NBA.com’s David Aldridge noted newly appointed Trail Blazers GM Neal Olshey “only had a handful of people working with him in the basketball operations staff” with the Clippers. A source said, "He was basically MacGyver down there.” The source added that Olshey “had difficulty getting decisions made quickly.” Aldridge: "Nonetheless, he had enough clout to dramatically, and historically, remake the Clippers’ roster in a frantic two-week frame in December” (NBA.com, 6/4). Olshey said, “This is nothing the Clippers did wrong; it’s what Portland did right. [Trail Blazers Owner Paul Allen] and I have spoken almost incessantly since the (interview) process started. We share a common vision in how we want to retool the franchise and get to the point where we’re not having press conferences at this time (of year) -- we’re playing games” (PORTLAND TRIBUNE, 6/6).
THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME: In Toronto, Steve Simmons notes, "For the better part of the past two months, rumours of Brian Burke's demise with the Toronto Maple Leafs have swirled throughout the hockey community.” Burke is "said to either be resigning his post with the Leafs shortly or being fired as general manager in the very near future.” But there is “one simple problem with all the stories going around: They’re not true.” The Maple Leafs are “about to go through an ownership change” and even then, “nothing regarding Burke is expected to happen.” The number of those who have “heard the stories and believe Burke will be pushed out is many.” Simmons: “With way too many taking glee for his apparent misfortune ... it's time to put these rumours to rest” (TORONTO SUN, 6/6).
GO WEST, YOUNG MAN: The S.F. Chronicle’s Scott Ostler said it “gets very awkward for the Warriors” with the recent signing of GM Bob Myers and the “way it’s set up.” Ostler said, “You would think it would be the general manager” making the picks, but the reason Warriors co-Owner Joe Lacob “bought this team was so that he could make calls like this with input from his guys." Ostler added, "I think it will be Lacob’s call, but then you also have the Jerry West factor and at some point Jerry West is going to be heard and if his opinions … are ignored or he feels he’s not being heard, then he’s going to take a hike” (“Chronicle Live,” Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, 6/4).
SHOOTING STARS: In Canada, Marty Hastings noted Stars and WHL Kamloops Blazers Owner Tom Gaglardi "did not rule out" bringing the Stars' training camp to Kamloops, B.C., but hockey fans "shouldn't hold their breath." Gaglardi said, “I don't think bringing training camp to Kamloops is going to sell a whole lot of season tickets for the Dallas Stars, although I'd certainly love to do it.” The Stars are “under contract this season” to hold training camp in Boise, Idaho, home of the club's ECHL affiliate, the Steelheads. The decision to hold camp in Idaho was “made before Gaglardi was introduced as the Stars' owner in November” (KAMLOOPSTHISWEEK.com, 5/31).
