A Kevin Pritchard man crush post

I have been mulling over the Camby trade, as we all have been, for the last 36 hours or so. The more I think about it the more I am amazed at Pritchard's vision and skill. I mean really, did anyone think a trade that made this much sense was a remote possibility a week ago?

I sure as heck did not. In fact, I was firmly in the stand pat camp on any trade by the deadline. Given our current injury situation and the resultant obvious need we were in for a big man, I did not see where we could get real value for the available talent on our team. Frankly, we were in a position of weakness on any potential deal. My one thought was actually moving Blake and Outlaw simply because of the expiring contract situation, but with Blake in a bit of a funk this season and Trout's injury status I did not see how we could get real value for either of them either.

Then, yesterday morning, I walk into the office and a coworker, and fellow Blazer season ticket holder, asks what I thought about the trade. I was flummoxed, hadn't been following the Blazer beat the last few days, snow blinded by the olympics as I was. I gotta tell you, at first I was a little sick to the stomach. I love Outlaw, I love Blake. Outlaw for who he is, as aggravating as he was to watch on occasion he was also just pure fun to watch. I loved Blake for his work ethic and obvious intensity on the floor even though he dribbled away the shot clock and then resorted to the FBP more than I would have liked .

After that initial shock and the surprising depth of feeling I had about moving these two guys out settled in and I started looking into Camby I quickly realized this was the perfect trade for us and the players involved. Camby gets a real shot at another playoff run, Trout gets his chance to work his way into a starting lineup and Blake, OK maybe this is not the greatest situation for him.

Camby, 7' big man, dominant on the boards, experienced, playoff veteran. Many posts have recounted his stats and history as defensive player of the year so i will not rehash all of that. Suffice it to say, this IS the guy we need to make a serious run these last 26 games.

But with all that, my man crush juices started flowing when I realized that this trade solved our line up questions. We now have that clear role situation we have been grasping for all season long, whether when overladen with talented players or struggling with injuries, the line up thing has been a constant challenge for the players and coaches and yes even us fans. Now here is our 2 deep

C Camby, Howard

PF Aldridge, Cunnigham

SF Webster, Batum

SG Roy, Fernandez

PG Miller, Bayless

3 deep PF/C Pendegraph

This is a pretty damn clear depth chart. Roles are plainly defined here and tough to argue beyond maybe the Webster, Batum part (even then, that one will play out on match-ups anyway, we need more defense Batum will obviously get more minutes that game, we need more spot up shooting Webster gets more time that game). Bayless and Fernandez now know their minutes are there, Webster has a strong vote of confidence, this should no longer be a wrench in the gears. The nagging, ongoing ambiguity is gone.

It was a very satisfying moment when I realized we have reached a point of clarity in this topsy turvy, fun but challenging season. (I tend to believe the Roy injury situation will work itself out one way or the other relatively soon).

Pritchard providing this clarity without tying our hands for future seasons is an extremely astute move worthy of a man crush all in and of itself.

Then, just before I started typing this, I had an epiphany of sorts. Not only does Camby provide the short term center play we desperately needed to be competitive the remainder of this season, he also guards against two potentially looming situations facing the Blazers moving into next year:

1. Pryzbilla has a player option this summer. I am not sure he is interested in leaving Portland, but I think he still has a season or more he can contribute as a starter on another team. He may want that opportunity, he may exercise that option. I certainly don't want him to, I want him to retire as a Blazer, but it is a possibility. If Joel makes that extremely personal decision I support and respect that. Having Camby around on flexible terms provides the Blazers with an option if Joel does make that decision, we no longer need scramble if that situation arises.
2. Oden may not be able to rehabilitate that knee fully. I firmly believe this will not be the case, but, admittedly, the possibility does exist. Given that having Camby around on flexible terms provides the Blazers with an option, we no longer need scramble if that situation arises.

Further, there are two more possibilities that set my infatuation with KP ablaze, if you will:

1. The idea of having an Oden/Camby rotation at Center. Wow, WOw, WOW! Think about that for a minute? Wow O wow O wow. Talk about owning the paint on the defensive end.
2. The idea of having an Oden/Camby rotation at center with Aldridge, Batum, Cunningham, Webster, Fernandez, Bayless, Miller and ROY operating around them on the offensive end. me oh my!

Who can deny this Kevin Prithard fella is a genius?
I will never forget his post game presser after Oden's injury on 12/5 either, that man not only makes good decisions in acquiring good talent and people, he gives a damn about them to boot.
Much love and respect to KP!