What "Going for it" really meant

by TeamChemistry on Jul 7, 2009 5:39 PM PDT

Signing Hedo Turkoglu would have definitely opened up the championship window, not only for this year, but probably for the next 10 years. Yeah the Blazers would have over paid, but it would have really helped Greg Oden and LaMarcus Aldridge to develop down low. Hedo's ability to penetrate and find the passing lanes for Dwight Howard and company is something that is sorely lacking on this Blazer team. I wrote a blog around the 1rst pleading to KP not to sign Hedo, and for good reason, it would be overpaying. But when Paul Allen said "Go for it", he really meant go for it! Don't worry about the money, if we’re stuck with a bad contract in 3 years, we can just buy him out if need be. So for all the Trail Blazer fans who thought we would have been stuck with a guy out of his prime, not wanting to come off the bench, no way. In reality Hedo would have started for 2 or 3 more years, and in that time the Blazers would have really developed Oden to a point that he would have become a dominant force with or without Hedo. Then at that point Batum would have push Hedo out of the way to really develop. So as the news broke that Hedo was their primary goal I realized the bigger picture, and the thought behind Paul Allen's comments. Break open the championship window, pay the extra dollars, and will take the loss of Hedo's contract later as part of opening that window sooner than later. Its a great decision on Allen's part, and shows his dedication to the team and drive for a championship. I have to say, I applaud him and what he has meant for our organization.

I think over the last 3 years, we've only seen great basketball moves that have had great reward from Kevin Pritchard. But the closer you get to your prize the smaller the impact the moves have. Your margin dwindles with every step you get closer, and that’s not a bad thing, that means that your almost there. For all the hopes of Chris Paul or Devin Harris, which are ideal considering age, position and talent, reality is that its not going to happen without giving up a major piece.

While this news of Hedo rejecting the Blazers offer is a bit more painful than I ever thought it would be. Thoughts of him allowing Greg Oden to grow and succeed really got my imagination running wild. Dwight Howard is no better than Greg, just has had better people around him to assist him.(imo) Going forward though I think the Blazer bigwigs have realized what is needed for this team to grow, either externally or internally. That is another playmaker and someone that can get Oden the ball where he can succeed. Now we know its not Hedo, but other playmakers like a Sessions, or Nash come to mind. They will make Oden much better and are worth going after.

With that said, I think one thing has to happen within the organization though, that is the decision to really let Rudy develop. Here is someone that makes players better, does get the ball to Oden when he has a chance and has that ability. I think Nate has to take it upon himself to let Rudy have the ball more, and let him create with the ball. Whether that’s with the pick and roll or off screens, he has that ability to drive and find people; he has to be used correctly though.

If the Blazers do get that sought after free agent or lopsided trade, great! But I think its time we moved off the Outlaw train of one on one, with no ability to create for others. This team is too good to have an isolation type player like Outlaw who can't make others better. Its the "Allan Iverson Affect" and it really can destroy a team and their ability to grow. Just look at what he did to the Pistons, everyone just gave up, and I'm not saying Outlaw is a cancer or anything to that affect. Rather his style isn't condusive to making all the players around him any better. That is the Blazers advantage, they have 8 or 9 solid players, 7 players that could be starters in the league. If the style of play is isolations, then what good is it to have a deep bench and so many quality players. We might as well package them all up and make a big trade, instead of letting them waste away as they watch Outlaw shoot a contested 20 footer. Its up to McMillan to change the focal point of the offense, so if we face a team like the Rockets again (doesn't look like it happen) then we are prepared to go to more options than just Roy. It isn't about having veterans (in part it is) but the offense is on Nate, and the sooner he realizes that, the better the Blazers will be.

Considering the talent on the team, doing the right move and having someone like Rudy be the focal point of the second unit could be all this team needs to really flourish, along with the developement of Oden of course. I would love to see a trade or great free agent acquisition, which is looking more unlikely. But the reality is, if Oden, Batum and Rudy develop, who were all “Rookies” last year just at a decent pace, this team will be vastly improved. I think this will either be Nate McMillan’s finest moment as the Blazers coach or the beginning to the end this coming year. It is the coach’s role to develop the team and how they play. Veterans or not, you have to know what type of style will bring out the best in a player. I love Nate, but it really is do or die time for him, cause if you think about it, If Phil Jackson or Greg Popavich had this talent, do you think they would want more veterans?

Your thoughts?

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Yeah man

I totally agree with you about Hedo. The growth we could have experienced with him on board would have been easily worth $10M per year. HeDO would have helped our front court develop rapidly. He would have been a quality starter for at least 3 years, and a quality player coming off the bench for 2 years if Batum proved to be the real deal. Hedo is a clutch performer who could have run the offense and been that third option we so desperately needed.

I don’t blame his decision to sign with Toronto at all, but I think he would have been just as happy in Portland with a prominent role on a great team and potential dynasty. The idea of him running our offense and being a scoring threat/matchup problem able to play SF and PF just got bigger and bigger until he decided not to sign. It really took the wind out of the offseason and makes me realize what a chance it really was. You can still come back Hedo!

During the finals getting Turkoglu seemed about as likely as getting Devin Harris, but it almost became reality. All those who think he is too old need to look at Steve Nash’s two MVP’s at age 31 and 32, and almost a third at age 33. Defense was Turk’s only perceived liability, but being under Nate’s system could have pushed him to succeed on that end as well. Bloggers and writers alike are trying to downplay his decision to sign with Toronto as a blessing in disguise, but their arguments are appear more like jealous, naive excuses to me at this point.

I also agree with you about Outlaw. We need someone at SF who can direct the offense to some degree, not hold it hostage. Yes, Rudy can help out in the creative sense out of the backcourt, if only to a lesser degree than Turkoglu would have. Other options: Andre Miller could realistically help out in this regard too, if only for a couple of years. He could be a good piece at the right price and length of contract . Tayshaun Prince is not a bad facilitator and he brings great D. With someone like Turkoglu no longer on the board at SF (unless you count Lamar Odom to a lesser degree), I would almost like to see use go heavy on defense with Hinrich and either Prince or Wallace. I’m still so disappointed about Turkoglu though that considering different options seems secondary, or plan B, to me at this point in time. I shouldn’t despair any longer though cause we do have options, and KP will find something to excite us again.

by MisterOden on Jul 7, 2009 6:38 PM PDT reply actions

If Phil Jackson or Greg Popavich had this talent, do you think they would want more veterans?

Yes. Phil and Greg would’ve never taken the Portland job in 2005, like Nate did. They have rookie-aversion, and would just as soon remain unemployed and wait until a head coaching gig opened up where they could take over a veteran team with at least one bonafide superstar

Good point about Rudy running the P&R with LMA and Greg. We know that Fernandez doen’t have a cross-over move to get by his defnder, but if he could run screen and dive and feed the big guys with lob passes, he might just carve out a long-term role with Portland after all, instead of having his minutes “restricted” by Roy and Batum in the future

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

by two4larue on Jul 7, 2009 9:02 PM PDT reply actions

I don't think that it will be enough

To be a creator for other players you have to be able to dribble and be a triple threat. A triple threat as you know is when a player is able to shoot, pass and drive to the hole. As of right now, Rudy can only shoot and pass. If he is able to get stronger and take it to the hole then and only then will he be able to be a pick and roll creator.

by VinnyB on Jul 7, 2009 10:01 PM PDT reply actions

great deeper perspective of where things stand

Thanks, TeamChemistry. I think I agree with 90 percent of that you say.

by jayfisher on Jul 7, 2009 11:42 PM PDT reply actions

Yeah,

good job of analyzing the possible “whole thought process”. It makes me wanna have real insight into KP and PA’s minds to know what their reasonings are.

by pdxer in dfw on Jul 8, 2009 9:23 AM PDT reply actions