Tonigh's game is a perfect example why the Blazers should re-sign Blake

under the condition that he would not be the third best guard. I just hate to have him in the game for clutch situations… Between the playoffs last year and the three guard lineup this year i can’t handle any more andre – blake – roy -aldridge – y lineups. It just feels like Nate is forced to go with that combo since rudy/bayless/webster/batum all seem to be outperformed by Blake. Will one of those 4 solidify themselves as the second wing?
Batum makes and breaks his case for that spot every other game.
Rudy/Bayless/Webster could POTENTIALLY take that job.
I am pro Blake if 1 of those 4 steps up in the playoffs and hits big shots or another free agent is brought in.
Tonight Blake showed what he is good at, running the second unit, hitting outside shots and providing energy and hustle off the bench. As well as what he is not good at, closing games. If he is limited to the ladder I am all for him.

:)

Especially a PG learning to play the right way. He likely is not a natural point guard. Terry Porter was also not a point guard and he turned out pretty well for the Blazers. The hype was never from the coach. It was from the fans and media. The coach and GM have apparently decided that he is worthy of the investment for the future. His biggest asset is also a limiting factor: the intense desire to improve. It is what will drive him to become a really good to great player. It also means he thinks too much now as he develops.

I see Bayless as also one of only three players on the Blazers who are playmakers. Rudy is working to become a fourth. It is inconsistent now but it has won some games for us this year.

My only worry is that after being traded by Portland twice, is he going to be very willing to sign with them a third time?

Did you see Quick’s blog entry about how Steve and Paul Allen shook hands and exchanged jokes before the game? I think Blake would be fine about another return to PDX, if the money was right. (Moving your family sucks, as we all know)

But I’ll take him over Bayless any day of the week and twice on Sunday—with each game, Bayless looks worse and worse to me

I certainly have felt the same sense of unease since the trade, whenever Jerryd or Rudy are on the floor without Roy/Miller. But in Bayless’ defense, I have noticed that during the last 2 games that he has penetrated and found LMA for lay-ins, so that’s progress in Rex’ development of court vision. Like I’ve said many times, Jerryd came along late in the Blazer’s process of building a championship roster, and he’s had less opportunities to make mistakes and learn from them, as compared to Jack and Sergio. (Life isn’t fair, sometimes) The Blazer “train” is moving at high speed now, and Bayless is still a very inexperienced conductor. He may “catch up” eventually, but can the team afford the growing pains along the way? There’s the rub.

I imagine he is somewhat bitter Portland has traded him twice now. I think the bridge has been burnt

If steve was so bitter why would he joke around with Paul Allen on the floor before the game? I think you’re projecting what isn’t there. Blake knows the NBA is a business, and if the Blazers matched the best FA offer he receives this July, I wouldn’t be surprised if he resigned with Portland

I just don’t think the team should commit the MLE to SB, even if they can resign Camby

Who else might be available?

Goran Dragic. He’s currently part of a three PG “rotation” in Phoenix with Nash and Barbosa and he’s got a similar salary to Rudy (1.9 mil versus 1.2 mil) Offering Fernandez+Pendergraph might be enough. Or perhaps the Suns would prefer one of the Euros that Portland has stashed overseas?

Dragic is 6’4 and could conceivably play alongside either Roy or Miller. Downside? Goran may not be “risk-averse enough” for Nate and Demo (his career A/TO ratio is less than 2:1)