I am not buying it.
I have been waiting to hear news from outside of Portland about what is going on with Blazer players Ruben Patterson, Nick Van Exel, Derek Anderson, Zach Randolph, and yes, Darius Miles.
A report I found today says that Ruben is BEING PAID TO STAY AWAY, Nick is boycotting because management GAVE UP ON MAKING THE PLAYOFFS (purposely losing), Zach Randolph decided that playing WASN'T WORTH THE TROUBLE, and Darius Miles CHOOSE NOT TO TRAVEL WITH THE TEAM. Derek has said that he is able to play but that management has chosen not to play him. Source:Detnews.com
There have been different views of the Blazer situation. Mine is that these players are in effect boycotting because they know that Blazer management is tanking the season. Playing these guys might cause a win. I also believe that those who would like to play are being pushed away and forced to not play in order to make it LOOK like it is necessary to play the "youngsters". When it comes to Darius, I think he simply thinks that "losing isn't fun". Why should he care? He has management wrapped around his little finger.
Of course Blazer management wants us all to believe that injuries and circumstance are at fault here. I don't buy that for a second. All of the choices made by Blazer management have been deliberate attempts to smoke screen their inability to manage a basketball franchise.
Here's my take:
1. Local media doesn't like a couple of players.
Choice: Trade players
2. Fans complain of "bad behavior".
Choice: 25 Point Pledge
Then there is Zach and his contract....I'll move on.
3. A player blatantly disrespects the coach.
Choice: Slap on the wrist, reimbursement plus interest, starting role, fire coach.
4. Opportunity to move tried and true assistant coaches into coaching position.
Choice: Make director of player personnel interim coach. Put off looking for a new coach.
It's getting smoky in here...
5. Making playoffs will require winning games.
Choice: Create injuries for veterans and suit up the "youth".
6. People question motives and actions.
Choice: Cite injuries and tell people they should "focus on the future not the present.
translation: don't look so closely at what we are doing.
7. Fans disappear in droves.
Choice: Give free lower bowl tickets to everyone that will take them. Hound fans with questionnaires.
8. Team continues to lose.
Choice: Blame players for not being "in the community" more.
9. Team still continues to lose.
Choice: Cite "We are trying to avoid a losing mentality, we just need a win", or the all too familiar "things happen". If these don't work, revert to choice #6.
10. Season ticket holder contracts come up for renewal.
Choice: NBA League Pass.
A report I found today says that Ruben is BEING PAID TO STAY AWAY, Nick is boycotting because management GAVE UP ON MAKING THE PLAYOFFS (purposely losing), Zach Randolph decided that playing WASN'T WORTH THE TROUBLE, and Darius Miles CHOOSE NOT TO TRAVEL WITH THE TEAM. Derek has said that he is able to play but that management has chosen not to play him. Source:Detnews.com
There have been different views of the Blazer situation. Mine is that these players are in effect boycotting because they know that Blazer management is tanking the season. Playing these guys might cause a win. I also believe that those who would like to play are being pushed away and forced to not play in order to make it LOOK like it is necessary to play the "youngsters". When it comes to Darius, I think he simply thinks that "losing isn't fun". Why should he care? He has management wrapped around his little finger.
Of course Blazer management wants us all to believe that injuries and circumstance are at fault here. I don't buy that for a second. All of the choices made by Blazer management have been deliberate attempts to smoke screen their inability to manage a basketball franchise.
Here's my take:
1. Local media doesn't like a couple of players.
Choice: Trade players
2. Fans complain of "bad behavior".
Choice: 25 Point Pledge
Then there is Zach and his contract....I'll move on.
3. A player blatantly disrespects the coach.
Choice: Slap on the wrist, reimbursement plus interest, starting role, fire coach.
4. Opportunity to move tried and true assistant coaches into coaching position.
Choice: Make director of player personnel interim coach. Put off looking for a new coach.
It's getting smoky in here...
5. Making playoffs will require winning games.
Choice: Create injuries for veterans and suit up the "youth".
6. People question motives and actions.
Choice: Cite injuries and tell people they should "focus on the future not the present.
translation: don't look so closely at what we are doing.
7. Fans disappear in droves.
Choice: Give free lower bowl tickets to everyone that will take them. Hound fans with questionnaires.
8. Team continues to lose.
Choice: Blame players for not being "in the community" more.
9. Team still continues to lose.
Choice: Cite "We are trying to avoid a losing mentality, we just need a win", or the all too familiar "things happen". If these don't work, revert to choice #6.
10. Season ticket holder contracts come up for renewal.
Choice: NBA League Pass.
posted by KJM at 10:46 AM
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