The Hits Keep Right On Coming: Brandon Bass To Orlando
by Ben. on Jul 10, 2009 10:25 AM PDT
in News
358 comments
According to David Aldridge of NBA.com, Brandon Bass has agreed to play for the Orlando Magic.
The Orlando Magic are trying to keep up in the arms race in the competitive Eastern Conference, agreeing to terms on Friday with free agent forward Brandon Bass on a four-year deal believed to be worth $18 million.
The 23-year-old Bass was one of the most coveted big men in this year's free agency class, having been a valuable role player off the bench for the Mavericks the past two seasons. He played in 81 games for Dallas last year, averaging 8.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in 19 minutes a night. The Mavericks tried to keep him, but Dallas' commitment to Magic free agent center Marcin Gortat to an offer sheet made money scarce. New Orleans, Bass's first team, and Cleveland also were working to sign him.
Portland fans were long interested in the services of Bass, who many believed would provide a physical frontcourt presence off the bench. Earlier this week, Portland was mentioned as a possible destination for Bass however I wrote at the time that I believed Portland's cap space was being used as leverage to drive his price up.
Bass was also later seen by some analysts as a potential backup plan if the team's pursuit of Utah Jazz Restricted Free Agent Paul Millsap fell through. Fail.
To my knowledge, as of this writing the Blazers have still not tendered an offer sheet to Millsap.
-- Ben (benjamin.golliver@gmail.com)
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damn
time to rethink some stuff
"Tough times don't last. Tough people do."
-Chauncey Billups
by Kelsoballa on Jul 10, 2009 10:26 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
me neither
but I hate my job so this is the best form of emtertainment I can get at work
Actually I do care
"Tough times don't last. Tough people do."
-Chauncey Billups
by Kelsoballa on Jul 10, 2009 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Someone needs to put up a poll that says: Are you wasting time at work right now?
by Escrote on Jul 10, 2009 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am.
It’s really a good thing, though, because my lack of productivity leaves more work to do. If enough people do that, they’d have to hire additional employees. Just doin’ my part.
by Benjamanic on Jul 10, 2009 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ha!
“Ask not what your country to do for you…:
by stonecoach on Jul 10, 2009 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
allow me to express my concerns....
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OLP is the best thing Canada has given the world outside of maple syrup
by SuperDave on Jul 10, 2009 10:26 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Thank God!
Tired of Portland chasing a bunch of average ability free agents who want $7-10 mil. a year over 5 years.
Message to the free agent class of 2009: LICK IT!
Darius Miles Tribute Vid
Treat people well because Karma can hit you at any second.
by Net Ranger on Jul 10, 2009 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If I was KP
I’d be sending that offer sheet in for Millsap ASAP.
Yes! Yes! In the face!
by LeafHawk on Jul 10, 2009 10:27 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Why?
Did you really think a backup to LaM was huge need going into FA? I didn’t.
by homersolo on Jul 10, 2009 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not so much about this year as it is about the future
"Tough times don't last. Tough people do."
-Chauncey Billups
by Kelsoballa on Jul 10, 2009 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
What do you mean? Everyone knew the two biggest needs were PG and banger PF to back up LMA...
by Spider99 on Jul 10, 2009 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Really?
I thought our two biggest needs were PG and improving SF. Plus, didn’t we draft a back-up for LA? Thirdly, we’ve played Pryz and Oden at the same time, thereby making it so we have a quasi backup PF.
by homersolo on Jul 10, 2009 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Most people here (me included) think we're actually decent at SF.
Batum was excellent for a rookie and there’s definitely reason to think he’s the guy going forward as well.
PG is still an issue, of course, but backup PF was an important get as well. We don’t really know what we have with Pendergraph yet. He may be the kinda guy we can use, but Millsap’s a more sure bet. He rebounds as good as any Blazer, even Greg and Joel. He also is the kind of physical player this team has been lacking. It’s a good fit for the future. Don’t forget, there were those out there that felt Millsap deserved consideration at least for an All-Star game spot. When you can add a player of that caliber at that age, it makes sense to do so.
Yes! Yes! In the face!
by LeafHawk on Jul 10, 2009 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions 3 recs
+1
Batum is going to be a quality piece in the starting 5 for years to come, his biggest plus being the fact Brandon can guard the lesser of the oppositions wings
Team Bayless - The takeover begins in 2009
by blazeraddict on Jul 10, 2009 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Seriously.
Milsap makes sense
Aldridge, Milsap, and Oden would be our frontcourt trio for the next 5 years possibly more. That’s pretty enticing.
"Tough times don't last. Tough people do."
-Chauncey Billups
by Kelsoballa on Jul 10, 2009 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not concerned....
There is NO RUSH to use our cap space. This free agent class didn’t wet my whistle in the least. Hell, we can wait until the trade deadline (can’t we?). Our team is good. Very good. 58 wins good. Without doing a damn thing. Let’s not jump off the deep end here.
by homersolo on Jul 10, 2009 10:29 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
And a lot of those wins were close victories that may not be there for us next year. If we stay the same, I doubt we win 50 games
"Tough times don't last. Tough people do."
-Chauncey Billups
by Kelsoballa on Jul 10, 2009 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
54 wins...
We only won 54 games last year, not 58. 54 is ok. It’s nothing amazing. Had the west not been killed by injuries, I doubt we would have won 50.
by DC Blazer on Jul 10, 2009 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know we only won 54 last year...
But we will be good enought to win 58 this year. Without Bass.
by homersolo on Jul 10, 2009 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hope you're right
I think we might step back this year before surging in 2010-2011.
by DC Blazer on Jul 10, 2009 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
with a playing rotation close to last year..
how would we be taking a step back with 4 rookies last year all likely to improve on their game and help the team out more?
by NEPBlazer4life on Jul 10, 2009 10:55 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Agreed. If we do nothing we will improve
But, I also agree that if other teams are healthy, the final number of wins may be the same. Really depends on how much our rooks have improved.
by TrailBlazer4Life on Jul 10, 2009 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think we could win fewer games / finish lower in the conference.
I didn’t mean to imply that the team will not improve. Simply that our improvement will less significant then that of some of our rivals.
I fear growing pains may set in next year. While our players should improve, team chemistry may falter. The addition of Martel could be rough. What if he plays well and deserves serious minutes? Somebody is going to lose minutes. Also, guys like Rudy and Batum may very well expect more minutes, shots, and attention now that they are no longer rookies. Where will those opportunities come from? Rudy has said on multiple occasions that he was happy with his role last year because he thought it was fair for his first season. I think he expects more this year. Batum likely feels similarly. Bayless too.
Now, none of those potential problems may materialize. My point is simply that individual improvement on the part of our young players will not necessarily produce a better result (regardless of what you think of the arms race in among the upper half of the league). As players improve, their expectations for minutes, shots, and respect will increase. We’re close to having too many deserving players on our roster. If they all improve, something has to give. That’s not a bad thing in the long-run, but it may create some growing pains.
by DC Blazer on Jul 10, 2009 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We were part of the injuries, duh.
You think we might have had a few more wins if we had Oden all season and a little Webster? What other WC had more significant injuries than us?
by superfly05 on Jul 10, 2009 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
San Antonio for sure...
Arguably Houston (though they clearly played very well without T-Mac), New Orleans, and LA.
Obviously, the Blazers had injuries too. I’m just saying, with all the injuries last year, I think it was a little hard to judge the weight of the final records.
by DC Blazer on Jul 10, 2009 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m currently gay for Milsap so this is almost ok for me. I feel like it’s just going to put further pressure on management to send that contract to ’Sap.
by Sargent on Jul 10, 2009 10:30 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
OK
Then I’m gay for Millsap too. I think I’m gay for most of the Blazers. Heck, I might just change my orientation all together. Thanks Sarg…but how will my parents take it?
by 3pointer on Jul 10, 2009 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's not a choice
You were just born for a lust for Joel Pryzbilla. As was I, hopefully they’ll understand.
by Sargent on Jul 10, 2009 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wrong, that is so 80's
when manlust was thought just to be genetic. Nowadays it’s a choice. There’s not a person in the world who couldn’t swing the bat both ways given the right set of circumstances. Folks jump back and forth all the time. Today, it may be BRoy, but tomorrow it’ll be Giselle again.
by 3pointer on Jul 10, 2009 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Very True
I do sometimes have doubts about my love for Rex when i see Kate Beckinsale.
by Sargent on Jul 10, 2009 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kate, oooh.
Now you’ve made my change my swinging stance yet again.
by 3pointer on Jul 10, 2009 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let's not auto assume that Utah won't match. If they do, man this was a crap of an offseason...
by Spider99 on Jul 10, 2009 10:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
That's the thing
We can potentially offer him a contract that Utah can’t match without going over the Cap
by Sargent on Jul 10, 2009 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
who's to say they won't go over?
"Tough times don't last. Tough people do."
-Chauncey Billups
by Kelsoballa on Jul 10, 2009 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah i guess
Just seems that the Utah front office would be too conservative for that.
by Sargent on Jul 10, 2009 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
they will match
and keep trying to move Boozer. they have until Feb to do it. Unless he gets injured again, moving Boozer at the deadline should be easy money as there will be enough teams looking for that last salary shed
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 10, 2009 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
In that scenario, they would still be forced to pay
both Boozer’s and Milsap’s salaries up to the trade, so we’d still be sticking it to them. I would much prefer to stick it to the Grizzlies, but they are always sticking it to themselves so what’s the point? Sticking it to us was the high point of that franchise’s history. I’m rooting for Z-Bo to stick it to them royally the next two years.
by MiledAnimal on Jul 10, 2009 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i I still think throwing teh offer sheet down is a good move
pretty much low risk in doing it at this point – it’s not like we are going to miss out on our next target free agent in the 7 days our cap money is tied up.
the only risk is that in order to actually present him an offer sheet, we have to renounce our excpetions and cap holds and get under the cap, which limits are flexibility after the Jazz match the offer sheet. You are allowed to rescinde the renouncement in the case of a RFA offer being matched by the orignal team, but NOT if rescinding it takes you from below the cap to above the cap, which would be the case here.
Thus, there are two logical reasons we haven’t offered Millsap yet:
1) We don’t really want to (for a variety of reasons already discussed)
2) We don’t want to commit to going irrevocably below the salary cap (thus losing options/flexibilty) on a gamble move that will more than likely get matched by UTah.
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 10, 2009 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good knowledge, douglast.
At least until Storyteller or one of our other cap experts smacks you down.
I’m thinking KP hasn’t made an offer to Milsap yet because one or more of Utah, Chicago, and the Blazers isn’t happy with the proposed three-way deal yet and wants to keep their options open and is hoping for a better deal to emerge.
by MiledAnimal on Jul 10, 2009 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
thanks.... I think?
I do my research on this stuff, and have rarely been smacked down here, other than on minor details.
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 10, 2009 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that you are now
or ever have been a smackee. I was thinking how it seems that every time one of you cap experts or stat geeks states a fact, another one steps forward with a refutation or clarification. Sometimes you guys are like a roomful of supermodels arguing which conditioner is the best.
by MiledAnimal on Jul 10, 2009 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
hehe. no worries
easy to misinterpret internet postings, and I"m probably a bit thin-skined lately.
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 10, 2009 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're on the Internets now, fella. Get tough or die.
When the going gets tough, the tough get blogging.
by MiledAnimal on Jul 10, 2009 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
don't let the suckers blog you down
Without you out there, we're nowhere here
by 22baylor on Jul 10, 2009 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's what everyone seems to be missing.
They cabn’t move Boozer without taking salary back, unless someone HELPS THEM DO THAT.
Who are teams that can basically trade them capspace? No one…no one HAS cap space, and everyone that has it is holding it right now…except PORTLAND.
So, even if we tender an offer and even if Millsap accepts and even if Utah matches, the game is not over. They still NEED what we have to offer (capspace) if they are going to try to move Boozer to clear space, which is the only reason they would want to move him.
Kermit on the inbounds play, inbounds....
BATES at the horn, HE SCORES!! HE SCORES!!!!
And they are all over Billy Ray Bates! My, oh my!!!
by blazer91 on Jul 10, 2009 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
54 wins...
We didn’t win 58 games last year. We only won 54. 54 is good; it’s not amazing.
by DC Blazer on Jul 10, 2009 10:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Context dependent. 54 wins when anything above .500 would have been progress is amazing.
by blacknoiseNW on Jul 10, 2009 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh yeah, I agree, for us it was amazing.
In a vacuum, 54 wins isn’t quite amazing. I think I would set the bar for amazing at about 60 wins.
by DC Blazer on Jul 11, 2009 8:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
so all our eggs are in the milsap basket for a back up PF
and it would appear the Milsap signing is a ploy to push a three team trade where we get Kirk Hinrich. Wow, can’t wait to see how this turns out.
OLP is the best thing Canada has given the world outside of maple syrup
by SuperDave on Jul 10, 2009 10:33 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Captain Kirk
Really wouldn’t mind if we got him as long as he was referred to as Captain at all times.
by Sargent on Jul 10, 2009 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
fitting name- he could be the on-court captain of this team, roy isn't always that vocal
"Tough times don't last. Tough people do."
-Chauncey Billups
by Kelsoballa on Jul 10, 2009 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
4 years, 18 mil?
That’s LESS than we gave Webster with a BROKEN FOOT!
Seriously, this is getting ridiculous.
by Arby on Jul 10, 2009 10:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
when we gave him the deal
his foot was not broken and it was good value
by Falcao on Jul 10, 2009 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Martell Webster signed his contract on Oct 31st, after being diagnosed with a broken foot:
The fourth season of Webster’s new contract, which will kick in next season, is at the Blazers’ option.
Webster was projected to start for the Blazers this season but is expected to miss two months recovering from recent foot surgery.
by Timmay! on Jul 10, 2009 2:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Was not supposed to be out as long as he ended up being out tho
That was the big kicker
Blazers win!
by The X-man on Jul 10, 2009 2:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just drank all my juice.
And now I am staring into a sad, empty cup.
by LaColin on Jul 10, 2009 10:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Your cup is not even half full?
You’re even more of a pessimist than AK1984 or jksnake99.
by MiledAnimal on Jul 10, 2009 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Silly, isn't it?
We got 54 wins with three rookies playing key roles, who are only likely to get better. Our starting SF was out all year. Our franchise center was coming off of microfracture, which usually takes two years to really recover.
And everyone is in a panic because we haven’t made any moves except to free more playing time for one of the top prospects from last year’s draft.
When I rule the world, everyone will know how to use Excel.
by jscot on Jul 10, 2009 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Players make their biggest jump in productivity, as a general rule of thumb, between their first and second years in the NBA.
This young team accomplished 54 wins with four rookies, three major parts of the rotation.
So, as it stands, I’d be fine with not making huge moves. (Though I absolutely love the idea of tendering Millsap).
I would not be okay, however, with keeping Bayless and Batum to low amounts of playing time. Play the young ’uns.
draft the stache
by Cablinasian on Jul 10, 2009 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right on all points
I hope we make Paul an offer, if for no other reason than to mess with Utah.
But this team will be much better next year just by internal improvement.
KP is not okay with keeping Bayless to low amounts of playing time, either. That’s why Sergio was moved.
KP is high on Bayless. The Select Team is high on Bayless. But most Bedgers seem to be in a panic that we need to upgrade the point.
I tend to think that KP knows a little more than me, and if he says that isn’t a priority, I’ll take his word for it. Blake is steady, Bayless is explosive, and we can play a Rudy/Roy backcourt in targeted circumstances.
It wouldn’t hurt us to upgrade the point, but it isn’t a panic situation. It wouldn’t hurt us to upgrade SF, but that also isn’t a panic situation — Martell is hopefully back, Nic ought to improve, and we can go with a three guard lineup at times to get Rudy more playing time.
And backup PF isn’t a panic situation, either. It’s been a weakness for us, but lots of teams go into a season with a 31st pick rookie as one of their backups.
I still expect at least one more move this summer. But if it doesn’t happen, we’ll still be better than last year. Probably 5-6 wins better.
When I rule the world, everyone will know how to use Excel.
by jscot on Jul 10, 2009 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with most of this, but the select team doesn’t really mean much. I mean, Luther Head was on the select team.
I also think that the cap space should be utilized… and it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to actually get Millsap. That would be a nasty minute crunch for a year, but Joel is probably opting out next summer anyway. then we’re left with three good bigs to rotate around… sadly, Utah seems determined to keep Millsap.
I want to see Bayless get 24 minutes per game. Will this happen? I doubt it. Blake is Nate’s security blanket… I have trouble seeing Jerry’d get more minutes than Sergio did last year. That would be disappointing.
draft the stache
by Cablinasian on Jul 10, 2009 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jerryd will at least get
the combination of his minutes and Sergio’s. That’s an improvement.
If he earns more than that, Nate will play him more. Nate would very much like to see some really good D at the point, if Jerryd provides it he’ll get time, especially if he can make a decent percentage of his 3s.
When I rule the world, everyone will know how to use Excel.
by jscot on Jul 10, 2009 2:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sadly my prediction is coming true.
Inability to make a decision that isn’t 100% perfect is leading to no decision at all. Leaving the roster alone as currently constructed with the Trout getting 30 min a game will result in another 1st round playoff exit, at best.
Grow a pair Pritchard. We can’t afford this indecisive, wait for perfection pipe dream anymore. You’ll end up with the freaking Trout as your booby prize.
by Free Bayless on Jul 10, 2009 10:36 AM PDT reply actions 6 recs
I'm amused that you can read into KPs mind
and know all that is wrong.
"Fernandez, to my eyes, is the Blazer who walks that walk most comfortably. A lot of Portland's fans (egged on, dare I say, by their local broadcasters) lament things like how Ron Artest or Yao Ming get to hit Brandon Roy's arms.
But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html
by ratbastird on Jul 10, 2009 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Come in from the rain Eeyore
The only way the team as constituted stays together through the playoffs is if it’s working.
If not, with the capspace and moveable pieces we have (expiring deals for both Outlaw and Blake, I believe), we can be a big player as late as the trading deadline, with more desperate teams trying to shed salary to avoid the tax and/or to get in on the 2010 free agent bonanza.
Patience, my young apprentice.
Kermit on the inbounds play, inbounds....
BATES at the horn, HE SCORES!! HE SCORES!!!!
And they are all over Billy Ray Bates! My, oh my!!!
by blazer91 on Jul 10, 2009 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bass would have looked good in a blazer uni
oh well I guess…
The Bedger formally known as ????????
by Rudiculous on Jul 10, 2009 10:38 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Hey Ben
What is KP’s email address? I’d like to give him a piece of my mind :)
by Arby on Jul 10, 2009 10:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
kevin.pritchard@trailblazers.com
Blazers win!
by The X-man on Jul 10, 2009 10:45 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
no
I mean his real email address. The one that goes right to the blackberry he’s got chained to his hip.
by Arby on Jul 10, 2009 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Which one? Doesn't he have like two or three blackberrys?
Yes! Yes! In the face!
by LeafHawk on Jul 10, 2009 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
the one he checks most frequently, I suppose.
by Arby on Jul 10, 2009 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Doesn't matter. All his email accounts block BEdger email.
by MiledAnimal on Jul 10, 2009 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
clearly the Pritch was not born yesterday.
Without you out there, we're nowhere here
by 22baylor on Jul 10, 2009 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Silver lining
a very reasonable price. Perhaps there will be other deals like this out there… Though I did think Bass was a pretty ideal option as a back-up PF.
by PoliSam on Jul 10, 2009 10:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
There's no unrestricted FA's left now.
by Free Bayless on Jul 10, 2009 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bass
Was not a unrestricted free agent.
by Balian on Jul 10, 2009 10:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, Lamar Odom is still out there.
Odom, however, is all but assured to be retained by the Los Angeles Lakers.
by AK1984 on Jul 10, 2009 5:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dang
Hopefully the Millsap as a FA/Hinrich trade scenarios being talked about worked out, 4 years/18 million is a very good value for young player like Bass. Maybe KP has the perfect move in store, but I think we have just missed on a player that could have added real value to the roster going forward.
Team Bayless - The takeover begins in 2009
by blazeraddict on Jul 10, 2009 10:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Bass was somewhat overhyped. He’s no Paul Millsap. His RB rates tend more toward Channing Frye than Leon Powe and plays mediocre defense. He’s a very effective mid-range shooter, which is nice.
draft the stache
by Cablinasian on Jul 10, 2009 10:44 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
He's not perfect. I agree.
But is he better than Cunningham? We’ve got to take whatever upgrade scraps are left at this point, or get nothing.
by Free Bayless on Jul 10, 2009 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Everyone is sleeping on Dante… he’ll surprise you!
by danielfarrell on Jul 10, 2009 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
way better than Frye overall
was very reasonably priced for a back-up. I think Bass was an above average defender for a back-up PF.
by PoliSam on Jul 10, 2009 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He’s a very good backup PF, that is true. My point was more that people shouldn’t be jumping off bridges because we missed out on him.
draft the stache
by Cablinasian on Jul 10, 2009 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the sequence starting with RLEC is cumulatively driving a lot of people crazy.
In a vacuum, I don’t really care about Brandon Bass. But if we’ve gotten to the point where he’s the best plausible option, and then the Blazers don’t even get him, that sucks.
by Free Bayless on Jul 10, 2009 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bass Is Not The Best Option
You don’t know all the options out there. Only KP knows.
Paul Millsap is a better option. Lamar Odom is a better option. Trading A for B is a better option.
Hell, even standing pat and doing something at the trading deadline is better than signing Brandon Bass.
by Balian on Jul 10, 2009 11:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
But Bass was a cheaper option
if blazer signed bass, they could still be involoved in a three team trade
by axel360 on Jul 10, 2009 11:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You think adding Bass is worse than doing nothing.
By what logic? Who’s minutes will he take that you want to give them to?
I give up.
by Free Bayless on Jul 10, 2009 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, he's just the name that symbolizes back-up options to me
I do dread going into the season with P-Graph and Outlaw as back-up PF, but there are other options.
by PoliSam on Jul 10, 2009 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You know what I'm really looking forward to?
how Kevin “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong” Pritchard is going to spin doctor this whole situ. Not the Brandon Bass thing specifically, but when this magenta hued afterbirth of an off season is over how will he make it seem like his flatus smell like cotton candy.
OLP is the best thing Canada has given the world outside of maple syrup
by SuperDave on Jul 10, 2009 10:45 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Patience Is A Virtue
He does not need to make a move now. The more he waits, the more he gains an advantage.
by Balian on Jul 10, 2009 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
until his leverage goes away
and it will, as Feb approaches and the rival GMs know that he needs to use that 7mil
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Jul 10, 2009 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
but the gamble is that
some of the other GMs need/want to shed salary more than KP needs to spend the money, and thus a deal can be reached.
I guess we just might see how it plays out.
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 10, 2009 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
your post reads like a Gwar song
These are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others. -Groucho Marx
by RDreamer on Jul 10, 2009 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm naming my next band Magenta Hued Afterbirth
Without you out there, we're nowhere here
by 22baylor on Jul 10, 2009 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If the Blazers
are going to jump to an elite team, don’t you think an elite team would have a stud like Milsap coming off the bench? Who would you rather have 2-5 years from now in the playoffs, Milsap coming off the bench or an old Przybilla? Even if there is a jam in the front court this season, we should send that offer to Milsap ASAP. Our frontcourt would be set for a while.
"Tough times don't last. Tough people do."
-Chauncey Billups
by Kelsoballa on Jul 10, 2009 10:45 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Got News For You
They won’t be contending next year, even if they sign Millsap.
by Balian on Jul 10, 2009 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
we got a "half empty" guy among us people
"Tough times don't last. Tough people do."
-Chauncey Billups
by Kelsoballa on Jul 10, 2009 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sure Buddy
You can believe a team that haven’t won a playoff series in eons but will win the NBA title next year. Keep dreaming a good dream while the rest of us stick to reality.
by Balian on Jul 10, 2009 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
ummm
buddy?… I don’t believe I ever mentioned an NBA title in the first place so…. you’re done
"Tough times don't last. Tough people do."
-Chauncey Billups
by Kelsoballa on Jul 10, 2009 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL
What do you think “contending” means? ROFL.
by Balian on Jul 10, 2009 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
But are you really rolling on the floor laughing?
by Sargent on Jul 10, 2009 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
never said contending either
"Tough times don't last. Tough people do."
-Chauncey Billups
by Kelsoballa on Jul 10, 2009 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Okaaay
So you think “elite” and “contending” is not the same. Gotcha.
by Balian on Jul 10, 2009 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Condending means being in the mix
Orlando was a contender last year. Didnt win, and they werent expected to make it to the finals but they did.
The blazers could find similar success in the west, particularly if we improve. The lakers are the only “elite” team in the West at present, and we actaully have pretty good success against them as of late.
We could contend if we solidify PG and PF, and our rookies improve
by TrailBlazer4Life on Jul 10, 2009 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Last time we won the Championship, we'd never even BEEN to the playoffs before
adding good pieces and improvement to our existing talent could be enough to do it. It’s not probable, but not unrealistic, either, to say that adding a new starting PG and a decent backup at the four would be enough.
Kermit on the inbounds play, inbounds....
BATES at the horn, HE SCORES!! HE SCORES!!!!
And they are all over Billy Ray Bates! My, oh my!!!
by blazer91 on Jul 10, 2009 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does Millsap, or the equivalent, come off the bench for LA?
Methinks not.
by blacknoiseNW on Jul 10, 2009 12:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did you think the same thing about Kersey?
Me thinks a trio of LA, Milsap and Oden with a role player like Steven Hill mixed in would be dominant for the next five years
"Tough times don't last. Tough people do."
-Chauncey Billups
by Kelsoballa on Jul 10, 2009 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
RELAX
The Blazers will be fine EVEN if they don’t make a move this summer. KP will have $7-8 million cap space to work with at the trading deadline. With the cap space going down drastically next year, there will be A LOT of desperate teams come February.
by Balian on Jul 10, 2009 10:45 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
And when there isn't the perfect deal available then?
That will be the end of the long line of “wait until x”, and there won’t be anything to show for all this. They had $12M of expiring, insurance-paid contract last deadline and got nothing. Why will this deadline be any different?
by Free Bayless on Jul 10, 2009 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Um
We watch our YOUNG team improves? Perhaps, we don’t even need a trade?
by Balian on Jul 10, 2009 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not every young player develops into an all-star, and some players decline too.
Thinking this roster is complete for a championship run is dilusional.
by Free Bayless on Jul 10, 2009 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
RLEC was more valuable to the Blazers whatever bad contract they could have gotten in return
It’s one thing for San Antonio to go get R. Jefferson, given they had a major need at that position. It’s another thing for the Blazers to take back a bad contract for a position that is not a weakness. We have quantifiable evidence that SF is a position of strength for the Blazers.
Turkoglu, for what it’s worth, would have been a good fit because he is a complementary player with some playmaking ability. Outside of Turk, I’m not sure there is any SF worth spending money on.
Backup PF? That is not what championships are built on. People in here are a bit crazy.
by blacknoiseNW on Jul 10, 2009 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You've got a point
However why not start the season with an improved team? KP has stated on numerous occasions that he doesn’t like to do mid-season trades (as evidenced by the complete lack of mid-season trades during his tenure) and through off the team’s momentum/chemistry/etc.
All the guys that can help us or that we want will not be available at the trade deadline.
by Arby on Jul 10, 2009 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Running out of FA's this summer
WTH is KP waiting for? No sense of urgency even though you have all but two playoff teams in the west improving their rosters. If he and many of the responders from BE are okay with letting this ‘young’ team develop, we will turn into the have-nots of the league. So much for getting PA’s blessing to “Go For It!” What waste of an off-season so far.
Probably karma from a certain email that was distributed throughout the league’s front offices about one DMiles.
by gr8odensravens on Jul 10, 2009 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
and whatever he does will have been his "first choice"
because they werent looking at “just a fit, but a special fit”
by HurricaneDayne on Jul 10, 2009 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
and the special fit
will of course want to be here, which means that people who don’t… well… don’t fit.
"Fernandez, to my eyes, is the Blazer who walks that walk most comfortably. A lot of Portland's fans (egged on, dare I say, by their local broadcasters) lament things like how Ron Artest or Yao Ming get to hit Brandon Roy's arms.
But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html
by ratbastird on Jul 10, 2009 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Purple and Gold
I just couldn’t do it after so many years of spiting them.
by Sargent on Jul 10, 2009 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chris Broussard is “BAFFLED” we aren’t talking about Odom
"Tough times don't last. Tough people do."
-Chauncey Billups
by Kelsoballa on Jul 10, 2009 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
But KP says...
Things are amicable so no worries
by Sargent on Jul 10, 2009 11:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Have you heard a KP interview lately?
He literally doesn’t say anything!
by axel360 on Jul 10, 2009 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
he is the Bill Belichick of basketball GMs
These are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others. -Groucho Marx
by RDreamer on Jul 10, 2009 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
he's not the only one
it never hurts to start a dialogue
as Don Rickles said in Kelly’s Heroes “maybe he’s a capitalist?”
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Jul 10, 2009 12:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
4 years 18 million?
man if blazers could have gotten him for that much and didnt i’ll be angry
by axel360 on Jul 10, 2009 10:54 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
and
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
by TrailBlazer4Life on Jul 10, 2009 10:56 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
We going down hill!!
Oden...Aldridge...Roy.....THE REAL BIG THREE
by CroRupt on Jul 10, 2009 11:03 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
No, Hill is going back to Phoenix or to New York
If you want to trade our spare parts for Devin Harris, I have three quarters I would like to trade for your dollar
by Norsktroll on Jul 10, 2009 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
All This Proves Is
Brandon Bass was never a target of KP.
by Balian on Jul 10, 2009 11:06 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
And that just raises questions as to WHY.
Highly overpay for a guy like Hedo, who, in hindsight, they were desperate to get? Or get a reasonable deal done with a solid backup to LMA.
KP’s disturbing thought processes are starting to show.
by Arby on Jul 10, 2009 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does KP
have any targets? Seems like he was targeting Hedo, and now is hiding in a hole, crying.
Come on KP, we need you bro
by TrailBlazer4Life on Jul 10, 2009 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hedo And Millsap
The only two sure target were Hedo and Millsap. The rest were all fan speculations.
by Balian on Jul 10, 2009 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Trout and Bass can never co-exist
in the same stream. – Elgin
Without you out there, we're nowhere here
by 22baylor on Jul 10, 2009 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
KP is looking for that ever elusive HOME RUN move
Problem is, when you swing for the fences, sometimes you strike out (e.g. Turk), whereas a double or a single would’ve been effective too cuz it moves us closer to home plate.
It appears KP is so focused on that move, he is missing out on all of the smaller moves that would’ve moved us forward as well…
by Spider99 on Jul 10, 2009 11:06 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The mind readers
are plenty at the bedge.
"Fernandez, to my eyes, is the Blazer who walks that walk most comfortably. A lot of Portland's fans (egged on, dare I say, by their local broadcasters) lament things like how Ron Artest or Yao Ming get to hit Brandon Roy's arms.
But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html
by ratbastird on Jul 10, 2009 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
when you swing for the fences, sometimes you strike out
“It just felt right to swing” —Merrill Hess Signs
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Jul 10, 2009 12:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I Also Heard
KP prefers trout over bass.
by Balian on Jul 10, 2009 11:08 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs
But i still think
Trout is more of a 3
by axel360 on Jul 10, 2009 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
he was referring to the fish
not the players
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Jul 10, 2009 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If they don't deal Outlaw by the end of the summer...
his value will be worthless and be no better than what we got for Sergio last month.
by gr8odensravens on Jul 10, 2009 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wait
Am I the only who got the joke? Or at least the only one who replied to the comment that got the joke?
by portlandpete on Jul 10, 2009 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I got the joke
It just isn’t very funny
These are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others. -Groucho Marx
by RDreamer on Jul 10, 2009 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think
it was a red herring.
"Fernandez, to my eyes, is the Blazer who walks that walk most comfortably. A lot of Portland's fans (egged on, dare I say, by their local broadcasters) lament things like how Ron Artest or Yao Ming get to hit Brandon Roy's arms.
But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html
by ratbastird on Jul 10, 2009 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Two Brandon's on the team would have been confusing
GM’s have to take the whole organization into account. KP is just looking out for the team’s play-by-play guys.
by tiesque on Jul 10, 2009 11:09 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Seriously?
I realize we live in a culture that’s all about instant gratification, but get a grip blazer fans.
Everyone here appears to have tunnel vision about the blazers position, as well as the patience of a toddler.
by Pheesh on Jul 10, 2009 11:09 AM PDT reply actions 3 recs
(ignoring you)
even though you’re right
by TrailBlazer4Life on Jul 10, 2009 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
not only that
but everyone here can read minds and foresee the future. It’s pretty neat.
"Fernandez, to my eyes, is the Blazer who walks that walk most comfortably. A lot of Portland's fans (egged on, dare I say, by their local broadcasters) lament things like how Ron Artest or Yao Ming get to hit Brandon Roy's arms.
But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html
by ratbastird on Jul 10, 2009 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't read Tom's mind
It could cause permanent injury. – Elgin
Without you out there, we're nowhere here
by 22baylor on Jul 10, 2009 1:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nay
It could cause permanent injury arousal. – Elgin
J Bay Bay don't play that. J Bay Bay 2010 'Zers starting point guard over B Rex.
by tominhawaii on Jul 10, 2009 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Problem is, we’re still at the starting blocks (same as end of last season), while all the elite teams are making big time moves… we’re getting left in the dust…
by Spider99 on Jul 10, 2009 11:17 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
meh... oh well.
I’m a little stunned that everyone is so sensitive to a few moves not panning out.
The Blazers won 54 games with an extremely young team last year and got some valuable playoff experience (you think they’ll stumble in game 1 again like they did this year? They know what’s at stake now… if Game 1 was a Blazer win, do the Rockets win the series still?).
Point being, this team is still very good as is, and we have every reason to believe that with the further development of LaMarcus (got off slow last year, finished on a tear), Oden, Bayless, and Batum this team can be even better.
I’m not worried, almost slightly grateful that no albatross FA contracts have been signed.
Also, ben, I was “modded” for my stalker/jersey-lint comment. I wasn’t trying to question your character at all, just poking fun over your deep manlove interest of Rex. I thought I worded it in a playful manner; apparently not. My apoligies to you if I hurt your feelings. I didn’t realize that this modding thing would be so (too?) serious, even stripping away playful banter… I’ll try to keep everything I say sterile and PC (yay!).
But I like to be here. Oh, I like it a lot! Said the Cat in the Hat. To the fish in the pot.
by you'vegottomakeyourfreethrows on Jul 10, 2009 11:17 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
actually, there is a lot of that stuff in the JD… and your comment appeared somewhat serious if you didn’t automatically assume it was sarcasm.
draft the stache
by Cablinasian on Jul 10, 2009 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
given the context, ben's lengthy Rex-love history, and the slightly over the top delivery...
I thought I lofted a softball… I mean, lint from a dryer?
Either way, apologies to the masses who were offended.
where’s timbo when you need him?
But I like to be here. Oh, I like it a lot! Said the Cat in the Hat. To the fish in the pot.
by you'vegottomakeyourfreethrows on Jul 10, 2009 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wasn’t personally offended. just saying that someone could have taken it the wrong way.
draft the stache
by Cablinasian on Jul 10, 2009 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
vacation
or attacking PER stat geeks on another blog.
or waging his own personal one man war against everyone at SS&R on why Ron Artest is a bad fit for the Lakers.
"The problem actually is that PER is a extra-long, double high wagon load of horse crap." - timbo (7/3/09)
by tandur on Jul 10, 2009 2:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
54 wins will not be repeated unless we upgrade the roster
This team completely overachieved last season and was brought back to earth in the 1st round against an “okay” playoff team. We would have been steam-rolled by Dallas, Denver, and the L*kers. Do not get complacent. It does not appear there will be any major changes made until (but not likely) the trade deadline. We will see exactly how this team handles itself the first quarter of the year. This year will tell the tale about just how good our ‘current’ squad can play, considering most of our rotation will be experiencing their 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years in the league.
Roy and LA are entering the 4th year (likely maxed out contracts) and FA in 2010 will not be an option for us. Blake/Outlaw will be UFA then, Rudy/Bayless/Batum/Oden/Pryz(I think) will be looking for extensions = no more salary cap space. So, that was my thought in making a move(s) this summer, while we are under the capspace. Lastly, I think it is safe to say that ‘Pritch-slapping’ has been outlawed in all NBA front offices. He will need to build-up good working relationships again.
by gr8odensravens on Jul 10, 2009 11:46 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Honestly, I don't see why hitting 54 or better isn't doable.
In the West, only SA has improved by leaps and bounds. And I’d say Houston was not only a very good playoff team (tough to predict how big of an impact Yao going down was), but they were our kryptonite all year.
Why won’t this team as currently constructed continue to win? Two years ago hitting 41 wins was considered an over achievement as well… maybe this team is actually just really good?
But I like to be here. Oh, I like it a lot! Said the Cat in the Hat. To the fish in the pot.
by you'vegottomakeyourfreethrows on Jul 10, 2009 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
People starting to figure out whats really going on
http://twitter.com/NBA_Rumors_News
""Speculation is that the trailblazers have been letting out false leaks in order to take pressure off them after losing turkoglu,and that the trailblazers were responsible for falsifying the carlos boozer rumor and leaking it to the media"
"Grayg"
-Nate
by OSUBlazerfan on Jul 10, 2009 11:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Kinda shady source though....
"Grayg"
-Nate
by OSUBlazerfan on Jul 10, 2009 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So?
Seems like a useful tool, because the media and fans take everything they hear as truth.
by TrailBlazer4Life on Jul 10, 2009 11:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bass made a very logical decision
I would have been surprised had he not chosen the Magic — he’ll probably be starting on a team that made it to the finals last year. No big shock there.
As for Portland, a lot of folks are starting to freak out for some reason, but I don’t think this offseason as a disaster at all. NBA teams are not fantasy teams. Hedo saved KP from himself. What other moves have we “missed out” on? Hedo? Heck, he saved Pritch from himself.
Settle down, everyone; the only Blazer you can argue has reached his peak is Przybilla. Every single other player will only get better. And next summer we might have a WHOLE bunch of cap space. This year will be fun, but if the management doesn’t make any silly moves, the real playoff runs begin next year and will last for a while.
by game sink on Jul 10, 2009 11:20 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
cap space wont carry over dude as roy and lma's extensions will kick in
by HurricaneDayne on Jul 10, 2009 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ummmm
I would say Blake and Outlaw have peaked as well.
by TrailBlazer4Life on Jul 10, 2009 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No
Generally, NBA players don’t peak until around 30 years old.
by Balian on Jul 10, 2009 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Outlaw has had 3 consecutive years of a ~15 PER.
He doesn’t have a peak. He has a plateau. And he’s reached it.
by Arby on Jul 10, 2009 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
he's 24, played 6 NBA seasons and has stopped noticably improving.
he’s not likely to suddenly start improving again when he hasn’t done so for the last 2+ years.
by jksnake99 on Jul 10, 2009 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I love Blake but has definitely peaked
by Yahooguy on Jul 10, 2009 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry, try again
Blake just had his best season so far this year, and he was playing with two major injuries. He had rotator cuff surgery in the off season, so his shoulder should be close to 100% next season, and he should be free of the hamstring problem. It makes complete sense that healthy, he will have an even better season in 09-10. He will also improve as he teammates improve, because the fact that Oden was not 100%, and left our PG without an option in the paint. Blake may peak this year, but last season was certainly not his peak, unless you think a player peaks while fighting injuries, and in a less than optimal team situation.
by wingzeta on Jul 10, 2009 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We'll see
I’ll be surpised if his numbers improve this season over ‘08-’09. I would say that he was playing above his potential last year and he wont be able to do that again.
by Yahooguy on Jul 10, 2009 2:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
They said that about him last summer, too
That’s two years in a row his numbers have improved, FWIW.
It’s not uncommon for PGs to peak late.
When I rule the world, everyone will know how to use Excel.
by jscot on Jul 10, 2009 11:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
re: Millsap
Hope is not a strategy. Do this thing, offer sheet please.
by tking503 on Jul 10, 2009 11:27 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Orlando, Boston, Cleveland, LA, San Antonio
Portland’s gonna have to do something pretty major to have any chance of being better than those guys the next couple years.
by jksnake99 on Jul 10, 2009 11:28 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The next one or two years, sure.
Boston and San Antonio will be out of contention in a year or two. LA probably won’t be THAT far behind. Orlando and Cleveland have potential to be very good for longer than that. But Portland will be there soon.
Of course this is all assuming the listed teams don’t make any more major moves.
Yes! Yes! In the face!
by LeafHawk on Jul 10, 2009 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fear of San Antonio is irrational
I doubt they’ve done enough to even get home court advantage in the first round. R-Jefferson is highly overrated, and how big of a difference is old-man mcdyess going to make?
"Male sperm swim harder than female sperm."
by BlazerD on Jul 10, 2009 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
if Duncan, Ginobili and Parker are healthy, that team is still really good
Those additions are all they need to be contenders, provided the big 3 is healthy.
by jksnake99 on Jul 10, 2009 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You know what they say...
if you aren’t moving forward, you are falling behind.
by axel360 on Jul 10, 2009 11:30 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Time, time, time, it's on our side.
Our players are moving towards their prime. The players on current contenders are fading away from their prime.
by MiledAnimal on Jul 10, 2009 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
yes it is.
Without you out there, we're nowhere here
by 22baylor on Jul 10, 2009 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hate this day. But for Bass it's probably the right decision
And that lineup will be good: Nelson, Carter, Lewis, Bass, Howard
If you want to trade our spare parts for Devin Harris, I have three quarters I would like to trade for your dollar
by Norsktroll on Jul 10, 2009 11:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
yeah, it makes sense for both Orlando and for Bass
The Big 3 out East will make some very interesting games next year.
by jksnake99 on Jul 10, 2009 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also they got him at a great price, probably not the least thanks to the opportunity of at least as much playing time as in Dallas
If you want to trade our spare parts for Devin Harris, I have three quarters I would like to trade for your dollar
by Norsktroll on Jul 10, 2009 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lewis can finally play his natural position
This is terrific for Orlando.
The Kings have the best bench I’ve seen. There are easily 14 guys on this team good enough for every bench in the league. Now if we could only get some starters, I’d totally jizz in my pants.
Kings fan
by dyshooter182 on Jul 10, 2009 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am running out of patience here. Something needs to happen.
by jksnake99 on Jul 10, 2009 11:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
if nothing happens by the trade deadline, then we can be angry.
draft the stache
by Cablinasian on Jul 10, 2009 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah! Or else Jksnake is gonna call up Jackson and pledge his alligence to the L*kers!
Sorry couldn’t resist :)
PS. why dont we have the use of smiley type things in this comments? Not formatted right for it? Just asking, not important.
by Jaedin on Jul 10, 2009 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
At this point....
I’ve given up on what they are thinking in the Blazer organization. I’m going on vacation for a week starting tonight and will be cut off from the world and Blazer media. If you can call going to Vegas being cut off from the world…yeah, you probably could….
by jenstcy on Jul 10, 2009 11:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Oh I most definitely can
No clocks in casinos. Red bull and vodka induced haze…yep cut off…
by tking503 on Jul 10, 2009 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yawn.
"I'm at the thingamajig talking the yakety-yak" - Kenny Smith
by blzrfan on Jul 10, 2009 11:33 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Why get a guy just to get a guy?
I think KP’s big splash was Hedo, who I think would have been awesome on the offensive end. Bass I would have liked, because he’s a clear backup and relatively cheap, but is a 7 and 4 guy off the bench so impossible to find? Maybe Pendergraph can do that-we’ll see. And who knows if Bass had any desire to play here-how much of a premium should KP pay to entice a backup like Bass to come to Portland? Milsap’s good, but you better be sure you can find enough minutes for him-he knows he’s going to be the starter at PF in Utah within a year or maybe two. How effective would he be here if half his minutes are coming at C or SF?
I think the focus should be on improving PG, where we know Blake is pretty much at his ceiling, and doing something to consolidate all the questionable depth we have at SF-all we have are players who might be the answer there, but are all dogged with questions of injury, inexperience, or inconsistency.
by CT66 on Jul 10, 2009 11:34 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Im starting to think even the Millsap thing
is a fabrication….
no way they give that much money for him. KP is just trying to show that he is trying
Sad
"Grayg"
-Nate
by OSUBlazerfan on Jul 10, 2009 11:34 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
its not the money that makes it appear to be a ploy
it’s the fact that 2-3 days later, they still haven’t officially made him an offer
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 10, 2009 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Same thing with this Bayless thing.....
This Organization has started down the slippery slope of Steve Patterson era
"Grayg"
-Nate
by OSUBlazerfan on Jul 10, 2009 11:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Cap Space Next Year
I read that the cap may be as much as $10M lower next year if the economy stays in the dumper. Darius Miles’ $9M will be off the books and a lot of teams will be staring at a $30M tax bill the following year. Don’t you think that team’s will be panicking at the trade deadline in February? Wouldn’t Chris Paul look good in a Blazer uni? PA would have his own fantasy team to choose from. Instant gratification is a terrible thing sometimes. Patience, fellow Blazer fans, patience.
by Original Blazer Fan on Jul 10, 2009 11:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Ben is really letting KP have it via twitter.
by jksnake99 on Jul 10, 2009 11:37 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Why?
Seriously, Ben even predicted that KP won’t sign Bass.
So why is Ben mad at KP?
by Balian on Jul 10, 2009 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe Ben needs a vaca from all things Blazers...
Lord knows KP’s taking one!! (just kidding)
by jenstcy on Jul 10, 2009 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
uh-oh
if KP doesn’t pick-up a back-up PF or PG this offseason the blazers are going to be a lottery team. it’s that simple.
when you look at the improvement of other teams, the fact that this team had a paltry 54 wins, and the fact that we only had THREE rookies playing significant minutes, things can only go down hill.
the problem that most blazer fans have is they don’t realize that most of our players have peaked. Roy, LMA, Batum, Bayless, these players all have fulfilled their potential and are entering that “4th year slide”, where we seen age begin to takes its toll on the human body.
to be honest, I think at this point a 15-win season would be a HUGE success. it will be an exciting battle with sacramento this year for worst record.
by wackybrak on Jul 10, 2009 11:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Not to mention we have a clueless coach
And a hopeless GM. Face it, our brightest years are behind us.
by GMan83201 on Jul 10, 2009 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I had to read this a second time
I was about to be very confused. Ha, nice sarcasm.
by Sargent on Jul 10, 2009 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That picture
combined with your sig file is completely hilarious! – Elgin
Without you out there, we're nowhere here
by 22baylor on Jul 10, 2009 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Thank you.
Great pic. BE is fun, but the atmosphere is beyond poisonous at times. You’d think it was a site for Sacramento, or another crumbled team instead of a site for the most exciting young team in the NBA, that fumbled it’s way through injuries and all to 54 wins. That’s right, while some think we overachieved, I think we are so talented, we won 54 games without even knowing what we were doing. With some experience, this team can dominate. We don’t need to trade away the team for anyone. People just can’t understand that their is more then one way to build a team. In our case it was through the draft, not free agency. I would like to add Milsap in place of Frye, because we will be a better team with more inside scoring. Beyond that I like our team to win more than 54 games. I don’t believe the West has improved at all. Dallas lost Bass, Phoenix is down for the count, SA is still old and injury ridden. If anything SA has just avoided total collapse, rather than improved. Houston is a shadow of what they were in the playoffs. LA has lost Ariza one of their brightest talents on offense and defense, and patched the hole with Artest, which gives them less dynamic offense and less athletic defense, though more grit to be sure. LA has not improved. It also seems Utah will lose someone Boozer or Milsap, or at least have issues with PT. The Nuggets are the same. NO may be a little better, but not better than the Blazers. The most improved team will be the Clippers, and I’m not too worried about them going too far. With Gortat Dallas may have improved a lot, but since they’ve lost Bass, it may even out. I think we are the team that will improve the most, because we got some experience.
Let’s not forget we blew out SA, LA, and DEN by almost 30pts each to end the regular season. We got psyched out in the playoffs, but that stuff is done guaranteed. The most improved team in the West is the Blazers without changing a thing. Getting more inside scoring gets us a shot at the whole enchilada.
by wingzeta on Jul 10, 2009 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The sky is falling! The sky is falling!
We have to tell the Commissioner! (David “Monkey Ears” Stern)
Blazers win!
by The X-man on Jul 10, 2009 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hear Ike Diogu is still available. He is a banger and had two huge games at the end of the season. I think 2 data points are a trend, right?
If you want to trade our spare parts for Devin Harris, I have three quarters I would like to trade for your dollar
by Norsktroll on Jul 10, 2009 11:43 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Man, KP has whiffed this offseason!
I wonder if he has a bad rep (i.e. perceived as arrogant) among other GMs. He can’t seem to catch a break on any moves and teams seem to want to jerk him around.
It definitely looks like free agents won’t touch Portland with a 10 foot pole. Maybe it’s the travel distances while on the road, the town’s lilly-whiteness, the weather, or the excessive scrutiny that fans put on players since basketball is the only game in town.
Whatever it is, we’re just going to have to cross our fingers and hope our current personnel continue to improve steadily. Absent a good trade, that’s all we’ve got.
by Benjamanic on Jul 10, 2009 11:46 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I think you need to make offers
in order to be rejected.
by BrewDude on Jul 10, 2009 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
5 and 50 for a 0-time Allstar is pretty enticing for said player.
The players KP targeted is a major reason that this off-season is an absolute debacle.
by Benjamanic on Jul 11, 2009 12:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So, by the time Roy/LA have been in the league 6yrs...
then will we be contenders? Pathetic, that is the Dallas Mavs mentality. Portland may not be a large market, but with an owner who has deeps pockets, why not overpay and use our current assets become contenders NOW?
by gr8odensravens on Jul 10, 2009 11:55 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Twitter update on Boozer
YahooSportsNBA:
The Utah Jazz are intensifying efforts today to trade Carlos Boozer, multiple league executives tell Y! Sports.
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 10, 2009 11:56 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
KP playing hardball, hopefully.
draft the stache
by Cablinasian on Jul 10, 2009 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
KP playing nothing
KP is getting played
Oden...Aldridge...Roy.....THE REAL BIG THREE
by CroRupt on Jul 10, 2009 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
have to agree thus far
my guess is Utah is working all other options that don’t include a 3-way with Portland. If they can swing a deal, then Portland’s threat to offer Millsap becomes a hollow one. They will just offer him a better deal straight up, or definately match if he actually signs.
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 10, 2009 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Boozer is an expiring, so they won’t trade him for another expiring. They need a team with cap space.
draft the stache
by Cablinasian on Jul 10, 2009 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sac and OKC are availble for salary dumps
Memphis is pretty locked up right now. They have the Zach deal done but still in limbo because they are holding space to sign a FA such as Iverson.
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 10, 2009 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m pretty sure that KP has himself firmly entrenched in any discussions. Sacramento is hurting for money and OKC likes to artificially lower its record to get a better draft pick. It definitely could happen with one of those two teams, but I’m not convinced.
draft the stache
by Cablinasian on Jul 10, 2009 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
or Utah could trade him
for an expiring making right around 10 million even, sign Millsap, and take the 1 year hit. just that would save them 5.4 million this year (2.7 in salary + 2.7 in tax)
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 10, 2009 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
that would still hurt them financially, if we sign Millsap to that huge contract and signing bonus.
draft the stache
by Cablinasian on Jul 10, 2009 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Overpaying for Milsap would put him in Boozer territory.
Isn’t Boozer the All-Star and Milsap the backup? If the Jazz have to choose between those two at roughly the same salary, doesn’t it make more sense to re-sign Boozer?
by MiledAnimal on Jul 10, 2009 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Boozer messes with team chemistry, doesn’t play defense, and is hurt constantly.
draft the stache
by Cablinasian on Jul 10, 2009 12:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nobody has ever wanted to play in Portland.
Its always been hard for PDX to attract free agents. Weather sucks, small market, etc. Honestly who is the biggest FA signing in Portland history? An old Scottie Pippen?
by rydog9991 on Jul 10, 2009 11:56 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
we traded for him
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 10, 2009 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I believe it was Brian Grant. Been a while.
My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.
by OCBlazerFan1 on Jul 10, 2009 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Strange since Portland is so popular among young professionals these days
Keep in mind that everything I know about basketball I learned on Blazers Edge.
by pualo on Jul 10, 2009 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
huh, didnt know that
so our history of FA’s is even worse than I thought
by rydog9991 on Jul 10, 2009 11:59 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Brian Grant maybe?
I know we signed him. trying to think of a bigger/better FA signing since then
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 10, 2009 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Steve Smith?
Without you out there, we're nowhere here
by 22baylor on Jul 10, 2009 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
thought we traded for him too
Rider for Smith were the principals
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 10, 2009 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Impeach KP!
I think it’s time the fans gave a vote of no confidence and get someone in there who can get the Blazers some new players. I don’t care who they are, if they can play or not, I demand KP make a move now!
J Bay Bay don't play that. J Bay Bay 2010 'Zers starting point guard over B Rex.
by tominhawaii on Jul 10, 2009 12:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Let's move Portand to the east coast!
Oops, forgot there is already a Portland there.
by BrewDude on Jul 10, 2009 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did you guys see Turkoglu's press conference?
He said toronto was an “easy decision”. what a slap in the face to portland
by axel360 on Jul 10, 2009 12:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Probably just a slap back at Prichard
after what KP said yesterday.
by Arby on Jul 10, 2009 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because he didn't make it.
His wife did. When moms happy, everyones happy.
My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.
by OCBlazerFan1 on Jul 10, 2009 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
so Chicago wants Bayless instead of Blake
I say thanks but no thanks.
Bayless + Capspace for Hinrich doesn’t do it for me.
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 10, 2009 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm going to flip shhhark
If we make that trade.
by Sargent on Jul 10, 2009 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
so this also tends to support the idea
that the blake/outlaw for hinrich deal that everyone on BE keeps saying we can make anytime we want, is just pure fantasy
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 10, 2009 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bayless and cap space for Hinrich? Do it yesterday, KP.
Hinrich and Blake are in their prime and will be for the next few years. Our championship window is opening now. Bayless is years away from being who we hope he will be, if he ever gets there. We’re no longer in the player development biz. Let’s start contending now.
by MiledAnimal on Jul 10, 2009 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
What?!
Bayless is not even an NBA player! He hasn’t ever made a playing rotation in the NBA. He may never, for all the potential he has shown. He isn’t a natural point guard and he hasn’t shown he can shoot. He is an undersized shooting guard that can’t shoot. Blake, on the other hand, is an actual NBA starting point guard. How could you not want to trade Bayless and Trout for Heinrich? We don’t even need Bayless with Blake and Heinrich. I cannot fathom why we wouldn’t include Bayless if that is what it takes to make the trade happen. Cannot fathom.
by goblazer1 on Jul 10, 2009 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
agree to disagree then
I just don’t see Hinrich as a big enough upgrade to warrant this cost here. Not to mention we then end up with a point guard rotation that is largely duplicative instead of having a different look off the bench.
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 10, 2009 12:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bayless for Heinrich is a no brainer
by Yahooguy on Jul 10, 2009 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
but it's not just bayless for hinrich is it?
It’s also pretty much all our capspace, which means we are also trading away any other players that could be obtained using that space (either through a signing, or an unbalanced trade)
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 10, 2009 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Were almost set at that point anyway
We’d be set at PG and SF and C. All we would really need is a decent back PF which we could trade outlaw for.
by Yahooguy on Jul 10, 2009 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
man, that's a tough one, but I might do it
Its very tough to predict where Bayless is headed as a player.
by jksnake99 on Jul 10, 2009 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
update
sounds like Chicago will give up Tyrus if they get Bayless, but only willing to give up Tim Thomas if they aren’t getting Bayless
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 10, 2009 12:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Doesn't Ty Thomas or Tim Thomas go to Utah anyway?
Not sure why we have to give up on Bayless so that Utah can get the better player.
by xedubx on Jul 10, 2009 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
well, look at it from Chicago's perspective
they are saying
-they are good with Blake for Tim Thomas
-they are good with Bayless for Tyrus Thomas
-they are NOT good with Blake for Tyrus Thomas
and apparently Utah want Tyrus.
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 10, 2009 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Kevin Pritchard's mancrush on Jerryd Bayless prevents Kirk Hinrich from sporting ...
a Portland Trail Blazers uniform, then I’ll have to refrain myself from breaking something.
Hinrich should’ve been a Blazer as of yesterday, pure and simple. Bayless, moreover, is a me-first, gunning shooting guard who’s in the body of a point; as a result, he’ll never be an effective NBA player, with his peak that of Monta Ellis.
by AK1984 on Jul 10, 2009 5:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I suggest
that you refrain yourself from breaking something, no matter what.
I will worry about you if you break things over Blazer personnel moves.
When I rule the world, everyone will know how to use Excel.
by jscot on Jul 10, 2009 11:43 PM PDT up