Blazers have their eye on Neil Olshey

Post #1 » by **mkwest** » Fri Sep 9, 2011 6:39 am

Blazers eye two more GM candidates

Two more names have emerged in the Portland Trail Blazers’ search for a new general manager.

Sources with knowledge of Portland’s thinking told ESPN.com that the Blazers have both Cleveland Cavaliers vice president of basketball operations David Griffin and Los Angeles Clippers vice president of basketball operations Neil Olshey on their wish list.

Olshey has been the Clippers’ general manager since March 9, 2010, replacing the ousted Mike Dunleavy after joining the organization as director of player personnel in 2003-04 and eventually serving as Dunleavy’s top aide. Olshey’s contract with the Clippers, however, only runs through October 2011.

Marc Stein, ESPN

scoobs07 · Post #2 » by **scoobs07** » Fri Sep 9, 2011 6:26 pm

Clippers are in a great position, I don't see Olshey leaving. If he does, I would try to get Jerry West out of Golden State. When does Kupchek's contract expire? Maybe he is frustrated with Jim Biss enough thY he will leave. Then there is Tom Penn, who seemed very impressive as a analyst during the draft.

Post #3 » by **thanumba2clippersfan** » Fri Sep 9, 2011 10:49 pm

I don't see Olshey leaving. He helped bring this core together, so I'm sure he wants to stay and watch the team grow.

Post #4 » by **mkwest** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 1:02 am

Blazers looking at Clippers VP for GM

Olshey is the one that could really cause some ripples in the NBA fabric. Bear in mind that this is a report on the Clippers wish list, not a confirmation of an interview or of mutual interest. Olshey could be perfectly happy with the Clippers, even if his contract is set to expire this coming October.

But if we're smelling the smoke, we may as well look at the fire. Olshey has been a bright spot for the Clippers, as his moves have brought a new era where the Clippers aren't contending, but seem on their way. He's built a young team around Blake Griffin, and though he has lost draft picks, he's brought in enough talent to make you think the Clippers are headed somewhere. Losing Olshey means a return to instability, and, in more of a concern, an opportunity for Donald Sterling to hire the wrong person.

In short, that would be bad. It's not that the Clippers need Olshey, he hasn't been the best GM or even top five in the past year. It's just that a franchise with such a history of disaster has to start somewhere, and the best place to start is by not giving Donald Sterling another hiring directive.

Matt Moore, CBS Sports

Post #5 » by **mkwest** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 1:14 am

The Blazers have looked at a lot of candidates as of late, so it's not like they are only targeting Olshey. In their favor, they have an owner worth $10-20B and would have a blank check to work with. I think that would be as attractive as it gets to a potential GM. There are some issues with the Vulcans as has been witnessed with with the likes of Pritchard, Penn and Cho all being relieved of their positions in the past couple of years.

I like what Olshey has done in the draft for us. I can't even complain too much about his moves in free-agency. It was definitely underwhelming, but he didn't hamstring us long-term like other GM's may have done. It would have been great had Gomes only been signed to 2 years like Foye, but his contract is still moveable if necessary. I personally believe that Olshey has a vision with this team and he would greatly benefit from turning us into a serious contender. Allen would probably offer (if he really wanted Neil) more than Sterling, so it could go either way if there was significant interest from the Blazers.

scoobs07 · Post #6 » by **scoobs07** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 8:12 pm

I hope Olshey stays. If he leaves, I wonder who would replace him. Maybe one of those former Blazer executives? If so, maybe Olshey might want to trade for his lottery pick Aminu. Maybe Kaman/Aminu for Batum/Camby? I think Olshey is one piece away from making the Clipps a championship contender. Hopefully he does something like Kaman/Williams/Bledsoe/2012 pick for DWill/Farmar/Petro.

RiversideClips · Post #7 » by **RiversideClips** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 9:52 pm

I don't like Olshey, doesn't have a good G.M. brain. I still think HE screwed the Clips w/ the HORRIBLE Mo Williams trade and loss of the Draft Pick.
Thought it was a bad move then, still feel the same now

Post #8 » by **mkwest** » Mon Oct 3, 2011 12:56 am

Answer to disjointed Trail Blazers GM search may be in a cardboard box

One influential member of the search committee liked Clippers executive Neil Olshey and wanted to present him to Allen. Others hated the idea of hiring someone from an organization that has struggled so mightily and put a foot down.

Nevermind that the Blazers, not the Clippers, are the only Western Conference member that hasn't won a first-round playoff series in the last decade. I agree with those who put a foot down. Firing Cho to hire a Clippers executive is a bad trade.

So Lindsey is apparently fading, Olshey can't get a full-scale endorsement, there's a bit of momentum in the labor negotiations and the Blazers are back to square one with Allen expecting a recommendation.

John Canzano, The Oregonian

Post #9 » by **thanumba2clippersfan** » Mon Oct 3, 2011 5:50 pm

I had heard that the Blazers are having a tough time agreeing on who they'd like to hire. Sounds like a real mess.