The “best case” is that she made it clear that she wanted out. That’s not actually “good” because of what it implies about the locker room. But it wouldn’t make sense to keep a player whose heart wasn’t in the team.
But the alternative is that, yes, the club chose not to meet the Chicago offer.
The “best case” is that she made it clear that she wanted out. That’s not actually “good” because of what it implies about the locker room. But it wouldn’t make sense to keep a player whose heart wasn’t in the team.
But the alternative is that, yes, the club chose not to meet the Chicago offer.
If there’s a plan to upgrade at RB - because Kuikka has been only okay for the past couple of seasons - then fine.
Apparently Arsenal has been chasing her for 18 months, but her and her partner (who lives here in Portland) wanted to stay in the US, hence why she went to Chicago.
This is where - presuming she has an actual plan for this - a KK presser would be great.
Tell us! What’s the plan? Signing(s)? Reyes? Beckie? Tanking!?!? What?
One of the most basic of all leadership skills is understanding that your people will usually trust you if you keep them informed and show them you have a plan. It’s when you let fear and speculation run wild that you lose the room.
If KK had built up a serious bank of trust? That’d be different. But she hasn’t. So here we are…
I feel bad about Natu leaving. I liked her play a lot. Yeah, she had some bad games, but when she was good I thought she was really good. If she didn't want to go I sure as hell hope that KK has a plan to replace her with someone as good or better.
If the plan is to sign Smith to a block buster deal, and that's probably what we will need to do to keep her, then cutting some high priced vets maybe the first step?
Natu apparently wasn't looking for a huge payday either...The salary cap more than doubled, and we already lost Dunn and a longtime vet in Menges. And Horan last year. We have the money.
The “best case” is that she made it clear that she wanted out. That’s not actually “good” because of what it implies about the locker room. But it wouldn’t make sense to keep a player whose heart wasn’t in the team.
But the alternative is that, yes, the club chose not to meet the Chicago offer.
If there’s a plan to upgrade at RB - because Kuikka has been only okay for the past couple of seasons - then fine.
But I’d have to SEE a plan. And, as of now…
See my other comments. Natu wanted to stay in Portland. KK let her walk.
Share now!
I will when I get a sec!
See my reply below.
Apparently Arsenal has been chasing her for 18 months, but her and her partner (who lives here in Portland) wanted to stay in the US, hence why she went to Chicago.
Hmmm…
This is where - presuming she has an actual plan for this - a KK presser would be great.
Tell us! What’s the plan? Signing(s)? Reyes? Beckie? Tanking!?!? What?
One of the most basic of all leadership skills is understanding that your people will usually trust you if you keep them informed and show them you have a plan. It’s when you let fear and speculation run wild that you lose the room.
If KK had built up a serious bank of trust? That’d be different. But she hasn’t. So here we are…
I feel bad about Natu leaving. I liked her play a lot. Yeah, she had some bad games, but when she was good I thought she was really good. If she didn't want to go I sure as hell hope that KK has a plan to replace her with someone as good or better.
If the plan is to sign Smith to a block buster deal, and that's probably what we will need to do to keep her, then cutting some high priced vets maybe the first step?
Step 1: make some cap room
Step 2: sign Smith
Step 3: Fill in the gaps with whatever $ is left.
If the Bhathals are too broke to come up with the scratch to pay big money for Smith without parting out the rest of the squad?
They’re in the wrong fucking business.
Natu apparently wasn't looking for a huge payday either...The salary cap more than doubled, and we already lost Dunn and a longtime vet in Menges. And Horan last year. We have the money.
This isn’t NWSL 1.0. If paying a Finnish RB is too punitive for the new owners? They should get their money back and fuck off back to the NBA.
This reeks of your comments about LeBlanc not valuing Kuikka. Which I’d be fine with…if she has a replacement - no, an upgrade! - right quick smart.
I don't think it was about the money. Sounds like KK didn't value Kuikka and made that clear in negotiations, even before the sale went through.