Rudy Fernandez or Taj Gibson?
by Ben Golliver on Aug 2, 2010 12:40 PM PDT
in News
Email
PrintAs noted this morning, one rumor out of Chicago has the Bulls considering parting with rising second year forward Taj Gibson for the right to bury Rudy Fernandez on their bench.
Gibson was taken in the late stages of the first round of the 2009 NBA draft and averaged 9.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and more than a block a game last year in 26.9 minutes of duty, playing in every single game of his rookie season. Before the start of last year, John Hollinger wrote...
An athletic 6-10 forward who can block shots, rebound and defend smaller players on switches, Gibson's primary impact is likely to come at the defensive end. He doesn't have the bulk to battle big power forwards on the blocks, and his offensive game consists mostly of dunks. Additionally, he's already 24 years old, which historically has been a major red flag for draft prospects -- some of his college competition was half a decade younger. He'll compete with fellow rookie James Johnson for minutes behind Tyrus Thomas at the power forward slot.
Here's his advanced stats profile on Basketball Prospectus if you're into that sort of thing.
Something (or someone) would have to give if Gibson came to Portland. With LaMarcus Aldridge playing heavy minutes, Marcus Camby sliding over to the four spot on occasion and the need/desire to develop Dante Cunningham, Gibson might find his playing time slashed in half (or more) here. But even if he didn't play, Gibson would still be another cheap (rookie deal), relatively young (just turned 25) asset to include in future trades.
There are a ton of ways to look at Rudy's situation right now. Would the Blazers be selling low if they moved him now? Could they have gotten far more than Taj Gibson in return last summer? Would they be compromising the strength of a future package if they simply dumped Rudy by himself? Is it worth the day-to-day drama to keep him around? Is he poised for a bounceback season? (To that one, I say yes, without hesitation.)
Also consider: would a future draft pick be better than receiving a player (and a contract) in return? In case you're interested, Blog a Bull says Gibson is too steep a price for Fernandez but they would be willing to part with a future pick.
Take all of those questions into account and vote now. Rudy Fernandez or Taj Gibson? If you could pull the trigger today, would you? Explain your thinking in the comments.
-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter
PS Duh. This topic has been hashed out and voted on thoroughly here as well. My bad and thank you to jeckyll2hyde.
109 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
It's been rumoured and reported for weeks now
Are you also the first dude to suggest we trade for CP3?
Morty
#52
That would be amazing!
is CP3 unhappy in Nola????
Ket it done KP.
oh wait….
Gimmicks don't make dynasties
Ben is the first person to make a post on this topic.
L-TrainFTW!
by Lexi Sparx on Aug 2, 2010 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
jeckyll2hyde wasn't like the other kids
Respect mattered, nothing else did
Girls said yes, but he said no
Now he’s got his own fanpost!
by tominhawaii on Aug 2, 2010 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions 5 recs
When did Ben FIRST report this?
And yes, I did cut and paste a lot of the information. It’s called SHARING INFORMATION. Am I a journalist? Um, NO. Did I claim to be? Um, NO. Just another Dude sharing information with what I thought was “fellow” Blazer fans. Not a bunch of slam bammers. Mature responses. Am I one of the moderators that can place this story on the front headlines? No. But I guess bullying is nothing new for some on this site ;)
Just don't take it personal.
It is just because you supported the guy who threw the first stone. All our houses are made of glass here, so take the teasing and laugh with it.
In Bayless I trust.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
And thanks to Ben
for acknowledging, after all. My apologies for the big stink.
by jeckyll2hyde on Aug 2, 2010 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
do we need another 4?
like he said, we got dante, lemarcus, and camby. he wouldnt get any playing time here.
Rudy likely wouldnt be getting any time either.
"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 Aug 2, 2010 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Taj is worth more in a trade than Rudy is
If nothing else…
Taj
Is superior to Dante & Camby is getting up there in years. Gibson is a near perfect fit as a reserve for Aldridge.
Sell High On Aldridge
Superior to Dante? They've got different games.
"We are building a fighting force of extraordinary magnitude. We forge our tradition in the spirit of our ancestors. You have our gratitude." - Rich Cho
by Sexual Tyrannosaurus on Aug 2, 2010 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Dante can do everything Taj can
just not as well. And, he can shoot and is learning to take his man off the dribble. Question is, do we prefer someone versatile, or a specialist?
I don’t see the Blazer’s being too keen on Taj, as he is too slow/lacks the handles to really play the 3 (though he can guard perimeter players on switches, but we already have 2 or 3 guys who can do that) and is too small to play the 5, and even to guard some 4’s. Dante, on the other hand, is more versatile. The organization really likes guys who can cover multiple positions.
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
word dog you aint seen no baller like Taj
Taj is a straight up super baller while Dante just likes to make pudding pops and chase Snookie are the pool in New Jersey talking about “where’s my potato chips at?” If Taj comes here he is going to straight up put his ballerz moves on Dante’s forehead and be all like, “You just been Mahalled, guess you aint no cunning bacon after allz.”
Book IT!
Geriatric Dunk Squad!
1/4/10 - Juwan Howard dunks on Chris Kaman.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTkOqDgLb6s
3/7/10 - Andre Miller Tomahawk jams on the Denver Nuggets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-JVgm7F1QA
4/12/10 - Marcus Camby drops 30 and 13 on OKC to cement 50 wins. http://www.nba.com/blazers/media/camby_chant_041310.mp3
by Eat Politicians on Aug 2, 2010 5:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Taj is at best 6'9
he got away with playing the center and PF position at SC because of his hustle. He’s an undersized power forward.
"We are building a fighting force of extraordinary magnitude. We forge our tradition in the spirit of our ancestors. You have our gratitude." - Rich Cho
by Sexual Tyrannosaurus on Aug 2, 2010 2:28 PM PDT up reply actions
I suspect Taj would be ahead of Dante at the 4.
I think if Cunningham makes it in the NBA it’s eventually going to be primarily as a 3.
It’s pretty hard to judge a deal like this in isolation. It there are no further trades then it’s ok to have another backup behind LMA because Camby will almost certainly miss some games with injuries. Pendergraph is completely useless in my mind, so Taj is probably a better choice to fill in than Dante.
However, I suspect further deals are yet to come. This move would make it easier to trade Joel (which makes Camby nearly a full time backup Center with fewer minutes available at backup PF), or to add Dante in a deal (to make a trade happen if a team wanted him for his potential), or eventually to trade Taj himself. In the latter case, you have to consider if Rudy would have more value in a trade package than Taj, and that depends on who you are trading with.
It’s hard to believe that Chicago does this deal straight across however. I’d think they would want some additional compensation for Taj.
Matty Walker: You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man. - Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Aug 2, 2010 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Acquiring assets to use in later deals
eventually to trade Taj himself. In the latter case, you have to consider if Rudy would have more value in a trade package than Taj, and that depends on who you are trading with.
One of the comments by Cho in his introductory press conference was that sometimes a GM will make a deal to acquire an asset that he will turn around and flip in a future deal
This is where acquiring a player like Taj Gibson makes the most sense, to me—as a superior future trading chip who is superior to Rudy, and not a "replacement’ for Joel or Dante in the Blazer’s big man rotation. Portland does not need another undersized 4, they’ve got Cunningham, Babbitt, Claver and Freeland already on the roster or in the pipeline, not to mention LMA and Camby (who play that “non-physical” PF style) signed up to big money extensions
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Why do people think that Dante Cunningham is a 3?
Cunningham is as pure as pure gets when it comes to pick-and-pop 4s, which is where the Brandon Bass comparison — which is almost dead even statistically — comes into play.
Cunningham, who’s got piss-poor handles, an inability to create shot attempts for himself, and no long-distance range whatsoever, can’t play the 3 on offense. Indeed, Cunningham’s style of play isn’t suited for playing the 3 in contemporary NBA basketball. Heck, Cunningham played the 5 on offense in college — albeit for a school that was notoriously undersized with its 4-outside/1-inside spread offense — plus, he was a part of a so-called “Multiple Defense System,” which was predicated on switches and trapping via a “blitzing” manner in half-court sets.
http://www.basketballvideos.com/multiple-defense-system-basketball-p-598.html?language=en
It’s funny to me that Villanova head coach Jay Wright thinks of his system as “man-to-man-based” when that’s clearly not the case, which is noted in possession-by-possesion tracking from Ken Pomeroy. In all reality, it’s just a gimmicky hybrid defense built for the college game and, well, certainly not the NBA.
http://kenpom.com/team.php?team=Villanova&y=2009
For the Philadelphia 76ers, it’s a good thing that the franchise hired Doug Collins rather than Wright. Wright, whose defensive system sounds similar to the trap happy junk Bob Ociepka may bring here to put on top of Nate McMillan’s switch heavy garbage, would’ve failed miserably at the professional level. To me, guys who coach amateur style basketball should stick with coaching amateurs. Let’s leave the NBA to the true professionals, y’know.
Oh, and with regards to college basketball and specifically the Pacific-10 Conference, I’d suggest that anyone who wants to watch a true man-to-man defense check out the USC Trojans under Kevin O’Neill.
Another option would actually be the Washington Huskies, as Lorenzo Romar is also a principled man-to-man defensive coach. Okay, sure, the Huskies gamble a bit by reaching into the passing lanes from time to time — as creating turnovers on defense is a staple of helping the run-and-gun offense go full speed with fluidity — however, guys don’t needlessly switch off of picks and get caught guarding out of position. Stingy on-ball defense is key, indeed.
Sure, Cunningham can defend 3s; however, that’s not exactly a skill I want in a guy like him. Preferably, I’d like to have a 4 whose game on offense and defense is based on playing that position; hence, Taj Gibson gets the nod over Cunningham. Compared to Cunningham, Gibson possesses a much higher standing reach, is a superior shot blocker — as well as has the definite edge at man-to-man interior defense and weakside help defense — and, moreover, is slightly better regarding offensive efficiency (i.e., TS%) and rebounding on both sides fo the court (TRB%).
Regardless of that, though, I’d rather use Rudy Fernandez to acquire the future first-round draft pick via the Charlotte Bobcats that’s owed to the Bulls instead of Gibson. As it stands, the Trail Blazers roster is already cluttered from the Kevin Pritchard era — which didn’t take into account for roster balance — so swinging a deal for a future asset in lieu of another player would be my preference.
Why do people think that Dante Cunningham is a 3?
Because he isn’t a PF. What I actually said was,
I think if Cunningham makes it in the NBA it’s eventually going to be primarily as a 3.
By make it, I mean something other than 9-12 guy on the bench. I don’t see him ever becoming a starter on a contender, but I think if he hopes to get 25 minutes in a rotation someday (without injured players ahead of him) he will have to do it as backup SF. I think he can guard SF’s, he can shoot very well and over time may be able to extend his shooting range, and he hustles for loose balls and long rebounds, so I think that’s his best chance for regular minutes. There will always be guys available that can play better defense on PFs, and rebound better in the paint.
Matty Walker: You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man. - Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Aug 3, 2010 12:09 AM PDT up reply actions
Being able to hit the 15 footer and being undersized for a PF does not equal SF.
He’s way too unathletic to be playing the most athletic position in the game. He’s barely athletic enough to play PF.
by howlingfantods on Aug 3, 2010 8:17 AM PDT up reply actions
If he can defend backup SF's, then he can play backup SF.
I believe he probably can, at least that’s his best shot (barring injuries) at playing time. Either way, he’s going to have to battle to get quality playing time behind LMA/Camby and Batum/Matthews unless there are injuries. If Joel is out early in the year it may free some time at PF because Camby will have to play more center.
Matty Walker: You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man. - Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Aug 3, 2010 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions
Camby's mostly going to back up Oden, not LMA.
Przybilla might not even play in this league again, and at best won’t come back until a good way through the season. And Oden hasn’t demonstrated that he can play 30+ minutes or stay healthy, so Camby will get plenty of minutes without playing a single minute as PF.
by howlingfantods on Aug 3, 2010 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions
by "totally"
I mean I think every point asserted was wrong. Pryzbilla has a contract left in him, he’s reportedly going to be back in time for camp, Oden doesn’t need to play 30+ minutes due to the fact we will have 4 rotation quality bigs, and Camby will play quite a few minutes alongside Greg or Joel.
*shrug* add a link to that report
that Thrilla will be back in time for camp.
by howlingfantods on Aug 4, 2010 12:47 AM PDT up reply actions
but Taj is good enough to replace most of LMA's production
(if not exceed his production, particularly on the glass) and play better defense. Taj frees the team up to deal LMA, and he’s got much more trade value than Rudy.
by howlingfantods on Aug 3, 2010 8:19 AM PDT up reply actions
I don't understand this trade at all...
I’m starting to wonder what is going on with the front office if this goes down. Unless this is a deal they are making to finalize another deal that would actually benefit this team. Rudy has to go but at least get someone who can contribute because Rudy can at least contribute. If Taj Gibson played more than a couple minutes a game for Portland at any point in time then it would signal this team would be going nowhere IMO.
eat. sleep. hoop. repeat. become legendary.
by Sir Buckets on Aug 2, 2010 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
????
Gibson can defend and run which is what the team needs in a back up to Lamarcus.
He is also a superior post defender to Dante and LMA and would benefit greatly from being able to learn from vet like Camby.
Dante can swing to the 3 to get some minutes if needed and Dante will also be a situational defender against Carmelo/Kobe/Durant etc.
by Rip City Reign on Aug 2, 2010 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions
The 2nd team is not junior varsity
A player can’t have limited skills in the nba and expect to start or even come off the bench in rotation. Rudy shoots and passes really well and teams will find a spot to play a guy like that every night. Does Gibson have a comparable skill that justifies his 10 minutes a night? We know that Dante is a fabulous athlete and can nail a 15 footer blindfolded. Can Gibson do something at that level? If he can bring something, any high level skill that would justify his 10 minutes a night then we can feel comfortable swapping Rudy. But if he duplicates Dante’s size and performance what’s the point? Why trade one unhappy player buried on the bench to make another unhappy.
by oregonslee on Aug 2, 2010 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Don't worry
This rumor has no legs. It was started by Chicago’s resident rabble-rouser/stupid-trade-proposing semi-journalist Sam Smith. I’ll be surprised if it happens.
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
All-Rookie First team
for Gibson last year…whats not to like?
This would make it far easier to part with Pryz also, as Camby could just be the prime backup @ the 5.
I’d be hard pressed to find a better deal than this.
no
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt
by thomasikehara on Aug 2, 2010 3:41 PM PDT up reply actions
actually
tied for the 5th spot on the second team
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt
by thomasikehara on Aug 2, 2010 3:44 PM PDT up reply actions
This move makes no sense.
We send a guard, of which we have a glut, for another position of which we have a glut. We lose Rudy’s shooting and we get more of what we already have, defensive presence at the 4 (dante, camby) but little offense.
Which position do we not have a glut of?
Or do you only want a consolidation trade?
I'd like to see us pare down a bit, yeah.
If we could move two guards for a really good guard, I think that’s a better move.
If we could move two forwards for the same deal, another good move.
Rudy could be a part of those trades, and we can get better value than Gibson, who doesn’t excite me on any level.
a veteran back PG would be nice
Just in case Miller’s consecutive game streak came to an abrupt end, after the trading deadline
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Roger Mason, anyone?
I would have said Eddie House, but he went and signed with the you know who’s…
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
Also, a cheap center would be tight, in case Pryz gets dealt
Rudy’s too much to give up, but Alexis Ajinça would be cool. Maybe we could get a future second from Dallas as well?
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
Mason's a 2
I don’t really have a name, now that Dooling is gone (Anthony Johnson?) I just worry about the playoffs if Bayless and Johnson were suddenly the only healthy PGs
You can’t cover every roster contingency, but a veteran #3 PG would make more sense than stacking the PF backups like cordwood
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Take a pick
I’d rather have one of Chicago’s picks, particularly if it’s Charlotte’s unprotected pick, which could well end up in the teens. Plus, if we take pack only a pick, that opens up a roster spot and would allow us to keep (at least temporarily) both Armon and Patty. As I think both of those guys are NBA players, I’d rather not be forced to give one of them away for nothing.
www.ripcitydispatch.com
And 1
I’d do the deal for Taj and future 1st, for Rudy and Jeff Pendergraph.
Why Not Taj?
Portland needs some more depth at the 3/4.
Taj and a pick?
How about Taj and the rights to swap 1st round picks for Rudy?
Taj > Rudy
He’s better, he has more value. It’s a no brainer. I know, there are questions about how he fits and where he would play, and a consolidation trade still needs to be made. But just because this trade doesn’t solve every single roster problem, you upgrade and so therefore you do the deal.
Makes sense under two scenarios
1. Joel is unlikely to return and contribute significantly this year. Then, Marcus takes all the backup minutes at center and some of the backup minutes at PF, but Gibson becomes our fourth big man, probably getting 10-12 mpg when eveyone is healthy.
2. There is a significant trade in the works (maybe VERY significant), involving one of Joel, Greg, LaMarcus, or Marcus. If one of them is going away in a trade, it makes sense to grab another big man. If it is a huge trade and two of them are going away, we definitely need another big man, possible two.
If neither of those scenarios is developing, this doesn’t make any sense. He would be fifth on our big man depth chart (Greg, Joel, LaMarcus, Marcus are all ahead of him). Dante would compete with him for PF minutes, too, and I’m not sure that he wouldn’t find himself behind Dante, too, though there’s no doubt he’s a player.
And I can’t see Nate giving much time at the 3 to a guy who can’t really shoot. Both Nic and Matthews will be ahead of him on the depth chart at the 3, for sure.
I like the guy’s game, and last summer, when we didn’t have Camby, I’d have thought this was a decent option to pursue. But we’re very, very deep at the big positions.
Steve Blake must have been really, really angry that we traded him.
#10 #52
P.S.
I’d be surprised if Chicago would do this deal straight up. There would have to be something more involved.
Steve Blake must have been really, really angry that we traded him.
#10 #52
There are other scenarios that could make sense, but agree that Bulls don't offer Taj for Rudy straight up.
The most likely reason the Blazers make this move is it is the best offer and they decide to go with the best value over the best fit. The Blazers could try to convince Taj that he will play a significant role as backup PF. He’ll play a smaller role until Camby’s deal expires, but role will expand in the future. Sounds like a tough sell.
by 52therim on Aug 2, 2010 1:45 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Even though Taj isn't really a fit on the current roster
I’d toss in the rights to Claver along with Rudy, just because I don’t expect Victor to be a future contributer to Portland’s future playoff rotations
It’s all about flipping two smaller chips for one bigger one—the more talent in hand, the better deals that can be made down the line. As long as Gibson’s salary is fungible
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Ah, we all know the truth, you just don't like Spaniards ;)
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
at some point, we all have to learn the lesson of futility
just like the WOPR supercomputer in War Games
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
3rd-4th string PFs, for Portland
with LMA and a healthy Camby, the other Blazer forwards will probably feel like they’re not going to see the light of day, very often
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
This sounds like trading for the sake of trading.
Aside from that, I am categorically opposed to any trading of Rudy.
Unless it turns out to be a multi-player deal (ie combined with Pryz) that is all you are going to get for Rudy.
What players have been rumored? Avery Bradley from the C’s. JJ and Taj from the Bulls. 2014 pick from NY. Which of these fills a need? Rudy is not coming to camp. What was Quick hinting at with the “drama” with Rudy? Do we get more for Rudy when he retires from the NBA? Taj doesn’t really fit but it is more than fair value. I’d take the NY pick if it is offered without lottery protection (maybe top 3). When are they going to be good?
by 52therim on Aug 2, 2010 1:57 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I voted Taj Gibson
If we could get a player who can defend a little and won’t be a act like a spoiled brat out of Rudy right now we should.
I wish we could turn the clock back with Rudy and he everyone could find a way to work things out. The guy is being a sissy, but he can straight ball when his panties aren’t in a bunch. He’s the kind of exciting player every team needs to some extent. And he can fill it up like nobody’s business. Very sad situation indeed.
at this point - it's about getting something of value back for Rudy
We got Rudy with what, the 22nd pick in the draft from Phoenix that year? We pay him $1.25M/year? So I don’t understand when people claim we need to “get more for him”.
Look, Rudy is good, but a lot of Portland fans SEVERELY overrate him. He can shoot, pass, and he’s good in the open floor. That’s it. There’s some teams that could definitely use that and would love to have him, but no one’s going to give up a whole lot for a 2-guard that doesn’t attack and isn’t a very good defender.
At this point – the Blazers would be smart to take back ANYTHING of value for Rudy. I don’t like the future 1st rounder because the Bulls are going to be a playoff team for at least the next 3 years (Rose, Deng, Boozer, Noah), so that pick will be in the 20s somewhere. I’d much rather take a player like Taj Gibson, who has proven he is a legit NBA player and is still on a rookie contract. Then maybe we make another small deal to clear up the logjam, but I think Gibson is a pretty good takeaway if it happens.
Unless we’re planning to package Rudy with one or more of our ECs, and are set on trading him straight up – I’ll take Taj Gibson, sure
by rip_city_swagger on Aug 2, 2010 1:44 PM PDT reply actions
no one’s going to give up a whole lot for a 2-guard that doesn’t attack and isn’t a very good defender.
Reading Quick’s article on Cho one of the comments that jumped out is that Rich likes ballers who can play both ends, that would seem to rule out Rudy and Gibson (and Przy, if you want to stretch the projection…of course, everyone knows that you can’t teach height)
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
actually, Gibson is pretty good both ways
he was on my fantasy team last year so I got to see his stats all the time, he was good for 15-18 points and 8-10 rebounds with a couple of blocks every night
he’s not an AMAZING offensive player, but he gets it done well enough…
by rip_city_swagger on Aug 2, 2010 4:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Lets give them Rudy and Pendergraph
for Taj Gipson.
Flip that sonofagun
Rudy/Pendergraph to Chicago
Taj/Bayless to NO
Collison/trade exemption to Portland
A lot to pay, but it opens up minutes for Mathews, Cunningham, and possibly Babbit.
It will be interesting to see if NO moves Collison.
They are telling CP3 that they intend to improve their roster. Moving Collison is the best way to do that. Keeping him is a sign that they don’t really believe Paul will stay and they need a contingency. I think they know they need that contingency.
by 52therim on Aug 2, 2010 2:08 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Yeah, and I'd think they'd rather move Collison with Okafor or an EC and get an impact player
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
Taj is a baller...
I would pull the trigger for just Rudy, but they can have Pendergraph too.
Til the wheels fall off.... Marcus Camby
Go Blazers !!
I dunno...
I just don’t think there are enough minutes to go around. The only way I could see this making sense is if LMA is part of a big deal to bring in the PGotF. At that point we’re looking at Camby starting at PF, with Dante and Gibson splitting minutes behind him (maybe with Dante picking up a few more at SF). I wouldn’t mind this at all, but if this move isn’t the plan, I just don’t see Gibson getting half the minutes he was earning in CHI.
The other side of this is perhaps the team just wants a project at PF whose name isn’t Jeff Pendergraph. It makes sense from the team’s perspective, but what would Gibson think about being a third string PF behind the minute-gobbling LaMarcus Aldridge? The last thing this team needs is to trade one MinuteMan for another.
So there are options here, but I don’t think a strait across Rudy for Taj trade is one of them. Squeezing in Jeff makes it a little better but so long as LMA is a Blazer, it will rough for any PF behind him.
Stealth > Wealth
Actually might help if we use LMA in trade to NO
Let Marcus start at the 4 w/ Taj off the bench. That way we can keep Nic.
"What we have here, is a failure to communicate."
D A V I D W E S T
In Bayless I trust.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
What about..................
The trade on the table for the Celts? Rudy for Sheed and Boston’s first rounder…. then the Blazers can turn around and trade Sheed and the first to Sacramento… Sacramento can dump Sheeds contract and then maybe send us Hasaan Whiteside?
"You can lose lots of money chasing women, but you will NEVER lose women chasing money. " - Mr.Landis
sheed makes too much money
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt
by thomasikehara on Aug 2, 2010 3:04 PM PDT up reply actions
The trade can work...
"You can lose lots of money chasing women, but you will NEVER lose women chasing money. " - Mr.Landis
I love Rudy.
I want him to play the game he did his rookie year for us. But that may not happen. If Rudy doesn’t want to be here, then getting someone else makes some sense. And Taj Gibson is a solid player. Like Cunningham, but better. And maybe he doesn’t get many minutes, but he does play hard when on the floor. It would break my heart to lose Rudy, but I would quickly like Taj Gibson as a Blazer.
"[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
Multi-Layered...
Cho has never been a Head GM before.
But it is rumored that he looks at thing carefully and on a multi-layered level. In other words it seems that whatever the latest rumor of Rudy For (X) comes along and everyone evaluates it as the whole picture.
I don’t know but I think it likely that we trade Rudy for assets that we later trade in a bigger picture deal.
With roster balancing, and that is something this team needs, it usually isn’t accomplished in one trade and one exchange.
"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"
How about this combo of trades?
The two together would be awesome. Maybe if Phoenix and Indiana get off to really slow starts they would do these midseason…
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=25dy9by
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=2bvj6jz
Nash/Bayless
Roy/Matthews
Granger/Hill
LMA/Hansbrough
Oden/Dampier (we’d have to sign him… hah)
This is very, very unrealistic. But they kill in NBA Live 08….
problem is
Rudy wont be hitting many 3’s sitting on the bench.
I dunno.....
Put Gibson at the 4 and you lose a lot of floor spacing.. Gibson cannot hit that 18 footer like LMA… If you consider the defense a good tradeoff.. But Gibson isn’t an anchor type defender.
"You can lose lots of money chasing women, but you will NEVER lose women chasing money. " - Mr.Landis
oden is
But Gibson isn’t an anchor type defender.
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt
by thomasikehara on Aug 2, 2010 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions
no PF hits the 18 footer like LMA
because MOST power forwards actually haver other facets to their offensive game like POSTING UP and ATTACKING THE RIM
sorry, I saw an opportunity to call LMA soft once again and had to take it ;)
by rip_city_swagger on Aug 2, 2010 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm not saying Taj would be an improvement.
I think he’s a little worse on offense and a little better on defense. Still, I think he’d make LMA expendable, and I’d much rather pay Taj 2 million and trade LMA for something good back than pay LMA 13 million.
Plus I’m not totally sold on using PFs as floor spacers. The only contending team that uses their PF that way is Orlando, and the Celtics proved that that’s actually pretty easy to defend if you have a defensive game plan to handle it.
by howlingfantods on Aug 2, 2010 4:56 PM PDT up reply actions
although I actually do think he'll be an improvement.
Seems to try harder/hustle more. LMA is a more natural talent with a much higher ceiling but I think Taj will end up actually contributing more.
by howlingfantods on Aug 2, 2010 5:00 PM PDT up reply actions
I hate to say it
But I think Rudy still has a chance to be special in Portland. My gut instinct is to say get what you can for him and be done with it. But that is why i work in software and not for the blazers. I think he is still a talented player that I have been excited about. I would like to see him and management and Nate come to an agreement that they will try to work it out and keep him.
But if he really is going to be a poison in the locker room, then you gotta get rid of him.
i am torn.
by BlazerFanFromDenver on Aug 2, 2010 4:55 PM PDT reply actions
as long as Brandon Roy is on the team Rudy won't see the minutes he wants
and if he’s not seeing those minutes he will be unhappy
by rip_city_swagger on Aug 3, 2010 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions
Do I..
A. Want a disgruntled whiner who “can only play in a certain system.”
Or do I..
B. Want a decent big man who can come in behind LaMarcus and hustle? This is Portland folks. You know our luck with bigs.
"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.
Um
No brainer. Do it. NOW.
Rich Rolled
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Aug 2, 2010 6:38 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
But my main question to Cho is:
Have you called New Orleans about Rudy? You could trade Rudy for CP3. Have you thought of that?
-HOT
Rich Rolled
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Aug 2, 2010 7:29 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Taj for sure
You can’t have too many bigs. We need better defense up front. Taj will be more tradable and is about the same age, if not younger. We may have seen Rudy’s best year two years ago. What can you get for a skinny, fragile, non-physical two guard who can’t play defense, and, since the Ariza incident, won’t penetrate to the rim and gets jittery every time someone closes on him at the offensive end but somehow isn’t happy to play second fiddle to Brandon Roy. Without neurological reprogramming Rudy can never be a rotation player on a championship team. Maybe another coach can reprogram him.
Wait until after the WCs.
I guarantee you Rudys stock will shoot up to around his rookie status. This last year was a fluke of performance, drama aside. He will assuredly raise his stock when he plays in a system like Espana’s where he’ll thrive next to players he’s comfortable with. Hell, we might be able to get Taj and that 1st round pick for Rudy after the WCs.
JUST WAIT IT OUT!
Being a Blazer fan is not exactly healthy.
KURT THOMAS!
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=36k73pa It hit me like a bolt what we need out of Chicago, Crazy Eyes!
Miller / Bayless / Johnson
Roy / Matthews / Williams
Batum / Cunningham / Babbitt
Aldridge / Camby / Pendergraph
Oden / Pryzbilla / Thomas
Awesome! Pretty please, Mr. Cho? Balance + veteran influence from a solid dude.
Didn't see the other Rudy vs Taj post either!!!
I voted other because I doubt very much that Chicago is going to trade Gibson straight up for Rudy. Apparently they aren’t very deep at Gibson’s position and have more than enough help at Rudy’s.
So why would they even do this trade????
Also heard the guy who reported this is Chicago’s version of Canzano.
Chicago won't trade Taj
Hey all Bulls fan here, I have no hate at all for the Blazers. But I highly doubt the Bulls would trade Taj given their lack of depth at the PF position. Not to mention I think the Bulls and fans alike value Taj more than most do. What would you guys think of Johnson and our 1st round pick next year for Rudy? Or maybe just the first round pick if you don’t want JJ I think we have a trade exemption and can take him on without matching salary. Not sure how much more you guys will be able to get for Rudy. I think he is definitely talented but his time on the floor has been limited so his value is limited to this point as well. The reason the Bulls are interested is Rudy’s ability to hit the three (we have very few that can hit it consistently) and we could use a SG that can create his own shot. We would prefer to have Korver back up Deng at SF. I can’t see why you guys would hold on to Rudy seeing how you have Roy, Mathews, and Bayless. That is a lot of talent at the 2 guard position!
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
In Association With
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
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
