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08:15 AM ET 06.15 | Neil Olshey isn't sure what to make of the heat on him already. [Olshey] on Thursday said he still doesn't get Portland. The Trail Blazers' new general manager, who grew up in Queens and worked the past decade in Los Angeles, says he understands the attention, intensity and passion of the Blazers fan base. But he says he can't figure out the negativity here, mostly within the media, about the upcoming draft, free agency and the impending coaching search, which he assures will be "exhaustive." He's been on the job all of 10 days and he says he feels like the media and some of the fan base want him to already have hired a coach, decided who he is going to draft with the Nos. 6 and 11 overall picks, and chart a course for free agency.

LaMarcus Aldridge, Getty Images

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June 15, 2012 09:01 AM ET

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It's the only having one major sports team thing, fans focus entirely on the Blazers

snyder810

Sycamore , OH

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June 15, 2012 09:20 AM ET

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Welcome to the fish bowl, Dude.

Otis B. Driftwood

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June 15, 2012 10:11 AM ET

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Lmao wow

Goodz Jr.

Pompano Beach , FL

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June 15, 2012 10:13 AM ET

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Do You Need A Get Out Of Jail Card, Bro?

I Love LA

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June 15, 2012 10:33 AM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:55 AM ET 06.15 by jgb

Not sure why there is any pressure up there....whomever they take is going to likely break an ankle day 1 of camp, so might as well just trade your pick(s) for cash and medical benefits

ROFL!! Sad but probably true

DR_Universal

Charlotte , NC

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June 15, 2012 01:58 PM ET

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QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 10:13 AM ET 06.15 by I Love LA

Do You Need A Get Out Of Jail Card, Bro?

Dude needs to focus on getting K-Butter and Barnes in the lottery. Wasting #1 pick on Greg O(l)den was a bust that set the Blazers back quite a ways. He needs to hit a grand slam to excite the Portland fans.

darrell4868

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June 15, 2012 09:40 PM ET

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Its tough going from an organization and fan base with no expectations historically to one that has a passionate following and a desire to win.

Remas83

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June 15, 2012 11:17 PM ET

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QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 09:40 PM ET 06.15 by Remas83

Its tough going from an organization and fan base with no expectations historically to one that has a passionate following and a desire to win.

Exactly!! Nothing was expected of Olshey in L.A. But now he's joined one of the NBA's most successful franchises and is expected to turn them into a contender again right away. People in Portland expect to win every year and when it doesn't happen the media and fans will turn on you and then GM's and coaches get fired. This kind of pressure doesn't exsist in places like N.Y or D.C because their fans almost expect them to lose every year and any winning season comes as a suprise to them.