“Intimidation and profanity-laced tirades” were cited in the investigation among Olshey’s methods of management. “I heard a number of stories about how badly people felt Neil treated them,” Larry Miller told The Post. “It got to a boiling point and it’s something that Jody and Bert should have been well aware of and done something about it.”
Tag: Neil Olshey
Sean Highkin: CJ McCollum: “Once Neil …
Neil Olshey thought Anfernee Simons was the most talented player he ever drafted
Simons, meanwhile, was a promising youngster who had mostly scuffled in his first three years, even as veterans trumpeted his talent and predicted stardom. Added to the expectations was the full-throttled support of Neil Olshey, the executive who drafted Simons. Olshey never backed down in his belief that Simons was the most talented player he had ever drafted, a list that included Blake Griffin, Lillard and McCollum.
Neil Olshey thought Anfernee Simons was the most talented player he ever drafted
Simons, meanwhile, was a promising youngster who had mostly scuffled in his first three years, even as veterans trumpeted his talent and predicted stardom. Added to the expectations was the full-throttled support of Neil Olshey, the executive who …
Simons, meanwhile, was a promising youngster who had mostly scuffled in his first three years, even as veterans trumpeted his talent and predicted stardom. Added to the expectations was the full-throttled support of Neil Olshey, the executive who drafted Simons. Olshey never backed down in his belief that Simons was the most talented player he had ever drafted, a list that included Blake Griffin, Lillard and McCollum.
Source: Jason Quick @ The Athletic
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Casey Holdahl @CHold
The athleticism and shot-making is nothing we haven’t seen before from @Anfernee Simons. But getting called for a technical? That’s a new one. rip.city/3fvdgKd – 7:00 PM
The athleticism and shot-making is nothing we haven’t seen before from @Anfernee Simons. But getting called for a technical? That’s a new one. rip.city/3fvdgKd – 7:00 PM
Jason Quick @jwquick
On the continued excellence of Anfernee Simons and the elephant in the room: What does it mean for the Trail Blazers? theathletic.com/3072658/2022/0… – 1:57 AM
On the continued excellence of Anfernee Simons and the elephant in the room: What does it mean for the Trail Blazers? theathletic.com/3072658/2022/0… – 1:57 AM
StatMuse @statmuse
Anfernee Simons tonight:
31 PTS
11 AST
7 3PT
He is averaging 28.3 PPG, 8.2 APG on 51/46/91% in January. pic.twitter.com/YDpOxIUjfw – 9:40 PM
Anfernee Simons tonight:
31 PTS
11 AST
7 3PT
He is averaging 28.3 PPG, 8.2 APG on 51/46/91% in January. pic.twitter.com/YDpOxIUjfw – 9:40 PM
Casey Holdahl @CHold
Blazers 115, Wizards 110: FINAL. 31 points, 11 assists for @Anfernee Simons. 23 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists/steals for @Jusuf Nurkic. 18 points for @Nassir Little. 15 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 assists for @Robert Covington. 10 points, 2 rebounds for @BenMcLemore. – 9:31 PM
Blazers 115, Wizards 110: FINAL. 31 points, 11 assists for @Anfernee Simons. 23 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists/steals for @Jusuf Nurkic. 18 points for @Nassir Little. 15 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 assists for @Robert Covington. 10 points, 2 rebounds for @BenMcLemore. – 9:31 PM
Casey Holdahl @CHold
Blazers 94, Wizards 80: end of third quarter. 26 points, 9 assists for @Anfernee Simons. 18 points, 11 rebounds for @Jusuf Nurkic. 18 points for @Nassir Little. 12 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists for @Robert Covington. – 8:52 PM
Blazers 94, Wizards 80: end of third quarter. 26 points, 9 assists for @Anfernee Simons. 18 points, 11 rebounds for @Jusuf Nurkic. 18 points for @Nassir Little. 12 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists for @Robert Covington. – 8:52 PM
Casey Holdahl @CHold
That was @Anfernee Simons‘ first shot of the second half. Appreciate the desire to play-make but when you got 26 in the first half, get ’em up in the second half. – 8:43 PM
That was @Anfernee Simons‘ first shot of the second half. Appreciate the desire to play-make but when you got 26 in the first half, get ’em up in the second half. – 8:43 PM
Aaron J. Fentress @AaronJFentress
Hey, anyone remember how in 2018 a lot of people whined and complained that the Blazers selected Anfernee Simons at No. 24 instead of a wing? Oops! pic.twitter.com/tr4sKrqE16 – 8:19 PM
Hey, anyone remember how in 2018 a lot of people whined and complained that the Blazers selected Anfernee Simons at No. 24 instead of a wing? Oops! pic.twitter.com/tr4sKrqE16 – 8:19 PM
Dwight Jaynes @dwightjaynes
If Anfernee Simons keeps playing like this the Trail Blazers will have to find an injury for him so that he’s out of the lineup and not blocking a tank. – 8:11 PM
If Anfernee Simons keeps playing like this the Trail Blazers will have to find an injury for him so that he’s out of the lineup and not blocking a tank. – 8:11 PM
Ava Wallace @avarwallace
Whew. The Wizards trail Portland 68-57 at halftime. Anfernee Simons had 26p, Nurkic had 13 & 11. TBs have 11 threes.
Dinwiddie: 16p
Kispert: 11p – 8:09 PM
Whew. The Wizards trail Portland 68-57 at halftime. Anfernee Simons had 26p, Nurkic had 13 & 11. TBs have 11 threes.
Dinwiddie: 16p
Kispert: 11p – 8:09 PM
Casey Holdahl @CHold
Blazers 68, Wizards 57: halftime. 26 points (9-14, 7-10), 6 assists for @Anfernee Simons. 13 points, 11 rebounds for @Jusuf Nurkic. 11 points, 1 rebound/block for @Nassir Little. POR shooting 52 percent from the field, 50 percent from three. – 8:08 PM
Blazers 68, Wizards 57: halftime. 26 points (9-14, 7-10), 6 assists for @Anfernee Simons. 13 points, 11 rebounds for @Jusuf Nurkic. 11 points, 1 rebound/block for @Nassir Little. POR shooting 52 percent from the field, 50 percent from three. – 8:08 PM
Casey Holdahl @CHold
Now seven threes on nine attempts for @Anfernee Simons. Records once again in jeopardy. – 8:03 PM
Now seven threes on nine attempts for @Anfernee Simons. Records once again in jeopardy. – 8:03 PM
Josh Robbins @JoshuaBRobbins
Anfernee Simons, the pride of Central Florida, is torching the Wizards, with 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field and 6-of-8 shooting from 3. There’s 2:55 remaining in the second quarter. Simons’ career high is 43 points. – 8:00 PM
Anfernee Simons, the pride of Central Florida, is torching the Wizards, with 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field and 6-of-8 shooting from 3. There’s 2:55 remaining in the second quarter. Simons’ career high is 43 points. – 8:00 PM
Casey Holdahl @CHold
And then a tough finish through traffic for the and-1. @Anfernee Simons have it all. – 7:57 PM
And then a tough finish through traffic for the and-1. @Anfernee Simons have it all. – 7:57 PM
Chase Hughes @ChaseHughesNBCS
Anfernee Simons is cooking the Wizards tonight and he’s giving it to a variety of defenders. 20 pts in 15 min on 6-7 3PT. – 7:56 PM
Anfernee Simons is cooking the Wizards tonight and he’s giving it to a variety of defenders. 20 pts in 15 min on 6-7 3PT. – 7:56 PM
Neil Dalal @NeilDalal96
Wizards are getting killed by the Anfernee Simons and Jusuf Nurkic pick and roll – 7:56 PM
Wizards are getting killed by the Anfernee Simons and Jusuf Nurkic pick and roll – 7:56 PM
Ava Wallace @avarwallace
Portland leads the Wizards 29-24 after one in DC. Anfernee Simons has 11p and 3 three’s.
Dinwiddie: 8p
Neto and Kistpert have 5 each – 7:40 PM
Portland leads the Wizards 29-24 after one in DC. Anfernee Simons has 11p and 3 three’s.
Dinwiddie: 8p
Neto and Kistpert have 5 each – 7:40 PM
Casey Holdahl @CHold
Blazers 29, Wizards 24: end of first quarter. 11 points, 3 assists for @Anfernee Simons. 4 points, 9 rebounds for @Jusuf Nurkic. 6 points, 1 rebound/block for @Nassir Little. 3 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal for @Robert Covington. – 7:39 PM
Blazers 29, Wizards 24: end of first quarter. 11 points, 3 assists for @Anfernee Simons. 4 points, 9 rebounds for @Jusuf Nurkic. 6 points, 1 rebound/block for @Nassir Little. 3 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal for @Robert Covington. – 7:39 PM
Casey Holdahl @CHold
Also, @Anfernee Simons now drawing double teams at the top of the three-point line. Word is out. – 7:34 PM
Also, @Anfernee Simons now drawing double teams at the top of the three-point line. Word is out. – 7:34 PM
Casey Holdahl @CHold
11 points in 9 minutes for @Anfernee Simons on 4-6 and 3-4 shooting. Making it look easy so far with Portland up 26-16 with 2:36 in the first quarter. – 7:30 PM
11 points in 9 minutes for @Anfernee Simons on 4-6 and 3-4 shooting. Making it look easy so far with Portland up 26-16 with 2:36 in the first quarter. – 7:30 PM
More on this storyline
Adrian Wojnarowski: ESPN Sources: Portland’s interim GM Joe Cronin is making his first significant addition to the Blazers’ front office, hiring Cleveland’s Andrae Patterson as assistant GM. Patterson has been the Cavs’ Senior Director of Basketball Ops and also spent 4 years in Utah’s front office. -via Twitter @wojespn / January 13, 2022
The Blazers recently let go of their top basketball executive, Neil Olshey, promoting Joe Cronin in the interim. While Cronin will run the team until an official hire, it’s unclear if that hire will happen before the trade deadline. Sources indicate he’ll have an opportunity to keep the position long-term, but Chicago Bulls general manager Marc Eversley, G League president Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Boston Celtics vice president of player and organization development Allison Feaster are the front-runners. -via Bleacher Report / January 8, 2022
Now that Cronin has moved into the big seat, their connection seems even more relevant. A first-time coach, and a first-time general manager are leaning on each other, both anchored by their deep-rooted history. “I know who he is, because I’ve known him since he was 17,” Cronin said. “And he is the same guy today as he was then. The trust is there. I know Chauncey Billups as a person, I know exactly what that is, and I’m very lucky to have him.” -via The Athletic / December 14, 2021
Anfernee Simons’ recent explosion also …
Anfernee Simons’ recent explosion also has league executives chattering about the future of CJ McCollum in Portland, and to a lesser extent that of Norman Powell. Simons is headed for a lucrative restricted free agency this summer, and Portland is already trying to evade paying the luxury tax.
Assessing the interest for McCollum is somewhat difficult given his recent collapsed lung and a decline in production at the age of 30. But former GM Neil Olshey’s regime valued McCollum quite highly, and there’s a sense among some rival executives that McCollum would have a sizable market at a lower evaluation than Olshey may have held.
As former President of Basketball …
As former President of Basketball Operations and GM Neil Olshey exits the Blazers, the process to hire his successor will soon be underway. Portland is deciding whether it’ll hire a firm to research and recommend candidates, sources said. Bert Kolde, the long-time ownership executive and right-hand man to the late Paul Allen, will direct the search again. He’s hired several GMs in his tenure.
Why a Ben Simmons, CJ McCollum trade makes too much sense for both Trail Blazers and Sixers
The future of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum is in question in Portland.
The Portland Trail Blazers moved on from basketball executive Neil Olshey and the future of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum is in question.
Lillard, a six-time All-Star who has been one of the best scorers in the league for the past several seasons, becomes eligible to sign a supermax extension ($106.6 million over two years) on July 6.
Before he commits to remaining under contract with the Blazers until the 2026-27 season, however, there are some obvious concerns that he needs the team to address. First and foremost, he has concerns with the roster that he reportedly believes could be solved with a trade (via The Athletic):
“Multiple sources have told The Athletic that Lillard would like to play with Philadelphia 76ers three-time All-Star Ben Simmons. The Trail Blazers’ league-worst defense would instantly improve, and sharing a backcourt with a non-shooter could work given Lillard’s high-volume usage.”
It makes sense that Lillard would want to play alongside Simmons, whose defensive impact and versatility would help solve some of the limitations that Portland’s defense has had over the past several years.
It’s completely reasonable for Dame Lillard to want to play with Ben Simmons. He watches Steph and Draymond tear apart the league in a 2-man game every night. Doesn’t make him crazy. He thinks he can copy the blueprint.
— Austin Krell (@NBAKrell) December 6, 2021
But in order to do that, according to the most recent reports, Portland would have to include McCollum as a centerpiece:
“Sources say the Trail Blazers, under Olshey, discussed the framework of a trade for Simmons, moving CJ McCollum, a first-round draft pick and a young player such as Nassir Little or Anfernee Simons to Philadelphia. The 76ers, sources said, at one point asked the Trail Blazers for McCollum and multiple draft picks and multiple draft swaps, which Portland rejected.”
Olshey, who ran the front office for the Trail Blazers for the past decade, had especially strong loyalty towards McCollum.
The former executive was very influential in the scouting and decision-making process that brought the former Lehigh guard to Portland and he was reluctant to move on from someone who he had considered his home-run draft pick.
So with Olshey out of the picture, it is more likely than ever before that the team moves on from McCollum.
A couple of years ago I was working on an article about NBA Trade Machines (got squashed). I asked people from different sites about the most popular teams used, players & the most popular combinations of trades.
Easily most used was some version of Ben Simmons for CJ McCollum.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) December 6, 2021
The pairing of McCollum and Lillard has had definitive problems on the defensive side of the floor and those issues were strong enough to worsen the potential of success the organization could have in the postseason. Simmons, a star who is disgruntled in Philadelphia, doesn’t have those same concerns.
McCollum, meanwhile, would instantly help solve some of the floor-spacing issues that the Sixers have faced with Simmons in the mix. He is an excellent option on the perimeter to flank alongside Joel Embiid, who dominates in the post.
The swap just makes too much sense — it has been obvious for years — but the longer that it takes to happen, it seems the less likely such a deal will ever actually occur.
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Olshey earned a reputation for his …
Olshey earned a reputation for his temper during his 10 seasons in Portland, often privately disparaging co-workers. Staffers described Olshey as abrasive and controlling. Olshey had two more years on his contract worth upwards of $20 million total. One source said the Blazers believe they had cause to fire Olshey, which voided his contract. Olshey may challenge that stance.
Sean Highkin: Chauncey Billups on Neil …
Sean Highkin: Chauncey Billups on Neil Olshey’s firing: “Obviously, it was kind of a tough day at the practice facility. Naturally, with the investigation people were anticipating what might happen.”
It is an open secret in league circles …
It is an open secret in league circles that Olshey viewed CJ McCollum as “his” guy to take credit for, a supposed testament to his own ability to identify talent from a non-prestige program. Though Olshey was technically in charge of the Blazers’ basketball ops during the 2012 Draft, the selection of Lillard is and was largely viewed as a win for the scouting department and entrenched members of the organization, with Olshey not having anywhere near enough time to influence the draft process in the few weeks he had before the pick in June 2012.