Neil's goal is to stay employed. The same with Terry. I don't see how that can even be debated now. His intelligence comes from his ability to keep his team's profile off the radar and in the win column. But the good standing he has with other teams is as important to him as any future this squad has. Because he might need future employment if new ownership falls in favor against him. He may have had an actual timeline for success with Allen, but when the Vulcans started paying the bills things probably changed. Now he needs this version of the Blazers to make a deep run in the playoffs to kill any stigma from the previous year. Then in the off season he can lick he wounds and find out what he's given to work with. But there isn't some big puzzle or fucking process at work here. This is a franchise trying to the next round up.