Reports: Utah Jazz Sign Raja Bell, Wesley Matthews Will Be A Portland Trail Blazer
by Ben Golliver on Jul 14, 2010 6:43 PM PDT
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Marc Stein of ESPN.com tweets...
Just filed to ESPN.com: Raja Bell will not be meeting with Kobe Bryant after all ... because Bell has been snapped up Utah
Sources say Jazz put hard press on Bell -- who has played for Jerry Sloan before -- and offered three-year deal worth nearly $10 million
Barring a minor miracle... Welcome to Portland Wesley Matthews.
Update: 6:45PM
There will be no minor miracle.
Ross Siler of the Salt Lake City Tribune tweets...
Jazz have notified Wesley Matthews reps they won't match offer and will sign other guard.
That's Raja Bell contingent on physical.
Update: 7:22 PM
It's been clear in a number of recent conversations that Portland targeted Matthews in free agency for his combination of skillset, personality and fit. "Ben, he can be great for us," Born said. "We were talking about this before, we do a lot of work on the guys that we're working out for the draft, free agency. We do intel work on those guys -- Andre Miller, Marcus Camby -- he's going to be a terrific fit for us. He's everything we're about. He's a great kid, a great worker, a great teammate. Really well liked. Obviously for him playing for the two coaches he's played for -- at Marquette and then playing for Coach Sloan -- that says a lot about him as a player and as a person. We think he's got a chance to be a really good player for us and to be a really good fit for our culture. I think people will really like him as a person as well."
Update: 10:57PM
Wesley Matthews give some thoughts to Chris Tomasson of NBA Fanhouse...
"I'm just happy for my family,'' said Matthews, who was raised by his mother, Pam Moore, and mentioned her and members of her family. "They've never had a payday like this before. But I don't play for the money.''
Matthews knows there will be naysayers claiming he's overpaid.
"I guess some people think that I was overpaid if they didn't match,'' Matthews said of the Jazz letting him go. "But I can't listen to that. But I'm going to keep working. That's why I'm going to the gym right now (in Milwaukee, where he played in college and near his home of Madison, Wis.) to work out.''
-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter
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So wa this move made to replace Carlos Boozer, who's now a Chicago Bull?
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Jul 14, 2010 6:44 PM PDT reply actions
not in position of course
more like to replace wesley. I imagine a lot of people are going to say they would rather have Bell, but I don’t mind having wesley instead. Bell won’t be that great for much longer, Matthews might end up being better. If we keep him.
It would be so wrong if Raja faild the physical, snatching Wesley from the Trailblazers.
I’d scream, too.
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Jul 14, 2010 6:50 PM PDT up reply actions
yeah, to be honest i wouldn't mind that so much
I would rather not have either of them. Though to be fair I don’t know that much about Wesley. For sure I’d take him over raja, but their could be a better option out there. I’m just worried Wesley had one good playoff series to get an undeserved contract. Hope he proves me wrong, and he very well might!
Utah fans see him the same way we see Batum.
"[S]ince men enjoyed very great leisure, they used it to pursue many kinds of commodities unknown to their fathers, and that was that first yoke they placed upon themselves without thinking about it, and the first source of evils the prepared for their descendants. For, besides continuing thus to soften body and mind, as these commodities had lost almost all their pleasantness through habit, and as they had at the same time degenerated into true needs, being deprived of them became much more cruel than possessing them was sweet; and people were unhappy to lose them without being happy to have them." -Jean-Jacques Rousseau
however,
the numbers do not see him the same way they see Batum.
by jksnake99 on Jul 14, 2010 7:32 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
When compared to Batum's rookie season,
And adjusting for Utah’s system and Wes’ different role?
(Actually asking, no sarcasm)
I imagine you gotta account for age n' stuff though
Mattews is what, 24? And Batum was 19 as a rookie?
That’s a good question though.
M—
#52
Batum is a brilliant guy. Grew up in a bball family also and played
quite a bit in Europe.
Wesley is not a DOLT…college grad. Familiar with Sloan’s system.
Nate is hiring new coaches..who will fit better with where the Blazers are now. Perhaps no more freaking stand and hold the ball and chuck up last minute shots.
Matthews may take on a leader’s role.
He did very well in the playoffs in his rookie year.
I think he EVEN DID BETTER THAN BATUM DID IN HIS ROOKIE YEAR DURING THE PLAYOFFS.
And I LOVE Batum. Will be very upset if he is traded.
So am not at ALL surprised if Utah fans are upset at his leaving.
Batum’s rookie numbers are a little better than Wes’s. Futhermore, as Mort alluded to, younger players are more likely to see the type of dramatic improvement Batum made (not that Wes can’t, just somewhat less likely) and I think the opportunities for easy buckets will be reduced for Wes in Portland.
We started very slow...
Even led to us giving away our promising backup PG to shed payroll. Then things started clickin’, Wes emerged, we traded away Brewer for more cap space and to allow Wes the starting SG spot.
He didn’t so much start slow rather he got going once he was in the starting lineup.
Matthews has been out of the first round, Batum has not.
Nuff said. Period. End of story.
by Nick Van Excellent on Jul 14, 2010 7:39 PM PDT up reply actions
curses I was going to say that!!
You can measure skill and talent with your eyes, but productivity is shown through statistics.
I was joking.
But yes, that is the Adam Morrison argument.
by Nick Van Excellent on Jul 14, 2010 11:26 PM PDT up reply actions
for good reason. Which is why I do NOT get Ben's "barring a miracle" statement.
I think it may end up being a miracle if Wesley DOES become a Blazer.
Did he not SEE this guy play in the playoffs???? In his rookie year.
The guy shows up. Period.
And plays defense.
I did NOT like him when he played AGAINST us. And he was a new guy. I noticed him…who IS THAT guy..? so do not get the Ben statement AT ALL.
And I think it would be nice to be a little bit more welcoming/positive. That is how I feel, anyways.
And I tend to agree.
I do not understand the statement.
Scouting staff not only likes what he brings, but what Utah no longer has. I love Williams, but the Jazz is a terrible defensive team.
by damonrayhymer on Jul 15, 2010 8:22 AM PDT up reply actions
I dunno
I saw him show up and hold Carmelo and Kobe to above their season averages on very good efficiency…
I remember being a little jealous of Utah's physicality on the offensive end
from that position that is for sure…
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
What Ben meant was...
…that the Jazz were giving up the rest of their cap space for Raja (after trading for Al Jefferson). The miracle being that the Jazz would go deep into “luxury tax country” to keep Matthews. The next “miracle” in our way could be Raja’s physical – although he has always been a “gym rat” type and I expect he will pass with flying colors.
is that
3 years 10 mil total or 10 mil each year? i would imagine the former, and doesn’t that seam really cheap (at least compared to what other FA’s have been pulling in)?
Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn
It can't be 10 million each year.
They only have the MLE.
by Nick Van Excellent on Jul 14, 2010 6:48 PM PDT up reply actions
I remember a lot of disappointment when we went to Rudy and Webster last year as bench players...
I expect a lot LESS of that feeling with Wesley Matthews coming off of the bench.
It’s not like getting Pau Gasol, or finding Rondo in the draft…but when teams feel they are close, they make moves like this…working on those final pieces, “perfect fits”, and IMO, Wesley fits the bill.
We offered a lot of money for a guy who did most of his damage in the Sloan system (that’s made some mediocre wings look good) and in transition (which we don’t do much of in Portland). He’s a good defender but I don’t see a lot of evidence that he’s much better at it than Martell (and I’m the furthest thing from “a Martell guy”).
I like Matthews but this deal concerns me.
It's a lot of money, fo' sho'
The saving grace for his contract, to me, is that the per-year salary that we’d have to match if we end up trading him down the road isn’t bad at all… since so much of the contract is up front.
With contracts like this, I mainly worry about whether we would be able to move it if it turns out his rookie year was a fluke and he just doesn’t fit (for whatever reason). He is, for the most part, an unknown player, so I don’t think it’s unreasonable to approach his contract from that perspective.
Since the per-year is around 5 million, and not 7+ million, for the final years of the deal, it’ll be lots easier to move and not as daunting a contract if he just totally sucks (not saying he WILL, just saying IF he does). I like that aspect of paying so much up front.
Otherwise, I am so-so on the deal, but I’m not angry about it or anything. I hope he fulfills the need for good perimeter defense, like he is ’sposed to.
Mortimer
#52
The front-loaded contract also makes it easier to move
As teams will be paying out less than the actual cap hit.
I'll admit to having some concerns about the "Sloan System." However...
the fact that Jazz homers really seem high on this kid help allay some of those fears…
…as well as the fact that it seems like the two biggest priorities for him to have in the Nate system will be to:
1.) Play some Dirty D…
2.) Chuck 3’s up as a SF on offense…
I honestly think he’ll either be playing for Brandon or Batum all of the time (barring injuries), and we already know when he’s playing for Batum his role is to just jack up 3’s from the corner….
…on top of that fact, I’d be really surprised if Coach Nate doesn’t just shift Batum to the SG position when Matthew’s is playing with him…
…It seems Batum really has some skills that could be effective at the SG spot for about 12 minutes again…
…and I would be curious to see what others think about that happening this year…if it does happen though, Wesley seems like a perfect fit
The thing about the Jazz homers is true for me too
Maybe the first thing I liked about us getting the kid, was that it made all the Jazz fans mad. They treat him like we treat Batum. They really, really like him.
I have no idea if he’s worth all that or they are just being homers, but I liked it.
M—
#52
Not quite like we treat Batum
Half of them were against giving him 35/5. How many would be against giving Batum that?
Disclaimer: everything I know about basketball I learned on Blazersedge.
Yes, I think it's similar in feeling but not to the same extent as us for Batum.
You can measure skill and talent with your eyes, but productivity is shown through statistics.
I’d be really surprised if Coach Nate doesn’t just shift Batum to the SG position when Matthew’s is playing with him…
Yes, Nic’s future is to handle the ball more and make plays for his teammates off the dribble and from the post
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Remember! he was a rookie last year picked up to fill a vacancy--I believe.
He has a lot of room to improve, but he had a long way to go to get where he is today and he is new enough to the NBA to hope for lots of improvement. Martell needed lots of improvement and he is considered a veteran. Bad to compare the two asYou also have to realize that Martell would push for more playing time against Batum and Wesley will be content to play behind BRoy. one was replaced by Babbitt and Wesley will more then likely replace Rudy.
hg
I agree that it is not a wise deal.
But it is made now, so, “Welcome, Matthews!”
I’ll be cheering for him. He’s an underdog story and a Blazer. Contract details are now sunk cost.
Now is the time to move forward, not backward; upward, not forward. And whirring, ever whirring.
In Bayless I trust.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Wesley Matthews is ouuuuuuurs!!!!!!!!!
In case you can’t tell, I like the move A LOT, even if we’re overpaying.
We got another wing defender. I like it.
"I'm at the thingamajig talking the yakety-yak" - Kenny Smith
ill give 1 dollar to the person who can correctly guess wes matthews new number as a blazer
Kevin Love broke the rim in my high school gym, but he still rocks my dirty socks…..and he is a total fox.
The only person I love more than LeBron James is portlandgiirl91
#5
"[S]ince men enjoyed very great leisure, they used it to pursue many kinds of commodities unknown to their fathers, and that was that first yoke they placed upon themselves without thinking about it, and the first source of evils the prepared for their descendants. For, besides continuing thus to soften body and mind, as these commodities had lost almost all their pleasantness through habit, and as they had at the same time degenerated into true needs, being deprived of them became much more cruel than possessing them was sweet; and people were unhappy to lose them without being happy to have them." -Jean-Jacques Rousseau
by T Darkstar on Jul 14, 2010 6:59 PM PDT up reply actions 5 recs
if he's smart
he’ll pick #75 and instantly gain a fan
by HD on Jul 14, 2010 7:01 PM PDT up reply actions
i like 99
no one in the nba is 99. can u even be 99? its like batum with the high digits
by NorthWest Connection on Jul 14, 2010 7:57 PM PDT up reply actions
artest and gooden have both been in the 90's
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt
by thomasikehara on Jul 14, 2010 8:00 PM PDT up reply actions
oh ya
and rodman..
all the crazies…maybe he should stick to something a little more traditional
by NorthWest Connection on Jul 14, 2010 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions
37
"Knowledge will get you from A to B. Creativity will get you anywhere." Einstein
by Garden of ODEN on Jul 14, 2010 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions
44...
because if he’s just half as good as Batum he’s worth the coin.
To summarize: Wade too quick, Kobe too skilled, LeBron too physical - Batum
dare I say
#25??
Gimmicks don't make dynasties
by WarEaglePDX on Jul 15, 2010 12:35 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
the other day I said 92
because he’s making 9.2 mil next year and if you add 92+88 = 180 degrees and that’s the kind of turnaround the Blazer’s SF position has seen in the last 2 years re: BBIQ
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Jul 14, 2010 8:36 PM PDT up reply actions 5 recs
wow
that has a lot of thought behind it….like it though!
by NorthWest Connection on Jul 14, 2010 9:08 PM PDT up reply actions
This should be green simply for the creativity.
"Batum must be french for: being at the right place at the right time" -
-StudMuffin15 @ Rufus On Fire
"Juwan "The Clipper Killer" Howard" - Natedog1977 @ ClipsNation
" I would trade our entire team for Brandon Roy"
- Slick4President @ Indy Cornrows
by FiveOhThree-RipCity!! on Jul 14, 2010 10:36 PM PDT up reply actions
If Oden can just become the guy he was the last 5 games before he got hurt last year...
…just that much…we’re in for a nice ride this year.
agreed
cant wait…i think well be fine not trading for paul too. i think hes planning on teaming with melo and amare in ny
by NorthWest Connection on Jul 14, 2010 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions
We won't have a shot if NOLA hires KP
and I doubt that deal goes down without either team having a GM.
I don't really believe this is a possibility, but
What if KP gets the job there, and is told he has to move CP and get the best deal possible? Okay, now which team has a bunch of players that KP likes? See?
Disclaimer: everything I know about basketball I learned on Blazersedge.
I have a hard time
thinking that KP will be interested in the NOLA GM job. I mean, that franchise is about to be sold, though the sale isn’t going well, they’ve had other funny front-office issues in the past, they are a pretty mediocre team, and they are actually considering trading one of the league’s best players! KP will get offers from better teams, if not this year than next, and in the meantime he’ll still get paid by the Blazers. I just don’t see him taking the NOLA job, if they even offer it to them (and they should).
if the Hornets offer LeGarie and KP 1+ mil/year? Sold!
I’m not saying they’re mercenaries per se, but money talks
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
KP is getting paid for next season already
Granted, he’d like a raise… But I can see him taking the entire year off, maybe do some consulting, or some drop-in commentary work for ESPN, SI, etc.
by Rodney Gustafson on Jul 15, 2010 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions
from Kerry Eggers article today
KP is looking to jump back into the NBA this year if the job offer is right
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
GL, to Wes!
As a Jazz fan, I’m not sure how I feel about Raja just yet. But the Blazers are getting a great role player, and even greater kid. Too bad we couldn’t afford Wes, but I’m glad the hard work paid off for him. You guys are going to enjoy the kid’s game.
I imagine we'll enjoy all those hustle plays he made last season...
As well as the easy buckets…
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Jul 14, 2010 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions
I lived in Phoenix for a bunch of years
If I ever was going to get a Suns jersey, it would be a Raja Bell jersey. Before the year he got traded from the Suns, he was a blue-collar lock-down defender with a reliable 3. He wasn’t as flashy as Nash or Amare or Marion, but he knew his job and got it down (including guarding the opposing team’s best wing).
In the last few years, he’s aged a little and seems to be a little more fragile, but I think he can still be a solid Fisher-type player for you guys.
Thanks for the classy response. Good Luck to you guys
We small market fans need to stick together.
by upper left corner on Jul 15, 2010 1:47 AM PDT up reply actions
Welcome to Portland Wes.
Just play your heart out every game and the fans will love you.
Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.
He was charging royalties for a while.
"[S]ince men enjoyed very great leisure, they used it to pursue many kinds of commodities unknown to their fathers, and that was that first yoke they placed upon themselves without thinking about it, and the first source of evils the prepared for their descendants. For, besides continuing thus to soften body and mind, as these commodities had lost almost all their pleasantness through habit, and as they had at the same time degenerated into true needs, being deprived of them became much more cruel than possessing them was sweet; and people were unhappy to lose them without being happy to have them." -Jean-Jacques Rousseau
He hates Mondays
Loves doing the crossword puzzle, favorite dish is spaghetti and meatballs, and his favorite color is greeny-blue.
#52
I bet his favorite TV show is Martin, though
Looking through NBA press guides, every single player who ever lived lists MARTIN as their favorite show, even if it was canceled when they were 5 years old or something.
Morty
#52
or entourage
nba players love them some entourage
by HD on Jul 14, 2010 7:09 PM PDT up reply actions
MISO SALMONNNNNNNN
I had some today. It’s good.
NBA players are correct in this regard.
Oh, but I didn’t see anybody famous there today :-( Ending my streak.
M—
#52
I really really like
their Chipotle Chicken Pasta. The heat REALLY creeps up on you a little at a time.
And of course, the Tiramisu Cheesecake is BOMB!
by Rodney Gustafson on Jul 15, 2010 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Come on, in one episode Vince did somehing that made life hard for everybody else.
In another Drama had trouble finding a job.
There was even this one where Eric was having relationship troubles and was being passive aggressive.
Ari was a jerk in one, can’t remember which.
Dude
NBA players don’t have Mondays
Disclaimer: everything I know about basketball I learned on Blazersedge.
i think
everybody has mondays..its the first day of the week!
by NorthWest Connection on Jul 14, 2010 9:08 PM PDT up reply actions
they're making so much money, it's like every day is Friday, man
custom made calendars, etc
You can measure skill and talent with your eyes, but productivity is shown through statistics.
by austinpwnz on Jul 14, 2010 9:20 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
crazy
I like that we’re getting a new Guy… but man we’re paying a lot…
by hoodieNation on Jul 14, 2010 6:57 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Reasons I am ok with paying A LOT:
1.) He will get better as the contract ages…unlike a lot of guys who become rotted meat.
2.) He’s a signing that is a “perfect fit” for what our team needs (tough D, backup 2 & 3, and 3pt shooting)
3.) He isn’t crazy…we are not giving the $$$ to a guy like Artest who might go bananas, all accounts he’s got a good head on his shoulders.
4.) He fits with the CORE timeline, while giving us ability to win now
5.) It’s not like it’ll affect us getting other guys like Rashard Lewis…when Lewis was signed he was getting paid MULA to be the 1st or 2nd best player on the team…the PDX already have their starters…its not like overpaying Wes will stop us from finding 3-4 “stars”, we already have them on this team.
6.) If there ever was a team constructed to overpay, it would be run by a billionaire who could pay the luxury tax…oh yea, we got him, his name is Paul Allen
by irish3 on Jul 14, 2010 7:03 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
its not my money
i dont care
Kevin Love broke the rim in my high school gym, but he still rocks my dirty socks…..and he is a total fox.
The only person I love more than LeBron James is portlandgiirl91
it'll be passed on to you
"There was a time when this blog was for intelligent BASKETBALL fans. It has unfortunately become O-Live 2…" ~Ilikeemall
"Did they really expect me to bow down to Jesus?!?" ~Sophia
"At first glance, I saw a fairly unremarkable penis." ~Sophia on Greg Oden
by Philthyanimal on Jul 15, 2010 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions
Yup gotta love rich guys running your team
"Knowledge will get you from A to B. Creativity will get you anywhere." Einstein
by Garden of ODEN on Jul 14, 2010 8:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Excellent points. I agree on all counts.
I have reservations in some areas, but this sums up how the optimistic side of me feels.
You can measure skill and talent with your eyes, but productivity is shown through statistics.
so are we back to loving paul allen?
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt
by thomasikehara on Jul 15, 2010 3:52 AM PDT up reply actions
He fits.
Better than the other available free agents. So why not?
"[S]ince men enjoyed very great leisure, they used it to pursue many kinds of commodities unknown to their fathers, and that was that first yoke they placed upon themselves without thinking about it, and the first source of evils the prepared for their descendants. For, besides continuing thus to soften body and mind, as these commodities had lost almost all their pleasantness through habit, and as they had at the same time degenerated into true needs, being deprived of them became much more cruel than possessing them was sweet; and people were unhappy to lose them without being happy to have them." -Jean-Jacques Rousseau
i'd rather have bell for the 10 mill/3 years
"There was a time when this blog was for intelligent BASKETBALL fans. It has unfortunately become O-Live 2…" ~Ilikeemall
"Did they really expect me to bow down to Jesus?!?" ~Sophia
"At first glance, I saw a fairly unremarkable penis." ~Sophia on Greg Oden
by Philthyanimal on Jul 15, 2010 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions
I Heard it was toilet paper
"Knowledge will get you from A to B. Creativity will get you anywhere." Einstein
by Garden of ODEN on Jul 14, 2010 8:11 PM PDT up reply actions
it was "GP"
Nate is luring Gary Payton out of retirement. He’s wanted a veteran point guard for years!
Finally, a watershed day in Blazers history.
The curse of Trenton Hassell… is over.
Mortimer
#52
by Mortimer on Jul 14, 2010 6:58 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Brian Grant is a gypsy?
No wonder Sheed was always so ticked: “Hey ref, Grant just sold me some bling, but it’s made of plastic!”
Or just beginning...
it’s like that book Thinner. Don’t read it if you don’t know what I’m talking about it.
"One of the bright spots of the young season has been rookie point guard Jonny Flynn, whose name sounds like he should be the lead character in a Broadway Musical. "What are you doing here, Jonny Flynn?" "Why I'm here to court trouble, and woo a girl, and build the most fantastical contraption the world has ever seen!" -- Dave, Game 7 Blazers versus Timberwolves preview
"It was bad reffing...but not rip apart the fabric of time bad." -- The Arkitect, Game 79 Blazers versus Mavericks Post-Game Thread
by BlazersOrBust on Jul 14, 2010 11:18 PM PDT up reply actions
They told his peeps by phone
I don’t see why they’d wait to file the papers, unless they thought Bell would fail his physical.
Utah wasn't going to wait
on signing Raja considering the interest he was getting. And they weren’t gonna afford Wes the minute they used their MLE.
Yeah, Houston just matched on Kyle Lowry today.
One day after Cleveland’s offer sheet.
The Dude abides.
and BTW, what is the over/under for the CAVS winning less than 20 games this year...
…that team is gonna be so bad, lol, the world is going to see just how terrible that “supporting cast” was, lol, terrrrrible….
Browsing today, I didn’t even know Mo Williams never hit near the 3pt% he did with Lebron, before he was playing with him…
…that dethroned King made A LOT of people seem a lot better than they were on the Cavs…Booby Gibson should be giving 10% of that contract back to Lebron…
Yea, I was exaggerating a bit, but honestly, I would say closer to 35, and it really wouldn't surprise me if it dipped into the 20's...
…they’re not good
i take the under
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt
by thomasikehara on Jul 15, 2010 3:51 AM PDT up reply actions
Has a team ever not used all 7 days to match or decline an offer?
Yes, an example was given the other day. I don’t remember the details
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Thanks for the non info lol jk
"Knowledge will get you from A to B. Creativity will get you anywhere." Einstein
by Garden of ODEN on Jul 14, 2010 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Houston used about 24 hours on Lowry today
"I want to be traded to a contender" is almost always code-speak for "I'm a loser."
-Dave, 2/5/2010: http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/2/5/1297509/no-amore-for-amare
Dang
I hope this works out but that’s a lot of money for a second year guy, a backup to our current #1 player and loads of “potential.”
I think this shows that Paul Allen
is opening up his wallet to get his team a championship. Were does this put us in luxury tax? Are we over?
To summarize: Wade too quick, Kobe too skilled, LeBron too physical - Batum
Yeah, we're over by about the same amount as Wes's contract
Disclaimer: everything I know about basketball I learned on Blazersedge.
Didn't Raja Bell seem sorta done the season before last?
As a Bobcat? Before he was injured all this recent season as a Warrior?
3 million+ a year isn’t bad for a solid vet, but a 3 year contract seems long for him.
Either way, even if he fails his physical (I have no idea either way), I doubt the Jazz will match our offer to Best Western Matthews because it’s a grip of a lot of scratch for US, let alone them.
I’m fine with the signing, but it appears some sort of trade is coming up to make it make more sense.
Mortimer
#52
I've been thinking the same thing.
Stat guys like Hollinger don’t even seem to think he’s a super great defender any more. Just adequate.
by Nick Van Excellent on Jul 14, 2010 7:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Bells injury last year was a wrist injury to his off hand.
Being a Blazer fan is not exactly healthy.
The injury itself doesn't worry me about how good he'd be now
But his age (has anyone even lived past age 35?), and how “done” he looked in his last full season on the Bobcats, made me think he doesn’t have 3 good years left in him… if he even has one.
M—
#52
Geez, Ben, give the kid (and the Blazers) a break...
Maybe I’m misinterpreting the “barring a minor miracle” comment regarding Matthews. If so, I apologize. However, if I’m getting you, you think this is a bad day for Blazerdom. Seems like you’ve been in a very negative mood about anything the Blazers do leading up to and after KP left. Personally, I’m keeping an open mind about this deal and about the Blazers in general. I’m just darn glad we have the Blazers to cheer for!!
I didn't interpret it that way.
The classic “miracle” metaphor can be tone neutral. It simply means “chances are slim”.
Yeah, I didn't interpret Ben as being negative in this case.
Could be wrong, but he seemed neutral.
You can measure skill and talent with your eyes, but productivity is shown through statistics.
yay?
seems like such a big contract for a second year kid, but I’m hoping he lives up to the hype and we come to love him, or that this is just phase one in a big trade.
"Bof teemz play hahd"
Other dominos will start to fall now......
1st domino: bye bye Rudy
2nd domino……?
Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.
Rec'd.
"[S]ince men enjoyed very great leisure, they used it to pursue many kinds of commodities unknown to their fathers, and that was that first yoke they placed upon themselves without thinking about it, and the first source of evils the prepared for their descendants. For, besides continuing thus to soften body and mind, as these commodities had lost almost all their pleasantness through habit, and as they had at the same time degenerated into true needs, being deprived of them became much more cruel than possessing them was sweet; and people were unhappy to lose them without being happy to have them." -Jean-Jacques Rousseau
2nd domino = acquire veteran PG
not the big splash necessarily, but a steady replacement for Blake/Deiner who would only play in case of emergency
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I'm not following your reasoning
!st: Miller
2nd: Bayless
3rd: AJ or Mills
It seems pretty clear to me that they are willing to go into the season with Miller, Bayless, and one of the young guys, if they don’t swing a big deal for a new starter.
by upper left corner on Jul 15, 2010 1:57 AM PDT up reply actions
#3 veteran PG for emergencies only
Someone like Deiner who won’t affect Bayless’ PT but if disaster strikes he could step in and play the PG on a playoff team and be more steady than a rookie
it’s a small piece that could be critical. Having another good practice player is also a benefit. Think of this like a PG equivalent of Juwan Howard
Keyon Dooling with the BAE would be ideal, as long as he accepts that his role will be limited
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
why sign one now?
If we have an emerency, deal with it then, no?
by Billy Hoyle on Jul 15, 2010 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions
the options may be better now than later
as we saw last December, if you need a certain kind of player immediately to replace someone who’s hurt, the other GMs circle like sharks and seek to poach your young talent
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
We are already hurting for roster spots
If some one is out for an extended period, couldn’t we take care of it at that point? AJ is the likely 3rd PG, and he looks like he is pretty solid. We also have Brandon as an option.
Obviously none of these situations would be perfect, but it wouldn’t be perfect to cut both AJ and Patty or have to carry 4 PGs.
by upper left corner on Jul 15, 2010 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Once Rudy is gone there will be enough roster spots
to keep AJ and a veteran PG
hopefully Miller will stay healthy, but remember this suggestion if Andre goes down at midseason and suddenly the Blazers need to scramble to find a veteran replacement
I don’t deal Bayless, regardless. But even you would have to admit that Jerryd starting at the point backed up by a rookie PG is not an ideal scenario for a team heading into the postseason with hopes of advancing
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I head they now have the green light for TP
Disclaimer: everything I know about basketball I learned on Blazersedge.
Well I'm conflicted
Bell was the guy I wanted Portland to acquire the most, after Mike Miller. I didn’t know much about Matthews before the Blazers started showing interest in him, and what I’ve read/heard is positive (outside of BE, anyway) I don’t understand why Bell would choose the Jazz—especially for 3 years and only 10 mil total.
If small-market Utah was able to sign Raja, then I have to believe that Portland could have had him as well, but they chose to go with a much younger player with some of the same skills (perimeter defense and 3-pt shooting) Maybe Utah promised him a starting gig, but that wouldn’t seem to be as important to a vet like Bell as the chance to win it all, which sure isn’t going to happen for him in SLC.
At some point I hope the Blazer’s bench is occupied by a few more veterans with playoff experience, but I guess I’ll have to wait for the next GM to arrive before that happens. I heard there was another Tony Parker rumor earlier today, so you never know.
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
That might have been me...
I thought Parker might still be on the Blazers radar, especially if Bayless doesn’t grow to fit the mold. I could see a Miller, Bayless, Rudy, Williams thing happening somehow.
I’m with you on Bell, but I think Mathews could be a player in Bell’s style with more gas in the tank. Also considering his DL pedigree, he’ll be happy to come off the bench behind Roy, unlike the Minute Man, Rudolfo Fernandez.
Stealth > Wealth
It's going to take more than Andre and filler to acquire Tony
To acquire Parker, I figure it’s going to cost Portland either Batum or LMA
And I’m already on record that I’d deal LMA + Miller for Parker and DeJuan Blair (a 3rd team would have to be involved to deal with the BYC issue)
Parker
Roy
Batum
Camby
Oden
It’s not a flashy acronym like RAMBO, but I like the idea of adding TP’s final’s experience to the young roster, Bayless and Matthews would be pretty awesome reserves at the 1-2-3 as well. LMA’s offense would be offset by more touches for Nic and Greg (much higher shooting percentage and FTs attempted) and Tony would replace Aldridge’s mid-range game
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Jul 14, 2010 7:35 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I like it.
LMA’s stock has been slipping in my book (on sale in a store near you!), and I’d love to have Parker on the squad. I’m on the record as balking at the mention of Batum’s name in trade conversations though, so I’ll pretend I didn’t read that part.
Stealth > Wealth
I would think playing with his countrymate
would be one of the prerequisites to coming here. After declining Team USA, LMA can go in my opinion.
To summarize: Wade too quick, Kobe too skilled, LeBron too physical - Batum
parkers also declined to play in the worlds
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt
by thomasikehara on Jul 14, 2010 8:33 PM PDT up reply actions
a bit different
Parker has a long history of playing for his national team – he deserves a summer off, especially after a season full of nagging injuries
"I want to be traded to a contender" is almost always code-speak for "I'm a loser."
-Dave, 2/5/2010: http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/2/5/1297509/no-amore-for-amare
I'm sooooooo pissed at LMA right now
but I still wouldn’t trade him, not yet. As far as any TP trade requiring more than Miller, I do believe Elliot Williams might have been acquired for this very purpose, if a Tony Parker trade is indeed in the works. We have our back-up SG, we don’t need someone who is as much of a project as Email is, LMA makes SA too good and us too weak, etc. etc.
We’ll see what happens. I hope we keep both LMA and Batum, and that Nate tells LMA what !#%$ing weak-^%& little %$@#& he is, and even if he can’t grow a pair, he still plays for us.
I'm actually not that mad at LMA
I do think that he’s plateaued but he and Greg will be an awesome high-low threat at the 4-5 for years to come
but to get Parker you’re going to have to give up something, and LMA is the most-expendable option, mostly because Camby can start at the 4 and the Blazers could fill the backup PF depth fairly easily
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Traitor!
Why do you hate America? Why do you want the terrorists to win?
( I know I’m not going to convince on this, so figured I might as well be irrational and try for humor :)
I do think there's "something missing" re: LMA's mental toughness
if that makes you feel any better about my “patriotism”
Let’s just say I’m not going to throw Aldridge’s name into trade offers for too many players. CP3 and Parker yes. Devin Harris no
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Yeah, but that's where we disagree
I put Parker in the same category as Harris. Parker is a proven winner, yes, and I’d say more talented. But at this point in his career he’s more on Harris’ level than Paul’s. And I know what you’re going to say, he’s only 28 and is a better fit for our team’s timeline….
either player would be a good age fit
Parker just has more rings, and his jumper is more reliable
I would not be opposed to Harris. Heck, I made several trade proposals for Devin 12 months ago (that included Travis and Rudy, BTW) Then Andre signed and that was that
But when Dave talked about the team needing a “sherpa” to show them the path up the mountain that image stuck, and there’s no better trail guide than Parker who’s remotely available between now and next Feb
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
What a strange reason...
can you explain in objective terms as to why not playing for Team USA is that big a deal?
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Jul 14, 2010 9:45 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't want to see Nic traded, either
that’s why I offered LMA as an alternative. I think Batum has replaced LMA in the “big 3” (or, if that hasn’t become apparent to all it will soon enough)
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I agree, Batum's long term value particularly if we
plan on building around Roy is higher then LA.
Silent Swagger.
Hmm...
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=2brkmjt
It’s close; would SAS go over the cap for LMA?
Stealth > Wealth
Wouldn't it take a little less
to get someone like Harris ?
To summarize: Wade too quick, Kobe too skilled, LeBron too physical - Batum
I doubt it
after losing out on FA sweepstakes Prokky would probably like to keep their best player
Silent Swagger.
If i'm Proky...I tank this year, develop T-Will at the point, dump Harris, and get another high lottery pick...
to develop with my core of:
5. Brook Lopez
4. Derrick Favors
3. T-Will
2. Courtney Lee
T-Will can play 3 positions, so you simply get the BPA at the 1-3 spots in this years draft, that’s what I’d do…
He relies on speed, he's not a shooter...he's not "old," but by the time their CORE develops...
…aka, Derrick Favors turns into a stud in a few years, he’ll be 30 or 31, a step slower, and not necessarily the same player he is now…
…also, the “tanking” is a legitimate move in my book. Harris is a good PG, he’s def going to help them win some games, but likely just take them out of the running for a high lotto pick, I’d rather have the high lotto pick…
…and by “dumping,” I’d also say that he should bring back some assets that might be hitting their prime when Derrick Favors is hitting his (just turned 19, really young dude).
They could afford to get a guy like Bayless, just straight out force him to be a pg by forcing him minutes for the next few years…he’d develop A LOT, and in a few years you got another lotto pick from the 2011 draft, Bayless as pg who got the PT to develop, and Favors coming into his own
Your assuming
They can’t develop by the time they get to Brooklyn(two-three years) that they could be a 50 win team & be able to lure a free agent- meanwhile standing by Devin Harris who is a great point guard.
Silent Swagger.
True, I am assuming a lot...but Harris is several years older than the CORE of that future team...
…and he doesn’t project as a guy who will age well (relies on speed, poor outside shooter, people in NJ see him more as a SG)…
…so I basically think “Why not get rid of him for some younger talent that can all mature together?” Secondly, “Why not help myself increase the likelihood I get the #1 pick in the draft this year?”
Also, D Favors literally just turned 19 this month…there is NO WAY that team will be contending for a title in the next 3 years, especially with Miami there….
…why not do everything in your power to draft/construct another SUPERTEAM that can compete with the HEAT in about 4 years…rather than just have D-Harris help you win, what, maybe 30 games this year…mediocrity won’t get you the next Lebron in the draft, the next Shaq, ect….
…just my opinion, that’s how I’d build a team though
Mediocrity in the NBA is putrid...go for the Durant's, Duncan's, Jordan's, Hakeem's, ect....
…at the top of the draft…
…or go home!!!!
idk, i disagree kind of...you couldn't substitute Jordan or Shaq or Magic or Kobe on those teams and still win the same amount of rings, except for maybe 1 or 2 other guys in the league at that time...
…they won A LOT, and they were all top 3 players in the league pretty inarguably…
…Jordan could have had any number of guys subbing for Rodman (he did in fact, I believe Rodman only helped him win 1 or 2)…same thing with the other dudes…
…and I agree Parker and Ginobli are no slouches…but looking at history in the NBA the past 20 years and you come to this rough estimate:
80% of the titles had to have been won by teams that literally had one of the best top 3 players in the league at that time….you find those guys at the top of the lottery
Let's See, Rough Estimate
Celtics – a lot of really good players, 1 ring…
Lakers with Kobe - 2 titles, and he’s the BEST in the game- 3 titles, while Shaq was the BEST in the game
Lakers with Shaq -
Bulls with Jordan - 6 titles, while Jordan was the BEST in the game, not to mention I’d argue Pippen was easily Top 5 in the game at that time…
Heat with Wade - He was healthy, and I’d easily say he was a Top 4 in the game…
Lakers with Magic - 5 titles…I’d argue Magic was 2nd best in the game (after Jordan)
Celtics with Bird - 3 titles… I’d argue Bird was top 5 EASILY in the game at that time, most would put him higher
Duncan, 4 titles….most would say during this span, he was a TOP 5 player in the NBA, if not higher…
I’m seeing a pattern here…it is VERY difficult to win following the Piston model, or even the Celtics model
Many of those players became all stars AFTER their teams became big playoff winners.
Success in the playoffs creates allstars, not the other way around.
The year Chicago went to the ECF, we were dying to get their scraps. One more year in the ECF would have made Luol Deng a household name and perennial allstar, even if they missed the playoffs the following year.
C'mon, lol, your insinuating Duncan/Hakeem/Jordan/Shaq/Magic/Bird/Duncan got the James Posey treatment!!!!
Their stock went up simply because they were on title teams, lol,
The fact they were all top 3 draft picks completely invalidates your point, utterly annihilates it, sorry, maybe I’m being too strong, but it does…
…the whole world KNEW those guys were elite talents before they ever played a game in the NBA, that’s why they were drafted so high, in most cases they were considered “Can’t miss prospects,”…
…so seriously, don’t compare Jordan/Shaq/Hakeem/Duncan/Magic/Bird/ect… to LUOL DENG!!! LOL
And also, while some guys were rare, like Wade & Kobe, being that they were drafted later, there is absolutely NO DOUBT, they would be considered TOP 5 in the game, just like Lebron is, even if they never won a title, just because they were stuck on bad teams…their elite talent is obvious
But you can find top 5 guys late in the draft
That’s all I’m saying. The Spurs were a championship team with Johnson, Timmy, and the Admiral. In order to stay competitive, they needed top players. You have to give up talent to get talent in trades, but you can get some really good pieces there, nonetheless. However, the Spurs remained competitive, and still are a good team, through the draft, and they did it with late picks. I’ll bet that there are very few championship teams that don’t have at least one late making crucial contributions. If not, there are plenty of examples of teams that do.
ok, i just checked, 27 out of the last 31 title teams had their BEST player picked in the TOP 3 picks of the draft...
exceptions: Pistons – 1, Heat – 1, Kobe’s Lakers without Shaq – 2
…and I think I am on the same page with you now, and I agree to a large point…to the point of “team building” though…
…if I’m a team like the Nets, and I’m not certain Favors is going to develop into that “Top 5 Players In The Game," then…
…I’m still going to try to hunt in the high lottery to try to increase the odds I get that guy…history has proven you generally need that top talent to win titles….
…it is really interesting that the Pistons, and perhaps the Celtics, were really only the 2 teams on that list that you would have to say: “They didn’t have a Top 5 player in the NBA, at that time, on their team.”
Food for thought when looking for rings…
wow, lol, I have never generated such debate...
…but the thing with our picks, is that none of them look to be that “once in a generation type of player…”, an expression, but you get the point, bc these guys basically have that applied to them:
Jordan? Clearly.
Magic? Clearly
Shaq? Clearly
Kobe? Clearly
Hakeem? Clearly (I recall watching him, he was a freak!)
Now, Duncan & Bird…I might even argue their stock rose a bit bc of the titles, they had really good surrounding teams…and idk, I think if Malone had the Spurs supporting cast, he might have won some titles, and be ranked ahead of Duncan at PF in more circles…
…pt being, if PDX wins, I don’t think anyone will ever say B-Roy was ever near the talent level of Kobe/Jordan/Shaq/Magic.
That’s why I see our team as a little bit like the Pistons, except on steroids…still hoping Oden can be that guy though, bc then we win A LOT of titles
I disagree
Greg Oden was considered a once in a decade type of prospect, and was legitimately salivated over as the next Bill Russell. That’s why 2007 should have produced two MVP level talents, but so far it only looks like one will make it big.
by premthegrem on Jul 14, 2010 11:50 PM PDT up reply actions
I am in total agreement that Oden was one of those "once a generation" type talents, at least prior to injuries...
…but unless Oden gets his mojo back, I’d still say our team construction might be a little bit more like the Pistons on steroids, bc even if Oden barely reaches Mutumbo status…the team is so good in so many places, we’d competer for rings…
…lol, maybe we’d be a little like the Celtics with Roy as our Bird…bc out of all the teams on that list, I think Bird’s rep got built up a tad by him winning, and being white :) Just sayn….GREAT player he was, but I really don’t think he was in the Hakeem/Magic/Jordan/Lebron/Kobe/Shaqclass…
…lol, and I don’t even want to get into that debate, it’ll stir up a Hornets nest too big for me to get out of
I hated Larry Bird but
I question whether the players you mention – aside from Jordan and Magic – were in his class.
very debateable about finding "top 5 guys late in the draft..."
…Ginobli, Rondo, Parker, Granger, ect. these are all great players…but as much as I love them, especially Rondo, one of the greatest “finds” of all time…
…but I’d still pick: Lebron/Durant/Dwight/Kobe/Wade/Deron Williams all clearly above a guy like Rondo…and then there’s a whole bunch of guys that you could argue are still above him…
Rondo is “maybe” top 10 in the game…but clearly not a top 5 elite player…you trade Rondo this year to the Cavs for Lebron James…
and the Celtics would have beat the Cavs by about 100 pts each game and swept the series.
Ok, I agree with you, Ring Winners have to develop good role players through the draft!
lol, but the Suns are losers, they couldn’t get over the hump…and the fact that they did get so close was due to the fact that even though he wasn’t picked high…
…Nash morphed into something special…although it is interesting that what made him get drafted so low (his lack of athleticism), is the very factor that likely led to his team never getting over that “hump,”…
…that man just plays atrocious D, some of the worst I have ever seen!
Imagine if he had emerged before going to the Suns?
Nash and Dirk, in their primes. Even now, defying age. That team would be so different, and probably would have won a title by now…
I often wonder this.
Of course we’ll never know, but I’ll bet that Cuban helps himself sleep at night by telling himself that it was their separation which was the catalyst for their potential being achieved…
One trip to the finals and our big three are household names.
Not saying anything about the superstars you mention. You’re assuming we need more allstars because right now we only have one. I’m saying, our team healthy gets us to the WCF, thus making at least one if not two more players on the team into all stars, and Roy into a superstar. Chicken. Egg.
I'd argue Roy is a top 10 in the game now...we have that "star," and if we get to the finals in the next two years...
…it is likely because Oden turns into what made him the #1 pick in the draft…
Also…interestingly enough, I’d say the Blazers are following a “team building” process more akin to the Pistons and Celtics…
…having A LOT of great players…but trying to win without having that clear cut TOP 5 player in the game….
…maybe Oden will morph into that, time will tell…but, lol, THE CHICKEN CAME FIRST!!!!!
LOL, the fact 27 of 31 championship teams had a top 3 draft pick leading their teams proved it…the world knew these teams had STARS before they ever won a title
Wouldn’t it take a little less to get someone like Harris ?
I like Devin, but if you’re going to acquire a PG why settle for less than a former final’s MVP? Harris doesn’t have Tony’s playoff experience and the Blazers need some of that on their roster
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
This one worked
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=2eaxaux
Parker and McDyess for
LMA
Miller
Fernandez
Pendergraph
I don’t think the Spurs really want Andre or Rudy though, so a 3rd team would probably have to be involved
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
back away from whatever you're smokin'
the Blazers are not getting Beaubois for Fernandez!
and I don’t think the Spurs would want Andre, he and Hill would just have PT conflicts
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Heh, heh..
Then we’ve got to figure out a way to get Kevin Seraphin (who, by the way is going to eat the league screaming), Boris Diaw (who would actually probably pair very well with Roy and Oden) and Mikeal Pietrus.
Gerard DePardieu is head coach, Jean Reno is lead assistant, Michel Gondry does the commercials, and Audrey Tautou is our only cheerleader.
Stealth > Wealth
I was bummed when we didn't draft Seraphim instead of Babbit
I was sure that was who we were targetting.
"I want to be traded to a contender" is almost always code-speak for "I'm a loser."
-Dave, 2/5/2010: http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/2/5/1297509/no-amore-for-amare
Alizée Jacoty would have to sing the National Anthem
But would it be the Star Spangled Banner, or the French one???
Okay, this one's not such a joke,
I’d be happy about it…
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=2cmqgd7
To Portland: Tony Parker and Boris DIaw
To San Antonio: Miller, Bayless, Przybilla
To Charlotte: LMA, Rudy and Pendergraph
I think the Spurs would love having Andre Miller around. Unlike in Nate, I think Popovich could keep him in line and have him run the second unit, giving Hill another vet to learn from. If Joel gets healthy, they suddenly have great depth behind Duncan, and Bayless trumps any of the dudes backing up Manu.
Charlotte really strikes gold with this deal, as they get a lot of talent for a role player. I imagine LMA would instantly be the best player on their team, and a piece to build a team around. Rudy is the poisoned pill, but I bet they’d be willing to swallow it.
The Blazers get a definitive answer at PG, and a PF that is in the same mold as the player they lost, but sports much more savvy and is a known quantity. Of course, we may have to change the name of the team to Les Bleus.
Stealth > Wealth
LMA, Andre, Bayless, Przy, Rudy, and Jeff for Parker and Diaw?
no way
"I want to be traded to a contender" is almost always code-speak for "I'm a loser."
-Dave, 2/5/2010: http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/2/5/1297509/no-amore-for-amare
What can I say?
I get on Trade Machine and all reason goes out the window for the desire to see those sweet green words, “Trade is Successful!”
Stealth > Wealth
I love Boris, but he is not from the same mold as LMA.
Boris is an undersized facilitator with superb instincts. LMA is a better shooter and has more drive (it literally pains me to say that.) I really think Boris would be good for the team, but not at the cost of his contract.
plus
the Spurs have Splitter behind Duncan…why would they want to add Przy?
by Billy Hoyle on Jul 15, 2010 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions
Boris Diaw is the short, fat, french version of LMA
He shows flashes of toughness and then fades away into doughy mediocrity.
Ha!
Poor Boris! You’re right, he’s not an upgrade, but he is smooth and I reckon he’s got a much better passing game than LMA (not like he’s hard to beat on that score). He’s also cheaper, easier to move, and is an expiring contract.
As far as being that tough PF that many want—no way. That ain’t Boris.
Stealth > Wealth
Interestingly enough....
If you send them Rudy and take back Matt Bonner, this deal works, even with LMA’s BYC status.
Parker, Blair and Bonner for Miller, Aldridge, and Fernandez.
I’m fairly certain there would need to be a follow-up deal with Elliot Williams going there. Possibly for a player, or maybe for a future pick or something.
I’m not big on Parker as a Blazer. Not dead set against it, just have my doubts about how well it would work. I think the front office may be willing to roll the dice on a deal like this since there are a couple of PF’s returning in the deal.
PG – Parker, Bayless, AJ
SG – Roy, Matthews, (Bayless)
SF – Batum, (Matthews), Cunningham, Babbit
PF – Camby, Blair, (Cunningham), Bonner
C – Oden, (Camby), Przybilla, Pendergraph
by Rodney Gustafson on Jul 15, 2010 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions
eva in stands
would be nice too!
by NorthWest Connection on Jul 14, 2010 8:08 PM PDT up reply actions
3 Team Trade, Blazers/Spurs/Pacers
Blazers get TP
Spurs get LA & Jeff Foster, immediately becoming contenders with the power of the post that Dallas & LA have.
Pacers get their vet PG Miller.
Silent Swagger.
Here's a scenario that works
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=2d29wrd
To Indiana: Miller and Blair
To San Antonio: LMA and Foster
To Portland: Parker and Hansbrough (don’t shoot me, the Blazers like Tyler!)
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Oh, for crying out loud...
I'm just not crazy about player nick names...
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jul 14, 2010 9:04 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Question
are we fools for banking on Parkers reputation.
Look at Beaubois in Dallas. He plays really good off the ball with Jason Kidd(Look at his alley oops), he plays better defense & has the potential to be really good on that end of the floor not only that but his 3pt shot is BIGTIME. He is easily the better fit & I am sure Cuban would be intrigued in trade talks for him if LA was on the table.
Silent Swagger.
If LMA is on the table
players a whole lot better than Beaubois are available…(not that LMA is tradeable as a BYC)
by blacknoiseNW on Jul 14, 2010 9:39 PM PDT up reply actions
LMA's not easily tradeable, but he's far from untradeable
the BYC just makes it harder, and probably means the deal will include a 3rd team who is looking for an EC like Andre
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I wouldn't call the Spurs fools
and they’ve been banking on Tony for years, now
LMA is not “on the table” for anything less than a starting PG with gobs of playoff experience
at least not in my universe
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
and they’ve been banking on Tony for years, now
LMA is not “on the table” for anything less than a starting PG with gobs of playoff experience
at least not in my universe
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
network issues
sorry for the dupe
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Here we go...
This leaves Portland a little slim at PF, but we do have Marcus Camby around.
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=333zuva
To Portland: Tony Parker
To San Antonio: LMA and Rudy
To New Jersey: Andre Miller
Stealth > Wealth
LMA for Parker would be good for both teams
Parker is likely gone in a year anyway, and the Spurs seem ready to move on. LMA gives them someone to groom to replace Duncan.
I would almost guarantee LMA would make multiple all star games playing for Pops in San Antonio, and we all would be talking about how we screwed ourselves, even if he never would have reached the same potential here.
"I want to be traded to a contender" is almost always code-speak for "I'm a loser."
-Dave, 2/5/2010: http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/2/5/1297509/no-amore-for-amare
I would almost guarantee LMA would make multiple all star games playing for Pops in San Antonio
What other talented but sub all-star level players from other teams has Pop turned into allstars?
I dunno, it's just a gut feeling
maybe we’ll get to find out if I’m right or wrong, maybe we won’t
"I want to be traded to a contender" is almost always code-speak for "I'm a loser."
-Dave, 2/5/2010: http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/2/5/1297509/no-amore-for-amare
Richard Jefferson!
Er, wait…
"[S]ince men enjoyed very great leisure, they used it to pursue many kinds of commodities unknown to their fathers, and that was that first yoke they placed upon themselves without thinking about it, and the first source of evils the prepared for their descendants. For, besides continuing thus to soften body and mind, as these commodities had lost almost all their pleasantness through habit, and as they had at the same time degenerated into true needs, being deprived of them became much more cruel than possessing them was sweet; and people were unhappy to lose them without being happy to have them." -Jean-Jacques Rousseau
yeah lets trade our two "ironmen"
for a guy with chronic ankle problems and another guy with no knee ligaments. I mean, TP has managed to get healthy at the right time a few times, but his style of play is not lending itself to a longer, healthier career…just the opposite in fact. Hence, the emergence of George Hill
it's a roll of the dice, I admit
But I’ll go out on a limb and say that Parker has more NBA games left in him than Andre Miller does, even if it takes Tony an extra year of playing 60+ games to exceed Andre’s 82/per
the benefit of TP is the playoff experience. I’m willing to risk his health issues for a chance to have him starting games for Portland in May-June
High risk, potentially high reward. I think Paul Allen would buy into that.
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Mike Rice also started the Parker thing again.
As the plan B if we didn’t get Mathews.
It was said that SAS would probably put Parker on the trading blocks because of injuries, age and salary. Therefore I don’t think it would cost that much. SAS has a new PG in the makings and Parker isn’t ready to be the back up role player. Niether is Miller so It would take a player willing to come off the bench for a while, Mills in a sign and trade??? with Rudy to make room for Wesely. But what to do with Miller?
hg
No, the Spurs and Andre aren't a good fit
which is why finding a 3rd team (like Indy) to help offset LMA’s BYC would probably be necessary
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
No way I would trade LMA
He’s such a good fit with Oden. I also think he has been the most stable offensive threat on the team. I’t’s not easy to find guys like him. I believe he is way undervalued here on BE.
I’d rather trade Batum. I get the love for Batum but he has not yet proven himself more valuable to the Blazers than LMA.
by Jeffe Portland on Jul 15, 2010 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions
It's OK to be loyal to LMA
I’m not suggesting that he should be thrown into trade proposals for just anyone, Parker fills a specific need and he won’t be easy to acquire, if Portland is interested
But I submit that Batum will pass LMA by as a Blazer who “needs to be untouchable” very shortly, be on the lookout for that
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
From my understanding, Bell is a walking corpse.
He always gave Roy trouble, but I feel like Bell is no longer the defensive player he once was. He’ll be turning 34 this year. The past 2 years he has dealt with injuries.
"I'm at the thingamajig talking the yakety-yak" - Kenny Smith
Walking corpses can't use the internet!
"I'm at the thingamajig talking the yakety-yak" - Kenny Smith
by blzrfan on Jul 14, 2010 7:16 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
is Raja part of the zombie apocalypse?
yet another reason to envy the Jazz fans tonight
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Not unless he reads Blazers' Edge.
"[S]ince men enjoyed very great leisure, they used it to pursue many kinds of commodities unknown to their fathers, and that was that first yoke they placed upon themselves without thinking about it, and the first source of evils the prepared for their descendants. For, besides continuing thus to soften body and mind, as these commodities had lost almost all their pleasantness through habit, and as they had at the same time degenerated into true needs, being deprived of them became much more cruel than possessing them was sweet; and people were unhappy to lose them without being happy to have them." -Jean-Jacques Rousseau
I felt he was way past his expiration date on the Bobcats.
That was now 2 seasons ago. This last season he did nothing all year because of his injury.
He should still be a smart player who can hit the 3, but he can’t guard the best player out there anymore and like when Bowen was on his last legs, he becomes a LOT less useful if he isn’t out there guarding the best player. He becomes a smart defender who is overmatched athletically against good players, but can hopefully hit the 3.
He didn’t look good back then, but maybe he was hurt then as well. I dunno. I just suspect he hasn’t gotten better with age somehow, since he wasn’t able to play good defense anymore.
Mortimer
#52
Yeah, and to be honest
I wouldn’t mind having Raja Bell in a Blazers uniform. He’d at least bring toughness. We always need more of that.
3 years (are all years guaranteed?) seems like a long time for an old dude like him, but it ain’t OUR team so I don’t care. Good for Raja!
M—
#52
bell played with the jazz several years ago before he went to phoenix
and he gets along very well with sloan, who likes his toughness. that said, he has been hurt a lot in recent times
The Utah Jazz can offer Raja Bell an opportunity to start at the 2, which isn't available elsewhere.
which is probably the best indicator of where Utah fits in the NW Division
fourth
by blacknoiseNW on Jul 14, 2010 9:40 PM PDT up reply actions
on SLC Dunk they're saying the addition of Bell (and Jefferson)
could put them number 2 in the West. :)
by In Walks Rudy on Jul 15, 2010 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions
is starting what motivates a 34 year old?
I thought Bell would prefer a ring in L*A or Miami, guess not. How many FAs choose Utah unless they’re overpaid?
not many
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
well at least he didn't listen to K*be
I’ve got to respect a guy for that, but…Utah Raja? Really?
There’s no accounting for taste, I guess
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Your wish will be granted......
…….in 2012
At some point I hope the Blazer’s bench is occupied by a few more veterans with playoff experience,
In 2012, the Blazer bench will be filled with veteran players with playoff experience, after the Blazers make it to the Western Conference Finals, next year.
It makes sense. Rather than bringing experience to your roster, take your roster to the experience. This is why I always preach patience. We don’t have to win it next year. We just need to advance and build up our “street cred.” Once the media and the players realize that we are ready to legitimately challenge, we will be able to bring in the aging vets.
by upper left corner on Jul 15, 2010 2:05 AM PDT up reply actions
Not trolling.
Just trying to keep you level headed. I don’t know what I expected though, this site looks the same every offseason. The road still leads through LA, you are delusional if you think otherwise.
We will love this guy
the first time he hits the floor for a loose ball or hits a wide open 3. I also believe we make our move for Parker with Dre, Pryz, and Rudy.
WWOPD? What would Optimus Prime do?
Hmmmmmmm.
Is Parker healthy? How does he fit with Brandon? I love the way he attacks the paint and he’s not afraid to take the ‘big’ shot.
My main question is why would The Spurs do that deal? They’re dumping salary in Andre and Joel and getting a 3 point shooter for one season. It would make A LOT more sense if they got Nic, J-Bay, or one of the rooks to boot.
I'm just not crazy about player nick names...
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jul 14, 2010 7:19 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Yeah,
I think you’d have to throw Bayless in there to sweeten the deal and simplify our rotation.
SAS might go for it for a variety of reasons, the most sensible being that they could see Hill as a younger, cheaper, option to Parker.
Stealth > Wealth
Wait
If you include Bayless with Miller in a deal for a PG, who is the backup PG? Patty Mills or Armon Johnson?
You better think again about leaving such an important position so thin, especially considering Parker’s recent injury history
I suppose the Blazers could find a veteran backup PG with the BAE (Keyon Dooling is still unsigned, as far as I know) but use a little caution before you strip the backcourt completely bare in one consolidation deal
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Armon is my pick,
and with the ball handling of Roy and Batum it shouldn’t be catastrophic if Parker goes down.
Stealth > Wealth
Agree with this.
I already like Armon better than Patty after only two SL games. He plays like a Westbrook. He’s got the body and athleticism. Go Armon.
To summarize: Wade too quick, Kobe too skilled, LeBron too physical - Batum
I like Johnson over Mills as well
but neither he nor MIlls is ready to step in and start at PG on a playoff team
and you’re not going to go long and hard with Roy-Matthews-Batum either. Where’s the depth at the 2-3 if that’s your starting lineup?
Keep Bayless out of a Miller proposal, unless you plan to bring 2 PGs back
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
As a backup to who ever turns out to be the PG
I would prefer Armon to Patty. I’d actually prefer to stand pat at PG right now, because I think Armon could learn a lotttttt from Andre. If we go for a big ticket PG, I’d rather see LMA and Andre go or Andre and JPEC + any Euros we have stocked. Throw in (or out) Rudy and maybe Babbitt,
To summarize: Wade too quick, Kobe too skilled, LeBron too physical - Batum
why would the Spurs do that?
San Antonio does not need Portland’s expiring contracts! If they want to save money heading into next season they can just keep Parker and let his 13 mil expire
Batum or LMA for Tony, minimum. Take your pick, anything less is just a pipe dream
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Sorry LMA
but Batum needs to stay!
To summarize: Wade too quick, Kobe too skilled, LeBron too physical - Batum
I am amazed that anyone would think to trade a young all-star in LMA for Parker. Parker has a few years left before he has slowed down, and speed is his main asset. With Parker and no LMA, does anyone think the Blazers have any chance at a championship with no scoring big man at all???
does anyone think the Blazers have any chance at a championship with no scoring big man at all???
If Oden doesn’t develop into a more-efficient scoring big man for Portland than LMA has shown so far, then the Blazers truly have no chance at winning a ring
the Blazers can find another PF to shoot 41-44% on wide-open jump shots. (Heck, they have 2 of them in Camby and Cunningham, already)
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Hell, I even argue Greg Oden would be best paired with a low-usage, defensive-minded ...
4 like Anderson Varejao.
That's my choice too
Oden should be getting nearly every shot LMA gets, both for efficiency and development. Oden and Verajao would be perhaps the best defensive frontline in the NBA when combined. There’d be no worry about enough shots for Roy and Oden and whatever other perimeter player proves worthy, less long twos, more physicality…
I think it’s just a better fit. The transition would be rough as Oden continues with foul problems and overall growing pain due to the injuries slowing his development down, but Andy V would be one of the best choices for a developed Oden.
The problem with LMA next to Oden is, LMA needs shots to be effective, and he doesn’t do enough of the role player type things needed to go next to Oden and Roy. The best part of his game is scoring, and while he’s versatile he doesn’t do it that well. And traditionally, if he isn’t scoring, the rest of his game isn’t as energetic and focused (which isn’t that focused even when at its best).
Great role player > above average but inefficient focal point.
Mortimer
#52
well, isn't that Marcus Camby?
that’s the role he played in LA with the Clippers/Kaman, anyway
I’m not trying to dog on LMA, he’s OK. But I don’t see him as being as essential to the Blazer’s success going forward as Batum will be, even now that Matthews is on board. If there’s a way to significantly upgrade the PG position, LMA shouldn’t be considered untouchable
I guess we’ll eventually find out how impressed the new GM is with LMA’s game
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
YES!
The bench is going to have some good D to go along with some offensive punch. Finally, the roster is starting to look balanced.
Hopefully a move for CP3, Harris, or Parker (to a lesser degree) is on the horizon.
I'm just not crazy about player nick names...
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jul 14, 2010 7:14 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
I'm gonna wait and see on this one to be fair.
Nothing against Wesley, but I’m just not able to grasp the idea of a player going from undrafted one year to making 34 million over 5 years the next. Has anything like this ever happened before? I liked what I saw of him in the playoffs, won’t be sold until I see how it works on our team though.
"Wait and see" is a very good attitude to have here, IMO
I’ll be waiting until this Winter to start forming much of an opinion about this signing, barring some unexpected event this Summer.
I'm going with "This is awesome."
So I can be horribly disappointed when he turns out to be average. I like the roller coaster of emotional tumult.
"[S]ince men enjoyed very great leisure, they used it to pursue many kinds of commodities unknown to their fathers, and that was that first yoke they placed upon themselves without thinking about it, and the first source of evils the prepared for their descendants. For, besides continuing thus to soften body and mind, as these commodities had lost almost all their pleasantness through habit, and as they had at the same time degenerated into true needs, being deprived of them became much more cruel than possessing them was sweet; and people were unhappy to lose them without being happy to have them." -Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Wahoo!!
That’s what I like to hear! What size do you wear? I’m ordering a case of Mathews jerseys with the number 7 on them, ‘cause I reckon it’s just a matter of time before he usurps BRoy’s throne.
Stealth > Wealth
maybe Wes will wear #12 this fall?
you never know how these things may work themselves out
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I had him pegged for #5 earlier in the thread.
"[S]ince men enjoyed very great leisure, they used it to pursue many kinds of commodities unknown to their fathers, and that was that first yoke they placed upon themselves without thinking about it, and the first source of evils the prepared for their descendants. For, besides continuing thus to soften body and mind, as these commodities had lost almost all their pleasantness through habit, and as they had at the same time degenerated into true needs, being deprived of them became much more cruel than possessing them was sweet; and people were unhappy to lose them without being happy to have them." -Jean-Jacques Rousseau
works for me
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
It's certainly eye popping to see.
We can’t discount the fact Mathews was the starter on the Jazz. He played big minutes and asked to guard the best perimeter scorers.
"I'm at the thingamajig talking the yakety-yak" - Kenny Smith
Isn't that similar to Ime Udoka
What happened to that future stud
"Knowledge will get you from A to B. Creativity will get you anywhere." Einstein
by Garden of ODEN on Jul 14, 2010 8:32 PM PDT up reply actions
he was 30 when that happend
matthews was 24
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt
by thomasikehara on Jul 14, 2010 8:36 PM PDT up reply actions
woooooooooooooooooo
this indicates to me that we will win the title
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt
by thomasikehara on Jul 14, 2010 7:34 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Best comment yet.
"[S]ince men enjoyed very great leisure, they used it to pursue many kinds of commodities unknown to their fathers, and that was that first yoke they placed upon themselves without thinking about it, and the first source of evils the prepared for their descendants. For, besides continuing thus to soften body and mind, as these commodities had lost almost all their pleasantness through habit, and as they had at the same time degenerated into true needs, being deprived of them became much more cruel than possessing them was sweet; and people were unhappy to lose them without being happy to have them." -Jean-Jacques Rousseau
The guy is an above average defender
Last season the two best defensive teams in the league were in the the finals but I guess some folks will always want an Iverson or Durant
by southern oregon on Jul 14, 2010 7:34 PM PDT reply actions
The two best defensive teams last year were Charlotte and Milwaukee. Futhermore, comparing Iverson to Durant is ridiculous. Finally, I’ll take Durant over Matthews (or any other Blazer), thanks very much.
Oden is the best Center prospect to come into the league since Shaquille O'Neal!
You DO NOT trade guys like that for “dime a dozen” SF’s like Durant! :)
i say durant is better than the garden variety small forwards
but i would rather have oden
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt
by thomasikehara on Jul 14, 2010 8:29 PM PDT up reply actions
lol, I was being totally sarcastic, and while I do like Oden, even optimistic on him to the point of thinking he can be A LOT more than Mutumbo...
you could still call me up anytime, any day this week, offer me Durant for Oden, and I would GLADLY take that trade…
…no offense, lol, and I don’t mean to draw the ire of all the “LET IT REST!!!!” people out there, lol…
but yea, Durant in a heartbeat, but I’ll still say, as currently constructed, I like the PDX future more than OKC, bc Oden has greater talent around him…and Paul Allen writing luxury tax checks!
True Oden is the Best center starting next year, doubt anyone can refute that
but there is a bigger question is he the best player in the League, I would have Oden with the edge considering all the adjusting lebron will need to make next year
"Knowledge will get you from A to B. Creativity will get you anywhere." Einstein
by Garden of ODEN on Jul 14, 2010 8:35 PM PDT up reply actions
how has brandon played against bell in recent years?
Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.
If the Blazers are healthy and NOT the best defensive team in the league next season then Nate should be fired.
No more blaming it on Sergio, Rudy, Blake, Outlaw, etc.
by Nick Van Excellent on Jul 14, 2010 7:37 PM PDT reply actions
The minimum expectations of the Blazers' defensive level has indeed increased.
With the new guys and a healthy Greg, there is an expectation of top-10 defensive efficiency.
I'll settle for
if the Blazers are a top 5 defensive team during the regular season but they fail to advance in the playoffs, again
THEN Nate should be fired
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Top 5 seems pretty fair.
The best Nate’s done since being hired is 13th best, which isn’t great.
by Nick Van Excellent on Jul 14, 2010 7:55 PM PDT up reply actions
I hope they get that old assistant coach from Milwaukee
whose name I can’t spell or pronounce, yet
He’s supposed to really good at teaching PnR defense
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
hey guys, refresh the page for thoughts from mike born. blazers are pumped. more coming later.
by Ben Golliver on Jul 14, 2010 7:40 PM PDT reply actions 3 recs
Good stuff Ben.
Thanks a million.
by Nick Van Excellent on Jul 14, 2010 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Awexome!
Wait, is that even a word?
"[S]ince men enjoyed very great leisure, they used it to pursue many kinds of commodities unknown to their fathers, and that was that first yoke they placed upon themselves without thinking about it, and the first source of evils the prepared for their descendants. For, besides continuing thus to soften body and mind, as these commodities had lost almost all their pleasantness through habit, and as they had at the same time degenerated into true needs, being deprived of them became much more cruel than possessing them was sweet; and people were unhappy to lose them without being happy to have them." -Jean-Jacques Rousseau
it is now. i like it
"I want to be traded to a contender" is almost always code-speak for "I'm a loser."
-Dave, 2/5/2010: http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/2/5/1297509/no-amore-for-amare
I think I accidentally stole it from Homestar Runner.
Stupid subliminal remembrances,
Play Awexome Cross 98 Here.
"[S]ince men enjoyed very great leisure, they used it to pursue many kinds of commodities unknown to their fathers, and that was that first yoke they placed upon themselves without thinking about it, and the first source of evils the prepared for their descendants. For, besides continuing thus to soften body and mind, as these commodities had lost almost all their pleasantness through habit, and as they had at the same time degenerated into true needs, being deprived of them became much more cruel than possessing them was sweet; and people were unhappy to lose them without being happy to have them." -Jean-Jacques Rousseau
I guess that makes you Saso
Logical descriptions of complex worlds contain within themselves the seeds of their own limitation. A world that was simple enough to be fully known would be too simple to contain conscious observers who might know it.
by Sexual Tyrannosaurus on Jul 15, 2010 6:46 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I like it a lot
wahtever the Sloan System may or may not have done to improve his offensive stats his defense and 3 point shooting are real plus melo don’t like him
well
" I’m just worried Wesley had one good playoff series to get an undeserved contract."
A reasonable concern, especially in light of a previous situation that followed that exact scenario, except fortunately the team left holding the bag was not the Blazers.
(really tough to figure out who I am referring to, heh heh)
hehe
Phoenix
"Knowledge will get you from A to B. Creativity will get you anywhere." Einstein
by Garden of ODEN on Jul 14, 2010 8:38 PM PDT up reply actions
there's far more than 1 player that applies to
You can measure skill and talent with your eyes, but productivity is shown through statistics.
Let the other shoe drop. Trade coming. Goodbye Bayless or Batum and ...
There’s no way we are paying Matthews $9.2M this year and $33M over 5 years for him to play less than 26-28 minutes a game. Therefore, we either trade Batum and start Matthews, or Matthews gets virtually all of the minutes behind Roy (10-11) and Batum (16-18).
1. If we trade Batum and start Wes – then we’re getting CP3 or something unexpectedly amazing in return. Not likely.
2. If Wes backs up Batum and Roy – then Bayless gets maybe 16 minutes a game at PG behind Miller. But Bayless is more of a SG than a PG (I think most of us agree on that now?). Plus I can’t see Bayless being happy about only getting 16 minutes or so in his 3rd year, and the Blazers obviously don’t think Bayless is their PG of Future else they wouldn’t have tried to get CP3 (twice) this summer, Devin Harris on draft day, and apparently Tony Parker prior to the draft (Batum said Parker called him to ask about living/playing in Portland).
My guess is that Bayless is getting traded and the backup PG spot will go to Armon Johnson, Mills, or someone acquired in the trade.
The big question to me is whether the Blazers can land a PG of the Future for Miller+Bayless+Rudy+almost anybody but Batum/Roy/LMA/Oden? (Batum can go if its CP3, else he stays.)
I think the target would be Parker (if he would sign an extension before/with a trade) because of Batum’s conversation with him, and because I don’t think CP3 is really on the market. But it could be Harris and I’d take Aaron Brooks.
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jul 14, 2010 7:55 PM PDT reply actions
I don't think salary will determine rotation.
But I think it is indicative of the role management envisions for him to fit into.
"[S]ince men enjoyed very great leisure, they used it to pursue many kinds of commodities unknown to their fathers, and that was that first yoke they placed upon themselves without thinking about it, and the first source of evils the prepared for their descendants. For, besides continuing thus to soften body and mind, as these commodities had lost almost all their pleasantness through habit, and as they had at the same time degenerated into true needs, being deprived of them became much more cruel than possessing them was sweet; and people were unhappy to lose them without being happy to have them." -Jean-Jacques Rousseau
The big question to me is whether the Blazers can land a PG of the Future for Miller+Bayless+Rudy+almost anybody but Batum/Roy/LMA/Oden?
You’re not getting Parker for Miller+Przy, there’s no incentive for the Spurs to do that
I also heard that Poppovich promised Tony he wouldn’t be traded, so it’s going to take a “blowing RC Buford’s socks off” kind of offer to pry Tony away
I’m not giving SAS Batum, even though that’s who they would probably ask for. That leaves LMA, and I’d have to think it wouldn’t take much more than that from the Spur’s perspective. Miller could go to a 3rd team who is interested in his EC and that hypothetical 3-way deal would help facilitate LMA’s BYC. (I would try to get another PF in the deal, Pendergraph is not ready to step in behind Camby, DeJuan Blair or Antonio McDyess would be)
If Miller’s gone then I don’t deal Bayless unless there’s a solid veteran PG coming Portland’s way to backup TP. Rookies and 2nd year Aussies need not apply, the goal is to win now
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I think this will be the next big Blazers story of the summer. Bayless or Batum or both? Will Miller go to?
So I posted a separate fanshot. (Sorry, I think this should have been a fanshot to start with).
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jul 14, 2010 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Possible rotation
Miller 32
Roy 34
Batum 32
Aldrige 38
Oden 28
Bayless 16 (all PG)
Matthews 24 (14 SG, 10 SF)
Cunningham 12 (6 SF, 6 PF)
Camby 24 (4 PF, 20 C)
Plus most of the time one of those guys will be out.
Disclaimer: everything I know about basketball I learned on Blazersedge.
barring further roster moves, this is about what I suspect too
hopefully a few more minutes for Greg, and I could see more like 30/18 at the PG spot
"I want to be traded to a contender" is almost always code-speak for "I'm a loser."
-Dave, 2/5/2010: http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/2/5/1297509/no-amore-for-amare
just give Matthews Dante's 6 min at SF
Dante should only be playing SF against players who are stronger and slower. Maybe Carmelo?
Also Camby might get more time. We’ll see. Basically what I’m hoping for though.
You can measure skill and talent with your eyes, but productivity is shown through statistics.
i'd love for roy to only get 34 mins
but there was a period in the season he was getting like 40+. hes consistently averaged 37 lately, so i don tsee that changing.
"There was a time when this blog was for intelligent BASKETBALL fans. It has unfortunately become O-Live 2…" ~Ilikeemall
"Did they really expect me to bow down to Jesus?!?" ~Sophia
"At first glance, I saw a fairly unremarkable penis." ~Sophia on Greg Oden
by Philthyanimal on Jul 15, 2010 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions
Please speak for yourself
No way to tell if most of us believe the same, and it’s not justifiable to make that assumption:
But Bayless is more of a SG than a PG (I think most of us agree on that now?)
Being a Blazer fan is not exactly healthy.
Did you see the question mark? That means it was a question.
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jul 15, 2010 12:44 AM PDT up reply actions
The ? Doesn't remove the act the it reads like an implication.
Being a Blazer fan is not exactly healthy.
CP3
“I think the target would be Parker (if he would sign an extension before/with a trade) because of Batum’s conversation with him, and because I don’t think CP3 is really on the market”
Also, CP3 wants to help create a dynasty in NY to compete with Miami and LA. So if we traded away someone like Batum who could be a key starter for many years in a strong defensive team that could contend for a championship, we could wind up with Paul for only 2 years and then he jumps ship to the Knicks.
That’s a perspective I hope people think about with regard to a possible trade for Paul.
We get Paul for two years and someone else gets Batum and Bayless for their whole career.
according to bill simmons
the patriots were going to beat the giants in the super bowl
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt
by thomasikehara on Jul 14, 2010 9:07 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
and
Greg Oden’s upside is Eric Dampier
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
he really said that?
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt
by thomasikehara on Jul 15, 2010 3:49 AM PDT up reply actions
Ohhhhhhh yeah.
It’s, uh, quite ridiculous.
The thing with Simmons though, being wrong about this wouldn’t even stand out. He’s been wildly wrong dozens of times in the last few years when projecting what players will be.
So, it doesn’t really matter.
M—
#52
That's 'cause Bill Simmons is an idiot.
by AK1984 on Jul 15, 2010 4:48 AM PDT up reply actions 5 recs
this should be green
I love how the big 3 in Boston was a guaranteed championship and the big 3 in Miami won’t work according to BS.
People forget that he thinks he's a comedian
Most of the stuff he talks about really strongly is just part of a schtick. He’s not as dumb as the stuff he writes, but you can’t take anything he writes seriously or as a reflection of what he actually believes. Or at least, that’s how it seems.
except the CP3 - LeBron - Bosh - Wade
story wasn’t a joke. It wasn’t even Simmons story, that’s just where I read about it.
by Billy Hoyle on Jul 15, 2010 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions
CP3
Let me just drive that point home once more.
NO may decide to trade CP3 because they may figure they won’t be able to persuade him to stay when his contract is up in 2 years, so why not dump him on some other team and have them be the ones to lose him in 2 years.
hes going to NY
so we should probably stop talking about chris paul now…no offense
by NorthWest Connection on Jul 14, 2010 8:07 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
lock paul in a room
have larry miller star at him in it until he signs an extension
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt
by thomasikehara on Jul 14, 2010 8:08 PM PDT up reply actions
(Bowers) the Hornet's ex-GM was just fired
Allegedly because he entertained offers for CP3. Schinn has spoken, cross Paul off your wish list
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
other reports say just the opposite re Bower/Paul
so who knows what to believe.
"I want to be traded to a contender" is almost always code-speak for "I'm a loser."
-Dave, 2/5/2010: http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/2/5/1297509/no-amore-for-amare
It's all a Warren LeGarie ruse.
"[S]ince men enjoyed very great leisure, they used it to pursue many kinds of commodities unknown to their fathers, and that was that first yoke they placed upon themselves without thinking about it, and the first source of evils the prepared for their descendants. For, besides continuing thus to soften body and mind, as these commodities had lost almost all their pleasantness through habit, and as they had at the same time degenerated into true needs, being deprived of them became much more cruel than possessing them was sweet; and people were unhappy to lose them without being happy to have them." -Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Matthews
Mabye Matthews can help teach Nate to coach like Sloan does.
hope
I expect Matthews to play well but I hope Blazer fans go easy on him if he plays a bit short of $35 million caliber ball. After all, team mgt are the ones who came up with the number, and nobody is going to turn down good money.
..somewhere Kevin Pritchard has a great big s-eating grin on his face fans. Rest assured. The plan is being executed.
"You know, when you are in the game, you hear 20,000 people behind you, you don't feel anything."
- Nicolas Batum on playing through his shoulder injury during the 2010 playoffs.
Are you giving KP credit for the Matthews deal?
I'm just not crazy about player nick names...
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jul 14, 2010 9:09 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I've gotten used to it
When the Blazer win the championship, Bedgers will be saying “this was the team that KEVIN PRITCHARD built!”
how long before KP’s handprint is hanging on a banner high above the RG floor?
Or maybe halo was thinking that KP left “roster implosion” instructions behind for Chad and Mike to blindly follow like lemmings?
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
The handprint banner is for Pritchslap
get it?
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
wow and the hating continues.
Are you A-Woj by any chance?
by premthegrem on Jul 14, 2010 11:52 PM PDT up reply actions
hating? that banner would be a fitting tribute
I’ve got nothing against Kevin, he did a great job. It’s the fans and the media who want to give him all the credit that’s grown old. Even Pritchard himself wouldn’t agree with all of the adulation he’s received. It seemed like the more he tried to deflect credit the more the Blazer fans and the local media would squeal with delight and throw it right back at him
As much as he liked his time in Porltand, I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t mind a new franchise where he’s not under the magnifying glass so much, (like an ant when the sun is shining) and every little thing heats up the fanbase real fast
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Ok,
I get it now. You’re not putting down KP, you’re mocking the “praise jesus” type of adulation that spread throughout Rip City towards KP. Sorry, I misunderstood your comments.
to be fair
Miller/Born/Buchanon have all said repeatedly that they are executing the plan that the team (including KP) put together pre-draft. It’s not unreasonable to take that to mean that KP had at least SOME part in it. But I don’t really care one way or the other who gets credit
"I want to be traded to a contender" is almost always code-speak for "I'm a loser."
-Dave, 2/5/2010: http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/2/5/1297509/no-amore-for-amare
But I don’t really care one way or the other who gets credit
Yep, it’s who gets the blame if it doesn’t work out that matters.
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jul 14, 2010 11:02 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm sure KP played a part in the process
but it’s not like Larry, Chad and Mike have been texting Kevin for advice the past few weeks, either
at some point the KP-mania will start to fade, but for now it seems like he’s been martyred and he’s well on his way to canonization
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I like this signing
1.) You have to overpay to get a restricted FA
2.) It’s better to get a quality player than to do nothing
3.) This makes pdx a better balanced team
I'm happy about Matthews
Much better defender then Rudy & we will need him to be all up in Wades grits here in a few years. RIP CITY
Silent Swagger.
Utah gambled and lost
http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/07/14/portland-bound-matthews-surprised-jazz-didnt-match/
"They (Utah) said that I was a priority, but they never made me an offer,‘’ said Matthews, who said the Jazz used the strategy of having him bring back an offer sheet. "They never offered me anything. I’m sure that if they would have made an offer, it would have been a fair offer and I might have taken it.’’
When it comes to RFA’s you want to keep, there’s two approaches:
1) Offer a fair deal and sell team loyalty to the player and vice-versa
2) Tell the guy to go get an offer from somewhere else and let the market set his value
If you do (1) you might overpay, but you send the message that the guy is wanted. If you do (2) you will either be forced to overpay, let a guy you really want walk, or if you are lucky, end up getting him for cheaper deal than (1) because no one signs him to an offer sheet.
Utah took option 2. Looks like they might have been able to get Matthews for around the same per-year salary that they ended up paying Bell. The gambled, and it backfired on them.
"I want to be traded to a contender" is almost always code-speak for "I'm a loser."
-Dave, 2/5/2010: http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/2/5/1297509/no-amore-for-amare
I love Matthew already.
"[S]ince men enjoyed very great leisure, they used it to pursue many kinds of commodities unknown to their fathers, and that was that first yoke they placed upon themselves without thinking about it, and the first source of evils the prepared for their descendants. For, besides continuing thus to soften body and mind, as these commodities had lost almost all their pleasantness through habit, and as they had at the same time degenerated into true needs, being deprived of them became much more cruel than possessing them was sweet; and people were unhappy to lose them without being happy to have them." -Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Woulda thought they'da leanrt better by now...
after us giving them the high, hard one last summer over Milsap.
Stealth > Wealth
There may be a lesson here for the Blazers and Greg Oden ...
Would we match a maximum offer sheet from NY (assuming that part of the CBA still applies) if Oden has only a fair to decent year?
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jul 14, 2010 8:48 PM PDT up reply actions
good question
but I don’t think the Blazers play the same gamble that Utah does. IF we don’t extend Greg this summer, I would expect we would tender him a contract offer right along with the QO. He may still shop around, but I don’t think we’ll say “go get an offer”.
but then again, we don’t have a GM yet, so who knows what that guy will do.
"I want to be traded to a contender" is almost always code-speak for "I'm a loser."
-Dave, 2/5/2010: http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/2/5/1297509/no-amore-for-amare
Yep, but I hope we make a realistic offer and are prepared for some reasonable negotiation this summer.
I don’t want us to low-ball him, and turn him sour all year. Keep everyone on good terms, even if we have to go to restricted free agency,
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jul 14, 2010 8:58 PM PDT up reply actions
wait until after preseason
make Greg an extension offer on the eve of the season. By then his injury concerns should be resolved, one way or the other
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Great question
Part of me says that there’s no way they would if he only had a fair to decent year.
Part of me says that if he has a fair to decent year, it shows that he’s on the way towards filling his potential and they should match it.
I honestly can’t answer this question today….
I honestly can’t answer this question today
That pretty much applies to all questions concerning Greg Oden so far.
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jul 14, 2010 9:33 PM PDT up reply actions
I think it'll solve itself
If he’s good (which just means “if he’s healthy” because when he played he was rad), he’ll be worth the money. We’ll gladly pay him to be a Blazer, anything that any other team would pay him.
And teams will only throw outlandish money at him if he shows he can be healthy for a season. And is good.
If he isn’t, I don’t see how any other team can rationalize offering him money we wouldn’t match.
Thus, I don’t think Restricted Free Agency with Oden is a risk, since it’s an either/or situation. There won’t be much gray, unless he was great again but then had a silly injury— one not worrisome, just lengthy— like he had this season.
Morty
#52
I dunno... how long did it take for the league to get wise to Kwame Brown and his swill peddling, snake oil swindling shenanigans?
This is only mildly applicable to your statement, but I wanted to say snake oil and shenanigans.
Kwame did nothing for 4 years on his rookie deal
No 23 PER, no elite level rebounding/shotblocking/efficient scoring, nuthin’ close to what Oden has done, and Kwame got a 9 million a year contract from the dang Lakers.
Just based on potential still. There wasn’t much promising to suggest there was potential, but that is one example.
Bigs get paid! Just for the HOPE that they could be good.
So I am sure Oden will get paid by SOMEONE, but I am also pretty confident that if he does well, we’ll wanna keep him. Why wouldn’t we?
Fans just gotta remember that bigs get PAID. Always have, always will. I see some suggest we could sign him for 7, 8 million… now we can see that is Wes Matthews money. Oden would get a lot more next season, most likely.
Morty
#52
I know, I know...
I just wonder if maybe we could dress up a giant nylon sock full of meat, SAY it’s Oden, and sell it for a billion million, while we keep the REAL Oden, and pretend he’s a very tan Ha Seung Jin.
Dang, that still sounds vaguely like I think Oden sucks. I don’t. I think he UNsucks. I’m just saying that the history I think is real in my head tells me that big high draft picks keep getting paid and passed from team to team while the rest of the world goggles and laughs. So, even if Oden DID magically turn into a nylon meat sock, SOMEONE would give him a max contract, then leave him out in the sun too long, and trade him for Pau Gasol.
I say we offer him something fair, loaded with incentives. LOADED I say.
I think given Greg’s status with the franchise, he’s likely to be at least somewhat biased by loyalty, and I think if the Blazers were frank with him about the incentives, knowing he’ll be good if he’s healthy…
Ah well. I hope we at least try for a reasonable extension. Bynum-like.
You can measure skill and talent with your eyes, but productivity is shown through statistics.
Are you kidding?
I’m sure Cleveland will make a play for Oden next year. And based on the musical chairs we’ve observed this offseason, you think Oden will show loyalty to the Blazers when LeBron didn’t show loyalty to his own hometown? The only leverage the blazers will have for keeping Oden is that the new CBA will likely help teams hold onto their players.
by premthegrem on Jul 14, 2010 11:59 PM PDT up reply actions
Well
Oden will be a RFA.
No matter what anyone else offers him, it’s our choice to match and keep him. Oden can’t leave unless we let him.
M—
#52
Did ya see the email I sent you friend?
"One of the bright spots of the young season has been rookie point guard Jonny Flynn, whose name sounds like he should be the lead character in a Broadway Musical. "What are you doing here, Jonny Flynn?" "Why I'm here to court trouble, and woo a girl, and build the most fantastical contraption the world has ever seen!" -- Dave, Game 7 Blazers versus Timberwolves preview
"It was bad reffing...but not rip apart the fabric of time bad." -- The Arkitect, Game 79 Blazers versus Mavericks Post-Game Thread
by BlazersOrBust on Jul 15, 2010 1:35 AM PDT up reply actions
Jazz dumb
I'm just not crazy about player nick names...
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jul 14, 2010 9:10 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Is that breaking news?
"Knowledge will get you from A to B. Creativity will get you anywhere." Einstein
by Garden of ODEN on Jul 14, 2010 8:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Is that breaking news?
"Knowledge will get you from A to B. Creativity will get you anywhere." Einstein
by Garden of ODEN on Jul 14, 2010 8:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Mathews will have a year of Sloan "elbow to the kidneys" training
Nobody teaches the elbow to the kidneys like Jerry Sloan. He’s made sure every single one of his players knew that move before they were done their first training camp.
I really detest the Jazz.
Keep Portland Weird.
by Broy_07 on Jul 14, 2010 8:38 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
never knew that
doesn’t elbows to the kidney make you pee blood? Or is that something else?
but never the less that’s awesome that he’s teaching them that. IMO.
/cambyfive
Stockton move.
Stockton was also good at the crotch chop.
In Bayless I trust.
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Gotta love this statement.
“I’m going to show them that I’m worth the money,‘’ said Matthews, who finished last season as Utah’s starting shooting guard, and really helped his worth by averaging 13.2 points in 10 playoff games.
The Dude abides.
where are these quotes coming from
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt
by thomasikehara on Jul 14, 2010 9:00 PM PDT up reply actions
found it
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt
by thomasikehara on Jul 14, 2010 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Class act by Utah - not letting Matthews squirm until Monday just to mess with the Blazers.
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jul 14, 2010 8:51 PM PDT reply actions
they didn't mind letting Millsap dangle for a week, last year
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
funniest line ever
“I’m looking forward to it,‘’ said Matthews, who won’t start at shooting guard for Portland due to Brandon Roy but could unseat Nicolas Batum as the starting small forward. "It’s a great organization. Whether they want me to start or come off the bench, it’s fine with me. I can be a defender for them.’’
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt
or batum retires
so he can go cure cancer
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt
by thomasikehara on Jul 14, 2010 9:20 PM PDT up reply actions 8 recs
Nicolas is a quiet competitor
I remember reading that when Martell hurt his foot in 2009, a 19 year-old Batum looked across the locker room at Luke Jackson and said to himself
“Don’t even think about it, big guy. The roster spot is mine”
I suspect he’ll be thinking the same about Wes and the starting SF job, from now until opening night
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I hope Nic's sights are set a bit higher than that.
He should be looking about our Oden, Aldridge, and Roy and thinking about how he can start stealing some offensive ball time.
Or looking at the Defensive Player of the Year contenders and think about he can out stat them and out win them.
In Bayless I trust.
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He should be looking about our Oden, Aldridge, and Roy and thinking about how he can start stealing some offensive ball time.
The last time Nic starting thinking like that, Monty Williams slapped him down
the Blazers did let Nic catch, pump fake and take a few dribbles before shooting last year from the wing/baseline. That’s progress. I just hope they leave him out on the court for 30-35 minutes a game, not like last year when Webster was left in long after his sell-by date. The good news is that Matthews is more of a 2 than a 3 and Batum should play more because of that. They may sub Nic out early and bring him back in to help handle the ball when Roy/Miller aren’t in the game
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
yep
The last time Nic starting thinking like that, Monty Williams slapped him down
and after that there were quite a few times Nic had openings to drive or take a shot and he’d stop and look at the bench and give up the ball.
"Better, not good, but better." - Herb Brooks
Yea
How much is Nic going to cost?
I'm just not crazy about player nick names...
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jul 14, 2010 9:12 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
nic is still on his rookie deal
less than 2 million a year i think. is that right storyteller?
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt
by thomasikehara on Jul 14, 2010 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions
possibly the best value/cost contract int he league
1.2 this year, 2.1 next year
"I want to be traded to a contender" is almost always code-speak for "I'm a loser."
-Dave, 2/5/2010: http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/2/5/1297509/no-amore-for-amare
1.2 mil this year
team option for 2.1 mil whenever the lockout is done
after that, Nic will be well-paid and worth it
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
A whole lot when his contract comes up.
He is going to get some huge offer sheets.
In Bayless I trust.
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This is when PA is so sweet to have as an owner.
I doubt he’ll let GO or Batum get snaggletoothed from us.
I'm just not crazy about player nick names...
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jul 14, 2010 11:05 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Yeah, no owner is perfect for the fans, but Allen is a great owner.
In Bayless I trust.
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Thanks for the update, Ben
and the words from Mike Born. He sounds excited , which makes me excited.
Gotta believe this is domino #1….
by Storyteller on Jul 14, 2010 9:12 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
man
mathews struck it big….imagine not even being drafted and getting a 9 million dollar payday for 1 year of work. the money behind sports still boggles me
by NorthWest Connection on Jul 14, 2010 9:13 PM PDT reply actions
I think it's interesting because both Utah and Portland appear to be celebrating tonight.
You’d think one team would be happy and one would be upset. Maybe I’m underestimating Raja Bell, but he’s 34 and hasn’t really done anything the last couple years. I’m not sure why the Jazz fans are so stoked.
"Nicolas! You're the strongest boy in the world!"
Jazz fans are a lot like Portland fans
No two fan bases would make as big of deal over mid-level or less free agents as we do. But, when you love your team…
Yeah, I guess we'd be happy, too, if we had just signed Raja Bell.
I’d still way rather have Matthews, even with the larger contract.
"Nicolas! You're the strongest boy in the world!"
cuz
they got him for 10 mil for 3 years….
man i need to be a pro bball player if thats cheap
by NorthWest Connection on Jul 14, 2010 9:31 PM PDT up reply actions
different type of owners
Jazz owner has a tighter pocket so overpaying Matthews could push their salary deep into luxury tax territory and potentially lead into some cost-saving moves – like dumping Maynor & Brewer in the past season.
Paul Allen has spend with more discipline in recent years but shown no sign of being terrified of paying luxury tax. So what matters to us Blazers fans is that we get a good player, overpaying or not is not the point when they’re already over the cap.
Paul is not terrified of exceeding the cap
but he’d prefer that the team be prepared to win more than a couple of playoff games before he’s writing luxury tax checks
and his sister and the Vulcans would prefer the team broke even and not bleed red
remember, Portland didn’t have to trade Webster and dump Gomes. Every dollar saved there helped the front office “overspend” on Matthews
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Blazers wanted Babbitt and Minn wouldn't take Rudy (Rudy's agent said so).
So I think trading Webster was more about getting Babbitt than getting rid of salary. i.e. if they just wanted to shed Webster’s salary they could have traded him for a future draft pick and saved more money ($1.6M for Babbitt), plus get back a $4.8M trade exception (which they wouldn’t have to use if they didn’t want to). Plus Minn wanted to get rid of Gomes, so that is another reason for them to ask for Webster and not take Rudy (which wouldn’t have matched Gomes salary).
But neither of us know for sure, we are both just speculating.
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jul 14, 2010 10:43 PM PDT up reply actions
yes but I speculated that Webster's salary would be moved for payroll relief, months ago
so I’ve got dibs on the Martell speculation
Still, I was surprised that the Wolves didn’t take Rudy at the time…but since then we learned why. His agent poisoned the ice-fishing hole
Too bad, the idea of Fernandez shivering his backside up in the frozen tundra all winter had a certain Siberia-like appeal, especially after all of the Legarie-like manipulation he’s been doing via the Spanish media to his loyal fans— wherever they may be
Drafting Babbitt a year after Claver leaves me smh. I can see that Luke has offensive skill, but acquiring yet another stretch 4 who’s at least a year away from being much help on defense? I still think LB might be put into a deal in about a month, after the new GM takes a look at all of the assets. Victor hasn’t got a future in PDX, that much is certain
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I'm right here.
In Bayless I trust.
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thanks raja
for making sure utah cant match and for turning down the lakers.
raja bell, mike miller ( who also turned down the lakers) > steve blaker
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt
can you blame him?
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt
by thomasikehara on Jul 14, 2010 9:31 PM PDT up reply actions
I can't
I was actually thinking the same thing he is… Beaubois is a player & what I consider maybe the best fit as our PG.
Silent Swagger.
Needs more size for the half-court
Armon Johnson blowing up, Bayless learning how to shoot, or Koponen coming over are more our style. Deron Williams was meant to play for Nate McMillan. Or Jerry Sloan.
He's getting ready to surrender?
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jul 14, 2010 9:35 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
i fear with will be cuban's waterloo
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt
by thomasikehara on Jul 14, 2010 9:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Geez I am overcome with joy
I mean we tried for CP3 and ended up with who again? I am sure in a few months we are all going to be saying things like he’s the next Scottie Pippen like I hear about Frenchie. What’s our goal for this year? Are we really only aiming to advance one round?
ZOMG WE R TEH SUCK CUZ WE HAZ NO CP3!!!!
Seriously dude, it isn’t NBA Live or fantasy basketball. We have just added a very nice defensive player who is probably 6-7 in the rotation.
by GMan83201 on Jul 14, 2010 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Didn't say we are going to suck
And I am well aware this is not NBA Live, I am actually a student of history. History shows that deep teams lacking multiple superstars do not win titles by and large. We have one (maybe), I love Roy but am not sure if I would classify him at that level quite yet. I know we will have a good team just like in 2000 we had a really good and deeper team and it got us…
by ebnerblazer on Jul 14, 2010 10:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Perhaps but
That’s one main reason I want us to get another superstar. The league’s unofficial rules are pretty clear. Kobe you get this call, Batum you don’t, sorry fellas it is the way it is. Stars drive ratings which equals money and that is what matters most in the NBA. I challenge people to go look at the Lakers roster, it really is not deep. Who won that title for them, it’s simple, they had the better starters, period.
by ebnerblazer on Jul 14, 2010 10:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Any star going to Portland would cease to be a star.
See how it works? ;)
Exhibit B. Oden vs. Bynum. Reverse their teams and see what happens to people’s expectations of either (around the world, not Blazer fans).
Who won that title for them, it’s simple, they had the better starters, period.
They also have a long frontline and when K*be couldn’t score in game 7 they threw it into Gasol and drew enough FTs to get 4 more points than the Celtics
If Boston hadn’t lost Kendrick Perkins to injury the outcome could have easily been reversed
Lesson? Superstars are great, but don’t leave home without as many quality big men as you can stuff on your roster. Chances are, you’re gonna need them all
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Jul 14, 2010 11:23 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Uh...if you can find us a big 3 to rival miami,
I’ll happily take it, but it’s not exactly easy as pie. Why do you think the 29 other teams are crying FOUL? Accumulating superstars is difficult in the NBA, doing it in a small market environment is virtually impossible without a whole lot of luck.
by premthegrem on Jul 15, 2010 12:05 AM PDT up reply actions
What’s our goal for this year?
lemme help you out with this one:
healthy Roy, Oden & Batum, LMA entering his prime, Bayless pushing for starters minutes, Miller holding onto his skills for one more year; deepest bench in the league = best team in West
by blacknoiseNW on Jul 14, 2010 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions
I am sure in a few months we are all going to be saying things like he’s the next Scottie Pippen like I hear about Frenchie.
You must have been listening to the interview that Rudy Tomjanovic (former Rocket’s player and 2-time championship-winning coach, currently L*ker scout) gave the other day. He was asked about Batum’s upside as compared to Pippen and Rudy didn’t start hyperventilating like so many Bedgers tend to do. Tomjanovic agreed that Nic is long and has a good feel for the game and that every team needs a player like that
Does Batum = Pippen in his prime, right now? No, that would be near impossible for a 20 year-old. But does Nic project to having Scottie-like talent? More and more NBA scouts seem to think so
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Batum is a nice player no doubt
I just think it’s a little early to label him Pippen part deux don’t you? Also let’s face it, guys like Melo and James are a bit much for him to defend despite his otherwise defensive prowess.
by ebnerblazer on Jul 14, 2010 10:44 PM PDT up reply actions
The way the scouts would say it
Is that Batum has the upside to develop into a Pippen. Does that mean Nic will? Well, if you base it on stats Batum won’t have the opportunity to play alongside Jordan for a coach like Phil Jackson in the triangle offense, so Nic may not have the opportunity accumulate Scottie’s all-star numbers or rings. But Batum’s feel for the game reminds long-time scouts of Pippen, and that’s why the comparisons have been and will continue to be made. Nic himself says that he aspires to be like Scottie, so who are any of us to deny him the opportunity to reach for that goal?
I do hope he gets to play for a better NBA head coach and system before he’s too much older, if there’s anyone who’s really going to hold Batum back from developing his floor game, it’s Nate
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Lebron is the new Pippen.
In Bayless I trust.
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><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
James doesn't seem to have Jordan or Bry*nt's drive, does he?
Michael and K*be needed to be the man, LeBron is willing to play second-fiddle to Wade
I remember when Pippen refused to enter a game because Phil drew up a play where Tony Kukoc would get the last shot and Scottie would be the decoy. I doubt LBJ will worry about that if Dwayne takes the last shot
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I don't KNOW if Lebron's skill set is so much better than Wade's that he'll eventually force people to drop the A-Rod to Jeter comparisons...
…but I will say Lebron is so good, even while playing with Wade, I’d at least say there’s a chance that the nation will soon be saying he’s not playing second fiddle to anybody…
…kid could average a triple double next year…gonna be hard to be a hater if he reaches the “holy grail” of great all around player, and wins a title in the next 2 years.
CP3 ain't available it seems.
Parker has one year left so he’s only a renter. Harris might be a pipe dream too.
Maybe B-Roy and Nate can learn to gel the offense more. Let’s hope. We’re going to have sweet D though.
I'm just not crazy about player nick names...
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jul 14, 2010 11:09 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Parker has one year left so he’s only a renter
I heard the same fears re: trading for Camby last winter. “He’ll only be around for 2-3 months”
Just like with Marcus, Paul Allen will insist that Parker be extended, if he’s really going to be acquired. It’s a lot easier to convince a FA to join your team after he’s been in your uniform for awhile and you’ve got his Bird rights
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
batum and parker are BFFs
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt
by thomasikehara on Jul 15, 2010 4:01 AM PDT up reply actions
its kind of hard to get a player like cp3
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt
by thomasikehara on Jul 15, 2010 3:47 AM PDT up reply actions
“deepest bench in the league = best team in West”
er, Lakers have the shallowest bench in the west and they won the championship
deepest bench in the league = able to win 50 games with half the team on crutches
If the team doesn’t have a lot of injuries deep bench becomes a curse rather than a blessing. Look at the struggles Orlando had in the regular season due to having too much talent.
I think their struggles were more due to Carter, Lewis and Nelson all sucking it up at various times.
You can measure skill and talent with your eyes, but productivity is shown through statistics.
Phoenix certainly didn't struggle with their deep bench.
It’s what got them into the conference finals.
The Dude abides.
A year ago didn't the Lakers have the best bench in the west?
I think all around our system for determining the strength of benches isn’t so good. ;)
Lakers bench is weak for the most part, their STARters get it done
by ebnerblazer on Jul 14, 2010 10:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes, I know. I'm saying, a year ago people were praising their bench. Sasha, Farmar, Jeffrey from Virtua Fighter...
Now everyone hates them and wishes they were dead.
Sometimes Odom is so sweet he makes up for the rest.
I'm just not crazy about player nick names...
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jul 14, 2010 11:10 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Umm...I think you missed this part of his post...
“healthy Roy, Oden & Batum, LMA entering his prime, Bayless pushing for starters minutes”
Winning 50 games with Oden & Roy hurt A LOT last year…and having LMA & Bayless getting better this year…while every Laker except Bynum will be rotting day in and day out…
…that is a team that can compete with the Lakers, straight up
rotation?
Possible rotation Miller 32
Roy 34
Batum 32
Aldrige 38
Oden 28
Bayless 16 (all PG)
Matthews 24 (14 SG, 10 SF)
Cunningham 12 (6 SF, 6 PF)
Camby 24 (4 PF, 20 C
Plausible but that leaves the 1st round draft picks Babbitt and Williams out of the rotation. If they are good enough to deserve the spots they were selected at in the draft, they belong in the rotation but maybe not right at the start of the season.
Don't forget my last line.
Hopefully we’ll have nothing like last year, but still, you can expect to have about one of your rotation players out injured at any given time. That frees up about an average of 25 extra minutes per game to give to rookies, or to spread around.
Disclaimer: everything I know about basketball I learned on Blazersedge.
It's too early in the summer to start the annual Roy will play 30,31, 32, 33, 34, 35 minutes stuff.
Roy played 37.7, 37.2, 37.2 minutes the last 3 years. There’s a reason. Nate likes to win.
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jul 14, 2010 10:12 PM PDT up reply actions
yeah, and Brandon missed a month with a strained hamstring, too
somebody had to play those minutes while he was out, but you seem willing to move Jerryd because of anxiety over his lack of PT?
Discretion should become the better part of valor re: Roy’s future PT. A couple of reasons why Matthews was targeted could be
1) he will defend all the SFs, so Brandon won’t have to anymore
2) the coaches realized that a little less PT for #7 during the regular season might help ensure that he’s not limping around in the playoffs?
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I'm not predicting Bayless will do a Rudy if he doesn't get more playing time.
On the other hand, I don’t think it’s going to help his psyche or make him a better PG to sit so much during his 3rd year. I think it would eventually start to discourage me if I came into the league with high expectations to play and contribute and after this long couldn’t get the opportunities that I felt I deserved. But who knows, I’m no shrink. In any event, that’s not the main reason I think he is going to be traded.
I think the key reasons that Bayless will probably get traded is
1) I don’t think the Blazers believe he will become our PG of the future.
2) With Matthews there is no substantial time for Bayless to use his best skills to backup Roy.
3) Bayless has value to other teams in a trade.
So what’s the point (pun intended I guess) of keeping him if we could turn the backup PG minutes over to someone that may eventually take over from Miller (or whoever our starting PG turns out to be next year), and give Bayless an opportunity to become a success somewhere he can use his combo guard skills more effectively.
All of that said, as I’ve told you before, I’m in no hurry to trade Bayless for just another backup PG unless that PG could realistically become that elusive PGoF. I’m fine if Bayless is here all next year as long as he is ok with it (to come full circle to the start of this reply). In case of injuries to Roy or Miller (the earth shudders) Bayless might be more valuable (because he is a combo guard) than some other backup PG. So don’t paint me as a Bayless foe just looking to ship him out. But if there is an opportunity to upgrade to a backup PG with a realistic shot to become PGoF, or if Bayless can be packaged with Miller to actually get that PGoF now, then I’m all for trading him.
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jul 15, 2010 1:32 AM PDT up reply actions
As far as less PT for Roy. That discussion goes on every year here, and I wasn't kidding it peaks in Sept/Oct.
Every year there have been dozens, or dozens of dozens, of comments that Roy should/will play less minutes this coming year. Yeah, he went from 37.7 to 37.2 to 37.2, so I guess he did play less over three years. I’m pretty sure Nate said something about playing Brandon a little less each year too. It’s sort of like Nate saying we are going to run more next year. Anyway, I find it a pointless discussion. Let’s just see what happens. I put the over/under at 37.0 minutes and I’ll take the over against all the under betters that want to put up their money where their mouth is.
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jul 15, 2010 1:46 AM PDT up reply actions
I don't get why you hate Bayless so much.
You seem like a Bayless foe just looking to ship him out.
(I agree with the Roy-minutes thing… it’s always something that sounds great in July and August, but once the season starts and a game is tight, we’re not gonna stick to it. Roy won’t wanna stick to it. The fans won’t wanna stick to it. Nate won’t want to. We’ll wanna win. It just sounds nice right now to say he’ll play less minutes.)
(Same for running. I’ll believe substantial changes like that, when I sees it.)
(Mortimer)
#52
LOL
You seem like a Bayless foe just looking to ship him out.
Thanks Mort, I needed that.
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jul 15, 2010 8:26 AM PDT up reply actions
Aldridge
I think one thing the Blazers should do to take advantage of their depth is cut down some on Aldridge’s playing time.
It always seemed to me that his lackluster performance late in games may not necessarily be completely due to his not wanting to be the guy responsible for carrying the team during crunch time, it always seemed to me that it might partly be due simply to the guy being just flat out exhausted after playing 40+ minutes.
by lsjogren on Jul 14, 2010 10:09 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
More Camby and Cunningham
and when Przy is cleared for basketball activity…LMA can take even more time off to rest up
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
It's possible.
Also factor in that the strategy of going to him over and over at the start of game and 3rd quarter means those are much more intense possessions for him each time down the court than for anyone else on the team.
ignacio
I officially endorse this signing...
And all is forgiven for flushing Marty to take Ammo Junior.
"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
Like Windows 7.0
Wait, that can’t be good.
"[S]ince men enjoyed very great leisure, they used it to pursue many kinds of commodities unknown to their fathers, and that was that first yoke they placed upon themselves without thinking about it, and the first source of evils the prepared for their descendants. For, besides continuing thus to soften body and mind, as these commodities had lost almost all their pleasantness through habit, and as they had at the same time degenerated into true needs, being deprived of them became much more cruel than possessing them was sweet; and people were unhappy to lose them without being happy to have them." -Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Maybe he'll be alternate universe Ammo.
Undervalued by fans and turns out to be a great addition. ;)
Because we don't expect any of the rookies to make an impact this year
Disclaimer: everything I know about basketball I learned on Blazersedge.
well, sure.
but Wes is a second year player on a 5 year contract to be a backup to a star. There’s no room for Elliot AT ALL. I’m wondering why they didn’t sell the pick, use it on an Overseas player, or draft a project center (as Marcus and Dre are getting old and we obviously targeted Armon with the 34th pick). It just doesn’t make sense to have him unless he’s trade bait to someone who wanted to draft him. I don’t care for trade speculation, but it’s the only thing that makes sense.
BPAs are assets
Babbitt and Williams can’t be traded for another 3 weeks, but even though the Blazer scouts have been talking them up it doesn’t mean that the new GM won’t throw them into deals if he has an opportunity to improve the roster, short-term
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
If you enjoy wild, off-the-wall fantasies ...
1) Williams hurt his knee working out for the San Antonio Spurs, so we know they saw him and had interest in him.
2) Williams says his knee is 100% healthy, no pain, absolutely nothing wrong he said.
3) The Blazers won’t let Williams play in summer league as a “precaution”?
4) Williams can be traded 30 days after he signed his rookie contract last week.
5) The Blazers would like to trade a package of players for Tony Parker.
6) … ah ha!
I could also tell you who JFK, but you’d never believe it …
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jul 14, 2010 10:54 PM PDT up reply actions
I was thinking that but could not bare the thought of taking part in the TP parade.
thanks for taking the bullet
I love Terry Pratchett.
But I see him more as an ironic locker room presence than an ironic point guard.
it wasn't a lone gunman
and Elliot Williams as a Blazer may not serve a second term, if you catch my drift
I do like how you’re warming up to TP as a Blazer PG target, you’ll come around to the idea that LMA will be necessary to acquire him, just give it time
not all of the top secrets have become declassified, yet. Eyes only
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
He was one of our premiere bench players in the Drexler heyday.
And only played in the last two minutes of a blowout. And back then, no one gave a second thought to who we drafted. They would be waving a towel at best anyway.
What I’m saying is that as our team’s fortunes improve, we care less about who they draft or how they pan out. The less we care about whether or not a pick is wasted, the more a sign it is that we have arrived.
Probably not.
It’s one of the things obviously that you enjoy about the game, so you probably will continue to do so. What you’ll likely notice is more and younger fans acting like you’re weird though if you show interest in a pick. ;) “Huh? Why would you care who we draft for the D league?”
when the Blazers aren't drafting 3-4 rookies every June
then I’ll know there’s a veteran GM in charge and the scouting department has arrived
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Jazz Fan
We are really going to miss Wes. You guys are getting a great defender and great player. It will be interesting to see how you guys like him at that contract. Once AK got paid by the Jazz we stopped liking him as much.
Also, keep up the Laker hatred and stop stealing our restricted FAs :)
twitter: @UTESnJAZZ
by cmag on Jul 14, 2010 10:55 PM PDT reply actions 3 recs
It's our own fault for paying him so much.
If we have anyone to hate it is our front office.
Matthews is a hard working guy so if he doesn’t play up to what we want, that is our talent scouts’ fault for not seeing it.
In Bayless I trust.
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><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Thanks for coming by!
One of the things I like about Wes Matthews so far, is how much you guys like him.
Good luck in 78 games next season, plus playoffs.
M—
#52
In fairness
He’s not getting 17 mill against the cap in any season. It’s really the MLE with our lower level fans paying 9 dollars for beers to make up the difference. That AK contract is just straight up whack.
I’d say good luck but you’re not going to need it—should be a tough Jazz squad as always.
I'm just not crazy about player nick names...
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jul 14, 2010 11:16 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
HE'S NOT HEDO TURKEYGLUE!!
The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out, burns out farms, and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.
Head Czar of Amerika <--- Mortimer said so so there!!!
Nice move Blazers... opens up many interesting possibilities...
I like the way we’ve solidified our 8-9 man playoff rotation with our off-season signings:
Bigs: GO, LA, Camby
Wings: Roy, Nic, Matthews
Smalls: Dre, Bayless
Dante, Pendy, Luke and EW will be protected, and have limited minutes except for blowouts. That’s 13.
It’s clear we’ll deal Rudy, but for money, or draft picks, or what? I think we’re trying to deal Rudy and Pryz for another big man which would enable us to keep many of those in the Summer League: I think we’ll keep Mills, but I also like Armon Johnson, and Ibegwe. Minus Rudy and Pryz, we could keep all 3 of them for 15, bringing our roster to:
1’s 2’s 3’s 4’s 5’s
Dre Roy Batum LA GO
Bayless——→ <- Camby >————→E.W. Dante Pendy Ibegwe
Mills
A. Johnson
Lots of depth. Lots of firepower. Lots of defense. Lots of speed. Lots of athleticism. Lots of versality. Lots of wins…
Not enough playoff caliber firepower yet, but a Pryz/Rudy (Bayless?) deal may get us another high quality big.. Here’s hoping!
Let’s hire Pfund quick!
Math and format fail...
I originally had Mills in the Smals list, which is how I got to 13… but he’s not likely going to get big playoff minutes, so I took him out. But I’ve really liked what I’ve seen from him in summer league. Unlike Bayless, he knows how to run an offense. So does Armon Johnson. Bayless just became much more expendable in my mind, and I could see Bayless, Rudy and Pryz packaged up for a nice big man, and let Mills and Armon get minutes behind Dre, who we should ride for about 38 a game…
And the final lineup that I wrote down was designed to show some players filling multiple spots, and it looked more like this:
1’s 2’s 3’s 4’s 5’s
Dre Roy Batum LA GO
Bayless Wesley Matthews Marcus Camby
Mills EW Dante Pendy Ibegwe
Armon Pryz or big from trade
Geesh! I guess greater and less than signs don’t work, eh?
I wonder if we're going to turn Batum into a PG?
He obviously has no problem guarding 70% of the pg’s in this league. A Roy/Batum/Matthews lineup with whomever at the 4/5 would be ridiculously long and athletic, and could really score points in the half court. I am starting to like the signing more and more. Minutes logjams are not a bad thing.
Wesley Matthews is a good blue-collar player and
gives us important insurance for either Roy or Batum (both of whom missed significant time last year).
ignacio
I don't get it then
What’s the point in having him on the roster if he play’s Roy or Batum’s position?
Because Brandon and Nic aren't always 100% healthy?
I though after last year’s rash of injuries these questions would answer themselves
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
That white draft pick (Babbitt) is so not ready to defend NBA forwards
the backup SF depth was even thinner than the PG position, until they signed Matthews
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
tis true
and will likely get proved out again this next season…We continue to circumvent the real issue.(although this is probably consolation insurance for a realistic chance at getting a “difference maker” point guard)
the only thing that may have been changed, is a little more defensive mindset but still not compromising the offensive end…..if your insistent on a grind it out, half court game, (that yields very few easy hoops) then you at least need to get stops at the other end. One could argue that the grind it out, “working too hard for your score” game is what wears this team out and thus leaves little energy for defense and plenty of room for injuries. Players like Cunningham, Batum, and Mathews could be Roy’s defense. (he works so hard on offense, he has little energy for “D”.)
Although things still need to be proven, the team (on paper) looks to have a better chance at the next level. Good defense will generally get you through a lot of rough spots. especially if the shots ain’t falling…Overall, if you can’t get the point guard we need, then rounding out your team in another fashion is the next best thing.
I’m sure they are fixed on moving Rudy, but Bayless is the big question? I’m pretty well convinced that he is an oddity (tweener combo guard who can’t be a floor general) so they still could have issue with him when trying to define their team playing style. Talented player, possibly a different look, but not a “floor general”
[Good defense "releases" your offense]
i hate this time of year
i am so desperate for blazers info i just caught myself reading comments on O-live… time for bed me thinks…
Sigh...
by eyeotiger on Jul 15, 2010 1:17 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
i can only get through about 3 comments on any non-BE site
before I’m foaming at the mouth due to combined anger/dumbfoundedness/loss of faith in humanity.
Thanks for keeping it (mostly) classy and informed, BEdgers
by Billy Hoyle on Jul 15, 2010 11:15 AM PDT up reply actions
Funny thing about the Raja Bell signing is ath my friend who's a Jazz fan asked about him last week.
Like he knew that the Jazz weren’t going to keep Matthews, this was on the 8th before the Blazers made the offer on friday for Matthews. Funny how ended up signing with them.
Being a Blazer fan is not exactly healthy.
i want him. i LOVE the pickup
number ONE. and most important of all.. hes a kobe swatter :)
2. great defense
3. can hit the 3
4. strong driver to the basket.
I think it's a good signing, this is one of those players that did well in a system where you don't get
much room for error. Sloan is like Nate in that you either play well or you don’t get any playing time.
Seems Portland gets a lot of talent, but that talent gets restricted because they are always playing in fear of getting yanked. Just wonder what guys like Bayless, Matthews, and other guards for Portland can do if they are allowed to play freely.
yep
Seems Portland gets a lot of talent, but that talent gets restricted because they are always playing in fear of getting yanked.
"I want to be traded to a contender" is almost always code-speak for "I'm a loser."
-Dave, 2/5/2010: http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/2/5/1297509/no-amore-for-amare
but don't you want the players to be mentally tough?
I understand that you don’t want your players looking over their shoulders at the bench all of the time. But one of the concerns I’ve had about Rudy and Martell is that they weren’t either content or equipped to be role players on a finals-caliber team. Veteran reserves have to be ready for anything that comes their way. They could play 5 minutes one night and 30+ the next. Finding guys who can accept this and remain consistent isn’t easy, but it appeared to me that Fernandez and Webster weren’t going to be adequate in this kind of role, for different reasons.
Bayless and Matthews may be
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
both
it’s not an either-or. I’d like players to know that it’s ok to make a turnover or miss a shot, so long as it was an attacking aggressive play attempt or good shot. It feels far too often that in our system, those things are not tolerated, even though the reality of getting easy baskets is that you will make more turnovers and miss more shots – the key is having the positives outweigh the negatives. If attacking aggressive play leads to 3 layins and 1 turnover, that is a huge net positive, but far too often in our system the 1 turnover is unduly punished to the point where players stop being aggressive and play passive “in fear” games that keep turnovers down, but also keep easy baskets down.
that said, I agree with you on Rudy and Martell. Martell just didn’t have it right in his head. Rudy COULD have been a fantastic role player, but he hasn’t yet or won’t ever except that role, and we were probably one of the worst fits in the league for his skillset. The guy has no fear in taking the big shot, and shown the ability to make them as well. He just wants to be the star, but he isn’t as good as he thinks he is.
"I want to be traded to a contender" is almost always code-speak for "I'm a loser."
-Dave, 2/5/2010: http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/2/5/1297509/no-amore-for-amare
I'm pretty sure
this is complete speculation. I never felt this way, so to say it was far too often is quite a stretch. If it happened at all, to anyone, I’m betting it was limited and probably deserved.
but far too often in our system the 1 turnover is unduly punished to the point where players stop being aggressive and play passive "in fear" games that keep turnovers down, but also keep easy baskets down.
by Billy Hoyle on Jul 15, 2010 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions
let me correct myself
but far too often in our system, it appears the 1 turnover is unduly punished to the point where players stop being aggressive and play passive “in fear” games that keep turnovers down, but also keep easy baskets down
yes, it’s all speculation. In my opinion, our players, (other than Roy, who knows he can do no wrong; Andre, who doesn’t care, and Bayless, who certainly has gotten quick hooks for it), all look as though they play a tentative “safe” style, rarely putting pressure on a defense. Whether this is by design, something the players have picked up on subtly, or our players just aren’t aggressive is anyone’s guess I suppose.
"I want to be traded to a contender" is almost always code-speak for "I'm a loser."
-Dave, 2/5/2010: http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/2/5/1297509/no-amore-for-amare
I like the addition of Matthews in principle, but in practice, he's not worth that contract
It’s not anywhere close to as bad as the Hedo contract would have been, but the same principle is at work: I’m going to have to enjoy the things he brings to the team while completely ignoring how much he’s being paid.
"In fact you might say that Ugly is the Blazers' secret weapon this year."
-Dave
As for the Blazers...They are officially the NBA equivalent of a movie serial killer
-basketbawful
he will only be overpaid in the first 2 years
his contract goes down every year
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt
by thomasikehara on Jul 15, 2010 4:00 AM PDT up reply actions
Hopefully improvement in his game coupled with a decreasing contract will make him appropriately paid in the last years
"In fact you might say that Ugly is the Blazers' secret weapon this year."
-Dave
As for the Blazers...They are officially the NBA equivalent of a movie serial killer
-basketbawful
I'm also worried that many of his talents are going to go unused on this team.
His defense will always be appreciated, but his offensive roll might be mostly the corner 3. Our team simply doesn’t use cuts like the Jazz do.
"In fact you might say that Ugly is the Blazers' secret weapon this year."
-Dave
As for the Blazers...They are officially the NBA equivalent of a movie serial killer
-basketbawful
contract
" I’m going to have to enjoy the things he brings to the team while completely ignoring how much he’s being paid."
Yes, right attitude. Being overpaid a couple mil per year, who cares, that’s donut money for Paul Allen, why in the world should it concern us?
that's how I see it, as well
PA is our $ …the same type of feeling and love NYY fans had for George Steinbrenner…Nice to have a pocketbook in the small NW market. even if it has “bumbling businessman” written all over it. Pa if your going to spend your money, please send it our way…
[Good defense "releases" your offense]
Barring a minor miracle… Welcome to Portland Wesley Matthews.
This sounds like you are NOT a fan, Ben. …to me this sounds like..if there IS a miracle, Wesley Matthews won’t come to Portland.
I like him. Why don’t you?
Welcome Wes
I’m glad you are a Trail Blazer. Good luck this upcoming season! I can’t wait for the season to start!
WOOOOOOOOO000000000000000OOOOOOOOOOOOOOT – Elgin
GOP in HD
Off topic
This is slightly off of the Wesley Matthews topic but is there anyway to swing a deal for Darren Collison? He is pretty much expendable (assuming Paul stays healthy). There’s gotta be a way we can make this happen. Probably half of the teams in this league he’d be a starter and he is leaps and bounds above any backup we currently have. Probably not a novel idea but just throwing it out there.
by MusicCityBlazer on Jul 15, 2010 9:40 AM PDT reply actions
hopefully our new assistant coaches will push our tempo so that we will finish in the middle of the pack
the extra possessions might translate to better box scores for LA and Oden to become all stars this year. extra shots will probably make everyone happy.
"There was a time when this blog was for intelligent BASKETBALL fans. It has unfortunately become O-Live 2…" ~Ilikeemall
"Did they really expect me to bow down to Jesus?!?" ~Sophia
"At first glance, I saw a fairly unremarkable penis." ~Sophia on Greg Oden
The last guard we picked up from Wisconsin worked his backside off
and had the heart of a lion. I hope Mr. Matthews works out for us just the same.
Treat people well because Karma can hit you at any second.
Back on the number
So many comments that im not sure if anyone correctly guessed the number but wes will wear 11.
I bet Paul Allen likes the fact
he is a good defender, doesn’t need the ball in his hands, quick release & has experience going into the Lakers house and making open shots.
Silent Swagger.
The gossip doing the rounds in Australain basketball circles
is the Bucks see the benifit of Patty Mills, in both it will be good for Bogut, because they are mates, and Patty goes some way to replacing the 3-point shooting lost with Ridnour.
Anything interesting from the Bucks in a sign and trade?
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Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Days of NBA Lives: Wherein Roy Hibbert tap-dances to Maine
- Grizzlies Valentine’s Day cards are the key to love
- Kevin Love would like the NBA to take the MLB’s approach on All-Star games
- Kobe Bryant fires a few hilarious salvos at Jeremy Lin
- Brandon Jennings states the obvious regarding his 2014 free agency, everyone goes nuts
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