Mythbusters: Portland Trail Blazers

1- Inconclusive. At least in my opinion. The guy stresses qualities you find in championship teams. Defense, rebounding & team work. A lot of people have questions about his offense which are quite valid. I’d like to see how the offense looks this year.

2-Agree. He got paid, I expected improvement. Some hustle. I could care less if his PPG dropped 3-5 points & he started rebounding/defending like he should be able to.

3-Who cares. Its his team. He can do what he wants.

4-Agree. Brandon wants to win, he isn’t obsessed with numbers.

5-Inconclusive. Prove it to us big man. As a fan base we can do nothing but think positive thoughts & pray.

6-Agree. I love Andre. I have no problem with him being the starter until his contract runs out & I would love for him to be our reserve PG and re sign with us. However I think we would be smart to pursue a “PG” who fits next to Roy right. Someone who can defend the 1 & 2 at a championship level & hit his open shots – A role player if you will, in fact Nate McMillan as a player would not be a bad fit if only we had a time machine. I’m not sold on Jerryd because Brandon already presents a lack of defense on our wings, we need to have the 1 & the 3(Batum) be great defenders – in my opinion, to win a championship.

7-Inconclusive. Its yet to be seen. Its fun yet foolish to speculate. Its all up to Nicolas in how far his career goes.

8-False. Brandon has shown he can be the #1 guy for us, I just think you need to build around him properly. Make up for his(very few) flaws. Get him open shots, open driving lanes. Have shooters that when Brandon kicks it, they will make it consistently. Last but most importantly, play defense. All the players around Brandon need to be quality defenders imo.

9-Inconclusive. This is really tough to say. On one hand you have a 7ft man who fractured his patella & re-fractured in a very short amount of time. Who is to say how effective he will be once he gets back on the court. On the other hand Przybilla is a warrior. A fighter. It all comes down to if Paul Allen. Keep Joel & pray he recovers, and is the same ol Vanilla Gorilla we know and love. Or trade him for a younger, less injured big man who could fit in our rotation & championship window for more years then Joel. Not only that but JPEC will be a valuable asset in any trade scenario.

10-False. I don’t think so, the reason every player is signing contracts this year is to avoid what the new CBA may hold. Which makes me believe it will be more owner friendly.

Anyone posting here can certainly step outside the rules. Just give me a general idea which way you swing on the statements I made above. Don’t mean to box anyone in with the agree/disagree stuff.

1. Agree. Don’t like the coach too much and these new hires got Nate written all over it. I fully expect to see the offense next year with slightly less 3pters taken.

2. It’s true that LMA is over paid in this offense. Dante Cunningham, although not as tall, could essentially knock down the same jumpers LMA can at pretty much the same %

3. Disagree. I think PA did what he had to do

4. B Roy is the man. That’s all I have to say about that

5. Disagree. It’s Greg’s skills that won’t allow him reach the level fans expect not his health. People saw him as a potential 25-30 point guy and he wont get there. Especially in this offense, but mostly because he isn’t good enough

6. Obviously the Blazers should continue to hunt for a future PG, but only because Dre is getting older.

6B. Undecided, but only cuz I’m not sure what it takes to actually be a starting PG in the NBA anymore. It seems to be less about running a team than it used to.

7. Undecided. Nico’s is good. How good? IDK

8. Disagree. I’m not sure what defines a Superstar, but Roy is pretty good.

9. Agree. Unfortunately

10. I have know idea what’s gonna happen with the new CBA

1. Disagree: Nate’s problem is that he plays playoff style basketball during the regular season. Give it time. People think it costs us games, when that isn’t true. Nate’s offense is not broken, in fact, it is one of the best in the league. His defense needs fixing, but I believe that will come with time, and personnel changes.

2. Overpaid might be a stretch. There are a lot worse contracts in the league. I think he’s in the Andre Igoudala category of bad contracts, whereas most people seem to think he’s in the Monta Ellis/Corey Maggette/Rudy Gay/Emeka Okafor category. However, I do think he should have tried out for the Olympic team. I know, I know, he wanted to rest his body, spend time with his kid, etc. I’d be surprised if he’d be the only guy giving up time with his family, and there are guys who played just as many minutes as he did during the regular season on the U.S. team.

3. Will we ever really know? I don’t see how our championship goals have been de-railed or set back, so it’s not something to worry about.

4. I think it depends. He CAN change his game to fit anyone, but I don’t know if he WOULD. If Monta Ellis became our starting PG and wanted all of Brandon’s touches, I think there would be problems, and rightfully so. There seemed to be some with Andre (which may have been overstated by the media), but if we had a PG like Deron Williams or Chris Paul, he would adapt so that we could win.

5. We’ll see, but I think Greg Oden, not the PGotF, will be The Missing Piece.

6. Keep looking? Yes. But that hunt absolutely MUST include Bayless. He deserves at least one more season, if not two.

7. Batum has an incredible ceiling. We won’t know how much of his potential he can realize for at least a few years, at least.

8. Disagree. The only thing that separates Roy from K*be is a rape accusation (not necessary for superstar status) and an ELITE big man. Hopefully, Oden will fix the latter this season.

9. Depends on whether we can use his contract as a salary ballast for a big trade. He makes too much to be a third stringer, and his EC has real trade value, especially packaged with a young prospect. If not, I’m looking forward to having the best frontline in the NBA this fall.

10. No one knows, but with Paul Allen as owner, and hopefully Oregon’s most important sports figure (Knight) will buy it down the road, money won’t be that big of an issue. He’ll spend big to keep us in contention.

1. Nate McMillan is not the “championship coach” this team needs long-term. His new assistant coaches won’t inspire much change, particularly when it comes to pace. Contrary to what he says, his offense is broken in some respects. He’s just too stubborn.

Jury is still out. The pressure is on to win a playoff series this coming April.
 

2. Based on last season’s results, LaMarcus Aldridge isn’t worth the contract extension he just signed. If he wanted to prove himself, he should have tried out for Team USA and committed himself to excellence.

If Oden remains healthy, LMA. must make a serious adjustment to his game and role this season. Otherwise his contract could make him a WARP casualty. Are Cho and Allen in LMA’s corner? We’ll find out

3. Paul Allen “jumped the shark” as an owner with regard to his handling of KP’s dismissal. He meddled too much and the team took a step back this offseason as a result. You may like the Cho hire, but still feel KP was a better fit.

It was time for a change, KP jumped the shark in July 2009. Allen is still one of the best owners in pro sports and Portland fans are lucky to have Paul and one major league team in this town. If a “big splash” trade is done this offseason it will have PA’s fingerprints all over it.
 

4. Brandon Roy can adapt his game to play with any PG out there, even if it were Chris Paul handling the rock most of the time. You have faith he can put his ego aside and let someone else run the offense.

It’s already been done. There’s no need to ask this question anymore.
 

5. Greg Oden’s body won’t allow him to be the player we [the fans] all hoped he could be.

No, he’ll get stronger as his body matures.

6A. The Blazers should continue their hunt for a quality, long-term solution at starting PG.

They should add Tony Parker for his playoff experience, if they can convince the Spurs to part with him.

6B. As a followup to 6A: It’s highly unlikely Jerryd Bayless will ever develop into a starting PG in the NBA, for any team. By starter I mean the team’s #1 option at that position, not just an injury replacement.

 
Bayless has the right stuff to start alongside Roy in the future, but he won’t be ready to do it this year. He will defend PGs, but that doesn’t mean he needs to play like a traditional PG at the other end of the floor.

7. As a fanbase, we’re too high on Nicolas Batum as an emerging talent. He may be good, but let’s not get carried away. The Blazers front office may have passed on some great trade opportunities as a result of this fervor.

 
There is no one here on BE who has overvalued Nic, yet. What he has done at age 20-21 in spite of shoulder problems is remarkable. Anyone who puts a limit on Batum’s future is just guessing when he will plateau. If Frenchy can stay healthy and in a Blazer uniform he will be considered the franchise’s best all-around SF in less than 10 years.

8. The Blazers don’t have a superstar on their squad. Brandon is a #2 quality player at the moment (Joe Johnson comes to mind) and LaMarcus is a #3. This team needs a true superstar to compliment Roy & Aldridge or the Blazers will struggle to compete for a title, let alone win one.

 
Not even. I have high hopes for Oden and Batum. Cho’s “missing pieces” could just as likely be veterans who fill key roles and provide vital post season experience.

9. We’ve likely seen the last of Joel Przybilla on the floor [active] in a Blazers jersey.

 
Don’t ever bet against Joel, he will make you look silly.

10. The new CBA is likely to affect the Trail Blazers organization in a negative way when it comes to trades and free agent acquisitions. Less opportunity for sponsorships in a smaller market plus less salary [from a new CBA] will hurt the team down the road.

No telling. If Oden is healthy in the preseason I’d lock him up, just in case.

Main paged.

—Dave

1) Undecided.
I really need to see what happens this season. There’s been talk about B-Roy wanting to be able to run more, and Nate Mac likes to play to his strengths. The possession control-based offense is a good defense, but I think that we will look to run more. Wesley Matthews is a great addition for his ability to get deflections and score on the break. These factors might convince Nate that our strengths have broadened.

2) Agree
At this point, he needs to be an all-around player, and from what I’ve heard this summer, he’s spending his time working up his offensive game. That reporter was almost prodding and imploring him to say “I’m working on my defensive game”…crickets.

3) Disagree
When the smoke cleared, we still didn’t really know why. But I’m inclined to believe the Warren LeGarie meddling meddlesome meddler tale.

4) Agree

5) Disagree
I hold out faith that he will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come on the court.

6) Agree, on both A and B.
Bayless is a spark-plug combo guard who’s ceiling is a Jason Terry/Jamal Crawford 6th man. Could be 6th man of the year… could be with the Blazers. But we need to search for that starter.

7) Disagree
The possibilities were exciting, but I think Nicolas will be as important to the championship team as LA, maybe even B-Roy. This is only possible with Greg being our dominant force.

8) Disagree
While LA may be a 3rd level star, B-Roy is all but there. Joe Johnson is nearing the end of his prime, whereas Roy is entering his. A little more commitment on the defensive end and a victorious playoff series is all he needs to enter the superstar echelon.

9) Undecided
It’s still very possible that we ship his contract out this summer, and it will look even more tantalizing come February. If he’s healthy before he’s traded, then it’s possible that Joel will don the pinwheel again. But if Greg is a healthy player, then Joel is expendable, and I don’t see the Blazers passing up on a juicy deal for our expiring contract(s)

10) Undecided
I still need to read up on the possible changes. A lockout wouldn’t be good in any case, like the recent TV writers’ strike X a boozillion

1. Disagree. I think Nate coaches to the strength of his star player.
 
2. Disagree. LMA’s deal is a bargain compared to what happened this summer
 
3. Disagree. There’s enough leaked information out there to conclude that KP or his people were worthy of firing, even if we don’t know exactly what it was.
 
4. Agree. Roy would figure it out eventually.
 
5.UIncertain. Greg has one more year before I turn on him like a fat guy at the salad bar.
 
6A. Disagree. Long term solutions are a myth. Very few players stay with one team forever. Get the best group you can for right now, win the title right now.
 
6B.Agree. Bayless won’t develop into a starting anything, let alone a PG.

7. Agree. Let’s let the guy have one season on par with an average NBA player before we anoint him king.
 
8. Disagree. Roy is clearly a #1 player.
 
9. Agree. While 2 points and 10 rebounds is nice, Camby and Oden are both better, and that contract is a nice trade piece.
 
10. Undecided. I don’t have enough knowledge to address this question

1. Nate McMillan is not the “championship coach” this team needs long-term. - Disagree. Is he A++ in all areas? No, but neither is the guy who would replace him. I consider him among the best in the league and that’s enough.
 
2. LaMarcus Aldridge isn’t worth the contract extension he just signed. - Agree. Never have been super high on him and, while I don’t think he’s peaked yet, “borderline all-star” seems like about how we’ll remember his overall career
 
3. Paul Allen “jumped the shark” as an owner - Disagree. I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt on this one considering his past awesomeness as an owner and the fact that nobody really has any idea what happened behind closed doors. Worrisome? Yes… but not a full fledged shark jump.
 
4. Brandon Roy can adapt his game to play with any PG out there - Disagree. I don’t think it’s ego as much as it’s just a different set of skills to play off the ball. After a few years it may work out, but we (the fans/media/team execs) probably wouldn’t have that much patience
 
5. Greg Oden’s body won’t allow him to be the player we [the fans] all hoped he could be. - Agree… obviously I may be wrong, but my gut doesn’t think so
 
6A. The Blazers should continue their hunt for a quality, long-term solution at starting PG. - Disagree… in the sense that we should do whatever it takes to improve the team as much as possible, regardless of position. I’ve never bought in to the idea that “position X” is more important than any other. The focus on PG (or C or whatever) seems to narrow our (the fans) focus too much.
 
6B. It’s highly unlikely Jerryd Bayless will ever develop into a starting PG in the NBA - Disagree. Not much to say, just disagree.
 
7. As a fanbase, we’re too high on Nicolas Batum as an emerging talent. - Undecided. Some people certainly are… but I’m not sure where I’d put the fanbase as a whole on this one
 
8. The Blazers don’t have a superstar on their squad. - Disagree. I could see Roy playing the Paul Pierce role on a championship team and, if he can prove my gut wrong and stay healthy, Oden certainly could be that dominant.
 
9. We’ve likely seen the last of Joel Przybilla on the floor [active] in a Blazers jersey. - Undecided. Shrug… if we trade him yes, otherwise no. I have no idea nor even gut feeling if that will happen.
 
10. The new CBA is likely to affect the Trail Blazers organization in a negative way - In the short term, yes because we have Paul Allen as an owner. In the long term, undecided. Does the hard cap level the playing field or does the hard cap increase the relative value of market size? It could go either way.

1. Nate McMillan is not the “championship coach”: Plausible
 
2. LaMarcus Aldridge isn’t worth the contract extension he just signed: Plausible, but he would have gotten the same or a better deal in this market from some team so it ends up a moot point and the Blazers locked him up at a decent prize.
 
3. Paul Allen “jumped the shark” as an owner with regard to his handling of KP’s dismissal: No, but he confirmed earlier beliefs.
 
4. Brandon Roy can play with Chris Paul or most other point guards: Confirmed
 
5. Greg Oden’s body won’t allow him to be the player we [the fans] all hoped he could be: Plausible, but remains to be proven or disproven
 
6A. The Blazers should continue their hunt for a quality, long-term solution at starting PG: Confirmed
 
6B. It’s highly unlikely Jerryd Bayless will ever develop into a starting PG in the NBA, for any team: Plausible but inconclusive
 
7. As a fanbase, we’re too high on Nicolas Batum as an emerging talent: Busted
 
8. The Blazers don’t have a superstar on their squad: Totally busted
 
9. We’ve likely seen the last of Joel Przybilla on the floor [active] in a Blazers jersey: Plausible
 
10. The new CBA is likely to affect the Trail Blazers organization in a negative way: Plausible, but I don’t believe in a lockout and think Cho is just the right guy to take advantage of any potential loopholes in the next CBA.

What do you think of the signing of Wesley Matthews?

Roy: “I think he’s going to help our team. I was a little concerned with losing Martell and not bringing Travis back. I was like ’We’re getting thin on that wing.’ Getting Wes — he wants to be called Wesley — getting Wesley was huge. That was somebody I was looking forward to playing against for the rest of my career and now he’s my teammate. I’m excited about it. He’s kind of like in that mold of Nicolas; they do whatever it takes to help the team win. Defend, he can score, knock down the shot. There’s a number of things I’m going to talk to coach about in putting me in different postions so that way we can go bigger and put maybe Nicolas and Welsey out there together. It should be fun.”

Maybe have you run a little more point?

Roy: “Yeah. I hope so. Like I said, I’m working a lot off the ball, but my strength is playing with that basketball and I’m trying to make sure I get even better at it.”

The front office really like the defensive potential of Matthews and Batum. Talk about that combination.

Roy: “That’s a really, really good combination cause even when I played Wesley, when I would score I would kind of laugh and he would come back every time with that competitiveness. I’m happy to have that on our team. And not only those two. I think me and LaMarcus haven’t been talking about it enough, but we even have to get better on the defensive end.”

1. Disagree – it’s not the coach holding us back.
2. Disagree – LaMarcus is doing fine, he was +249 points against his position for the season.
3. Agree – KP was good for the club, fans are annoyed. Not that Paul Allen cares.
4. Agree – Roy wants to win, he’s got his fat contract and doesn’t care about the stats.
5. Uncertain – We all want to believe Greg will be healthy, but there’s little reason to, is there?
6A. Disagree – Andre is here this year, and next if we want him. You keep an eye open, of course.
6B. Agree – Bayless best case is Vinny “the Microwave” Johnson, he’ll never be a legit distributor.
7. Agree – And this isn’t the first time, either, we do it with anyone who shows a speck of talent.
8. Disagree – Brandon’s health has kept him from being “that guy” every night, but it’s in him.
9. Disagree – Joel will want to play, and he will. Camby is also a valuable trade chip.
10. Uncertain – Who can say what the new CBA will bring? Not me.

1. Nate McMillan is not the “championship coach” this team needs long-term. His new assistant coaches won’t inspire much change, particularly when it comes to pace. Contrary to what he says, his offense is broken in some respects. He’s just too stubborn.

undecided

 
2. Based on last season’s results, LaMarcus Aldridge isn’t worth the contract extension he just signed. If he wanted to prove himself, he should have tried out for Team USA and committed himself to excellence.

disagree

 
3. Paul Allen “jumped the shark” as an owner with regard to his handling of KP’s dismissal. He meddled too much and the team took a step back this offseason as a result. You may like the Cho hire, but still feel KP was a better fit.
 
More agree than disagree, but I disagree with the last part. I don’t think KP necessarily was a better fit than Cho. I thought Kevin Pritchard did a good job but PA had his own reasons for why he let KP go. What I thought was horrendous was the timing and the lack of transparency throughout. Of course, if I was on the inside I might think differently because obviously there are just some things about this whole thing that just won’t ever be known to those on the outside… maybe I should just call this “undecided.”

4. Brandon Roy can adapt his game to play with any PG out there, even if it were Chris Paul handling the rock most of the time. You have faith he can put his ego aside and let someone else run the offense.

agree… mostly
 
5. Greg Oden’s body won’t allow him to be the player we [the fans] all hoped he could be.
 
disagree… I still think he can come back strong.

6A. The Blazers should continue their hunt for a quality, long-term solution at starting PG.
 
agree

6B. As a followup to 6A: It’s highly unlikely Jerryd Bayless will ever develop into a starting PG in the NBA, for any team. By starter I mean the team’s #1 option at that position, not just an injury replacement.

disagree.
 
7. As a fanbase, we’re too high on Nicolas Batum as an emerging talent. He may be good, but let’s not get carried away. The Blazers front office may have passed on some great trade opportunities as a result of this fervor.

agree.
 
8. The Blazers don’t have a superstar on their squad. Brandon is a #2 quality player at the moment (Joe Johnson comes to mind) and LaMarcus is a #3. This team needs a true superstar to compliment Roy & Aldridge or the Blazers will struggle to compete for a title, let alone win one.
 
disagree. If Roy played in NYC he would be a superstar.

9. We’ve likely seen the last of Joel Przybilla on the floor [active] in a Blazers jersey.

disagree… I think Joel comes back, makes it through the trade deadline, and helps us get past the second round and into the conference finals. even though he won’t be back after 2010-2011, he’ll still be beloved for being a pro until the very end.
 
10. The new CBA is likely to affect the Trail Blazers organization in a negative way when it comes to trades and free agent acquisitions. Less opportunity for sponsorships in a smaller market plus less salary [from a new CBA] will hurt the team down the road.

undecided.

1. Undecided

2. Disagree. Strongly.

3. Undecided

4. Agree

5. Undecided

6A. Agree

6B. Undecided

7. Disagree

8. Agree

9. Undecided

10. Undecided

1. Undecided: I am of the Nate bashing camp typically, however, with the turnover of his coaching staff I am willing to see what gets brought to the table at least this next season.

2. Disagree: 18 – 8 each and every night is worth it.

3. Disagree: I tend to think the fan base should have expected this after Allen felt he had to pull KP from the contract negotiations last summer.

4. Agree: I believe he can do it, in some respects he needs to do it, but we ought to beware what we ask for at least a little. It depends on who the guard is. He should adapt his game more if we have a Chris Paul but so much if we have a Mo Williams. My question on Roy here has little to do with point guards specifically anyway, but rather how much his game reduces the effectiveness of others on the team, I do not think the Blazers have found the proper balance yet.

5. Disagree: I am an eternal optimist. This season will be the key.

6A.: Agreed
6B.: Agreed: JBay is a baller, I just do not think he possesses the court vision to be a top notch PG. He might become adequate at PG, but he may be better as a 2 on another team or a 6th man on ours.

7. Disagree: Boom Boom is my favorite Blazer right now. His demeanor, his upside, his progress makes the price I pay to watch these guys worth it. I can’t wait for this season when we start getting him more minutes.

8. Disagree: Roy is top tier, efficient and consistent in a way even the superstars are not. 27 points on 13 shots, get real. Anybody else gets 27 has at least 20 or more shots. LMA is probably a #3 though.

9. Agreed: I think Cho has another medium to big move he wants to make this summer and Joel’s expiring contract and current roster configuration make him likely to be traded. I hate it, but I accept and even understand it.

10. Undecided: It still comes down to will power of the organization mostly, but unintended consequences in any agreement may prove to present unanticipated barriers.

1. Disagree – Nate’s system can be a winning one. Way too much nitpicking for two 50 win seasons in a row.
2. Disagree – LA was about all the Blazers had going for them in the frontcourt for 30 games out of the year and he continued to consistently produce.
3. Undecided – I have no idea what happened and will not pretend to be able to make a judgement.
4. Agree
5. Undecided – How can anyone really know what will happen from here on out.
6. A – agree
B – disagree Bayless has a very good shot at becoming a starting PG in the NBA. But the Blazers should be open to looking elsewhere if a solid trade comes up.
7. Disagree – Frenchie rocks
8 . Disagree
9. Disagree
10. Undecided – who knows?

1. Disagree. Portland fans are famous for seeing greener grass in other pastures. Nate is a winner, and with all the injuries of last season, he had a team still buying in a believing. That is simply something you cannot overlook. So few coaches can get the level of buyin that McMillan seems to inspire.
 
2. Disagree. While I might have agreed with this statement midway through last season, a look at the contract signed this off-season show it was a very reasonable contract. People forget just how good LA is, and how he tends to get better throughout the season.
 
3. Disagree. While I do not understand why KP was dismissed, I get that the GM serves at the pleasure of the owner. I do think Allen mishandled the situation and just doesn’t seem to understand howto effectively manage people.
4. Completely agree. Roy is one of the smarter players in the league and can adapt. The question to ask is who should adapt. Brandon Roy is a top 10 player in this league. He has carried this team a long way. We need to be careful about moving Roy to a secondary role.
5. Disagree. None of his injuries appears chronic. However if we see a continuing pattern over the next 2 years…
 
6A. Agree. Well…I don’t think we can count on Miller forever.
 
6B. Not for the Blazers. He is a shoot first player. While he and Roy could fit, I don’t think it’s the best use of Roy to have him play next to a shoot-first PG.
 
7. He’s still a kid and is a 2 year starter. Look at how many teams want him. He can be Roy’s Pippen…maybe even better.
 
8.. If you don’t think Roy is a superstar, I guess I just don’t know what is the correct definition of a superstar. He increases his level of performance in the playoffs (injury excepted), can be counted on to want to take (and make) the last second shot, and is the unparalleled leader of this team. Everyone knows this is Brandon Roy’s team. Not Oden’s, Aldridge’s, not Camby’s, not Millers, not even McMillan’s. It is Roy’s.
 
9. Maybe. Cho is most likely not wedded to Joel as a player, and a decent size expiring contract can be an attractive asset. But I still believe character counts, and Joel shouldn’t be traded without getting a good assett, one with good character.
 
10. Unknown. And anyone who says they KNOW what will be in the new CBA is just blowing smoke. You can never accurately project the outcome of labor negotiations.

Agree
Disagree
Undecided (..and explain a little)

1. Undecided – I keep hearing/reading how Nate McMillan’s system is too slow. This is more a product of the players than the Coach. Almost every game I’ve gone to or watched, Nate has on more than one occasion emplored the PG’s to push it up court. Play early in the clock. This is part one of his strategy. Unfortunately when Blakey was here all he could do was walk it up the court and hand it off to Brandon. JB pushes it when he’s in and doesn’t get pulled. Granted, he’s a perfect third guard and won’t be a starting PG in this league. Give Nate a chance with a real PG and we’ll see more up tempo. Nate likes PMills for this reason.
 
2. Disagree. Team USA has nothing to due with LMA’s contract. If he’s being criticized for not playing then that it too fricken bad. He should be at home lifting weights and working on his lower body and core, not wearing his legs out running with Team USA. He’s already one of the best PF’s for running the court and shooting the mid-long range jumpers, so now he needs to work on back to the basket stuff. Part of that is getting stronger…
 
3. Undecided. KP’s dismissal undoubtedly had behind doors circumstances that we may never know about. Some of the accounts of unethical behavior are enough for dismissal if they are true. Unfortunate as his basketball decisions were spot on most of the time…too bad it sounds as if he made a few too many professional mistakes.
 
4. Agree
 
5. Disagree
 
6A. Agree
 
6B. Agree
 
7. Disagree
 
8. Disagree
 
9. Undecided. Joel could last up until the trade deadline as a Blazer. It’s more likely that guards get moved before Joel, unless his expiring contract is desired by a team now. Most teams will wait and see if it will be more fruitful to cut expenditures and save cap once they gauge how their season is going.
 
10. Agree. However, I think it will hurt teams like Miami more so. It will be harder to keep three superstars together on one team with a tighter cap… I disagree with the statement that “less opportunity for sponsorships in a smaller market” as most sponsorships are nationally based, not locally based. If you’re a superstar in this league, the size of the market you play in doesn’t matter for that income base. It would be more accurate to state that it’s the east coast bias, or a mediocre team bias. If the Blazers start out 22-0 then ESPN and TNT will be picking up games and the exposure will be increased…for the midwest and western audiences anyway…Too bad those Easties will be tucked away and in best when Greg gets his triple double with blocks, rebounds, and points.
Bingo! Bango! Bongo!!!

1. Undecided: He simply hasn’t been put in the position to prove or disprove it yet. We will learn soon, hopefully this season, whether he is that coach or not, but I don’t think he has had a fair shake yet. I still put stock in his involvement with team USA.
 
2. Disagree: Lamarcus is flawed, that much is certain, but he does have one major advantage: He’s a known quantity now, and one we can work with. If we rely on him as the primary option we will fail, and that sucks, but if he is just a secondary option then he is a very good one. We don’t need to assemble a team of great players, we need to assemble a team of complimentary players, and I think LA can work as a complimentary player.
 
3. Disagree: There is some missing information here, and trust me, I am as big a KP fan as anyone. But PA still wants to win and is still willing to spend. That’s more than most of the owners in this league and I appreciate it.
 
4. Agree: As Brandon ages he will be less stubborn with his playing style. Given that he is only “kinda stubborn” right now I have all faith that he can work with what’s needed.
 
5. Undecided: I will agree or disagree after this season. Could go either way.
 
6A. Disagree: I get a completely different feeling from the fans and the team on this, so I am not entirely sure this is supposedly coming from. I think most blazers fans are just plain stupid when it comes to this crazy “we need the perfect PG” holy grail silliness. If a good opportunity comes along, sure, obviously we want to go for it, but it’s almost offensive how stupid people can be on this issue.
 
6B. Disagree: Jerryd Bayless will never be one of the top 5 PGs in the league, but 25 teams in the league run with one of the non-top 5 PGs in the league, including most championship teams. If he keeps developing he will be good.
 
7. Disagree: I am krazyglued to the Batum train and happy to ride it all the way, at least for a few more years. Batum has the potential to be a first team all-defensive team. I will be heartbroken if we lose him.
 
8. Disagree: Brandon Roy is a good enough superstar to lead the team to a championship with the right team. I can see maybe going for a bigger star at some point, but I don’t feel the need at all.
 
9. Agree: Sadly
 
10. Undecided: I’ll know more when the next CBA exists.

1) Plausible. I’m very interested to see if the offense improves with the new assistants. If the Blazers can’t win a playoff series this year, I don’t know if they will under Nate.
2) Plausible. I wish LMA had played with Team USA. Based on last season’s results and the offseason’s craziness, he’s worth the contract.
3) Disagree. His handling of the KP situation was terrible, but Cho is a good hire.
4) Agree. He wants to run the offense, but he can play with anyone.
5) Plausible. I hope not.
6A) Plausible. We’ll be fine with ‘dre, Bayless, and Armon this year, but Cho should keep his eyes open.
6B) Agree. I could see him as a starting 2 for some teams.
7) Disagree. He’s only scratching the surface. It’s amazing what a difference there was last year when he returned, even in the first two or three games. He was frequently the second best player on the team.
8) Disagree. It depends on your definition of “superstar,” though. I think being a top-10 player in the league should qualify. The only thing holding Roy back from being considered a superstar is his personality.
9) Plausible. His expiring contract has made him pretty good trade bait.
10) Plausible. We won’t know until some early drafts of the CBA are analyzed.

1. Agree. While several of his his points of emphasis are key to a championship (defense rebounding), the offense runs too much iso to be successful. If Cleavland could not be successful running iso with James then why does McMillian think he can be successful running so many iso plays for Roy.

2. Disagree. While he may not be living up to the high expectations we as fans place on him, if he hadn’t held it together last season we wouldn’t have made the playoffs.

3. Disagree. He owns the team so he can do what he wants. KP was great in rebuilding the team, but may have burned too many bridges with other GMs to continue to be as effective as he once was.

4. Agree. Based on everything I have read, Brandon cares more about winning than his ego, though that could just be what he wants us to believe.

5. Agree. This is mostly because our expectations are by and large too high. He will become a good center, just not the once in a decade player we hope(d) he would be.

6a, 6b. Agree. Bayless will be a good backup point guard but does not have the length to be a starter. Too bad because he works hard, but he can’t change his length.

7. Disagree. When people talk about our big 3, I always put Batum in there instead of Oden as he’s shown himself to be a superior player at this point in their careers.

8. Disagree. When healthy, Roy has the output of a Superstar, which is all that matters. He will never get the national recognition as long as he is in Portland.

9. Agree. By the time Joel will be ready to return, he will be traded to a team looking for an expiring contract.

10. Agree. The owners will look to put more money in their pocket, which the players will try to make up somehow. It is easier for the players to make up the difference in a large market vs. a small one.

1. Agree
 
2. Agree, thought clearly there are many worse contracts there. That fact doesn’t make LA’s a good contract though.
 
3. Disagree. Didn’t like what happened to KP, but there is likely a lot we don’t know and Cho won’t be much of a step down, if at all.
 
4. Uncertain. Roy seems to have a pretty small basketball comfort zone. He could certainly be effective alongside Paul, but has yet to show he could change his game to make it work optimally.
 
5. Agree. I’m a natural pessimist and I just don’t have a good feeling about Oden’s health.
 
6A. Agree.
 
6B. Tough one. I could see Bayless being a starting PG in the league, but probably not one of the better ones.
 
7. Agree that we overrate Nic. Hard to say if there’s a deal we should have made, but its certainly plausible we passed up something we should have done to hold on to him.
 
8. Sort of agree. Brandon>Joe for sure, but if Brandon’s going to be your best player, you need a much better #2 than LA. I’m not even sure LA is a good enough #3 if you don’t have a true superstar as your #1. The Blazers need Oden to be a top 10 player— and for 35 mpg, not 24 mpg and 30 games/yr.
 
9. Another tough one. I’ll disagree, but could see it either way.

10. Agree

1. Disagree

2. Disagree – markets set players’ value and it ain’t my money…Andrea Bargnani is all I have to say

3. Disagree – I think there is clearly more to the KP situation and I’m gonna give PA the benefit of the doubt. It does not appear to me that his firing was job performance related, so I will not speculate on things I do not know.

4. Undecided – Brandon Roy is a phenomenal player with the ball in his hands. I have no issue with him becoming more well-rounded and I think him and Andre became a nice little 1-2 punch, but I’m not 100% sold on his ability to adapt to anyone or that this course of action is best for the Blazers.

5. Disagree – and I pray that I’m right.

6a. Disagree – my answer would have been different at the start of the summer, but the more I stew the more I want to see Andre back and Bayless given the opportunity to inherit the position.

6b. Disagree – I think Bayless has an NBA body, and NBA mindset, and an NBA skillset. I think he will continue to develop NBA level decision making and feel for the game. I expect him to be a very good player in 2-3 yrs.

7. Agree – I do not think Batum will ever be a star the level of Scottie Pippen as some suggest. I do think that Batum will be an excellent, excellent role player and can absolutely be the starting SF on a championship team. He will be that team’s 4th or 5th option offensively, a glue guy like you wouldn’t believe, and a lockdown defender. The Pippen comparison is popular but I think they are different players. Scottie with the ball in his hand had complete control…I don’t see that with Batum.

8. Disagree – Brandon Roy is a gamer, a clutch performer, the natural. With the right team around him I think Roy can be the biggest star on a championship team. The issue is making LMA not a true #2, because he would be absolutely deadly as a #3 option.

9. Undecided – I think Joel’s value has decreased in the general public perception, but if he’s healthy enough to play he brings a lot of great things to the table. I would not be surprised to see this go either way.

10. Disagree – My eggs are in the BRoy/LMA/Oden/Batum basket, and we already have those guys. If they can be as good as I hope you should be able to get people to come. Portland will always be fighting an uphill battle, but not because of the CBA.

All of these were too depressing to even speculate upon. :(

and I’m undecided on 6A and B, but lean towards disagree. Jerryd Bayless needs one more season to mature before I can give a definitive answer. I guess I’m also unsure how to answer #10, as the shakeout of the CBA is a mystery to me.

Cool post.

1. Agree
2. Disagree
3. Disagree
4. Agree
5. Agree (sadly- hope I’m wrong)
6a. Agree
6b. Agree
7. Undecided (agree that he is overrated, disagree that he is overvalued by the Blazers)
8. Disagree
9. Undecided
10. Agree

Thanks for posting this- amazing topic, Best I’ve seen in a while.

1. Nate: Agree
2. LMA: Undecided. I don’t think the team USA thing is indicative of his level of commitment. I have no idea how hard he’s working this off-season. Also, while last year I thought we may have overpaid by $1-2M per year, looking at some of the really high contracts signed this Summer has shown that he probably would have gotten that on a RFA market this year.
3. Allen: Undecided. I have no idea what really went down with KP, but I thought he was doing a pretty good job and there was nothing out here in fandom that indicated he needed to be fired.
4. Brandon: Agree
5. Greg: Agree with very heavy heart.
6a. PG: Agree
6b. JBay: Undecided. I don’t think he’ll ever be a top-flight PG, but I can see him starting for several teams.
7. Nic: Disagree. Il est le mairde.
8. We need someone bettter than Brandon to be our top dog: Disagree
9. Joel: Agree
10. CBA: Disagree

1 Disagree. The style McMillan uses is the style that works well in the playoffs. And with players like Oden, Batum, and the incoming Matthews, I’m hoping the defence can improve significantly.

2. Disagree. Could use a little more out of Aldridge, but not so much as to say he wasn’t worth it. And I don’t care about Team USA. Don’t need Aldridge hurt coming into the season.

3. Disagree. LeGarie was trying to play him. And now LeGarie can find his client a new job. KP may have been good, but there are other good GM’s out there, and I think Cho may come close to replacing KP. MAybe not as good, but without the LeGarie drama.

4. Disagree. Roy may be able to adapt his game, but he hasn’t shown much inclination to do so at this point. Miller and Roy in the back court look like they’re taking turns. One has the ball, the other doesn’t do much, then they trade. Not great, but serviceable, I suppose.

5. Disagree. Actually, that is just hope talking.

6A Agree. You always look to improve your team.
6B. Undecided. It might happen. But right now JB looks to need the ball in his hands too much to play well off of Roy.

7. Disagree. Batum makes me tingle when I watch him play.

8. Disagree. Our pace and his injuries made last year look worse than it was. Roy is a solid player worth building a team around.

9. Undecided. I don’t know how his patella tendon is doing after showering. He should never shower again. But if it heals, perhaps he has a new tactic for playing defence?

10. Agree. Nobody is in a good bargaining position. So a lockout is probably imminent. That will put a big dent in our trades and free agent acquisitions.

1. Agree
 
2. Agree
 
3. Disagree
 
4. Undecided
 
5. Disagree
 
6A. Agree
 
6B. Agree
 
7. Undecided
 
8. Undecided
 
9. Agree
 
10. Undecided

1. Nate McMillan is not the “championship coach” this team needs long-term. His new assistant coaches won’t inspire much change, particularly when it comes to pace. Contrary to what he says, his offense is broken in some respects. He’s just too stubborn.

Disagree. I think the coach gets too much blame (and too much credit, in some cases). The Blazer players will determine the future of this team, not the coach. And it would be hard to find a replacement that is better.
 

2. Based on last season’s results, LaMarcus Aldridge isn’t worth the contract extension he just signed. If he wanted to prove himself, he should have tried out for Team USA and committed himself to excellence.

Agree. I do think that LaMarcus missed an opportunity to prove people wrong. He’s just reinforcing the stereotype of him being soft and complacent.
 

3. Paul Allen “jumped the shark” as an owner with regard to his handling of KP’s dismissal. He meddled too much and the team took a step back this offseason as a result. You may like the Cho hire, but still feel KP was a better fit.

Agree.
 

4. Brandon Roy can adapt his game to play with any PG out there, even if it were Chris Paul handling the rock most of the time. You have faith he can put his ego aside and let someone else run the offense.

Agree.
 

5. Greg Oden’s body won’t allow him to be the player we [the fans] all hoped he could be.

Disagree. Greg Oden will have a future in the NBA, if never completely injury-free. Think Antonio McDyess-esque.
 

6A. The Blazers should continue their hunt for a quality, long-term solution at starting PG.

Agree. Miller does not act like he considers himself a Blazer. I want a guy who is fully committed, not someone who just settled for the largest offer and then sulked when he wasn’t handed the starting position (after coming in out of shape).
 

6B. As a followup to 6A: It’s highly unlikely Jerryd Bayless will ever develop into a starting PG in the NBA, for any team. By starter I mean the team’s #1 option at that position, not just an injury replacement.

Disagree. I think Bayless’s work ethic and athleticism make his ceiling very high.
 

7. As a fanbase, we’re too high on Nicolas Batum as an emerging talent. He may be good, but let’s not get carried away. The Blazers front office may have passed on some great trade opportunities as a result of this fervor.

Agree, but only because I feel fans are underestimating the effect of his injuries. I really want to keep him as our starting SF but just realize that he will be a little fragile.
 

8. The Blazers don’t have a superstar on their squad. Brandon is a #2 quality player at the moment (Joe Johnson comes to mind) and LaMarcus is a #3. This team needs a true superstar to compliment Roy & Aldridge or the Blazers will struggle to compete for a title, let alone win one.

Strongly disagree. Brandon is a true #1. LaMarcus is a borderline #2/3. Another superstar would be nice though….
 

9. We’ve likely seen the last of Joel Przybilla on the floor [active] in a Blazers jersey.

Undecided. Joel is on track to return early. The only thing upsetting this is a trade. Joel still has a lot more value than people think.
 

10. The new CBA is likely to affect the Trail Blazers organization in a negative way when it comes to trades and free agent acquisitions. Less opportunity for sponsorships in a smaller market plus less salary [from a new CBA] will hurt the team down the road.

Disagree.

1. Disagree: get the players that it takes to win and let the coach handle the time-outs and substitutions. McMillan is a superstar at those aspects of game management.
 
2. Agree: although he probably would have been paid even more this summer just because the money was being thrown around. So in that respect, the Blazers got a relative bargain with last summer’s re-signing.
 
3. Disagree. Sorry, KP.
 
4. Agree: and I’m excited to see him try coming off screens, calling for the ball in the post, and occasionally being the bailout open jumper-shooter.
 
5. Agree: but he can still be a winner and—to some degree—totally awesome.
 
6A. Agree: Miller works this year, but nobody else on the roster truly works NEXT year.
 
6B. Agree: Bayless sometimes looks like passing the ball actually hurts him physically. Not a PG at heart.
 
7. Undecided: he may be a little milquetoast to really be a #1 option NBA wing, but he’s pretty freakin’ good at a lot of stuff already… AND he’s clearly full of promise.
 
8. Disagree: Brandon is a #1, LMA is a #2. There are just better 1st /2nd options on some of the other teams in the NBA. Doesn’t mean they’re chopped liver.
 
9. Agree: and it’s sad.
 
10. Undecided: while it’s very likely that’s what happens, I’ll be horribly disappointed in the NBA if it does, and I hope the owners and players union aren’t that irresponsible and narrow-minded (even though they probably are).

Very interesting to see how many folks agree/disagree to #5 in particular.

1. Nate McMillan is not the “championship coach” this team needs long-term. His new assistant coaches won’t inspire much change, particularly when it comes to pace. Contrary to what he says, his offense is broken in some respects. He’s just too stubborn.

Undecided. I believe this will have an obvious answer after the upcoming season.
 

2. Based on last season’s results, LaMarcus Aldridge isn’t worth the contract extension he just signed. If he wanted to prove himself, he should have tried out for Team USA and committed himself to excellence.</bloc kquote>

Disagree.. have you seen the contracts given out this offseason? LMA was a bargain, and if the man wants to rest over the summer and spend some time with his family, thats his own decision and in my opinion the correct one. So he’s not too fired up about playing for Team USA, who cares.
 

3. Paul Allen “jumped the shark” as an owner with regard to his handling of KP’s dismissal. He meddled too much and the team took a step back this offseason as a result. You may like the Cho hire, but still feel KP was a better fit.

Disagree.. have you seen the contracts given out this offseason? LMA was a bargain, and if the man wants to rest over the summer and spend some time with his family, thats his own decision and in my opinion the correct one. So he’s not too fired up about playing for Team USA, who cares.
 

3. Paul Allen “jumped the shark” as an owner with regard to his handling of KP’s dismissal. He meddled too much and the team took a step back this offseason as a result. You may like the Cho hire, but still feel KP was a better fit.

Disagree with everything other then maybe he meddled too much. KP was a good GM but redicuously overrated on these forums. KP did a good job drafting young talent for us to build off of, but we had a majorly bloated roster going into last season (which was covered up by the huge amount of injuries). KP wouldnt (maybe didnt have the ability and couldnt?) trade anyone because he overvalued all of his players (some people here are guilty of that, too) and was way too concerned with “image” (just because someones a bad boy on the floor doesnt mean theyre a bad boy off the floor like the jailblazers).

Disagree.. have you seen the contracts given out this offseason? LMA was a bargain, and if the man wants to rest over the summer and spend some time with his family, thats his own decision and in my opinion the correct one. So he’s not too fired up about playing for Team USA, who cares.
 

3. Paul Allen “jumped the shark” as an owner with regard to his handling of KP’s dismissal. He meddled too much and the team took a step back this offseason as a result. You may like the Cho hire, but still feel KP was a better fit.

Disagree with everything other then maybe he meddled too much. KP was a good GM but redicuously overrated on these forums. KP did a good job drafting young talent for us to build off of, but we had a majorly bloated roster going into last season (which was covered up by the huge amount of injuries). KP wouldnt (maybe didnt have the ability and couldnt?) trade anyone because he overvalued all of his players (some people here are guilty of that, too) and was way too concerned with “image” (just because someones a bad boy on the floor doesnt mean theyre a bad boy off the floor like the jailblazers). Not to mention he couldn’t sign a free agent and even chased the wrong ones last offseason (who knows if hedo wouldnt been a better fit here but not only do I doubt it, I think it was appearant from the beginning of that free agent class that we needed a point guard and shouldve chased andre miller to begin with. Also, that whole Paul Millsap contract offer.. nobody really gives him heat about that but why would you go after an overpriced backup PF when andre miller is available? andre miller shouldve been the first free agent we went after, not 3rd. KP lucked out here so he doesnt get much heat but I’m sure PA realizes he made some bad decisions. All the meanwhile he was getting 100% credit for every success that the blazers had. PA had enough and I agree.
 

4. Brandon Roy can adapt his game to play with any PG out there, even if it were Chris Paul handling the rock most of the time. You have faith he can put his ego aside and let someone else run the offense.

Disagree.. have you seen the contracts given out this offseason? LMA was a bargain, and if the man wants to rest over the summer and spend some time with his family, thats his own decision and in my opinion the correct one. So he’s not too fired up about playing for Team USA, who cares.
 

3. Paul Allen “jumped the shark” as an owner with regard to his handling of KP’s dismissal. He meddled too much and the team took a step back this offseason as a result. You may like the Cho hire, but still feel KP was a better fit.

Disagree with everything other then maybe he meddled too much. KP was a good GM but redicuously overrated on these forums. KP did a good job drafting young talent for us to build off of, but we had a majorly bloated roster going into last season (which was covered up by the huge amount of injuries). KP wouldnt (maybe didnt have the ability and couldnt?) trade anyone because he overvalued all of his players (some people here are guilty of that, too) and was way too concerned with “image” (just because someones a bad boy on the floor doesnt mean theyre a bad boy off the floor like the jailblazers). Not to mention he couldn’t sign a free agent and even chased the wrong ones last offseason (who knows if hedo wouldnt been a better fit here but not only do I doubt it, I think it was appearant from the beginning of that free agent class that we needed a point guard and shouldve chased andre miller to begin with. Also, that whole Paul Millsap contract offer.. nobody really gives him heat about that but why would you go after an overpriced backup PF when andre miller is available? andre miller shouldve been the first free agent we went after, not 3rd. KP lucked out here so he doesnt get much heat but I’m sure PA realizes he made some bad decisions. All the meanwhile he was getting 100% credit for every success that the blazers had. PA had enough and I agree.
 

4. Brandon Roy can adapt his game to play with any PG out there, even if it were Chris Paul handling the rock most of the time. You have faith he can put his ego aside and let someone else run the offense.

Yeah he probably can but we don’t to go that route. Get a PG who can play D, pass and hit the 3 and we’re sweet. There’s no reason for us to force Brandon to change his game unless we can get CP3 for a good price (something like batum + andre pryz and rudy) because CP3 is too good to pass up and we’d be a powerhouse with him, broy, lma and GO.
 

5. Greg Oden’s body won’t allow him to be the player we [the fans] all hoped he could be.

Undecided. We’ll see has the next few years go. I will say tho that both of his injuries were pretty much freak accidents, but he may be more apt to those sort of things. Can’t really tell. We’ll see.

6A. The Blazers should continue their hunt for a quality, long-term solution at starting PG.

Agree, but we don’t need anybody amazing. Like I said in a previous answer, someone who can play D, pass and hit the 3. Broy can run the offense most of the time and he should. CP3 is the exception, but I don’t think we need to or should go after someone too amazing. Just someone who fits the teams needs at PG.
 

6B. As a followup to 6A: It’s highly unlikely Jerryd Bayless will ever develop into a starting PG in the NBA, for any team. By starter I mean the team’s #1 option at that position, not just an injury replacement.

Disagree. He’ll develop into a start for a NBA team, but not this one. He almost reminds me of a younger andre miller with maybe a little better shooting touch. He just doesn’t fit too well with us unless he gets that shot to start falling consistently.
 

7. As a fanbase, we’re too high on Nicolas Batum as an emerging talent. He may be good, but let’s not get carried away. The Blazers front office may have passed on some great trade opportunities as a result of this fervor.

Agree that some fans are too high on him, but I believe he is 100% a keeper (unless hes traded for someone like CP3) because he fits the teams needs very well and is a glue guy needed on pretty much any championship team. I definitely agree that some fans are way too high on him but I also think he’d be the perfect starting SF for the blazers on a championship run, so there’s absolutely no need to trade him.
 

8. The Blazers don’t have a superstar on their squad. Brandon is a #2 quality player at the moment (Joe Johnson comes to mind) and LaMarcus is a #3. This team needs a true superstar to compliment Roy & Aldridge or the Blazers will struggle to compete for a title, let alone win one.

BRoy and LMA alone as a #1 and #2 won’t win a championship. BUT the blazers arent a team carried by the 1st and 2nd option.. BRoy, LMA and GREG ODEN as a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd option with Nic Batum/whoever we get at PG (or even andre really) with Wesley Matthews, Joel Pryzbilla, Marcus Camby, Jerryd Bayless coming off the bench CAN win a championship if they stay healthy and live up to their potential. I believe the blazers have a good shot at a deep playoff starting next year, and wouldve had a shot this year if it wasn’t for injuries.
 

9. We’ve likely seen the last of Joel Przybilla on the floor [active] in a Blazers jersey.

I disagree. Nothing is telling us that Joel Pryzbilla won’t be able to play next year. Yeah, his injury situation is real tough and he may not be able to come back at the start of the year, but until I hear that joel is retiring or something along those lines, I’m not gonna assume the worst.
 

10. The new CBA is likely to affect the Trail Blazers organization in a negative way when it comes to trades and free agent acquisitions. Less opportunity for sponsorships in a smaller market plus less salary [from a new CBA] will hurt the team down the road.

Disagree. It doesn’t matter, we have the players we need right now (other then maybe a glue guy at PG who really isn’t going to be too concerned with market size etc) under contract and sold on the team to win a championship. Maybe FAR down the road if there’s a major CBA change it could SLIGHTLY effect us negatively, but there’s only so many big market teams out there and not every good player is going to end up in one (and if that happens there will be a much bigger problem then the Portland Trailblazers being unable to get a marquee player). I also don’t think there will be a huge change because most reports that come out are pointing torwards the owners exaggerating how much of a struggle teams are in financially, and the rediculous contracts handed out this year to alot of free agents aren’t really proving the owner’s points at all.

1. Nate McMillan is not the “championship coach” this team needs long-term. His new assistant coaches won’t inspire much change, particularly when it comes to pace. Contrary to what he says, his offense is broken in some respects. He’s just too stubborn. DISAGREE: To say that Nate is not of the championship caliber coach ilk is really saying that only the likes of Phil Jackson or Pat Riley can get it done. Nate has built his team based on his own knowledge of the game/league and experience as a coach with the tools provided by ownership and front office. Handing it over to someone with the "chops" to win it all, even if it is a "proven" or "championship caliber" coach is nonsense. I appreciate the patience he has exhibited and think he knows what he’s doing.
 
2. Based on last season’s results, LaMarcus Aldridge isn’t worth the contract extension he just signed. If he wanted to prove himself, he should have tried out for Team USA and committed himself to excellence. DISAGREE: LaMarcus has an opportunity to prove his value on the court with the Blazers and anything else is a distraction at this point.
 
3. Paul Allen “jumped the shark” as an owner with regard to his handling of KP’s dismissal. He meddled too much and the team took a step back this offseason as a result. You may like the Cho hire, but still feel KP was a better fit. DISAGREE: It’s his team. He doesn’t need talk radio’s permission to hire or fire anyone.
 
4. Brandon Roy can adapt his game to play with any PG out there, even if it were Chris Paul handling the rock most of the time. You have faith he can put his ego aside and let someone else run the offense. AGREE: BRoy is too good a player and too much a professional not to adapt his game to accommodate the necessities of the team concept in order to achieve the ultimate goal of winning a championship.
 
5. Greg Oden’s body won’t allow him to be the player we [the fans] all hoped he could be. DISAGREE: Marcus Camby is an example of a player who was injury prone early in his career and has had many productive years since. Also, I think there is a MAJOR difference between the media hype/expectations Greg has been burdened with and that of the average fan who just wants to see the Big Guy play and have fun helping the Blazers win.
 
6A. The Blazers should continue their hunt for a quality, long-term solution at starting PG. AGREE: I am intrigued however by Armon Johnson and hope he receives a roster spot.
 
6B. As a followup to 6A: It’s highly unlikely Jerryd Bayless will ever develop into a starting PG in the NBA, for any team. By starter I mean the team’s #1 option at that position, not just an injury replacement. DISAGREE: I think there is a team other than the Blazers that would give him a shot at it. Bayless is a scoring gaud with the heart of a lion who is determined to fulfill the function of a true point. I for one will never doubt his desire or capacity to prove he can do it.
 
7. As a fanbase, we’re too high on Nicolas Batum as an emerging talent. He may be good, but let’s not get carried away. The Blazers front office may have passed on some great trade opportunities as a result of this fervor. DISAGREE: Nic has that something, the IT quality that has been recognized by too many people to be ignored. The key is in discovering his role offensively and how he will mesh long term with the core of Roy, Aldridge and Oden.
 
8. The Blazers don’t have a superstar on their squad. Brandon is a #2 quality player at the moment (Joe Johnson comes to mind) and LaMarcus is a #3. This team needs a true superstar to compliment Roy & Aldridge or the Blazers will struggle to compete for a title, let alone win one. DISAGREE: Superstar is a media construct. Team orientation is the fundamental key to achieving at a high level. Drexler wasn’t a "superstar" but he was the straw that stirred the drink and with the right combination of complimentary players, brought the Blazers to the brink twice. Current situation MAY BE along those same lines.
 
9. We’ve likely seen the last of Joel Przybilla on the floor [active] in a Blazers jersey. UNDECIDED: Understanding the expiring contract issue, Joel is still a valued member, maybe even the heart of the team in a sense. It’s almost counter intuitive to say that it may be more important to keep him because he provides something that the team needs and currently lacks: toughness.
 
10. The new CBA is likely to affect the Trail Blazers organization in a negative way when it comes to trades and free agent acquisitions. Less opportunity for sponsorships in a smaller market plus less salary [from a new CBA] will hurt the team down the road. DISAGREE: In spite of the tendency to constantly tinker with/turn the roster over, I believe the Blazers are one to two major moves away from consolidating and thereby improving enough to contend. Do it now and let the CBA do its worst when the time comes. In other words, don’t worry about it.

1 Agree
2 Dis-
3 Un-
4 Un-
5 Un-
6a Un-
6b Un-
7 Un-
8 Dis-
9 Un-
10 Un-

Seems like I am pretty undecided.I would have preferred a 1-5 scale to reflect the direction I was leaning.

I think what we got could be a champion if the pieces come together. One the other hand, when my parents got enough money to have something they needed to decide how to spend, the divorce wasn’t far off.

I am a fan. I’ll hope for the best.

1-T
2-F
3-F
4-T
5-F
6a-F
6b-F
7-F
8-F (Oden is our superstar)
9-F
10-?

1. Disagree.

2. Disagree.

3. Disagree.

4. Agree. He’s no dummy.

5. Agree, but he doesn’t have to.

6A.Agree, in the sense that they should be on the lookout. But don’t go all David Khan.

6B. Disagree. Is Derek Fisher starter quality? Is Steve Blake? Bayless can be a 15-20th ranked PG quite reasonably, I think. He definitely needs to imrprove, but he’s been doing that.

7. Uncertain. Some definitely do. But most would accept a good trade, I think. And while many have Jemaine-itis, if anyone justifies it, it’s Nic.

8. Disagree.

9. Disagree

10. Disagree. Sponsorships are relevant to very few players.

1. Nate McMillan is not the “championship coach” this team needs long-term. His new assistant coaches won’t inspire much change, particularly when it comes to pace. Contrary to what he says, his offense is broken in some respects. He’s just too stubborn.

disagree. McMillan is a great coach.
 

2. Based on last season’s results, LaMarcus Aldridge isn’t worth the contract extension he just signed. If he wanted to prove himself, he should have tried out for Team USA and committed himself to excellence.

disagree. don’t care about Team USA if he doesn’t want to, it is his choice. I heard he had other commitments. he would have gotten a bigger contract if the team had waited until this off season to sign him.
 

3. Paul Allen “jumped the shark” as an owner with regard to his handling of KP’s dismissal. He meddled too much and the team took a step back this offseason as a result. You may like the Cho hire, but still feel KP was a better fit.

disagree. Paul Allen is the owner of the Blazers and far be it from me to tell him how to run my team (haha). I thought it was KP’s camp that leaked the firing anyway, which I thought was in poor taste.
 

4. Brandon Roy can adapt his game to play with any PG out there, even if it were Chris Paul handling the rock most of the time. You have faith he can put his ego aside and let someone else run the offense.

agree but I was disappointed in him beginning of last season. I think he would be able to adapt his game eventually though. he has to.
 

5. Greg Oden’s body won’t allow him to be the player we [the fans] all hoped he could be.

agree to a degree and I think he will still play for a long time.
 

6A. The Blazers should continue their hunt for a quality, long-term solution at starting PG.

 
disagree. we have a quality long-term solution at starting PG.

6B. As a followup to 6A: It’s highly unlikely Jerryd Bayless will ever develop into a starting PG in the NBA, for any team. By starter I mean the team’s #1 option at that position, not just an injury replacement.

disagree. I like Bayless and I think he will be the right PG for this team in the future and for the future.
 

7. As a fanbase, we’re too high on Nicolas Batum as an emerging talent. He may be good, but let’s not get carried away. The Blazers front office may have passed on some great trade opportunities as a result of this fervor.

undecided. I don’t know. I like Batum’s game.
 

8. The Blazers don’t have a superstar on their squad. Brandon is a #2 quality player at the moment (Joe Johnson comes to mind) and LaMarcus is a #3. This team needs a true superstar to compliment Roy & Aldridge or the Blazers will struggle to compete for a title, let alone win one.

agree and disagree. if Brandon is healthy I think he’s a star. he’s an alpha-dog and he wants the last shot. I think that this team does need another super star or star. Enter Greg Oden.
 

9. We’ve likely seen the last of Joel Przybilla on the floor [active] in a Blazers jersey.

agree. when he’s able to come back and play, he will demand big money i think and the blazers probably won’t be willing to pay. but who knows, he is younger than Camby. his contract is valuable in a trade though.
 

10. The new CBA is likely to affect the Trail Blazers organization in a negative way when it comes to trades and free agent acquisitions. Less opportunity for sponsorships in a smaller market plus less salary [from a new CBA] will hurt the team down the road.

agree but it won’t be the only thing that affects the NBA in the future.

are you just trying to get a job with Cho? I kid.
1. undecided,
  I think this is the year I make my mind up about that, but I am leaning towards agree, I just think he is young enough he could still change.
2. disagree,
I care more about the blazers than team USA and who knows or cares why he did what he did. I think his contract looks pretty good now, and I think he will get better.
3. disagree,
 I think there was a lot going on behind the scenes and That KP was flawed. Why wasn’t he hired in a nanosecond? its’ pauls team not mine, he can do what he wants.
4.Agree
I guess you didn’t ask for commentary on each question, but I don’t know if I can stop. Broys a solid 2.
5.disagree
Again, this is the year I really decide that, but My opitmism won’t let me write undecided. HE can do it!
6.A. agree
6.b. agree
 Just seems too spastic
7. disagree
Love the kid, he could be an important piece.
8.disagree
If oden can contribute you can have 2 or 3 moderate stars and thats as good as a superstar. See – LBJ Cavaliers
9,disagree
thought so earlier in the year, but now it sounds like he might play
10.undecided.
I just have no idea.

1. Disagree.

2. Disagree. Aldridge is getting a lot of baseless hate around here because he isn’t Karl Malone. Big deal.

3. Undecided.

4. Undecided. Brandon needs to upgrade his game, but we haven’t seen it yet. I don’t think it’s ego — it’s that he isn’t used to playing off the ball.

5. Undecided. Who can see Greg’s future? Not me.

6A. Disagree. A decent, cheap point guard can be better for the Blazers than an expensive star point guard. I have high hopes for Armon Johnson.

6B. Agree. Bayless has a lot of limitations.

7. Disagree. Batum is the glue guy. He makes everybody else better.

8. Agree + Disagree. There are two different questions here. (A) We don’t have a top-5-type superstar, true. (B) We need a “superstar,” false. Basketball is a team sport. We have a really nice team. What we need (and have!) is a superstar defender or two or three.

9. Disagree. But I bet he’s traded by February.

10. Disagree. I don’t think we’re going to have room for free-agent acquisitions for a long time, no matter what.

1. Nate McMillan is not the "championship coach" this team needs long-term. His new assistant coaches won’t inspire much change, particularly when it comes to pace. Contrary to what he says, his offense is broken in some respects. He’s just too stubborn.

Disagree. I think valuing every possession……offensive rebounding…..and interior D is playoff basketball and Nate gets that well before the playoffs. Plus who can we get to replace him?
 

2. Based on last season’s results, LaMarcus Aldridge isn’t worth the contract extension he just signed. If he wanted to prove himself, he should have tried out for Team USA and committed himself to excellence.

Disagree. The contracts this summer illustrate that his contract is fair….but do little mitigate the criticisms of his game. Softness? Yeah he isn’t Buck Williams or Brian Grant (and I loved those guys) ….but then again who is? Additionally neither of those guys brought the scoring that LMA does. Does he fade late in the game….yeah but this is a phenomenon that is seen (to one extent or another) across the league….wings tend to be the scorers in the 4th quarter. Additionally …on our team…a lot of this is caused by rotations (LMA gets his in 1st and 3rd) and the fact that Roy takes over in the 4th. So…by and large….I am satisfied with LMA and the contract he received.
 

3. Paul Allen "jumped the shark" as an owner with regard to his handling of KP’s dismissal. He meddled too much and the team took a step back this offseason as a result. You may like the Cho hire, but still feel KP was a better fit.

Yup. I am glad they picked Cho from who was available….but why was it even needed? Plus the way it was handled by PA was a cluster from the word go….hiring a headhunting firm while you still haven’t told KP he is gone is BS in my opinion.
 

4. Brandon Roy can adapt his game to play with any PG out there, even if it were Chris Paul handling the rock most of the time. You have faith he can put his ego aside and let someone else run the offense.

Agreed. The question is ….can the PG adapt his game to the unique player that is Roy? That question remains unanswered
 

5. Greg Oden’s body won’t allow him to be the player we [the fans] all hoped he could be.

Disagree. Greg may never be a iron man injury-wise, but to think he is a bust who will not have a productive career is just being pessimistic. We can all agree we have had some serious injury issues with centers over the years. Walton and Bowie are the prime examples of this, but it should be noted that both men had productive years in the midst of those injuries. Bowie (the epitome of the injury bust player) played in an average of 70 games per year (at 30mins a game) for four straight seasons (starting with the season after we traded him for Buck). If Greg averaged 70 games a year and 30 mins a game for the next 4 years…don’t you think we would all be ecstatic??? As far as Walton goes, we all know what he could do when he just had 1 healthy season (and he had a 2nd healthy season with Boston and guess what? He won another ring as a 6th man).
 

6A. The Blazers should continue their hunt for a quality, long-term solution at starting PG.

Agree. On the basis of Miller’s contract alone, we should keep looking…..but it doesn’t have to be right this second
 

6B. As a followup to 6A: It’s highly unlikely Jerryd Bayless will ever develop into a starting PG in the NBA, for any team. By starter I mean the team’s #1 option at that position, not just an injury replacement.

Disagree. I don’t think it is “highly unlikely”…it may not happen…but I think he has a decent chance to be the starter. Prior to Miller getting here, we were thinking that Roy didn’t need a conventional PG as his running mate. I don’t see why this has changed ….if Rex improves his passing and defense (not huge amount…just a moderate amount) he could be the perfect complement to Roy’s game.
 

7. As a fanbase, we’re too high on Nicolas Batum as an emerging talent. He may be good, but let’s not get carried away. The Blazers front office may have passed on some great trade opportunities as a result of this fervor.

Agree, but we do that will all our guys (if we are not busy hating them)….However I doubt we missed any (good)deals because we weren’t willing to part with Boom-Boom. That is just speculation and revisionist history (people are looking for reasons to bash KP now that he is gone…and these mythical deals that he supposedly passed on are part of how this is happening). Plus I think that if it took Batum, plus the expiring contracts to get you CP3…you would have to do it.
 

8. The Blazers don’t have a superstar on their squad. Brandon is a #2 quality player at the moment (Joe Johnson comes to mind) and LaMarcus is a #3. This team needs a true superstar to compliment Roy & Aldridge or the Blazers will struggle to compete for a title, let alone win one.

Nope…..Brandon is a superstar…period
 

9. We’ve likely seen the last of Joel Przybilla on the floor [active] in a Blazers jersey.

Yeah…I think so…and that is too bad…I love ya Joel. His injury(s) and contract situation scream trade
 

10. The new CBA is likely to affect the Trail Blazers organization in a negative way when it comes to trades and free agent acquisitions. Less opportunity for sponsorships in a smaller market plus less salary [from a new CBA] will hurt the team down the road.

Beats me

1) Disagree
2) Disagree
3) Agree
4) Agree
5) Agree
6) Agree
6B) Disagree
7) Disagree
8) Disagree
9) Disagree
10) meh

1. disagree
2. disagree
3. disagree
4. agree
5. agree
6a. agree
6b. disagree
7. disagree
8. disagree
9. disagree
10. undecided – I don’t know much about this issue. I suppose we will all learn quite a bit over the next year…..

1. Disagree
 
2. Disagree
 
3. agree
 
4. agree: all great players can adapt, thats why their great
 
5.undecided: as much as I want him to be the star who knows what his body will allow
 
6A. agree
 
6B. undecided
 
7. agree
 
8. disagree
 
9. agree: as much as it pains me to say
 
10. undecided: cba confuses me

1. Disagree

2. Disagree

3. Disagree

4. Agree, as long as we are winning. If we start to lose and Brandon isn’t getting the rock enough he won’t be happy.

5. Agree

6A. Disagree

6B. Disagree. I think Bayless will never be a pure PG, but his game fits well with Roy, if he can shoot the 3pointer better he will be perfect.

7. Strongly Agree. It’s comical to read much of what people say about Batum (I know a lot of it isn’t serious, at least I think so)

8. Agree, but Brandon can elevate his game to superstar level, he just doesn’t play that well consistently. I think Brandon will need to be that superstar player, I can’t count on Oden to stay healthy.

9. Disagree, unless someone has other information, it sounds like Joel will be ready to go by the beginning of the season. We need all the depth we can get in the front court, so keep him!

10. Agree :-(

1. disagree
2. agree
3. agree
4. agree
5. agree
6. A. disagree B. agree
7. agree (the gerald wallace trade!!!)
8. disagree
9. agree
10. agree, sadly it looks like roster and city quality will be the two deciding factors for free agents, portland has one of those, but our roster is a little unproven. But any team that can draft can stay in competition

1. Disagree – McMillan’s system is underrated, it just needs a tune up on offense.
2. Undecided
3. Disagree
4. Agree
5. Disagree
6a. Agree
6b. Agree
7. Disagree
8. Disagree. – BRoy is better than Joe Johnson
9. Disagree.
10. undecided

1. Disagree
2. Disagree
3. Undecided, I loved the job that Pritchard did but feel that Cho may be able to step in and perform admirably
4. Agree
5. Disagree
6A. Disagree
6B. Disagree
7. Disagree
8. Disagree
9. Disagree
10. Agree

1. Bottom line is Nate MAY be that guy, but he hasn’t earned the benefit of the doubt and his coaching style is hard to stomach at times. Very hard. The only thing that keeps me coming back to him is his regular season accomplishments.

2. Agree vehemently. 
It hurts to say, but he should be on the trading block. Of course, with that contract, who could afford him? What tipped it for me was a post on one of these Blazer blogs that had his scouting review from college and all his weaknesses then (four years ago!) are the same as they are now. Shows me his weaknesses are here to stay.

3. I think we need to move away from "the offseason of our discontent". I believe we’re still in the mode where if we don’t make a move, we failed. There’s got to be a point where we stay pat and work with what we have.

4. Brandon Roy cannot work without the ball, it’s very apparent. He is a great basketball player with the ball, mediocre without it. It’s a huge hole in his game, a liability to the team, and he needs to mend it, though I doubt he will in this system. Nate’s offensive system is Brandon Roy.

5. No comment.


6A. Bayless has yet to show me anything that makes me think he’ll be a good point guard. He’s a great athlete, but this isn’t college football where a great athlete can adapt to almost any position. He hasn’t shown PG skills. In fact, he hasn’t shown much besides athleticism and work ethic. Then again, very hard to bash someone for that combo of quality. I hope he gets it soon.

7.Yep, nailed it. How many times as Blazer fans have we seen this scenario drizzle out? 


8. Hit it on the head, again. Brandon Roy is not a #2 per say, but he is also not title superstar quality. We can win with him, but it’s going to be a team effort. He won’t be able to carry this team to a title. I blame his girly man cries after every drive to the basket.

9. :(

10. Can’t speak to this.

 1. U (during the regular season I’m pretty optimistic with his coaching, and then come the playoffs…yeesh. Part of me thinks he can learn from his mistakes, part of me doesn’t think he can learn fast enough)
 2. A
 3. U (there are two sides to every story so I cannot judge. We will see how good Cho can be)
 4. A
 5. D (he just needs to become a yoga-zen-master)
 6. A/ A
 7. D
 8. D (we just need health, happiness, and more health. happiness is optional)
 9. A
10. U (I just don’t know enough, if anything, about this subject)

If Myth Busters is on, I’m watching Kari Byron, not the 2 geeks. I don’t think I’ve ever even tried to notice what the subject of a MythBusters episode was. My interest starts when Kari Byron enters the screen and ends when Kari Byron leaves the screen.

Where’s Kari?

At least, I think there’s room for debate in every single instance. Just to single out one: as limited as Jerryd Bayless may appear now, we need to keep Chauncy Billups in mind as a cautionary example. Point guards have flopped on their first, second, and even third teams before their games finally blossomed & matured.

OK, I DO think that Paul Allen has again shown that for all his money and desire to win, he’s not “the greatest owner in sports.” The dysfunctional gang that brought you the Darius Miles email was back at it again with their handling of the Tom Penn/Kevin Pritchard affair.

But admittedly Kevin Pritchard wasn’t “the greatest GM in sports” either. Fortunately, the Blazers seem to have scored with Cho. But we should bear in mind: If Danny Ferry had been the best candidate available, Paul Allen & his yes-men would have had a lot of egg on their faces, and the team would have been in big trouble.

1) Undecided – I have always been a Nate fan, but I’m interested to see how this season goes and how the team responds to the new coaching staff

2) disagree

3) undecided – Loved KP as much as anyone but I feel like I don’t know enough about what was going on behind the scenes to really judge the situation. Hopefully Cho is right for this team, I’m definitely excited about him and in favor of giving him a fair chance to show what he can do.

4) agree

5)disagree

6a) agree

6b) undecided – I think this is a very interesting question. Bayless obviously has some qualities that make him an NBA player. He can get to the rim and finish and has shown he can get to the line. I think his passing has shown improvement, as has his shot. If he can become an effective defender at the 1 and still get to the rim as he pleases he could be a good complement to roy, especially if roy is playing as a creator with the ball in his hands. However I think we saw last year the difference between a pure point guard like dre and where bayless is in his development as a point guard. He needs to learn to run the team better and create opportunities for his teammates.

7) agree – Batum is one of the most fun blazers to watch right now and when I think of a championship team, he is one of the important components. However any talk of not pulling the trigger on a trade for a all-star guard like cp3 is ridiculous. In conclusion, Batum is already an incredibly important part of the team and has a fabulous upside/ceiling, but is by no means untouchable.

8) disagree

9) disagree

10) undecided – I just don’t know enough about the CBA or the expected changes other than the opinions I hear around here