Tom Penn New GM?
Loose rumors claim Tom Penn from the Portland Trailblazers is in the mix for to be Clippers GM.
almost 2 years ago
Akram47
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If we don't sign....
LEBRON, BOSH, GAY, JOHNSON, AMARE, D WADE, I and many many others will not renew our season tickets.
PERIOD
Tom Penn?
Another abrupt dismissal. Curious:
“…there had been rumblings in recent weeks within the organization that Penn’s job was at stake. The primary reason was that Penn had a tendency to rub many of those he worked with the wrong way, the source said, and was seen as being a “ladder climber.”"
Very interesting given Kevin Pritchard’s reputation for arrogance. Talk about rubbing people the wrong way. Actually sounds more like somebody got mad Penn might have been out looking for another job while still an active participant in the Blazer front office.
It’s a little encouraging, to me anyway, that the Clips might actually be looking outside the organization… but, who knows.
interesting...
On the surface, the fact that he was just let go by the Blazers has to be a tad worrisome. Why would we want to promote to GM a guy that was just fired from a lesser position?
There are 2 situations that might justify hiring some Portland’s discard:
1) He was fired BECAUSE he was talking to the Clippers. If Portland just got pissed that he was looking for his next job and fired him, that doesn’t really diminish his value to the Clippers if indeed he’s the right guy.
2) He was fired because of a personality conflict with Pritchard. Not out of the question, given Pritchard’s rep. Still, you have to at least consider whether or not he can get along with others as the Clippers GM.
I’d prefer ‘advanced statistics expert’ to ‘salary cap expert’ as the first line on the new GM’s CV (and ideally both), but either is probably preferable to ‘former NBA All Star’ as the main qualification.
In this world, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. - Elwood P. Dowd
I don't know that the GM
himself has to be an advanced statistics expert. I would think that the GM could be a big picture guy, and he could have statistics experts working for him.
"[Fans are] not technically a lot of times savvy. They don't understand and they don't weigh issues the way that [I] weigh them."
Mike Dunleavy, Sr.
Agree
The GM himself doesn’t need to be an expert in advanced stats, the salary cap, or scouting, just so long as he fills his staff out with one of each. That’s all I really want, a full staff. Not just one guy making every Clipper decision.
by Michael White on Mar 17, 2010 7:47 AM PDT up reply actions
Now we're talkin
Do not worry. (Matthew 6:27)
Even better
former Soap Opera actor.
Do not worry. (Matthew 6:27)
Good one.
I’m highly skeptical of this report. It sounds like he may have put his name out there on his own to boost his profile without Portland permission and got bit. A person needs his club’s permission to be able to talk to other teams.
If we are reaching out to other candidates (not that I know if Penn is good or not – Portland has its issues), that is indeed a good sign. Well I seriously have my doubts that we are, perhaps a rumor like this might entice others to inquire about the job.
I'm okay with this
the Portland front office has been doing a good job for a number of years. They also somehow got Camby from us (filling a HUGE need) for 2 expiring contracts to a team already out of the playoff picture without giving up any future consideration. Sounds like a smart guy to me. Doesn’t sound like he would add a lot of clout but I like the fact he is ambitious, that’s the kind of guy you need to compete in a high-pressure environment. This firing actually helps the Clippers a bit as they now have more leverage when negotiating his perk package.
FA in 2010.
by ClipperChuck on Mar 17, 2010 4:00 AM PDT up reply actions
I don't know but
reports seem to say that Paul Allen fired him. So maybe he crossed the owner in some manner.
Portland has done a marginal job in the front office
Drafted Oden over Durant. Signed LeMarcus Aldridge to a an All-Star level extension despite his not being an All-Star level player. Tried to sign Paul Millsap to a big deal to come off the bench. Signed Andre Miller just to sign him though he was not a particularly good fit (perhaps they hope to trade him in a few years).
Don’t get me wrong. This is certainly a welcome step in the right direction, and much more favorable than the hiring from within strategy.
Just thought I would point out a few things. There are better front office operations out there from which the Clippers could choose.
Do not worry. (Matthew 6:27)
Nay
You can’t fault injuries, Oden looks like a difference maker before he got hurt (again)… check out his stats per 36 and you’ll see how effective he is. 80% of the GMs would have picked him 1st that year, just like everyone would pick BG last year and everyone will probably pick Wall this year.
Aldridge’s contract isn’t great but that’s the market price for a solid big in the league. If he hits the free agent market he gets similar deals from other teams (would you rather pay 12 mill a year for him or Rudy Gay?). Not to mention they are a up and coming team, how do you explain to your franchise you let one of your cornerstones walk?
The Millsap deal was based on the economics of the NBA salary cap (the eventual Andre Miller deal is tied up in this). The Blazers wanted to stockpile assets and they were essentially going to lose that cap space one they offered Roy and Aldridge extensions. After being burned by Hedo they had to go after plan B and plan C. Andre Miller’s deal is actually pretty solid, 3 years (team option for the 3rd) for 21 million isn’t bad for a solid starting PG. He’ll be a valuable trading chip next year for them, which again is valuable as they are over the cap now and wouldn’t be able to sign free agents and now at least they can trade him.
You guys conveniently leave out the Camby trade too, looks even better now that Pryzbilla reinjured himself recently. They’ve won their last 7 games that MC has played.
FA in 2010.
by ClipperChuck on Mar 17, 2010 12:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Just to be clear
I’m in favor of this. I think that Pritchard and Portland are unjustly lumped into the “brilliant GM” category when their record is mixed.
There are good minds there, but let’s look at San Antonio, Dallas, Houston (Texas teams) and OKC for some up and comers, too.
Do not worry. (Matthew 6:27)
Hindsight is 20/20
Most teams would have taken Oden over Durant. There are reports that the Spurs possibly offered Duncan up for the number 1 pick. I wouldn’t think that they would, but that is the rumor. We were one of the few teams that could/would have taken Durant over Oden since we already had Kaman.
As far as Millsap/Miller/Lee/Odom/etc. goes, Portland had to use their capspace before it dried up. Their primary needs were PG & SF. Turkoglu was their primary target who ended up in Toronto due to his wife’s wishes. He would have filled in at SF and provided a big playmaker and outside threat to the starting lineup. That didn’t work out, so they looked at some of the other available talent. Nobody else filled that need like he did, but there was nothing wrong with adding quality depth.
Miller was not the best fit, but he’s the best point guard on their roster. He’s only signed for 2 more seasons, so it doesn’t hurt them that much.
Portland’s biggest moves have been in the draft. If trading Telfair, Ratliff and what would become RLEC for the 7th pick that was turned into Randy Foye who was moved for their franchise player, Brandon Roy. How about trading Tyrus Thomas for LaMarcus Aldridge. Brandon Rush for Bayless, They acquired rights to certain young players like Rudy Fernandez for cash.
If Portland’s Front Office has been marginal, then give me marginal.
by Lawler 4ever on Mar 17, 2010 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions
+1
not only that but that franchise had to purge themselves of quite a few bad apples from earlier in the decade and to get out of salary cap hell.
FA in 2010.
by ClipperChuck on Mar 17, 2010 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Western Conference executives told the Oregonian that Vulcan headquarters (Paul Allen’s company) was livid in late summer after they realized Tom Penn played them in getting a raise and promotion out of the phantom Minnesota offer.
“There’s real resentment at Vulcan headquarters at that whole deal.”
The source isn’t buying the idea that something new happened on Tuesday that caused Penn’s firing, rather, that the Vulcans decided long ago they were going to blow up Penn the first time they had cause.
“I’m not guessing on this, there’s no speculation here, the resentment over the Minnesota thing is real,” source said. “The Vulcans can be vindictive %$&#’s.”
by dulciusEXasperis on Mar 17, 2010 9:39 AM PDT reply actions
Sounds like he may not be a team player
"[Fans are] not technically a lot of times savvy. They don't understand and they don't weigh issues the way that [I] weigh them."
Mike Dunleavy, Sr.
Huh... perhaps the Clipper's offer was "phantom" as well...
At first I was pleased to see the Clips might be looking for a GM from elsewhere but if Paul Allen thought the Minny interest was invented by Penn, then perhaps he invented the Clips interest as well. Certainly doesn’t speak well of him. But worse, whatever optimism we might have had about the Clips GM search gets crushed in the process.
So Jax and RAR’s inside info seems to be standing… Olshey’s the permanent pick. For the moment anyway.
Neil O
I was re-watching some elie seckbach videos…and lo and behold Neil Olshey!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_vZ694AMMs
he sounds like he knows what he is talking about….
This is going to be my team, and we're going to rise together.
-Clipper Darrell
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