The Twelve

by timbo on Jul 19, 2009 11:14 AM PDT

Sorry, this is not a post about how the Blazers can get Chris Paul in exchange for Mike Barrett, two Blazer Dancers, and the use of Paul Allen's yacht for a weekend. What's up with that? Do people really mistake "broke" for "stupid"?

Nor is it a post advocating the free agent signing of Lamar Odom and the 82 games of mayhem that would inevitably result unless Mike Rice were also simultaneously pushed into early retirement. I mean, think about it — he can't even get Greg Oden's name right WITHOUT LO on the team. What's he gonna call them, "The Big Guy" and "The Not Quite So Big Guy"? Not viable.

No, sorry Dungeons & Dragons fans, trading card swappers, basement-dwelling wannabe GM dweebs — this is about reality.

So without a farcical trade suggestion or an improbable free agent idea, here's KP's "let it ride" roster for 2009-10. This makes the presumption that #31 and #33 are extended big boy contracts and that the free agents like RLEC and Shav get goodbye cards, watches, and other valuable parting gifts...

LaMarcus Aldridge PF ------ *** HEY, I KNOW HOW TO SPELL... YOU THINK I'M AN IDIOT?!?!?!?
Nic Batum SF
Jerryd Bayless PG
Steve Blake PG
Dante Cunningham SF
Rudy Fernandez SG
Greg Oden C
Travis Outlaw SF/PF
Jeff Pendergraph PF
Joel Przybilla C
Brandon Roy SG
Martell Webster SF

That's a total of 12 guys, out of a possible 15 contracts.

So, presuming that there are no 3-for-1 trades or anything silly like that, here come the questions. Answer these if you please...

1. What do you do with Patty Mills?

He's a highly-touted speedy PG with Olympic experience — but a broken bone in his foot and the resulting surgery has him out for "4 to 6 months." And we all know how slow and chronic foot injuries can be, don't we? Do you write him off for the season?

2. Is there a place for Pooh Jeter?

Sure he's an easy-passing, decent-finishing driving PG... But is there a place in the NBA for a guy who is 5'6" or 5'8" or whatever the hell he actually is? (Yes, I know he is listed at 5'11" — but if that's true, then Rex is 6'5", know what I mean?) Has he played well enough in summer league to get an invite to regular camp? Is there a place for him on the actual roster assuming Mills is lost for a very long time, if not the entire year?

3. What about David Padgett?

I know that not a single Blazer announcer or team official seems to have noticed, but I did — the dude is a legit 6'10" that knows how to rebound, has soft hands shooting around the hoop, and can hustle and run. Centers are rare. Do you stick a guy like this on the 15 man roster in case of injury to Pryzzy or Oden? Or is Padgett nothing more than a Steven Hillbilly of the Summer League?

4. Who else is there?

Is there somebody that I'm not seeing here? Free agents on the market that can be added to the mix late in the decision-making process a la Shav Randolph? Who's out there to be had?

Lots of questions, not a single trade suggestion. So without YOU treading again in your stocking feet into that idiotic sewage pond — what should be done?

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Comments

I realize the culture that Ben is trying to create here, but...

Don’t rip on my boy, Mike Rice, and then spell LA’s name “LeMarcus”. Batum is the only Frenchie on the team.

by rpresto2 on Jul 19, 2009 11:29 AM PDT reply actions

you mean like LAbron? yes, please take the time to get to know our players well enough to spell their names correctly

I suggest Blazers.com as a reference. Best-post-ever.

The Blazers as a whole are far more like my wife than like me in the sense of their physicality on defense.
-Dave

by chrischa on Jul 19, 2009 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions

Viva La Frentz!

"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal

by timbo on Jul 19, 2009 5:47 PM PDT up reply actions

sign Padgett as a third string big, acquire a veteran for the third string point guard spot, and then leave a roster spot open.

life is better as an optimist

by Cablinasian on Jul 19, 2009 11:31 AM PDT reply actions

that's pretty much it

and it’s a huge come-down from what KP “promised” the capspace could be used for this offseason, back in February when he let RLEC expire

but it doesn’t really matter how I feel about it, just imagine what Brandon and Nate are thinking…the “calvary” isn’t on it’s way and the Indians figured out how to use those repeating rifles

When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Jul 19, 2009 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions

BTW

"calvary" = Jesus
Cavalry= Guys on horses with swords

Just in case you was wonderin’

"My avatar picture is of the favorite vehicle I ever owned" -Me

by 92wastheyear on Jul 19, 2009 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Calgary = Canada

"I just want a woman"- DrivetheLane

by The Arkitect on Jul 19, 2009 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions

That is a valid point

well played

"My avatar picture is of the favorite vehicle I ever owned" -Me

by 92wastheyear on Jul 19, 2009 2:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Calamari = tastey fried squid

μὴ φοβοῦ, μόνον πίστευε.

Blazersedge.com || New to Blazers' Edge?

by T Darkstar on Jul 19, 2009 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions

CalTrans = fat guys that lean on shovels in the sun

"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal

by timbo on Jul 19, 2009 6:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Calapari

UK coach

"My avatar picture is of the favorite vehicle I ever owned" -Me

by 92wastheyear on Jul 19, 2009 7:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Cauliflower

= having to eat an off season with no major acquisition.

by LaoTzu on Jul 19, 2009 8:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Camarillo

where we’ll be living in the padded cells because all of this is driving us crazy. – Elgin

Without you out there, we're nowhere here

by 22baylor on Jul 20, 2009 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions

CalPoly

= California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo

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 20, 2009 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions

But it's so pretty there

At least the place you are talking about

"The match in Los Angeles is a good opportunity to begin to demonstrate that we want to make war." Rudy Fernández (translated)

by G_dubs on Jul 21, 2009 4:55 AM PDT up reply actions

That's pretty much what I would expect

Unless they make one more run at Lee, Sessions, Miller or Hinrich which looks increasingly unlikely. Odom seems to get no interest from the Blazers at all, there weren’t even rumors. Felton also seems to get no interest on the market until now. May will sign with the Kings.

A capable center who is still on the market would be Rasho Nesterovic. About the last remaining good PF backups apart from Lee would be Glenn Davis and Drew Gooden. I would be hesitant to pay a lot for either one.

by Norsktroll on Jul 19, 2009 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions

M-i-l-l-e-r!!!

by LaoTzu on Jul 19, 2009 8:07 PM PDT up reply actions

If we have the room...

I wouldn’t feel bad about having Padgett at the end of the bench, near the towels. A poor man’s Pryz.

I like the way he cruised down the floor and laid a few guys out. Size, toughness, and attitude all on the value menu.

by Knobby on Jul 20, 2009 5:32 PM PDT up reply actions

Best-post-ever

"My avatar picture is of the favorite vehicle I ever owned" -Me

by 92wastheyear on Jul 19, 2009 11:45 AM PDT reply actions

I want that one guy who is hairy and from Arkansas

by tominhawaii on Jul 19, 2009 12:11 PM PDT reply actions

you mean Stephen of Nazareth?

you need to get “over” the Hill

When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Jul 19, 2009 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Is you sayin

peoples in Arkansaw is all hairy. Coz it aint tru.

by oregonslee on Jul 19, 2009 12:18 PM PDT reply actions

some of thems is bald

Without you out there, we're nowhere here

by 22baylor on Jul 20, 2009 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions

I like Jetter & Padgett

for camp anyway, and I think Mills is out for the year. Don’t worry though we will still be at the top in the west.

by prof.mike on Jul 19, 2009 2:17 PM PDT reply actions

No Way: Jeter & Padgett... how about REAL NBA players...

I LOVE the current Blazers roster, but at 12 deep, I truly believe we can add some players RIGHT NOW through free agency that will give us more chips in the trade market of the future AS WELL AS more depth and skill to our current roster.

PG’s Ramon Sessions or Raymond Felton could be added either as a FA signee. SF Marvin Williams is still out on the market and would be a nice insurance policy to Martell. PF’s Glen Davis or Drew Gooden are available to fill out the roster.

I do still like the possibility of trading Blake and/or Outlaw as other teams have to like them for their non-guaranteed contracts and ability to play… afterall both of them were big parts of last years 54 win season. Knowing this, Portland should be making a deal for at least one of the players above, none are over the mid-level exception and would still enable Portland to keep a little cap room. I say we go after Glen Davis and take him away from another contending team. I believe Portland could get Glen Davis in free agency AND THEN use Travis Outlaw or Steve Blake in a sign and trade for either Ramon Sessions, Raymond Felton or Marvin Willimas. Let’s say Outlaw is gone…From 12 to 14….

PG: Blake/Bayless/Mills/R.Felton
SG: Roy/Fernandez
SF: Webster/Batum/Cunningham
PF: Aldridge/G.Davis/Pendergraph
FC: Oden/Pryzbilla/

True, Felton and Davis aren’t all-stars, but they are both NBA starter quality which would help upgrade the overall roster.

by Portland Dynasty on Jul 20, 2009 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Blake and Outlaw

I do believe their contracts are now guaranteed for all of 2009-10. They are still valuable because they are relatively cheap, can both actually play at a level higher than their contract, and both are expiring deals.

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 20, 2009 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Can't see Blake going anywhere

Even if there was a deal for HInrich/Harris, I still see KP/Nate keeping Steve around. There is ABSOLUTELY NO WAY that KP would trade Blake back to the Bucks—that is a lead pipe cinch!

I could see Outlaw + cap-space easily being moved, when the time is right. I could also see Webster being included in a deal this winter, especially if the star player coming back Portland’s way was a SF, like Butler or Wallace

When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Jul 20, 2009 8:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Bobby Jones !

Put him in whenever Rudy or Webster/Outlaw are not playing good enough defense, as a Bruce Bowen type of guy(Who I also would not mind having in very limited minutes).

also…

Ben Wallace to backup Aldridge? Perfect for the minutes available & I think he would be beneficial for Aldridge on the defensive end.

Patience :)

by TheGreatDane17 on Jul 19, 2009 2:28 PM PDT reply actions

I'd second that

He ought to at least get a training camp invite.

"I'm a buffet of goodness."

by TP43 on Jul 19, 2009 5:24 PM PDT up reply actions

I hope Marty is good to go. Even if just as a low minutes back up at first.

I think he will be okay.

So that’s Greg and Joel, LMA and Travis, Nic and Martell, Brandon and Rudy with Steve and Jerryd.

I see the two 2nd rounders in Idaho.

For Nate’s sanity I expect vets for the 11 and 12 spots in Portland. The big could be young but the PG needs much experience.

I’d like to see a run at Marvin Williams.

I would expect that Bobby Jones and Padgett will be given an opportunity to talk KP out of starting with 14. I’m not sure that either can get it done.

Bedge or go home.

by Ojala John on Jul 19, 2009 2:44 PM PDT reply actions

For Nate’s sanity I expect vets for the 11 and 12 spots in Portland. The big could be young but the PG needs much experience.

Agreed, but it would be hard for KP to “chip away” at his 7.7mil cap-space and offer “parts” of it to a couple of role players, even though that may be the “smart” play if that’s the only way he can find the “right” fit

KP can still take Outlaw and make a lopsided trade for a player (or players) with a salary up to 11.3 mil, but if he doesn’t get ’er done by the end of the month, then it will probably have to wait until September

When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Jul 19, 2009 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions

don't give them a gauranteed contract

so you can cut them if something comes up

"My avatar picture is of the favorite vehicle I ever owned" -Me

by 92wastheyear on Jul 19, 2009 5:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Nah, this is The Young Team. No problems.

"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal

by timbo on Jul 19, 2009 6:04 PM PDT up reply actions

I wouldn't be upset if we picked up Jeter for a 3rd string pg...

I think he has looked good.

The Bedger formally known as ????????

by Rudiculous on Jul 19, 2009 3:04 PM PDT reply actions

I think that would be awesome

I think we should be sure that Patty Mills rehabs nicely. – Elgin

Without you out there, we're nowhere here

by 22baylor on Jul 20, 2009 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Not so ordinary Joe

Seems to me we could get Joe Smith for a year or two near the veterans minimum. Experience, good rebound per minute guy, and very predictable contributions. I’d like a little more physical guy at the backup 4 but you could do a lot worse.

"I'm a buffet of goodness."

by TP43 on Jul 19, 2009 5:25 PM PDT reply actions

I've always thought he was a good defender

"its tough to play with one eye, unless you're a pirate." Delonte West
"una canasta a Pau en la cara" Rudy

by Honka Playboy on Jul 19, 2009 5:43 PM PDT up reply actions

I like Joe Smith, but...

my impression of him is that he is a shooter first, and we have guys like that already. Otherwise I’d be happy to have him on the team.

by wingzeta on Jul 20, 2009 8:14 PM PDT up reply actions

My own take...

…………………….. if you haven’t guessed is that Jeter and Padgett make 13 and 14 on the bench, just in case. The 15 slot left open.

I fully anticipate Travis making a little trip on a one-way for some Point Guardy-type plus cap space by the deadline.

How about to New Orleans along with a sno-cone machine, Paul Allens rolodex, 650 pairs of comfy NBA socks, a large denomination Wal-Mart gift card, three genuine beaver pelts, a kilo of Mr. Stodamire’s ganja, a signed Brandon Roy poster, and a Joel Przybilla replica jersey, for Chris Paul…

"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal

by timbo on Jul 19, 2009 5:44 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Tom is gonna be pissed

"My avatar picture is of the favorite vehicle I ever owned" -Me

by 92wastheyear on Jul 19, 2009 5:47 PM PDT up reply actions

$%^!@ *^%#

#$@ $&*$% #%%#^!#%^%& $%^%^$^$^& !!#$ *^&%!

If you fall I will catch you
I'll be waiting

by tominhawaii on Jul 20, 2009 3:31 AM PDT up reply actions

Jeter isn’t NBA-caliber. He’s not exceptionally quick, powerful, or a tremendous shooter, which you have to be to succeed in the NBA at 5’6’’. Huge defensive liability because opposing guards can shoot right over him… and not enough of an offensive wunderkind to offset the defense.

life is better as an optimist

by Cablinasian on Jul 19, 2009 5:58 PM PDT up reply actions

He is average in summer league

Average in summer league as a quick undersized PG does not equal NBA success.

He isn’t very good. He won’t make the team. Get us someone with experience, not a inexperienced rookie with no potential to develop and thus no reason to keep him on the roster.

I am fine with any 3rd center we can get, but again— hopefully someone with experience.

Morty

by Mortimer on Jul 19, 2009 9:11 PM PDT up reply actions

I think people underestimate the value of official grade-A NBA socks

That could be what seals the deal.

A three-pointer is not a "triple." A triple is a hit in baseball.
A three-pointer is not a "trey." A trey is either an ESPN sportscaster or something that bad spellers eat cafeteria food on. - Dave on Mar 20, 2009 10:00 PM PDT

by GustyJ on Jul 19, 2009 10:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Way to go timbo - giving away the store just to get Chris Paul.

No way do you include a Pryzbilla replica jersey in that deal.

And I’d say no more than 500 pair of socks. 650 is overpaying.

hakkaa päälle !

by timg56 on Jul 20, 2009 7:20 AM PDT up reply actions

Gimme them socks!!

"My avatar picture is of the favorite vehicle I ever owned" -Me

by 92wastheyear on Jul 20, 2009 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions

What is gametime tonight?

"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal

by timbo on Jul 19, 2009 5:49 PM PDT reply actions

7, going against the Dleague all-stars.

life is better as an optimist

by Cablinasian on Jul 19, 2009 5:56 PM PDT up reply actions

"D-League All-Stars" reminds me of Carlin's "jumbo shrimp"...

Of course, they will kick butt tonight, undoubtedly…

"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal

by timbo on Jul 19, 2009 5:58 PM PDT up reply actions

the d-league works well as a team because they are hungry and play more team-oriented ball than the NBA entries. I expect a loss tonight.

life is better as an optimist

by Cablinasian on Jul 19, 2009 6:02 PM PDT up reply actions

I expect a win, actually, because Mr. Coach figured out he has a legit lineup in the last game...

Being able to run Padgett and #31 simultaneously in correct positions makes all the difference.

Taking a little pressure off Rex helps, too.

"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal

by timbo on Jul 19, 2009 6:06 PM PDT up reply actions

I’d love to see Padgett get more run. Legit guy at the pivot is a good thing.

Last game of SL… just wanna see Rex one more time.

life is better as an optimist

by Cablinasian on Jul 19, 2009 6:13 PM PDT up reply actions

i think you can pencil in

mills as the 13th spot. he seemed to be a value pick and i doubt they would dump him straight away. then again a foot injury is a pretty difficult thing to come back from and this would be a bad time for him to not play for a year.

assuming the blazers keep all 3 second round picks i can’t see them adding anyone else from the summer league team. i think they will want the slots for flexibility in trades or to add veterans via FA before the season.

by colinmarsh on Jul 19, 2009 6:16 PM PDT reply actions

Rasho

Yeah, Yeah, I know. He is a stiff…. But, I like having another center that can defend. Allowing us to play Joel and Greg together.

by audiejamesnorris on Jul 19, 2009 7:00 PM PDT reply actions

Rasha is fine as a backup

As a 3rd stringer, he’d be the best in the league.

Hell, if Joel and Oden are both hurt, he is serviceable enough to start. That is what you’d like in a 3rd stringer at any position, for sure.

Morty

by Mortimer on Jul 19, 2009 9:12 PM PDT up reply actions

No way, B Roy and LMA retire in a fit of fury over the poor-tasting contract negotiations

Move to parts unknown, become hermits

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Jul 20, 2009 1:03 PM PDT reply actions

Mills

Put yourself in Mills position. Undervalued but full of confidence, mentally prepared to tear up summer league, doing everything right then….BAM! Out 4 months. Yah it sucks, but you worked your A$$ off to get back on the court, and before the end of the year you are 110% and even more prepared than you were when you were drafted. Oh, but wait, the team that drafted you didn’t give you a chance back in July when you went down with your ill-timed injury, while the guard that replaced you has played a total of 35 minutes so far….

Keep Mills

"Tough times don't last. Tough people do."
-Chauncey Billups

by Kelsoballa on Jul 20, 2009 2:36 PM PDT reply actions

yep...

a doozy of a rough break. You gotta really feel for the guy.

Kind of like Martell, comes off reportedly the best summer of his career in terms of conditioning and readiness. (Man, he looked good at FanFest didn’t he?)

But then again, Martell’s got a contract. Mills got tossed the keys to an AC Cobra 427 at PIR and then heard the words, “forgot to tell ya, we’re outta gas and the track’s closing down probably about the time the truck shows up.”

by Knobby on Jul 20, 2009 5:30 PM PDT up reply actions

I want Dante and Jeff as spots 13 and 14.

We need a veteran to back up our PG’s in a pinch or injury, and a veteran big to back up the 4 and 5. Maybe Jeter could be spot 15? I have liked him so far. Thank you for doing your part Timbo in trying to stop the Chris Paul madness.

by dario argento on Jul 20, 2009 6:01 PM PDT reply actions

asking seriously here about Padgett – does legit 6’10" mean w/o shoes?

cause that’s the only legit I know. I hate this “measuring with the shoes on” thing.
…oh and I like Padgett.

GO
THE TEACHER ......come into my classroom "THE PAINT" for some tutelage.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The rancor reflected in that remark I won't dignify with comment. But I'll address your general attitude of hopeless negativism." – Everett "O Brother, where art Thou?"

by Blazer1342 on Jul 20, 2009 10:35 PM PDT reply actions

Better: it means he scores a 6'10" in Timbo's Subjective Guide to NBA Player Height, which is more active than any of those phony baloney numbers...

"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal

by timbo on Jul 22, 2009 11:09 PM PDT up reply actions

....... more ACCURATE ...........

I wish I could think as fast as I can type.

"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal

by timbo on Jul 22, 2009 11:09 PM PDT up reply actions