bfan1

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Reep

That statement implies Scotty is the ultimate team leader, and that nobody could do a better job. I think that's bunk. Scotty is a tremendous floor general. But his influence off the court is limited. Evidently he did help Zach get motivated by helping him understand what it takes to be an all star. But you don't have the junk going on with Rasheed, Bonzi, Damon, etc. when you have a good team leader in place. I think Scotty was a good influence on the court, but there is no evidence that he is the ultimate leader off the court. Last years results (arrests and suspensions) speak for themselves.

Schilly

To me that just Crapzano still trying to make the Blazers look bad.

bfan1

Only the leadable can be lead.
You mean to tell me you think there is ANYONE that these 3 bozos would listen to?

Come on-Sheed idolized Cheeks...that got us no where. Can you name one person that you think could have done any better with these 3?

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bfan1

Don't agree-I think they are doing a pretty good job on their own.

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Reep

I don't know who we could actually get, but players like MJ, David Robinson, Ewing, Shaq, Zo Mourning, and KG have been known to get in teammates faces about what they should be doing. Scottie doesn't seem to care what happens off the court. I'm not suggesting anyone's cure-all, but just that Scotty is not the perfect leader that the article portrays.

PorterIn2004

I want to hear about some situations where an "ultimate team leader" kept guys known for antics like what's been going on here in check. The only one that's close that comes to mind is Rodman with the Bulls and Rodman still had his moments. Also, he was the lone loon unlikely here where nearly half the roster was involved in something last season. Honestly, I think you could bring in MJ in his prime or any other model you wanted and the same crap would be happening.

Looked at another way, if this team were led by a personality like Jordan, KG, Magic or any one player like that of your choice and the rest of the roster were filled up with "choir boys" like the guys on the Spurs save for Damon, do you really think the pot busts wouldn't have happened? It might've mattered less, folks might have been more ready to laugh about it, or perhaps he'd have already been shipped out but, I believe Damon would've still done the same things. Same for Bonzi and his SI comments, spitting on Ferry, bumping into Dirk during the interview, etc. I could actually see someone like KG or Jordan perhaps getting to 'Sheed a little better than Pippen has but probably not much better and potentially worse. And Patterson would've still punched the guy for scratching his car. I think you're just expecting too much from another player. Dealing with the stuff we've had is more a job for a GM; i.e., get the player(s) outta here.

Schilly

Look, Scottie is a class act no doubt. But I fail to see at this point how having Scottie who is 38 and recovering from more injuries from last year, is going to help this team very much. He might IMO be the difference betwee 44 and 46 wins, which IMO isn't enough of a difference. As far as leading the unleadable..you're dead on, but why hire a leader if you're team is unleadable. From what I've seen when old Vet's like Scottie are held onto as a leader, it doesn't wrk as well as you might think.

I'll tell you who the leader should be...Zach Randolph. Why? The Kid plays hard night in and night out. On top of that he has busted his arse this offseason, in fact is playing RMR even when he doesn't need to. Why? Because he's not satisfied with where he was. Name another Blazer with that desire.

I've said it before Scottie is nice but it's not a huge deal to the success or failure of this team if he stays.

Reep

So, if nobody is capable of being a team leader to this team, including Scotty, then that would support the belief that they should let him go.

I don't think too many of us really believe the Blazers have a good shot at a title next year. Management wants to get more PT to the younger guys and wants to save money. If you're not bringing Pip back for a title shot, and he is not capable of being a leader to the players you have (will take 2 years before the knuckleheads are gone, then Pip will be gone too), then why sign him?

I like Pip, all I'm saying is that he only has one or two years left and will likely be about 60% during that time. I would rather seem him on as an assistant coach working with the players than a $6 million (12 with tax) player who is likely to be injured at some point in the season and may or may not be around for the playoffs.

Schilly

BTW to my knowledge Pips means of leadership are dropping vague statements to the media, or turning off a TV set, not getting in peoples faces.

Leading is getting up and saying "let's do this right here right now!", not tsk tsking for misbehavior.

Scottie failed as the new leader in Chicago. He then went to Houston where he was expected to lead....same results. On to Portland, better team, better results. Scottie is not the leader, in fact I believe him to be a bit out of touch with the other players.

Mostly I think he is a fan favorite, and that makes it hard for many to part with him.

Come on Crapzano...there's a new regime at least let them figure out a direction before ya start spurring the revolt.

PorterIn2004

I'm not convinced getting in guys' faces during games is going to keep them out of trouble off the court and that's the only thing we'd have a chance to see. And, even if we knew we had a leader getting in guys' faces off the court about keeping out of trouble I'm not convinced that'd help. Perhaps with the exception of some of the youngest guys, we're basically dealing with adults who are gonna do what they're gonna do. Shaq could get in Rodman's face and say "Don't screw up" but what good is that? Rodman almost certainly doesn't walk around intending to screw up. Would anyone have thought to tell Damon he shouldn't try bringing pot through an airport, much less without a metal wrapper? Who'd have thought to even as Woods if he needed help getting his ID in order? Okay, I could see management setting up a big brother system to help with that sort of thing but I still maintain that that whole thing would've gone down as it did with Mourning, KG, Ewing, or anyone else you might want on the team.

Reep

Schilly, I'm with you 100%

Ed O

I'm not sure that a player has to be retained for leadership purposes... and guessing who's going to emerge as a (or the) leader is just speculative.

Normally, the best player on a team emerges as a leader. Sometimes, there's another veteran or two who help out.

Rasheed is an atypical star in many ways, and his seeming reluctance to provide leadership is one of those ways.

Bonzi MIGHT emerge as a leader as he matures, and the same with ZR. At some point, a player will surpass Rasheed in on-court production, and at that point they'll be in a better position to assume leadership than anyone's been in several years (DA, I think, is a case of a player not being good enough to command the respect needed to be the leader... and Damon's leadership chances have gone up in smoke with the rest of his game).

I don't think the team should spend over $20m (including tax ramifications) for two years of Pippen just for leadership.

Hopefully Pippen's back, but at ~$6m a season for multiple years, I don't see it making sense financially.

Ed O.

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bfan1

OK then..

Who out there is available, at a price that is very reasonable, that could do any better than Pip?

I agree-I see Z-Bo as being our new star.

I DO believe he will be the leader of this team-at least if he wants to. From what I see his efforts are going to land him in the leader spot simply by doing-and that is exactly what a leader should be. Do as I do type of leader.

I say sign Pip and let him lead but allow Pip and Z-Bo to be team captains. Take the captain title away from Sheed. (we know it was only given to him to prevent T's).

Let Scottie hand over the reigns to Z-Bo in 2 years. We can retire #33 at the RG and it will all be good!

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Blazer Ringbearer

What's the Oregonian gonna do when the Blazers clean up their image?

Seems like they always have one opinion columnist whose sole job is to trash the Blazers.