http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_y...lug=aw-trailblazers032210&prov=yhoo&type=lgns This is a pretty scathing piece on Kevin Pritchard. [rquoter] As executives of Vulcan Inc. discussed the pros and cons of firing Portland Trail Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard last summer, the discussion found its way to this conclusion: Pritchard had proven to be a solid senior-level scout, but largely incapable of running the organization. Vulcan, the Blazers’ parent company, had watched Pritchard embark upon several selfish and destructive bents, and strong sentiment existed to fire him. Owner Paul Allen and the Vulcan executives no longer trusted him to put the franchise before his own ambitions. The list of transgressions that troubled Vulcan always came back to similar themes: Pritchard’s thirst for public adulation, money and power. Inside and outside the organization, Pritchard harped on how much more Portland coach Nate McMillan made than him. He complained to friends, rivals and relative acquaintances, and that played an immense part in the gulf that exists between the front office and coach. When negotiations became contentious with star Brandon Roy(notes), Pritchard didn’t stand firm with the limits of ownership’s offer. What’s more, Pritchard tried to cozy up to Roy by selling the notion that it was the two of them together trying to get the contracts they deserved from owner Paul Allen. For the unparalleled resources Allen has provided Pritchard to remake the roster – millions in dollars to purchase draft picks, packaging them in trades or stockpiling prospects overseas – Vulcan was beyond irate that Pritchard still couldn’t present a united front when Allen decided to make a financial stand. ... [/rquoter]
Hmm so Woj was probably talking about Pritchard instead of Morey in that piece he wrote on the LA Clippers new GM.
WOW that article is pretty damning. if pritchard is let go i wonder where he could land. imagine after having all the financial backing in Portland he wanted to go to a tightwad in sterling in LA. Pritchard was shrewd on draft day, but given the resources he had at his disposal its no surprise. of course a lot of that was his own and his staff's hard work. never was a fan of pritchard but he did help turn that franchise around after its "jail blazer" image
Actually Steve Patterson was the guy that did all the dirty work. Pritchard only came up big in one draft and screwed it up on the Oden draft. Everyone knew Durant was going to be special.
He should have signed Hedo Turkalgo to 50million over 5 years like those Raptors, he would have been in a better position.....
I'm open to working for the blazers, you know maybe trade oden and roy and aldrige, throw some games to make sure houston gets in
So, it's absolutely clear now that Wojo was talking abouat Pritchaard, not Morey, when referring to "self-promoers without championships or playoff success" at the MIT Sports Conference. One thing I like about Morey is that he's much more unassuming and less pompous than the likes of Pritchard. Morey talks a lot, probably because, unlike JVG, Adelman doesn't tend to do radio interviews and such things to promote the team and somebody has to. I like the fact that Morey tends to give credit to others in the organization (his front office guys, the coaching staff, Les Alexander for the resources he provies) and knows the limits of his own work.
I'm stilled HIGHLY pissed the way he hi-jacked our deal with Atlanta in the 2006 draft. It cost us Brandon Roy! I HOPE THEY FIRE YOU TOMORROW KEVIN PRITCHARD! YOU JERK! It couldn't happen to a more deserving guy! It makes me belly laugh to see him draft Greg "Benjamin Button" Oden over Kevin "FUTURE NBA MVP" Durant. I'm thrilled to see him grovel & campaign for more money and get fired because of it. GO AHEAD PAUL ALLEN FINISH THE JOB & FIRE THIS JERK!!!!!!!!!!
The hijacked deal was with Minny as I recall. Anyway, this is very surprising to hear. There has been no hint of trouble between Pritchard and management in the news since the Penn firing. I don't think Patterson did any dirty work, I think this roster was built by Prichard, and I'd bet that 30 out of 30 GMs would have picked Oden over Durant. But this is a real shocker, as I think Pritchard has done a great job. Having said that, Warkentein would be a great pickup if Pritchard does go, but it would surely cost them more than the 800K Pritchard is making.
The rumor at the time was that Atlanta would take Roy @ 5 and trade him to Houston who would take Shelden Williams @ 8. It was thought that the rumor had legs because both guys had the same agent (Arn Tellem). Well Mr.Pritchard made a deal with Boston for #7 and prolmptly let Atlanta know If they they were going to take Willams at #7 and they would have to deal with him to get him. Atlanta went ahead and took him @5. Pritchard then struck a deal with Minnesota (who wanted Foye) for Roy. ANYWAY, Pritchard made the same mistake the Blazers made in 1984(Bowie over Jordan) you always take the best player! Greg Oden was shooting free throws left handed at Ohio St. because of a wrist/hand injury meanwhile Durant was flat out dominating college basketball at Texas. Ohio St. had a great tournament run and Pritchard overreacted and forgot about the regular season. LET ME MAKE THIS CLEAR, AT NO POINT IN GREG ODEN'S LIFE WAS HE EVER A BETTER PLAYER THAN KEVIN DURANT!
You do realise it was Warkentein who was responsible for their Jailblazers era? It's taken their franchise that long to win back their fanbase from that.
Only because the NBA overvalues big men in the draft. But Durant was a 6'10 athletic shooter with a 7'5 wingspan who can put it on the floor and get his shot against anyone. Durant was putting HUGE scoring & rebounding numbers. SPECIAL, and special players win in the NBA. Oden was a raw big man with no post moves who couldn't make it through a college season without injury. You tell me who's more attractive. If you want to see the thin line between love and hate look at Kevin Pritchard. Had he drafted Kevin Durant instead of Oden, OKC would be lottery team and Portland would have Aldridge,Roy and Durant ready to the top team in the league for 10 years and beloved by ALL. Instead HE MAY GET WHACKED!
