RLEC Hangovers, the Blazer brand, and who could have fit the bill

by The Cactus Leaguer on Feb 19, 2009 3:00 PM PST Comment 13 comments

As we all recover from our post-RLEC hangovers, I think that one of the most important aspects of the team’s growth and development has been largely overlooked.

Jason Quick recently wrote an article about Blazers President Larry Miller and his efforts to turn the Blazers into "a global brand", just like he did at Nike (this is a must read article BTW). I believe that this team is being built with the global brand in mind. They want to keep an international flavor (Batum, Rudy, heck maybe even Sergio), and they want to stay away from players who might be headaches (either with their attitudes or with their bloated contracts). Yeah it stinks today when we’re Jonesing for Gerald Wallace (or Vince Carter or whomever), but we’re doing the right things in the long run, and that’s what matters.

I’m not saying that the focus is EXCLUSIVELY on marketing… in fact, building a consistent, championship-level contender is one of the best ways to build a brand. And we’re doing just that.

In this context, I believe that there were only two players worth pursuing that fit all of the Blazers needs (including the brand):

1. Shane Battier – Clean cut veteran winner from Duke, great outside shooter and defender, doesn’t need the ball to be effective, serviceable contract.

2. Tayshaun Prince – Perfect mentor (especially for Batum), a proven winner, similar qualities (but better) as a player compared to Battier.

That being said, I don’t think either player was available (at least not at a fair price), so KP was better off to stand pat.

What do you think (no gratuitous poll this time, sorry)?

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Comments

agreed. Although I hope there are more options than that.

In an atmosphere where rash decisions seem like they are made all the time – every team is hanging under a bad contract – I’m glad that’s not us – or won’t be us.

Prudence is a virtue that we have for once. Our time will come. Great patience KP.
Restraint is not easy!

by skiptastic on Feb 19, 2009 3:04 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

This has Rubio written all over it.

by raoulduke on Feb 19, 2009 3:29 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Before We Talk About A Global Brand...

let’s take care of the local fans first. I am not personally affected but it bothers
me that my fellow fans in other areas of the region cannot watch the
majority of the games because of the current television deal. This is
something that has gone on for a year and a half and it is ridiculous.

by FeelTheLove on Feb 19, 2009 3:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Think globally

act locally. I can feel the love.

I like whatever metric makes a Blazer look better.

by einman77 on Feb 19, 2009 8:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I thank you for your sanity

I was all over a trade bringing Battier (and maybe carl landry if we could have swung it).

by premthegrem on Feb 19, 2009 3:32 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

We need a Brit and a Finn, I can just feel the groundswell...

by raoulduke on Feb 19, 2009 3:46 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

OK, I'll be the first to say it...

Turkoglu?

Or as someone wrote in another thread, Trukoglu. Is that like Truckasaurus? Now there is some global branding!

MLB2PDX!!! (someday...)

by The Cactus Leaguer on Feb 19, 2009 3:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Battier and Prince are too ugly for a global brand

I’m only half joking

Brandon is one of those quiet assassins. - Chris Paul

by Norsktroll on Feb 19, 2009 3:58 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Hinrich would have fit

And may have been possibly available…

by TimG on Feb 19, 2009 4:13 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Even if Kevin Pritchard had reservations with making a big splash, there should've still been plenty ...

of opportunities for him to use Raef LaFrentz’s heavily insured expiring contract to patch a couple of major holes on the Portland Trail Blazers.

Here, for whatever it’s worth to y’all, is one such example.

FROM INDIANA
C Rasho Nesterovic ($8,400,000)
PF Jeff Foster ($5,500,000)

FROM PORTLAND & TO INDIANA
PF Raef LaFrentz ($12,722,500)

http://www.realgm.com/src_checktrade.php?tradeid=5031655

In one fell swoop, the irrefutable problem with the Portland Trail Blazers’ lack of depth at center and at the lack of defensive fortitude at the backup power forward spot — which was especially exposed during last night’s game — would be solved at little cost with this short-term fix.

Yes, I’d’ve downright jumped for joy if Pritchard had somehow managed to pry Kirk Hinrich and Mike Miller away from their respective teams, but I can kind of envision how the Trail Blazers’ front office may’ve been tentative to swing a deal for those two guys.

I seem to value the perimeter defense that’d’ve been brought by Hinrich — as well as the efficient scoring in the sixth man role that’d’ve been brought by Miller — more than those of whom who run the show. Alas, they’re the guys who get paid to do the job.

by AK1984 on Feb 19, 2009 5:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You take the brand

and I’ll take the playoff run. With a little luck maybe we can have both, but playoffs first, OK. In the meantime we need to get Bayless off the bench to back up Steve. After last I’ve solidified and crystallized as a Sergio hater.

by oregonslee on Feb 19, 2009 6:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs