Rip City Project
Fansided

Blazers: 7 Reasons for the 2015-16 Season

By Spencer Gordon

Feb 19, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after hitting a three point shot over during the fourth quarter of the game against the Golden State Warriors at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Lillard scored 51 points as the Blazers won 137-105. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after hitting a three point shot over during the fourth quarter of the game against the Golden State Warriors at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Lillard scored 51 points as the Blazers won 137-105. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 8
Next
May 10, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers general manager Neil Olshey (R) talks to actress Carrie Brownstein of Portlandia (L) after game three of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs between the Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers general manager Neil Olshey (R) talks to actress Carrie Brownstein of Portlandia (L) after game three of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs between the Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Neil Olshey

The situation dealt to Neil Olshey at end of last season is arguably the worst possible for a general manager. Not only did he lose four starters of a team with one of the best offenses in the league, but he wasn’t able to convince any big name free agents to sign with Portland despite having the most money to offer.

So what did he do? He signed hungry role players desperate to prove themselves and saved a ton of money for this summer. The direction he took landed one of the most surprising, cost effective, and exciting free agent classes in recent memory.

For a GM that built the Clippers core, you have to be excited about the future potential of the Blazers, this season excluded. On top of the immediate success, he has set the stage for an exciting off season because of money he saved last year. Now he gets to back up his large contracts with how well the Blazers performed this season.

There is no way Portland makes the playoffs without Neil Olshey taking risks and signing hungry players.

Next: Number Three