Quote:
Originally Posted by GMScud
I'm not well versed in NBA front offices, but isn't Pritchard the same guy who passed on Durant for Oden? Granted, Lamarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy have worked out well, but I don't see how he's a major upgrade over Ernie. Again, I don't know much about NBA front offices at all. Why do you like him?
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I can't fault Pritchard for selecting Oden. Hindsight is always nice, but a healthy Oden (and there really wasn't reason to think he wouldn't be other than a few minor injuries here and there) would have been the perfect defensive anchor in the middle for that team.
Pritchard is a shrewd (some say too shrewd) negotiator who turned guys like Tyrus Thomas and Sebastian Telfair into Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Alridge.
He brought in one of the more underrated veterans in the NBA in Andre Miller to serve as not only an effective leader on the court, but in the locker room as well.
He's basically been let go for two reasons 1) He's kind of arrogant from what I understand and doesn't necessarily get along well with others in or out of the organization and 2) Paul Allen is considered one of the most hands-off owners in the NFL; but he's considered just the opposite in the NBA. He basically wants to be the GM, or at least get the credit for it.
All that said, if the rumors of Sam Presti (Thunder GM) going to Portland are true...that'd be remarkable.