Scouting the tourney

by mcmillion on Mar 12, 2007 8:52 PM PDT Comment 37 comments

This draft is the next critical step in the development of the Blazers. A solid pick could yield 45-50 wins next season... a wasted pick may keep them stagnant. The Blazers have a prime opportunity to land an impact player anywhere in the top 10. The Blazers glaring need is for a star quality player at the 3 spot. Ime will be a very solid backup for years to come, and Travis will serve to be a strong backup at the 3 and 4... but the answer to the long-term needs at the starting 3 spot is not currently with the team. Enter the NCAA tourney and an opportunity to scout out one of the strongest crops of small forwards in recent memory. I will be glued to my chair watching intently as some prime talent takes the floor and carries with them the possibility of playing for the Blazers next season. Here are my top candidates to be blessed with dawning the scarlet red and jet black of the Portland Trailblazers come June...

#1: Kevin Durant: Needs no introduction, and we will have to wish upon the luckiest shooting star in the universe to land him. I won't elaborate, as it is only self-inflicted torture.

#2: Jeff Green - Georgetown: Great size for a 3 with the ability to pound with the big boys on the blocks and run with the scorers on the perimeter. With the limited action I have seen this guy play, I have been impressed. He has the game and size that is easily transferable to the NBA. He takes what we have in Ime and pushes it to a much higher level. His prospects remind me a lot of Brandon Roy... not flashy, is very unselfish, and is currently underrated as a pro prospect. He comes in with solid college experience and ready contribute.

#3: Julian Wright - Kansas: Again, great size for a 3. Dude is a beast. He has a great combination of size and speed, giving him the ability to match up with any 3 on the floor, and able to slide down and guard just about any power forward. His numbers with Kansas are not overly impressive, which is due to the overwhelming talent on the roster. He isn't required to score much... but he is certainly capable of doing so. Julian looks to be an intimidating force on the court. He causes mismatches on both ends of the floor and would bring that killer instinct to the Blazer roster.

#4: Corey Brewer - Florida: Plain and simple, this guy is a proven winner. He brings all the intangibles needed to win: passing, shooting, defense, hustle, and heart. There isn't much this kid can't do. When it's on the line, he is at his best. The Blazers have missed that element of crunch time production. I can see Brewer as a role player on a championship team in the NBA.

#5: Thaddeous Young - Georgia Tech: He is my darkhorse for this tourney. Durant has stolen all of the fanfare for the great frosh class of '06-'07, and Young has been lost in the shadows after a slow start to the season and inconsistent play throughout. However, he has some serious skillsets that could be deadly on the pro level... great handles, long and athletic like a Tmac, rare southpaw, and great quickness. Watch out for Georgia Tech, as Thaddeous Young could come out of the shadows to make a deep run in the tourney.

#6: Alando Tucker - Wisconsin: Probably the Brandon Roy of this year's senior class. He has remained in college all 4 years and has elevated his game to the level of national player of the year consideration. Tucker is listed at 6'5", which seems much too small for an NBA forward... but he might be able to make up for it with athleticism and speed. He is also a noted leader... being the best and most effective player on one of the top college teams in the nation.

With the exception of Tucker, none of these players are guaranteed to be entering the draft this year. But it is very likely we will see each of them declare... as their draft stock is as high as it may ever be. Thaddeous Young could help himself with another year in college, but the rest of them are almost certain to declare. I don't really believe the talk about Durant staying. What else can he do on the college level? Sustain a career ending injury... that's about it.

So, sit back and enjoy the tourney and keep an eye on those potential future Blazers. I will have fun imagining them wearing a Blazer uni and deciding if they are the perfect fit for this up and coming franchise.

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Strange...

I'm starting to get the feeling that Portland won't keep the pick if they stay at #7.

- Sam

by Samuelson on Mar 12, 2007 10:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Where are you getting that feeling from?

Kevin Pritchard didn't say anything suggesting he's considering anything other than preparing for the draft in two different interviews. He's jetting all over the country like he always does scouting players. He called in the interviews from NYC from the early rounds of the Big East tournament.

Mike Rice asked KP about vet trades. KP didn't say anything precluding trades for vets, but it was a response that was basically pulled from him by Rice saying the "politically correct" response... you know..."all options are on the table"... that sort of thing.

Blazers have been awful cost conscious lately. Layoffs. Forcing Fred Jones to drop the option year in that trade. Making sure a $3 Mil option year isn't picked up doesn't seem to be the type of move a team makes that contemplating adding a big veteran contract.

Seems like KP's best strategy of making sure he gets the GM gig is show off what he does best. That's scout and draft young talent.

Now, Pritchard is clearly the type of guy who is plenty willing to trade up or down on draft day to get the player he wants. That's been made clear. If KP decides he has to have Oden or Durant, I could see KP trading half the roster to make it happen if he had to.

by Blazers Nation on Mar 12, 2007 11:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Transcript

Rice: Looking at the number of young players already on this Blazer team, versus if a couple of the higher quality players decided to stay in school, would the Blazers be in line then to go after maybe a few more veterans if this draft isn't as deep as you think it is? Would we trade some of the people that we have now to get a few more veterans on the team?
Pritchard: "I think you look at every option, but the question is, we're sitting at the 7-8-9 range right now: Can you find a better player, a better veteran than you can through the draft?
Yes. The answer is yes--absolutely.

We will evaluate... As a matter of fact, we've already started a process of guys that "we would trade for" [with] that pick... [guys that] we might trade [for], we wouldn't [trade for], and are probably off limits to the rest of the league, so, we've started that process, and when the season ends (when you can start making calls about trades), we'll make those calls, we'll figure out who the best player is to evaluate and to potentially get through the draft pick and by trading the draft pick."

Again, none of that proves anything, but I think if Pritchard sees an offering to his liking he won't hesitate to pull the trigger.

BN, do you see anyone that would be available at #7 with potential to be an 'impact player?'

- Sam

by Samuelson on Mar 13, 2007 4:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm hopin for

Wright or Green.

ROY for R.O.Y.

by junit3123 on Mar 12, 2007 10:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Oden is topping most NBA GM lists

Durant is a very, very special player, but dominant centers win titles. Duncan or Shaq have won 7 of the last 8 NBA titles (Ben Wallace got the 8th). Meanwhile, Kevin Garnett has only gotten out of the 1st round of the playoffs once in his career.

You can't win an NBA title without dominating the paint. Oden is going to dominate the paint for someone.

by Blazers Nation on Mar 12, 2007 11:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

NIce post.

Ive been thinking about this since watching all the conference tournaments.
I like your list. I would leave off Tucker. I dont think this guy is anywhere close to B.Roy ready. Ive watched him a ton this year and he certainly can hit the impossible shot. I think he is perfectly suited to excel in College basketball (in an overrated conference).
Who I do like for the Blazers is
Oden.
Durant.
Green.
Julian Wright
Brendan Wright
and Corey Brewer.
these guys have great NBA bodies and games. all of them will have to be developed excluding Durant.

After watching Oden play three games this weekend, I am convinced that he would be a fantastic fit for the Blazers.
I think he will come into the league as one of the most dominant defensive players. The kid rules the paint. He will certainly struggle on offense against the NBA strength, but think Emeka Okafor with nasty hops. Even Emeka has found a way to score 18 in this league. Oden doesnt need the ball to be effective. Imagine Zach and B.Roy licking their chops at the double team, hoisting it up for oden to cram. anyways......enough dreaming.

by DropstepJ on Mar 12, 2007 11:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

oden

the #1 pick is a toss up for me... but i dont quite see how anybody could pass on the interior dominance of Oden. I didn't mention him because I feel like we are more likely to be at 7-10 in the draft and looking at filling the SF spot. So, I had to put in Durant's name when mentioning the other prospects for that position.

i'll certainly take oden.

by mcmillion on Mar 13, 2007 7:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd still look big first. Lotsa SFs in this draft.

Teams need 5 post players and 3 of them have to be good to have a chance at making deep playoff runs. At this point, Raef and Joel are getting hurt so much you can only count them together as one for the purpose of looking at depth.

We need another quality big, and you you only get so many opportunities to draft quality bigs.

Other than Oden, I'd be looking at Noah, Horford, Splitter, Hibbert, and Yi.

AS far as SFs, I've posted this depth chart from NBADraft.net before...

"Small Forwards      Comments
1.Kevin Durant 6-10 220 SF Texas Fr.     Upside is tremendous. As is his endorsement potential.
2.Julian Wright 6-8 218 SF Kansas So.     Specimen w/ handle/passing. Shot needs work.
3.Jeff Green 6-8 225 SF Georgetown Jr.     Great passer. Would have better offensive numbers in a higher octane system.
4.Al Thornton 6-8 220 SF/PF Florida St. Sr.     Physical freak who has turned into an excellent all around talent. Clutch player.
5.Thaddeus Young 6-8 203 SF GT Fr.     Mr. do it all: run/jump/shoot/pass/handle. Just needs fine tuning, better "feel".
6.Corey Brewer 6-8 183 SF Florida Jr.     Defensive dynamo benefited by being patient with NBA . Offense improving.
7.Alando Tucker 6-5 210 SG/SF Wisc. Sr.     Could be NCAA POY and most improved as well. Can now create for himself.
8.L.R. Mbah a Moute 6-7 224 SF UCLA So.      Improved offensively in summer. System limits his ability to fully showcase himself.
9.Dominic McGuire 6-8 210 SF Fresno St. Jr.     Sort of a poor mans Pippen. NBA athlete with great length, skill level catching up.
10.Quinton Hosley 6-6 210 SF Fresno St. Sr.      Senior who still has a good deal of potential left to develop...."

http://www.nbadraft.net/2007positional.asp

That's just the top 10. There's so many good SFs in this draft that Reyshawn Terry, Demetris Nichols, and Jared Dudley don't even make their list.

So... I'd be drafting a post player first, then looking to pick up bargains at SF with the 2nd rounders.

by Blazers Nation on Mar 13, 2007 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

don't forget

about the possibility of taking a big man first, then Reyshawn Terry in the 2nd. That dude is cold blooded.

ROY for R.O.Y.

by junit3123 on Mar 13, 2007 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's what I said above.

Me: "So... I'd be drafting a post player first, then looking to pick up bargains at SF with the 2nd rounders."

by Blazers Nation on Mar 13, 2007 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

of course the usual suspects who're in

this diary why does'nt surprise me,maybe i'm still being congradulated i don't know oh by the way mr.genius,david robinson was the starting center for the 99*03 spurs,and mohammed for the 05 team. t.duncan is the greatest poward forward to ever play the game,my congrats to you mcmillion for a excellent post my friend.i've been saying this all along but some people disagree with our opinions, i only wish that oden does stay in school,and believe it or not if o.state does'nt get to the final 8,i definately see him going back to school as for your list only c.brewer excites me,we've won too many games to take durrant and if we only had another pick to take a legit center.hey your forgetting big baby davis at small forward he would be my 2.nd choice reminds me a lot of c.barkley now that's a beast.excellent post dude.

by fatty on Mar 13, 2007 8:20 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

1 more point

if both oden*durrant stay in school,this draft will become a crapshoot,teams would be dying to get rid of their picks,and if this happens my $$$ is on k.pricthard because these other teams are scared to get who they want,but no oden or durrant and the national media will make it like the 06 draft,trust me when i tell you guys this,most gm's are cowards when it comes to taken a risk,because of job security,our boy will role the dice,also i do agree with nation,if pricthard want's oden or durrant he'll do it.but i also disagree with nation about the center,it's a very overrated position,every laker title team had a legit center and the lakers always steal other teams great centers,kareem,wilt,shaq without them they're garbage as a franchise.boston was russell,cowens parrish only parrish they stole from the dumbass warriors.is it me or only those 2 franchises won 30 of the 60 nba titles was won with a great center,minn/la-boston the 2 flagship franchises of the league.philly*portland*houston are the only other 3 franchises to win titles with a great center,philly=moses.wilt-potland=walton and houston=the dream.it's a fact it's no wonder why i rather have a d.wade,lebron, type player than a center unless he's a b.walton type of player..also to the delight of everyone in this room,if b.roy ever get him a legit sidekick like a "big baby davis" type player wacth out because 1 thing everybody loves about b.roy he's definately our go to guy.and with another guy to go along with him itll make him more dangerous..

by fatty on Mar 13, 2007 8:44 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You don't need a center,

but it is a nice shortcut to dominance. If you have one, you are usually fewer pieces away from dominance than if you don't. The Bulls faked it because they had 2 RIDICULOUS talents, the Pistons faked it because they played really well 1 through six and were able to play center by committee with Rodman, Lame-beer, and Salley. Everyone else in at least the last 30some-odd years has had a really good center.

Take 'em if you can get 'em.

Are you suggesting that coconuts migrate??

by shenanigans on Mar 13, 2007 10:48 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Laimbeer should get more credit

Laimbeer had a vertical leap of about 1/4 inch, but he was an very good positional post defender, an excellent rebounder, and pretty fair threat from 3 (35% from 3 in title years) who pulled his defender out of the paint on defense and allowed Isiah Thomas plenty of room to penetrate to the basket.

Laimbeer was averaging 14 p and 10 r in '89, and 12 p and 10 r in 90'

by Blazers Nation on Mar 13, 2007 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe but

I hated him then and I still hate him now so no credit from me. Hrmphh

Are you suggesting that coconuts migrate??

by shenanigans on Mar 13, 2007 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Brewer ...

The more I've seen him play, the less impressed I am. He can finish the break and play good defense, but he doesn't handle the ball well and from what I've seen doesn't shoot very well. I really think we need some steady offense to come from this position long-term, and I don't see Brewer providing that. If we can't get Green (or the unmentionables), then I would rather us gamble on a player with sick upside.

Let it be known, though, that I would rather have a big than any of these players. We have piecmealed a pretty nice 3 position this year, but we're not going anywhere if Pryz continues down his current path. Aldridge can't play the 5 full time, so I think we need to get someone in here fast. Hibbert could be solid for years, though even he has said he's not coming out.

Speaking of not declaring--I've heard an awful lot of players say they're either undecided or for sure not declaring this year. Oden and Durant, Hibbert, Julian Wright, Thaddeus Young, Hawes, Marcus Williams, Brandon Rush--all have hinted they might stay. For all the talk of this being such a great draft, it could end up being just so-so if all these players stay in school (though more power to 'em if they do ...).

One final note on Oden: I watched him play vs. Wisconsin and I was very impressed. He's heading the opposite direction of Brewer in my book. He didn't dominate the game or anything, but he looked so fluid out there--he moves so well for his size. His dropstep was amazing. He'll be deadly when he gets these skills down a little better, but he's already so good just on defense alone. There's no way I could pass on him with the first pick if he's available this year. There's just no way. Any team that gets him is guaranteeing themselves a chance to compete for a championship for the next 10-14 years.

by bfan on Mar 13, 2007 11:16 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Wright

Julian is nothing more than travis outlaw without any NBA experience. Trust me. Ive seen him play twice. He is not worth it for the blazers to take.
Id like to see Noah, Brewer, Afflalo, obviously Durant and Oden or maybe Roy Hibbert

by Jaketron on Mar 13, 2007 11:23 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Disagree ...

Wright is a murderer out there. He has no fear--no fear of other players and no fear of failure. Granted I've only seen a few KU games, but when I have seen them Wright has been all over the place--getting alley oops, grabbing boards, getting putbacks. Give him a couple of years in league and I think he'll be closer to Sean Marion than Travis Outlaw. If all the bigs are gone when we pick, I think it's absolutely between Jeff Green and this guy.

by bfan on Mar 13, 2007 12:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

bfan

you're right if you get oden and your a bad team he makes you a good team in a hurry,if your a mediocre team and you get oden(blazers)he makes you very good team ina a hurry,and if you"re a very good team and get oden,wacth the suns very closely has the(hawks)pick from the j.johnson trade the sky is the f***** limit for phoenix... and if he goes there nash will have 5 m.v.p.'s and 3 rings with oden,dallas win now because if the suns get oden we might as well shut down the entire league,why play the games....p.allen do us favor the suns have 3 #1's can we buy another 1 and throw in d.dickau to back up nash so we can get another young stud...

by fatty on Mar 13, 2007 11:59 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd rather draft big

and look for either a steal from the late first or second rounds for a 3 to develop.

When you have a team with poor overall defense, one easy way to cure a lot of defensive ills is to get a dikembe/alonzo type defense first guys in the middle. I'm getting higher and higher on Hibbert the Hoya.

I was thinking while watching the Suns whip the poor Rockets about checking on JRose's availability. He's not getting much PT this season so I'm not sure what he's got left in the tank, but he may be worth a look -- I'm sure he's sick of sitting on the bench, and he signed for 1.5 mill for a 1 year deal, we could pick up some veteran leadership and someone to help develop our swings for very little risk.

I thought he was supposed to be a locker room problem after clashing with multiple coaches, but I can't think too poorly of someone who gave Mutombo's charity a big fat check of 100g's.

by howlingfantods on Mar 13, 2007 12:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

and nation is right bfan

their are an abundant amount of smf's in this draft,the blazers can easily go big with their 1.st pick and get a couple of euros in the 2.nd.rd and 1 of his mancrush smf's also...but if they're top 4 what do you do fellow bloggers,if they had the 1.st pick who would you take,2.nd pick who would you take,3.rd pick who would take and the 4.th pick who would you take,me personally i would go 1)durrant-2)oden-3)thorton i love his potential,4)mr.noah who else-wild card big baby davis who declared for the draft earlier today. shenanigans made a great point,as much as i hate the bulls i would build my title team the way they did it,you put roy*durrant,roy*thorton or roy*davis together my god skies the limit in pdx. oden it'll be more about him,but 2 multidimensional players wow it would be the drexler*jordan scenerio that should've been 23 years ago...

by fatty on Mar 13, 2007 1:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Nation and I don't disagree on the big man ...

We simply must take a big man if we get a high pick. But if we don't, then I wouldn't reach for someone like Hawes. Assuming they all declare, if Oden/Hibbert/Horford are all gone when we pick, I would rather take a Jeff Green or Julian Wright than reach for Hawes or Yi or McRoberts.

Where Nation and I disagree is what might happen in the second round. I would rather find a trade package for our 3 second rounders--either up this year, out to next year, or for some veteran help--than stockpile European teams with lesser talent. There's no guarantee all the players Nation likes will even be available at our second pick anyway: If Oden, Durant, Hibbert, Julian Wright, Rush, Hawes, and a slough of other guys don't declare, then all of those 2nd rounders move up. There's no telling what will happen until we know who's actually in the draft and who isn't. Either way, it should be another exciting draft just watching what KP pulls out of his shorts on D-Day.

As for 1,2,3,4, I'd take Oden, Durant, Hibbert, Horford.

by bfan on Mar 13, 2007 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope Hawes stays at UW.

The guy has no business thinking about entering the NBA draft after his horrible performance at the PAC-10 tourney.

The guy has no power game at all. It's going to take him two year minimum to learn the basics of one IF he really works hard all year long.

by Blazers Nation on Mar 13, 2007 2:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Love what I'e seen of Green.

My only worry is that he's caught enough attention with his Big East tourney play
and he could perform well enough in the 64+1 that he goes above our pick.
But I really think Durant and Oden are out of our reach; unless I'm wrong about that,
I really think Jeff Green is The Man, to pursue and do whatever it takes to nab him.

Let's not forget that Pritchard was scouting the Big East tourney this past weekend.
Pritchard's proven target-and-obtain work last year is well known.

And just for the heck of it, here's the blurb from Bill Simmons' selection-weekend blog:

"Player of the weekend: Georgetown's Jeff Green, a silky-smooth 6-foot-8 forward
who might be the best all-around player in college hoops.
Green carried the Hoyas on Friday night against Notre Dame
(30 points, 12 boards, 12-for-14 free throws, the game-clinching three-point play),
then tossed up a 21-5 against an overmatched Pitt team in the finals.
He's one of those Battier-like "glue guys" who can affect games without putting up
huge numbers and always seems to be involved in the 2-3 biggest plays of the game.

Two things to note here:

1. Originally, I left him off my Under-22 Olympic Team (still a work in progress)
because the team already had enough size and I wanted more shooting,
but after watching him in that Notre Dame game, I can't leave him off.
That was the best performance in a college game I've watched this year
that didn't involve the words "Kevin" or "Durant."
And every Olympic team needs a glue guy. So I'm making room for him.

2. Chad Ford's latest Top 100 draft list has Green ranked 14th
behind four other small forwards or shooting guards:
Thaddeus Young (10), Al Thornton (11), Chase Budinger (12) and Corey Brewer (13).
The next three weeks should shake out that group,
but you could make a case for each of those guys getting that 10th spot.
[Simmons lists the various strengths and weaknesses of Thaddeus, Thornton, and Chase.]
And Green is the best all-around player and a winner.
Needless to say, I like him the most out of that group."

Sounds like a small forward version of Brandon Roy.
As long as he's clearly on Pritchard's radar, I'd be pissed if we didn't take him
for any reason other Durant and/or Oden stay and Green gets taken #2.
Even then, as fatty pointed out, that should be a very tradable pick if it's not Durant or Oden,
in which case we STILL should do what it takes to get his slot from someone
who views him as a lame, "sorry Durant couldn't be here!" consolation prize.

I'm seriously getting a mania of 1080's "Draft-The-Stache"-level obsession
over Jeff Green--call it a "mancrush", just don't call it "Sonics property".

"Kill the bear! KILL THE BEAR!!!" -- Statler & Waldorf

by QualityPie on Mar 13, 2007 2:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

My only concern on Green

Can Green guard uber-athletic NBA SFs on the perimeter. We'll have plenty of chances to find out in the next few weeks, though.

by Blazers Nation on Mar 13, 2007 2:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that's a legitimate concern . . .

. . . for EVERY draft prospect, ever.

There's nothing any player at any position can do in high school, college, or foreign play
that could ever satisfy a sane man's concerns about defending top NBA offensive weapons.
Every pick of every draft carries that risk (and frequently fails on that aspect).

"Kill the bear! KILL THE BEAR!!!" -- Statler & Waldorf

by QualityPie on Mar 13, 2007 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I should point out the obvious:

Here's what the scenario could look like for next year:

Starters: PG JJ, SG Roy, SF Jeff Green, PF Zach Randolph, C LaMardridge.
Bench: PG Sergio, SG Freddie, SG/SF Martell, SF/PF Trout, PF/C Bloody Brit, C Przybll.
All-year, insurance-covered injured list: Darius, LaFrentz.
NBDL/euro players under Blazer NBA rights: our entire 2007 second round, My Man Nedzad.
GM: Pritchard.
President: Geoff Petrie.
Rose Garden: Owned.

I like it.
A LOT.

"Kill the bear! KILL THE BEAR!!!" -- Statler & Waldorf

by QualityPie on Mar 13, 2007 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i love that lineup...

IF you have Udoka in there to be the primary backup at the 3. Still not sold on Martell and Outlaw making hey in the second unit. Keep those guys around... but I think they are both another 2 or 3 years away from being consistent and solid NBA contributors. Outlaw still looks like a rookie, and Martell hasn't figured out how he can be a consistent contributor when his shot is not falling.

However... that starting lineup you listed... VERY solid.

by mcmillion on Mar 14, 2007 7:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I left out Ime. I LOVE Ime.

I don't know how I missed that.
Guess I tend not to think of him being bench-available, even though
I have no probem with Green or Durant taking his starting job.

But so, yeah: Add Ime to that bench roster, as "SG/SF"--file under "Stopper".
He's kinda wearing out down the stretch this year, but as a
15-20 minute situational dude, I think he's solid for a good 5 years or so.

"Kill the bear! KILL THE BEAR!!!" -- Statler & Waldorf

by QualityPie on Mar 14, 2007 8:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

q.pie if g.petrie gets the job

than you better believe my man 'slick rick" will be lurking in the weeds,anywhere g.petrie goes rick is right behind,also i don't see outlaw on this team,because some team would over pay like say cleveland,denver,knicks,teams who need a 3 and don't have draft picks,the knick scenerio is now that he has total control isiah well trade you can bet the house on it...

by fatty on Mar 13, 2007 2:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I guess the mid-level exception is the question.

I don't see Trout ever getting more than that--too few teams will be under the cap,
which you gotta be to offer any more to a free agent--rules ut the Knicks, among others.
So I think that's Trout's absolute max offer possibility, just like it was with Joel last year.

Then the two questions are:

Will anyone even offer him that much? (I don't think so, but it's possible.)
If so, would the Blazers match? (I hope not.)

I see a likely 3.5-4-mil offer coming on the dude.
I'd match that.

Remember, we're talking offer sheets--there won't be a bidding war of
team A offers him X, team B offers him X + Y, bidding war, too moch $$$:
It's just team A offers him X, we match or don't.
Nice short process.

And I still wonder who our backup power forward is is Trout goes.
Freeland or a 2007 second rounder, by default.
I am SOOOOOOO not comfortable with that.

"Kill the bear! KILL THE BEAR!!!" -- Statler & Waldorf

by QualityPie on Mar 13, 2007 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

AND!--about Slick Rick:

ChaCha Bobby Kittens made it official today that Bickerstaff
will be done as coach at season's end, but still be GM.

I'd say that little MJ-helmed project of young players (plus a big drat pick this year)
is an Adelman dream come true--he should be hounding for that one.
Should get it, too.

Just a thought.

"Kill the bear! KILL THE BEAR!!!" -- Statler & Waldorf

by QualityPie on Mar 13, 2007 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

no q.p.

it has l.brown wriyyen all over it(n.carolina) connection,but seriously if petrie gets the job adelman is not too far behind..also orlando has a lot of cap space,and it's not too far of a pickup truck drive from his mississippi home. also orlando loves young kids like travis so like quick said he would like to be close to home. they're not happy with darko so my trade scenerio of outlaw,dickau,raef,#2 for darko makes sense for both teams,detroit has orlando's pick from the darko trade so orlando is going to need bodies and i'll pay a 1/3 of raef's contract about 3.75mil hell it's p.allen's $$$$..

by fatty on Mar 13, 2007 3:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Man--Raef's calf is RIPPING IN HALF.

From the bottom up.

I wanna know if that fat contract is retiring from the books before I do anything with it.
And can we do a pre-draft trade involving Trout?
That'd be nice, but I don't believe it's legal--he can only be signed
during the off-season trade period, which starts post-draft.
Of course, we could always have the trade in place, pick whoever Orlando wants,
and then pull the trigger with a Trout sign-and-trade after the draft, during the trade period.

I still prefer Trout, strictly as a second-unit energy guy, at a bench (not starter) price,
as part of a pretty cohesive second unit with a Trout-friendly offense.
Of course, if you take Sergio out of that second unit (I gather you, fatty, want him to start),
and that whole second-unit character just ain't gonna be the same,
and neither would Trout's value to this team as a part of that unit.

Brown? I don't think he leaves Philly.
Unless he's available for Charlotte, I think they take Rick off our hands as a distraction.
I really like what the Bobby Kittens could do as an Adelman team;
if that's out there, that should pull him from Petrie for the first time ever.
Good for them, AND good for us.
Adelman's got no place in the current Blazer organization, and Petrie does.

"Kill the bear! KILL THE BEAR!!!" -- Statler & Waldorf

by QualityPie on Mar 13, 2007 4:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow Q pie!!

I don't think I've ever seen you type that much without putting in a bad idea, offbeat reference or some other digression (if that's not a word it is now.). Solid points all around. Fatty brings out different sides in all of us. Don't get too serious though. :)

Are you suggesting that coconuts migrate??

by shenanigans on Mar 13, 2007 5:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Q pie

Your one of the smartest guys on this blog, I'd hope you would take about as much time caring about what Fatty says, as does Fatty spend studying the English language.

by Devyn on Mar 14, 2007 7:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

shrug I pick and choose.

Whats's the saying?--"Even a broken clock is right twice a day."
fatty (never capitalized--that'd be just wrong) does hit it every now and then,
ESPECIALLY when he fricken STAYS ON TOPIC
(as Dave has hammered him pretty relentlessly for).
If the ChaCha job's not available to Adelman, then yes, the Adelman-Petrie team,
which goes back 2 decades spanning three teams,
may be available only as a package deal.
And what Larry Brown does WILL affect the avaiability of the ChaCha job.

It was a good point, one which I didn't think of and needed to hear.

"Kill the bear! KILL THE BEAR!!!" -- Statler & Waldorf

by QualityPie on Mar 14, 2007 8:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs