Weekend Discussion: The BEST Player in the Blazers Smackdown

Just counting their Blazer eras, Brandon Roy is the best player on this list. With the following caveats…

- Rasheed Wallace may have been the most talented player on the list, but had no interest in maximizing it. His talents were also mitigated by having an innate ability to hurt the team with his on-court antics.

- Arvydas Sabonis is the best player on this list if you count their entire career. If you looked at the overall career, and said “Build a team around one player,” I’d point at Arvydas. His Blazer tenure was lots of fun, but falls behind a number of other players without including his international years.

IMO, most underrated: Geoff Petrie, Jim Paxson, Steve Johnson
IMO, biggest snub: Joel Przybilla.

Now for the team. I made a rule that I could not start a player out of natural position (Like having Paxson and Roy starting in the back court together). Seemed like cheating.

I noticed that, much like the actual Blazers, PG is a weakness on this list. Damon dribbed around all the time, and Rod Strickland submarined morale at one point (and can’t hit a three). Lionel Hollins is a solid PG, but from an era where the three pointer was irrelevant, so he wouldn’t translate well. I had a hard time choosing a PG for the team. Nonetheless, here goes:

PG: Damon Stoudamire (He wins out because the team needs three point shooting, though he’d likely be an atypical PG on this team)
SG: Brandon Roy (Seriously, duh. Sorry Jim and Geoff.)
SF: Jerome Kersey (He’s an energy guy. We always need a guy who lays it on the court. Hustle, does some stuff, you know. Scottie Pippen was a strong consideration as a point-forward.)
PF: Buck Williams (This was a seriously tough one. Rasheed, LMA and Zach could extend defenses with jumpers. Steve Johnson and Mychal Thompson could grab the rebounds. So Rasheed was dumped for attitude, Zach because he was a ball hog, LMA isn’t as tough, and Buck would work great with Jerome. But dang. We have options here.)
C: Arvydas Sabonis (Even at his advanced age, he’d be a great fit for this group. Plus he can hit the three and open up the lane for Brandon)

Top three on bench: Scottie Pippen, Jim Paxson, LaMarcus Aldridge. This was tough. Paxson gives us three point shooting and can move away from the ball (Steve Smith was a close second). Pippen gives us a point-forward option and great defense. LMA was a tough call. But he can extend the defense and play two positions. I was honestly surprised when I added LMA as the third player.

There are definite weaknesses. Perimeter defense is ugly, for example. But this would be a fun team to watch.

   Oddly when I evaluate the difference between “Best” or “Favorite” which I personally apply a slightly different set of personal criteria, looking at that list, I would put Brandon Roy at the top.

  I think Pre-Knee deteration Brandon was ontrack to become one of the best Blazer’s ever. He had amazing skills coupled with a competitive spirit and desire to be a leader. Brandon might of been the best on that list.

  I’d probably go:

#1. Brandon Roy

#2. I’d probably put Rasheed. His talent was undeniable. The reason he doesn’t break to the top of the list IMO is because he actually had “negative” leadership skills. But if you don’t attach team chemistry or leadership skills to the evaluation of “Best” then Rasheed could be considered one of the best.

#3. I’m going to take what is admittedly a blind shot for me and say Geoff Petrie. His career with The Blazers was short , his N.B.A. career short. Furthermore, I was too young to really have any memory of him as a player. But all I have heard from those old enough to remember is that Petrie was absolutely a great player. He might even deserve higher, but without personal observation I can’t do much more than give him an honorable mention 3rd.

  Anyway, I think there IS a clear difference or should be a clear difference between “Best” and “Favorite”. I think picking “favorites” is harder. Williams, Grant, Kersey, Thompson..it becomes very difficult.

Strickland, Roy, Cliffy, LMA, Sabas.

Kersey, Stoudamire, Buck, Duck, and (not on the list) Ainge off the bench. No rent-a-players like Pippen allowed. Wallace and Randolph were talented but not so good at the team concept.

PG: Hollins
SG: Roy
SF: Kersey
PF: Buck
C: Sabas

Best Bench: Petrie, Wicks, Lloyd Neal ( not on list ), Fat, Duck, Pippen

Best to never put on a game jersey: Moses

Best Coach: Dr. Jack

PG – Damon – ideally this is where Porter would be but he’s not an option.
SG – Roy
SF – Pippen – Kersey the better player but I don’t think would fit well with Roy.
PF – Sheed
C- Sabonis

All of these guys could compliment a single star team. Sheed plays elite level defense, passes very well and is willing, rebounds and is a match up nightmare for his ability to stretch the defense. Sabonis fairly similar to that of Sheed. Kersey is another solid defender and slasher giving the team more diversity. The only question there is how well could he play next to Brandon? This is why I’d opted for Pippen at the 3. Even at his age he could still play good defense, but this would also give Portland another ball handler and somebody that could help spread the floor. Damon by default, the other PG’s weren’t great shooters and even though this team is loaded with them, I just keep envisioning the issues Roy and Miller had together.

I think this club would whoop ass. It’s the late 90’s – early 2000’s team but with a legit closer.

Roy
Sabonis
Aldridge

For a starting five:

Roy
Hollins
Kersey
Sabonis
Aldridge

I have seen each one of the players on the list play multiple games. The current team is at least the second best talent the Blazers have ever had (and more talented than 1977-78.) The key to this team is still Greg Oden and if Oden is healthy this team can be tops. Hollins was really smart (it shows in his coaching which has been more succesful than Porter’s jobs) and was fast and strong. Kersey is my among all-time favorite players. He brought such energy and athleticism to the game. Sabonis is still the best center we have had (until Greg gets his legs back). Roy and Aldridge need no further support.

For those vocal few who feel Brandon Roy is a drag on the team, this exercise might slow down their thinking a bit. Without Roy being here we are not winning the trophy. I know all about the salary cap fears but Brandon is not, in my opinion, done by any means.

Followed by Roy.

Derp.