PGs - quality vs. quantity

[Discovery69]

I guess Nate and Kevin are disappointed in how the development or lack of development both Jarrett and Sergio have shown this year.

In fact the blazer coaches feel that Sergio has taken several steps back in his development as a PG. Where they are seeing bad decision making on both running the offense and defending his opponent / help defense on the big men.

Jarrett has shown flashes of good play, but is too inconsistent with his shooting and running the offense. Nate & his coaches shake their head when Jarrett struggles to run a up tempo transition game. Where they see him put his head down and see him prefer to go 1:1 to the basket to draw the foul or look up too late to make a good pass to a player on the wings.

One of the priorities this summer is to find a starting PG/SG to compliment Brandon Roy. That could be Rudy Fernandez.

Most of the problems they are seeing is the lack of ball movement by the PGs and not getting the ball to LaMarcus in the right positions off the pick n' rolls or off of the double screens. One of the things Nate admits is hampering the development of LaMarcus offense is the inability of the PGs to get LaMarcus the ball as he cuts to the basket on picks.

Blake is considered a backup PG and will probably be that next season.

Look for the Blazers to trade one or both Jack and Sergio to get a better PG/SG.

[541Blaza]

I agree. I think the trade will also include Martell, and this years lottery pick. I've been scratching my head as to who the Blazers will target.

[Tim Lehrbach]

Not to beat the dead horse of Jack's inability to run a fast break, but....

(okay, I'm going to do exactly that, sorry)

....doesn't anybody else find it most frustrating of all when Jack has the ball and a two-on-one or three-on-two (or whatever) advantage and, instead of trying to make something happen, he backs off and waves his arm down as if to say "alright guys, no silly fast breaks, I've got this game under control"? It would be comical if it wasn't so maddening.

[PDXKnight]

I would only include the pick if the Blazers could get a PG similar to devin harris who's fairly talented. There aren't many PG's in generally, and finding one that fits will be a very difficult task, so looking at what's available, I think the Blazers would be better off drafting a PG. Granted, a player like Hinrich might be a nice addition, but I don't think he's worth a lottery pick the way he's been playing this season quite honestly.

[Goldbum]

It's good to see that we are all on the same page here. Roy, LMA, and Oden are rock solid as starters. SF and PG are must address issues. I think Blake could be the 2nd best back up PG in the league and Joel will be th best back up center, add Rudy to that along with James Jones and whatever is left from Jack/Sergio/Frye/ Outlaw/Webster/McRoberts/Wafer and picks we could have the best bench in the league next year.
The big question is how much value some of these guy have and will it be enough to get us that starting quality PG we need.

[Andre 2999]

You stole the letters from my fingers, Tim

[Spykes]

Pritchard mentioned something that makes me a little worried about Rudy maybe not coming over next season. He said that with how great he played this summer, other European teams could offer him a big contract this summer. Some may even be able to offer more than what the Blazers can pay him under the current CBA.

[Walton'sBeard!]

I agree. I think the trade will also include Martell, and this years lottery pick. I've been scratching my head as to who the Blazers will target.

Gilbert Arenas

[Fitz303]

While I have always been a Jack supporter regardless of his obvious flaws, I know hes not going to be able to succeed here and its time for him to move on. Hopefully he goes to a team where he can succeed and we can get something of good value for him. I still believe hes a good player and is and will always be a far better overall player than Sergio, and all I hope is that Sergio is right out the door with Jack this summer.

+1 for Gilbert Arenas.. Hopefully he doesnt opt out this summer and we can get him in the summer of 09. Could you imagine a backcourt of Arenas and Roy?!?

[Yadadimean]

I agree. I've been disappointed with both of them this year and it does seem like Rodriguez has regressed. I wouldnt be mad to see the video on youtube of the door hittin em on the ass on the way out.

[TBpup]

....doesn't anybody else find it most frustrating of all when Jack has the ball and a two-on-one or three-on-two (or whatever) advantage and, instead of trying to make something happen, he backs off and waves his arm down as if to say "alright guys, no silly fast breaks, I've got this game under control"? It would be comical if it wasn't so maddening.

Or when he has a 3-1 break....never gives up the ball and takes it himself.

[Wizenheimer]

Pritchard mentioned something that makes me a little worried about Rudy maybe not coming over next season. He said that with how great he played this summer, other European teams could offer him a big contract this summer. Some may even be able to offer more than what the Blazers can pay him under the current CBA.

I've warned about that before.

I read an article that was linked to one of those euroleague video highlights that somebody posted here, and it said that at least one team besides Joventut was going to offer him a lot of money. I think it was Barcelona and the number they said was around 4 million a year.

In Rudy's first 3 years in the NBA he'd make about 3.5 million. 12-15 million for a european team, especially Barcelona, over the same time is mighty persuasive.

I'd say it sounds like he'll be here, but i don't think it's a certain as we may have been thinking.

[541Blaza]

Man oh man I hope Rudy does end up coming here next season. I would be really disappointed if he didn't.

Gilbert Arenas would be amazing for us, he'd be the most realistic option too. We couldn't possibly land him NEXT season could we?

[Spykes]

Gilbert Arenas would be amazing for us, he'd be the most realistic option too. We couldn't possibly land him NEXT season could we?

By "NEXT season", do you mean signing him in the summer of 09 or making a trade for him this summer and having him be a part of the team next year?

I'll address what I think about both situations just for fun:

In terms of the 09 summer, assuming he doesn't opt out this upcoming summer and we're smart with the player we let walk and/or resign, then we could have a shot at Arenas via FA.

As for this upcoming summer, 3 things would HAVE to happen for us to have a chance. One, he needs to opt out of his contract. Two, the Wizards would have to not be willing to pay him what he wants. Finally, the Blazers would have to be willing to pay him want he wants and he would have to demand a S&T from Washington. If those 3 things all fell into place, then the Blazers might have a chance, but it's not very likely at all.

[541Blaza]

So it's probably better than he doesn't opt out. I thought I heard somewhere in the news that he was planning on opting out though, I could be wrong.

For me it's just frustrating to think we're going to have to suffer through another season without that "Arenas" type of guy. Which is why I hope we can do something THIS summer. Patience is an important key to getting the right team together though, as annoying as it may be.

[Klinky]

....doesn't anybody else find it most frustrating of all when Jack has the ball and a two-on-one or three-on-two (or whatever) advantage and, instead of trying to make something happen, he backs off and waves his arm down as if to say "alright guys, no silly fast breaks, I've got this game under control"? It would be comical if it wasn't so maddening.

Or when he has a 3-1 break....never gives up the ball and takes it himself.

You forgot to mention the offensive foul that usually results. Jack has an uncanny ability to turn an easy basket into a turnover.

The only problem I have is that Jack gets way too much time for his talent. Sergio is no better, no worse than Jack - at least this far. Jack by far seems to be the most pampered and we're all aware of his fragile mental state. It shouldn't be an excuse for him to go out and continually mess up plays. For every good hustle play he does, he seems to come back and do something completely boneheaded.

A good PG is someone who recognizes his teammates potentials & exploits them as needed. A PG is very much like a second coach on the floor. This is how the great PGs operate. They know what they have on the court and they know how to get it to the right person at the right time or create on their own to keep the offense flowing. NONE of our PGs look like they have very good basketball IQ or know how to exploit the talent on the court. This could be because we're very young, it could be because our PGs aren't that talented or it could also be that our coach isn't very talented and isn't making sound game play decisions or is using people in the wrong slots.

Jack seems to get away with making poor decisions the most. He still gets to play after making 6 turnovers in a game, he still gets to play after causing an offensive foul in the late stages of a close game. He still gets to play when he blows a fast break. Nate also has a tendency to take out players who are hot and replace them with Jack.

I don't think any of our PGs are that talented. I don't think Blake looks that much more fluid than Jack. Sergio looks like he could be explosive but he almost has the same problem as Jack in that he gets himself in trouble when he's trying to create. None of our PGs seem to be able to run a fastbreak to save their life. In all it seems like we have a bunch of SGs trying to play like PGs.

The unfortunate part is that finding a good PG is not an easy thing. Hopefully something can be done in the offseason to pull someone in. But a great PG is not always needed. Once Oden & Fernandez gets in the mix we might have enough offensive/defensive power to open up a whole new world of opportunities for our players - which might totally overlap the flaws that are obvious today.

The only person I am %100 on getting rid of is Jack, as he's really worn out his welcome. Frankly I would trade him for anyone. I don't think his value or talent is that high and I wouldn't expect miracles.

[Billy]

Thanks for posting D69. Good to see you around here . I'm glad that they are as displeased with the point guard situation as I am. I like the plan of having Blake as a backup. He's a very solid point guard, one who doesn't make a bad starter, but he's limited.

I'd love to get a young vet, but the draft pool is pretty deep. Hopefully Portland can either move up in the draft and snag a guy, or use that pick + other assets for a younger point.

[Discovery69]

Here are some other possibilities:

Option #1
Jose Calderon (Sign & Trade) & Macreo Baston to Portland
Jarratt Jack & Channing Frye to Toronto

Jack would be reunited with his friend Chris Bosh. Jose Calderon wants a chance to start and he knows TJ Ford is the starter. Jose has shown he is a pass first PG and also a slasher to the basket.


Option #2
Mike Conley, Mike Miller & Darko Milicic to Portland
Jarrett Jack, Channing Frye & Raef LaFrenz to Memphis

Memphis owner is looking to dump as much salaries as possible as he is loosing money with his franchise. This deal would save the Memphis owner $20 million. Total approximate salaries of Jack, Frye & LaFrenz (~$25M). Total approximate salaries of Conley, Miller & Milicic (~$45.67).

Salaries match in '08-'09, it is the following year in '09-'10 that is where Memphis owner will save. Also this deal will keep where Pritchard wants to be and that is the summer of 2010 where LeBron, Wade & Bosh can opt out and be free agents.

[Yadadimean]

^^^I'd love that deal. Hell, as long as Miller is traded and Darko never plays, I'd throw in all our picks this year.

[waverider]

Here are some other possibilities:

Option #1
Jose Calderon (Sign & Trade) & Macreo Baston to Portland
Jarratt Jack & Channing Frye to Toronto

Jack would be reunited with his friend Chris Bosh. Jose Calderon wants a chance to start and he knows TJ Ford is the starter. Jose has shown he is a pass first PG and also a slasher to the basket.


Option #2
Mike Conley, Mike Miller & Darko Milicic to Portland
Jarrett Jack, Channing Frye & Raef LaFrenz to Memphis


I like your ideas but bot TOR and MEM would laugh and hang up immediately. I classify those as big time "homer" trades and totally unrealistic.

Memphis owner is looking to dump as much salaries as possible as he is loosing money with his franchise. This deal would save the Memphis owner $20 million. Total approximate salaries of Jack, Frye & LaFrenz (~$25M). Total approximate salaries of Conley, Miller & Milicic (~$45.67).

Salaries match in '08-'09, it is the following year in '09-'10 that is where Memphis owner will save. Also this deal will keep where Pritchard wants to be and that is the summer of 2010 where LeBron, Wade & Bosh can opt out and be free agents.