Prichard = Genius and other breaking news

by Y5k on Jul 31, 2008 12:00 PM PDT

This is from Hoopsworld:

"Kevin Pritchard is a Frickin' Genius

How long can this guy and his staff keep running circles around the rest of the NBA on Draft night? And is anyone else wondering how exactly Portland ends up with like 7 selections every year?

As many of you who read what's written in this space frequently know, there's been some heated debate recently about whether or not the Blazers will make the playoffs next season. While such banter is still making its rounds around the water cooler, what's really not debatable is that Portland is positioned better than any other team in the Association to be a power for the better part of the next decade.

Of course, now we'll get the chance to find out if Pritchard is as effective at trading for veteran difference-makers as he is at acquiring young talent because this is the kind of move the Blazers will have to make next to ascend to the top of the Western Conference."

I get giddy when I see this stuff, but at the same time, it bother me that we MUST bring in some shaggy old veteran player to get wins, that our team of youngsters is somehow unworthy or unable. I disagree. I would flat out turn away a Vince Carter or Jason Kidd. Old news and someone else's problem. Too much baggage, attitude and salary. And you know what, Lebron isn't our guy either. Call me crazy, and I know you will, but I like him on the other team. I like our Blazers to be Blazers, not a pile of spare parts crazy glued together.

OK, gimme yer best shot. (Then come see me play at Doug fir Aug. 7. I'm flying all the way form NYC to rock one night only with my buds from Loch Lomond, HurtBird and The Standard. All current-roster Trail Blazers get in free! I know, off-topic. I'm ready for the roasting.)

-Mat

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Comments

I would take someone like Kidd

if he wanted to sign for the veteran’s minimum for 2-3 years knowing that he’d play out his career in Portland. Someone who could be a calming influence, would help to teach, and wouldn’t demand major minutes but could if needed. I see that as an ideal addition veteran addition.

by schlick on Jul 31, 2008 12:17 PM PDT reply reply 0 recs

Bad idea

Kidd is an overpriced,over the hill wife beater who would fit in with our guys like a hooker at church picnic.

by southern oregon on Jul 31, 2008 12:26 PM PDT reply reply 0 recs

kidd is a mentor....

they brought him onto the olympic team for his mentoring role…....

we’d have him already, but he thought dallas had a better shot at winning a title than portland so pritchard knixed it

by BroyTheTruth on Aug 1, 2008 3:30 AM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

Link?

"Besides, AnntheFan will be here any minute to #25 you." T Darkstar

by annthefan on Aug 1, 2008 4:45 AM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

yah really

"Doing research= good
Making up things=bad."

---jksnake99

by ptwnblzr on Aug 1, 2008 8:59 AM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

I don't have the link

But I think it was on Truehoop and KP called about getting Kidd last year and Kidd said NFW, then he was traded to Dallas. If you want to look for it, the story came out the day after the Kidd trade. My Laker friend here kept telling me it was a good idea and I kept telling him that we just need a point guard who can get the ball to Oden, Aldridge, and Roy and Kidd would just get in the way of our other guard’s development. He was like most Blazers fans that propose all sorts of trades and just saw the big name and thought he would fit without looking at the big picture, team chemistry, and player development.

by tominhawaii on Aug 1, 2008 1:07 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

i guess that some times gods greatest gifts

are unsuccessful trades

"Doing research= good
Making up things=bad."

---jksnake99

by ptwnblzr on Aug 1, 2008 2:06 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

Hahahhahaaaha!

"Besides, AnntheFan will be here any minute to #25 you." T Darkstar

by annthefan on Aug 1, 2008 2:25 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

Kidd and Vince Carter are vet SUPERSTARS

what we need, IMO, is a vet ROLE PLAYER..much like James Jones.

Leaders build cultures that create self-esteem, generate and sustain trust, elevate the dignity of work , create community and foster open communication, and finally encourage growth and learning.

-Warren Bennis USC Professor

That was a very hard winter,
and it was just like one long night,
with me lying awake, waiting and waiting and waiting
for daybreak.
- Black Elk
1881

by BlazerFan1 on Jul 31, 2008 12:30 PM PDT reply reply 0 recs

Pippen was a superstar

and you add the same Pippen that played for the Blazers to this roster and I would take him any day of the week. An aged superstar and a superstar in their prime are two entirely different things – especially when playing for a ring.

by schlick on Jul 31, 2008 12:34 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

Pippen is the same at Kidd and Carter

I wouldn’t take him. We have a LEADER … Brandon Roy.

Also , why are we talking about a player in theory. I dunno, i understand where you are coming from but Pippen would ultimatly take the rock out of Brandon’s hands in the 4 th QT and this is a bad thing b/c it takes away from Brandon’s productiveness. Plus What is Pippen, like 50 now? Thats f’n ancient at least to me.

Sophia

Leaders build cultures that create self-esteem, generate and sustain trust, elevate the dignity of work , create community and foster open communication, and finally encourage growth and learning.

-Warren Bennis USC Professor

That was a very hard winter,
and it was just like one long night,
with me lying awake, waiting and waiting and waiting
for daybreak.
- Black Elk
1881

by BlazerFan1 on Jul 31, 2008 2:24 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

I think

anyone taking the rock out of Brandon’s hand in the fourth quarter would be lynched by the other blazer players. They know who the man is.

Ford: Bill, you're claiming victory already? Have you had a "Mission Accomplished" banner printed yet?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/columns/story?page=DraftDebate-080624

by ratbastird on Jul 31, 2008 2:26 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

Im sure you just offended someone

with that comment.. :)

Leaders build cultures that create self-esteem, generate and sustain trust, elevate the dignity of work , create community and foster open communication, and finally encourage growth and learning.

-Warren Bennis USC Professor

That was a very hard winter,
and it was just like one long night,
with me lying awake, waiting and waiting and waiting
for daybreak.
- Black Elk
1881

by BlazerFan1 on Jul 31, 2008 2:40 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

"What is Pippen, like 50 now? Thats f’n ancient at least to me."

Speaking on behalf of guys over 50, ouch.

Well, at least my face isn’t bright yellow… :^P

Asked his specialty in the kitchen, Oden paused and said, "Hamburger Helper and tuna fish."

by MiledAnimal on Jul 31, 2008 4:36 PM PDT up reply reply 1 recs

lol

"Doing research= good
Making up things=bad."

---jksnake99

by ptwnblzr on Jul 31, 2008 6:21 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

Oooh, you're sneaky!

Asked his specialty in the kitchen, Oden paused and said, "Hamburger Helper and tuna fish."

by MiledAnimal on Aug 1, 2008 9:28 AM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

your wrong about pippen.....

pippen would play the role he always played….pippen to brand roy’s jordan

by BroyTheTruth on Aug 1, 2008 3:31 AM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

Guess I should have read your comment

Too busy typing away, I pretty much repeated what you said!

If Mike Rice calls Oden "Odom" this season I might have to seriously hurt him

by twiggs on Jul 31, 2008 12:38 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

I already Miss JJ33

Live at Doug Fir Lounge on Aug. 7, 9 pm -- YEAR 5000 -- http://www.myspace.com/y5k

by Y5k on Jul 31, 2008 1:14 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

fer petes sake

we wouldn’t get a grizzled vet because

"our team of youngsters is somehow unworthy or unable"

But because they ARE worthy:
worthy of the best coaches
worthy of the best trainers and
and definitely, absolutely, indubitably
worthy and deserving of the the best on court examples.

that’s how i see it.
when i want to excel I look for guidance for those who have experience.

Cheers, A

by holder on Jul 31, 2008 12:31 PM PDT reply reply 0 recs

You know the guy I wouldn't mind having right now?

Steve Nash

We need a distributor who can make our guys better, but one who can still score if he wants to. He has to be able to shoot the three and be able to execute and defend the pick and roll. It’d be nice if he could push the pace when appropriate because we have a young team that can run.

How do we get him? Easy….Phoenix is on the decline. Nash has always been the guy who wants to be on a championship contender. When Dallas couldn’t get it done, he bolted for the Suns. Now they’re in a load of trouble. Nash will want out and the Suns need to revamp (lest they end up like the post-CWebb/Vlade/Bibby Kings) and they sure could use some of the youth that we could offer.

Buy or sell Steve Nash on the Blazers?

Krikey! Kiteboarding is Kewl!

by prezofdeath on Jul 31, 2008 12:34 PM PDT reply reply 0 recs

Steve would be nice ...

Live at Doug Fir Lounge on Aug. 7, 9 pm -- YEAR 5000 -- http://www.myspace.com/y5k

by Y5k on Jul 31, 2008 12:38 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

Steve Nash, you mean the new Sergio Rodriguez? :-)

The Midnight Rambler

by amlmart1 on Jul 31, 2008 1:11 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

he's certainly

just as bad on defense.

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Jul 31, 2008 1:12 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

There ya go...Steve Nash mentors Sergio Rodriguez

and Sergio is 2010 Finals MVP

I can see it now…

Krikey! Kiteboarding is Kewl!

by prezofdeath on Jul 31, 2008 1:29 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

Absolutely

Buy buy buy

Witty Unpredictable Talent and Natural Game

by iDea on Jul 31, 2008 2:10 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

would love nach

he doesnt fit our quote unquote window, but his time hear would be soo perfect. he is unareguably a stand up guy with princibles, first to speak out against the war, unrivaled work ethic and desire, plays with broken nose and tooth. very even kealed, kant think of one time I saw him freekin out on another player, thoe there was the monkey dance that was funny. point is ALL our players would be better for having him in the locker room, this guy is a family man and sooo team oriented, and with nash, sergio would have no choice but to look up to him, then learn from him, That sinario would not hurt my fealings at all. besides I could sooo see this team winning it all with nash on board this year. take 41 and 41 team, insert number 1 draft pick, euro allstar, and nash, omg thats retarde quality.

and nash fit the culture, the question would be who would we lose or be willing to give up for this guy?

"Doing research= good
Making up things=bad."

---jksnake99

by ptwnblzr on Jul 31, 2008 3:03 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

On the Internets

You have these handy-dandy things called “quotation marks” so you don’t have to say “Quote-unquote.” :D

by jamon51 on Aug 1, 2008 12:20 AM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

link?

"Doing research= good
Making up things=bad."

---jksnake99

by ptwnblzr on Aug 1, 2008 9:04 AM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

No Thanks

His bad attitude would not fit our culture.

by tominhawaii on Jul 31, 2008 5:21 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

I don't like it

I don’t think we need a “well known” veteran. I don’t see one guy out there that would “mesh” well with our team. Especially with the Kidd talk. You think he wants to be sitting on the bench? Yeah right! We had our veteran presence with James Jones and THAT is the type of guy we would want or need.

If Mike Rice calls Oden "Odom" this season I might have to seriously hurt him

by twiggs on Jul 31, 2008 12:35 PM PDT reply reply 0 recs

Where did Jones wind up?

by southern oregon on Jul 31, 2008 12:41 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

Miami Heat

If Mike Rice calls Oden "Odom" this season I might have to seriously hurt him

by twiggs on Jul 31, 2008 12:48 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

It matters hugely to have players who've been through

playoff battles on your squad. Hornets were the better team, but LA won last year because the Hornets folded.

Boston was by far the best team in the league, but they got pushed to the limits by the likes of the Hawks because of lack of true playoff experience. For all the regular season games that Allen, KG, and Pierce have played, they hadn’t had much playoff success until last year, and it showed.

by howlingfantods on Jul 31, 2008 12:52 PM PDT reply reply 0 recs

I agree with your point

But LA never played the Hornets in the playoffs. The Hornets played and lost to the Spurs, but your point remains.

Boston sure seemed to gain that playoff experience quickly though, demolishing the Lakers, who had demolished the playoff tested west just the week prior.

I think playoff experience is necessary, but once you know what to expect it’ll come a lot easier. Obviously, our talent could overcome experience, but the more likely reason we start going deep or to the finals is through experience playing in the spring.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jul 31, 2008 5:59 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

LA would of had some serious trouble with The Hornets

LA struggled with the Celtics who ran the pick-and-roll very well in the finals The Hornets are a pick-and-roll team. It would of been very interesting.

Gimmicks don't make dynasties

by WarEaglePDX on Jul 31, 2008 6:48 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

So are the Spurs

I thought Duncan would beast up the Lakers creamy soft middle in the WCF, but while Duncan was same as always it wasn’t as dramatic as I hoped it would be.

The Hornets pick and pop a lot, with West taking his 18-foot-Assassin shot, and that’s easier for Gasol to guard than a banging post player, and Odom can stick with West as well. Chandler only needs to be boxed out and prevented from grabbing alley-oops and has zero post moves to defend against. Gasol wouldn’t be tested enough there as well.

I think it would have been a more entertaining series, but with how the Lakers handled the Spurs (who also pick n’ roll to death) I’d assume the Lakers would win that series as well.

Unfortunately :-(

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jul 31, 2008 7:00 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

Yeah sorry, I stated that badly.

I know spurs beat hornets, I meant LA came out of the west instead of the hornets who I thought the best team in the west mostly because of experience.

by howlingfantods on Jul 31, 2008 7:47 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

I doubt that teh Blazers will trade for anyone

older than about 28 years old, unless it’s an absolute bargain basement steal. They want to vet to get them to and through the window, not someone to keel over just as things get interesting.

by raoulduke on Jul 31, 2008 12:53 PM PDT reply reply 0 recs

KP defines veteran a little different than most guys

Not that he wouldn’t be interested in finding a nice older role player a la JJ33, Posey, etc. to come off the bench and provide some playoff experience. Or a “middle-aged/experienced” player a la his efforts to get into the Dallas – NJ deal and land Devin Harris. But he is also on record saying that he would be interested in acquiring a “veteran” who is still in his rookie contract right now.

That might be – pure speculation – somebody like Granger, Gay, Felton, Farmar, Conley, McCants, Warrick, (could have been Deng until this week), ...
There are definitely some nice targets out there, and KP is taking aim ;-)

Odenied: Coach, I promise I wasn't running hard ...

by Norsktroll on Jul 31, 2008 2:01 PM PDT reply reply 0 recs

Only Granger on that list is worthy

Maybe Conley I guess, but he’s still a ways away from being a playoff-caliber starting PG.

I like me some Danny Granger though. He’s got defense, shooting, unselfish, handsome, everything we could dream of.

Farmar is a goof, Gay has no defense, Felton is a tubby volume shooter who can’t shoot, McCants has an awful attitude and is an undersized shooting guard ballhog, and Warrick had a decent season 2 seasons ago but won’t likely be happy being a backup for forever and a day (he’s a PF).

Granger would fit us perfect, so I’m with ya all the way.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jul 31, 2008 6:02 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

I'm a super big Granger fan

I think hes the perfect fit for the Blazers and I would trade alot of current Blazers for him. Him and Devin Harris are really really high on my hope-we-get list.

Gimmicks don't make dynasties

by WarEaglePDX on Jul 31, 2008 6:50 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

"handsome?"

Live at Doug Fir Lounge on Aug. 7, 9 pm -- YEAR 5000 -- http://www.myspace.com/y5k

by Y5k on Aug 1, 2008 6:07 AM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

you know it

Beaver believer!

by mannyfresh1 on Aug 1, 2008 10:26 AM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

link?

Jerryd Bayless has two emotions: Kill and Win.

"I think it’s going to be very beautiful game next year."
-Nicolas Batum

by rockingharder on Aug 1, 2008 11:18 AM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

One definition of the word handsome is

large so the appellation works in the case of most NBA players.

"Besides, AnntheFan will be here any minute to #25 you." T Darkstar

by annthefan on Aug 1, 2008 1:36 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

KP has

What they call a target rich environment.

by southern oregon on Jul 31, 2008 2:10 PM PDT reply reply 0 recs

KP doesn't have to trade for anyone

but he could opt to trade. Otherwise we could just signa player next summer or wait and trade after next summer. The beauty of this detail is that the 2010 crop of free agents is when most of the superstars will be on the market and 2009 is a littel less attractive. As a result most teams are vying for cap space in the summer of 2010. Whereas we will have capspace in 2009, which lets us choose to buy when most teams are trying to be frugal for the next summer (ie we have fewer people to bid against). And if we choose not to buy in the summer of 2009 we will have cap space until the trade deadline to trade into one of the players that are apt to leave in free agency in 2010. In which case, we then have the right tio offer more than anyone else to resign that player and still re-up Roy and Lma.

Versatility, no other GM has as much as KP.

by NWfan on Jul 31, 2008 2:36 PM PDT reply reply 0 recs

Tear up the mold

We constantly seem to be trying to fit the players on the Blazers into the mold of other successful teams. This may be a natural reaction but if you accept that Kevin Pritchard is a genius or at least has better vision than most GMs than it is not a stretch to also accept that Coach Nate and KP have a plan for this team that will establish a new standard for the league.

There is a unique confluence with this organization that allows for flexibility that goes beyond history and beyond established patterns. I think perhaps this plan can create a new order in the league that changes what has worked in the past. Much as Phoenix redefined what offense can be in the NBA over that past 5 years Portland can define what a team can be over the next 5 years. Multi-dimensional players who are committed to team play, defense and domination can and perhaps will create nightmares for other teams. Rather than talk about traditional point guards or 20 and 10 players we might be talking about 10 players in double figures scoring and five players with double figure rebounds. If each player can go maximum effort while in the game we might not need 38 minutes a game average for any player but closer to 25 minutes more a number of players. The point in that no two games will look alike. Coach Nate can change the game according to his game plan with different combination of players and different substitution patterns the advance preparation by other teams will be at a disadvantage and essentially be uncertain and inefficient.

The USA Basketball team has the depth we are talking about and used just such a substitution pattern against Canada. To a smaller degree this same concept should be evident over the next season.

Aldridge said. "We feel like we can beat any team. We feel like we can beat the Spurs, Suns, Lakers, Mavericks, whoever any night right now, and we'll still be here when those teams get old and their guys retire. We're going to be here for a long time."

by lee3022 on Jul 31, 2008 4:31 PM PDT reply reply 5 recs

Recced

The specifics are a little off, you won’t have 10 guys scoring double figures, but you might get 8, and it might not be the same 8 every night. You won’t have five guys with double figures in rebounding (that’s 50 rebounds!), but you might get five averaging 7 or more.

With the talent we have, there should be a lot of blowouts in years to come. You don’t play your all-stars the entire first three quarters, and you don’t play them in the fourth quarter of a blowout. So you may see a lot of games where their minutes are under 30. And if Rudy is going insane, you just might not see Brandon come back in the game except to give Rudy a rest….

Other people don't have as much practice at being wrong as I do -- HT, timbo

by jscot on Aug 1, 2008 2:14 AM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

Wow - my very first green!

Thanks friends

by lee3022 on Aug 1, 2008 3:30 AM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

no

thank you

"Doing research= good
Making up things=bad."

---jksnake99

by ptwnblzr on Aug 1, 2008 9:03 AM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

Dude, U hit it on the head.

This is exactly what I have been trying to articulate for I don’t know how long.
I agree completely and think this “team” play could go a long way.
Scrap the individual stats and play to win games, not “Fantasy” games.

Live at Doug Fir Lounge on Aug. 7, 9 pm -- YEAR 5000 -- http://www.myspace.com/y5k

by Y5k on Aug 1, 2008 6:21 AM PDT up reply reply 0 recs