SF upgrade

by porterfan30 on Apr 8, 2008 2:45 PM PDT

Marion         p 15.4    r 10.2    a 2.2    e 22.95 30
Lewis        p 18.3    r 5.4    a 2.4    e 17.75 29
J Smith    p 17.1    r 8.3    a 3.4    e 20.76 24
Iguodala    p 20    r 5.4    a 4.7    e 19.94 25
G Wallace    p 19.4    r 6    a 3.5    e 19.10 26
Butler        p 20.7     r 6.8    a 4.8    e 23.09 28
Redd        p 23.3    r 4.5    a 3.5    e 18.83 29
Jo Howard    p 20.3    r 7.1    a 2.2    e 19.35 28
J Richardson    p 21.3    r 5.2    a 3.1    e 18.77 27
M Miller    p 16.5    r 6.7    a 3.4    e 18.22 28
Kirilenko    p 11.1    r 4.8    a 4.1    e 16    27
Deng        p 16.9    r 6.5    a 2.5    e 16.75 23
Odom        p 14.2     r 10.5    a 3.6    e 21.93 29
Granger    p 19    r 5.9    a 2.1    e 18.13 25
R Jefferson    p 22.8    r 4.2    a 2.9    e 18.25 28
Gay        p 20.2    r 6.1    a 1.9    e 18.51 22
Battier        p 9.4     r 5.1    a 2     e 12.83 30
Childress    p 11.9    r 4.8    a 1.5    e 14.61 25
Prince        p 13.6    r 4.8    a 3.4    e 14.43 28
Korver        p 10.1    r 2.3     a 1.3    e 9.21    27
Q Richardson    p 8    r 4.8    a 1.8    e 8.6    28
Dunleavy    p 18.7    r 5.2    a 3.5    e 18.66 28
Turkoglu    p 19.7    r 5.9    a 4.9    e 19.61 29
Kapono    p 7.2    r 1.5    a 0.8    e 5.97 27
Webster    p 10.7    r 3.9    a 1.2    e 9.99    22

There has been a lot of talk about upgrading the PG position. Most would agree that both the pg and sf positions are our weakest. IMO, if we upgrade one we don't necessarily have to upgrade the other. I believe we should not get younger...outside of getting a top 5 pick. So if we were to package some deal of players and picks to get a SF, who and why. I have made a rough list of current SF's. Tell me which you would be interested and which you wouldn't. I have posted points, rebs, assists, effectiveness (NBA.com), and age (It was straight in Micro. word). Obviously salary and likeliness we can get them come into play. I have purposely omitted anyone over 30 (V Carter, etc.), anyone who is no-brainer (LBJ), and head cases (Artest, S Jackson, etc.)

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Comments

Most of these guys aren't that appealing IMO.

A lot of them are pretty much impossible to get without giving up a lot or are just too expensive. Josh Childress's name has been thrown around occasionally as a more obtainable guy. Someone like Kapono wouldn't be worth his contract.

Webster is fine IMO. He would probably be among the least desirable if one ignores age, contract, and etc., but even Webster might become expensive when the time comes to give him another contract.

I don't really think the SF position is something to worry about that much. Even the PG position may not be that problematic next year when there should be an overall talent boost from new players and plain experience.

by poster on Apr 8, 2008 2:59 PM PDT reply actions

I agree... Webster is good enough.

Yeah, Webster isn't killing 3's like we would like him to be, but the dude has come a long way this year in confidence, effort, defense, minutes and rebounding. The best news is that there is still tons of upside.

Like the post said, if we upgrade either the PG or SF we won't have to upgrade the other. Think about how much better Martell could be if we had a real solid playmaker point guard who could drive and dish to Webster on the wing? Roy is great in creating his own shot and helping others get theirs, but Webster was still young this year and hasn't really began to create his own shot. A point man who could help get him involved with the game would give us enough at the stating "3".

by Scotty the Mastermind on Apr 8, 2008 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions

the only two small forwards i'd really like to

have are Rudy Gay and Danny Granger, but I don't think we'll be able to get either so I'm perfectly happy with Martell, Travis and occasionally Rudy/Roy

My Webpage i work when i'm bored

by Zaron5551 on Apr 8, 2008 3:09 PM PDT reply actions

Outlaw

I don't think Travis is a SF. I think his niche will be backing up LMA and being the main scorer on the white squad. That is an important role...you need points off the bench. If Webster pans out than fine... but what if he doesn't?
Smith, Redd, Miller, Deng, Granger, and Gay all interest me.

by porterfan30 on Apr 8, 2008 3:27 PM PDT reply actions

And I'd like to see

Deron Williams, Dwight Howard and Dwayne Wade in Blazer uni's.

About as likely to happen.

by timg56 on Apr 9, 2008 7:59 AM PDT up reply actions

Iguodala, Granger, and Gay ...

are the only guys here who strike me as fitting our need, fitting our culture, AND who are on our time table in terms of age.

Butler, Josh Howard, and Prince are a little older, but I think they would represent an upgrade. BUT they also make a lot of money. They're probably worth it if we could get them, but we probably can't get them.

Nobody else on this list is worth the cost of obtaining or incorporating over a 22 year old Martell or 23 year old Outlaw who both have potential yet to realize.

by bfan on Apr 8, 2008 3:42 PM PDT reply actions

Money is a big issue

Roy, LMA, and Oden will all eventually command a lot of dough. I think the Blazers are having to think budget in filling out the other roster spots. Ultimately, I think Martell will prove adequate @ SF; the greater need is for an upgrade at the starting point guard position. (Blake seems an ideal backup PG.)

I love Jack's toughness and team-orientedness, but he might be the odd man out. As for Sergio, I truly think he'd already be gone if not for his value as Rudy's buddy. Unless Sergio learns to score and defend, I think he'll be gone by '09-'10.

"Ime caught the guy in mid-air with a fist and calmly continued his dispatching of oncoming people." -Gabe Muoneke

by hurryup09 on Apr 8, 2008 3:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Agreement all around ...

... except for the money part. Martell will certainly be adequate at the position for many years to come, so I totally agree the team should look for a PG first. HOWEVER, knowing our owner, if KP finds a way to significantly upgrade the SF position after he addresses the PG slot, I'm sure PA would have no problem paying some tax. He'd pay tax through the nose if we could field all stars at all 5 positions, and still have 6th man of the year Travis + Joel, Blake, and Rudy coming off the bench. Heck, we might have to do just that with teams like New Orleans, Utah, and L.A. all looking like powerhouses for the next several years ...

by bfan on Apr 8, 2008 7:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Gerald walace

G Wallace p 19.4 r 6 a 3.5 e 19.10 26

by raging WebTed on Apr 8, 2008 3:46 PM PDT reply actions

you forgot a really important stat...

6 concussions.

"Competition is a process or variety of habitual behavior that grows out of a habit of mind." -Willard Beecher

by you'vegottomakeyourfreethrows on Apr 8, 2008 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Iguodala would be perfect...

...for this team. He would give us another player, besides Roy, who could create their own shot, a big time scorer and a great defender. I also read somewhere that Philly was reluctant to give him the big deal he was looking for so he was threatening to just sign the one year deal as a restricted free agent and become an UFA next year just when we'll have enough cap room to sign him. They probably wouldn't let him get away, and we might not be willing to give him the kind of money he wants, but it's also possible that he'd be the only big time FA worth the money that we would have to spend next year (assuming N.O. and Utah match offers for Paul and Williams.

by TubbaDubba on Apr 8, 2008 4:30 PM PDT reply actions

I'll take

Martell Webster.

By the 09-10 season, he will be an above average defender at both SF and SG, and will be shooting over 45%, and over 40% on 3 pointers.

His timeline fits ours. He doesn't have to have the ball in his hands to be effective. He's not a great rebounder, but he's decent for the SF position.

I hope KP acquires him. He'd be a good fit with our core players. He fits the culture well, too. Go, KP, go.

I'm frequently right, but always certain

by jscot on Apr 9, 2008 1:00 AM PDT reply actions