We don't need another all-star

by Zaron5551 on Apr 5, 2008 5:57 PM PDT

Note before you start reading: I WOULD LOVE to have another all-start I just don't believe it's necessary or likely.

There has been a lot of talk recently about getting a premiere point guard. Guys like, Derrick Rose, Chris Paul or occasionally Deron Williams. I am on the opinion that we don't need a point guard as talented as one those fine gentlemen. We already have three players who are arguably going to be good enough to be all-star caliber.
What we have:

1.Brandon Roy, already is an all-star. Will almost definitely average twenty point per game next year.

2.Lamarcus Aldridge, already averaging 17 points and 7 rebounds in only his second season. My guess would be that LMA will average at least 20 points per game next year.

3.Greg Oden: if GO lives up to expectations he will end up be able to average near twenty points a game pretty easily. Not next season, but eventually. My prediction for Greg next year: a simple double double 10 points 10 rebounds. I hope I'm lowballing him, but hey, I'm a pressimist.

4.Travis Outlaw: is averaging about 13 points a game this year, let's just suppose he averages the same next year. So next year 13 points per game.

.5Martell Webster: averaging about 10 points I expect he will improve next season and average 12-14 points per game.

6.Rudy Fernadez: I have no idea what he going to do next year, but I assume he'll play and score a few points: random guess 8 points per game.

The Power of math

Points a game next year
B.Roy: 20
LMA: 20
GO: 10
Travis: 13
Martell: 13
Rudy: 8

Total: 81

Conlusion so far: We don't really need another player that can score. If you consider that the blazers can use only 6 players and reach 81 points plus add in the other players on the team that will be playing we don't need another scorer. I don't think we not another star.

What we do need.

1.A slight improvement on Steve Blake. I would like this unnamed player to be a bit quicker than Steve, play better defense and have a better percentage three point shot if at all possible.

Why I don't think we need a starting SF: I think that one of three things will eventually happen.
1.Roy and Rudy will be starting together, but Roy won't be the point guard. I.E. Rudy at SF
2.Martell will continue to develop into our starting SF, improved defense and more consistency.
3.Travis Outlaw will be the starting SF, improved defense, range and consistency.

The Real Conclusion: I think the Blazers truly only have one piece left to find and that player will not be a all-star point guard, but a smart, veteran capable a running the team efficiently.

Now a couple question:

1.Is the point guard I talk of Calderon or Harris
2.Am I just completely wrong

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Comments

We don't need an All-Star point guard

But it wouldn't hurt to have one right? Regardless, I think as long as the point guard can play tight defense on quick and on physical point guards, we're in good hands. Harris definitely comes into mind.

A low-post threat would be sweet, also.

by Eventine on Apr 5, 2008 6:03 PM PDT reply actions

Not Calderon...

Well, if two of your three criteria are quicker and better defense, Calderon is probably not your answer. That being said, Calderon is a far better facilitator and creator than Blake, and his shot is more consistent (but then again, I don't really have a problem with Blake's shooting this season).

Harris would seem to be a better fit if those are your criteria (although he is probably not as good of shooter as Blake yet).

by The Graduate on Apr 5, 2008 6:06 PM PDT reply actions

those were my thought exaclty

but I decided to through the names out there because they seem the most popular her on BEDGE

i of course would enjoy any other suggestions

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by Zaron5551 on Apr 5, 2008 6:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Despite his shooting flaws

Harris an awesome slasher. I'd take that over Blake's shooting, considering the Blazers' need for inside scoring.

by Eventine on Apr 5, 2008 6:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Agreed...

Harris certainly can get to the hole and finish at the rim, and I do see Harris/Blake as being a nice platoon and would complement each other nicely.

by The Graduate on Apr 5, 2008 6:11 PM PDT up reply actions

Draft Freddy Krueger!

I'm tominhawaii and I approved this message.

by tominhawaii on Apr 5, 2008 6:18 PM PDT up reply actions

Can you even imagine

how incredibly excited Jay Bilas would get talking about his length? "Strengths: can steal the ball from you from ninety feet away. Must improve: not being a psychotic serial killer. Teams willing to gamble on character may take a flier in the late lottery."

by BlazersOrBust on Apr 7, 2008 9:46 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm Feelin' Ya

But I think it is Jack. In the off season, he'll work on not stepping out of bounds, and that alone will get rid of five turnovers a game. After that, the best thing to do is draft Tyler Hansbrough!

I'm tominhawaii and I approved this message.

by tominhawaii on Apr 5, 2008 6:16 PM PDT reply actions

Jack also needs to work on his defense

Or is that asking for too much?

by Eventine on Apr 5, 2008 6:56 PM PDT up reply actions

My problem with Jack

is his lapses. He'll do well, and then he'll just miff it at critical times, no matter what he's doing. It's like he loses focus or something.

by ranma on Apr 5, 2008 8:07 PM PDT up reply actions

yes it is

asking Jarrett Jack to play defense is like asking him to run a fast break. Jarrett Jack ...sorry bro... adios

Whether you like it, or you don't like it, learn to love it, because it's the best thing going today.-- Ric Flair

by bow4meow on Apr 5, 2008 8:58 PM PDT up reply actions

My favorite example

of how talking heads on ESPN, despite being "experts", don't know as much about individual teams as the fans of those teams do involves Jack's defense. When Hollinger did his preseason preview of the Blazers and talking about all the good young talent we have, he said that Jack has "All-Defense potential at the point guard spot" and I nearly cried from laughing. All-Matador potential, perhaps. I like Jack for trying hard but he's the odd man out, just like you said.

by BlazersOrBust on Apr 7, 2008 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions

Ok

By your words LMA, Roy, and Webster, will average of total 5 more point next season. And you said Oden will average 10 points, thats 5 more than Thrilla. So thats 10 more points next year for our starters, not including the point guard position. I looked at our loses this year, and we have 17 loses 9 point or less. So next year at this point of the year should be something like 55-21. I did not count the 10 poit loses, where we would go to over time.

by RipCity on Apr 5, 2008 7:37 PM PDT reply actions

sorry

I said out record should be at least 55-21 next year.

by RipCity on Apr 5, 2008 7:38 PM PDT up reply actions

i'll take the under

55 is a pretty lofty goal for this team.

by Philthyanimal on Apr 6, 2008 12:06 AM PDT up reply actions

You can't just add another scorer

and expect everyone else to continue scoring as much or more than they are now. If one of the players on a team starts taking more shots, then there will be fewer opportunities for the other players to score. Even if all of the players improve next year, that doesn't necessarily mean that we can expect each of them to score more points.

by trk on Apr 6, 2008 6:45 PM PDT up reply actions

I was not my idea

talk to Zaron5551.

by RipCity on Apr 6, 2008 11:15 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm thinking...

That we're going to take one of those point guards coming in the draft if we end up at 13. Lots of good ones. We might try for the top tier and get the Memphis guy but we'll probably just take the best pg available. Course that leaves us with a lot of point guards. if there's a monster PF in there or a real stud sf we'll go for him but I'm guessing point.

The 4 2nd round picks are going to go to recent ducks and over seas potential guys we can sit on or they'll be traded to memphis in whatever package KP sets up to steal their early pick and or a point guard.

I'm blathering.

I hope we keep this team basically intact with one or two additions. By midway through next year we'll know about what we've got and what we need.

by T REX on Apr 5, 2008 8:15 PM PDT reply actions

Basketball

is not just about stats and averages.

And Roy plays best as a SG playing off the ball.

by raging WebTed on Apr 5, 2008 8:35 PM PDT reply actions

Really?

I have to disagree with this. Brandon plays best with the ball in his hands. Have you noticed during the few times he's played with Sergio he disappears? When Brandon dominates the ball he is one of the best facilitators/scorers in basketball.

by Dheepan on Apr 5, 2008 9:17 PM PDT up reply actions

+1

I agree with ya man...Brandon is awesome with the ball, but it does take a lot of energy for him to sustain that pace for 40+ mins a game. That's why he saves it for the 4th to take over.

by Philthyanimal on Apr 6, 2008 12:07 AM PDT up reply actions

Defensive Stopper

We need an on the ball defensive stopper, somebody that can prevent dribble penetration. I am not worried about scoring, but if we had an defensive minded player who is between 6'3" to 6'7" we could rotate them to the key player on the other team.

by lonevoiceofreason on Apr 5, 2008 8:43 PM PDT reply actions

Not really worried about this

Trout and Martell want to stay on this team. Nate and KP both want that defensive stopper, I'm sure both of these guys are working to reach this goal. Do you remember how Travis was talking about defending Kobe and Tmac? Martell is also developing into a pretty decent defender as well.

One dimensional players, the defenders, the spot up 3pt shooters can be had for cheap. If Martell and Travis can't do it, we can use the draft.

by Dheepan on Apr 5, 2008 9:08 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm going to have to disagree with that

Well partially. I do think there are a reasonable amount of players in the league who can defend and shoot jump shots. What there isn't is a lot of guys in this draft who are lock down defenders that can shoot upwards of 40per from nba three point range.

I would love to see Martel fill in this role and I think he could really be the defender that we need. Hopefully he just needs a little more expierience on how to matchup night in and night out on the best wing players in the league.

It's either that or we pay Marion 20mil a season.

Change We Believe In

by KPin2008 on Apr 5, 2008 9:41 PM PDT up reply actions

True

Maybe not this draft. But I'm going to stand by my point, guys that lack potential are players that are easy to get.

For example DeShawn Stevenson(great defender) was picked up by the Wizards for only 700k after Jared Jeffries (better defender, horrendous shooter) was lost to the Knicks in free agency. Ime Udoka got on the Spurs roster for what 2mil a year? Deavan George was picked up on the Dallas roster for pennies, Rick Fox etc, etc.

And yeah I agree Martell is going to be a good player for us.

by Dheepan on Apr 5, 2008 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Shine On You Crazy Diamond

I understand and agree that a team doesn't need 4-5 All-Stars, or All-Stars at all positions to be succesful.

However I would have no problem with The Blazers obtaining Derrick Rose, Chris Paul or a Deron Williams.

Your observations and figures are accurate, but don't factor in a crucial element. I call this element the $hit Happens element. Basically it's the idea that because $hit Happens you cannot have too many assets.

Chemistry is important, balance is important, you need players that know their roles BUT the horrible truth is Brandon Roys have heels, Odens have Knees....$hit Happens.

Give me talent that can get along, but I'm never going to look for excuses why I don't want more talent.

Do we NEED an All-Star PG...probably not if $hit doesn't happen...but sorry it does.

"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"

by Krang on Apr 5, 2008 10:41 PM PDT reply actions

I agree

and i definitely support pretty much anything we do that allows us to get any of those players.

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by Zaron5551 on Apr 6, 2008 12:05 AM PDT up reply actions

Russell Westbrook

Is a step up from Jack and maybe Blake. Could be had for almost nothing. Boston didn't freak out over their pg situation and Rondo ended up doing fine. We need a defensive minded point who can get to the hole not a super star. Rondo would be perfect for us now that I think about it.

by Winchester on Apr 6, 2008 12:34 AM PDT reply actions