Thoughts on the Trade

This is an email I just sent to my cousin. We have 1/3 of a season in section 319. My analysis of the trade.

Hey man,

I've just spent a half hour watching videos of Gerald Wallace. The "Crash" nickname is for real. He is off the hook and hardcore almost all the time. And recently, he's been as complete a player statistically as someone like Shawn Marion was back in the day, when he was scoring, rebounding, blocking shots and stealing the ball every game. But Wallace does it all without the helping hand of someone like Steve Nash.

This year, he's had a bad year. It started well. He played every game in November, averaged 17, 8.5, 3 assists, and more than a block and steal a game. Then he missed five straight games in December, and the Bobcats lost 4 of the 5. He then missed four games to start January and had a BAD month, averaging 12 points and less than 7 rebounds a game and shooting 42% from the field and 20% from the three-point stripe. February he's come back very strong. He's played every game and averaged 17, 10 and 3 and shooting 47%. I think he may be feeling better.

And if he's feeling good enough to keep it up, he's a fantastic piece of the Blazer puzzle. Just consider last season. He was healthier than ever before (played 76 games), averaged 18 and 10, plus a couple assists, a block and a steal. Only guy to average a double double PLUS a full block and a full steal in 09-10. I think his stats and impact last season should have vaulted him to the status of one of the best players in the NBA. Should have gotten All-NBA consideration. Yet Crash only got five all-NBA votes, and finished behind Bosh, Lee, Boozer, Randolph, Horford, Josh Smith and Paul Pierce at the forward position. That's great news for the Blazers; he's obviously used to being ignored by the national media, so he'll fit right in in Portland and not expect a huge spotlight. Hell, he's played in Sacto, Charlotte and now in Portland. Dude's small-market all night long.

Blazers are smaller now, and maybe less tough. I loved and respected Przybilla's grit and how well he used his limited tools. Dante is going to be a good player. He's good now just by his hustle and muscle. As far as the picks... I kind of say "whatever" about them. Essentially, one of the picks is Bayless. He still makes the trade a positive one if you said Wallace for Przy, DC, BRex, Marks and a protected pick. And jeez, it's the Blazers... they just got a better asset than they would have gotten if they'd kept, and used, that pick this summer. The Blazers have a grip of picks sitting in Europe that may/may not ever see light of day in the NBA. I think maybe it's time to cash in those chips and see if they can play. Time to bring Freeman over. Time to Kopponen up or cop out. And Claver? Bring him over before the unrest erupts in Spain, too.

Anyway, check out this link. This is from last year. It's a kick-A compilation. I suspect you will see a place for him in the Trail Blazer lineup that you may not have realized existed. I think Wallace is a gem, not necessarily a one-of-a-kind but a rare commodity. He immediately makes the Blazers better.

But the lineup of Miller, Matthews, Batum, Wallace, and LMA could be very very deadly in short spurts on both ends. My goodness, it's exciting just to think about it. I don't want to go all Golden State in this hizzie, but LET 'EM RUN!

FlyingOutlaw