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Is Phil Jackson the Blazers' savior?

July 16th, 2012 2:03 PM
  • Is-Phil-Jackson-the-Blazers-savior-
  • Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson leaves the court at the end of game four against the Dallas Mavericks//Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

    • The truncated season was supposed to be one in which the Portland Trail Blazers should have been competitive. An average roster age of 26, one the league's best coaches in Nate McMillian, one the five best power forwards in the NBA in LaMarcus Aldridge, a blossoming young wing in Nick Batum, and roster with a plethora of athletes who could get up and down the floor. Alas, the Blazers season unraveled faster than cat with a yarn ball, leaving Rip City feeling like they had been ripped off…again.

    Over the past decade the Blazer fans have had to deal with the "Jail-Blazers," two can't miss prospects fizzling not because of poor character or lack of skill, but because (at the time) of career threatening injuries. To suggest the Blazer fans have been "unlucky" would be like suggesting you wouldn't want to hang yourself off large cliff if you were marooned on an island with only coconut water and a volleyball for a best friend.


    LaMarcus Aldridge (12) celebrates with Portland Trail Blazers small forward Nicolas Batum// Credit Steve Dykes-USPresswire

    The problem in Portland has nothing to do with divine intervention, or even poor basketball decisions; from the outside looking in, it seems that the Blazers’ inability to remain relevant comes from a contentious culture that trickles down from the top. It's no secret that until Paul Allen decides to take a back seat, the Blazers are going to continue to be a potential lottery threat every year.

    Three. That's the number of general mangers the Blazers have had since 2010. One. That's the number of players who are left over from the roster since 2010. Three. That's the number of coaches Portland will most likely have since 2010 unless Neil Olshey determines to take the interim label off Kaleb Canales. And of course, there are still reports swirling that former Lakers mind-molder Phil Jackson is still "interested" in the Blazers President of Basketball of Pperations position. The question Rip City really has to ask themselves is, will that be enough?

    No one on the planet can argue with Jackson's resume as one of the best coaches in the history of the NBA. However, it's fair to question his projected acumen as an NBA front office executive seeing how this is virgin territory for Phil.

    Until Paul Allen can allow some continuity in his front office to develop Damian Lillard and their other promising prospects, it doesn't matter if they resurrect Red Auerbach, Blazer fans will still be waiting for next year.

    — Dave Jacober

    Plus, Knicks’ continued stories; Kyrie Irving fragile? coaching carousel; Damian Lillard makes point.

    Read the original post from oregonianlive.com

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