Amazing Reads

by Dave on Jul 1, 2007 1:18 AM PDT in News Comment 36 comments

The Oregonian just keeps churning out stuff about the Blazers every single day. Today is no exception.

Jason Quick gives us an article explaining the ups and downs of the Greg Oden decision. There isn't much in there you haven't heard before but it makes a lot more sense when it's put in one, cohesive retrospective.

The most interesting part of the article to me was when Jason went over all the trade offers KP fielded for the first pick. It showed the complex psychology behind trading, namely that at some point hearing amazing offer after amazing offer actually makes you less likely to deal. It's like having a vintage baseball card. If some guy comes and offers you $1500 cash for it you're going to think pretty hard about that. But if some guy comes up and offers you $1500 then another guy comes and offers you $3000 and then you get $7000 and $10000 and $20000 at some point you're going to say, "I'm not trading this card for nothin'!" The reinforcement of its perceived value actually makes it too valuable to trade.

A side note on that: it seems pretty obvious to me that Oden was the target around the league. You didn't hear much about Seattle's offers and I'm thinking that if they had gotten the same kind of deals they would have pulled the trigger. Most of the league appears to agree we made the right choice.

Then Joe Freeman gives us a look at the free agency situation. The basic message: the Blazers are going to give it the old college try but the chances of getting anyone fans would drool over is basically nil and they may even have trouble keeping both current fan favorites Ime Udoka and Travis Outlaw. It appears this summer may be more about buying out old contracts than signing new ones. Again, not exactly new info but it puts things in perspective nicely.

I love the daily coverage. Hopefully it will extend at least through Summer League. The shorter the trackless desert of July-August becomes the better for all of us.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

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I loved hearing about Outlaw

McMillan has a lot of confidence in him. If he improves on last year, he could solve a lot of problems.

I'd hate to see Ime go. If he does, I hope he goes and gets a role on a title team.

by supremepuntiff on Jul 1, 2007 1:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Randolph

If he was getting trade offers for Randolph for such a long time--how did he end up going with the Francis trade? It rather boggles the mind to imagine what offers could've been worse than that--like almost mob-style "offers you can't refuse".

I admit growing up in Arkansas as a Razorbacks fan, I was a fan of "40 Minutes of Hell," run-and-gun, "what's a half-court set" basketball. So of course, Durant's acrobatic style appealed to me. And I still have some fears that we may have Spurs-like success--win, but in the most boring possible way. Still--I'm convinced Oden is a very Portland kind of guy, and that the Blazers will probably be a real power in three or four years with him.

by manireik on Jul 1, 2007 1:45 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

worse than saving over $30 million?

They so much as state that the new guys will need a couple of years to weather at which point they'll lure (and be able to afford) a free agent vet that will help them get a championship.

nobody makes me bleed my own blood

by dcblazer on Jul 1, 2007 1:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, worse than saving $30mil via a crumby player

I agree the saving money angle should pay off nicely, and yes, bringing in an established star in a couple years would likely pay off better then than now.

But I'm still incredulous about the idea that a guy who still isn't cheap and who likely won't even play--and could hardly qualify as a player-coach for the young bloods if he did--is the best we could do in a money-saving angle. Heck, expiring contracts would've been an improvement. The fact that apparently other trades were offered makes me think even going the money-saving route, there must've been better possibilities.

by manireik on Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Randolph is Gone!

It is obvious the Blazers wanted him gone and took the best deal they could get. Frye was an important part of this deal, more so than Francis. He might be the guy who could accept a back-up role to Oden and Aldridge and thrive without the pressure to be the man.

Nate laid out the plan. Develop players, see where we are in two years. What will they need to make a long run at championships??

Jack, Sergio, Webster, most likely Outlaw, Frye, James Jones, McRoberts and Green (am I missing someone?) will get a chance to find their niche with the big three and in two years, Francis and LaFrentz will provide cap room to make a bigger move than whatever is going to happen in ten days.

On top of that, they have the rights to three Euro-players that might fit on the team in the next year or two or be trade bait down the road.

Again, Zach is gone. No more trying to justify his value as a scorer versus his lack of D, inability to play team offense, and character issues. Let Isaiah try to balance those out for the next four years 60+ million dollars.

by tssbro on Jul 1, 2007 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think

we'll be like the Spurs at all (in terms of entertaining). While Durant would've been very fun to watch I think Oden's going to be fun to watch too with his monster dunks and blocks.

Plus he's already shown he's more expressive than Duncan with that little jiggie at the rally.

by jayseyfield on Jul 1, 2007 2:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd rather keep

Udoka than Outlaw. While this may not be the right move in terms of talent I think it'll make the team a lot better.

by jayseyfield on Jul 1, 2007 2:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Agree

I completely agree. If we sign Outlaw but not Udoka I will be very disappointed.

by Tyler on Jul 1, 2007 8:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

so

we were offered Paul Pierce and the #5 pick from Boston. Kevin Garnett and Randy Foye from Minnesota. Who is this other sure first ballot hall of famer that plays for a Western Conference power, we were offered? T-Mac, Nowitzki, Bryant?

by JPop on Jul 1, 2007 2:35 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

first ballot means you did something

so you can probably take t mac off the first ballot list. Dirk is probably there after winning a mvp and Kobe is defenitely there. I got to think it was Dirk though, Kobe hadnt demanded a trade at that point, at least not publicly.

by myemic23 on Jul 1, 2007 2:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I suppose

Iverson may have been offered as well. Finals appearance and MVP as well.

by JPop on Jul 1, 2007 3:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It was Carmelo Anthony

It was affirmed a couple weeks ago on Holdahl's podcast by Jason Quick, I believe. At the time, when not this much was known, I thought the other HOF was Ming, simplybecause the owner of the Rockets kept wanting an uptempo game.

by supremepuntiff on Jul 1, 2007 9:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

'Melo aint

a first-ballot Hall of Famer. At least not a consensus one. Not yet anyway.

--Dave

by Dave on Jul 1, 2007 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

When he mentioned Melo

he was talking about the future hall-of-famers; the first ballot HOFer had not been introduced yet. This was back when the rumor was simply that two teams had each offered their future HOFer.

I'm assuming with everyone else that the first ballot HOFer now mentioned is Garnett. This is actually the first time I've heard about the first ballot HOFer and rookie combo; had it come forth before this article?

by supremepuntiff on Jul 1, 2007 11:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whoops

I see the confusion now. This sub-thread is trying to figure out whothe other first ballot HOFer is. I was under the impression there was only one, and a future HOFer, namely Carmelo.

by supremepuntiff on Jul 1, 2007 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hoo-boy

the plot thickens. Re-read the article, and the offers were rookie + future HOFer, and first ballot HOFer. Someone either thinks Carmelo is a lock already (doubtful), or it was still Denver, but it was Iverson, and not Anthony. I doubt it though; the dramatized meeting in a dark corner would not have been over an aging, short, shoot-first guard. But who knows. I don't. I'm actually confused now, though I'm pretty certain about the Pierce/#5 and Garnett/Foye offerings.

by supremepuntiff on Jul 1, 2007 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I read somewhere

that we were offered 'Melo.

by jksnake99 on Jul 1, 2007 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How much for Outlaw?

I would be bummed if we spent much on Outlaw as he cant even wrestle the starting SF job away from a training camp invitee who is unfamiliar with the system. Not too impressive.

by jonestr on Jul 1, 2007 7:54 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Outlaw was 21

at the time where as Udoka was 29 and had been playing professionally (though not NBA) for what 8 years? Outlaw will continue to improve and the changes that we've made compliment his game. I hope we keep both but don't overspend on either. That said if someone offers a bit more than the qualifying offer for Travis I think we should probably take it so long as it doesn't get outrageous.

by drawingjeremy on Jul 1, 2007 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOVE the thinly veiled references.

Here's one:

As he drove to Eugene to watch a play with his daughter on May 23, less than 24 hours after winning the lottery, Pritchard took a call from an Eastern Conference general manager, with whom he had past dealings.

The executive made an offer that was moderate in shock value: A five-time All-Star and this year's lottery pick in exchange for the No. 1 pick and the Blazers' 2008 first-round pick.

As enticing as the offer was -- the Blazers in years past had made a run at the All-Star player -- Pritchard declined on the spot.

Oh, gee--an Eastern conference GM with whom Pritchard has already
cut deals with in the past, and possesses a lottery pick and not just an all-star,
but specifically someone who has been an all-star exactly five times.

Couldn't be Boston. With the disappointingly low #5 pick and Paul Pierce.
Total coincidence that Paul Pierce is a five-time all-star.

Gee, Jason--why not just say "Boston offered us Pierce and the #5 pick"?

Here's the other:

A team within the Blazers division proposed a trade involving a future Hall of Famer and a standout rookie for the Blazers' No. 1 pick.

In our division? THAT narrows it down to Seattle, Denver, Utah, and Minnesota.
And of those four, who has a standout rookie AND a "future Hall of Famer"?
Not "potential" or "likely" Hall of Famer; just unequivocal, CERTAIN Hall of Famer?
Seattle and Denver certainly did not have standout rookies.
And can anyone for Utah be described at this point as a "Hall of Famer",
without a modifier like "likely" or "potential"? Is Boozer there already? Don't think so.

Gee, Jason--why not just say "Minnesota offered Garnett and Foye"?!?

This was all like saying "an anonymous senior official in the Bush administration
with an asymmetrical mouth, oil industry executive experience,
a Wyoming background, and a name that rhymes with 'Slick Rainy'."

LOVE it.

Blazers have a five-on-three...and they pull it back and wait for help.

by QualityPie on Jul 1, 2007 8:46 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

hey

THANKS FOR BEATING ME TO THE PUNCH QUALITYPIE

by game sink on Jul 1, 2007 8:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

clearing up trade offers in the quick article

"The [Eastern Conference] executive made an offer that was moderate in shock value: A five-time All-Star and this year's lottery pick in exchange for the No. 1 pick and the Blazers' 2008 first-round pick."

that's paul pierce and the #5.

"A team within the Blazers division proposed a trade involving a future Hall of Famer and a standout rookie for the Blazers' No. 1 pick."

the only sure hall of fame + promising rookie combo i can think of in the NW division is garnett + foye.

by game sink on Jul 1, 2007 8:52 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

future HOF and rookie

I know that Bynum was not a rookie but it could have been Kobe and Bynum for Zach and Oden. Just another possibility other than Garnett/foye.

by NWfan on Jul 1, 2007 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lakers

aren't in our division.

by howlingfantods on Jul 1, 2007 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Article

That was an interesting article b/c it talked for the first time about the Blazers maybe not signing Ime. You have to think getting Greg Oden has made an impact on what the roster is going to look like in 3 years and maybe KP and Nate want to groom Travis into the starting SF spot so he'll be ready for our championship run in a few years.

Or he is just talking Travis up so that he will stay here

by BlazerBandit on Jul 1, 2007 9:23 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

interesting

hearing about Outlaw as a potential starter. I didn't think KP thought of Outlaw that way.

Welcome Greg Oden

by junit3123 on Jul 1, 2007 11:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Trout is a good canidate for starting sF

Trout's biggest problem last year was on the ball defense, followed by a black hole effect to shoot (can you say z-bo influence). His weak-side help D is excellent. I think that our new front court more than covers for Trout's deficiencies. Plus he gives us a good shooter with slashing capabilities. Outlaw was only starting to show his offensive potential at the end of the season. He'll be a great option on the offensive end with multiple ways for scoring. And he's what 22, roughly the same age as Roy. Sure Travis is not as good as Roy and may never reach Brandon's potential, but Travis is hardly a flop at his age. In two more years under Nate's coaching those deficiencies will be a thing of the past.

by NWfan on Jul 1, 2007 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thoughts on the SG?

In Freeman's article, McMillan talks about the need for a backup SG. I would love to get Deshawn Stevenson from Washington. He played this last year at the minimum, and he played well. With Washington drafting Nick Young, there may not be a spot for him there next year. I bet we could get him for 3 years, 6 mil. He plays great defense, and is improving his shooting. I think he'd be a great fit, and with that nice contract, he'd be pretty easy to move when Rudy's ready to come on board.

by bfan on Jul 1, 2007 11:51 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ugh.

Did you see how he shot the Wizards out of contention against the Cavs? When the Wizards really needed someone to step up and contribute something, anything, he went 9 of 46 in that series (19%!? How's that even possible?)

by howlingfantods on Jul 1, 2007 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Double ugh.

Have to admit, I didn't know that. Still, he's great defensively, and would be a fine bench player for 1-2mil per. Plus, we'd all get a kick out of watching Gilbert best him on a 3pt competition with one hand.

by bfan on Jul 1, 2007 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Check the character issues...

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

by lama on Jul 1, 2007 9:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'm very curious

I'd like to know every trade that was offered. That'd be a neat blog to read some day...

did anyone else's mind skip to Tim Duncan being offered up at any point in that article? When they said First Ballot HOFer on a Western Conference Power, that was the first name that popped up. Next was Dirk. To me, Denver is not a power at all. we have the three powers IMHO: Dallas, San Antonio, and Phoenix. I guess Amare may have been offered up too, but i doubt that...

Am I the only one who's brain waves went in that direction?

written by the Blazer Thoughts artist formely known as "Scott R"

by saregister on Jul 1, 2007 12:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

What I'd trade the #1 for

If this was the day before the draft and I was KP I'd accept the following trades:

#1 + contracts to PHX for Amare, Barbosa, ATL's '08 pick
#1 for Lebron
#1 + contracts to SEA for #2, Ray Allen, all their first round picks forever. Or something like that.
#1 + Raef Lafrents + Darius Miles to LAL for Kobe
#1 to the Heat for DWade, a future 1st rounder and the Florida Marlins.
#1 + contracts to the Rockets for Yao, Battier and a lifetime supply of Houston barbecue for DMiles.

by morescrillaigots on Jul 1, 2007 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i like the excitement-factor of NEW players

and so there's no way i would have traded the #1 pick for anything this year.

ignacio

by ignacio on Jul 1, 2007 1:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Free Agency

If I were the GM, I would only ad a SF that was very, very good, like Lewis, or very inexpensive (like??).

With a SF like Lewis, the Blazers would probably make the playoffs next year, and have a shot for doing much more in the years to come. With someone of lesser talent, however, the player would take cap-space away from future free-agent signings and potentially stunt the growth of Outlaw and/or Webster.

by PoliSam on Jul 1, 2007 8:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs