it’s unreasonable to think that having 3 quality big men is a bad thing. Each of these players brings a different skill set and match up challenge to the table, and should make us more competitive. Sending away LMA would be foolish. I want both, and I want both to receive over 30 MPG, wether it means a little of one playing at center, or millsap at SF. Most likely it would mean having LMA use his endurance to spell oden at center, while millsap comes on, then replacing LA with Oden when LMA needs to breathe, and keeping millsap in as PF.

I’m surprised that we haven’t had more discussions about the long range salary picture for the team. After Roy and LMA this summer, we have Oden next summer. Then in the summer of 2011, we have Rudy, Batum, and Bayless. If these guys develop as we hope they will, extending all these contracts is going to add up to a huge pile of money.

Allen may be willing to subsidize the team to a certain extent, but there has to be a limit. Everybody has been so focused on using our cap space to acquire more talent, that we have ignored the much larger issue of trying to keep the talent we already have.

It is cool to agree with you for a change.

The team can’t really afford max contracts for Roy, LMA, and Oden. If we max all three, we won’t have enough money left to pay our role players without going massively over the tax threshold.

Signing Millsap would give the team leverage. If LMA insists on max money, it gives us the alternative of trading him. If he is reasonable, then it probably plays out the way you said in your comment. Having alternatives is a good thing.

Not if Paul Allen signs off on the deal

everyone should read Dwight Jaynes latest column

http://www.dwightjaynes.com/the-real-truth-about-the-way-leagues-handle-home-fieldcourtice-advantages-in-the-postseason

I guarantee you that fans don’t get GMs fired, unless they cancel enough season tickets or stop buying luxury suites. Writers, reporters and bloggers can only “spread” discontent, but if the bean counters don’t feel the pinch, the beat will go on

with the market dropping rapidly the market value will have to go down every year. Having Millsap on board allows the Blazers to squeeze his deal into 4 years and $10M or even $9M and be more than he can get on the market. His RFA coincides with the huge market opening next year but who wants to tie up $12M of cap space on a RFA that the Blazers may match anyway while there are so many unrestricted FA available? Also much of that vaunted cap space will be swallowed by teams on danger of insolvency. If LMA does nor sign an extension would there be a better value available as a FA for the Blazers?

Not advocating losing LMA. Only trying to see things from the team’s viewpoint.

two words:

Yao Ming

If Portland had faced any team except Houston in the first round, you’d have a better opinion of LMA (and probably a few other Blazers)

Travis doesn’t get a “pass” though. When Outlaw was most needed his jumper went AWOL and he had nothing “else” to offer

Nate does such a great job of getting everybody to play at such a high level that we don’t worry as much about positions … we don’t get caught up in that. We worry about getting the best players and the best people"

KP’s recent comments about getting the “best players” supports your train of thought. The Blazers are hoping to get Millsap, and if by some chance Utah doesn’t match, they will keep those “4 quality bigs” and Nate will create matchup nightmares for the opposing coaches with a “big” lineup, for at least 12 mpg

There is no reason that Millsap and LMA playing the hybrid “3~4” positions can’t guard the opponent’s backup SF/PF for 6 minute stretches in the “middle” of each half. Especially if they’re communicating well with their teammates in a defensive rotation