Surrounding Roy and Hedo with...shooters? (w/poll)

by two4larue on Jul 1, 2009 10:53 PM PDT

I know most of you are still in denial about Turk but I'm hearing that KP is serious about bringing Hedo onboard and that's got me thinking about the makeup of the roster. With Brandon and Hedo handling the rock, what kind of PG does Portland really need?

Answer: someone who can shoot 3 pointers. Like Steve Blake

This also made me think about the pre-draft talk re: Steph Curry. Maybe the Blazers had made their minds up about going hard after Turk this week, and were already thinking about "what kind" of players they needed to surround Roy and Hedo with, which made Curry a priority target?

We know that Rudy, Blake and Martell (assuming his foot's OK) will help space the court and knock down treys. Bayless? Not so much. Outlaw is likely heading out the door. Maybe a deal including Travis and Jerryd is in order, but not for the kind of PG that we've all been thinking about. Not for "another" player who needs the ball in his hands to be successful (because with Roy and Hedo, we've got two "creators" and that's almost "too many"--after all, there's only one b-ball) The Blazers could be thinking that they need another veteran PG who can defend and shoot it well, from distance.

Note: I don't think Kirk Hinrich will be available, now that Gordon's a Piston. So we'll have to look elsewhere.

Which PGs shot the best 3pt% last year?

Jameer Nelson

Eddie House

DJ Augustin

Steve Nash

Mo WIlliams

Steve Blake

Keyon Dooling

I'm going out on a limb and saying that Portland is going to be more interested in acquiring someone like Eddie House or Keyon Dooling than they are at bringing in another PG who needs the ball in his hands all the time.

Poll

Who's with me?

The Blazers will add another 3-point shooter, probably at PG

18 votes

They'll just keep Bayless, and hope Jerryd improves his shot

72 votes

They're still interested in Hinrich, and will overpay to get Kirk

25 votes

Nah, they're going to bring in a PG who can't shoot straight, like Sessions

10 votes

Devin Harris! Devin Harris!! Devin Harris!!!

69 votes

194 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 31 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

i wish

we could get hinrich

by Blogaholic on Jul 1, 2009 11:02 PM PDT reply actions

I dont buy that he is off the market

There was an article (one that I cannot find right now) about how Hinrich’s status with the Bulls was unaffected by what happens with Gordon.

Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.

I will talk about DeJuan Blair no more forever

by jonestr on Jul 2, 2009 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions

The asking price just went up

If Gordon had been resigned by the Bulls they’d be looking to move Kirk, without question

Now that Ben’s in Mo-town there isn’t as much “motivation” to move Cap’n Kirk. Chicago has minutes and a role for him. Would they listen to offers? Sure. Are they shopping him around? Not sure why they really need to.

Would an Outlaw-Blake for Hinrich deal get the job done? If Gordon was still on the Bull’s roster, for sure.

Now, it’s more of a gray area. I’m not sure they have much interest in Steve/Trav as players, but they may want to gain the combined 7.6 mil salary “relief” by getting out from under Kirk’s contract, then letting the Blake/Outlaw contracts expire, next July

by two4larue on Jul 2, 2009 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions

It might take a 3rd team now

but if you could offer them competent front court help, or the ability to get that in the future, then they might be interested.

As it stands they are paying 8+ mil for a guy to be a backup in their strongest position while they still have a pretty big hole in their front court rotation. If they want to be contenders sometime in the future they will definitely need to solve that problem.

Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.

I will talk about DeJuan Blair no more forever

by jonestr on Jul 2, 2009 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Luol Deng's contract is much more of a long-term problem than Hinrich's

But KP can’t help them with that, anymore

by two4larue on Jul 2, 2009 10:11 PM PDT up reply actions

they are both problematic contracts

Hinrich’s is also the more dumpable given that he is not injury prone.

Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.

I will talk about DeJuan Blair no more forever

by jonestr on Jul 2, 2009 11:48 PM PDT up reply actions

I hope KP can somehow think "outside the box" and get DJ at this point, a sick shooter, fits perfectly

by TrentEdwardsHoF2018 on Jul 1, 2009 11:04 PM PDT reply actions

they like DJ last year, during pre-draft workouts

but Larry Brown likes him, more

by two4larue on Jul 1, 2009 11:12 PM PDT up reply actions

he may like batum too

by TrentEdwardsHoF2018 on Jul 1, 2009 11:15 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't think Nic's going anywhere

and I forgot to mention him above in my list of “floor spacers”

Batum falls into the same category as Bayless—they both need to improve their outside shooting. But Nic is a world-class perimeter defender, the only one currently on the Blazer’s roster and that makes him a virtual “keeper”

by two4larue on Jul 1, 2009 11:19 PM PDT up reply actions

Why not start rudy over blake?

He can do everything blake does but better?

But i dont like the idea of more shooters. Why not start bayless. He no longer needs to be a point guard anymore.

LET BREX LOOSE!!!!!

by YikesItsCameron on Jul 1, 2009 11:08 PM PDT reply actions

I think the "point" is

For all of Steve’s shortcomings, he’s going to be even more valuable in the lineup with Roy and Hedo. That 40% shooting from behind the arc makes for a very efficient PG. One of the areas that Blake is weak at (penetration) will be covered by the SF position, once Turk is added to the mix. The only other shortcoming is Steve’s defense, but Rudy’s no improvement in that area

Portland could play a zone with a lineup of Roy-Rudy-Turk-LMA-Joel or Greg, especially against teams with no 3pt shooters (like the 76ers) and they should have success packing the paint. WIll they go with that lineup in crunch time? Remains to be seen

But like with Orlando’s offense, it will pay dividends to have as many deep threats on the court as possible, to open up the middle for Roy and Hedo to penetrate, and for Oden to offensive rebound and attack the rim

by two4larue on Jul 1, 2009 11:27 PM PDT up reply actions

rotation

looks like if we sign Hedo, we have a 9-man rotation of:
Blake
Bayless
Roy
Rudy
Hedo
Batum OR Martell
LMA
Joel

Travis and either Batum or Martell are on the outside looking in at this point, which is a waste of resources.

Clearly, followup move(s) need to be made, preferably in terms of a 3 for 1 or 3 for 2 consolidation deal. We’ve all been speculating about what those might be all day, but at this point I think all we can do is wait and see what it is. But I’ll wager almost anything there will be at least one consolidation move coming post-Hedo
Greg

How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009

by douglast on Jul 1, 2009 11:13 PM PDT reply actions

oops

Greg’s name should be up with the rest, not down below my closing point

How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009

by douglast on Jul 1, 2009 11:14 PM PDT up reply actions

cool

by LaoTzu on Jul 1, 2009 11:37 PM PDT up reply actions

So if Blake is a good PG if Hedo comes to town...

… we gotta get a different PG???

That makes no sense. Blake is good at what he does. I do see us at least trying to play Roy and Rudy at 1/2 part time with Hedo. So a PG is even less critical in this line-up.

Your idea that Bayless becomes expendable is consistent with your analysis. But what if we do change dramatically the way we play? Maybe we go with Miller, and freaking pound the paint like no one’s business.

Miller
Roy
Turk
LMA
Oden

That would be a different starting team, one that plays inside-out with great passers all over the place and good enough shooting to keep the opponent honest. And notice that going this direction is consistent with getting behind Bayless as the PG of the future.

I like being able to show different looks with a roster, so I am still hoping for a penetrating PG who can lead the break and pass the ball as a change from Blake. And I want a classic banger at the 4 off the bench.

by LaoTzu on Jul 1, 2009 11:47 PM PDT reply actions

i agree with you on getting a playmaking PG

but after we sign Hedo, there is pretty much no point to getting a banger off the bench – there aren’t any minutes for him. Hedo will have to absorb all the backup 4 minutes. This is the only way you can find enough PT for Rudy and Batum. I could see a rough rotation somewhat like this (6 minute chunks):

Qtr 1a: Blake/Roy/Hedo/LMA/Greg
Qtr 1b: Bayless/Roy/Rudy/LMA/Joel
Qtr 2a: Blake/Rudy/Batum/Hedo/Joel
Qtr 2b: Roy/Rudy/Hedo/LMA/Greg

Repeat for 2nd half. this breaks down to:
Blake 24,
Bayless 12
Roy 36
Rudy 36
Hedo 36
Batum 12
LMA 36
Greg 24
Joel 24

tweak every up or down a few, because you won’t be doing straight 6 minute stretches. Batum and Bayless should go up 4-8 minutes each while Rudy and Hedo go down abou 4-6 each. Greg should grab an extra 4-6 minutes from Joel, but you get the idea.

How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009

by douglast on Jul 2, 2009 12:05 AM PDT up reply actions

there is pretty much no point to getting a banger off the bench

There’s always room for jello, and there will always be a need for a big man who can bang, especially come playoff time

I’m not talking about Robert Swift, though. Or Steven Hill

Hopefully there will be a veteran PF/C who gets left “out in the cold” at the end of the FA period who KP could bring in for the minimum. Someone with playoff experience would be ideal. He could collect lots of DNP-CD (if he’s activated, at all) but still have some tread left on the tires, in case of emergency.

Kind of like the role Mutumbo played for Houston this year, until Greg leaned on him

by two4larue on Jul 2, 2009 12:22 AM PDT up reply actions

right

I assume will be adding one of those types on a veteran minimum contract no matter what. if not, we are putting our eggs in the Penderham basket. But these aren’t the types of 4s I’ve seen thrown about here constantly – those guys are going to want to actually play.

personally, I might take a chance and throw a minimum contract at Leon Powe and tell him to take all the rehab time he needs.

How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009

by douglast on Jul 2, 2009 12:44 AM PDT up reply actions

Nice Analysis

I see this as a good way to go most nights. Thank you.

But against certain teams on certain nights, you will want a classic PF.

by LaoTzu on Jul 2, 2009 1:30 AM PDT up reply actions

I think you misread my intent

the point I was trying to make was that Steve is a keeper. Bayless is less so, and for a backup (#3) PG one of the attributes to focus on should be that he can really shoot the 3, like House or Dooling

the poll was just to give everybody a place to pick their PG flavor, like Baskin Robins

by two4larue on Jul 2, 2009 12:08 AM PDT up reply actions

If House is available it means he turned down a 3 million dollar option for this season

and if that happens he’d demand a lot more than the veteran minimum which would be all we could offer him since we would have just signed Hedo in your proposal.

by as11osu on Jul 2, 2009 4:10 AM PDT up reply actions

Oh, and with Andre Miller

that makes 3 guys who need the ball…maybe not the best plan to have MIller, Roy and Turk on the floor at the same time?

by two4larue on Jul 2, 2009 12:10 AM PDT up reply actions

As long as they touch the ball and it moves, it works.

If they hold it like Z-Bo, then, no.

No, I didn’t misunderstand you, I just think we could use different flavors on the team, not Blake A and Blake B.

It’s a different way to play, getting Miller and focusing development on Bayless, yes. But it would be a lot harder to shut us down by keying on any one of our players. And that is what I think the Blazers management is going for.

by LaoTzu on Jul 2, 2009 1:35 AM PDT up reply actions

If we sign Hedo... just keep Blake

You can’t have 5 allstars. Blake is a solid, affordable, veteran pg. One big new contract is enough for now.

by levelhed on Jul 2, 2009 12:06 AM PDT reply actions

There needs to be some subtraction before theres anymore addition

thus, I’d go with someone that is an upgrade from what we have right now. Harris or Hinrich would make the most sense. After we signed Hedo, if that comes to fruition, all we’re going to have is the veteran minimum to offer players. You’re not getting much for that. Maybe Tyronn Lue?

by as11osu on Jul 2, 2009 4:05 AM PDT reply actions

if he sign hedo

we have 4 Small forwards.

somethings gotta give, we will have to trade for something

The new GM of the Detroit Pistons
bayless leaves over my dead body
sign mike bibby

by thomasikehara on Jul 2, 2009 7:28 AM PDT reply actions

Like a back up power forward????

I think we are going to be the only team with 5 forwards starting….. oy vey. Where’s Trevor Ariza?? Maybe he would like to join the mix??

by jenstcy on Jul 2, 2009 7:57 AM PDT up reply actions

I see Hedo as make Bayless more useful, not less.

Bayless is a scoring PG. He penetrates at will. Prior to last year he had a rep as a good shooter. If, and underline the if, he finds his shot, Bayless is an excellent compliment to Roy and Hedo.

Hedo takes some of the short term pressure off of Bayless needing to learn to be a distributor, and lets him concentrate on his skills as a scorer.

by upper left corner on Jul 2, 2009 8:23 AM PDT reply actions

I would love to see Devin Harris with Bayless as the back-up although Blake would be fine if NJ wants Bayless to do the deal.

by upper left corner on Jul 2, 2009 8:25 AM PDT up reply actions

so would I

but I’m not sure that KP will make upgrading the PG position as much of a priority after signing Turk. Here’s what Brother Wendell had to say about it

The whole point guard discussion got me thinking. What if this is draft night all over again? Many of us thought – me included – that Portland would pull off something big on draft night. A packaged deal of some sort. We all know how that turned out. Knowing this, maybe Portland isn’t going after an all-in-one point guard after all. Maybe it will be the Blake and Bayless show.

If that is the case, the Blazers should – and hear me out here – utilize their veteran’s minimum on a player along the lines of a free agent like Lindsey Hunter (who has a ring from his days in Detroit), Brevin Knight, Kevin Ollie, or another available journeyman point with tons of experience. Let Blake and Bayless duke it out for the starting job, and fill-in-the-blank veteran can play spot minutes – without complaining about them – and provide leadership and be an extension of Nate McMillan on the floor.

http://beyondthebeat.net/20090702304/2009-articles/july/ben-gordon-done-messed-the-game-up.html

Target “another available journeyman point with tons of experience”…and who can knock down open 3-pointers.

Tyronn Lue, indeed

by two4larue on Jul 2, 2009 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions