the more i think about it

by ssa400 on Feb 28, 2007 10:24 PM PST

i wouldn't be horribly disappointed if we finis with only 2 or 3 more wins on the season. the best thing for this franchise would be to do it all it can to get kevin durant. obviously, we probably won't get him, but winning games isn't gonna help. i propose that we play martell 45 mins a game, that should help our position in the durant sweepstakes.

anyone else out there who is secretly happy that martell can't do anything and that we didn't make a move to better our team?

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lol

I'm heartbroken that Martell can't do anything, I love the kid.. I agree to the proposal that we should give him minutes, regardless of if it affects us in the W/L columns. I think Nate should let him loose and let him get comfortable, maybe he'll really start to show signs.

by junit3123 @ Blazer's Edge on Feb 28, 2007 10:28 PM PST reply actions

Ya Know

That is normally my take- let a kid play extended minutes and get 'comfortable'... But now I wonder if that's a good idea with Martell. He has all the raw individual skills, except he doesn't understand the game itself. To me, that's more of a coaching & practice issue than extended floor minutes.

Don't get me wrong- I'm not trying to disagree for the sake of disagreeing. But I've come to the conclusion that most of the HS kids that do not deveop are because they get overwhelmed and that retards that development.

I think I'd send himto the developmental league for the rest of the season and let him learn more fundamentals in a less challenging enviroment.

by blazerprophet on Mar 1, 2007 7:00 AM PST up reply actions

someone

said the other day you don't get to really practice during the season, I think it was Quick or KP in their weekly chat, I really hope a strong offseason allows him to develop and come back ready next season. I think he'll be willing to do it cause he looks frustrated out there and he seems like the kind of player who's going to want to prove everyone wrong.

by junit3123 @ Blazer's Edge on Mar 1, 2007 9:04 AM PST up reply actions

the luck of the draw

The way things are finishing out, we'd be between 7th-9th in draft position. I think we have just as good of a chance at the 1st or 2nd pick as anybody. As we have seen, being the worst team in the league doesn't guarantee you anything.

Are people now saying they'd take Durant over Oden? Assuming both come out, this is going to be a HOTLY debated issue. I have no comment at this time... except that Durant is showing some scary potential. BUT.... Oden is just an absolute beast. Stay tuned.

I get the feeling that Oden will end up staying another year.

by mcmillion on Mar 1, 2007 8:34 AM PST reply actions

Well ...

In terms of chances ... if we're 7th through 9th in the lotter, then at least 6 teams will definitely have better chances than us.

As for me, I would prefer the Blazers to finish a couple spots worse than they currently hold. Check out this link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Draft_Lottery

According to the grid, there is a significant drop off in probability between the 7th and 8th positions in the lotter. The 7th position still maintains roughly and 18% chance at obtaining a top 3 pick, whereas the 8th position drops down to roughly an 8% chance.

I don't necessarily want the Blazers to lose, but I would love to see a few other lowly teams really turn it on in the last 20 games: Seattle is now healthy, Milwaukee has Redd and Villanueva back, and Philly has definitely been playing well lately. Further, I REALLY don't want to see teams ahead of us drop below us--like Minnesota or GS or NY or Sacramento--so I hope they start playing better as well ...

by bfan on Mar 1, 2007 10:33 AM PST up reply actions

that

would be crazy lucky and amazing if we got a top 2 pick. How bout even a top 4? I wouldn't mind getting maybe Noah or Julian Wright.. they'd be just as valuable.

by junit3123 @ Blazer's Edge on Mar 1, 2007 9:06 AM PST reply actions

The great thing about this year

is how deep it is. It's not just the Durant/Oden show, there are great picks all over the board. Great bigs and wings, and obviously we need both. Even if you miss on the top two picks, there's Noah or J Wright in the 3-6 range, Hibbert and Horford in the 6-10 range, and Brewer and Thornton in the 8-12 range.

by howlingfantods on Mar 1, 2007 9:39 AM PST reply actions

noah

would be a mistake i think. he's the type of player that's really valuable on a really good team (think phoenix), but not on a team that needs solid contributors. We really have no need for a hustle guy who doesn't have a jumper or any back to tbe basket game. I love julian wright and corey brewer though, either one of those would look very good as a starting SF.

by ssa400 on Mar 1, 2007 12:03 PM PST reply actions

Noah has had a long mediocre stretch

Noah has had a stretch of several weeks where most of what makes Noah special has evaporated. The energy has been gone from his games. The fist pumping has been gone. The hustle plays are gone.

Noah is a just a pretty average skinny guy when the high energy and high motor is not present.

by Blazers Nation on Mar 1, 2007 12:52 PM PST up reply actions

with Noah though

I think he'll be a really good defensive player, and he would fit in our future up-tempo offense. He wouldn't necessarily need a jumpshot because thats what Aldridge and Zbo can do at the 4.

by junit3123 @ Blazer's Edge on Mar 1, 2007 12:26 PM PST reply actions

Not without high energy/motor

Noah hasn't looked like that guy at all for several weeks in row now.

Noah looks like those moments Travis has stopped on the floor between two opponents trying to decided between who to defend when Noah is out on the floor with no energy.

by Blazers Nation on Mar 1, 2007 12:57 PM PST up reply actions