Next target...Shane Battier? (with poll)

I’m not so sure Harris is available, I would think that if they could only keep one guy it would be him. I do agree that it’s not so desperate to get someone just because others are.

I think if we’re going to add a veteran PG to our ranks while we let Bayless develop, we should throw Kirk in the mix. I would also say we need an SF though. Battier isn’t really a player I would see gelling with the Blazers, but he’s definitely a possibility since we got denied by Hedo.

They have an agreement “in principle only,” bc it is impossible to sign anyone till the 8th, we could get him as well!!!

He’s definitely more popular than ARIZA, thats for sure. And people are all up in arms about Ariza, so why not? I think Odom would be a great fit in Portland.

but I remember Nate saying that he was impressed by Lamar’s work ethic during the USA Basketball workouts a few years ago. So maybe there IS a match here (but right now after getting “jilted” by one free agent it’s hard to be optimistic…)

There’s no doubt that Portland can outbid L*A for LO’s services, if they want him bad enough. But will Lamar “want” Portland? He may have some respect for Nate, because of their USA basketball experience, and Odom does feature the size and many of the skills that KP was looking for, in Hedo. Lamar is “better off” when he’s not the 2nd or 3rd “option” on a team—and that’’s a good thing in Portland—because no one would want him to be “the guy”. Just another soldier to help “beat L*A”

The best part of all? Mike Rice will have to learn how to pronounce “Odom” vs “Oden” every night! That in itself will be “worth” all of the inconsistency and “off” nights that seem to frustrate the fans who have followed LO, over the years.

My sentiments exactly. I don’t know why so many people want an upgrade at SF. Batum is only 19 and completely tore it up last season! I have no doubts he’s going to be something pretty special. He won’t develop riding the pine.

Well, not just “any” SF, that’s true. But you can’t really say “I think KP knows that” when he was doing everything he could to acquire Hedo this afternoon! (Jason Quick said on Thursday that he has never seen KP and NAte be “so sure” about bringing in a nedw player as they were with Turk)

The last thing I’m advocating is “make a deal just ot make a deal” (I think Battier would be a good fit, we’ve been discussing him for quite awhile, around here.) He may not be the best choice, for the reasons I outlined above. But we do know improving the team’s BBIQ and “going for it” are, in fact, what the Blazers are interested in doing right now. The “Turk pursuit” should’ve made that very clear to everyone

I don’t think that KP is going to shink back like a scolded puppy and sit on the 9 mil of cap-space, just because he got left at the altar by Hedo and his wife. The only question that remains tonight is: who is “plan B”? Is it really a point guard? (Quick said KP wasn’t looking to upgrade that position, but that was “before” the Turkish defection.)

I’m perfectly willing to “focus” on the team’s needs; this morning they thought they needed a better SF. Are you so sure they changed their mind in the last 8 hours?

And he can even do it on defense at least against bigger point guards, as demonstrated by his play in Europe. Problem is he can’t shoot from outside and in Europe had huge problems getting to the basket with his superior but not elite athleticism against zone defenses and often had to settle for mid-range jumpers a la Travis or not shooting enough, but in the NBA with less clogged lanes he could work well.

Yep

Shane isn’t the penetrator and creator that Turk is (few big men are)

What do you think of Odom? He’s got some handles, and could play the 3/4 like Hedo?

I know Lamar likes the beach, but as we found out with Hedo “money talks” and now that L*A has Artest, I doubt they’d try to outbid the Blazers