Portland Tribune: Blazers GM on the grill

[Monte_Cristo]

Portland, Thursday 19 March

Monte-Cristo, you have been appointed as GM of the Portland Trail Blazers while nobody really knew your name around the league and in Portland some say you lack the experience it takes to face such a challenge. What do you have to say about that?

"It's true my name was not amongst the most famous in the league but my goal is not to become famous myself but to bring this team to the top of this league. I actually like not attracting the spotlights so I can focus on my job and keep moving forward. There is quite a lot of work to do and objectives to achieve before we can actually pretend to a championship title.
I certainly don't have the experience of some other GMs in the league but if we focus on the facts, my current record is 13-10 with two very close losses recently and we are still running for a playoffs spot. I'd say it's not too bad for a start but there is certainly a lot of room for improvement."

Talking about the playoffs, what do you think are your chances to get one of the last tickets?

"One sure thing, it won't be easy to secure a spot and we won't stop fighting until the end of the regular season. I say we have pretty good chances to make the cut but it will be a tough one. I had a talk with the team and they are all ready for the fight. The spirit is very positive in the locker room and everyone is committed. The game in San Antonio will already be decisive and we want our ticket to be confirmed as soon as possible. San Antonio and Phoenix are two solid contenders and we still have an away game against each of these teams. I believe we have the hardest schedule of the three ahead but I'm sure we'll make it through the storm. Not reaching the playoffs would be a major blow for the team and the city. It could also make negotiations tougher for players with expiring contracts."

The contract of one of your key players, LaMarcus Aldridge, is actually about to expire. Do you think only reaching the playoffs will do the trick?

"It would be a good start, that's for sure. It's important for us to show players of the dimension of LaMarcus that we have high expectations and that re-signing in Portland doesn't mean entering into early retirement. He's been part of the family for years now and he's still a key part of our organization. With such a player as leader, you can't look for any less than a top spot in the league and a shot at the championship. Keeping the Blazers as a top team in the league for the years to come can't be achieved, in my opinion, without LaMarcus Aldridge on board. Re-signing him is obviously one of our top priorities along with performing well on the pitch."

Thank you for your time, Monte-Cristo.

My pleasure.

[Rob]

First off Welcome! I think Aldridge will re-sign with the blazers. You have a players surrounding lillard and Aldridge. Playoffs will be in your future. Good luck!

[Chilikonkarne]

Nice article!

You should be able to secure the playoffs this year and I see Portland as a regular contender in the future.
Kobe contract once expired will allow you to bring a third star around Aldridge and Lilliard. And knowing your GM capacities, i am not really worried you will find the right players in the futur at the right price to build a solid team!

We joined basically at the same time and I will keep the track of our oppositions, so far : Portland 1 - Toronto 0

[emplep7]

You have a lot of talent on this team so the future looks bright. Securing LMA in the off-season will be big for you guys and getting another scorer and some defense should set this team up as a top team out West.

[andrei]

I wouldn't say you're on the grill - think you are doing a very nice job with Portland. LMA will stay for sure so a bright future is ahead of you with him and Lillard - one of the best PGs in the league

[Rizzo]

Your job will be to surround Aldridge and Lillard with the appropriate talent to make the most of their abilities. They are both young and certainly effective so this could be a long term core you have already in tact.

[Monte_Cristo]

Thanks for the positive opinions.

@Andrei, "on the grill" referred to the Portland press asking me "embarrassing" questions. I believe things are fine for now but the main goal (the playoffs) is not secured so far. I invite you to read the other article I published about the playoffs run actually

[andrei]

sorry - language barriers

[WillyJakkz]

Sign and Trade LaMarcus Aldridge and rebuild/ retool around Lillard as you could get a very effective young player and draft pick(s) as well to move forward, especially once Kobe comes off the books after the next season.

Good luck.

[Rizzo]

Sign and Trade LaMarcus Aldridge and rebuild/ retool around Lillard as you could get a very effective young player and draft pick(s) as well to move forward, especially once Kobe comes off the books after the next season.

Good luck.

I think this is one of the problems with this league. So many GMs want to build for the future when they already have a core that can be built around. I think dealing away Aldridge would be foolish in this situation. With Kobe coming off the books, if Portland could ever move that huge expiring contract next year for more pieces, they would be ready to run at the title. If not, that cap space can be used to pursue a big name free agent. The pieces are in place now, just need to make the ride moves to build around them.

[KW]

While we're on the subject, if you're looking to rebuild, I like win-now pieces!



Honestly if you can turn Kobe into some good pieces, you're a solid playoff team in this conference. I think you should "retool", not "rebuild".

[WillyJakkz]

Sign and Trade LaMarcus Aldridge and rebuild/ retool around Lillard as you could get a very effective young player and draft pick(s) as well to move forward, especially once Kobe comes off the books after the next season.

Good luck.

I think this is one of the problems with this league. So many GMs want to build for the future when they already have a core that can be built around. I think dealing away Aldridge would be foolish in this situation. With Kobe coming off the books, if Portland could ever move that huge expiring contract next year for more pieces, they would be ready to run at the title. If not, that cap space can be used to pursue a big name free agent. The pieces are in place now, just need to make the ride moves to build around them.

Rebuild/ retool is not the same as a total rebuild from my perspective and message I was sending.

Aldridge (28, 29 next season) could net a younger piece to evolve with Lillard (23, 24 next season) as LMA will not be over the hill but whereas the 5 yr age difference cuts into long term growth (7-8 yrs of peak/ prime Lillard) with Aldridge who has a shorter amount of time.

Rebuild would be the draft piece as well as the younger player to develop with Lillard while the retool can be said younger player to pair with Lillard along with traded vet young-ish player.

Case in point, as an example HOU and POR trade (S&T) LMA for Anderson/ Oladipo/ HOU 1st. That's an idea of how I pictured it.

Agree to disagree though as it was just an opinion, not the gospel as LMA is a great player to build around.

And yes, constant rebuilding is one of the problems with the League or rather I should say sudden rebuilding without provocation as teams are right at the mountain top and decide to tumble head first down that sonuvabitch just to try to build a "winner".

[Marcos_Beck]

I'd say stick with your core, and try to find your C for next season. West right now is very weak, you're guaranteed a PO spot. I like your team. Not having Wes and Batum at the wings hurt but your core is good enough to upset some bigtime contender if you get the right matchup.

[Monte_Cristo]

I think this is one of the problems with this league. So many GMs want to build for the future when they already have a core that can be built around. I think dealing away Aldridge would be foolish in this situation. With Kobe coming off the books, if Portland could ever move that huge expiring contract next year for more pieces, they would be ready to run at the title. If not, that cap space can be used to pursue a big name free agent. The pieces are in place now, just need to make the ride moves to build around them.

I agree with Rizzo here. I have no intention to trade Aldridge if he decides to re-sign here. I want to secure a key player and make sure I can build on a solid basis with Lillard, Aldridge and Kobe. People seem to be ready to push the later out of the team or to retirement but he is still pretty performant and I will see after he's gone what to do with the cap space we'll have. Signing another big name would be an option but investing in young talented players would be another.