Portland Trail Blazers face a huge leadership void
Out of the frying pan and into the fire. On the heels of the Portland Trail Blazers’ investigation into President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey, CEO Chris McGowan resigned. Now a potentially big hole in senior management becomes a crater.
The Portland Trail Blazers are in the middle of an internal investigation into their President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Neil Olshey for creating a hostile workplace. They suffered another key organizational loss last week when team CEO Chris McGowan announced his resignation. The Blazers now face a huge leadership void for what was one of the NBA’s most stable organizations.
Chris McGowan resigns
McGowan joined the Blazers nine years ago. He was in charge of the operation’s business side. According to The Athletic’s Jamie Quick, McGowan grew increasingly frustrated with the team’s direction. While Olshey was pissing off fans and the media with his abrupt nature and throwing everyone else under the bus for last season’s failings, McGowan asked Owner Jodie Allen for more control over the entire organization.
His discontent continued during Chauncey Billups‘s hiring or, more specifically, how the Portland Trail Blazers handled it. As reporters questioned Billups’s background as well as the hiring process, McGowan read the tea leaves and was rebuffed again by Allen.
McGowan was Paul Allen’s guy. He thought Allen would hand him the keys to the Portland Trail Blazers kingdom. After Paul’s death, his job started to change. He doesn’t hold as much sway with Jodie and wouldn’t be the ultimate decider.
He’s taking the high road with his resignation, saying it’s time to move on. What McGowan won’t say is if Olshey and the toxic work culture he is being investigated for was the final straw.
Neil Olshey is next
As the investigation continues into allegations that Olshey created a hostile work environment, more damaging information emerges. There’s a difference between being a hard charger with an intense desire to win and an arrogant ass. It’s evident as the complaints continue that Olshey crossed the line too many times.
It’s hard to see how Olshey survives this investigation and the resulting fallout. His impending departure, combined with McGowan’s resignation, leaves a huge leadership vacuum in the organization.
Chauncey Billups
VP and Chief Commercial Officer Dewayne Haskins will take over as the team’s new President of Business Operations. He’ll be part of the search to find Olshey’s successor. That brings up an entirely new issue.
Despite the past allegations against Chauncey Billups for sexual assault, Olshey stood up for Billups to be the new coach. Jodie approved the hire because he was Olshey’s guy. That was when Oshey had a reputation that people, especially Jodie Allen, believed in. Since then, the situation has changed.
Generally, when a new GM takes over, he wants to bring in his people. That includes a coach. The Portland Trail Blazers haven’t looked very good this season with Billups at the helm. There is an adjustment period when a new coach comes in as the team adapts to his style. Unfortunately, their play hasn’t inspired the fans. That isn’t good, and it takes job performance out of the equation.
If Olshey goes, what is Billups’s status without his biggest supporter? Billups has a five-year contract which could set up an interesting dynamic.
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If that’s not enough, the Portland Trail Blazers X-Factor is Damian Lillard. Dame has to put his stamp of approval on whoever gets hired in a basketball operations capacity.