Back to the Future? The Trail Blazers and Joel Przybilla
by Dave on Dec 4, 2011 10:00 PM PST
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PrintDave,
I'm thrilled about the Blazers potentially getting Joel Przybilla back. He's been one of the easiest Blazers to root for in the last twenty years. His rebounding, defense, and toughness fill the team's needs too! Getting Jeff Pendergraph would be be a bonus! It's like the Blazer team that should have been plus [Gerald] Wallace! Are you as excited as I am?
Well, I'm not unexcited. Given what the Blazers can expect in free agency Przybilla would be a decent get. I agree that he was popular here for good reason. It'd be good to have him home.
That said, the whole "back to the future" thing is riddled with problems. This isn't a contending team, not even a team clearly on its way to contending as it was in Joel's heyday. This team needs talent, a minor revolution, in some ways a kick in the butt. As I said on the radio last week, the Blazers need to find their next Joel Przybilla, not the old one...Joel Przybilla circa 2004 and not 2011. Management needs to be active, innovative, hungry, clever. This move isn't really any of these things. If anything it shows more clearly the team's current mindset: making one last big stab at saving this project before everybody admits it has to be rebuilt from the ground up. In a way these moves towards the past avoid the precipice that lies immediately before the franchise...a future we don't want to admit is there.
At the same time moves like this do nothing to change or avoid that future. In fact they have the potential to lock it in, perhaps blowing up in your face in the process. Not that Joel himself would be the catalyst for an implosion. Perish the thought! But he'd not prove any kind of safety valve should one happen. Not only is he in a far different place than he was in 2008, so is the roster. Back then you had three clear, if not exactly bankable, stars in Roy, Aldridge, and potentially Oden. Everything on the team was focused towards those three guys. You had plenty of talent in your Bayless/Fernandez/Batum-type players but they took a secondary role. Joel's assignment was also clear and well within his capabilities: steadily playing a role for a few minutes a game, provide competent play should Oden go down. Aldridge is still excelling in 2011 but Roy is a shadow of himself and Oden is a mystery. Former secondary players like Batum and [insert veteran point guard here] are now considered keys. Nearly every position is muddled with no player able to make a clear claim to supremacy. Should Roy start or Wesley Matthews? Batum or Gerald Wallace? How many minutes should Wallace get at power forward and where does that leave Aldridge? Can Camby, Oden, or Przybilla himself really claim a right to major minutes at the center position? Joel's the ultimate role player but the roles are so ill-defined now, where does he fit?
One assumes that bringing back the old gang alleviates all chemistry problems. The reverse often proves true, less because people are fighting and more because nobody can find a fresh perspective or think outside of the box if things start to go south. Without the breath of fresh air the room becomes stale. Instead of solving problems people look at each other and say, "Wait...it wasn't supposed to be this way! We're the old gang!" Precisely because they're the old gang they're not able to cope with the change in environment which renders the old gang ways less than optimal. Again, I'm not trying to lay all of this on Joel's shoulders. I'm just pointing out that the whole, "This is great because we got Gerald Wallace PLUS the guy we traded away for him!" is not guaranteed to work any better this year than it did with Rod Strickland in 2000. Strickland wasn't the cause of those problems, the environment was. But his presence didn't help in reality as much as it seemed to on paper, nor did the reassembling project.
Most likely the Blazers will be fine either way, with or without Joel. But that assessment should tell you something about the effect of signing him as a free agent...minimal. At the same time, if things really start going south the Blazers, with their sight now laser-focused on 2009 while the results remind them nightly that it's 2012, will be ill-equipped to handle the disparity and may end up in one of those weird, "can't get out of it" spirals...in part because they didn't shake up the lineup more.
In the end I'd be more comfortable if they tried to take a revolutionary stab, even if that stab failed. At least it would show that their heads and gazes were in the right place and send a message that this team is going to have to go beyond standard operating procedure to change their fate. I'm not saying they can actually find the next Joel Przybilla, but at least sell me that you're trying and not just microwaving yesterday's main course and ringing the dinner bell.
--Dave (blazersub@gmail.com)
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We need a starting Center, not another backup.
If I was confident about Oden or Camby’s ability to hold down the starting Center position reliably, I would say that Przybilla is a perfect choice to support them from the bench. But unless Oden’s knees surpass our wildest dreams this year, bringing back Przybilla seems redundant.
That said, Przybilla is a class act, and it would warm my heart to see him in Portland again. Unfortunately, warm hearts don’t win games.
by ICanCheerLouder on Dec 4, 2011 10:21 PM PST reply actions
"microwaving yesterday's main course and ringing the dinner bell."
Now there’s a meme for the blazers if I’ve ever seen one. We’ll kick anyone’s add in NBA 2k09 with this roster…
"She fell in love with the drummer, another and another"
by Cap'n Crash on Dec 4, 2011 10:22 PM PST via mobile reply actions 1 recs
and they're lucky to have him, if he does
it does restore my faith in the Blazer’s front office (somewhat) that they reportedly contacted his agent
if Hayes is truly off the table, then the need for Przy intensifies. The Blazers simply don’t have enough interior toughness, or someone to defend the best NBA post players. Joel used to handle Duncan single-handidly, and he even frustrated Shaq with his position defense
When reached 40+ years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I think this whole article is asking the wrong question
Przybilla as the main/primary big man FA signing? No one should be clamoring for that. Przybilla as a secondary signing once is locked up? Why not? Hard to see any downside to that.
"But if Ding Dongs and prime rib were the path to NBA pivot stardom we'd all be wearing the uniform." -Dave
by douglast on Dec 4, 2011 10:36 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
Yeah I was thinking the same thing.
I don’t know how much we’d have to pay him minimum, but I don’t see why having “old blood” is inherently bad.
Or rather, if you had the option of picking up an age 32ish 7 footer who was coming off some fairly serious injuries, but who was a very reliable role player and not known for being a disruption to his teams’ chemistry, would you automatically write him off if you needed a backup center? I’d at least take a look….
This isn’t a contending team, not even a team clearly on its way to contending
It’s not like we have to offer him a long term contract. If we’re not winning a championship with this current roster, I don’t think any current FAs will get us there. In that case why not take him for one year and evaluate how to build a championship contender next season when we’ll have more options. And some potentially very good options at that.
by Z-Bones on Dec 4, 2011 10:48 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Agreed
If we had the BAE I’d be all for signing Pryz back as backup. If they keep BRoy we won’t even have the full MLE. If that’s the case I’d rather try for someone that can give us more minutes.
well, my cool brackets were taken out
I wrote "…secondary signing once “insert preferred FA here” is locked up…."
"But if Ding Dongs and prime rib were the path to NBA pivot stardom we'd all be wearing the uniform." -Dave
Agreed
Amnesty Roy and stop paying luxuty tax. Then sign the preferred FA with the full MLE and use the BAE on Przy. The front court would flip from a weakness to a strength, overnight
Last week Joel said his back and legs feel better now than they have in years. Dude has a head full of NBA knowledge re: how to defend the post and set hard-but-legal screens on offense. Before he was hurt he was even starting to drop in left-handed baby hooks! As long as he stays healthy, he’s an asset in the locker room and out on the floor. He will not complain about his role or PT—EVER!
Bring back #10, there is no downside
When reached 40+ years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
"Bring back #10, there is no downside"
The “downside” is he’s a clunker who should be junked.
"I Am Mine"
by AK1984 on Dec 5, 2011 2:51 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
you probably would have said the same thing in 2004
That he’s fat, he has bad knees and he’ll never amount to anything
players like Przy have a way of proving his nay-sayers wrong. I’ll put my chips on his side of the table, anytime
When reached 40+ years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
The downside is Joel Przybilla may very well sputter and crap out due to his rickety knees; he's a jalopy.
With the BAE, I’d rather use it on a sturdy, able-bodied center like Kwame Brown, 29, who won’t be at risk of taking his last step on the NBA hardwood each time down the court.
"I Am Mine"
by AK1984 on Dec 5, 2011 2:50 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
yeah, um, I have to say no to Kwame Brown
That’s the junker in your story, not Joel. I’d take Joel over Kwame any day of the week. Calling Kwame able-bodied is like calling my car a rocket. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Get busy livin', or get busy dyin'. -the shawshank redemption.
Kwame been fairly servicable for a few years now
by the standards of a #1 pick he is doo doo…by the standards of a 3rd string big man he’s just fine. I agree with AK that he would certainly be a more reliable option than Joel. I don’t mind bringing Joel back, I’m all for it, but if we’re relying on him then that’s more of a mistake than relying on Kwame imo.
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
I don't think of Kwame Brown as a third-stringer, but rather as a serviceable backup. Right ...
now, it appears Brown will command a BAE-level contract (i.e., two-year, $3,885,500 deal) in this market, which is fair value. Brown, however, has probably got Portland near the bottom of his list of preferred destinations.
"I Am Mine"
That pretty much sums up my (very minimal) thoughts about him.
If they got him as a backup, that works for me. If not, no problem.
Weirdly enough, that’s similar to my feeling on signing Joel.
I loved Joel and was sad to see him go
But I dont think he has what we need now. I have all my chips on Oden right now, but even so, we should pick up Chuck Hayes. I wouldnt be against Joel if that was all we could get, but only as a backup, not a starter. Heck, what if Camby is healthy why cant he back up Oden and Chuck Hayes?
by cavejunctionblazer on Dec 4, 2011 10:38 PM PST reply actions
Could Chris Johnson be that stab which Dave talks about as backup centre/pf-
I would like to see what he can do with some more minutes, and encourage his development.
by simoninaustralia on Dec 4, 2011 10:39 PM PST reply actions
I like CJ-
he might be a diamond in the rough- hes quick, with great hands, large wingspan, jumps really high, great blocker, decent reounder, hes just seems so skinny like he needs to beef up alittle bit. Most centers in the league can out body him. He is cheap though.
by cavejunctionblazer on Dec 4, 2011 10:45 PM PST up reply actions
How so?
If I were to compare Chris Johnson to a recent ex-Blazer, it’d be Theo Ratliff.
Like Ratliff, Johnson is a skinny, springy 4/5 who’s lone skill is shot blocking.
"I Am Mine"
CJ makes Theo look bulky
he’s like Keon Clark without the instincts
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
I think CJ is our next Joel
He has definite NBA skills as a serviceable backup at center. You don’t want him as your starter but you could do worse. He boards and blocks, ot be joel he needs to add a screen.
If he learns to use his body effectively he could be a keeper.
Joel can come back.
If he’s interested in playing for the vet minimum. Because yeah, we could use him. But there are other players that we could use a whole lot more. As mentioned above, Hayes would be a good fit. If we do end up using the amnesty clause, I see the BAE going to another player to fill our bench needs. That leaves the vet minimum. I don’t know if Joel would play for that. But another center for the rotation isn’t a bad thing.
"Anybody might guess beforehand that there would be blunders of the ignorant. What nobody could have guessed, what nobody could have dreamed of in a nightmare, what no morbid mortal imagination could ever have dared to imagine, was the mistakes of the well-informed." - G. K. Chesterton, The Common Man
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by T Darkstar on Dec 4, 2011 10:47 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
I'm sure Joel would take the vet min to retire as a Blazer
and I’m all for it. If “plan A” is one last shot at making some noise with a healthy Greg, Brandon, etc… (and it seems like that might be plan A) then yes, we could use Joel. So if mgmt can convince the smarter / less emotional fans that the real free agency hay is to be made next summer and that we’re gonna take the old KP roster out for one last lap, give it the old college try, then I’m fine with that. Our roster has a lot of “ifs” but should they all pan out we’re in the mix. We do have a lot of guys on ECs and the amnesty card to play, so if we wait til next summer we could be a major player. Especially if by that point we have a strong gm.
"She fell in love with the drummer, another and another"
by Cap'n Crash on Dec 4, 2011 11:03 PM PST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Veteran minimum doesn't require an exception?
That means, for those who want to see Roy stay, that we could hypothetically get Pryz and the BAE without using amnesty on Roy. Of course we’re not getting Hayes or Landry for the BAE. Now you’re talking McRoberts or Pendergraph.That would REALLY be a retro roster.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.
by conspirator5 on Dec 5, 2011 12:04 AM PST up reply actions
BAE not available to tax teams
which we are at present. mini-MLE is however.
that said,if we roll into next season with Przy and someone using the mini-MLE, color me disappointed.
"But if Ding Dongs and prime rib were the path to NBA pivot stardom we'd all be wearing the uniform." -Dave
Hey that is great news.
I was hoping we could get Joel and one other big that has experience. McRobert or Pendergraph would do, for a one year contract until we knew more about Greg, BRoy, Felton, Camby, Smith and even CJ
I don’t know if you remember, but Pryz sets a mean pick. Him and Van Axel was a terrific combo and Pryz was scoring in the 20’s with him. Now with Smith as a back up PG which specializes in Pendy.We might get some offense out of Pryz. Also remember last year when he was hobbled he had a piece of wire taken out afterwords that was around 6" long going across his knee cap that was causing him severe pain. Of course Pendy or McRobert is just insurance for now and what ever we can get out of them is gravy, Although they may be able to beat out CJ; who knows but it is interesting to know that we can do that.
hg
by BBK on Dec 5, 2011 6:52 AM PST up reply actions
depth is going to be important with the compressed season
Joel and McBob are about all we can get for our back up buck,with the joke training camp at least they dont need to completely retrain
by southern oregon on Dec 4, 2011 10:56 PM PST reply actions
I think we need to use a combo 2011+2012 approach
2011: With one of the MLE variants (whichever we have), we sign a good PF to spell Aldridge or play next to him should Camby and Oden not be good/healthy/… That could be Landry, Hayes (seems to want to go to Houston), Humphries (seems to command more), Shelden Williams, etc.
Plus, we sign a stop-gap bigger guy with a minimum deal who tends to the “real center” category. That could be Joel P, Jeff P, Kwame, etc.
2012: We bring over Joel Freeland with the mini-MLE or if he takes it his rookie scale (somewhat unlikely since he has to pay a buyout of about $2 million) to be our backup C/PF of the future once Camby retires. Which may or may not be next summer.
I said earlier this week that I could live with Landry, as long as Przy is also on the roster
When reached 40+ years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Freeland could be the "next Przy" I suppose
but I’m not sure if the NBA is in his future plans
When reached 40+ years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
OMG
I had forgot about Freeland, It is said that he is ready,but didn’t want to come over this year because of the Lock-out. If that is true, that is one more reason to sign Joel, and Pendy or McRoberts to at least a one year contract.
Thank you for reminding me. because even without BRoy or one of our BAE players, we still can’t afford a solid experienced big. but Freeland would fit the bill.
hg
by BBK on Dec 5, 2011 6:58 AM PST up reply actions
Norsktroll nailed it
Sign Landry and Pryzybilla, if possible. We need someone exactly like Joel, and he’d be the third-string center with everyone healthy. When Camby and/or Oden are out with injuries, we’d get by starting Landry/Aldridge, with Joel as the backup C and Wallace as the backup PF. We’d still have Chris Johnson in the mix as well.
Joel had a heydey???
Look, I like the guy, but he was only marginal as a starter when he was young and healthy. He is a 10 minute per game type guy now IMO. We need someone who can at least split time at C and maybe someone who can find the hoop on occasion. For me to get very excited about possibly getting Joel back, we would need to get CP3 or at least get Brandon a set of Bionic knees! Probably only the older guys here even know what that means.
you mean find the hoop like Camby?
Hmm, let’s see. I’m pretty sure Joel can get 6 points a game and set some screens. He might not be blocking shots, but in case everyone forgot, he takes charges like they are going out of style, he blocks out, the enforces, he knows the offense in the half court. He’s never been a scorer, and never will be, that’s not his game. His game is tough, hard-nosed game play.
The question isn’t if we want Joel, the question is what can we get that is on the market. I’d rather have someone that wants to be here, than someone that just took the money and is bouncing out asap. (boozer-esque). What else can we get for the price? I’d say Joel is about as good as we are going to get and keeps us open for next year’s free agent bonaza.
Get busy livin', or get busy dyin'. -the shawshank redemption.
First of all, John Nash acquired Przy when no other team wanted him
Joel repaid Portland’s loyalty with more loyalty of his own. He could’ve skipped town before the rebuilding project was complete and sought a ring with the Spurs or the Pistons (who were both coming off conference final’s appearances, at the time) but he chose to remain in Portland
That counts for a lot, in my book
JP never chose to leave the Blazers, he was traded and he made it clear at the time he would like to return, if he was given a fair offer and his body was back right again
Now is the time for the Blazers to respond, and make Joel an offer like they did twice before
Dave I’m surprised at you. A year ago all the talk was how much Portland could gain from flipping Joel, as if that’s all he was worth anymore was his EC. That was disrespectful. Now the Blazers have the opportunity to re-acquire a hard-working, loyal big man and pay him much less per season, and all we get is a weak “you can’t go home again” take? This is beneath your typical standards (at least you didn’t toss bouquets towards Pendergraph as a low-cost alternative…)
Portland has sorely missed the interior toughness that left the lineup when Przy injured his knee. He rehabbed hard and returned last year earlier than anyone expected. He dragged his leg through a season, playing for as long as he could for a crappy Charlotte team, after the trade. Now he’s willing to return and the fans of Portland should welcome Joel back with open arms, and not worry about silly stuff like “will there be enough PT for Oden. Camby and Przy?” knowing full well that Greg is not going to be back for a month, and Marcus may not be able to stay healthy for even that long.
Finally, I have a feeling that if Portland did sign someone new who had the same “credentials” that Przybilla had back in 2004, the acquisition would be hooted and hollered at from one end of BE to the other. It just goes to show you that you can’t judge a book by it’s cover, or the potential impact of an injured, overweight center from his NBA stats
When reached 40+ years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Dec 4, 2011 11:53 PM PST reply actions 8 recs
I agree with you
I think that in this shortened season getting Joel back would be a good move.
If we have a front court rotation with: Oden / Aldridge and Joel / Camby + CJ.
People tend to “forget” that both Camby and CJ can play the PF spot and backup LaMarcus, and that task would require no more than 10 minutes per game if we have a healthy rotation in the center position, and if not, well… They both can also get some minutes at the 5.
Hip Hip Hurray!!! you made my day.
Greg is also going to take a while to get into the BB rhythm. I don’t know what is left in Pryz tank, but he does set a mean pick. as I also said above he used to be good with Van Axel. and it is my understanding that Felton and Smith are good at PnR offense.
It is worth a see. and I couldn’t think of a better, tougher, bull dog in the pits than Joel.
hg
by BBK on Dec 5, 2011 7:07 AM PST up reply actions
What about Camby? Shouldnt we talk about him b4 we get into Joel?
What are the chances Camby actually comes back healthy and able to seriously contribute. Like Roy, everyone seems to have sent him packing already. If Camby comes back healthy and can actually play C until Oden comes back, will that change the gameplan on who we target in FA? Or at this point is his value only in his exp contract? Will they go the way of the RLEC and just let him expire without a trade or is it more likely he is shipped out in some way?
Anyone got some answers for me?
by cavejunctionblazer on Dec 5, 2011 12:06 AM PST reply actions
I expect him to be able to contribute, but like last year he'll have his usual smaller injuries due to his playing style and age
So you can’t count on him for 66 games. Maybe for 45. With Oden unlikely to be ready immediately, that leaves the front court very thin and LaMarcus in danger of spending himself too early again. If he gets hurt we are screwed anyway, but why force it by having him play 40 minutes against centers? They need at least a capable stop-gap with more experience than CJ who is nice but even with (insert usual joke about 20 pounds more muscle) not quite enough.
No answers but a worthless opinion
Last year after the knee surgery was when Camby went down hill big time with his shot. I don’t know if many realizes even with steroid shots it takes about 8 month to recover even from minor surgery. that is in a normal person. It might be longer then that to completely get over that surgery for an athlete. So, Camby, Joel, BRoy, Pendy and Greg is not going to be 100% for a while, but if they don’t have any lapse in rehab and with shortened minutes will do fine. that is one of the reason’s getting Two bigs is important. Therefore IMO, Camby will do OK this season with shorter minutes. I think his shot will come back with his legs under him again, the same with BRoy and Greg. but that will take time and I don’t know what Portland plan is.
hg
by BBK on Dec 5, 2011 7:19 AM PST up reply actions
We're gettin' the band back together!
Somebody call Travis Diener.
by IsWesleyMatthewsForReal? on Dec 5, 2011 12:16 AM PST reply actions
But seriously though, it might be kind of cool to have Joel back. He could teach Chris Johnson his famous “hold on to the other guy’s shirt collar” style of defense.
by IsWesleyMatthewsForReal? on Dec 5, 2011 12:23 AM PST up reply actions
Seriously
the younger big men (CJ and Oden) could learn a lot from Przy and Camby, if they ask questions and pay attention. Having Marcus and Joel on the roster is like having 2 veteran player-coaches, given their NBA experience
they both play hard, and never complain about their minutes
When reached 40+ years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
then bring him his as a coach, advisor, consultant, or something of the like
don’t waste a roster spot on a guy who you want to coach young guys.
I JUST WANT MY BASKETBALL BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by Sean in Vancouver on Dec 5, 2011 12:59 AM PST up reply actions
I want both
just because I said Joel could mentor the young kids doesn’t mean he can’t contribute to the team out on the floor. When Przy was healthy, he was the backbone of Portland’s interior defense
there’s more to the NBA game than scoring, I really shouldn’t need to explain why
When reached 40+ years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I love Joel, what he brought to the Blazers was, at that point, irreplaceable
but…. thats in the past tense. At this point, he’s on the verge of retirement. If the team wants to hire him to be the new “hit people with pads” coach, I’d be fine with that, and it’d be pretty cool to see him back with the team in a coaching capacity. But as far as players, lets leave our limited money and roster spots to guys who can contribute now.
I JUST WANT MY BASKETBALL BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by Sean in Vancouver on Dec 5, 2011 12:49 AM PST reply actions
Shoot, I'd rather Portland make an offer to a young big like Kyrylo Fesenko over Joel Przybilla.
Even though Fesenko’s future isn’t exactly bright, he’s at least got one. All Przybilla has is the past.
Also, it’s nice to hear a highlight video featuring a terrific song, “Killing in the Name,” instead of the garbage hip-hop that’s in most of these YouTube clips.
"I Am Mine"
Awesome, proof anyone can get a decent highlight mix
Pretty sure even my highlight mix wouldn’t have any plays where I got only a defensive rebound.
by Batumshakalaka on Dec 5, 2011 3:27 AM PST up reply actions
I can't believe they were able to..
Get all his points on a single highlight reel. That’s more than 30 seconds long.
The Department of Redundancy Department is hiring, maybe I should apply myself.
by SGT Lenny on Dec 5, 2011 8:53 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
God, please no.
What is it with people obsessively rooting for white athletes that suck. It was the same thing with Shavlik Randolph- people thought he was a likable character because they could relate to him. i don’t understand the emotional attachment- white men can’t jump and Przybilla’s body is full of molten lead.
by jrzy49 on Dec 5, 2011 3:16 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
The Blazers fans who liked Shavlik Randolph are mostly the same ones who now like Chris Johnson.
That’s got nothing to do with race, ethnicity, or whatever. Nope, it’s due to rampant, unabashed homerism.
"I Am Mine"
CJ > Shavlik
at least from the perspective of being able to contribute in a very specific role imo…not saying much though
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
If we don't have the full ME
we are deluding ourselves if we think we’ll pick up someone such as Hayes of or similar quality. And you won’t have the full ME if we don’t amnesty Roy. That will leave us at best, with a second team Center, not someone you can reliably plug in and get quality minutes as a starter.
Just say no
Przybilla was a great Blazers before the knee injury, but know he’s a 12-minute per game stiff. He can’t help the team. Unlike B-Roy, there’s no question if he’s got something left or not, and he’s not a sunk cost.
M, period. Fresh, comma.
I was just about to start an online petition
forcing the Blazers to bring Joel back…
No please NO!
As a backup Center he is fine but I’d rather we find another wing shooter for the same price, i.e $1-2mill a year deal. I am expecting Roy to get the boot so with the full MLE go for the top 3 Center first and if we can’t entice them then the likes of Glen Davies, K.Brown, Hayes, McBob, Humphries, Brandon Wright, Aaron Gray, Jason Smith, Landry, Sheldon Williams, Fesenko are all the guys I’d look at before Pryzbilla.
Don’t get me wrong, I love me some Pryz but his time is up just like Roy’s is. If are going to play more up-tempo then we are going to need healthy knees and bodies. We can perhaps afford to carry one or two with questionable health issues but not more than that. We already have 2 of those in Oden and Camby. Both are at Center too. And one with questionable health is E-Will remember and that makes 3! Health has always been an issue of us so I would stay away form injury prone players if possible. Anyway if we striker out with all the younger big men and Pryz is left then by all means, sign him up and welcome him back but let’s at least try to get someone better.
I like JP but the dude has stone hands
And can’t run. Do we want a team that wins games, or a team full of guys we’d like to have a beer with?
by solid_soup on Dec 5, 2011 6:37 AM PST via mobile reply actions 1 recs
If Joel can play like he was before the injuries in 2009...
I don’t see why you wouldn’t want the screens, defense, and rebounding he was providing. If he is stlll playing at the level he was last season, I would rather move on and remember him fondly for what he did in the past.
PTB Liberation Day - 2/10/04
This and that...
This: “If anything it shows more clearly the team’s current mindset: making one last big stab at saving this project before everybody admits it has to be rebuilt from the ground up. In a way these moves towards the past avoid the precipice that lies immediately before the franchise…a future we don’t want to admit is there.”
And that: “In the end I’d be more comfortable if they tried to take a revolutionary stab, even if that stab failed. At least it would show that their heads and gazes were in the right place and send a message that this team is going to have to go beyond standard operating procedure to change their fate.”
Dave, are you sure you’re not talking about what would happen if BROY isn’t amnestied?
IMO
We have a shortened season a hasty preseason, we had no summer to talk to players to see who we could get or what we could do because of the Lock-out. and not knowing for sure what the new CBA would bring, it would be next to impossible to try to rebuild before this season starts. Dave should know that.
If getting some bigs that we can afford for the remainder of the year, waiting to see what BRoy, Greg and at least Camby can bring, This shortened season was shot to begin with. So it isn’t just one desperate stab at keeping it together, It is buying time until they have more resources to rebuild and who the use to rebuild and who to keep. Felton might also take his players option and run like hell.
Joel and Pendy for the remainder of this year is a smart move in my book. Amnestying BRoy would not help that much unless proven he can’t physically perform. If he can perform physically, he could prove to be a big help.
Anyway, IMO, hang on this year and re build next year when we have a few answers
hg
Waitng Game!!
This whole season seems to be a waiting game. Shortened in all aspects from games to free-agents. I don’t think any big moves are in the air. That said, Joel I think would be a good fit. Pendy would also be a Good move. I think Nolen is going to prove out as a good pg of the future and will mature at a quick pace. As for B-Roywiat out the year and see what he can do, not that much out there now to waste the savings on anyways.
we shouldn't be relying on either
that being said, I’ll take Joel. He’s younger, bigger, and a great role model for younger bigs.
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
Even a slower, less-athletic version of Joel Przybilla is a much better fit than Juwan
Joel’s strengths are under-appreciated. He’ll still be among the league-leaders in rebounds per minute, he is a smart defender, and he sets great picks. Providing he’s reasonably healthy, you can’t ask for more in a third-stringer or 10 min/game backup center.
I can only think of a few active players whom I dislike more than Juwan Howard.
The only two who come to mind right now are Eddy Curry and Antoine Walker, although calling either one of them “active” is stretching it.
Back to ex-Blazer bigs, it shouldn’t be long ‘til somebody mentions Jamaal Magloire at the rate we’re going.
"I Am Mine"
Lemme quote John Hollinger on that one
+ Limited veteran big man who shoots line-drive, double-clutching 15-footers.
+ Has lost athleticism. Poor finisher at rim and subpar rebounder.
+ Physical defender but can’t jump, and never blocks shots. Low-mistake player.
The canary in the coal mine for the Heat’s bench woes, Howard was the first sub off the bench in one of the Boston games and played regularly in the Finals even though he’s 38 and hasn’t been good in five years. He averaged 9.4 points per 40 minutes, had a TS% under 50, and in his specialty of midrange shooting shot 39.0 percent. Also, Synergy rated him as one of the worst defenders at his position. Other than that he was great.
Pryzbilla would be lucky to get half those numbers
Juwan absolutely bailed the Blazers out the year he was here at the positon. High character, solid on the floor. Everyone of the Blazers loved him on that team. To compare him to Walker and Curry is just foolish, those guys are clowns. He’s end of bench guy now-but he was supposed to be that when KP signed him and then he got 5 times the minutes he ever thought he would.
Wait for it ... Wait for it ...
… Chris Paul!
"All is vanity and vexation of spirit."
http://year5000.bandcamp.com
by Y5k on Dec 5, 2011 9:53 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Oden, Camby,Pryz.
Three 7 ft. players whose only job is to rebound set picks & play D. 16 minutes each, with a heavy dose of Aldridge in the post on offense. It could work. Portland is not as deep as they were but with Wallace, Mathews & Batum are still in good shape on the wing. Call me an optimist or a homer if you want but I still love my Blazers.
Somebody step up! - Mike Rice
it could work
but we’ve tried it…and the result was Juwan Howard, Dante Cunningham, Sean Marks, Fabricio Oberto, etc… playing center or backup center. If we go that route again I hope it does work, but three injury prone centers certainly doesn’t guarantee having two ready to go.
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
I gotta disagree
I’d like PDX to amnesty Roy and waive Barron which would open 3 roster spots. PDX should use those roster spots to grab 3 bigs bringing Pryz and Pendy back would be smart as both could be had for the minimum and both are familiar with Portland which would be helpful since training camp like the season will be condensed. Portland can then go out and get a 3rd big and might want to consider a cheaper back up 4 who would sign a 1 or 2 year deal leaving money to bring over Freeland next season. Decisions will have to made in regards to frontcourt next season since Camby will be gone and Oden may very well be too, Portland needs to be in position to pay Freeland if both are lost and spending the full MLE for a backup 4 and or 5 will cut into that. I also think a year removed a major knee injury and re injury Pryz will be closer to his 07-08 self than his 10-11 self. This year PDX needs to figure out what they have in their young bench players at the 1-3 positions, the front court will have to answered next season and can’t really be until then. Bringing familiar stop gap players this season is a smart move.
I also think the West is pretty wide open this year especially if there is no Chandler in Dallas or Nene in Denver.
Red means run, son, numbers add up to nothin
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