Out of the rotation guys & team chemistry (the last 5 slots)

by Mad Matt the Road Warrior on Jun 12, 2009 1:10 PM PDT

How should a team manage it's last five roster slots? 15 active NBA players is too many, but considering that the Blazers like many NBA teams may lose someone that was expected be in the rotation to injury (ref: Miles, Oden, Webster), most team do use all 15 slots.

Obviously, Bayless, was very hungry for minutes - but the fact that the other slots 12-15 had no real expectation of playing time might have helped in keeping disruption minimal. What do you see as an ideal "bottom 5"?

With picks #24, #33, #38, #55, #56 you may be tempted to simply list the your five favorite players coming out of this year's draft class. Feel free to list yours.... But would that be heatlhy to introduce 5 players from the same draft class hungry to "make their mark" in the NBA? Also, is it realistic that the Blazers would be able to trade 4 players for 2, without taking back some baggage and/or upgrading draft picks? For argument sake; let's consider the roster as follows, the Blazers have used: Rodriguez, Blake, Outlaw, and Frye to acquire the best PG available and a backup PF, and maximize their first round pick, and have an infinite # of 2nd round picks.

PG: PG/ Bayless

SG: Roy/ Fernandez

SF: Webster/ Batum

PF: Aldridge/ VET PF

C: Oden/ Przybilla

Let us know your best formula with or without names. For me, last year served as a good template, with each player designated as follows:

11) Bayless (PROSPECT)

12) Diogu/ Ruffin (POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTOR)

13) Randolph (HAPPY TO BE HERE)

14) LaFrentz (VET $ BAGGAGE)

15) Webster (IR)

2009-10

11) PF -Draft using 1st round pick (PROSPECT; i.e Blair)

12) PG - Use highest available 2nd Round pick, possibly someone that could play some SG (POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTOR; ie. Collison, or other "low floor/ceiling" player)

13) C - Give a minimum contract to the best available C (HAPPY TO BE HERE; i.e. Joel Anthony)

14) SF -Designated spot for player we get back with $3M trade exception or salary cap dump (VET $ BAGGAGE - i.e Mark Madsen, although not a SF, and not a particularly burdensome contract)

15) SG - Late 2nd round pick/ D-Leaguer (i.e. Jerel McNeal); should anyone in the playing rotation be in the IR slot here. However, with the versatility of the current roster it's unlikely even with an injury that this player would get time.

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Comments

Dionte Christmas

I like him alot with the 33rd pick. He is deadly from outside and is very smart and knows when to pass. He wont be double teamed or pressured like he was in college so he will have the chance to knock down open jumpers. Kinda reminds me of Michael Redd.
Its great to have somebody who can come in like Christmas because somebody is bound to get injured and Christmas could either play limited mins like Bayless did this season or play a big role if somebody goes down.

I really like making a deal for Thabo Sefelosha from the Thunder also. He is a good defender and could be gotten with the Trade Exception if needed. We could give up next years 1st rounder since we really have our whole team set.

I still really like the idea of Stealing Pops Mensah Bonsu from Toronto who is a RFA and would cost really next to nothing. If you have seen this guy place he is worth taking a look at because he is big and can bang but also run the floor very well. He is extremely explosive and would give us the toughness that Frye cant bring.

For the Happy to be here Center I ilke Adonal Foyle who could step in if needed but can be signed to the Vet minimum and not demand playing time at all. Around the league he is known for being a good character guy and a good influence to younger players in the locker room.

by quezadaz on Jun 12, 2009 10:34 PM PDT reply actions

Nicely done

Everything on your list is reasonable and would help us a lot.

by TheThinWhiteDuke on Jun 13, 2009 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions

Alexis Ajinca

I like him as a project. Drafted in the first round by Charlotte last year. He has great shot blocking skills & a smooth stroke for a 7’1" guy. Could learn a lot from Aldridge & eventually we could turn him into a rotation player that can do a lot of things that Oden can’t. Perhaps down the road, a guy who has the upside to play both backup PF & backup C minutes.(A three post lineup) Not sure what he would cost us.

Offseason:
PG Options: Mike Conley(T)/Rodrigue Beaubois(D)
SG Options: Mickaël Piétrus(T)
PF Options: Ronnie Turiaf(T) - Damion James(D), Taj Gibson(D), Kevin Seraphin(D)
C Options: Alexis Ajinca(T)

The French Invasion !

by TheGreatDane17 on Jun 13, 2009 8:08 AM PDT reply actions

He is good

i actually think he would fit but i wouldnt put him in the rotation just yet. He definetly has the upside to be a good player in the future though

by quezadaz on Jun 13, 2009 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions

Project is the key word here

;)

The French Invasion !

by TheGreatDane17 on Jun 13, 2009 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions

He is possibly the worst young center in the league, and one of the bigger busts of the 2008 draft. Rail thin and no game.

They didn’t even let him start in the D-League, and his FG% while 10% better was still only 47% and he couldn’t average a double double. My prediction is that he will be out of the league when his rookie contract is up, maybe even without picking up his option years (2010-11 and following). Other than being French he has nothing going for him that would entice him to the Blazers. Our #58 pick and 500k is all I would give for him, and that might be too much.

by Norsktroll on Jun 13, 2009 6:18 PM PDT up reply actions

If he doesnt add on weight he will go over to europe

I think that he could become decent if he works hard and gets some muscle

by quezadaz on Jun 13, 2009 7:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Could be. Here is what his coach says

Brown said Ajinca’s lack of weight and strength make it iffy whether he’ll be in the rotation next season.

"Right now, I don’t know (if he’s ready for) the physical part of the game," Brown said. "He has the tools, the skills, but there’s a lot more involved when you’re talking about Lex."

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/bobcats/story/775946.html

Bobcats fans didn’t like Ajinca at all in the limited time he got.

by Norsktroll on Jun 13, 2009 7:44 PM PDT up reply actions

ok i watched a few videos on this guy

For some reason I was assuming he was alot better than that but he didnt look good at all. Im less of a project than this guy is.
First of he does not like 7’2 and he looks like he is going to trip over his own feet

by quezadaz on Jun 13, 2009 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Rodrigue Beaubois

I think he can be a guy who can play the role of defensive stopper as the 2nd PG. He should be ready once Blake’s contract is up, shifting Jerryd into the starting spot(barring any trades). Although I know a lot of San Antonio fans want to trade George Hill & Jacque Vaughn in an attempt to move up, take Beaubois in the first round. Thinking Beaubois defense would compliment Parker nicely.

The French Invasion !

by TheGreatDane17 on Jun 13, 2009 8:13 AM PDT reply actions

We could make a deal with SA

if they want to move up then we could take George Hill off their hands. He is a good player and could potentially be the backup to Bayless or maybe jump ahead of him and start for us in the future

by quezadaz on Jun 13, 2009 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions