Portland Trail Blazers part ways with the general manager Rich Cho: NBA Update
On Monday, the Portland Trail Blazers parted ways with their 45-year-old general manager Rich Cho. The Trail Blazers released a statement that confirmed the dismissal of Cho. The slot has been filled by Chad Buchanan, who was previously
the director of college scouting.
After the decision, Portland’s president Larry Miller stated, "The fit between Rich and our team simply wasn't right. This was a tough move because I respect Rich and he's a good person with many strong skills. But it simply wasn't
a good match."
Rich was hired for four years in last July as a replacement to Kevin Pritchard, who was discharged from his duties on the NBA draft night. Rich’s removal has come after less than a year on the job, nearly a month before this years’
draft.
After serving nine months in the Oklahoma City Thunder as an assistant general manager, the Northwest native joined the Portland Trailblazers in the year 2010. Rich was playing an effective role behind the scenes. He always worked
quietly and never assumed a noticeable role. In his short span as a general manager with the Trail Blazers, Cho made one of the biggest deals with the Charlotte Bobcats during the mid- season trade. The trade that was accomplished just minutes before the deadline
brought the prolific forward Gerald Wallace into Portland.
Despite of trading away fan favourites Dante Cunningham Joel Przybilla and Sean Marks, the Blazers received immediate boost with the arrival of Wallace who averaged 15.8 points and 7.6 rebounds and guided the team into the play-offs,
where he also averages 15.2 points and 9.2 rebounds.
Miller said that there were several factors that compelled the franchise to cut ties with Rich however chemistry concerns was ultimately the driving force to make the decision. "The decision was, once we realized it wasn't going
to work, to go ahead and make the move and just move on.”
Paul Allen, Portland Trailblazers’ owner also stated that the connection and chemistry is very important for any organization to move forward.
Allen said on Cho’s dismissal, "This decision, as difficult as it was to make, reflects our willingness to admit and recognize that things haven't worked out. We're going to be tough on ourselves in assessing what we could have
done better, and then go out and find the executive who is the best fit with the needs of our franchise."
Even though the Trailblazers were struck with injuries, the team finished the regular season with 48 victories and 34 defeats. After procuring the sixth spot in the Western Conference, the Portland Trailblazers were eliminated
by the Dallas Mavericks in the first round. This was the third successive year that the team failed to excel from the first round of the post-season.
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