We always talk about the guys at the end of the bench and who is willing to take that role. In general the affordable ones are rookie contracts (eg Bass, Maxiel, Stuckey, Millsap). Those guys will not be made available The non affordable ones are over the hill guys sucha s Raef, Grant Hill, Stackhouse. The middle ground guys (decent contracts/role player) aren’t an upgrade over what we have (though they may better fit a desired role than a current player). Do we really want a player of the type in the latter group (old/overpaid)? Otherwise to get a player from the first group (young /promising), you must draft them or trade on draft day.

I think that is exactly what KP had in mind with Bayless. He will be one of those coveted young guy players in another year or two (but for now he gets minimal minutes). We traded a middle tier player (Jack) and a pick to get Bayless. With this in mind we won’t do a midseason trade, but rather use our middle tier assets to get early draft picks that will fall into the first group. This is a good market to exploit because several GMs value known assets more than potential. And we know KP know how to get good return on draft day. That plan would lend to financial flexibility long-term with good assests since we won’;t be keeping many players making 3-5 million per year riding the pine. We don’t ever need older players until our current players get their naturally. This also makes keeping the bench happy a simple task.

Nate and KP have some sense of the chemistry on and off the court (we can only sense the on court chemistry). And, we hope, they have an over-arching offensive and defensive philosophy. Nothing more indicative of an offensive philosophy than the role of the PG.

I think that’s why this conversation generates so much interest and emotion. Because many of us have our own offensive philosophies and would like to see the Blazers play in a certain style.

Seems like, with Blake, our style is going to be tight and slowed down. Efficient and effective so far this season, but easily disrupted by tough physical defenses?

I question how adaptable we are in this style. And against solid defending playoff level teams, there will need to be some adapting.

I think this is why people believe Steve is not the PG to get us there.

“Like I said earlier, I think I disagree with everything I just said, BUT I do think there is danger in simply being conservative. I guess for me it boils down to the following: We don’t have to make a trade, we probably shouldn’t make a trade, but we better not act like an organization that is unwilling to make a trade, or not looking to make a trade because I think that could be the most dangerous attitude we could embrace. It’s a very fine line that makes it sound like I’m squarely on the fence, but I’m really not. I’m for conservative aggression and quiet but active exploration of all options.”

You’re really Sarah Palin, aintcha? I can tell.

Channing Frye and Ike Diogu, draft choices and Pauls Allen’s money for…Chris Wilcox

Blazers get a veteran backup 4-5 who can bang and rebound.

Not-going-anywhere Thunder gets sumthin-sumthin for veteran UFA who they’re unlikely to resign in 2009

Im glad I do not have to make the choices for the Blazers the next several seasons.
This team may be the most likeable we have ever had, its going to be hard to let guys go via fa or trades. I would think when the championship window is actually upon us the rotation will be no more then 9 players and maybe even the conventional 8.

Does anyone else think that Portland may be showcasing players now, I still am not convinced as to why Nate gave Sergio the extra playing time after he openly whined about it, Outlaw is not having anywhere near the year he had last season.(playing like a deer in headlights alot of games)Not alot of rumors surrounding the Blazers right now but after the first of the year Its going to be none stop Portland rumors whether there true or not.

Ive got Rudy Gay on the radar, Memphis is that sad.Shilling is also that greedy.