Who would be complementary to Aldridge's game?
by beeroy on Jan 16, 2011 3:53 PM PST
Email
Print
As the trading deadline approaches, there's been plenty of talk about who the Blazers should trade for and what direction the team should take. As far as direction (I'll try to avoid pessimism in favor of realism), a couple things have become clear to me;
1. Brandon Roy will never be the same.
2 Greg Oden won't really be a factor until he is relatively healthy (will that ever happen?).
3. LaMarcus is for real, he is clearly the best player on the team, now build around him.
This leads me to the question: Who would be complementary to Aldridge's game? I'm hoping for at least semi-realistic options, but you can always dream so feel free to share those as well. Remember, this is about building around Aldridge and his style of play. I'm really nothing close to even resembling an expert, I'm just a huge Blazers fan (i.e. please bear with me).
Aldridge has established himself as a legit post threat, can still run the floor like a freakin' gazelle, shoots from inside 18' like a ninja (never seen ninjas shoot, but I'd imagine they're deadly), plays solid D and is now rebounding and blocking shots with tenacity. It seems logical to surround him with guys who can shoot the ball and pass it as well. So who should stay and who should go? Who would you like to see on the Blazers next to LaMarcus Aldridge? Some of my thoughts on this after the jump.
Miller- Personally, I love 'Dre as our PG (if only he were a better outside shooter), but I believe Steve Nash would be a sexy upgrade. Keep him or trade him for a shooting/passing PG.
Camby- I like Camby. Keep him.
Matthews- Wesley is a great energy guy who is becoming more consistent. He does a little bit of everything, and teams need guys like that. Love Matthews. Keep him.
Nic- Love Batum. His offense could be more consistent. He's young and talented and hasn't peaked yet (IMO). Rudy Gay would be an upgrade, but I don't see that happening after he re-signed with Memphis. Keep Batum.
Rudy- he would be perfect alongside Aldridge if he were consistent. What the heck happened to that guy? It seemed like he was over his pouty homesick ways after becoming friends with Mills, was improving in his game, becoming more reliable as a scorer/passer, and genuinely was happy to be lighting up opponents with 3-point shooting. New Rudy? Nope, fools gold. Now he's right back where he was before, inconsistent as ever. If Rudy could actually step up and become more consistent, he and Aldridge together would be unstoppable in the 2 man game-- if. Don't get me wrong, I love watching Rudy hit threes and toss alley-oops-- he's one of the most entertaining guys on the team when he's on. He's just not on enough of the time. I think the time has come and gone for Rudy to show the Blazers that he can be relied upon. Trade him.
We'll wait and see what happens with both Roy and Oden. The rest of the guys? I'm fine with dealing them.
I'd like to hear your thoughts on who you think would be good alongside LaMarcus. This is not limited to Blazers players.
92 comments
|
2 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Deron Williams in an ideal world
Possibilities:
Devin Harris
Chauncy Billups
Steve Nash
Another guy who could be interesting, but not a great shooter is Ricky Rubio.
Not a lot of great options out there at point guard. Portland will probably have to get lucky in the draft.
Overall, I think Portland needs to look at maximum upside.
We need a superstar to pair with LaMarcus.
Eric Gordon
has always intrigued me. I’m not sure how much we’d have to give up to get him, but it’s a fair assumption that we’d have to take back a bad contract to get him, and probably give them Batum, which doesn’t really work for me.
Darren Collinson was all over our wish list last summer, but his relocation to Indiana cooled those wishes. there’s a chance he could be had for the right deal, send an expiry such as Joel with Rudy and Armon thrown in..
and finally, it seems illogical, but there’s a very good chance that the Knicks might jump to get a dream PG like Nash or Billups next summer, depending on how the Melodrama plays out, and Raymond Felton could be snatched up by the Blazers in a 3 team deal. the Knicks are very illogical (IMO) and might look to upgrade.
I know
but as long as they don’t win the Championship, Jim Dolan will continue to seek Isaiah Thomas’ advice. and that gets them nowhere. they would totally do it too, NY is totally enamored with the “Biggest Stage IN BASKETBALL” label that the try to ram down our throats
See if Khan is still Nic Batum crazy
and trade Batum for Rubio.
Kevin Durant won me over when he went Rocky IV on Russia this summer.
I'm not as high as Batum on others (I think he'll be a good, but not great pro)
and very high on Rubio (basically, I see him as a young Jason Kidd – hopefully his jumper develops a bit faster the Kidd’s). If we’re building a team with LMA as a core piece (assuming Roy won’t reach all star level again; Oden can’t be counted on as far as I’m concerned) then a PG who can run an uptempo system is a necessity, more so than a quality wing (who’s can hopefully be replaced through the draft).
Kevin Durant won me over when he went Rocky IV on Russia this summer.
by blazeraddict on Jan 16, 2011 7:35 PM PST up reply actions
a PG who can run an uptempo system is a necessity, more so than a quality wing (who’s can hopefully be replaced through the draft).
The Blazers don’t draft and develop starting SFs well. Outlaw? Webster? Babbitt? Batum may be the best draft choice of the KP era (Patterson was still the GM in ’06) and Nic is well on his way to being the best SF the Blazers have drafted and developed since Jerome Kersey
Point guards are important, but the challenge to Cho is to acquire one and to also keep his starting SF for the next 5-10 years. Don’t be quick to flip young talent just because a 22-year old doesn’t appear to be developing fast enough re: your expectations.
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I like Batum, I think you only trade him for a clear, long term (minimum 4 years)
upgrade at his or another position of need. Where we may disagree is the assessment of Ricky Rubio. I see Rubio as a Jason Kidd/Derron Williams type PG who can run an uptempo team, is proficient in the halfcourt, and is a + defender at his position. Losing Nic (whose ceiling is, imo, Tayshaun Prince) would hurt, but if you have a chance to get an elite PG, I think you need to go for it.
Kevin Durant won me over when he went Rocky IV on Russia this summer.
by blazeraddict on Jan 16, 2011 7:58 PM PST up reply actions
downside with a kidd type player is he is an awful shooter, one of the worst ever in nba
40% or under for his career.
you have to be realistic on who you might be able to get. you won’t see dwill or paul coming to portland.
collison, curry or even conley are intriguing possibilites that may be in the scope of reality. nick collison would be my optimal choice, and i realize his star isnt as bright as it was last season.
I'm already on record: I would trade Batum for Deron Williams
but I strongly doubt the Jazz would go for it
What you’re proposing is dealing Batum for Rubio’s rights, and that’s a far cry from signing Ricky and for him to becoming the next D-Will or J-Kidd in a Blazer’s uniform. I’m not crazy about Spanish guards, after Rudy was supposed to be all that in 2008 and now he’s an average NBA reserve and Calderon has regressed, as well. (None of their Espana teammates under 6’7 have become NBA stars, to my knowledge)
I’ll take the bird in the hand (Batum who wants to be in Portland, and his upside at the “historically difficult for Portland to fill” SF position) and leave the bird in the bush (Rubio, who “could be” something special as a future NBA PG, but there’s no guarantee that he’ll ever sign with Portland, much less play for the Blazers if his rights were actually acquired)
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Of course you don't trade for him if he doesn't agree to sign
However, given my feelings on Rubio’s potential, I’d gladly deal Batum for him as the principal piece in a trade
Kevin Durant won me over when he went Rocky IV on Russia this summer.
by blazeraddict on Jan 16, 2011 11:08 PM PST up reply actions
Khan'd do it
But I wouldn’t. Hopefully Cho wouldn’t either. I’m happy with Miller if we’re going the Good Passer, Can’t Shoot, Can’t/ Won’t Play D route.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Jan 16, 2011 6:56 PM PST up reply actions
But seriously,
I was talking to one of the guys who runs Cannis Hoopis, and he says Khan would pretty much give up anyone on the Wolves if you offered up LMA and Batum.
Problem is there’s no one I really would want for that high of a cost.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Jan 16, 2011 6:58 PM PST up reply actions
How in the heck can you build around LaMarcus....
…if you trade LaMarcus????
"LA has clearly moved into position where a frontcourt injury or two could get him on the (All-star) roster. Never thought I’d be saying that." - jksnake99 1-5-11
Throw in Armon and Kahn just might
Although probably only one pick, and take back a crap player as well.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Jan 17, 2011 10:39 AM PST up reply actions
Any team with a losing record would probably give you their best player/asset for Batum and Aldridge
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
by HailOden! on Jan 17, 2011 9:48 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Sorry, I meant "anyone" in a plural sense
As in “Anyone and everyone”.
Apparently his fetish is long (not necessarily tall) players who can shoot and run and not poop themselves on D.
As it is, he has a lot of specialists and a lot of assets.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Jan 17, 2011 10:33 AM PST up reply actions
Keep Batum and LMA
But try to pry Kevin Love away. Perhaps Rubio would be more likely to go to Minnesota if Rudy were on the team?
We need a younger Marcus Camby, a pass first PG who can shoot the 3 and a consistent Wesley Matthew's, and Batum
"Its as natural as a gorilla thumping its chest"
If only Wesley would show the kind of consistancy that you get from a 4th year player...
…instead of the inconsistency that you usually get from a 2nd year player.
Hmmm…what is wrong with this picture…
"LA has clearly moved into position where a frontcourt injury or two could get him on the (All-star) roster. Never thought I’d be saying that." - jksnake99 1-5-11
by LaMarvelous on Jan 16, 2011 8:33 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Hopefully if we trade Dre, Camby, and/or Joel
we can stockpile some first rounders. The bench is really bad right now.
Kevin Durant won me over when he went Rocky IV on Russia this summer.
by blazeraddict on Jan 16, 2011 8:02 PM PST up reply actions
if we trade Dre, Camby, and/or Joel
then our bench will become our starters, and there will be a lot of empty seats at the RG this spring
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I'd gladly cede this spring if the results yield a better long term roster
This team isn’t going anywhere as constituted – if trades can be made than enable us to acquire better pieces around the new core (which from public comments by management, appears to be LMA, Batum, and Matthews – ROy and Oden being huge wildcards) I hope CHo makes them
Kevin Durant won me over when he went Rocky IV on Russia this summer.
by blazeraddict on Jan 16, 2011 8:49 PM PST up reply actions
Money talks
First of all, the only way that Miller, Camby and/or Przy could be moved just “for draft picks” is if they all go to a team that’s under the salary cap. Those teams generally don’t want to acquire veterans or give up their picks. So let’s assume that Portland would be receiving some actual players with similar contracts in exchange for their 30 year-olds.
Secondly, let’s say the players that Cho acquires are all in their mid-20s. That’s a lot to ask for, but he might be able to pull it off. The new players join the team and Nate is faced with the unenviable task of winning games with a new mix of youngsters. I wouldn’t blame McMillian if he threw up his hands and resigned (and I wouldn’t be heart-broken if he did…) but let’s say that Nate honored his remaining contract and the team wound up finishing in the lottery.
Round about March a large number of season ticket holders saw the writing on the wall and chose not to renew their seats. With a lockout looming, the franchise would stand to lose a large chunk of revenue and would be facing an even tougher task to resell those seats to unhappy NBA fans after a prolonged work stoppage, sometime next fall/winter (if we’re lucky)
Or
Let’s say the front office decides that Miller and Camby will be just as valuable as potential trade assets in June, and they keep the team together. Nothing is lost re: the opportunity to flip the veterans in the future, and Andre/Marcus can continue to work with Nate, LMA and the rest of the current players towards the goal of reaching the playoffs and maybe even advancing in the first round—as improbable as that seems now. (Perhaps even Roy will be back in March to help out, who knows?)
The point I’m trying to make is that the team’s future success doesn’t hinge on Cho dealing away his veterans next month. He may decide there’s a deal that he can’t pass up, but there are economic factors also in play and he’ll be given the green light (or not) by Paul and the Vulcans. If “nothing happens” next month then some Blazer fans will probably be upset, but the ones that matter most to the team’s bottom line will likely be pleased if the team continues to win games this spring and they all have a good time together over at the RG, as opposed to watching a gaggle of new youngsters and bench scrubs getting their brains kicked in every night, like back in 2005.
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
You're assuming a lot here
Of course you can’t trade vets with large salaries for picks alone (with most teams cap situations). However, if a team that thinks it could make a run is willing to give up some decent young talent and future picks that results in a long term net gain for the Blazers, I think most fans would be on board. There is a big difference between a fire sale and a rebuilding process. Given the health of Roy and Oden, I think this team needs to start looking at the latter.
Kevin Durant won me over when he went Rocky IV on Russia this summer.
by blazeraddict on Jan 16, 2011 11:12 PM PST up reply actions
if a team that thinks it could make a run is willing to give up some decent young talent and future picks that results in a long term net gain for the Blazers
Name one that needs Miller, right now.
You’ve got a concept that you think sounds good, but the devil is in the details. Like I said, Miller and Camby will still be trade assets in June, the only downside re: not dealing them in Feb is if they were to be seriously injured in March-April
There is a big difference between a fire sale and a rebuilding process
The Blazers have been in a rebuilding process since 2004. If they fall back into the lottery again heading into the lockout there will be fans jumping off the bandwagon and it will be hard to win them back, after the new CBA. The front office may feel the way you do re: looking to acquire young players and draft choices, but they’ve shown the ability to do that in the past without dealing away productive veterans at mid-season. They already have 2 first rounders, next June, maybe they’ll score a 2nd rounder for Joel if they think that’s worth it.
I don’t see Cho waiving the white flag this winter any more than KP did last season, when the injuries were even more acute. Perhaps if the team struggles during the next 5 weeks those priorities will change, but the schedule is set up for them to make a modest run.
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
To your points, which are both fair
1.
Name one that needs Miller, right now.
I think Orlando could be a potential trade partner re Dre. While they would more likely be primarily targeting Camby or Joel (less likely) as a backup for Howard, the primary pieces on that team that I could see working here are Nelson (we want a PG with a J, they might want a bigger backcourt than the Nelson/Arenas pair; or in another scenario they could flip Nelson somewhere else for a backup C and want Dre as a replacement), Bass (better banger/midrange PF than Dante), Anderson (better stretch 4 than Babbitt) and Reddick (better spot up SG than Rudy). Nelson is younger and a better shooter than Dre, and those other three guys are upgrades over our bench equivalents, and fairly young.
2.
The Blazers have been in a rebuilding process since 2004. If they fall back into the lottery again heading into the lockout there will be fans jumping off the bandwagon and it will be hard to win them back, after the new CBA.
I disagree with the first part of this point, but it’s largely semantics. IMO, the “rebuilding” process ended, fairly or not, with the Oden pick/Roy’s ascension to superstardom. We were a playoff team that was a player or two away from being a title contender in the eyes of most fans and pundits. With the franchise altering injuries to both of those pieces, I think most fans will understand that this team is one in transition. The attendance will suffer (as it already has – the Blazers are keeping the sellout streak alive with smoke and mirror giveaways, and there have been lots of empty seats lately) in the event of more losses or a lockout, but the cure for that is a quality product, and if a forward looking trade helps us get there, it should be made.
Kevin Durant won me over when he went Rocky IV on Russia this summer.
by blazeraddict on Jan 17, 2011 12:18 AM PST up reply actions
, the "rebuilding" process ended, fairly or not, with the Oden pick/Roy’s ascension to superstardom. We were a playoff team that was a player or two away from being a title contender in the eyes of most fans and pundits
But not according to the front office, who drafted 4 players in 2009 and 3 last year
Roy and Oden never made it to superstardom, unfortunately. The fans and pundits counted their chickens before they hatched. The potential of the team was high, but they never made it past round 1, so the “building” was left unfinished. The roster doesn’t need to be stripped down to it’s foundations (fire sale) but the front office may be feeling the need to keep the team competitive until the end of the season, as I detailed above.
if a forward looking trade helps us get there, it should be made
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
if a forward looking trade helps us get there, it should be made
I agree, but it shoudn’t be forced. (To my knowledge Orlando has never expressed any interest in Miller.) There could be a deal out there that makes sense to Cho before the deadline, but if not the Blazer’s GM shouldn’t be ciriticized for perceived inactivity. There’s no urgency to flip Miller or Camby for younger players or draft choices next month, and the return asset for Przybilla will likely be negligible, at this point.
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
this next college draft does NOT look exciting.
in retrospect, a lot of the prospective stars of this past draft are less than exciting. john wall has a world of talent, but even he looks to be 2 years from being a decent point guard.
someone like rubio, you just don’t know how he is going to fit. other than the gasol brothers lot of the spanish players don’t seem to work out that great in the nba.
Valid point about this year's class
It could be even weaker than it appears, because a lot of players may stay if they think the lockout will wipe out next year.
Kevin Durant won me over when he went Rocky IV on Russia this summer.
by blazeraddict on Jan 16, 2011 11:13 PM PST up reply actions
Andre Igu... uh... well that guy.
The Faith don't panic, the Faith freaks out, burns out small farms and villages in the name of the Faith.
Except he can.
At least better than Batum or Rudy this season, even as the number one option. 36% isn’t going to set the league on fire, but he is a threat from out there.
"For we let our young men and women go out unarmed, in a day when armor was never so necessary. By teaching them all to read, we have left them at the mercy of the printed word. By the invention of the film and the radio, we have made certain that no aversion to reading shall secure them from the incessant battery of words, words, words. They do not know what the words mean; they do not know how to ward them off or blunt their edge or fling them back; they are a prey to words in their emotions instead of being the masters of them in their intellects." - Dorothy L. Sayers, The Lost Tools of Learning, 1947
Blazersedge.com || New to Blazersedge?
Actions -> Rec and Flag. Blazersedge works right when you use these two things.
Who can create his own shot and can be relied on as a go-to guy at the end of games.
He’s not a perfect option. But he’s better than anyone we’ve got at the wing position without a doubt.
"For we let our young men and women go out unarmed, in a day when armor was never so necessary. By teaching them all to read, we have left them at the mercy of the printed word. By the invention of the film and the radio, we have made certain that no aversion to reading shall secure them from the incessant battery of words, words, words. They do not know what the words mean; they do not know how to ward them off or blunt their edge or fling them back; they are a prey to words in their emotions instead of being the masters of them in their intellects." - Dorothy L. Sayers, The Lost Tools of Learning, 1947
Blazersedge.com || New to Blazersedge?
Actions -> Rec and Flag. Blazersedge works right when you use these two things.
Iggy an expensive Matthews?
No offense to Wes, but I think you’re selling Iguodala short
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Jan 17, 2011 10:22 AM PST up reply actions
i like iggy, but he takes more unwise shots than anyone i have ever seen
this is only mathews second season, and i think he has lots of upside yet.. the skill set of the 2 players is somewhat similar, with iggy being the more athletic freak.
think iggy got a max contract 3 years ago and no way in hell is he worth that.
agreed about the max contract
but I do consider him more in the neighborhood of a Rudy Gay than a Wes Matthews. I don’t see a ton of similarities between Wes and Iggy. When I think of Iggy I think of team USA, and he played great for them. I think with regards to his shot selection, hopefully running the offense through LMA 2.0 would simplify things for him (shoot if you’re open, drive if you’re not, give it back to LMA if neither).
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
wouldnt shock me to see jameer nelson become available,
but does he do anything a paddywaddy type doesn’t?
Isn't he bigger and a much better defender?
Support your local JD
by hoodieNation on Jan 16, 2011 11:55 PM PST up reply actions
he is only 6', and misses a lot of games
he does have an outside shot, though its wildly inconsistent.
he's definitely much stronger
probably a more reliable ball handler as well, both in the half court and in dealing with full court pressure
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Jan 17, 2011 10:27 AM PST up reply actions
An all-star wing or PG
With some difficulty it’s possible to find LMA a big-man complement, who ravages the boards and defends stoutly inside, but he needs someone really good to share the load, someone who brings multiple skills to the table and the ability to make his own shot reliably. It could be a SG (like Roy used to be), a SF (and maybe Batum can get there?) or a PG (Andre isn’t it). If it’s a PG (the best option) then Batum and Matthews are fine to stay and develop and defend. If it’s a SG or SF, then one will have to go or move to the bench and do a 6th man thing.
What I liked about the Rubio for Batum trade idea is that it acknowledges the need for another all-star caliber player — but is Rubio REALLY that or just a fun player to watch? Wes, Nic and Dre are all fine in their various ways, but they aren’t getting any all-star votes.
Oden coming back healthy would present an interesting problem. On a serious contender, can your two best players both be big men? Can’t think of one right off the bat, but maybe you guys can…
Rockets with Sampson and Olajuwon
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Spurs with Robinson and Duncan
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Of course!
Though Robinson was in decline for that 1st championship and gone by the 2nd.
That's a "what-if"
What if Sampson had stayed healthy and they had been able to develop together? Actually, when Houston won with Olajuwon the first time, the 2nd best player on that team might have bee Otis Thorpe. And that proves that you don’t need another all-star to win it all, I suppose, if the star is great enough and the supplementary players good enough. I don’t put LMA in Olajuwon’s class yet, though.
Nic may never get any all-star votes
but that is not a good measure of his value…the things he does to help us win usually don’t show up in the points column
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Jan 17, 2011 10:29 AM PST up reply actions
Nic is fine...
… and he might get better — he shows flashes of it. But at this point he isn’t the reliable game-changer that LMA needs as a partner to put the Blazers in championship contention. IMO.
agreed
but to me he was never supposed to be that guy. If you use Nic to go get that guy, then you still need another Nic-type to lubricate the machinery. I can understand the argument that Nic-types are easier to find than LMA-types, so if you can use Nic to get a big time guy you do it. However, I see a lot of people trying to force the uniquely shaped Nic-peg into the non-Nic superstar/primary scorer hole, and I don’t think that’s right or fair to Nic and his abilities. Nic is a great player…he’s a great player for a good team with other primary pieces…he’s not a guy I would force to be a 2nd option, and it seems that that is what people want him to be. I agree we need that guy, I agree Nic is not that guy, but that isn’t a slight on Nic imo.
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Jan 17, 2011 12:51 PM PST up reply actions
I think then you could use Matthews as the glue guy
much better defense when he’s not the focus of the offense. Better shooting too, no doubt.
For a big man if Oden can’t come back, an Ibaka type would be perfect. Seraphin/ Thabee would be good as well and cheap. We don’t need another post player, just someone who is enough of a threat on the O-board and oop dunk to keep his man stuck on him.
As for a wing we don’t really need a kobe #1 type, more of a Granger 1a to go with LMA. I wasn’t big on him earlier, but Harris might be a good enough 1a. The more I look at him, the more it looks like he’s just been coasting since his all-star year. A change of uniform and a chance at winning might give him the boost he needs.
Portland could coast along with their superior talent and stay right with us. Now that Portland woke up, the hammer cometh down.
Bayless > Daffy Duck after 3 cans of rockstar
by Batumshakalaka on Jan 17, 2011 2:25 PM PST up reply actions
not sure if Wes is a better shooter than Nic (Matthews kind of launches his threes)
or has as high of a defensive ceiling, considering Nic’s length and ability to guard 4 positions…not that Matthews wouldn’t be good in that role, I just think that if you were to build a “glue guy” in a lab, it would be Nic Batum…ideally we’re able to keep both and still upgrade the roster
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld
’wayyy back in the day
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Loved those guys!
Wes was always stalwart on the boards. They won (or nearly won) with guys like Chenier and Dandridge filling it up, when Wes was on downward slope. I remember how great Elvin Hayes was in those days — such great touch with his short jumpers and fade-aways. And he got massive numbers of rebounds, too. Wes got to play next to Gus Johnson and the Big E, and I think of him as an excellent complement, I guess, rather than a co-star…
In the summer of 1972 or so, I saw Wes give an outlet pass demonstration at a fair in Saratoga, NY. Can’t remember the circumstances exactly. He advised throwing the pass by leading with the elbow, suggesting that few defenders would choose to get in the way of that elbow. And yeah, we all believed him…
Efficient, low-usage post-player that can make teams pay for doubling LMA
A healthy Oden would be ideal there. If not, someone like Nene would be excellent.
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
tim duncan or kevin garnett.
defensive rebounders who protect the rim, play excellent help defense. If you’re building around LMA on the offensive end, more than anything else, we need an big who beasts on defense since LMA offers little on that side.
Of course, it’s basically impossible to get either KG or Tim. Noah would be great but he’s maybe even more unattainable. I’d love to make a run at Andrew Bogut though.
by howlingfantods on Jan 17, 2011 10:03 AM PST reply actions
"defensive rebounders who protect the rim, play excellent help defense"
so…. Marcus Camby
by hoodieNation on Jan 17, 2011 11:00 AM PST up reply actions
Camby's a good post defender
but he’s an unenthusiastic help defender. The fact that we have two bigs who both decline to protect the bucket is a big part of why we’re a pretty poor defensive team overall.
by howlingfantods on Jan 17, 2011 11:23 AM PST up reply actions
really?
I thought it was more the other way around. Most of his blocks (when i’m watching) seem to come from him switching over to other guys and blocking them. I was under the impression that he was a pretty good help defender. And I wouldn’t use the term “unenthusiastic” when talking about any part of his defensive game.
by hoodieNation on Jan 17, 2011 11:31 AM PST up reply actions
yeah... I'm taking some shortcuts in describing his game.
It’s more accurate to say something like, “he’s a good help defender in some ways but in ways that appear to show up on box scores more than impact on overall team defense, and he’s a poor help defender in some ways that are maybe less visible but are the key reasons in which he fails to contribute as meaningfully as you’d expect, which is largely why he has never been a major impact player in an top team defense except arguably on Jeff Van Gundy’s Knicks, but he was actually a bit of a liability defensively in those teams, and that’s why a near-7 footer who has a DPOY and all-defense team votes on his record and is noted for his shotblocking and paint defense has nevertheless been part of very poor interior defensive teams, in toronto, denver, clippers, and now blazers.”
But that’s a bit tl;dr, so I shorten that to “unenthusiastic help defender.”
by howlingfantods on Jan 17, 2011 12:25 PM PST up reply actions
I think it's fair to say that in his age Camby has really slowed down.
He is consistently late when coming in on help defense. As good as our current wings are at slowing down the opposition, we would be a top defensive team with a quick-footed shot blocker, like Oden, under center.
\oo///
<
\__/
by NCBlazerfan on Jan 18, 2011 11:29 AM PST up reply actions
It's fair, but these are flaws Camby's always had.
I lived in NYC during the Jeff Van Gundy era, so I watched a ton of Camby in his first years in the league, and other than not having the hops for some of this funner dunks, he’s pretty much the same player.
by howlingfantods on Jan 18, 2011 11:57 AM PST up reply actions
sounds like Oden would fit the bill perfectly
great rebounder, intimidating hoop protector
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Jan 17, 2011 12:08 PM PST up reply actions
1. Brandon Roy was a better player than Aldridge is right now. You are right to think that he probably won’t be the same, physically or perhaps more importantly, mentally.
2. ANTHONY RANDOLPH FOR A FIRST ROUNDER ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?? WE’VE GOT TWO!
I don’t think we could expect to get a player that good in the draft… so why not make the deal? It’s like we’re basically DRAFTING Randolph six months early and we have a great idea of what we’re gonna get. How does anyone say no to this deal?
M, period. Fresh, comma.
You had me at "...I believe Steve Nash would be a sexy upgrade."
Trade Machine likes a Miller/Mills/Rudy for Nash trade, and so do I.
Phoenix gets an expiring contract, a fast PG, and a sharpshooter. We get an old man with a few years in the tank and an arsenal of tricks up his sleeve. I’ll take it.
Stealth > Wealth
Nash is like Miller/Mills/Rudy all rolled into one player.
If I were the Suns I’d just keep him.
by hoodieNation on Jan 17, 2011 1:15 PM PST up reply actions
Which makes it kind of a lateral move...
A younger, cheaper lateral that leaves them flexible for the upcoming Free Agency.
Stealth > Wealth
well when you say it like that
the Suns can just keep him
by hoodieNation on Jan 17, 2011 11:57 PM PST up reply actions
I remember Nate and Monty saying they liked Nash's toughness
but I doubt Steve would be jazzed about playing for Portland, and our cold/wet climate would wreak havoc on his already-questionable back muscles
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
he's from canada. eh
he better be used to it
"Some things you just can't question. Like you can't question why two plus two is four. So don't question it, don't try to look it up. I don't know who made it, all I know is it was put in my head that two plus two is four. So certain things happen. Why does it rain? Why am I so sexy? I don't know."
Shaq
by LeGarrette Blount's Right Fist on Jan 17, 2011 2:22 PM PST up reply actions
we've discussed how the AZ climate aids in preventing/rehabbing veterans re: injuries
and how the PDX winter weather does the opposite. Sure, it’s arbitrary, but I suspect if Nash was dealt to Portland he’d play less than he’s currently playing in Phoenix, and he’s only been averaging 31 mpg, down there
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Oden and Roy.............
………………………………………………………………..
"Im ready for a fight..." -Joel Przybilla
by KillaPrzydollaBILLA on Jan 18, 2011 1:54 AM PST reply actions
This is a interesting question...
…and one I think we will see Rich Cho’s answer to.
For the past few years, I think as good as Aldridge always was…he was thought of as the “good” complimentary player to Roy and someday Oden….
Well things have changed.
Aldridges game as he seems to be applying it now, reminds me optimistically of Tim Duncans,( I would say Duncan is a better passer)…
I would say somewhat frustratingly that if you look at San Antonio’s model, there is no real model of specific talent they have structurally put around Duncan. San Antonio just has done a good job of putting great talent around him…period….
So the complimentary aspect becomes….surround him with great/good players.
I think if The Blazers commit to Aldridge we can utilize his talents better by becoming more athletic…something we have already seen to an extent this season. But I foresee an Aldridge, Matthews, Batum team…being far quicker and able and willing to run.
I think if Aldridge is your defacto post presence then the positions in question become your PF…and your PG.
I absolutely love both Miller and Cambys game. But they are both in their twilight. So IMO both their positions would be the ones I would build towards improving, either throught development or an immediate move.
An interesting challenge will be the reality of Oden. If he does stay with Portland, and does become healthy? Then once again a frontline of Oden and Aldridge could be one of the most talented front lines in the N.B.A..
But do you bet on that happening? Can the franchise afford to bet on it? Can they afford to NOT take the gamble?
The only thing I’m really sure of, is we do have talent…and a LOT of interesting questions about this team to answer in the upcoming off-season and next few years.
But I give great credit to Aldridge for stepping up his game, and emerging at a time this team really needed his skills.
Before the season started, would I really of believed Aldridge would be playing the style of basketball he has embraced and as well as he is playing…honestly? No….
Sometimes I love being wrong.
"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"
by Krang on Jan 18, 2011 11:03 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
Kevin Love
They way he rebounds it could free up LMA to run the floor, which he does better than just about anyone his size. With Love’s passing ability I think it could add up to several easy points a game. I still like Beno Udrih. I think a PG that can shoot would work well in pick and roll situations with LMA
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
NBA Playoffs Content Module
Related FanPosts on Blazer's Edge
Related FanShots on Blazer's Edge
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
- Behind the Box Score, where the Boston Celtics are moving on to the conference finals
- NBA Playoffs Fan Fiction: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
- The Indiana Pacers? Gone till November
- Shaquille O’Neal is in a Chinese beer commercial, too (VIDEO)
- ‘Deep Thoughts’ and Cheap Thoughts: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
