Offical Draft Day Chatter - Shorts Part 2

[DaVoiceMaster]

The shorts thread is already at 80 pages and they don't want threads more than 100 pages so I'm going to close that thread and start this thread. I imagine we'd hit 100 pages by 9 or 10am so let's put it here!

[DaVoiceMaster]

Don't forget, there's a group of RealGM folks meeting at Buffalo Wild Wings downtown. There's an address listed in the other thread, but I don't know what page it's on. I believe TBpup and Billy are going, sometime around 3pm I think. Unfortunately, I'll be home with the kiddo who gets her wisdom teeth pulled today, but I'll be near the computer and the TV. Enjoy everyone!!!

[farzi]

Won't be able to make it to downtown portland but plan on being at the cascade station one. Hope everyone has fun there and best of luck to KP

[Blazinaway]

All right, nice to start the morning with just a few pages! I'm keepin my finger crossed that it's a big and productive day for KP, it "seems" there is an explosive mix for a lot of trades, I hope we are in on a few.

[TBpup]

SebastianExpress.....Sorry, but it looks like the Paul discussions have come to a halt.

Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski writes Paul is becoming increasingly untouchable, he also declares some interesting accusations about the level of interest displayed by the Blazers:

When the possibility of the Portland Trail Blazers making a bid on Paul was brought to him, a source said, Paul’s reaction was simple: Why would I want to go there if they have to trade LaMarcus Aldridge or Brandon Roy to get me? I’d want to play with those players.

That’s the problem with trying to trade Paul. For one of the best point guards in the NBA, the Hornets would want no less than a young All-Star caliber player, a starter and draft picks. Only then, what kind of gutted core would await Paul with his new team?

Portland has bordered on tampering with Paul for two years now, and it’s never been much of a secret within the Hornets’ organization that the Blazers have gone to great lengths to make Paul aware of how badly they want him. It didn’t go unnoticed when Blazers president Larry Miller – a former Nike executive who had dealings with Paul – cozied up to the Hornets star on New Orleans’ trips to the Rose Garden. It is what it is, but most agree the Blazers have been merciless in trying to get into Paul’s ear – and those around him – to convince him to create a stir and force his way out.

Never had any indication the offer from Portland included Aldridge AND Roy so not sure where CP3 is coming from on that one. There is every indication that Rudy will be gone by the end of the day with inquiries from several teams, most of which have picks in the late lottery or mid teens. My understanding is Kevin was trying to move up a little higher than that but Rudy being gone seems a disting possibility.

Not to say that they don't make another run at Paul though...

[TBpup]

Possible landing spots for Portland to move up, the following teams have indicated their pick is available in some form:

#8 - Clippers
#10 - Indiana
#13 - Toronto
#14 - Houston
#16 - Minnesota
#17 - Chicago

Toronto and Houston seem to have the most juice and Rudy's name is attached to both.

[Jsun947]

Shhh Sunny in Portland with the chance of multiple trades.... Can you smell the fresh excitement in the air?

Must be draft day!

[Jsun947]

Pup, heard anything on the progression of other trades, specifically the one bringing back a east starter?

[TBpup]

heard anything on the progression of other trades, specifically the one bringing back a east starter?

Jsun...not a word last night or this morning. Either it is lockdown mode or Kevin is making a lot of calls but not getting anything to progress very far.

[Jsun947]

Don't you dare destroy my dreams and inspirations pup! Don't you do it!

[Wizenheimer]

jeeezus...went to bed early, woke up and read the last 3 pages of the closed thread...

the Chis Paul pipedream-fever in this forum is insane.

Portland had one chance to get him and that was in the 2005 draft. It's done. I believe there's a good reason why the talks between the Blazers and Hornest cooled way down...that's because they were only hot on Portland's end.

I suppose it won't end here until Chris Paul retires, but it's just so unrealistic to think that the Blazers could land Paul in the first place, and then expect the Blazers would be any better after the deal considering what they'd almost certainly have to give up

The Blazers need to focus on realistic targets, and maybe that means they need a different GM

[Wizenheimer]

SebastianExpress.....Sorry, but it looks like the Paul discussions have come to a halt.

Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski writes Paul is becoming increasingly untouchable, he also declares some interesting accusations about the level of interest displayed by the Blazers:

When the possibility of the Portland Trail Blazers making a bid on Paul was brought to him, a source said, Paul’s reaction was simple: Why would I want to go there if they have to trade LaMarcus Aldridge or Brandon Roy to get me? I’d want to play with those players.

That’s the problem with trying to trade Paul. For one of the best point guards in the NBA, the Hornets would want no less than a young All-Star caliber player, a starter and draft picks. Only then, what kind of gutted core would await Paul with his new team?

Portland has bordered on tampering with Paul for two years now, and it’s never been much of a secret within the Hornets’ organization that the Blazers have gone to great lengths to make Paul aware of how badly they want him. It didn’t go unnoticed when Blazers president Larry Miller – a former Nike executive who had dealings with Paul – cozied up to the Hornets star on New Orleans’ trips to the Rose Garden. It is what it is, but most agree the Blazers have been merciless in trying to get into Paul’s ear – and those around him – to convince him to create a stir and force his way out.

Never had any indication the offer from Portland included Aldridge AND Roy so not sure where CP3 is coming from on that one. There is every indication that Rudy will be gone by the end of the day with inquiries from several teams, most of which have picks in the late lottery or mid teens. My understanding is Kevin was trying to move up a little higher than that but Rudy being gone seems a disting possibility.

Not to say that they don't make another run at Paul though...

I like how that douchebag Wojoasshat manages to take another shot at Portland & KP..."tampering"

[BlackMamba]

Well, finally the draft came and i think for the Blazers it's not as interesting as the last couple of years. Lets see what KP has under his sleeve.

[Jsun947]

Pup, it didnt say Portland would trade both. It said Paul would still want both in Portland if he were to play for the blazers.

[crazylegshayes]

This is why I love Blazer fans. Even after all the turmoil this team went through this season, we're all right back in this forum, thinking of ways to become better. No other RealGM team site has this much action. 100 pages in early June?!! I'm proud to be a Blazer, thank you!

[TBpup]

Kenny Vance back home on the MSP this morning:

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There is nothing to believe there is any conclusion but this is Kevin Pritchard's swan song. This is a very awkward situation that is bizarre and baffling to see how we got here. Nothing is clear cut on who might replace him. I've heard they made a run at Danny Ferry who came from the same San Antonio system as Pritchard but he was not interested. There were reports of Presti who has the same SA lineage. Mark Warkentein is a strong candidate who was Exec of the Year just two years ago and he would be very interested in this job.

Paul Allen is such a different cat. I really like Paul but don't agree with how he has handled this situation. Dwight remembers in 1993 when we were on the Rick Adelman watch and seeing Geoff Petrie get dismissed. Socially, he is just different and does things in a different manner.

The year he let go of Adelman, late in that year there was a home game. Paul would get a bucket of popcorn at halftime and people were asking Paul if he was going to fire Rick. I kind of jumped in his path and asked him some questions. The last question was, "this doesn't really seem in your character." Paul said, "I make decisions like this everyday." It was a very cold answer and Paul almost seemed offended I would suggest such. I don't think Paul will lose any sleep if he wants to fire Pritchard.

The guy who wanted to hold the rally and then cancelled it...Paul Allen couldn't care less. It doesn't even get on his radar. That is the last thing that he considers.

I asked some people if Paul Allen was starting to become a 'Jerry Jones' type and was told that was not the case. He has poured around a billion dollars into this team and in over 20 years, he has listened to some very smart basketball people make some decisions that have not worked out. He deserves to assert himself a bit now.

As far as the draft, they are very strategic in their efforts of who they have targeted. Last night after I read about the picks that could be available, I looked at who the Blazers might be targeting at those spots and to be honest, was very disappointed with who was available at those positions. I'm not excited about the Blazers drafting another rookie. Xavier Henry? Eric Bledsoe? Really?

As for why Kevin is where he is, there are numerous issues where Kevin has either opposed Paul or kind of thrown him under the bus and that doesn't sit well with Paul.

[Jsun947]

If We are trying to move up in the draft I hope it's because a trade partner wants it, not for our own use

[JD45]

Kenny Vance back home on the MSP this morning:

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.....I asked some people if Paul Allen was starting to become a 'Jerry Jones' type and was told that was not the case. He has poured around a billion dollars into this team and in over 20 years, he has listened to some very smart basketball people make some decisions that have not worked out. He deserves to assert himself a bit now.......


.....As for why Kevin is where he is, there are numerous issues where Kevin has either opposed Paul or kind of thrown him under the bus and that doesn't sit well with Paul.....

Jerry Jones has 3 championships (the team had the worst record in the NFL when he bought it), owns the most valuable sports franchise in the world, and is the most influential owner in the NFL. Not a bad type to be. Paul Allen is very rich, and that is it. As an owner, PA is not in Jerry Jones' league.

I have no problem with KP being fired for those types of issues. Those are good reasons to fire an employee. PA could have been more professional and calculating with how he handled it. Developing a reputation as a "bad owner" helps no one.

[Billy]

JQuick

- Portland now appears poised to make their picks today and not make a big trade for an existing player.

- The staff appears to be enamored with someone. (Jaynes thinks it is a backup PG, or a rugged PF).

-Rudy to Toronto has legs. Not done as of last night. Quick didn't seem to indicate that it was something likely to fall apart.

-This new approach doesn't make much sense with the shakeup coming to Nate's staff. Portland needs someone to step in right now. Draft picks aren't likely to do it.

-No idea if there are plans to bring over P-Kopp.

- Paul Allen arrived tonight, but KP still does not know his fate.

-Likely will be a little awkward in the war room tonight. There has been communication between KP and Paul. PA still refuses to address KP's future. Straight business.

-Is PA meddlesome? He's spent a ton of money, he has a right to do what he wants. Yet, there is a responsibility to let your employees do their jobs.

-They sound serious about sign and trade. Early on they tried to gauge interest in the big time free agents and at the time they "weren't being met with open arms." Teams weren't interested in talking. Thinks Portland is thinking big. They could still make a big time move today, but right now it doesn't look very hopeful. Turning attention to moving up.

-Confident the Blazers will continue pursuit of CP3 this summer. Brandon and LaMarcus not included in that deal proposed to Nawlins. Feels they will re-engage New Orleans and try to get CP3. NO needs to shed salary, Portland will try to expose it.

[TBpup]

Quick on the MSP:

**************************************

Quick: It looks like the teams is shifting gears and focusing on picks rather than trades and will look to maybe make moves in the summer after FAcy. They are intent on using the picks for themselves which is not the direction I thought they would go but that is the indication I have received.

The latest on Rudy is, the Toronto talk has legs but is not done. New York is out. The gut feeling is that Rudy could garner more than the #13 pick so Portland is probably shopping that more but Toronto is a team to keep their eye on. What I can't figure out is who they are targeting in that range. I don't watch a lot of college basketball so don't have a good feel for who the Blazer staff might be enamored with. They must have someone identified though.

I don't see the point of another college/interntational player to develop. That has nothing to do with 'winning now'. It is a bit confusing but that appears to be the direction they are going for now.

Antonio Havey: What about Petteri Koponon?

Quick: That is a really good point. I don't even know if he is coming over for summer league. I haven't asked about him but I would guess he isn't ready to come over. He is not even playing in the highest league over there.

Paul Allen did arrive in Portland last night and there was interaction between he and Kevin but there has been no discussion as to whether he will be back next season or not. I imagine the war room will be a little awkward and they have communicated throughout this draft process but it hasn't been full communication. I think it will be straight business in that room. There is no doubt there has to be a level of tension in there.

I don't know that Paul is being meddlesome but he has spent a LOT of money on this team and has a right to expect results. He still lets his people do their jobs and trusts them.

As for S&Ts, early on they jumped in to see if there was interest but they may be just going through this draft and then trying to gage the possibilities later. I think there is more than a chance the Blazers continue their pursuit of Paul this summer and expect them to reengage at some point.