Joe is from Neil. Not just his approach, but his personality and vibe. I remember thinking that we initially thought that Neil would be an advantage when courting free agents because he supposedly had a great relationship with players around the league. After watching his antics for so long, I wonder if his arrogant personality hurt us? The guy just felt like a greasy Hollywood agent. I just don't see how that helps us, and he tried to make those excuses about Portland. I can't find the roundtable with Neil and Danny Ainge where he whines about Portland as a free agent destination. Joe on the other hand seems so genuine and laid back. I'm not sure what kind of salesman he is, but if I was a free agent, I would rather have an earnest conversation with Joe Cronin. Neil would annoy the fuck out of me. I'm excited to see what happens today.
It's like, at the end of the day, if you don't believe in what you're selling, nobody will buy it. If Neil goes into a meeting with a free agent with this defeatist attitude of, "nobody will want to come here," why would someone believe in him? Why would they believe in the team? Hell, it sounds like he doesn't even go after the top guys.
I like that Ainge called out Olshey for being a candy ass. It’s obvious that Neil never spent much time in the Northwest. He probably had a home here and was here when he had to be. I’ve traveled a lot in the US and there’s lots of places I’ve been to but nothing to compares to the Northwest. Especially if you got that kind of money. Tell Lillard the NW sucks. I’m sure he’d disagree. And what a schlub for even airing that thought. Like it’s going to help the case for free agents at all. Maybe Olshey should of got off Fox News and smelled the roses a time or two.
No employer should be happy with a manager who conveys that attitude and uses it to make excuses for their failure. Yet another reason I don't understand why he wasn't replaced much sooner.
I just listened to a podcast on Edge with Chris Haynes and Dia and him talked about Cronin and how even if Joe has made some questionable moves to some maybe most but at least he was willing to try and shake things up compared to NeO who was not and seemed happy to just shuffle around a piece or two at a time. During Neo's time I was more forgiving of him then most but after seeing what has happened since he was fired and then this interview I have come to see that he is/was more guilty of hurting Dame and his legacy and dream of bringing a ring to PDX then anyone. BTW --I know most of what Edge does is avg at best but this podcast was DAMN good and worth a listen.
Player retention! No, just making fun of Olshey's bullshit. Kind of sad though it seems relevant here today.
