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Around SBN: Trent Richardson Interviews Fellow Brown Brandon Weeden

Time to Blow it up!


This was the last chance for Nate in my mind anyways and he failed miserably. He seemed to pull out a pretty good regular season but come the Playoffs, he looked clueless. 

I haven't a clue as to why the decision to give Nate a contract extention during the season was ever a good idea. They should have waited until the season was over to make the decision but now we are stuck with Nate for the next few seasons. We are stuck with his slow-paced style of play where we don't run unless we have forced a turnover. Where the players still can't set a pick or rebound the ball. Or know how important it is to hit their wide-open shots in the Playoffs. We are still hopelessly average on defense and mind-numbingly boring on offense. Without Oden and Roy it does not work but why build a team so dependent on our most injury-prone players? Both Oden and Roy are no longer pieces to build around therefore the roster has to change and change dramaticly not just the odd in, odd out either. Naturally the offensive and defensive system has to change as well, that goes without saying.

We all know the starting lineup as it stands today but none of us know if Roy will still be a Blazer in November or if he can win the starting SG spot. Let's say, for the sake of arguement,  that the Roy we last saw in the Playoffs is the one we're likely to see in November. Thats not good enough to start just good enough to be a slightly iffy backup SG who is capable of having the odd 20pt game. But this isn't about what we can expect from Brandon but the entire team.

The same goes for Oden really, except we really have no clue as to when he'll actually get on the court and what he'd be able to do once he does.

Therefore we shouldn't go into next season expecting anymore than that from either of them just to be on the safe side, right or wrong?

Without Oden and only 1/2 of Roy we don't have a team capable of doing anything in the Playoffs. Sure we'll have Wallace for the entire season but its not like he's a great Playoff performer either nor did he play real well this time round with us. But it wouldn't be surprising if Gerald does well next time he plays for us in the Playoffs.

Fact is we've got to stop expecting the injury-prone players to stay healthy for the entire season, we need to be prepared for when they get injured.

My Plan would be:

My feeling is that we no longer need a pass-first PG like Miller to lead the team, we can be better with a scorer. We'd be to run the pick-n-roll, finally. We'd also have a player that is a one man fast break as long as he has speed. That's why I hope that we go after Brandon Knight real hard. I'd trade almost anyone, except LMA, for Irving but since we aren't likely to entice Cleveland to giving him up I suggest trying for Knight instead. Even Kemba Walker would improve us but his small size bothers me but I'd still take him.

Even if we can't move up high enough to draft Knight or Walker I'd want us to trade Miller for a better scorer perhaps Felton or Stuckey. Fact is Miller is the safe option for Nate and it hasn't worked so its time to make whole sale changes. Trade Camby, Miller, Rudy, Mills, Babbit, Oden and even Batum to bring in more athletic players. That's what I'd like to see, will they do something this drastic? I doubt it but this group of players have failed to get out of the first round and I don't see this group doing any better next time, do you?

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This is not the draft to re-stock the cupboard.

And blowing it up in the entirety that you suggest is a bit of a reach.

Why would we trade guys like Batum and Matthews? They’re YOUNG, man. Give them a chance to develop.

I can see the argument to trade off our older vets, but if you trade Camby and Miller right now, you’re now stuck with Chris Johnson and Knight/Walker/Whoever in the starting lineup, and you officially have no backup at either the 5 or the 1.

What you’re suggesting is that we dismantle an underperforming playoff team to become a underperforming bottom feeder with less talent. Pass.

"Hey! If the moon were made of ribs, wouldja eat it? I know I would!"

by cubs0505 on May 21, 2011 1:00 AM PDT reply actions  

And for the record:

There is no Point Guard prospect in this draft who will EVER be as solid of a PG as Andre Miller. I’m including Irving, and you can take that to the bank.

"Hey! If the moon were made of ribs, wouldja eat it? I know I would!"

by cubs0505 on May 21, 2011 1:02 AM PDT up reply actions  

And whats so great about being solid anyways?

Solid means dependable, which can also mean boring. Either that or you think that Andre is the best PG ever. Irving is going #1 for a reason and I see both Knight and Walker having better scoring seasons in their rookie year than Andre ever has. Both can learn to play PG, Knight gets good grades and is only 18 yrs old so there is every chance that he can learn to be a pass-first PG in the future. But in the mean time he’ll score first and pass second, so what its not like we have a top SG that likes in the ball in his hands that we can depend on for 82 games a season, is it?

If Roy was his old self then I understand having a pass-first PG but he isn’t himself and won’t likely be for a few seasons if ever. So its time to switch the guards up, have a scoring PG partner Wes Matthews in the back court.

Also I don’t want to trade everyone just make them available for Minnesota, Cleveland etc so we can move up to take Knight. LMA would untouchable and only one of Batum and Wallace would be available to trade. Ideally I’d keep Wes too but the rest aren’t really worth holding on to are they?

by VinnyB on May 21, 2011 4:41 AM PDT up reply actions  

LMA's stats just cried a little.

Treat people well because Karma can hit you at any second.

by Net Ranger on May 21, 2011 7:02 AM PDT up reply actions  

You do realize Kyrie Irving was injured most of last season, right?

You’re advocating trading the injury-prone players we have for the right to draft another injury-prone player. I fail to see how that improves the Blazer’s chances in the playoffs.

I think this past playoff performance showed the Blazers’ need to have TWO quality PGs, not just one. Trading Andre for another PG, who hasn’t even proven himself in the league, would be treading water in an undertow. Rookie PGs don’t lead their teams to playoff success.

The time has come and gone when the Blazers can look to improve themselves in the draft. Of all the teams remaining in the playoffs, how many of them have rookies in the regular rotation? Omer Asik plays about 10 minutes a game for Chicago and that’s about it.

by BlazerTag on May 21, 2011 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions  

What's great about being solid?

Consistant numbers over the years. You’re assuming a TON to just say that Knight and Walker can “learn to play PG” like Andre Miller. You also put words in my mouth, assuming I think Andre Miller is the greatest point guard ever.

It’s late May, and you’re getting draft happy, seeing our “savior” when he isn’t there. Kemba Walker is a bust waiting to happen. Brandon Knight is a HUGE gamble, and I’m sick of the Blazers gambling on players. I want a solid backup PF or C in this draft. Nothing special.

"Hey! If the moon were made of ribs, wouldja eat it? I know I would!"

by cubs0505 on May 21, 2011 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions  

I agree.

Though I’d be down for getting Knight or Walker (But truth is, I know very little about them.) However, getting Knight/Walker probably involves trading one of our important, proven pieces.
Which is why it’d be nice to have either a point guard, which we probably won’t get, or get a dependable PF/C, which seems more likely.

by Hopman27 on May 22, 2011 9:09 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'd take that bet

| 23.1 | .647 | .605 | 15.6 | 28.3 | 21.9 | 6.7 | 0.9 | 7.7 | 17.8 | 20.7 | 118 | 100 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 2.2 | .214 |

by MadBlaze on May 22, 2011 9:57 PM PDT up reply actions  

I was interested in a rebuilding move at the deadline, swapping Miller and/or Camby for some young guns

Easier said than done, of course.

As constructed, the Blazers are a 1st round and out playoff team. Miller and Camby, for all they’ve done while they’ve been here, aren’t taking the team to the finals and they aren’t getting any younger. There’s no point in grinding out another high 40 win season. If you can somehow flip or or both of them for a piece that makes the team a contender then great. More likely though, we just need to get some value for our vets before it’s too late.

However, blowing it up entirely isn’t a smart move right now. As cubs said, this isn’t the draft to rebuild in. The new CBA is coming up and it’s difficult to make a long term plan without that set. And we still have Roy and his contract. There’s no way to blow up the team with that kind of contract on the books especially with what is sure to be a lower cap level in the new CBA.

The plan should be to do a multi year retooling.

#52

by Magnum on May 21, 2011 5:08 AM PDT reply actions  

This post was appropriate earlier in the season

but not post Wallace trade. It’s clear this isn’t the path we are taking.

"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 May 21, 2011 12:47 PM PDT reply actions  

this^

Cho and Allen signaled their intentions last March. The uncertainty of when the games will resume only emphasizes the need to not make drastic changes. Miller is needed at starting PG, so is Camby at the 4-5. The roster will be tweaked, especially at the guard positions. A better backup to Andre must acquired, but I doubt it will come from this draft class. (Buchanan told Casey there are no stars anyway, just solid role players. Perhaps Nolan Smith is on Portland’s radar, but I’d prefer a project big man)

Cho should keep what assets he has, then wait to see what the fallout from the new CBA brings re: veteran FAs, there may be some bargains who will be more-ready to help the team immediately, as opposed to any of the rookies.

I sympathize with the OP’s lament re: watching another year of Nate’s system, but that decision was made (prematurely) and has a lot to do with the need for continuity during and after the lockout. The biggest decision of this offseason will be Oden’s next contract and whether to use the amnesty provision on Roy, or not. Once those choices have been made, then we can discuss the future course of the ballclub with more clarity.

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on May 21, 2011 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions  

You all aren't thinking high enough, why is that?

We aren’t anything more than just a 1st round of the Playoffs and out team right now and most of you are satisfied with that? The only way to improve the talent level of the roster is from the draft. We aren’t going to convince free agents to come here nor do we have the cap room with Roy’s contract and Oden’s. So if we don’t take a chance in the draft we’ll never improve to a level to win a Championship. I am sick of seeing other teams do well in the Playoffs and not us. The way that the Thunder and Grizzles have played and stepped up just makes me envious.
So what if we struggle next season when it could very likely be a shorten one if there is one at all. It wouldn’t be such a bad idea that, it could give us a chance at Perry Jones, Harrison Barnes, Austin Rivers etc.
I just want us to have a team capable of winning a Championship not a one and out team, don’t you?

by VinnyB on May 22, 2011 1:42 AM PDT reply actions  

The only way to improve the talent level of the roster is from the draft.

Scouting and drafting well is always important

Taking assets to move up in a weak draft class is short-sighted and could easily backfire

Nobody likes being stuck in one-round-and-out purgatory, but this is the wrong offseason to blow up a roster. If Allen and Cho were really interested in dealing Miller and Camby, they would have done so back in March. Portland’s college scout (Buchanan) has already said this draft class is filled with low-ceiling role players. So, hang on to hat you’ve got, and let the teams drafting 1-20 make their picks and see who falls. If there isn’t a guy worth taking there, then trade down into the and round. Next year a 2nd round draft choice may be a more-talented prospect than whoever is selected 21-30 in 2011

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on May 22, 2011 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

*what

*2nd

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on May 22, 2011 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions  

The draft is not the only

way to improve the team, as Wallace, Matthews and Camby demonstrate. You have free agents such as Matthews, and trades such as Wallace and Camby. Larue is simply commenting on the reality of today. The GM’s in the league are all forced to wait to see what the new rules are before they can make any significant decisions going forward. At the same time, this draft class doesn’t seem to have much to offer. There is plenty of reason to debate the relative value of the players in the draft you mention, for example.

No one is saying they are happy with a 1st round playoff exit, only recognizing the facts of the situation as it exists.

by Eben Calder on May 22, 2011 4:57 AM PDT reply actions  

Open shots.

“Or know how important it is to hit their wide-open shots in the Playoffs.”

Huh? I’d like to think that every Trail Blazer has an IQ over 70 and can therefore understand the importance of making shots in the game of basketball.

“Where the players still can’t set a pick or rebound the ball.”

When your options are to either put Sean Marks or a busted up Joel Przybilla in the game or go small, it’s hard to be a great rebounding team.

“This was the last chance for Nate in my mind anyways and he failed miserably. He seemed to pull out a pretty good regular season but come the Playoffs, he looked clueless.”

Because they lost to Dallas in 6? Have you seen how they’re playing lately? It’s looking like, when it’s all said and done, Portland will have made a better showing against Dallas than any other Western Conference team.

They do need a scoring point guard to pair with Matthews in a starting backcourt, but they’re not going to get one in this draft.

The Dos Equis guy lives life like Chip Kelly calls plays.

by Benjamanic on May 22, 2011 10:41 AM PDT reply actions  

So your plan is:
Trade Camby, Miller, Rudy, Mills, Babbit, Oden and even Batum to bring in more athletic players.

Solid, specific, fool proof and 100% doable. Pull the trigger Cho-man!

"This is the most popular sport in America blaming its feet for insolence and cutting them off with a chainsaw to show them who's the boss in this arrangement. When it bleeds out, it will admit no regrets because those who paint themselves into corners forget that a path out ever existed."-Spencer Hall, The NFL Lockout and Taking Sides in The League's Labor Dispute

by einman77 on May 23, 2011 4:06 AM PDT reply actions  

haha...there's literally nothing that can go wrong!

"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 May 23, 2011 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions  

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