COTF? (W/Poll)
by philthebballplayer on Feb 17, 2012 10:50 PM PST
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PrintThe Trailblazers obviously have a glaring gap at the future center spot that could be remedied this summer or even as soon as the trade deadline. With Greg Oden not even being healthy enough to get surgery, all hope on Greg should be lost. Time to move on from the fiasco and look at acquiring a young center to pair with LaMarcus Aldridge. There shouldn't be any worry at whether there will be enough money to offer a big contract and that could really work to the Trailblazers favor when trying to outbid other teams with restricted free agency. There possibly won't be cap space again for a while so a deal for a free agent would probably need to be done this year.
Through free agency there seems to be 4 viable long term options at center (not named Howard). Their age is listed during this coming summer. Brook Lopez's numbers are from his 2010-2011 season, his rebounds could possibly improve to where there were his first 2 years if he leaves New Jersey and isn't playing next to Kris Humphries. A side note-when researching numbers for players, Camby is really just giving outstanding production in his minutes.
Roy Hibbert(25)-7'2", 260. 30mins-49%FG, 70%FT, 13.3ppg, 9.4rpg, 1.7blk, .4stl, 1.7apg, 3.1pf, 2.3to. Hibbert has the biggest size of any the 4 players and he actually contributes on a winner while managing(although I think it was a wrong selection) to get an All-Star nod. His FG% isn't phenomenal for a center (Aldridge has higher), FT% is good, points are average, rebounds solid(#17 in league), blocks solid(#11), assists decent(#14 among centers), but turns it over a little too much(#6 among centers).
Javale McGee(24)-7'0", 250. 29mins-53%FG, 50%FT, 12ppg, 9rpg, 2.7blk, .7stl, .5apg, 3.1pf, 1.7to. McGee is just a freak athlete who could become a monster if he puts it all together and his attitude improves. His FG% is decent for a center, FT% is terrible, points are average, rebounds solid(#20 in league), exceptional shot blocker(#2), poor passer, and has average turnover numbers.
Brook Lopez(24)-7'0", 265. 35mns-49%FG, 79%FT, 20.4ppg, 6prg, 1.5blk, .6stl, 1.6apg, 2.9pf, 2.1to. Lopez is coming off an injury but if he plays like he did before than he could be a great franchise cornerstone. His rebounds dropped off last season (partially due to Humphries) but his offense was great. He easily ranks as the best available offensive center with a decent FG% for the number of shot attempts, his FT% is also very good, points are great, rebounds are hideous but if he returns to his rebounding numbers from before last season(8rpg in 30mns) or even improves the rebounds per minute than he could be solid, blocks solid, passes decent, and has decent turnovers for the pressure he faced as a #1 or #2 option on offense.
Spencer Hawes(24)-7'1", 245. 28mins-57%FG, 61%FT, 10.5ppg, 8.3prg, 1.5blk, .5stl, 2.8apg, 2.9pf, 1.4to. Spencer Hawes is a Northwest guy and could potentially have some real interest in signing with the Trailblazers because of that. One of only a few big men that possess the skills to get a triple-double. His FG% is great, FT% is average, points are below average-average, rebounds are solid(#25 in league), blocks solid(#16), excellent passer(#1 center), and low turnovers.
There is also a chance that Joel Freeland could be bought out and make his long awaited Portland debut in 2012, so that is a potential solid center option next to Aldridge if he proves capable of playing center in the NBA. Although there is a larger gamble on waiting for Freeland and hoping he plays well than there would be on signing one of the above 4 proven players. Trades are also very possible but there doesn't seem to be any potential/current All-Stars that are entering their prime that are available.
The Trailblazers could also make a move up in the draft (if they'll even need to) to take a flier on a game changing or even just project center they feel will be ready very soon. Notable names include: Andre Drummond, Meyers Leonard, Tyler Zeller, and Fab Melo. Personally I only see Andre Drummond really being worth investing in if you're looking for an All-Star; but who really knows until it unfolds.
Just curious as to what center option most Trailblazer fans prefer. I really like the possibility of adding Hibbert, McGee, or Lopez to the Trailblazers core with Aldridge and Batum. Lopez would really help on the offensive end, McGee on the shot blocking and rebounding, and Hibbert in rebounding and defense. If a big move for a younger-ish(30 or younger) All-Star caliber PG could be achieved also either before the trade deadline for next season or during the off-season than I could see this team being a formidable threat in the NBA.
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I'd be stoked if we could land Hibbert or McGee
but I don’t see either really being available anytime soon. And Freeland sure seems to like playing oversees. I feel like a rebuild is coming sooner rather than later. Draft our next center.
the options you've listed are great
but won’t be available probably. I voted for the draft option simply because I’m not sure how we’re going to be able to get anyone who’s established themselves in any manner
by mynamehere1212 on Feb 17, 2012 11:02 PM PST reply actions
yeah it's not like Centers grow on trees.
any big guy with any skill is needed by every team.
by hoodieNation on Feb 17, 2012 11:11 PM PST up reply actions
I go after Spencer Hawes
also Brook would be great and maybe not as hard to get with Dwight Howard being the focus of the Nets, also when Brook Lopez plays he’s a lot like a poor mans Tim Duncan. with Hibbert getting that all star nod it would be impossible to get him. McGee also would be a good pick up, he’s like Oden without the strength and the injury’s.
by Daddygr33nJeans on Feb 17, 2012 11:30 PM PST reply actions
My flavors of the week are Arnett Moultrie and/or Tony Mitchell
But I also like Damian Lillard and Mike Moser at our likely draft position. I don’t pretend to be a draftnik or NCAA expert, though, so critique if you will. But understand that I am prepared to defend myself with ad hominem attacks.
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
Lillard is a cool name, like a combination of lily and lizzard
If he’s a flake his nickname could be lily.
If he’s a stud his nickname could be Lizard. Then we’ll have a rhino and a lizard.
Ok I changed my signature. Do you like it better now?
I going to tell everyone right now Damian Lillard is the Next Stephen Curry
Blazers need to draft this guy. get your big in free agency.
by Daddygr33nJeans on Feb 19, 2012 6:12 PM PST up reply actions
I like Lillard a lot
but Moultrie is probably going to be a bigger impact player. He’s got NBA size, athleticism, skill, and is putting up stats. Lillard might be a 2 trapped in a PG’s body, which scares me.
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
yeah I was about to say so was Stephen Curry
but everyone in Portland would love them some Curry
by Daddygr33nJeans on Feb 20, 2012 2:48 PM PST up reply actions
awww
I got a little excited. I saw COTF and thought it meant Coach of the future. Since we are on the subject though, any of the centers mentioned above will do just fine
by King Mar on Feb 18, 2012 2:11 AM PST via mobile reply actions
General Misconduct?
Who's that tromping across my bedge?
by Troll Blazer on Feb 18, 2012 12:44 PM PST up reply actions
You can't..
.. put too much money at the C position and among the experienced centers you lister, all have flaws (mostly defensively).
The main issue being with Blazers’s backcourt, imo this is where the money should be available first.
Geting asik for a cheap contract, and trading for a player who does not play a lot but has upsides (like seraphin, but there are probably other options) should be enough for now. The draft might offer some decent centers in the future, you don’t necessary need a lottery pick to have an impact.
I had major hope with freeland, but since he is once again delaying his coming out in the nba, his rights should be traded, which is sad, as he was obviously a good pick (potential wise). At 28, he would be worthless most likely (contract wise).
Just how much money to the Wizards have to spend to match an offer for McGee?
That is the question that needs to be answered. Likewise with Hibbert though with the Pacers so close to building a good team likely means that they’ll match any offer.
First player I’d look to recruit this summer is Deron Williams. If we get him great, then look at making McGee sign an offer sheet of around $9-12m a year deal.
One option I’d look at is to sign Asik to a relatively small contract of around $4-5m a year plus sign Ilyasova to a $7m a year deal and Dragic or Nelson for around $6-7m a year. Then even look at Carlos Delfino for more depth on the bench as we’re likely to lose Crawford.
Mcgee is a bonehead
He is the last guy I would want in a Blazer Uni- he makes the ESPN un-highlight reel for bonehead plays every week
by nolan.waters.kinney on Feb 18, 2012 10:24 AM PST reply actions
Or...
we could trade off pieces like Wallace, Felton, Camby, Crawford for Picks and some solid “robin lopez/decent bench player” types. We would most like bomb out this year, land somewhere in the “7-8-9” in the top 10 for next years draft, take a shot at someone there or trade picks plus our spot for top 2, draft Andre Drummond, and have cap space to sign some free agency names….boom. Go young. Think we’re a lot better at that point, with Vet LMA leading the kids, which will probably be a lot better that having a rookie step up and be the leader.
you're out of your element, donny. shomer shabbos.
la to c?
Is there a good reason not to move la to center? He is often guarded by the other teams center anyway. La is what 6 11 245 with a 7 5 wingspan. There are maybe 2 or 3 legitimate centers that he would have problems guarding. Then we could make a play for a quality pf like we tried w milsap. There are a lot more quality pf to be had then centers. Any opinions?
Humph would be my choice
He may be a jerk, but he can ball
Josh Smith would be ideal, but that's a little pie in the sky
unless you can get Atlanta a low-post C that can play with Horford.
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
Josh Smith is looking closer to a small forward these days
not sure I’d want him playing the 5 next to Aldridge
"We gotta get this $#!^ together guys!" - Phil
Smith would be the 4, and LA the 5
It makes a lot more sense with Crash as the 3. With Nico looking more and more like a centerpiece (for better or worse) moving forward, it may not work nearly as well. However, if ATL were interested in a Smith/Crash swap (which I doubt they are for this season), a 2-3-4 lineup of Nic, Smoove, and LA could be promising; with a capable 2/3 like Wes off the bench and a solid C, you’re a PG and third guard away from a really, really solid and flexible rotation.
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
I say offer Greg 15 mil
offer freeland 4 mil, offer Lopez the max, dump everybody except LA and go for a full 10 man roster of guys over 7’
DeAndre Jordan
Would be fun to watch as a Blazer.
"Coach said to always be careful around Greg, because Greg costs a lot and even the slightest amount of basketball can damage him." -- The Onion
when he's not at the free throw line
"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 Feb 20, 2012 12:08 PM PST up reply actions
Im hoping freeland will come play for us for a couple mill
It would be amazing to land hibbert, mcgee or cousins. I heard chris anderson is being shopped. Not a bad backup for this year
Formally known as: My_name_a_rudy
by Blaze_that_trail on Feb 18, 2012 1:18 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Still should have included Oden in the poll
PA is dumb enough to keep him till he is the actual age that he looks
"Tommy: Did you hear I finally graduated?
Richard Hayden: Yeah, and just a shade under a decade too. All right. "
Oden is still the center of the future
Bottom line – it’s Oden or no one. If the Blazers are going to get better it will take a healthy Greg Oden. No draft pick in the teens will net a solid NBA center. Actually the majority of top-two picks will not land a solid NBA center! Every ten years one comes along. Freeland is a PF and not a center but might end of playing both center and PF as a backup. Likely none of those others listed will be free agents and likely none but Lopez can be solid starters for a playoff team.
Marc Gasol, Roy Hibbert, Nikola Pekovic, Deandre Jordan and Al Jefferson
all dropped by to ask me whether you’ve been paying much attention to how they’ve been doing. I wasn’t sure how to answer….
by howlingfantods on Feb 18, 2012 5:48 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
and others too, just can't remember their names
lee3022 must be paying too much attention to golf.
Ok I changed my signature. Do you like it better now?
Are we likely to be as successful with COTF as we have been with PGOTF?
by 52therim on Feb 18, 2012 5:23 PM PST via mobile reply actions
History says Center is more important
by Daddygr33nJeans on Feb 18, 2012 5:50 PM PST up reply actions
history says Bowie and Oden
Ok I changed my signature. Do you like it better now?
and it say's Russell, Chamberlain, Jabbar, Walton, Robinson, Duncan, O'Neal
to name a few
by Daddygr33nJeans on Feb 19, 2012 12:05 AM PST up reply actions
yeah, look at how Dwight Howard is winning titles every year.
by howlingfantods on Feb 19, 2012 11:05 PM PST up reply actions
with his team its a surprise they make the playoffs every year and
with the addition of Zone defense its crazy that this guy can even score.
by Daddygr33nJeans on Feb 20, 2012 12:13 AM PST up reply actions
Great review
The only player who I believe will be an UFA is Hawes. Local ties will have to sway him, but ideally Portland needs a big that can rebound and block shots. Yes, on Hawes!
McGee is my guess, if we do indeed try to make spash in free agency
Hibbert will be resigned by Indiana. No interest in Brook Lopez or Joel Freeland(who prefers to be a Euro Star rather then an NBA role player anyways) playing the center spot next to Aldridge.
Let me add a few draft prospects for this year in terms of centers & not the obvious one in Andre Drummond.
Cameron Moore from UAB
Kyle O’Quinn from Norfolk State.
Two four year guys from small schools.
Bernard James from Florida State
What may be one of my favorite stories this year. He plays defense, rebounds & is as tough as any man you will find in the NBA.
Florida State’s Bernard James took a fairly unique route to establishing himself as one of the best big men in the ACC last season. James dropped out of high school at 16, instead earning his GED and pursuing a career with the Air Force. James served 6 years in the Air Force, in volatile destinations such as Iraq, Qatar, and Kuwait.
Meyers Leonard from Illinois has had a damn good season as a Sophomore.
"We gotta get this $#!^ together guys!" - Phil
wow Bernard James is going to be 27 by the time the draft rolls around
fine for a second rounder, of course, since those so rarely pan out anyway.
"Wide, girthy. Just like a Rhino. Sometimes my horns are visible."
Sounds like a winner to me
Maybe another unlikely success story, like Ivan Johnson.
Ok I changed my signature. Do you like it better now?
McGee
I don’t like his attitude towards his teammates and his coach and I think he is often a selfish player. But I think some of that could be due to his situation on a horrible team that has lost 70% of their games so far. Also, his teammates don’t set the greatest example of unselfish basketball (Blatche, Lewis, Jordan Crawford, Nick Young, Wall…..).
IMHO, He is the exact type of player that we need: A big body who can defend and grab boards. Maybe we can buy low on a guy who is perceived to have a bad attitude in hope that he will turn around when he gets into a new situation.
Oden is gone
Fans even booed him the last time they showed him on the jumbotron. If he plays anywhere else I dont think ti will matter. His impact will be small. If he plays again his coordination will be off, he will react slowly, and he will commit a whole lot of fouls. If we were to go against him all we would have to do is drive inside and draw a foul. wont be hard.
I don't get why fans booed the guy
he’s not getting injured on purpose.
by Daddygr33nJeans on Feb 20, 2012 10:59 AM PST up reply actions
It's a physical thing for Oden. I don't know why fans would equate a failing body with a mentally weak mind.
There’s a perception that he’s perpetually injured because he’s lazy in his rehabbing and just cashing in the check. If you ask me, if a guy couldn’t give a rip and was just cashing in, he’d be sitting on the sidelines cracking jokes, all smiles. Oden looks depressed.
Your list
is great, if not a tad unrealistic. Most of those guys are considered cornerstones of the franchise. A more realistic list might be
Robin Lopez (RFA)
Jason Thompson (RFA)
Omer Asik (RFA)
Ian Mahimni (FA)
Ronny Turiaf (FA)
Not very exciting but more realistic. The draft has some options but unless the team trades up (and they have very few assets) the options late in the first round are not perfect.
It seems likely that the team will patch up the 5 spot with bubblegum and duct tape for the next few years, especially if the PGoTF is still up in the air as well.
by ripcitymilehigh on Feb 21, 2012 1:41 AM PST reply actions
The draft is the only way to go.
There are four centers the Blazers need to look at this year: Andre Drummond (UCONN), Cody Zeller (Indiana), Tyler Zeller (UNC), and Meyers Leonard (Illinois). Cody is the only one who doesn’t already have an NBA body. No matter where the Blazers draft, it is conceivable three of them will be available. The only shot the Blazers have a Drummond is if they win one of the top-three picks in the draft.
I'm pretty high on Tyler Zeller
Big man who can spread the floor. He’s generally regarded as “soft”, but I think that it’s because of his skinny build. He’s been aggressive hitting the boards in every UNC game that I’ve watched. If he can hit the weight room and but on a few pounds, he can be a legit all around big man.
by imlebronjames on Feb 21, 2012 8:58 PM PST up reply actions
Omer Asik
Toxic offer, Chicago is already committed to 54 million dollars without Rose’s extension which is what….15+. I know they can spend a lot being a big market, but do they want to commit 30 mil or so to 3 front line players?
http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/player/_/stat/rebounds/sort/avg48Rebounds/qualified/false
Omer rates as one of the best rebounders per minute in the league. Now that doesn’t always translate, but it seems like he should be able to translate some of that ability. He is a defensive and rebounding specialist with a limited offensive game…perfect to pair with LA.
Then sign Freeland as the 3rd big…keep Thomas and johnson…draft one of the pgs (marshall, machado, Lillard, kabongo, etc) and draft a second round big
by ripcitymilehigh on Feb 21, 2012 9:39 PM PST reply actions
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