After a controversial NBA Draft, GM Neil Olshey stepped to the podium to answer questions from the media. Did Rip City get the answers it wanted to hear?
Neil Olshey is in hot water with a large portion of Rip City.
After drafting a young, developmental player in the first round, frustration and anger coursed through Portland. Olshey attempted to ease the minds of Portland fans by giving some interesting responses at his post-draft press conference.
The Pick
Olshey made it very clear that the pick of Anfernee Simons was a talent-over-need selection. Neil raved about Simons’ skills on the court, claiming he could do things others in the draft couldn’t.
"This was a pick as far as who had the highest ceiling… There are things that he can do that can’t be replicated by a lot of guys in this draft, and he just needs to get physically strong enough to do it against NBA competition, and to do it more consistently."
Neil also addressed the anger expressed towards not selecting a player that could contribute immediately with this strong statement.
"Tonight was not about getting guys that can step in right away… anyone who thinks that they’re going to find a guy with the 37th pick that’s going to step in and play on a 49-win playoff team, ends up with a guy that’s out of the league in a year."
This is a very defensive (and incorrect) response. For one, the Rookie of the Year in 2016, Malcolm Brogdon, was the pick No. 36. And two, Jordan Bell was selected at No. 38 last year – he contributed to the league’s championship team.
Nonetheless, Olshey was very confident in his draft pick and consistently praised Simons throughout the presser.
When asked what position he would eventually play, Neil said that Simons would likely start as an off-the-ball guard. He mentioned the luxury of having Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, and Evan Turner on the roster, which allows a player like the new rookie, who will likely eventually play point guard, to develop off the ball.
On not trading the first-round selection
Olshey has been criticized for not trading his first-round selection for a veteran player that could help the team immediately. He defended his selection with my favorite quote of the night.
"The draft is the draft, and free agency and trades is free agency and trades. The draft is about acquiring talent… You hope those players become assets and then you can make a decision."
Olshey elaborated by mentioning his time with the Clippers and his trade for Chris Paul in 2011. He stated that the goal of the draft is to acquire talent that hopefully become assets who either produce for your team or are used in a trade bundle for a veteran. Neil also mentioned that the draft wasn’t about current NBA players.
"Tonight wasn’t about existing players, tonight was about the draft… We had 1-24 right, just some of the ordering was different."
Despite this statement, Olshey also mentioned that the Blazers were aggressive with their 24th selection and their Traded Player Exception, but no deal could be reached. Olshey said he will continue to be aggressive with the TPE and the assets the team has throughout free agency.
One player mentioned in the TPE trade discussion was Washington’s Marcin Gortat. He has one year remaining on his contract worth $13.5 million, lining up well with Portland’s TPE.
My Opinion
After a turbulent draft night for Olshey and the Blazers, our GM faced the music in his presser.
Although the majority of Portland fans are angry about this selection, I am a supporter of Olshey’s draft and free agency philosophy. The draft should be used to gather talent, especially when your selection is outside the lottery.
However, this is a very hard draft plan to execute. Three years from now, Anfernee Simons could be the third guard in our system, contributing big minutes and pushing this team to the Finals. He could also flame out and be out of the league, leaving Portland to pick up the scraps.
Next: Breaking down newest Blazer Gary Trent Jr.
Only time will tell if this pick is the right move, but we owe it to our team, and the newest Blazer, Anfernee Simons, to give the pick a chance.