Wish List

by oderiferous emanations 74 on Apr 26, 2008 5:54 PM PDT

This site is obviously full of trade proposals and assorted wish lists.The two biggest positions of discussion are point guard and small forward. I would like to throw a couple names into the list to stir up discussion. If someone has already mentioned these names I apologize in advance.

Small Forward- I would LOVE to have Tayshaun Prince. I think he would be the perfect compliment to our big 3. He plays lock down "D", has tons of playoff experience and doesn't demand the ball. He presents major matchup problems for the opposition on both ends. If he could be had what would you give up to get him?

Point Guard- Andre Miller. He is a free agent and has expressed interest in returning to the West Coast. He would provide a steady veteran hand and get our big guns the ball where they need it. He can give us a few quality years until one of our young guards is ready to step up and be "the man".

Let's here they why's, why not's and everything in between.

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If the Sixers spank the Pistons,

we may see panic in Detroit. Would love to see Prince in our system.

Andre Miller though? Mehhh on him.

It's a WAR, and we're bringin' the BOOM!

by prezofdeath on Apr 26, 2008 6:04 PM PDT reply actions

What would you give up to get Prince?

My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.

Jim Valvano

by oderiferous emanations 74 on Apr 26, 2008 6:41 PM PDT up reply actions

martell or travis plus our first rounder plus jack plus channing

I used to play sports, then I realized you can buy trophies, now I'm good at everything, even checkers - Demetri Martin

by Zaron5551 on Apr 26, 2008 8:14 PM PDT up reply actions

not worth it

If all I'm remembered for is being a good basketball player, then I've done a bad job with the rest of my life. - Isiah Thomas

by JTDuck22 on Apr 27, 2008 8:43 AM PDT up reply actions

Travis = Tayshaun

Why would one give up Travis PLUS a first rounder PLUS another player to move sideways?

The sum of Martell + Travis is perfectly fine, if you can figure out how to solve the PG problem without losing them… Both of those guys still have excellent upside potential and have already proven they’re capable of playing…

"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Apr 27, 2008 8:51 AM PDT up reply actions

I would give up our first round pick, travis, jack and Frye as well as this

delicious hoagie I am eating.

My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.

Jim Valvano

by oderiferous emanations 74 on Apr 26, 2008 8:34 PM PDT reply actions

Ehh I don't know if I'd give up that much. Prince isn't that good.

In any case, you definitely can’t give up the hoagie

It's a WAR, and we're bringin' the BOOM!

by prezofdeath on Apr 26, 2008 8:37 PM PDT up reply actions

#25

"Oh my, there go the game!" Travis Outlaw

by annthefan on Apr 26, 2008 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Point Guard- Blake, Sergio, Roy
Shooting Guard- Roy, Rudy, Martell
Small Forward- Tayshaun, Webster, Jones
Power Forward- Lamarcus, Tayshaun
Center-Greg, Joel

This is a 10 player rotation and a VERY solid one at that. As much as I love Frye, Jack and Travis this proposed lineup would be very flexible and dangerous. As I said I would like to have Miller at the point but even without him this is a team that could go deep in the playoffs.

My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.

Jim Valvano

by oderiferous emanations 74 on Apr 26, 2008 8:54 PM PDT reply actions

I like this idea

It’s rare to get exact wishes fulfilled, but you’d be surprised how many times teams get guys who fit the template of the people you wish for. It also helps narrow down exactly what kind of skill set we’re looking for. Instead of just “a good small forward or point guard”, what kind of small forward or point guard?

—Dave

by Dave on Apr 26, 2008 10:38 PM PDT reply actions

Italics went awry there

I’m still learning how to use the site apparently.

—Dave

by Dave on Apr 26, 2008 10:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Prince would be nice.

But isn’t the only difference between him and Travis right now Trout’superior atheticism and Prince’s superior defense? Why give up something for a player we might already have. Travis can get better defensively plus he’s younger. I mean, these guys even have the same body type. Outlaw can become Prince.

by DrivetheLane on Apr 26, 2008 11:02 PM PDT reply actions

I understand where you are coming from. There is a difference between " can become"

and something that you already have and can bank on. The Blazer’s need to add a calming veteran influence who is used to winning and has a high level playoff experience. Prince fits the bill. He is also just barely 28 and probably has 5 good seasons or more left in him.

As far as giving up someone, the Blazer’s are going to have to clear up some space here. The proposed lineup I gave had 10 rotation players and that is after trading 4 players for one if you count the draft pick. Some might think that 10 is too many.

Remember what Buck Williams did for the Blazers in 89? He was the missing ingredient that took them to the next level. Tayshaun could be that type of player for us.

My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.

Jim Valvano

by oderiferous emanations 74 on Apr 26, 2008 11:16 PM PDT up reply actions

We would have to give up too much.

It also doesn’t fit our window. Prince is ging to be getting worse from here on out. We need someone who is going to still be solid in two years. If Outlaw keeps improving I think he could be our man. I would give the same odds of Travis becoming great in two years as I would Prince not being good enough.

Remember when the Bulls got Ben Wallace. He was suposed to be in his prime, a tough calming veteran influence who was used to winning and had a high level playoff experience.

by Winchester on Apr 26, 2008 11:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Ben Wallace is 33, almost 34 and there are a few key differences when comparing the two.

Prince just turned 28. Technically he is getting near his prime.

Ben Wallace was already starting to decline and was having attitude issues BEFORE he signed with Chicago. Wallace got his fat contract and that was all she wrote.

That being said ,I too hold out hope that Travis could become much more. It is certainly possible. Getting Prince is not something that I am banking on. More of a pipe dream.
I don’t see Dumars letting him go, but if he were faced with blowing up his team and we gave him an offer he couldn’t refuse…........anything is possible.

I would actually take Prince over Carmelo Anthony.

My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.

Jim Valvano

by oderiferous emanations 74 on Apr 26, 2008 11:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Detroit actually already did that

“I would actually take Prince over Carmelo Anthony.”

Detroit had the opportunity to take Carmelo, but took Darko in the 2003 draft.. Although Darko has so far been a bust, I still think Detroit has been better off with Prince at the 3 than Carmelo.

by WarEaglePDX on Apr 27, 2008 12:19 AM PDT up reply actions

Prince seems bored.

Maybe changing teams could help him out. He did do a good job of keeping Andre Iguodala quite the last three games.

Andre Miller shoots 9% from the 3 point line. I’m not sure that fits needs very well. I would much rather have Brandon Jennings and Josh Childress. We would have the best hair in the league.

by Winchester on Apr 26, 2008 11:17 PM PDT reply actions

So what you are saying is that Miller doesn't spread the floor? lol

My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.

Jim Valvano

by oderiferous emanations 74 on Apr 26, 2008 11:18 PM PDT up reply actions

In that case I'll settle for Tony Parker

My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.

Jim Valvano

by oderiferous emanations 74 on Apr 26, 2008 11:29 PM PDT reply actions

I'm not much of an Andre Miller fan...

mostly because he’s a certified Blazer killer. Don’t care for the guy.

Oden+Roy+Aldridge+Rudy=Dynasty. Believe

by OdenRoyLMA on Apr 27, 2008 1:18 AM PDT reply actions

He doesn't shoot the deep ball well but overall he shoots a very high % for a guard

I actually have always liked Blake. I just wish he were more of a threat to drive and finish and that he had a little better court vision. Miller is a bit old for our window.

My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.

Jim Valvano

by oderiferous emanations 74 on Apr 27, 2008 2:13 AM PDT up reply actions

Low price, high reward free agents

KP and Nate should have a look at Sessions from Milwaukee. Sessions exploded for 20 points and 24 assists (yes, twenty-four dimes) against Chicago on Apr 14. Not bad for pick #56 in 2007 draft. Has played well at PG when counted on (although usually during garbage time), solid D, a natural distributor, and underrated enough for us to trade him for our #13 draft pick (Love?) – not unlikely as Milwaukee are rebuilding around Bogut and Mo Williams.

Better known for his highlight reel dunks, Jamario Moon can be the great perimeter defender and wing finisher that we so desperately need.

Both these guys address our deficiencies at the 1 and 3, and both come at a bargain basement price. It would not hurt us to look into these guys… I can see them at worst making significant contributions on our 2nd unit.

by LMA on Apr 27, 2008 6:35 AM PDT reply actions

"twenty four dimes..."

Did you watch that game? KP did. He even commented during a Blazer broadcast that they were not impressed with what Sessions did because of the lack of competitiveness involved in the game. It was an end of the year stinker in which no defense was played and two low scoring teams went well above their averages. Any time anyone passed the ball to anybody that could see the rim it had a great chance of turning into an assist. Geez, one guy has the greatest 30 minutes of his career and all of the sudden he’s the next big thing? Do you work for ESPN?

this has been a message from: "The People's Alliance to Keep Comment Boards Sucka Free"

by bforsythe on Apr 27, 2008 3:11 PM PDT up reply actions

Not yet...

... but I’m working on it, as you can see.

But seriously, 24 assists is 24 assists, be it NBA or prep school… the kid is a natural point.

But before and after that Bucks-Bulls game Sessions was given minutes (Mo’s injury) and he racked several other 10+ assist games. You cannot deny that there is potential there. How many rookie PGs when given few opportunities have done that?

I’m not saying the guy is CP3 or D-Will, but Sessions has performed better in a short series of games than the beforementioned ever did in their rookie year. PGs just don’t do those numbers in their rookine year. Not CP3. Not D-Will. But Sessions did. He may not ever reach their stratospheric potential, but if the last several regualr season games are any indicator of potential, I think Sessions is worth at least a look.

I didn’t say lets get the deal done already, but as mentioned in my post, all I said was these guys are worth looking into.

by LMA on Apr 27, 2008 9:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Minutes

It seems like most players who have the ability to play in the NBA have the ability to put up big numbers IF (and that is a big if) they get enough minutes and they don’t care about getting wins.

by tingeyga on Apr 28, 2008 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions

I actually watched that game

It was the week of my fantasy team’s championship, and I had wildcard Charlie V on my team. I was watching the Bucks to see how he was doing, and caught Ramon Sessions having another big game statistically.

He’s a player, but I think guys were just making shots, simple as that. That might sound dumb, but he wasn’t throwing dimes or setting guys up beautifully ala a Kidd or Paul. It just so happens that the Bucks have a team full of guys who will and can shoot it whenever they want to, and everyone was making their shot. The assists added up because of everyone’s hotness. I think most PGs in a similar situation could have got a lot of those assists, because it was mostly all the shooters doing the work. Plus, the Bulls (it was the Bulls, right? Whoever it was) were sleepwalking through the game. It wasn’t all that fun to watch, aside from counting the assists and hoping my fantasy guys did good.

Ramon Sessions played pretty good at the end of the season though, and he is a pass first PG, which a lot of teams need.

I found myself actually rooting AGAINST Sessions that game because I didn’t want him to break Coach Nate’s 25 assist rookie record back in the day. Thank Oden he came up 1 assist short!

Like KP said himself, it’s tough to really value numbers in games where neither team really cares what happens. It’s like counting summer league or pre-season; it’s just a different setting that usually doesn’t translate. Sessions is still a young PG who is developing and doesn’t have much experience running a team. Maybe he’ll become an allstar and be another 2nd round find for the Bucks (ala the awful but good numbers Redd), or he’ll be a Brevin Knight—he always had big assist numbers. I just think KP wants a PG we can depend on, not develop, and we KNOW what they can do. It’s why Blake has been so important for us, and even when we “upgrade” it’ll remain important. We’re gonna be a young team for another 5 years or so, after all.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Apr 28, 2008 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions

i love andre miller

but he does not become a free agent until after the 08-09 season :(
He is a great distributor and playmaker though

by dp8039 on Apr 27, 2008 8:25 AM PDT reply actions

I don't understand the trade talk about our SF spot

Travis and Martell make that position solid, with the potential to really light it up some nights. Both of them are improving on the defensive end and are very young. In fact both of them have the capability to become our starting small forward. This is precisely what makes Martell and Trout so tradeable.

For next years roster as it exists, only the point guard spot is weak. Small forward in my mind and I think in the mind of our management is set. Although I wouldn’t mind Danny Granger : )

KP: You know Mike Rice, Mike Barret you've both been very valuable to us this season. But I'd still trade you both for a couple of 2nd round draft picks.

by Dheepan on Apr 27, 2008 11:39 AM PDT reply actions

Nice Post

I would still rather have LeBron James but I love how you put a different spin on things. I guess I don’t really have an opinion on this subject, since I am in the same boat as Dheepan. The cake is still in the oven. It needs to finish baking, and then you got to get it out of the pan and let it cool on a wire rack, before you do anything to it.

As for LeBron, I’d be willing to trade Von Wafer or McRoberts for LeBron.

Maneki Neko

by tominhawaii on Apr 27, 2008 2:50 PM PDT reply actions

Nobody adds a second draft pick to make it work out?

Diputado A: Su Señoría da una en clavo y cien en herradura.
Diputado B: porque su Señoría no se está quieto.

by amlmart1 on Apr 27, 2008 8:44 PM PDT up reply actions

I dont think we need to make a move at small forward.

Point guard is our glaring weakness in my opinion. I do like Prince, but I dont think I give up Outlaw or Webster for him. I would do James Jones, Jack, and our 13 for him, but thats about it for me. He is definetely the right mold though, fits the culture, plays solid defense, has the ability to hit a 3 and attack the rim, good intangibles, experienced, etc… I just think Webster or Outlaw can be as good as Prince defensively(with time and effort), and better than Tay offensively. But maybe I am being a little too optimistic….

RUDY > MJ

by myemic23 on Apr 27, 2008 6:02 PM PDT reply actions