I do not think that Allen's statement was a positive endorsement of KP. He could have said something Like "Kevin has been doing a terrific job for us" without slighting anyone else. And he could have said even a lot more. That was really weak, Mr. Allen. I'm glad I don't work for you.
Maybe you should. Listen, I think Paul Allen is a great owner. But you have to be blind not to see the ups and downs between different GMs in Allen's 21 years as owner. Do you really want a Nash/Patterson type back? If you don't think that a GM matters, consider that John Nash took Martell Webster when KP was arguing for taking Chris Paul. Both guys have been GMs under Paul Allen's ownership - but if KP had been the GM just a little earlier, we'd have Chris Paul on our team right now. It's not ALL about the owner.
What is the source of that Chris Paul information? Hint: The self-serving source has the initials KP. Now guess.
I've heard it on Courtside before, and a quick google search revealed this article: http://blog.oregonlive.com/johncanzano/2007/07/blazers_eyeing_chris_paul_in_s.html Can you honestly believe KP didn't want Chris Paul??? The only person who didn't was John Nash, who didn't want to admit that drafting Telfair over Jefferson was a mistake.
Paul Allen gave Pritchard as much support as the Hay Salesman gave the First Little Pig supplies to build his house. The Big Bad Wolf (Vulcan) is going to blow that house down and we'll be left with a mess, the norm when it comes to Paul Allen and one of his business adventures.
My god lets not rehash that whole debate...if we got CP would we have Roy/LA etc? Who fuckin knows. I think John Nash was hired to come in and be the bad guy, fuck I'd do it for that kind of money. I never said KP wasn't a good evaluator of talent, because he is, but who are you to say that our next GM would be a Nash/Patterson type? What if he was a Mitch Kupchak type? It's not ALL about the GM.
I'm not saying our next GM would be a Nash/Patterson type. I used them, and more specifically the CP3 draft, as an example that specific GMs makes a big difference - even if they are under the same owner. I made this point because you specifically said that all that matters to you was our owner and our players. The GM is a big, big deal.
It is a non-issue pretty much everywhere except this complimentary internet basketball forum. If PA wants KP gone, it might be that the cancer stricken man doesn't know how much time he has left to "let the cake bake". I say let the billionaire spend his money the way he wants. We all know his ultimate goal, and it involves Larry O'Brien.
Yeah, all the signs, the guys selling save KP t-shirts at the game, the on-line petitions - all say it is no big deal - that sports two forum was making a mountain out of a mole hill. And all the articles in the Oregonian and ESPN and Yahoo Sports all report that this is no big deal, that it was all rumors coming from a sports-two forum. And when TNT discussed this tonight - they did so to confirm that it was no big deal - and that it was merely a bunch of hype started by sports two forum.
A non-issue? It's the most moronic, asinine idea that's ever come up in the history of the Trailblazers next to the choosing of Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan. Anyone who doesn't see that is a fool.
"Keep in mind, Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard, who sharpening pencils in the draft room as the assistant GM three years ago, pushed hard to draft Paul over Martell Webster, but lost out." I'm shocked--Canzano gives no source. It was Pritchard himself. Pritchard's version of history came out a long time after Paul was drafted, similar to that article, which came out 2 years later. By the time Pritchard took ownership of having wanted Paul, he was Rookie of the Year. Easy to pick.
We have one of the two NBA owners where the GM actually isn't a big, big deal. YOU could have orchestrated most of the deals KP did. It's amazing what cash-strapped franchises are willing to do when you thrown an extra couple million in the deal. KP didn't do any of that, until Paul Allen gave him the thumbs up. Maybe I'm playing devil's advocate here, cause I don't want KP gone, but I honestly don't think it makes much difference for THIS team as constructed.
I've heard the same story so many times....I wish I could remember so I could give you more references. But still, my side of the story has one more reference than your side of the story. Is it THAT hard to believe that KP would want Paul? Every draft board in the country had Paul higher. This isn't some retrospective bullshit about wanting to take Boozer or Ginobili...those guys went in the 2nd round and were legitimate surprises. EVERYONE knew Chris Paul was awesome....everyone but John Nash.
Of course having a rich owner who is willing to spend money helps - thats a big part of why I said Paul Allen is such a great owner. But we still had a rich owner when Nash selected Webster over Paul (I'm not trying to dwell on that - it just seems like a perfect example of how a GM can make such a big difference despite being under the same ownership). Another argument would be: what did having a rich owner have to do with drafting Roy and Aldridge?
Ya well we could have had D. Will OR Paul if we didn't trade the #3 pick for (I think) Kirk fuckin Snyder and the #6. Boo hoo. I could be wrong, but I thought at least one of those deals KP made in '06 that netted us Roy/LA involved some PA cash. If I'm wrong, then you can win that pissing contest.
Well, the D-Will argument is rarely mentioned because Nash and KP weren't torn between Webster and Williams - they were torn between Webster and Paul. Being that Nash had a higher rank - GM - he won out, and we took Webster. This is why having a good GM is important. How many f-ing times do I have to explain it? There was no cash involved in either trade for Roy or Aldridge. I don't see it as a pissing contest - I made the argument to debunk your theory that even KP's best moves were still a result of Paul Allen's pocketbook. link: http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/Trail_Blazers_Land_Brandon_Roy-183312-1177.html
Cash was used to get Roy (for Foye), but not Aldridge. See the date 2006-06-28. http://www.prosportstransactions.co...es&BeginDate=2004-8-24&submit=Search&start=50
For me, you'd have to explain it between 18 and 211 times. I'm not here to create the "perfect argument". I'm here because it's free entertainment. You really think I have a "theory" that you can "debunk" with an "argument"? Good stuff. (Don't reply, I already know what you're gonna say) I'm done here, have a great night!
