Portland Trail Blazers: Neil Olshey is out and its about time

Teresa Powe   |  

Dec 4, 2021

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It is done, the verdict has been handed down, and Neil Olshey is out. It is a decision that is long overdue. The new question is, what should the Blazers do with the mess he made?

On Friday, the Portland Trail Blazers organization announced the firing of general manager Neil Olshey. Olshey was fired after an independent investigation into an inappropriate workplace environment. The organization released this statement,

“Out of respect for those who candidly participated in that privileged investigation, we will not release or discuss it. We are confident that these changes will help build a more positive and respectful working environment.”

It was about time. Since Olshey threw Terry Stotts under the bus, Olshey’s decisions have sunk the Blazers team and organization lower and lower.

Coach Chauncey Billups

Chauncey Billups’ hiring was shrouded in controversy. This was not a good decision, from the sexual assault allegations to having no experience. The allegations were just that. Nothing was ever proven, no charges were ever filed. But he paid.

Billups’s only experience was one year as assistant coach to Tyronn Lue with the Los Angeles Clippers. Others applied for the job and were never really considered, including Becky Hammon and Mike D’Antoni. Hammon believed she was being considered. She even had a second interview. D’Antoni left his position as Assistant Coach to the Brooklyn Nets in anticipation of the job.

But no. Damian Lillard had requested Jason Kidd or Chauncey Billups. Jason Kidd turned it down right away. Billups got the job.

Billups has coached the Blazers to a less than .500 record. They are 1-10 on the road. They stand at eighth in the western conference with an 11-12 record. Some of Chauncey Billups’ postgame pressers left many unanswered questions. He is questioning his players. After a recent 31 point blowout by the 6-13 Spurs, this is what he had to say,

“My biggest concern I think at the moment is, I want us to compete harder. I want us to compete in every game. And I don’t feel like every game we do that. I really don’t. I don’t feel like we do that every night. And that concerns me.”

Isn’t the coach supposed to give his players the incentive to compete? He didn’t like his team’s play during their wins also. He believes winning while playing so badly makes his players think they’re doing it right.

Damian Lillard

An MRI on Friday confirmed that Lillard has “lower abdominal tendinopathy.” Dame will miss at least ten games. After that, he will be re-evaluated. Is that why he’s playing so poorly? He supposedly has had this since leaving the Olympics.

I hope he gets over this soon and can get back to being Dame. Through these first 20 games, he is averaging 21.5 points and shooting 39.7% from the field! From beyond the arc, Lillard is shooting 30.2%. Yes, it’s a mess in Portland.

What’s next?

Without Dame and what sounds like a team without hope and a front office to lead them, the Portland Trail Blazers seem doomed to exit the first round. Who am I kidding? The Blazers seem doomed not to make the playoffs at all. I know it’s only 20 games in, but the Blazers’ organization still has to put a front office in place.

Joe Cronin, the team’s director of player personnel since 2014, will step in as interim GM until a permanent one is hired.

I won’t get into who they should trade and keep. Damian Lillard has made the Portland Trail Blazers his life, his career. What should the new regime do? They need to re-build around Lillard or let him go. Pundits say there is only one place Dame will go…(New York), the Blazers could use their GM.

Ordinarily, when a team has to replace its entire front office, that new front office wants its own everything. That includes the coaching staff.

Would that be so bad? I don’t think so. Maybe it’s time.

PNWS will keep you informed of all the changes. Until then, please stay safe and healthy.