Backup PF, WHO?

by VinnyB on Jul 21, 2009 7:12 AM PDT Comment 28 comments

Anyone worried to see Cunningham, Pendergraph and Outlaw battling to be LaMarcus' backup. After last season's struggles and KP's inability to find an alternative, I certainly am. We all felt that our Blazers needed someone that could provide some offense and rebounding. The guys that we were looking at were Bass, Millsap and Lee. Lee is still available but as he wants a $10 million a year deal which he won't get. Milsap we can forget about and the same goes for Bass. So who do we have left to choose from:

Lamar Odom - He won't come because he wants to play in a city by the ocean like L.A or Miami.

Glen Davis - He is a restricted free agent and after the Millsap affair, I don't know if I'd want to go through all the waiting around again and have Boston match the offer on the 7th day.

Drew Gooden- The best option left and could be had for under $5 million a year. He has a little toughness about him, he's no Oakley but he'll do. He has a passable offense and defense plus he's tradable if things don't work out.

Joe Smith- He is getting old but he can still play about 15 minutes a game and like Drew, he can contribute on both ends of the court.

Hakim Warrick- A restricted free agent. Enough said! Plus he is so inconsistent and lacking fundamentals.He is athletic though.

Shavlik Randolph- He'd be cheap and gratefull but he is lacking in talent and experience. But what if we gave him the opportunity to play significant minutes? He might be worth it.

Poll

Who would you want?

Lamar Odom at $8 million multi year deal (4-5years)

30 votes

Glen Davis at $5-6 million mutli year deal (4-6years)

26 votes

Drew Gooden at $3-5 million multi year deal (1-4 years)

34 votes

Joe Smith at $2-4 million multi year deal(1-3years)

50 votes

Hakim Warrick at $1-3 million multi year deal(1-3years)

11 votes

Shavlik Randolph at $1-2 million multi year deal(1-3years)

52 votes

203 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 28 comments

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Comments

Personally, I think we would be OK with the troika

Pendergraph is OK on the boards, semi-OK as a low post defender, and limited but efficient as a scorer.

Cunningham is OK on the boards, shows promise as a defender against smaller 4s, and is a decent scorer.

Trout is a good scorer who creates a big match-up problem for most teams, he is a lousy rebounder, and a decent defender of smaller 4s with occasional naps and lapses.

Between the three guys, we can likely match-up with most back-up 4s in the league.

It would be nice to have a single, more complete player, but I don’t think we are going to get killed if we don’t find someone.

by upper left corner on Jul 21, 2009 7:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

"I don’t think we are going to get killed"

Especially if Greg progresses and we have high quality low post play from him while LMA is on the bench.

When I rule the world, everyone will know how to use Excel.

by jscot on Jul 21, 2009 7:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess I can get behind ulc on Outlaw and the two picks handling the job.

I did however vote for Shavlick. I would really like to see him get the opportunity to show if he is an NBA player. I think he is. In fact, I believe we could already have our David Lee in Randolph. We just have to give him the chance to show us.

Oh – Vinny, what is with all the angst and drama over making an offer on a RFA? You make it sound as if the team is waterboarding you from the moment the offer is made. Seriously, it is not as if someone is carving their pound of flesh from you. Portland making an offer on a RFA has about as much effect as your next door neighbor putting a bid in on eBay for a set of patio furniture.

hakkaa päälle !

by timg56 on Jul 21, 2009 7:45 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't go as far as to compare Randolph to Lee-- who was nearly an all-star...

… but I also would have liked to have seen him get a shot last year— I highly doubt he would have been worse than Frye, and prior to his injury he was a useful player for Philly.

I’d really like to have a more solid option at that position though, someone we know won’t hurt us when he is in.

by jksnake99 on Jul 21, 2009 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

did you just compare shavlik randolph to david lee?

other than playing basketball and being white, those two have nothing in common. shav is a stiff who will be lucky to land on an nba roster. lee is not as good as his numbers indicate but he’s a very good player.

this comparison makes no sense at all.

by colinmarsh on Aug 2, 2009 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

don't forget that a healthy and in shape beast-oden can play the power forward next to przy

"There are a few teams you have to watch out for in the fourth quarter."
"Yeah, but Portland definitely is not one of them."

-New Orleans Hornets broadcasters at the end of the third quarter with the Hornets leading 74-59. Portland later ends up winning 97-89.

"They don't mind him shooting that shot at all. Rudy Fernandez is not that great of a 3pt shooter."

-New Orleans Hornets broadcasters right after a Rudy Fernandez missed 3pter. Rudy Fernandez finished the game with three 3pters on six attempts.

by Tofu Anonymous on Jul 21, 2009 8:46 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

When were there struggles last year?

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

by tominhawaii on Jul 21, 2009 9:06 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

playoffs

Travis and the rooks can get you by until the postseason, but the playoffs require bangers and the more veteran experience they bring to the table, the better (unless they’re on the wrong side of 35…)

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

by two4larue on Jul 21, 2009 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

We did fine in the playoffs with our "soft" team minus 1 game.

The game where they had 10 rebounds in the 4th quarter was a mixture of 3 things.
1. The lineup we had in
2. Some awful bounces
3. The inability of the refs to call a loose ball foul.

The Princess of Blazersedge

by Zaig on Jul 21, 2009 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you say so...

I was lamenting the Frye/Outlaw options behind LMA going all the way back to before February and I was not pleased when it came back to bite Portland in the first round…the NBA playoffs are all about enforcing your will on the opponent

3. The inability of the refs to call a loose ball foul.

That comment deserves a Dwight Jaynesian “COMMME ONNN, Zaig!” You actually expect the refs to give the road team any breaks in the playoffs? (unless the visitors are from a large market…) Small-market road teams don’t ask for favors, they TAKE the game by the throat heading down the stretch and win in spite of the bad calls and aggravating non-calls.

I’ve seen this dynamic going back to Portland closing out a series on the road against the Jazz where Uncle Cliffy did his little dance on the Utah sideline. Tough veteran teams “get over” and advance, while the whiners always complain about the refs. Why do you think San Antonio added McDyess? The Spurs know what it takes, they’ve been through the wars and they know they’ll need his size and experience in May

So don’t tell me “we did fine” with Travis “deer in the headlights” Outlaw and Channing “pick n’ pop n’ fresh” Frye trying to locate a rebound against Houston’s impressive stable of PFs. There’s regular season “tough” and playoff “tough” and if a so-called “POWER forward” can’t raise his level of play when the post-season rolls around then he’s not a “keeper”

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

by two4larue on Jul 21, 2009 8:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think this whole notion we need a big name back-up PF is dumb...

Aldridge is a work horse and I think he can handle 40 a night. That leaves 8 minutes. We can go small ball and run Trout at the 4 or Pendergraph and Cunningham for a few minutes. Or like someone above said if Oden can get his speed back he can be that bruiser back-up 4.

by Escrote on Jul 21, 2009 9:09 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

foul trouble in the post season

you can never have “too many” experienced big men

if you think you have “enough” then add another one

but whoever you get, they need to be willing to play “when needed” (older veteran who wants to win a ring vs. young veteran who still wants to get a big payday)

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

by two4larue on Jul 21, 2009 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

REALLY DOUBT we need but I like Ike

if cheap enough

by prof.mike on Jul 21, 2009 9:37 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Dude is skilled..

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Ranking-the-NBA-s-nine-best-unrestricted-free-ag;ylt=Ag4qoDhXNGXOODgDbt5deUgPaB4?urn=nba,177670
“3. Ike Diogu(notes)

Diogu at three? Is that a sign of just how slim the free agent pickings have gotten?

Hardly. This guy can play, he’s just been stuck on a series of teams with a series of coaches that would prefer to value image (too small, too thick) over actual production (you know, the things you actually do on the court?). Unless you’re a Michael Sweetney(notes) or an Oliver Miller, the overwhelming majority of NBA players’ per-minute stats hold up, no matter the minutes. Diogu doesn’t remind of Jack LaLanne, but he’s hardly the type whose frame wouldn’t hold up to 33 minutes. Pay, and then finally play, the man.

The solution? Chicago? Stop being cheap, offer the guy a minimum deal even if it creeps you closer to the luxury tax, and let Diogu and Tyrus Thomas(notes) fill out the holes in one’s head with the bumps in another’s. This involves the Chicago ownership, front office, and coaching staff making a sound move, all at once. Too much to ask, probably."

In the last ten games of the season he played good averaging 9.2ppg and 3.9rbs in 14mn a game. You have to put some minimum contracts on the team, why not Ike?

by philthebballplayer on Jul 21, 2009 9:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

still need a veteran, with playoff experience

I’m “OK” with offering Odom 5/45 if he’s willing to accept a 6th man role and play in PDX

(Assuming this is not an option, the 2nd best choice on that FA list is Smith)

but I’d prefer a trade using Outlaw to bring in a different PF who makes around 3.5 mil/year, like Hayes or Landry

If the Rockets’ series told us anything, it’s that the Blazer’s didn’t have enough toughness at the backup 4. This has NOT been addressed, regardless of the 2nd round draft choices (because you cannot count on rookies during the post-season!)

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

by two4larue on Jul 21, 2009 11:07 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd love Joe Smith

If he’s interested, he’d be a great fit for this roster.

by dprodigy19 on Jul 21, 2009 11:30 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Drew Gooden

much better choice than Joe Smith imo.

by austinpwnz on Jul 21, 2009 12:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah Right...

Gooden:
“He takes inefficient jumpers, his rebounding goes from tremendous to awful in the course of a week, he probably won’t remember all the assistant coaches’ names, and he doesn’t play defense.”
Smith:
“Same as it ever was. Defends, scores with either hand, hits jumpers, sets good screens, rebounds enough to deserve minutes. New team, every year, same professionalism.”
Personally I’d like Leon Powe or Diogu.

by philthebballplayer on Jul 21, 2009 9:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like Joe Smith as well.

Transistion to Dante Cunningham would be easier, but that eats into Travis/Martells minutes.

Patience :)

by TheGreatDane17 on Jul 21, 2009 1:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I've bought into the "we develop them ourselves" mantra...

KP made a good faith effort to pursue MIllsap and that goes a long ways with me. LO is a bad fit. No idea why he’s not chasing Lee, but that’s another story. I don’t care about Big Baby or the other schlebs.

"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 21, 2009 2:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

David Lee would be a great backup

Just don’t think he thinks that.

We may still pursue. Looks like Sessions is about to sign an offer sheet with the Knicks soon. If the Bucks don’t match might leave the Knicks a little less willing to match an offer for Lee.

by oregontrail on Jul 21, 2009 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

None of them really excite me. But Joe Smith is the best choice.

Any time Detroit scores more than 100 points and holds the other team below 100 points they almost always win. -Doug Collins

by TappedPotential on Jul 21, 2009 4:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Drew Gooden is far far far far far

from the best option left. Ugh.

I like David Lee, but he’s a starter. I’d only want him if we had a plan to move LMA, and I highly doubt that’s going to happen.

I might try Powe and/or Brian Skinner for one year contracts. If Powe heals up nice, he would be a great bargain. Skinner’s not very good but he comes cheap and he won’t hurt you playing 8 or 9 minutes per night.

by howlingfantods on Jul 21, 2009 5:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Or hell, Theo Ratliff is available. The return of TREC?

by howlingfantods on Jul 21, 2009 5:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Shavlik

Why not? Everyone likes him on the Blazers and we know he has talent.

"HA HA HA HA HA
I'm not laughing, I'm just listing the five ugliest Blazers ever."
- rockingharder

by jamon51 on Jul 21, 2009 5:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Shav couldn't get off the bench ahead of Channing Frye

and that should tell you jut about everything you need to know

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

by two4larue on Jul 21, 2009 8:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just for conversation sake

How bout Marvin Williams, Pops Mensah Bonsu, Donyell Marshall or Al Harrington? Personally I think we’re okay with what we have except at the pt guard position.

by blaze1 on Jul 21, 2009 6:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Al Harrington was available

He just signed his player option with the Knicks, and is now off the table, except via trade. Might have taken a big contract to bring him in — probably too big to be a backup PF. Wonder if he has the lateral speed to keep up with 3s and defend the likes of LBJ. He did play for Nellie who liked to play players in multiple spots.

by FromAfar on Jul 21, 2009 8:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs