The "Improve the team" Thread 2/5
by 420Phenom on Feb 5, 2012 12:46 AM PST
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PrintHaven't done one of these in awhile. here we go:
- PG: Raymond Felton(11.67PER on 33mpg)/Nolan Smith(2.6PER on 6.2mpg) - With how our season has played out, its hard not to be mad at Felton with his play this year. Considering the greatness witnessed under Brandon Roy leading the team... In addition to Andre Miller after he took the reigns & kept us competitive in a dark time. The sad part is Nate McMillan actually let loose, showed some flexibility & gave Felton the chance to play uptempo, we failed miserably. Its obvious we have key players who could thrive in that style of offense in Aldridge & Wallace. As for the reserve 1 spot, Nolan Smith has looked really uncomfortable in his rookie season & is now losing minutes to Elliot Williams.
- SG: Wesley Matthews(13.7PER on 32.7mpg)/Jamal Crawford(16PER on 24mpg)/Elliot Williams(14.9PER on 5.5mpg) - We lost what was our franchise player in Brandon Roy. We have done as good as anyone could have recovering from something like that. Wesley Matthews is not fitting in as well with Felton like he was with Dre, but he still brings the same energy as always. The signing of Jamal Crawford brought some much needed ability for a guard to create his own shot, in addition to someone who we can rely on to get hot when we need points. Elliot Williams has looked absolutely dynamite in his very limited role this year, everyone would love to see him have a chance to prove himself.
- SF: Gerald Wallace(15.9PER on 34.4mpg)/Nicolas Batum(17.36PER on 25mpg)/Luke Babbitt(5.67PER on 3.8mpg..) - Still one of the best SF duo's in the NBA. Though we see clearly now that playing them together is like a square peg in a round hole. Wallace is dominant at home, but I think we need a elite point guard to get him going full time & on the road. Batum looked like Reggie Miller against the Nuggets, a true NBA scoring option. Lets hope he continues to play that way. If not he is still upping his trade value. The SF spot is as confusing as any for us, just be happy we have an overflow of talent after years of Outlaw/Webster.
- PF: LaMarcus Aldridge(24PER on 36mpg)/Craig "The Rhino" Smith(17PER on 12mpg) - Aldridge is doing his best to show us he is a true #1 option in the NBA, especially after losing two great lead guards in Roy, then Miller & now moving to Felton... A team without much practice, he is still dominant. The Rhino has become a fan favorite & a damn good scoring option off the bench against the right matchups.
- C: Marcus Camby(14PER on 24mpg)/Kurt Thomas(11.7PER on 16.8mpg )- Marcus Camby is absolutely earning his dollars once again this year. The ageless one is joined by another NBA ancient, Kurt Thomas. These two have been the Blazers glue this year. When they are in need of a defensive stop, rebound & jump shot, these guys answer the call.
via columbian.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com
- Coach: Nate McMillan(Career totals 471 Wins - 439 Losses. 14 Wins - 20 Losses in the playoffs) - He has overcame more obstacles the past few years in terms of injury, then any other coach I can remember. He absolutely gets the most out of his talent. While his defense is risky & unsuccessful without the perfect personel, if Portland could land a center to defend the paint things would look a whole lot better. His willingness to change from an isolation offense(Roy era), to now allowing a first year point guard in Raymond Felton to play in a fast break uptempo offense has impressed me. As for assistants I think next season will be the time to replace Bickerstaff & Ociepka- If the Kings fire Keith Smart, I would love if he would replace Bob. Larry Greer & Buck Wiilams seem to have done a good job for what they were hired for.
Where do we go from here? There are so many routes. I am going to attempt to lay out a couple, with some suggestions that might go best with that path.
Make A Run: Aside from LaMarcus Aldridge/Gerald Wallace, Marcus Camby & Kurt Thomas have been the most reliable players on our team. Their play is inspiring & their magic makes me think we could make a run with just the right mid season trade. From what I see with the current team is we are missing two key pieces: a lead guard & a quality center to defend the paint. It makes you wonder how this team would look with Steve Nash &/or Samuel Dalembert.
Blow It Up & Rebuild: This plan essentially gives up on Aldridge/Wallace/Batum/Matthews. Everyone is up for trade for the right amount of draft picks. Seems a little too cut & dry to simply just jump into. Cho was fired for thinking like this, so I don't think that is where Portland wants to go. A trade of Aldridge would consist of landing a quality haul of multiple high draft picks/young prospects, from a team who is desperate for a proven NBA talent.
DEFENSE: Your not satisfied with Felton, Crawford? Neither am I. Get a consistent tenacious defender with a 3 point shot in Kirk Hinrich. Continue to gravitate towards dominant players on the defensive side of the ball like Wallace.. Makes this team one step closer to being a 04 Pistons wanna be. Continue to draft quality defenders(Jared Cunningham, Oregon State. Aaron Craft, Ohio State), build a pedigree of D!
La Meilleure Stratégie: All about Nicolas Batum, what seems to be our most promising young player. You think he is capable of being a #2 option on an NBA team? This is the plan for you. Give him a big contract, make him feel comfortable in Portland. Trade for what has obviously been a big overflow of quality NBA french talent(Parker, Beaubois, Pietrus, Seraphin, Diaw, Turiaf, Mahinmi). Build a classy french restaurant !
2012 Free Agency : Focus all the teams effort on clearing all the cap space possible to make a run at free agents this coming summer(please comment on who you would try to sign). Even dreams of Dwight Howard & Deron Williams have been thought of.
Please vote in the poll & leave a comment on how you would progress from this point with the Trail Blazers.
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This isn't an impressive haul, but it makes sense for both teams.
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=8ym9s7y
Portland Trades Gerald Wallace and Armon Johnson to Washington for Rony Turiaf, Kevin Seraphin and Chris Singleton and Washington’s 2012 2nd round pick.
Our lineup:
PG: Raymond Felton – Nolan Smith
SG: Wesley Matthews – Jamal Crawford – Elliot Williams
SF: Nicolas Batum – Chris Singleton – Luke Babbitt
PF: LaMarcus Aldridge – Kevin Seraphin – Craig Smith
C: Marcus Camby – Rony Turiaf – Kurt Thomas – Greg Oden
Offensively our bench would be extremely anemic this year, but with the future potential of bringing over Joel Freeland, who by all accounts has a pretty well rounded offensive game, he would be a great offensive big to pair with the more defensive minded Seraphin while Singleton would be our wing defender of the second unit with Crawford continuing his chucking ways. Plus we could potentially pick up a really sweet steal of the second round with their high pick.
It makes sense for Washington because Crash is exactly the type of player to fire up and motivate the knuckleheads that currently occupy the Wizards’ roster. Plus they have a huge hole at their starting SF spot, and they can really use help on the defensive end considering their other wing players are Nick Young and Jordan Crawford…
The smarter you are, the more likely you are to be tripping balls at any given moment.
/keep Batum/ /trade for Bogut/
I'd definitely get on board with that if Batum continues what he did tonight !
We really wouldn’t be that much worse if we did it, though in need of a dominant lead guard shows more then ever. Seraphin would be able to eventually take over the backup PF spot & even play some center.
I would not frown upon Portland going after Javale McGee either.
"We gotta get this $#!^ together guys!" - Phil
Y'all want a pie in the sky trade proposal?
All right, here’s my stab at sunshine, roses, and unbridled optimism.
FROM MINNESOTA
Derrick Williams ($4,602,720)
FROM PHOENIX
Steve Nash ($11,689,062)
Marcin Gortat ($6,790,640)
Josh Childress ($6,000,000)
FROM PORTLAND
Marcus Camby ($11,071,500)
Raymond Felton ($7,560,000)
Nicolas Batum ($2,155,365)
Elliot Williams ($1,348,800)
Nolan Smith ($1,306,920)
Joel Freeland (Draft Rights)
Victor Claver (Draft Rights)
Jon Diebler (Draft Rights)
Cash Considerations ($3,000,000)
Future First-Round Draft Pick (Top-12 Protected From 2015 Through 2017 & Unprotected In 2018)
TO MINNESOTA
Nicolas Batum ($2,155,365)
Victor Claver (Draft Rights)
Jon Diebler (Draft Rights)
Future First-Round Draft Pick (Top-12 Protected From 2015 Through 2017 & Unprotected In 2018)
TO PHOENIX
Marcus Camby ($11,071,500)
Raymond Felton ($7,560,000)
Derrick Williams ($4,602,720)
Elliot Williams ($1,348,800)
Nolan Smith ($1,306,920)
Joel Freeland (Draft Rights)
Cash Considerations ($3,000,000)
TO PORTLAND
Steve Nash ($11,689,062)
Marcin Gortat ($6,790,640)
Josh Childress ($6,000,000)
http://basketball.realgm.com/tradechecker/saved_trade/6016377
That’d leave Portland with the following 13-man roster:
C: Marcin Gortat
PF: LaMarcus Aldridge
SF: Gerald Wallace
SG: Wesley Matthews
PG: Steve Nash
C: Kurt Thomas
PF: Craig Smith
SF: Josh Childress
SG/PG: Jamal Crawford
C/PF: Chris Johnson
SF: Luke Babbitt
SG/PG: Armon Johnson
C: Greg Oden
Is that enough to win a NBA Finals? No, but it could maybe get there.
"I Am Mine"
by AK1984 on Feb 5, 2012 1:18 AM PST reply actions 2 recs
After a quick review, that team is missing something on the wing. The starting lineup needs a second ...
shot creator to pair with Steve Nash, who can’t shoulder all the ball handling and facilitating responsibilities on his own. During crunch-time situations, the offense would be in trouble with two non-iso players, Gerald Wallace and Wes Matthews, on the wing. Even if Matthews was sitting in the 4th quarter for Jamal Crawford, I don’t think it’d be enough; that’s due to Crawford’s inefficiency.
"I Am Mine"
You forgot to trade Wesley and the 2017/2018 firsr round pick for Iggy.
by Oden Mad, Oden Smash! on Feb 5, 2012 4:40 AM PST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
I'll take it one step further
Warning, likely-unrealistic trade:
Out of Portland: Felton, Matthews, Wallace, Babbitt, Camby, Batum, Oden
Into Portland: Nash, Iggy, Granger, Gortat
(Indiana gets Matthews and Babbitt, Phoenix gets Nocioni, Oden, Batum and Felton, Philly gets Camby and Wallace)
Here’s the team:
Nash – Johnson
Iggy – Crawford
Granger – Williams
Aldridge – Smith
Gortat – Thomas
lol, wouldn't any of those guys coming over be nice.
heck, I’d settle for just Igoudala or Nash…
"If you can do a half-assed job of anything, you're a one-eyed man in a kingdom of the blind."
by thankyouforblaze on Feb 6, 2012 4:51 PM PST up reply actions
I'm a big fan of this trade
and to address your quick review analysis, I think Josh Childress could be a shot creator outside of Crawford and Nash, and could possibly excel in a new situation in Portland.
Nonetheless, it’s looking more and more like Steve Nash would be the ultimate pickup for the Portland situation— a guy who could distribute all day long, feed LA in the 4th, and create shots when needed. We’d give up Felton to get him, but few of us would give that a second thought.
And obviously, Marcin would be a sweet, sweet big to build around.
"If you can do a half-assed job of anything, you're a one-eyed man in a kingdom of the blind."
by thankyouforblaze on Feb 5, 2012 2:09 AM PST up reply actions
i.e.
"If you can do a half-assed job of anything, you're a one-eyed man in a kingdom of the blind."
by thankyouforblaze on Feb 5, 2012 2:10 AM PST up reply actions
The Leaning Pick of Poland*
*Not a moving pick violation
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
Even when he played well in Atlanta, Josh Childress wasn't a shot creator.
Portland’s problem is that it needs a shot creator to replace either Gerald Wallace or Wesley Matthews, but those type of guys are nearly impossible to get. The only shot creating wing even remotely available would be Hedo Turkoglu, but swapping Wallace for him would lead to a downgrade at numerous other aspects of the team game—especially defense. Guys like Jason Terry, Kobe Bryant, Paul Pierce, Manu Ginobili, and Dwyane Wade don’t just grow on trees. That’s a big reason why Chicago’s championship aspirations went up after acquiring Rip, since beforehand they only had one competent shot creator on the perimeter.
"I Am Mine"
The more I think about this, though, the more I realize that I'd just foolishly be postponing the inevitable.
It looks nice on paper, but it’d just end up with postseason loss, after postseason loss, after postseason loss, after postseason loss from 2012 through 2015. Nothing but false hope ending with broken dreams.
"I Am Mine"
awww, I kinda feel bad.
your trade was one of the most optimistic posts I’ve seen in a while from you, and now you’ve come to the conclusion that they’d lose too.
Well, take some comfort in the fact that all but 1 team loses every year.
Keep your head up ;)
"If you can do a half-assed job of anything, you're a one-eyed man in a kingdom of the blind."
by thankyouforblaze on Feb 6, 2012 10:00 AM PST up reply actions
How abut Gordon?
Ben Gordon should be available from the Pistons, he has excelled at clutch scoring in the past.
Detroit gets:
Hakim Warrick
Chris Johnson
Phoenix gets:
Crawford
Camby
Wallace
Felton
Nolan Smith
Austin Daye
Rights to Claver
Rights to Freeland
Two 2nd round picks (Portland)
Cash
Portland gets:
Nash
Gortat
Childress
Gordon
Frye
The Suns get a fresh start and get rid of all their bad contracts. They could also attempt to re-direct Camby, Felton, Wallace, and Crawford to a playoff team for more assets.
Detroit gets out of Gordon’s large contract, and clear room for their young guards.
Portland takes a lot of salary on in a gamble for a short-term championship window. This would give them the pieces to contend though.
C Gortat/Thomas/Frye
PF Aldridge/Smith/Frye
SF Batum/Childress/Babbitt
SG Matthews/Gordon/Williams
PG Nash/Gordon/Mills/Johnson
Even with shot creation missing, I'd still do this trade.
That team could be so fun, and Nash/Aldridge would be incredible.
"Say his NAME, Portland. Gerald Wallace is...awesome." -Dave, 4/9/11
Those players aren't as good as the players we have.
You want defense. Smith has shown it in his limited times and his mid range game is sick. He’s not getting minutes yet. I was a Sonic fan when Ridnour went through the same process. The year the Sonics went to the semifinals was the year McMillain committed to Ridnour as the starter.
Batum is emerging albiet slowly. He will be a starter one way or another in the near future and he’s gonna be a tough matchup for anyone. He has a special set of skills. Williams is in need of experience the same way Batum was 3 or 4 years ago. Is he a starter at the one or two or a combo guard off the bench who plays down the stretch? Whatever role he settles into he will be unstoppable.
Who is this in response to?
Its too early to say Elliot Williams will be unstoppable, I’d definitely like to see him have a chance to prove himself with more minutes though. He has definitely earned taking Smith’s minutes.
"We gotta get this $#!^ together guys!" - Phil
Hmmmm...
Smith has shown a lot of things in garbage time. Doesn’t look to pass a ton and looks to be out of control when he drives to the bucket.
Williams does need experience and real minutes to see if he can be “unstoppable”. In garbage minutes he has shown he can get to the bucket and finish but again that’s in garbage minutes.
The thing I have noticed the last few games and through out the season is that once we have garbage minutes and Nolan and E-Will and some of the other guys get on the floor, THEY DON’T PLAY DEFENSE. Those guys got in last night and immediately gave up a 10-2 run. And it isn’t the first time it has happened. Even in garbage time, you have to show you can play well on both ends of the floor.
And as for Batum and his special set of skills, what are they exactly? Because i’m pretty sure he has a limited set of skills.
by FPS NorthWest on Feb 5, 2012 11:03 AM PST up reply actions
As long as your sure that's all we need.
Hadn’t realized Batum was so limited till you pointed out his lack of special skills. That level length, athleticism, fluid movement, and shooting stroke can be found on any street corner. I think I’ve seen the light. Maybe he shouldn’t have a roster spot at all. Kind of think of it how did he even get in the NBA.
I'm just trying to have a discussion. No need for the sarcasm.
Batum is a good finisher when he does get to the rim and has good perimeter game. Average defender at best. Can defend multiple positions, just not all of them well. Doesn’t make a huge impact at the defensive end. Average rebounder. Can’t create his own shot. Bad handles. No post game, defense or offense. And above all else, inconsistent.
Now is he a good NBA player, for sure. Can he stroke from long range, oh yeah. But to say he possesses some special skill set that not a lot of other wings have is stretching it.
by FPS NorthWest on Feb 5, 2012 9:54 PM PST up reply actions
Well the 3 and D player is pretty common
Which is what Batum essentially is. Some have a better 3, some are better at D. Some have length, and some have foot speed. Some can attack the basket some, and some add a decent mid-range game. The thing is, Batum can do all of it. I think that’s what he means by special. Sure he’s not the best at any of it yet, but therein lies the potential.
by Batumshakalaka on Feb 6, 2012 1:26 PM PST up reply actions
Potential Free Agency 2012 Plan
If we did go through with DarkStar’s cap clearing moves & missed out on Howard, there is still Roy Hibbert & Javale McGee as restricted free agents. How much $ we would have to offer for either of them I don’t know. I’d consider spending around 12$-14$ Million dollars over the course of 4-5 years for Roy Hibbert, I’m not sure Indiana could match that. I’d feel a lot safer with around 8-9$ million a year for McGee, but sometimes you have to take chances. Then resign Marcus Camby to a Kurt Thomas like deal.
From there you still need a guard. Gordon will likely get a huge deal from New Orleans. OJ Mayo isn’t worth big money. If we managed to make a move for Nash this year before the trade deadline, in addition to signing a center we may be able to convince him to resign with us. Though with my love for defensive players I will always love the thought of Kirk Hinrich in Portland.
"We gotta get this $#!^ together guys!" - Phil
Memphis has never seemed too eager to keep Mayo, so a reasonable offer could work
unless another team is really high on his potential. I would go for McGee or Hibbert, McGee is more likely because Hibbert is a key part of Indiana’s successes and they have plenty of cap space to resign him.
Landry Fields might also be a good acquisition, he hasn’t been as great for the Knicks since the Melo trade, but on a team with more ball movement he’d probably flourish like he did on the Knicks before Melo.
"Wide, girthy. Just like a Rhino. Sometimes my horns are visible."
I love McGee's game, but h is a bit of a head case.
Geriatric swagger!
by Respect_these_years on Feb 6, 2012 11:17 AM PST up reply actions
Playing for Washington is a pretty toxic environment
with veterans like camby and thomas, he could probably mature into a solid center.
"Wide, girthy. Just like a Rhino. Sometimes my horns are visible."
Make a run, then build around LMA and Batum.
Rent-a-Nash by sending Matthews and Felton to PHO, make the push, then make some room. After renewing Batum to a decent contract, this will be the roster…
PG: ?, ?, N. Smith
SG: ?, E. Williams, ?
SF: N. Batum, ?, ?, ?, L. Babbitt
PF: L. Aldridge, ?, ?
C: ?, K. Thomas, ?
Plenty of holes to fill, but plenty of talent in Free Agency. Here are some names that appeal to me…
PG: K. Hinrich, D. Williams, C. Paul, R. Westbrook, S. Nash
SG: R. Allen,
SF: M. Pietrus,
PF: B. Diaw, B. Bass,
C: O. Asik, I. Mahinmi, B. Wallace, L. Amundson, B. Lopez, R. Turiaf, D. Howard, J. McGee
Interestingly enough, there is a lot of talent at the 1 and 5 spots, which happen to be the Blazers most glaring weakness. I can’t imagine all those players will go to the Lakers, so some of us small markets might be able to make a play. Personally, I would love to find a way to snag Nash, Allen, Pietrus, Bass, and McGee, while bringing J. Freeland over. I like the look of this team…
PG: S. Nash, ?, N. Smith
SG: R. Allen, E. Williams, ?
SF: N. Batum, M. Pietrus, ?, ?, L. Babbitt
PF: L. Aldridge, B. Bass, ?
C: J. McGee, J. Freeland, K. Thomas
Hopefully they can fill in those question marks with draft picks and make another run in 2012-13.
Doers & Makers > Movers & Shakers
I say do this at the deadline
Portland gets: Brooks, Okur, NJ 2012 First-Round Draft Pick,
New Jersey gets: Howard, Draft picks from PDX and Orlando, Cash
Orlando gets: Wallace, Lopez,NJ 2014 First-Round Draft Pick
We will never get Howard, or Williams but we can allways get young prospects, and draft picks.
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7f3yo3n
For right now our line-up would be
PG. Felton, Crawford
SG. Matthews, Brooks, Williams
SF. Batum, Williams
PF Aldridge, Rhino
C. Camby, Thomas, Johnson
The NBA trade dead line is March 15 by then the season will be 3/4 done.
Then Nets currently stand with a 8-17 record I predict they will end with a record of around 25-41 with Howard good for around a top 7 pick for the Blazers.
We would draft a stud, then sign a F/A like Roy Hibbert, or Gordon Etc.
I'd be on board, but I don't know if NJ would give up that draft pick
especially with how iffy Dwight Howard has been. Not to mention how good this upcoming draft is.
"We gotta get this $#!^ together guys!" - Phil
Other trades that work
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=84vy68z
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=6n8db3c
I really like this one http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7ka4ayo
PG: Felton, Crawford
SG: Batum, Williams
SF: Granger, Matthews
PF: LA, Rhino
C: Camby, Thomas
The absolute best way to improve this team this year
is to play all of the games in Portland
I'm a grown man stuck inside the mind of a 3 year old
by The Arkitect on Feb 5, 2012 3:09 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
"...playing them together is like a square peg in a round hole."
I don’t agree with this. Wallace and Batum seem to play quite well together.
I’d like to experiment more with Batum at the 2. Run a little offense through him, to see if he can create for himself and teammates as he did in Europe.
I want him to show me more of what happened this last game
"We gotta get this $#!^ together guys!" - Phil
I'd like to know what exactly it would take to pry away Kyle Lowry or Rondo
Lowry is probably about as untouchable as anyone who isn’t making the ASG this year. Still, Morey has to have his price on that one.
Rondo probably should be untouchable, but Ainge has made some dubious decisions in the past (such as the Perk trade).
The same also goes for underpaid big men like Marcin Gortat, Kendrick Perkins, Sam Dalembert, and Anderson Varejao. Perk isn’t going anywhere, of course, and it’s doubtful the other will be moved, at least for right now, but that’s a category of guys we really need to be looking at.
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
by HailOden! on Feb 5, 2012 7:43 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Boston won't trade Rajon Rondo, yeah.
With its current core, the Celtics can still sneak out one more title. It’s unlikely, but not impossible.
"I Am Mine"
Yeah, they really need to figure out that 5 spot, though.
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
I would love Rondo
Lowry won’t be traded in conference. He is their superstar at this point. Like you said, Ainge has made mistakes. Trading Rondo to us would make me want to hang Danny’s # in the rafters hahahaha. I’d give anything except Aldridge. Dalembert would be an awesome addition as well.
"We gotta get this $#!^ together guys!" - Phil
I don't see Houston making any major in-season moves.
Whatever the Rockets do to overhaul its roster will go down next summer. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Daryl Morey make another run at Pau Gasol if the Lakers flame out in the playoffs.
"I Am Mine"
Yeah, I was just mentioning names that I think fir the kinds of players we need to be looking at
in order for this “re-tool on the fly” thing to be effective. Lowry is one such player, and I don’t think Houston would be too reluctant to trade him in conference (though it’s far more likely he sticks with Houston for one more year, then requests to have his final, non-guaranteed season waived).
However, if Houston included NY’s draft pick, a trade like this might fit both teams fairly well, assuming Portland finds a short-term upgrade at the point and moves Wesley Matthews to clear space for this offseason.
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
For Houston, that minimally protected Knicks first-round pick is an absolute keeper. They'd ...
only part with that asset in a trade for Pau Gasol or someone of his stature. If it ends up being at or around the #10 pick, then the Rockets will hit pay dirt. Can’t have the Knicks winning the lotto, though, since it’s top-five protected.
"I Am Mine"
Also, I think that it'd be in the Houston Rockets best interest to miss the playoffs this season.
Because its future first-rounder owed to the Nets is lottery protected, missing the playoffs would postpone them having to send that to New Jersey for at least another year. In a deep draft, a pick in the early teens (i.e., 13 or 14) would be a nice building block.
"I Am Mine"
I definitely agree with you there
But in exercising their options on all those rookie scale guys and moving Dalembert into the starting lineup, it appears they’re more interested in building a veteran team through free-agency.
So, yeah, my trade idea, especially with the pick, depends on their current strategy, and I don’t think it’s entirely obvious, though they clearly want to remain competitive.
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
We should acquire
Dwight howard for Armon Johnson and Nolan smith. That would make us better.
3rd down... chainsaw noise please.
Psssshhhhh.
Give them Babbitt too. It’ll really sweeten the offer.
"If you can do a half-assed job of anything, you're a one-eyed man in a kingdom of the blind."
by thankyouforblaze on Feb 5, 2012 11:51 PM PST up reply actions
I'm confused...
that would sweeten the offer for which team exactly?
by Batumshakalaka on Feb 6, 2012 1:30 PM PST up reply actions
obviously Orlando
(but secretly us!)
"If you can do a half-assed job of anything, you're a one-eyed man in a kingdom of the blind."
by thankyouforblaze on Feb 6, 2012 4:52 PM PST up reply actions
Landry Fields will become a UFA this offseason,
his value has gone down a little bit since the knicks stopped moving the ball after the Melo trade, but I think he’d do pretty well here.
"Wide, girthy. Just like a Rhino. Sometimes my horns are visible."
This would mean we would have a lineup of:
PG: Nash, Crawford
SG: Batum, Williams
SF: Wallace, Babbit
PF: LA, Rhino
C: Camby, McGee, Thomas, Oden
It seems like what separates that team from a title
is if McGee could reach his true potential & Crawford could get hot in the playoffs. In addition to Elliot Williams be willing to play defense. But I like it.
"We gotta get this $#!^ together guys!" - Phil
Goodness Gracious the Blazers are so stacked!
Wanna give us Crawford for Ryan Gomes?
we’re cheap, like to drink and are pissed off.
WHO WANTS A FREE SHARPIE?? -- Blake Griffin
Or we could give you Steve Blake and Travis Outlaw for Chris Paul...
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
Eric Bledsoe and Mo Williams
and you can have felton too.
"Wide, girthy. Just like a Rhino. Sometimes my horns are visible."
Got to be envious of the Clippers, as crazy as that may sound.
Y’all are in a better position to win it all — which is the sole objective — than the Blazers, which are currently spinning its wheels.
"I Am Mine"
We have some options
The expiring package of Wallace, Felton, camby, you can do any number of trades for a pgtf.
Gasol and batum is a formidable package.
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=6wf2osy
Grab Lowry and some bigs with this trade.
You could also use that package to try and go after Curry. The key is the lakers. I think they would be willing to give up gasol to give them flex to sign a big fa next year and with our trade continue to compete this year. Gasol and batum can pull any number of second tier pgtf, especially if the team has a high draft pick and or another option at pg. Curry is intriguing in that gs is not making the playoffs as designed, but could with gasol and batum and still have a pick to grab another long term pg prospect. Same with Houston, give up Lowry make the playoffs and still grab another pg.
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