The Long Haul
by Dave on Oct 17, 2010 10:25 PM PDT
in News
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PrintMusing over the start of this Portland Trail Blazers season versus those of years past got me digging a little in the historical files this weekend. I guess I instinctively know that the team has undergone radical change in the last few years but clicking on the 2005-06 Roster Page over at Basketball Reference really drove the point home. Take a gander at the lineup five years ago:
- Steve Blake, Juan Dixon, Jarrett Jack, Viktor Khryapa, Voshon Lenard, Darius Miles, Sergei Monia, Travis Outlaw, Ruben Patterson, Joel Przybilla, Zach Randolph, Ha Seung-Jin, Brian Skinner, Charles Smith, Sebastian Telfair, Martell Webster, Head Coach Nate McMillan
Przybilla and McMillan are the only names surviving into 2010. That brings up a question...
The team likely won't see such radical turnaround over the next five years. That 2005-06 squad went 21-61 (bet you didn't want to be reminded of that), all but mandating an overhaul. Even so, five seasons does end up looking like an eternity for many NBA lineups. If you had to predict which players from the current roster will still be with the Blazers five years from now, which would you choose? Explain your reasoning if you wish.
As an added bonus, if you'd like to detail what changes have happened in your life since 2005 (or even those you hope will happen over the next five years) for comparison's sake, feel free.
--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)
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wow 5 years from now…who comes cheap if they play well?? look at LMA he aint cheap and u know nico aint gonna be cheap, greg if he plays well aint gonna be cheap either…BUT MAN I WISH WE HAS ZACH RANDOLPH BACK WE NEED SUM NASTY FOR THE POST SEASON!!
Of all the Player to bring Nasty
I’d think we want someone who actually tries to Play D
by Hermistonmelons on Oct 18, 2010 5:03 AM PDT up reply actions
My Roster
Greg Oden – That’s right, deal with it.
LaMarcus Aldridge.
Wesley Matthews – you heard it here first.
Dante Cunningham.
Luke Babbit.
Nicholas Batum.
Armon Johnson.
Geriatric Dunk Squad!
1/4/10 - Juwan Howard dunks on Chris Kaman.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTkOqDgLb6s
3/7/10 - Andre Miller Tomahawk jams on the Denver Nuggets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-JVgm7F1QA
4/12/10 - Marcus Camby drops 30 and 13 on OKC to cement 50 wins. http://www.nba.com/blazers/media/camby_chant_041310.mp3
by Eat Politicians on Oct 17, 2010 10:43 PM PDT reply actions
It would be cool if our roster was still this intact 5 years from now, but I think you would be hard-pressed to find any NBA team with this many members of their 2005-06 active roster still on their roster today
#5
It's true, my v key doesn't work properly
fine, be all fact-based
then my roster is thus:
Greg Oden.
Wesley Matthews.
Nicholas Batum.
Suck on that Captain Buzzkill.
Geriatric Dunk Squad!
1/4/10 - Juwan Howard dunks on Chris Kaman.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTkOqDgLb6s
3/7/10 - Andre Miller Tomahawk jams on the Denver Nuggets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-JVgm7F1QA
4/12/10 - Marcus Camby drops 30 and 13 on OKC to cement 50 wins. http://www.nba.com/blazers/media/camby_chant_041310.mp3
by Eat Politicians on Oct 17, 2010 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree with those 3
Johnson and Roy should still be around, LMA will be as well if he keeps improving his defense and rebounding
No one should expect more that 6 current Blazers to be on the 2015 roster, not even the 1989-2004 team had that little turnover
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
That is because players didn't used to take care of themselves like they do today. For instance, look at Greg.
You don’t see him out there on the floor beating up his body by playing game in and game out..
ALSO…the players on the team are fairly young TODAY. So…they could all very likely be playing in 5 years.
I think this (or your revised list below) is close to what I would expect
I would be surprised if what we have been calling “the core” is much intact in five years, and the people who remain, in any case, will likely be in much different roles than they serve now. In other words, I don’t have much confidence that the front office vision will follow what Pritchard will put in place, or if they try with his pieces, won’t be very successful.
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
where's Brandon?
and why on earth is Luke Babbitt on that list?
by premthegrem on Oct 17, 2010 11:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Brandon is retired. Somehow he's managed to save up enough $ to get by.
Babbitt is the new smaller version of Pryz….Nordic blonde…
nice list, I like it
once they get to the finals, we want to keep them. Plus some exciting new talent.
Of course, this assumes the league does not self destruct in the meantime.
"You be realistic," Oden said. "I’m going to stay happy. All right?"
once they get to the finals, we want to keep them
This is true, the current core has to have repeated success like the 1990 era Blazers did, otherwise the roster will be tinkered with. It’s SOP in the NBA, and Paul Allen is not the kind of owner who is going to let the cake bake if the playoff results aren’t there
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Sassy!
chk yrslf bf u rec yrslf
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Oct 18, 2010 3:43 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Nice...that would be very nice. And I think a pretty good prediction.
Who will be coaching? Cho will be the GM.
Luke Babbitt?!?!?!
That dude had just better be thankful he got a guaranteed 2 year first rounder deal. He’d be out of the NBA this season if he didn’t.
"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
Whatever
He’s already an MVP candidate. Kevin Durant needs to watch out.
I used to go by tominhawaii. My real name is still Tom.
by LukeBabbittFTW on Oct 18, 2010 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Hahaha.
I’m lovin your new attitude and zest for life.
chk yrslf bf u rec yrslf
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Oct 18, 2010 4:17 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Roy and/or Aldridge will still be here because they will still be under contract, Roy more likely than Aldridge. Batum will likely still be here. I doubt Miller, Przybilla, Camby will still be in the league. Don’t think Bayless, Rudy, Patty, Pendy, or EWill will be here, Babbitt and Johnson slightly more likely but I still lean to no. On the fence about Matthews but I’ll guess he’ll still be here because either he will be indispensable or nobody will want his contract. Greg will only be here if he has a good season this year, otherwise I think he will need a change of scenery to flourish because Blazer fans have so much emotionally invested in him. Dante I’m not sure about so I’ll say no because turnover is the norm in this league
#5
It's true, my v key doesn't work properly
Roy will be traded for Adam Morrison
Book it!
Geriatric Dunk Squad!
1/4/10 - Juwan Howard dunks on Chris Kaman.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTkOqDgLb6s
3/7/10 - Andre Miller Tomahawk jams on the Denver Nuggets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-JVgm7F1QA
4/12/10 - Marcus Camby drops 30 and 13 on OKC to cement 50 wins. http://www.nba.com/blazers/media/camby_chant_041310.mp3
by Eat Politicians on Oct 17, 2010 10:49 PM PDT up reply actions
One of them's proven he can get the jewelry...just sayin.
I'm a Greg Oden honk, yeah.
Even when I was still a Sonic fan, I liked Oden more than Kevin Durant.
by AK1984 on Jun 12, 2010 12:20 AM PDT
by Tyler Durrden on Oct 17, 2010 11:16 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions 2 recs
Oden could do well in miami or orlando
that is where old people move from oregon when they are tired of their joints aching from our damp climate…
Geriatric Dunk Squad!
1/4/10 - Juwan Howard dunks on Chris Kaman.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTkOqDgLb6s
3/7/10 - Andre Miller Tomahawk jams on the Denver Nuggets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-JVgm7F1QA
4/12/10 - Marcus Camby drops 30 and 13 on OKC to cement 50 wins. http://www.nba.com/blazers/media/camby_chant_041310.mp3
by Eat Politicians on Oct 17, 2010 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions
lol
or go hang out with the vaunted Phoenix Suns training staff
#5
It's true, my v key doesn't work properly
by momomoses7 on Oct 17, 2010 10:54 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
It would take more than that to get AMMO, the greatest of all time.
"If you have a debate with a scholar, you can win. If you have a debate with an ignorant person, you will definitely lose."
"The NBA Apocalypse has occurred, and it's our fault."- C.A. Clark
AMMO's stache + Shaw's power = 2 Titles
hommina hommina hommina
I think you hit the nail on the head dear sir. Can you please tell me what will happen in 2012? will the world end? will it? will it? will it? hmmmmmm? Adam Morrison for president!!!!! book it!
I don't know what the lineup will be
but it will be time for another check-up from Roof Life of Oregon, with their non-invasive techniques to take out those yuckies and nasties.
Bazinga!
by TheTinfoil on Oct 17, 2010 10:52 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Roy Aldridge Batum Matthews Oden Johnson
Cunningham will probably get more money than we will want to pay him. Maybe a front loaded contract from Utah. Miller, Joel, and Camby will be retired. Bayless and Rudy will be traded. No idea about Babbit and Williams. Pendergraph will probably be released when Cho knows what he wants to do with his roster spot.
PTB Liberation Day - 2/10/04
by tssbro on Oct 17, 2010 10:53 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Beat me to it, that would be my list.
Your list in bold that is. With the exception of Oden. I’ll have to be honest with my thinking at least – this season decides his fate/career to some extent.
Roy/Aldridge/Batum – solid, franchise-y players which would be hard to replace with equal value.
Matthews – the team may have overpaid, and that might be fine, the team has a great, great asset.
Johnson – cheap, can play, can play d, and doesn’t make many mistakes (that gives you some longevity sometimes – who doesn’t need that guy?)
Would love to say Cunningham, the kid has the most heart on the team, but some team is gonna come knocking at some point and we won’t be able to match.
This is my list as well.
Being a half-full kinda guy, I keep Oden on.
"That really stuck with me and built something inside of me. He's a two-time MVP. If he comes in and works like that, then that's what I need to be doing." - Armon Johnson on Steve Nash
by conspirator5 on Oct 18, 2010 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions
I gave the same list above, before reading yours
it’s funny how we’re all so high on Armon, but he’s got the right work ethic, etc. I don’t know that he’ll be the future Blazer’s starting PG, but he could be a valuable reserve who sticks around for awhile, like Mark Bryant was back in ’90
Cunningham is the dark horse, similar to Mark Bryant as well
LMA is the most likely not to stick of the current starters listed above, and Roy needs his knees to stay relatively pain free (fingers crossed)
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
How bout 10yrs?
Oden will be the Marcus Camby of 2020.
Mcmillan, Roy and Aldridge probably.
Patttttyy Milllsssss!!!!!!! He’s the PGOT-2030’s
If McMillan lasts 5 more years - that means PDX will have a big big trophy case
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Oct 18, 2010 12:00 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Personally in 5 years I plan on making my first million dollars
that explains a bit about my picks:
Roy Aldridge Matthews Batum Oden Johnson Cunningham
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
cp3
roy
batum (ya, we got him back after he refused to sign an extension with NO so he could come back to portland)
Aldridge
Oden
Matthews
Dante
Rudy (he returns to portland after 4 strait EuroLeague MVPs)
Armon
some randon center
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
"I was like, 'Wow, we get a run.'-Felix Hernandez
Artis Gilmore for Hall of Fame
due to his low support around Bedge, Rudy Fernandez is temporarily my new favorite player
by thomasikehara on Oct 17, 2010 11:43 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Oh Yeah!
I’m going to get a 2010-11 basketball video game and let the computer play out five years and then build this team. 95s across the board? Undefeated over 82?
BTW, that “some random center” could be a junior in high school right now.
by FlyingOutlaw on Oct 18, 2010 12:13 AM PDT up reply actions
randon is not typo
i will found a college called the university of randon, and over two years it will become a powerhouse with superstar centers
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
"I was like, 'Wow, we get a run.'-Felix Hernandez
Artis Gilmore for Hall of Fame
due to his low support around Bedge, Rudy Fernandez is temporarily my new favorite player
by thomasikehara on Oct 18, 2010 12:20 AM PDT up reply actions
Hehe
chk yrslf bf u rec yrslf
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Oct 18, 2010 3:46 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
what are the odds that CP3 and Roy's knees both last 5 more years?
not very well, at the rate they’re going. They may still both be in the league, but probably not playing at their current level
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
at this point
batum and oden are have both won back to back MVP’s and DPOY’s, respectively
one of batum was with New Orleans, as he lead them to the title, before taking his talents across the oregon trail
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
"I was like, 'Wow, we get a run.'-Felix Hernandez
Artis Gilmore for Hall of Fame
due to his low support around Bedge, Rudy Fernandez is temporarily my new favorite player
by thomasikehara on Oct 18, 2010 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions
I wouldn't trade Batum in a package for CP3
too much risk of Paulnot signing an extension with Portland, or (if he did) his knees being pain free for 5 years
Nic is just getting better and better. There’s a reason why he’s the most-coveted player on Portland’s roster by the rest of the league. (Affordable contract puls upside makes Frenchy > Roy/LMA in trade value)
I like the potential of Batum/Matthews and I don’t want to see Portland break this duo up
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
this past year was the only year paul had any injuries
he is not more injury-proned than batum is
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
"I was like, 'Wow, we get a run.'-Felix Hernandez
Artis Gilmore for Hall of Fame
due to his low support around Bedge, Rudy Fernandez is temporarily my new favorite player
by thomasikehara on Oct 18, 2010 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions
not according to a report by Hollinger
CP3 has an meniscus issue like B-Roy, this came out back in June
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Not quite accurate
Nico’s a Blazer for the next three years, and we win the title those three years running. Then he’s traded for CP3, Durant, and filler, wins one title with NO, and returns to Portland, where we win another title in the fifth year.
Oh, and Durant would be coming off the bench to back up Nico.
When the world knows Nico Batum as "The Inevitable", I'll be very happy with where he is as a player.
hahahahahaha i love the overwhelming skill and depth of the 05-06 roster. dont know how they managed to win any games! thank god for our current roster.
2015 roster:
Armon Johnson, Brandon Roy, Wesley Matthews, Nicolas Batum, Lamarcus Aldridge, Dante Cunningham
and the starting pf for the 2010 western conference champions KENNY POWERS
they beat the L*kers at the RG on the last night of the season
and KP’s future was so bright, he had to wear shades
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
how many Bedger's will be around in 5 years to tally the results?
in the meanwhile – the only starter than has less than 5 prime years left is Miller. Off the bench – AJ looks like a keeper, and maybe Mathews, Cunningham, Elliot and Babbitt.
It is conceivable that among the starters not named Miller, no superior talent becomes available (yes, they are potentially that good – and it would be a dynasty if it turns out that way).
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
Also - I think this question has a unique context in Portland
other teams have 5 year keepers – but no other team can claim 5 year keepers at four positions and have anyone take them seriously.
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Oct 17, 2010 11:58 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
That's fair.
I was thinking the same thing yesterday. If Greg looks solid this season and Nic gets continually more featured in the offense, perhaps J-Bay/Armon is all the team needs (and can afford). I’d buy that.
chk yrslf bf u rec yrslf
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Oct 18, 2010 3:49 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
flag
Geriatric Dunk Squad!
1/4/10 - Juwan Howard dunks on Chris Kaman.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTkOqDgLb6s
3/7/10 - Andre Miller Tomahawk jams on the Denver Nuggets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-JVgm7F1QA
4/12/10 - Marcus Camby drops 30 and 13 on OKC to cement 50 wins. http://www.nba.com/blazers/media/camby_chant_041310.mp3
by Eat Politicians on Oct 18, 2010 12:27 AM PDT up reply actions
No bench.
No bench needed.
chk yrslf bf u rec yrslf
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Oct 18, 2010 3:50 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I hate to be an echo chamber...
But I also thought of three names immediately:
Oden
Batum
Matthews
EatPoliticians totally nailed this on his second attempt.
In this scenario, Greg comes back very slowly, and signs an extension with the Blazers after this season. Then his body stops being all janky and he explodes on the scene again.
Batum because he’ll be one of those humble superstars that just radiates his team’s style of play onto all his teammates.
And Matthews because he’ll grow to be an even better Cinderella story than anyone could have ever predicted. I see him being the perfect compliment to the Batum superstar role.
Opposite universe:
Roy
Aldridge
Oden
Batum
Williams
Marcus Camby, Jr.
… because, why’d you want to break up a team that’s won three straight titles?
wooooo I like it.
I don’t buy Matthews chasing around quick PGs all game but it certainly makes sense against LA.
chk yrslf bf u rec yrslf
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Oct 18, 2010 3:52 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Roy, LA, and I’d like to see Batum stick around. I forsee us giving Oden another contract, but another season ending injury a few years down the road will send him elsewhere.
by ODEN on a stick on Oct 18, 2010 12:35 AM PDT reply actions
Hmm...
I’m not going to throw together my favorite five of today and simply project them forward. My observation of team building and reality in the N.B.A. is you never really know what is going to happen and between now and 5 years from now, there is likely to be happenings nobody would imagine today.
That said, believe it or not I’m going to evaluate LaMarcus Aldridge as the player most likely to be here. Based solely on the fact that what we would have to obtain talent wise if we traded him away…would have to be pretty significant to justify trading him. Big men with talent are rare…
Then just to be a total idiot…I’m going with Steven Hill…just because he looks like he sleeps in the ceiling of The Rose Garden….I’m not convinced, signed or unsigned he would ever leave….
"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"
by Krang on Oct 18, 2010 12:59 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I like the Hill vision, it is fun to have him on the team
plus, when he is through playing, we could change to Sasquach mascot – he could play it without a headpiece. That should certainly fire the fans up.
"You be realistic," Oden said. "I’m going to stay happy. All right?"
How much XP do I get for a correct answer?
I know less than half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
No XP.
But you do get some fabulous Phantom Gargoyle Mittens.
In Bayless I trust.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
What about Holy Socks?
Can I at least get some holy socks?
I know less than half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
by haildablazer on Oct 18, 2010 2:07 AM PDT up reply actions
How about bionic knees?
I’m sure our team would trade you whatever your heart desired for some of those
#5
It's true, my v key doesn't work properly
The pessimist in me says
Aldridge
Johnson
Mathews
Batum
Count me in the group that sees BRoy as a second tier star that’s often injured. The team makes this realization in about 2 years and trades him soon after.
Oden doesn’t really recover enough this season to justify a huge, long term deal and gets snatched up by another team when the Blazers don’t match their giant, multi year deal (and you know theres always another team willing to do this even for iffy big man prospects; see Ike Austin)
The others either retire (Camby, and Priz) or are traded/not resigned (Miller, Bayless, Cunningham, etc…)
Roy, Aldridge, Batum, Oden, Johnson
Matthews gets traded for some up and comer.
Roy, Aldridge, Oden and Batum
They’re the untouchables now, so should be the most likely to be here in 2015.
I also predict one of Bayless/Johnson/Williams will still be here along with one of Babbit/Dante/Pendy.
Don't Criticize
yeah...can't have too much holdover or you don't have any room for draft picks
Bench is a good place to stock talent if you can’t stock them overseas….which makes me like your “one of the group” idea….
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Oct 18, 2010 7:10 AM PDT up reply actions
I think the roster will contain some of our over seas holdings
Petco, Freeland, and whats his name from Spain.
along with Greg and Joel, Joel will be good for insurance yet and will still by a mentor to Greg and Joe Freeland.
LMA and Dante.
Batum and Matthews.
BRoy and Williams
Johnson and Petco.
hg
Claver
I will be shocked if Victor ever comes to PDX for a fall camp
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
And the winner is...
I am going to choose one current guy that should be here in five years is:
Dante Cunningham
Reason: Healthy, reliable, leadership qualities, and steadily improving. Plus he can play 3 positions! He is a great role model that represents himself well and does a the little things that make him a Blazer 5 years away.
2005-06 vs upcoming opening day rosters
Most NBA rosters turned over everyone but a select few stars and maybe a role player or two in five years.
Atlanta: Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Zaza Pachulia, Marvin Williams. The “Blazers East” are pretty stable.
Boston: Paul Pierce, Kendrick Perkins, Tony Allen. Plus coach Doc Rivers
Charlotte: Gerald Wallace, Matt Carroll (re-acquired)
Chicago: Luol Deng
Dallas: Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry
Denver: Carmelo Anthony (probably), Nene Hilario, Kenyon Martin. Plus coach George Karl
Detroit: Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Jason Maxiell
Golden State: Monta Ellis, Andris Biedrins
Houston: Yao Ming, Chuck Hayes
Indiana: Danny Granger, Jeff Foster
LA Clippers: Chris Kaman
LA Lakers: Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom, Sasha Vujacic, Luke Walton. Plus coach Phil Jackson. Derek Fisher returned but was not on the team in 2005-06. That’s about as stable as it gets in the NBA.
Memphis: Nobody. The closest would be Damon Stoudamire as an assistant coach.
Miami: Dwyane Wade, Udonis Haslem. Pat Riley as former coach, now GM and coach supervisor ;)
Milwaukee: Michael Redd, Andrew Bogut
Minnesota: Nobody
New Jersey: Nobody
New Orleans: Chris Paul, David West
New York Knicks: Eddy Curry (d’oh!)
Oklahoma/Seattle: Nick Collison
Orlando: Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson
Philadelphia: Andre Iguodala, Louis Williams
Phoenix: Steve Nash
Portland: Joel Przybilla. Plus coach Nate McMillan
Sacramento: Francisco Garcia
San Antonio: Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker. Plus coach Gregg Popovich. The other model of core stability.
Toronto: Jose Calderon
Utah: Deron Williams, C.J. Miles, Mehmet Okur, Andrei Kirilenko. Plus coach Jerry Sloan. Another stable team, but never on top.
Washington: Gilbert Arenas, Andray “no I’m not some Russian player” Blatche
And that’s all there is.
So if you think the Blazers will retain more than 5 players for 5 years that would be on the high end. I’m e.g. not that confident we can retain Batum and Bayless, not because we don’t want to but because they might want to move on to have bigger or different roles with other teams.
I would say 1-2 of Aldridge – Roy – Oden, 1 or both of Cunningham and Matthews, and maybe Batum. Joel Freeland might join from the unsigned draft picks. But as said, that would be a lot of retention which may or may not be a sign of success.
"Listening to the media only increases your odds of failing at whatever you are doing" - Mark Cuban
by Norsktroll on Oct 18, 2010 4:55 AM PDT reply actions 6 recs
Yo, everybody knows that Norskie is the best...
"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
Yeah, people must realize that a high turnover rate in personnel is a part of professional sports.
"Some things you can't unsee, bro." (The League)
breaking the model isn't out of the question
as I mentioned above – Portland is fairly unique in having so many guys that could be top 3-5 at their position all very young and just entering their primes or ahead of their primes.
The chance that four positions could still be starting in 5 years is more real than most teams will ever see….
However, chances are equally good that someone becomes tradebait or injured or just doesn’t quite live up to the hype….
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Oct 18, 2010 7:21 AM PDT up reply actions
I dunno
Are we really that different from:
the Bulls in 2005/2006 (Gordon, Deng, Duhon, Hinrich, Chandler, Nocioni all starters/high minute players 26 or under)
the Mavs (Terry, Dirk, Howard, Harris, Diop and Daniels 28 or under)
the Renaissance Clippers (Livingston, Brand, Maggette, Kaman 26 and under)
Golden State (Baron, Biedrins, Murphy, Dunleavy Jr., Pietrus, and Ellis all 25 and under)
All of those teams had young cores and looked like they’d be more or less set for a while, but, as Norsk’s list shows none have more than 2 players returning.
#52
Exactly, a high turnover rate is the norm.
Doing otherwise would be bucking the trend.
"Some things you can't unsee, bro." (The League)
I think what people are really underrating here
are the consequences of missed expectations. If this team hasn’t won a title in 3-4 years or made multiple straight finals, people are going to start getting shipped out as we look to get over the hump, just like happened with the Mavs and Bulls.
#52
That might be it.
As an anaolgy, fans should view professoinal athletes like your run-of-the-mill low-end retail employee — which I’ve been in the past — who rarely experience longevity at one place for a variety of reasons. I mean, heck, this isn’t an industry where employees get tenured and get job security for like 30 or so years, such as being a university professor.
"Some things you can't unsee, bro." (The League)
If we win the title this year or next
I can see this Blazer Dynasty happening. If we don’t win it they’ll rebuild due to rising cost.
I can see Bayless gone for a bigger role this season
Batum can have a big role right here.
"You be realistic," Oden said. "I’m going to stay happy. All right?"
Minn. and New Jersey are interesting to see with zero holdovers.
Goes to show you what happens when a team rebuilds around nothing. The only records you have a chance to break is fewest wins
btw Never knew Nene had a last name ;) rec’d for that reason alone
"AND THE GAME IS OVER! THE GAME IS OVER!! THE PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS HAVE WON THE NBA CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!" Bill Schonely, game 6 of the NBA Finals, 1977 and 2011
Memphis also had no holdovers. I included Mighty Mouse just for giggles who was a player then an is a coach now. Not a real roster consistency. Yeah, you can see pretty clearly which teams were rebuilding over that period (Blazers too).
Denver’s Brazilian center was born Maybyner Rodney Hilario, but legally changed his name to Nene in 2003 similar to the nicknames used by Brazilian soccer stars. That’s why he can put it on his jersey, and Rudy can’t. Some databases still list him as Nene Hilario, so that’s why I had that there.
"Listening to the media only increases your odds of failing at whatever you are doing" - Mark Cuban
Roster 2015-2016
Roy
Aldridge
Batum
Pendergraph
Mathews
Freeland
Johnson
New Point Guard
New Center
Gone is
Oden
Canby
P’Zilla
Miller
Rudy
Bayless
Williams
Cunningham
The real Question is will Nate still be here? I say no he will be replaced by a cardboard cutout of Dr Jack Ramsey, tho their second half offensive adustments will be eerily similar.
McMillian is a couple of months away from passing Adelman at #2 in longest-tenured Blazer coach
Nate is going to need some playoff success to survive, but he has a built-in advantage of being “Mr. Sonic” and respected by Paul and the Vulcans. Nate has also expressed the desire to remain at one place like Jerry Sloan, so it’s unlikely that he’ll go looking for another job
Maybe K*be will recruit McMillian to replace P-Jack?
As much flack as Nate gets, there’s no guarantee that Paul and Rich will hire someone better. Remember the cautionary tales who were PJ Carlesimo and Mo Cheeks.
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
he said this is probably his last contract the other day
this season and next, if there is a next season
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Nic Batum and Wesley Mathews
will be the only players still here in 5 years.
Camby, Miller, Przybilla – retired
Roy, Aldridge — traded elsewhere, or not re-signed. They might last the 5 years, but not beyond
The rookies — traded for draft picks, European players, etc.
Oden — retired due to repeated injuries
Rudy — out of the NBA
Bayless — putting up gaudy numbers for a non-playoff team
Pendergraph & Cunningham — playing backup roles on good teams elsewhere, or starting on lousy teams. They will have been traded for draft picks.
McMillan — working as an assistant coach somewhere after this season.
"McMillan — working as an assistant coach somewhere after this season."
I’d laugh if Nate McMillan was stuck in some dead-end assistant coaching gig post-lockout. One possibility is McMillan working as an assistant coach for his old college teammate and roommate, Vinny Del Negro, who’s with the laughingstock Los Angeles Clippers. Countless folks think McMillan may go to Los Angeles, although that’d be the less glamorous route.
"Some things you can't unsee, bro." (The League)
I bet this is George Karl's last season in Denver.
Even if it wasn’t, though, Nate McMillan has never worked as an assistant coach for Karl, as well as has a vastly different style of coaching offensively. Karl was influenced a lot by Dean Smith and Doug Moe, while McMillan was influenced greatly by Bernie Bickerstaff. Defensively, however, McMillan did take a lot from Karl, as they’re both influenced by Bob Kloppenburg and his SOS pressure defense.
"Some things you can't unsee, bro." (The League)
I didn't necessarily think it would be a dead-end place.
I could easily see him as an assistant to Popovich or Sloan — perhaps coming in as the heir apparent.
I can also see him in a situation similar to the Blazers 5 years ago — a young team in need of a character makeover and some discipline.
Of course, being a vocal critic of Nate’s, I can also see the rest of the league figuring out that he just isn’t a championship caliber head coach, that his schemes are just too simplistic and that he does a poor job of making adjustments during the course of a game or series.
Jerry Sloan is extremely particular about his coaching staff -- which includes long-time lead ...
assistant Phil D. Johnson, former player Tyrone Corbin, and legacy hire Scott Layden — thus, that’s not an option for Nate McMillan. Gregg Popovich doesn’t make much sense, either, since someone with a past connection to him — such as the now unemployed Mike Brown or maybe P.J. Carlesimo, who’s on Jay Triano’s sinking ship in Toronto — would likely be on his short list.
"Some things you can't unsee, bro." (The League)
Now, the Dallas Mavericks may make sense for Nate McMillan if Rick Carlisle is still there after ...
this season. Carlisle worked as a color commentator for the Seattle SuperSonics during the 2000-2001 season, as well as has two guys with Seattle ties, Dwane Casey and Terry Stotts, currently on his staff in Dallas.
"Some things you can't unsee, bro." (The League)
I think that's overly pessemistic.
If Nate goes from here, I think the league will look at him as the NBA equivalent of a “turnaround specialist” and some rebuilding team will look to him to put his Sarge hat back on. Does he deserve that distinction? I think time will tell. If he can get another broken team back to the playoffs, he may get pigeonholed for that role for the remainder of his career…. but its a head coaching role.
"That really stuck with me and built something inside of me. He's a two-time MVP. If he comes in and works like that, then that's what I need to be doing." - Armon Johnson on Steve Nash
by conspirator5 on Oct 18, 2010 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions
Batum and Matthews
Makes sense to me in many ways. Although, I think Aldridge will be around at least a few more years and there will likely be a sign and trade situation bringing in??? It is actually very hard for me not to include him because even if he stays at the same stats as the last couple of years, big men like him are rare held onto tightly. Therefore, if he even makes minimal improvements that we all talk about and wish he would make (a better 3-point %, and increased nastiness in the paint on both ends of the floor) over the next couple of years, he will not be going anywhere. He is also rarely out due to injury which is a nice bonus for this team.
Brandon? After the highly potential lockout, he has troubles coming back, and we get lucky trading him for a decent role-player who is a 4th or 5th option and a piece of filler or two. This will happen in 2013 or near that time. Oden? Look, if he has a decent season this year that shows progress and that he can play in at least 40 regular season games and still be around healthy for the playoffs, that makes predicting his future role with the team very tricky. Does he decide to do the Blazers a solid and sign roughly within our cap limitations knowing they are still taking a risk? In many ways, I hope so, but doubt it. Someone like the Knicks or Nets are going to offer him a “toxic” offer and the Nets have the money to take a hit if he doesn’t work out whereas Paul Allen may be ready to move on and not spend too high or greatly exceed the cap for a still questionable Oden.
If I had to take a blind shot in the dark at a third player (making it difficult due to unseen/unknown rookies abilities at NBA level), I would predict A.J. mainly because he’s a PG.
Embrace every particle
I pretty much agree with everything you say here
I was really on the fence about whether LMA will still be here 5 years from now. I think basically the reason he gets traded is that he’ll bring a lot back.
As you suggest, Roy may not bring back that much (although I could envision a sort of Grant Hill – type rejuvenation). His knee, from what I understand, is basically bone-on-bone at this point. I don’t see him getting anymore durable.
I do think the Blazers have a couple of very valuable pieces in Batum and Matthews — pieces that I suspect they over-value, and thus will retain them just because they want too much for them.
The rest of the guys I figure will be gone because, as a couple posts above show well, turnover is just part of the NBA.
I’ll be shocked if Nate is still here in 5 years. Coaches just don’t last that long, Jerry Sloan notwithstanding. Plus Nate will be on a series of 1 year deals, making it that much easier to unload him. Frankly, I suspect he is gone after this year, unless the Blazers get to the WCF.
I'm not sure if it's hidden advertising, but...
I’m starting to think that Johnson is the best bet to be here.
The guy has only been a Blazer for a few months and he has already: (1) gotten heaps of praise from the coach for his defense, hustle, and tenacity and (2) somehow unseated Bayless as the hardest working guy on the team.
He sounds like a good bet to be here through his rookie contract and get a new contract before he becomes a (restricted) free agent…
I’d like to think that Matthews, Batum, Fernandez and Oden will still be here too, but I’m not sure I’d bet on it.
The guy has only been a Blazer for a few months and he has already: (1) gotten heaps of praise from the coach for his defense, hustle, and tenacity
Robert Pack once looked like he’d be a Blazer for years, as well
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
In 5 years, Jermaine O'Neal will be 37.
Maybe then he can make his triumphant return to Portland.
"Some things you can't unsee, bro." (The League)
Juwann may be a coach...assistant? Do not know him well enough to know if he is capable of
being a head coach….he may be..
In the 2010-2011 GM Survey, Derek Fisher, Chauncey Billups, Steve Nash, Shane Battier, and ...
Jason Kidd received multiple votes as active players who might become future NBA head coaches: http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/10/02/coaches-predictions/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt1
"Some things you can't unsee, bro." (The League)
Yeah, I didn't quite get that vote.
Mike Miller seemed odd to me, too.
"Some things you can't unsee, bro." (The League)
Have good nucleus
With any luck, BRoy, LMA, Oden, Batum and Matthews (Matthews turned into a monster off the bench). Would like to see Johnson, Cunningham and Elliot stick around for awhile. Still have Kopo, Claver and Freeland overseas, could see them in 5 years. And if Rudy gets his Sh*t together would love to see him stick around as well.
One serious thing...
I guess I did not take this post too seriously. But one thing:
“The team likely won’t see such radical turnaround over the next five years.”-Dave
Hmm…don’t know if I agree with that. Honestly? I think this season will go a long way to defining how much change or stability is ahead. Good regular season, Playoff Success, and a relative health by our primaries…and I think The Blazers conclude they can win with this nuculeus and we have “relative” stability. Another season of injury to players like Oden and Brandon? Mediocrity or playoff stagnation? And I think we could find ourselves in quite a period of transition again.
In the N.B.A. 5 years is an eternity…and if a championship is your goal, I’d expect more change in any 5 year period than I would stability. Unless you are in a Championship cycle AKA: like recently with San Antonio and in the past with Chicago…then I think radical turnaround is more likely than relative stability.
The N.B.A. by it’s very nature is not fertile ground for stability.
"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"
Here's a scary thought
with regards to the “5 years is an eternity” point. Heading into the 2005/2006 season with Houston, Tracy Mcgrady was the same age that Brandon Roy is now.
#52
t-mac had been playing in the nba right out of high school
so he had played a lot more nba ball than roy
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
"I was like, 'Wow, we get a run.'-Felix Hernandez
Artis Gilmore for Hall of Fame
due to his low support around Bedge, Rudy Fernandez is temporarily my new favorite player
by thomasikehara on Oct 18, 2010 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Most SGs are pretty much shells of their age 25/26
by the time they hit 31, which was my main point, T-Mac is just a prime example.
Sure, you get guys like Kobe and Ray Allen who can still compete at a somewhat high level as long as they have ample help, but those guys are nowhere near what they once were and both are renowned as fitness freaks, something it appears Roy is not (not that he’s lazy, just nowhere near as freakishly obsessive about it as those guys).
Even if Roy is still around, he almost definitely won’t be anywhere near the same player he is today.
#52
Of course, we should also consider the possibility that
5 years from now will be only 4 seasons from now, in case we lose a season to a lockout.
best guess
AJ
Matthews
Batum
LMA
Oden
Dante
gone:
Miller, Camby, Pryz, (retired)
Williams, Babbitt, Bayless, Roy (too expensive for their bench roles and land on other teams)
Fernandez (European leagues)
2015 rosters:
still waiting on a healthy oden (and still saying “imagine next year, next year…”)
- oden’s 3-year-old 6ft son’s rights get acquired in a backdoor deal with the knicks
- barring some achilles problems, nate dons a jersey again…chooses jersey number 8008 because it says boob on a calculator and is also some weird, possibly-sexual homage to batum and duckworth.
- jordan farmar’s big, dumb ears play starting minutes at the four (for, like, no reason).
- wesley mathews is tearing shizz up.
- batum = still my main man.
- rudy calls sergio and also gets rubio over here (solving our pg prob, finally) and all burnt bridges to spain are rebuilt whilst rudy has some friends to pal around with instead of getting all emo alone in our rainy city.
- aldridge is getting that 25 and 10 we all know he’s capable of.
- b-roy is playing great as usual, has no injuries to speak of and has been your favorite for so many years that you can’t even remember the “dry spells” of ’09, ’10…
"careful, man. there's a beverage here."
Bit o' historical perspective
Went and took a look at some old rosters and noticed that if you compare the year before we drafted Clyde (82-83) to 5 years after that, the only name on both rosters is Jim Paxson. But then, compare the 87-88 roster to 5 years after that, and we see that 4 of the core guys (Drexler, Duckworth, Kersey and Porter) are all stable over that period, and most of the turnover is with the bench.
Likewise, in 2005, the team was, at best, a fixer-upper. To get better we had to tear the thing down to the studs, which is when we found the dryrot (or whatever fungus might have been affecting Zebo). We replaced that with a solid frame, and trimmed it out nicely, one draft at a time.
I expect we’re going to see a similar core group of guys (Roy, LA, Oden, Batum) around here for quite a while, but we shouldn’t be surprised if there is turnover beyond that. It’s natural that we get emotionally attached to players like Bayless and Dante, but it’s also a natural process in the NBA that players like them make up the ebb and flow of player movement.
by LasloHlyfeld on Oct 18, 2010 9:31 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Sure...
…..but Drexler, Kersey, Porter and Duckworth (and Buck) were a Championship quality team. It’s kind of a Chicken or The Egg scenario but I think when you have a nuculeus that has or is reaching the finals…then you are going to see stability..or you should.
I remember the “building” of that 90’s team and it’s assembly was brilliant. Every added player and piece simply worked. Drexler, Porter, Kersey…big turning point..Buck Williams and Duckworth…and once assembled we had good/great success and then it becomes obviously almost incumbent to allow a team it’s chance to see what it can do.
This line-up has not proven itself at anything near the success and tangible results of the early 90’s Blazers, so it has not earned that stability. Will it? I think this season will reveal a lot towards that answer but I don’t think anyone has that answer today.
"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"
And that's why this is such an interesting question
If this team goes deep in the playoffs this year, then you can expect some “core” of the team to be around for awhile. But if not? ….
compare the 87-88 roster to 5 years after that, and we see that 4 of the core guys (Drexler, Duckworth, Kersey and Porter) are all stable over that period,
This is the only period of time that 4 players stayed together for 5 years in the 40 year history of the franchise
So I guess the question re: Roy, LMA, Oden, Batum (etc) staying together for the next 3-5 years is…do you feel lucky, kid? Well, do ya? They had better reach the WCF soon, or the front office will start tinkering with the roster mix
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
The part of me that likes to make snide comments says that
Bert Kolde will be the only person left in 5 years, but he won’t be allowed to sit next to Paul Allen during games.
Still in Portland 5 years hence...
Roy
Aldridge
Batum
Armon Johnson
"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
Roy, Batum, and Oden
I moved to Hawaii in October 2005. I followed the Blazers on Oregonlive and only caught one quarter of a game that season. They were down by 20 in that game so we went to the beach.
I used to go by tominhawaii. My real name is still Tom.
by LukeBabbittFTW on Oct 18, 2010 11:16 AM PDT reply actions
Do they have the right pieces?
Five years really is an eternity in this day in age. You could pick any team in the league and see how dramatically different they are now from five years ago. Some of the most successful franchises have been able to keep a small core group together(i.e. Spurs – Parker, Manu, Duncan) but everyone around them (i.e. role players) have come and gone.
Which brings me to my point…does Portland have the right pieces? Do they have a legitimate core group of players that they can have sustainable success with? Let’s take a look….
Roy and Aldridge are the obvious choices because they both have long term deals here in Portland and are both the current faces of the franchise. However, seeing as how the Blazers organization doesn’t appear to be as high on LA as they initially were, if there was a chance to get some sort of an upgrade in return I think they do it in a second. It all comes down to availability and timing though. If the right guy, at the right time, for the right price never comes to fruition…LA is here to stay and in my opinion that wont happen and he remains in Portland for at least 4 1/2 to 5 years.
Roy on the other hand is really all they have. Everyone else hasn’t gotten out of the “has potential” stage of their careers. He has four years with an option for a fifth. If he isn’t happy and is still playing out of his skull there’s a good chance he might be splittsville before year five comes around. You also have to speculate what kind of longevity Roy will have with two bad knee. He could be the next T-Mac, he could become that player that is never healthy enough to get the team out of the first round. If that happens, there’s a fair chance he’s dealt his final year in Portland which is exactly at that five year mark Either way, something leads me to believe that Roy will be gone come five years from now.
They other three guys I believ have a chance is Batum, Oden and Mathews.
Depending on what kind of condition Roy is in through that period of time, Mathews could be the guy that Portland looks to for production. If he stays healthy though, Mathews becomes a tradable asset.. What happens? Unless Mathews becomes a major bargain and his overall production surpasses what he’s worth, the Blazers will look to keep him, but if that doesn’ happen and the Blazers ar ein a tight spot he will be traded and I beleive that is the more likely scenario.
Batum is another guy that is loaded with potential, but at this point I think his expectation have superceded his abilities. I love the guy, but he’s not the next Pippen. Sorry folks. We’ve already seen the Blazers willingness to deal him and I think they’ll remain active trying to see what they can get for Batum before he’s due for an extention. I think he’s another tradable asset that will get dealt.
Now to Oden, something tells me that their patience has worn out with him otherwise he would have signed an extention by now. I think they let the market dictate what he’s worth and they’ll ultimately decide whether or not he’s woth the money. Chances are, there will be a team that will offer him something more than what the Blazers think he’s worth and as a result he be playing for another team next season, UNLESS, he has a great season they be be inclined to match any offer.
To conclude, if you look at how Paul Allen has operated the Portland Trail-Blazers since becoming owner of the franchise…he likes action and results. He was quick to tear the most popular team in franchise history just two years removed from going to the Conference Finals. Granted the team was aging, but he wasn’t going to sit and wait in out he was ready for the next chapter. Likwise the the Jail-Blazers, after seeing them come up short too many times, he took a wrecking ball to it and started over once again. Smart move, but again, proof he wants action and results. He thought the team was behind schedule after their first playoff appearance and exit in 2009. We know he’s actively seek another superstar to add to the team, but getting that guy is easier said than done. This being their third go at it, if expectations aren’t met, chances are there will be a shakeup, but the question is…what’s good enough for Paul Allen?
seeing as how the Blazers organization doesn’t appear to be as high on LA as they initially were
How are you getting this feeling? Nate has been very complimentary of LMA and Cho hasn’t said anything that would lead us to believe that any of the Blazer players are short-timers. (Yet) The big hurdle will be when Oden comes back, then we’ll see how Greg, LMA and Roy interact. If the three of them can’t find a dominant style of play that leads to the WCF, then Rich and his staff will have to look at alternatives.
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Two playoff letdowns and consistently underachieving in the regular season. I don’t think anybody sees him as a legit two on most squads in the NBA and again this is evident with the players trying to upgrade by brining stars to the team.
he was pretty good statistically in his first playoff series
everyone claims scola outplayed him, but LMA easily won that series
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
"I was like, 'Wow, we get a run.'-Felix Hernandez
Artis Gilmore for Hall of Fame
due to his low support around Bedge, Rudy Fernandez is temporarily my new favorite player
by thomasikehara on Oct 18, 2010 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions
I don’t think anybody sees him as a legit two on most squads in the NBA and again this is evident with the players trying to upgrade by brining stars to the team.
A lot of fans and some media types have an issue with LMA’s toughness, but that doesn’t mean the Blazer’s front office has been trying to trade him. There certainly haven’t been any rumors about this. Of all the trade proposals that have been leaked I can’t think of any that have included LMA, except for the ones here that Bedgers (like yours truly) have proposed
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Trade only if the upgrade is available.
I don’t think they trade LMA, but I get the feeling that they’re not confident that he’s the quintessential #2 at least in reagards to championship level teams. If you believed in your team and if you believed in your players abilities..you wouldn’t be actively and desperately seeking to add another superstar. I honestly think the Blazers understand the ceiling of what’s on their team and evidently they don’t think it’s goodn enough to contend and frankly, neithierdo I.
I don't think LMA is a #2, either
I’ve compared him to James Worthy, who was the #3 option in L*A with Magic-Kareem until Kareem got too old to be the #1
But what we think is immaterial. Nate has been gushing about LMA this fall, and the front office probably feels like LMA and Greg will be a championship duo at the 4-5. Until that’s proven otherwise, #12 stays
the hypothetical “superstar” that the team desires to add is most likely a starting PG, not a different post player. It might take trading away LMA to acquire this difference-maker, but not necessarily.
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
at this point I think his expectation have superceded his abilities. I love the guy, but he’s not the next Pippen.
No one is saying that Nic has to become “the next Pippen” to be a long-time Blazer and part of a future championship roster. Scouts and other NBA execs are saying that Batum reminds them of Scottie because of similar skills and BBIQ. Pippen wasn’t considered “the next Magic Johnson” when he was 22 years old, so why should anyone place those lofty expectations on Frenchy, now?
The good news is, Nic wants to be the next Pippen, so let’s let him aim high and be all that he can be as a future NBA star-in-the-making . Batum is a team player, so he’ll fill a role and if Portland is smart they’ll keep on expanding that role as Nic matures
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
No, he doesn't.
However, the expectations are set that high. So far he hasn’t proven to be a consistent on the offensive side of the ball. Defensively he’s been great and defense will win you ball games, but is going to prove that he’s worth the investment for a long term relationship? Doubtful.
So far he hasn’t proven to be a consistent on the offensive side of the ball
Few 22 years-olds have, in NBA history. What part of his 40/50/88% shooting didn’t you like when Batum returned from right shoulder surgery? Nic’s a role player and the 4th-5th option in the starting lineup, the fact that he “hasn’t proven to be consistent on the offensive side” has more to do with his usage (coach’s decision) than any lack of talent
is going to prove that he’s worth the investment for a long term relationship?
As long as he stays healthy? Yes. Portland has had a lot of trouble acquiring and developing small forwards over the decades, hopefully Allen and Cho will realize this and extend Batum when the time comes.
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Kind of agree.
Yes, he’s young and has upside…but that’s just it…it’s still just upside. If you have a sure thing waiting to be traded, you take the sure thing.
this is where scouts earn their money
Nic is inexpensive, he’s productive now and his growth curve projects to peak in 4-5 years and he should still be a starter after 10 years, if healthy
Assuming your “sure thing” player is CP3, he’s going to be on an expiring contract next year. He can’t be extended until next summer and there have been rumors that he wants to play in NY/NJ. What kind of assurances do the Blazers have that they will be able to have his services beyond 2011? (Keep in mind next year there’s a lockout looming)
So the choice isn’t as easy as it sounds. I was relieved to hear that the Blazers chose not to pursue Paul as long as Batum was in the deal. Nic is an important contributor to the team, currently, and he has a decent chance to be one of Portland’s stars in the next 2-10 years.
My conclusion back in June remains: try to make a proposal that the Hornets will accept for CP3 that doesn’t include Batum. It will probably require that one or two other teams be involved in the deal, but unlike back in June, the Blazers now have a GM who specializes in complicated multi-team trades. Let’s see how the season plays out, New Orleans may be in a better mood to discuss CP3, this winter, and Cho should have a better feel re: his roster and assets.
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
We’ve already seen the Blazers willingness to deal him
Uh, no we haven’t. We’ve seen exactly the opposite.
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
he was also reportedly taken out of the deal
allegedly
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
"I was like, 'Wow, we get a run.'-Felix Hernandez
Artis Gilmore for Hall of Fame
due to his low support around Bedge, Rudy Fernandez is temporarily my new favorite player
by thomasikehara on Oct 18, 2010 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Allegedly the owner said "no" to Nic being a part of that deal
which was the right call. Every NBA team wants Batum, it’s not a surprise that he’s been mentioned in most if not all major Blazer trade rumors for the past 2 years. Batum’s still here, and here he should stay
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
if you look at how Paul Allen has operated the Portland Trail-Blazers since becoming owner of the franchise…he likes action and results…
There’s no doubt that Paul is impatient, and he’s been willing to pay a lot of luxury tax dollars to assemble a deep and talented roster in the past. I have a feeling that he’s not going to encourage Cho to conduct “chemistry experiments” like Trader Bob did back in the late ‘90s. The culture model that began in 2005 isn’t going to be cast aside just because KP’s gone, but I’m hoping that part of the reason why Portland has drafted 3-4 rookies in the past 2 years is because they’re stockpiling talent in anticipation of a blockbuster trade. With enough young talent on low salaries, they shouldn’t have to trade young veterans (like Batum) to get the difference-makers the roster needs to contend for a title.
We know he’s actively seek another superstar to add to the team, but getting that guy is easier said than done
It’s also not easy to find the right kind of superstar who will fit in and elevate the team’s play. Everyone wants a star PG, but when you look at recent NBA champions, they tend to have role players at the 1 rather than the best player on the team. In fact, you’d have to go back to Isiah Thomas and the Pistons 20 years ago to find an NBA champion where their best player was the PG. Still, we know that Allen likes quick PGs, so the Blazer’s pursuit of CP3 is understandable
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I agree.
I like you believe that they’ve been stockpiling players in the event that a big time player hits the trading market. I think it’s smart, but it all comes down to timing and availability. However, I do think Batum is a likely target to get the ideal player to come here. He’s going to be the most requested and if push comes to shove, he will be dealt.
Is this a championship-caliber team if everyone is healthy?
We may never know.
If it is, you can expect the nucleus to stay intact over the next 5-7 years, as they are young enough to content during that period. If they aren’t, it’s possible none of them could be here in 2015. Five years from now will be October, and Matthews, Roy and Aldridge’s existing contracts will have expired. So for them to be here they will have needed to have been re-signed or extended.
Looking at each member of the 2010 Blazer roster:
Roy: Has the luster worn off the Roy wonder? Let’s say “no”, he manages to stay mostly healthy (70+ games/year), continues to make the All-Star game with a high wins produced, and is extended in 2013. Verdict: Present in 2015.
Aldridge: His production will steadily, if slowly, increase as he gets more experience in the league, topping out at a borderline All-Star level (he makes it once or twice before 2015). But we lose him to free agency or a trade by the target date. Verdict: Gone, but missed.
Camby: Retired. Verdict: Gone.
Pryzbilla: Retired. Verdict: Gone.
Miller: Traded following this season, or released. Retired by 2015. Verdict: Gone.
Oden: Here’s the essential question. If Oden is healthy, we’d never let him go. If he’s not, people here seem to think he’ll retire. What if he is healthy someday, but not now? Let’s say he only plays 30 games this season, will the Blazer’s make him an offer? Likely. Will they match a team willing to make a high dollar flyer on him? I’m not so sure. My guess the Blazers give up on him too early (can four years even be too early?), and he turns into a productive player elsewhere. Verdict: Gone, but regretted.
Matthews: A productive and much loved player, traded in the last year of his contract for a younger prospect and cap flexibility. Welcome to the NBA, it’s a business. Verdict: Gone.
Bayless: Still in the league, but not here. Verdict: Gone.
Babbitt: Not in the league. Verdict: Gone.
Williams: Playing in Europe, but not too happy about it. Verdict: Gone.
Fernandez: Also in Europe, but very happy about it. Verdict: Gone.
Batum: He’ll get signed to a five year deal when his rookie scale ends, so he’ll still be here. Sticky, versatile defenders with length are too valuable to let go. Verdict: Present.
Cunningham: I’m a fan of his game, so I’ll mourn when they deal him in 2013. Verdict: Gone.
Pendergraph: They’re going to cut him loose next season. Really a shame. Verdict: Gone.
Johnson: We won’t reach to match the offers he gets after his two year deal expires. Verdict: Gone.
Mills: Playing overseas. Verdict: Gone.
Outlaw: Catfish is already a Net. Just mentioned because I miss him.
Webster: Tearing it up as a T-Wolf. Still in the NBA and very productive in five years. Also missed.
Blake: It’s going to be hard watching him as a Laker when he comes to town. He’ll still be backing up more talented guards in 2015, making a contribution. But not here.
by baduk on Oct 18, 2010 1:07 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
You may be right
You have only Batum and Roy still here. I think Oden will still be here also. I know people want Matthews to still be here, but he probably won’t want to be a back up to Roy and Batum. I’m going
Roy
Batum
Oden
Hopefully we’ll be able to get good guys to surrond them, and win a championship.
Oh and McMillan will be gone too.
by desperationshot on Oct 18, 2010 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Miller: Traded following this season, or released.
If Andre isn’t traded at the deadline his option for 2011-2012 will be picked up. The only reason why not is if his production slips this season (unlikely) or the lockout wipes out next season
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Rich Cho rolls the dice
Blazers 2015
Oden
Batum
LMA
Stephen Curry
Matthews
Monta Ellis – 6th man
Joel becomes an assistant to Jeff Van Gundy on the coaching staff
Nate reunites with Blake to install a disciplined offense after the Lakers lose the title in 2010. Nate is not fired rather Jerry Buss gets what he wants.
Rich Cho’s first blockbuster is Roy and Miller to Golden State for Stephen Curry, Monta Ellis and Dan Gadzuric
by blazer_believer on Oct 18, 2010 3:05 PM PDT reply actions
correction
I misunderstood the trade machine. The following trade will work:
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=38fn55u
Substitute Ekpe Udoh for Dan Gadzuric
by blazer_believer on Oct 19, 2010 1:44 AM PDT up reply actions
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