Daily Thunder.com

@Kivman
Me too on Casey. He really deserves a shot.

@Joe
Yeah...having lived through Sund with the Sonics, I was not pleased when the Hawks hired him (I currently live in Atlanta). I have no faith in him this summer with the Joe Johnson situation as well as choosing a new coach (I'd actually be very happy if he gave Casey another chance).

From an ESPN NBA Rumors article this morning:

There was a report Friday that the house owned by Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard is for sale. On Sunday Jason Quick of The Oregonian wrote on his Twitter page that owner Paul Allen might target Jerry West to be the clubs next general manager and that his company has hired a headhunting firm to help identify the best candidates to replace Pritchard.

Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti was listed as a possible successor to Pritchard, but Presti doesn't sound like he wants to leave the Midwest.

"Portland has a general manager, and I have a great job here in Oklahoma City," Presti told Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman Sunday. "I am excited to be a part of what we are building."

For many reasons Mayberry doesn't think Presti will leave OKC for Portland and writes: "And while money is less of an issue for Allen in Portland, the Blazers will have less flexibility in the coming years now that contract extensions for Roy and Aldridge are set to kick in next season. Current projections have the Blazers already on pace to be over the salary cap next season and likely to surpass the luxury tax threshold as well in 2010-11. The Thunder will be in the same boat in two years. But when you consider the talent level of the Thunder players, the fact that they're Presti's own and he admittedly likes what's taking place here, the time just doesn't seem right for Presti to jump ship. Not for a place in Portland."

The stuff I've read says that Pritchard has a good eye for talent, but that he's obsessed with salary and has a huge ego and is big time into power. That rubs the executive management team (Allen and Vulcan) the wrong way. They love his eye for talent, but see his personality as wrong for the position of General Manager. He is the Anti-Presti, who prefers a quiet presence and is always gracious and giving praise to others instead of seeking it his self.

Nate left I think because of money, but also because he didn't like the way the Rick Sund/Wally Walker ran the team. They never really gave Nate a vote of confidence after a couple of shaky seasons, he didn't like how they handled the Gary Payton situation, and he especially didn't like how they handled all of the free agents going into his final season (Nate being one of them). They let Ray Allen, Antonio Daniels, Reggie Evans, Jerome James, and also Nate enter that 05 season without extensions and said go prove to us that we should re-sign you.

That all seems well and good but that's not the way things usually happen in basketball. People get offended and feel unappreciated. So they went out and had a great season and then everybody left for money elsewhere except Ray who cashed in his Bird rights. But Jerome left, and Antonio left and Nate left.

Now Rick Sund just did the same thing with Joe Johnson in Atlanta and also the coach, who he let go. He's a bastard I think.

Portland appears to have become somewhat dysfunctional at the top. I would hope Presti would see this and the job would become much less attractive. The players would be "Pritchard's players" unless Presti makes wholesale changes (I guess that's possible). He is considered the architect of the Thunder and he will get a ton of credit for all future accomplishments. Really, the only good reason I can think of to leave is a big short-term money boost. Of course, for most people that would be reason #1 to leave so let's just hope it's all smoke and no fire.

I never asked why Nate left Seattle. I was just agreeing with a prior post from The DON.

justin :
You’re asking why Nate McMillan left Seattle.. a 33% increase in pay to work a little bit further down the highway sounds like the reason to me.

Blah. Just an annoying comment based on nothing to do with my original point. And I already agreed that money certainly had something to do with it. Stop being so argumentative.

@ThunderHorn

Not that Bennett isn't committed to winning, but his other business partners may try to get more involved.

@Keith

Can only hope the same thing doesn't happen here.

@Mark!
Someone say he had bad relationship with some GMs because of the mail of Miles,and another GMs think he always want to get more but send less in trade.
I think that mail is very crude.

@justin
That's what would make it so much fun. I love implosions.

@Mark!
It doesn't make sense to anyone, obviously Pritchard wasn't at fault for all those injuries.

@ThunderHorn
That always seemed to worst reason for NBA related issues. If they succeed, their just going to be the next Michael Heisley situation - a bunch of suits who don't know basketball making bad basketball decisions. Memphis surely isn't making more money now than it was with Gasol (who got them to the playoffs twice), so even the financial decisions were wrong.

@Mark!

People in Paul Allen's company want to take more control of what they used to consider Allen's "hobby". They've already taken out a couple of Pritchard's people.

@Keith

The Portland and OKC fanbases would implode on themselves if that happene.

All I know if teams looking for a GM right now would love to have him. He won't be unemployed for long if he does lose his job.

I don't really understand why Pritchard would be fired anyway. Is the ownership just capricious? =

Funny thought, because I read that "Presti to Blazers" thing again. If the Blazers fire Pritchard, then steal Presti, would we just hire Pritchard (short of injuries he's built quite a team over there)? And further, if Pritchard became our GM, would that mean a trade up for a quality big man was all but assured? Pritchard loves moving around in the draft.

You're asking why Nate McMillan left Seattle.. a 33% increase in pay to work a little bit further down the highway sounds like the reason to me.

justin :@Kivman

From that article: “Billed as a disciplinarian and tough competitor, McMillan reportedly left a four-year, $18 million extension offer on the table to sign a five-year deal with the division-rival Trail Blazers that has been reported to be as much as $27.5 million.”
Nate’s a class act and probably wouldn’t say it’s about the money, but c’mon.

See...I knew you would argue that. Boy I get annoyed when people want to argue the little things instead of the point of the initial comment. Come on now people...

justin :
A lot of it was the money, he got paid a ton.

And I'm quoting the article in a tongue in cheek way. Of course the money had a lot to do with it.

@Kivman

From that article: "Billed as a disciplinarian and tough competitor, McMillan reportedly left a four-year, $18 million extension offer on the table to sign a five-year deal with the division-rival Trail Blazers that has been reported to be as much as $27.5 million."

Nate's a class act and probably wouldn't say it's about the money, but c'mon.

Anyway...my main point was that I agree with The DON on this. McMillan leaving the Sonics was because the team was in disarray without a good plan. Presti is in a totally different situation. At least we have to hope that is the case.

It wasn't the money...it was the plan and direction. Hmmm. He didn't like the "plan" and "direction" of the Sonics?

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_5_1...

A lot of it was the money, he got paid a ton.

@Joe
Why did he leave? My memory may be foggy, but it seems like he knew what was going on...that there was a lot of turbulence ahead for the city of Seattle with regards to the NBA. I always had the impression that he was jumping a drowning ship. What do you recall as the reasons why Mr. Sonic left the Sonics? Was it just for Allen's money?

@Kivman Nate leaving had nothing to do with OKC. He left before Schulz sold the team to Bennett.

@The DON
I agree with this. Nate left because he didn't want to be part of the Sonics leaving Seattle.

If Adams leaves, it really would be because he prefers Chicago as a city or he believes they have a brighter future than OKC (possible if he believes LJ is headed there). That would be a shame.

Season before last Rambis ran the defense for the Championship Lakers-it was stated repeatedly. Rambis left to go coach Minny, and yet the Lakers defense didn't crumble. I think what that shows is that yes, one assistant coach can be a primary "defense" guy (like Thib or Adams), yet, the head coach is right there in practice and in the meetings every day and completely understands and knows how to implement it. He has oversight. I would suspect that Brooks can hold the line defensively if Adams leaves.

I think it would be naive to think that if Adams left, Brooks wouldn't know how to keep the ball rolling defensively.

justin :@f5alcon

Portland would probably pay him more, plus spending Paul Allen’s money might be attractive.
Doubt it happens but you never know. Mr. Sonic himself left Seattle to coach in Portland.

The difference between nate leaving the sonics and presti leaving the thunder is that nate left an organization that was in disarray. He saw firsthand what he was dealing with and he did not want to commit his future to the catastrophic regime of wally walker, howard schultz, and rick sund. Presti on the other hand has no such reasons nudging him......at least that's what I tell myself to ease the fear I have of presti possibly leaving :(

what if the bulls told adams something like we have a deal that looks like it is going to happen with lebron and bosh. It is a pretty good deal to coach all of those guys.

BbFly :

Steve H :I’m with KD- Whyyyyyy? Thibideau’s contract is reportedly pretty small (6+mill for 3 years), with Hoopshype saying yesterday Bulls doing this on the cheap was reason Byron Scott and Avery Johnson not very interested. Doesn’t sound like a club that would be buying our assistants away from us-and if not for more money, why would Adams and Cheeks move to a less successful franchise? Adams gets much credit for our defensive improvement, as far as showcasing himself for a head coaching job down the road. Any improvements to the Bulls defense would be attributed to D-Guru Thibideau.

First its a 10M contract other 3 years.
Maybe Chicago was less successful this year but, its not a secret Bulls got the cap space to sign a top free agent this summer & will become a challenger in the east by next season.
Cheeks as one of the best former PG in the game, is certainly pleased by the idea of being in charge of the 21 yo old D.Rose development, whome is already an all-star.

First off, I've read it is 3 years, 6.5 mill- not exactly top dollar for a head coach. Second, I am actuallty less concerned about Cheeks than I am Adams. I always kinda assumed that Mo was only here for a short run until he lands a head coaching gig. Adams is what concerns me, and I just don't see why he would sign up to be the second banana in guiding the Bull's defensive strategy, when he is presumably the defensive Guru for the Thunder. If the Bulls improve dramatically, you know Thibs will get all of the credit- and by all accounts, he will deserve it. If I was in charge of the Thunders defense, I would surely like to stick around to see what a 2nd year Ibaka, and a new starting center can do for our club- and reap all of the praise that should come with moving us from a bad defensive team, to a top 5 defensive team, to potentially the best defensive team in the league.

I was rounding off from close to 2 points in that last statement.

I might have been better to stick to the concept of 2 way "strong" instead of down-shifting into the lukewarm world of 2 way positives and negatives by slight amounts but 2 way "strong" is quite rare. Under ten players were estimated to have a 2 or more point team impact on both sides of the court per 48 minutes. Durant was in this group.

Of course there is at least some error in these 1 year numbers. But I think the big picture impression created has some merit.

I mentioned before that this season Houston had no 2 way positive players but they actually had 1 if you count the latecoming reserve Jeffries by the thinnest of margins and were real close of 2 more. But Martin was estimated 2 way negative on team impact in Houston. As was Ariza.

Sorry, Harden qualifies as 2 way positive by strict counting. It was barely positive on one but I should have keep with counting that here too so the Thunder officially had 2. That the Lakers only had 1 when everybody else had more is not a big deal. They were pretty close to having a second or third and maybe the data for a full season would have that. It is still desirable to have 2 way positives like all these other teams in the playoffs. Collison was fairly close to being the Thunder's third. Westbrook should be but wasn't on defense.

San Antonio 3, Portland 2. Denver 2. So everybody in the western playoffs had 2 or 3 except the Lakers and Thunder by a strict counting of rotation players. Ultimately the size of the pluses and minuses and the net sum for the group are more important than the number of 2 way positive players but it is helpful in the playoffs to have 2 way positive players on the court for big minutes and especially crunch-time minutes.

Looking further, I see the Lakers only had 1 2 way positive player on Adjusted +/- splits at the time of this data (at ALL-Star break) and the Celtics had 3 (2 starters and a sub). Maybe 2 way strong players are not common. It was a big part of the greatest of the modern era Jordan-Pippen success though.

Orlando, Cleveland and Atlanta all had 3. Phoenix 2, Utah 3, Dallas 2.

It may not be essential but it is probably more common among the highest achievers.

Or any team that doesn’t stay or get in top 10 on offense or real near it either.

Dual strength is the the main path to success. Usually that requires some 2 way strong players in your core. For the Thunder the strongest case for that designation last season was Durant. By the Adjusted +/- splits the only other 2 way positive player (modestly on one, barely on the) was Harden. Everybody else is 1 way positive.

Chicago, Portland, Houston will be pushing for and even expect to at least crack top 10 on defense. Atlanta and Denver should emphasize it but I don't know if they will do enough. (Kinda doubt it, but Avery Johnson might help Atlanta get there, if they pick him.) For some to gain, some will have to drop rank. Actual defensive efficiency is more important than rank of course but it is going to be competitive to establish enough of a defensive edge to be a difference maker in the playoffs. With a high share of the good teams having good defense, I again expect that the quality of the offense will go a long way to at least separate 1st round winners and losers next spring and into future playoffs. I can't see that bright a future for any team that doesn't stay or get in top 10 on defense or real near it.

@justin
thats true, i guess i could see it happening more when portland is bad and wants to rebuild. Right now I think there is a better chance of him going to the nets.(and then trading us brook lopez)

@f5alcon

Portland would probably pay him more, plus spending Paul Allen's money might be attractive.

Doubt it happens but you never know. Mr. Sonic himself left Seattle to coach in Portland.

i really doubt presti leaves, he has built this entire team except for collison, why walk away and then watch us win a championship without him, especially going to a division rival, and the fact that portland is too good to blow up and start over.

I wanna thank Ron Adams for bringing thabo to the thunder.

The change in Thunder defensive performance from 2008-9 to 2009-10 was vastly better shot contesting, more steals, fewer fouls and probably as a consequence of these things they got less defensive rebounds.

How much the lessons have been essentially permanently learned vs need to be reinforced and re-taught every week to keep the gains I don't know.

Thibodeau supposedly has some innovation ideas for the Bulls offense. It might be true but they sure need that more. 27th on offensive efficiency like this season won't get you anywhere. Got to be average at least. Free agency will make them a lot better or leave them second tier.

Chicago is obviously hoping they can become at least a top 5 defense. Thibodeau will have to devote at least half his time to offense and general team management. Adams could take up the slack and be a major part of the defensive implementation.

But wait til a statement confirms anything about Adams moving, though that might take a few days or two weeks.

@The DON
Another news is their target is Mr Logo.
I hope we can keep Sam and I dont think he would leave.No reason he leave except Money

I just wonder where Adams fits in. He and Thibodeau are essentially in the same boat. Both are defensive assistants that have turned teams around. If Thibodeau is the head coach, what does Adams even do?

I can see them targeting Cheeks for the same reason we did: help a young PG reach his potential and give some offensive know-how. Still, they'd likely be better off with a true offensive system implementing assistant.

Ultimately, I have two questions for the Thunder. 1) Was Brooks a big enough part of our defense that we won't see any drop if Adams leaves, and 2) is there anyone on our current staff who can implement a solid offensive system? If the first answer is a no, then we should focus on keeping Adams. If the second answer is a no, then we have bigger problems than keeping Cheeks. We don't want to become the Hawks or even the Fightin' Lebrons, that is, all the talent in the world, but no one who can put it all together on both ends of the floor.

@The DON

It says Sam Presti has 'drawn interest'. Of course he's drawn interest.

BAD NEWS! The blazers are targeting Presti to replace Pritchard...

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/67041/20100...

If they hadn't brought in DelNegro and DelNegro hadn't rearranged the Assistant staff in a way that brought in others and moved Adams off the bench and into scouting, Adams probably wouldn't have left Chicago. He spent more time there than anywhere else in his pro career.