'Short' time till the Draft

The Sebastian Express · Post #221 » by **The Sebastian Express** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 4:55 am

TBpup wrote:It seems like everyone would be happy with the player....just not sure everyone would be happy with what was given up since we all seem to like everyone but Rudy and Joel.

When you say everyone would be happy with the player..

Do you mean everyone involved, or everyone on the board..

cucad8 · Post #222 » by **cucad8** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 4:58 am

d-train wrote:
cucad8 wrote:Wouldn't bringing in big name, overpaid players also be selling false help to stupid fans who think a big name star like VinceCarter(random example) are going to improve their team.

Vince Carter does help make a team better.

The biggest thing about big contracts is the increased risk they create for the team that commits to them. There's no margin for error when you take a huge contract. If the player earning that money doesn't produce, then you are screwed. On the other hand, a player with a big contract is a player that has demonstrating the ability to produce.

The bottom-line is there are basically 2 ways to go as I said in a prior post. The Blazers FO has to decide which avenue they are going to take.

well, the NBA has clearly shown there is more than 2 ways, but whatever.

Norm2953 · Post #223 » by **Norm2953** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 5:02 am

The Lakers are going to be tough for at least the next two seasons.

I would prefer the team continue to be patient for nothing short of a major injury
to Kobe is going to get the team past LA for the foreseeable future. Portland is
going to need major improvements on the defensive end of the court to be able
to advance to the second or third round of the playoffs. We have got to get much
tougher but I wonder if the short leash on Nate is managements realization that
Nate is probably not the coach for an extended run in the playoffs.

iverigma · Post #224 » by **iverigma** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 5:03 am

TBpup wrote:It seems like everyone would be happy with the player....just not sure everyone would be happy with what was given up since we all seem to like everyone but Rudy and Joel.

Are you implying a certain players outside Rudy/Joel are involved in the ongoing trade talk?

TBpup · Post #225 » by **TBpup** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 5:04 am

Not sure what sort of hint you might be able to give. Position of incoming player? Maybe that's too much. WC or EC team? Would Batum be outgoing?

The outgoing pieces is what is in negotiation is my understanding. I would hope Nicolas would not be in that group. It was a little odd to see him working out here last week when no one else was here. Was that just to prove his shoulder was ok?

EGame · Post #226 » by **EGame** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 5:04 am

So whats the D/L. Who is this player we would all like?

Wizenheimer · Post #227 » by **Wizenheimer** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 5:04 am

I'm pretty skeptical that anything "big" will get done. It's hard to imagine any GM cooperating with KP under the current circumstances

Steve Nash?...c'mon now. He's 36 now and will turn 37 next season. And Nash looked rather average in Terry Porter's methodical offense. Looked his age. He won't be the same Steve Nash playing for Nate that he has been in the Suns' system; and the truth is, he's not the same Nash that won MVP's. He's on the downhill slide. I can't see Nash "saving" KP's job, even in the unlikely event that Portland got him

Iggy has never been an all-star and may never be

I haven't watched all of the NBA finals. And I didn't watch all of the conference finals. But I saw enough. What I noticed was the overall talent level of those top-4 teams. And I compared it to the Blazers.

Portland is significantly short on talent compared to elite teams. But I think that has been obvious for the last 3 years. What bothers me about the stories recently, is that while the Blazers were short on talent but long on potential, KP did next to nothing...except draft more euro-players and basically stockpile more potential.

It's only when he's desperate to save his job that the supposedly has been working the trade phones hard.

In other words, He thought Portland was just fine for 3 years, but now apparently, he thinks they aren't. And he's come to this realization after the value of assets he's responsible for have sunk. Bad timing all around. I'd say he'll need to complete a Hail-Mary trade to save his job.

cucad8 · Post #228 » by **cucad8** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 5:07 am

TBpup wrote:
Not sure what sort of hint you might be able to give. Position of incoming player? Maybe that's too much. WC or EC team? Would Batum be outgoing?

The outgoing pieces is what is in negotiation is my understanding. I would hope Nicolas would not be in that group. It was a little odd to see him working out here last week when no one else was here. Was that just to prove his shoulder was ok?

LMA the main piece going out?

Wizenheimer · Post #229 » by **Wizenheimer** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 5:08 am

TBpup wrote:
Not sure what sort of hint you might be able to give. Position of incoming player? Maybe that's too much. WC or EC team? Would Batum be outgoing?

The outgoing pieces is what is in negotiation is my understanding. I would hope Nicolas would not be in that group. It was a little odd to see him working out here last week when no one else was here. Was that just to prove his shoulder was ok?

I'd be pretty disappointed if Batum was traded while Wesbter remained, especially if it was for somebody like Iggy

iverigma · Post #230 » by **iverigma** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 5:09 am

Speaking of "short" thread, I remember there was a "pant" thread going on before the 2009 trade deadline. TB, can you reveal what you heard and what were the offers that almost went through? Is it really RLEC+Batum for Gerald Wallce?

The Sebastian Express · Post #231 » by **The Sebastian Express** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 5:10 am

If Nicolas goes out and a bonafide star is not coming in I will be infuriated and SOMEONE WILL PAY.

TBpup · Post #232 » by **TBpup** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 5:12 am

It's only when he's desperate to save his job that the supposedly has been working the trade phones hard.

KP works the phones as much as any GM in the league.

Wizenheimer · Post #233 » by **Wizenheimer** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 5:13 am

The Sebastian Express wrote:If Nicolas goes out and a bonafide star is not coming in I will be infuriated and SOMEONE WILL PAY.

now you're guilty of someone-hate

hondaaccord · Post #234 » by **hondaaccord** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 5:14 am

I would be very sad to Aldridge go... giving up Aldridge might have Jermaine O'Neal type repercussions.

The SF position must be upgraded... Batum/Webster is terrible....

Wizenheimer · Post #235 » by **Wizenheimer** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 5:16 am

TBpup wrote:
It's only when he's desperate to save his job that the supposedly has been working the trade phones hard.

KP works the phones as much as any GM in the league.

so say the rumors

Paul Allen might say KP needed to have 2 or 3 more phone calls that were successful

BballFanAddict · Post #236 » by **BballFanAddict** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 5:16 am

Wizenheimer wrote:I'm pretty skeptical that anything "big" will get done. It's hard to imagine any GM cooperating with KP under the current circumstances

Steve Nash?...c'mon now. He's 36 now and will turn 37 next season. And Nash looked rather average in Terry Porter's methodical offense. Looked his age. He won't be the same Steve Nash playing for Nate that he has been in the Suns' system; and the truth is, he's not the same Nash that won MVP's. He's on the downhill slide. I can't see Nash "saving" KP's job, even in the unlikely event that Portland got him

Iggy has never been an all-star and may never be

I haven't watched all of the NBA finals. And I didn't watch all of the conference finals. But I saw enough. What I noticed was the overall talent level of those top-4 teams. And I compared it to the Blazers.

Portland is significantly short on talent compared to elite teams. But I think that has been obvious for the last 3 years. What bothers me about the stories recently, is that while the Blazers were short on talent but long on potential, KP did next to nothing...except draft more euro-players and basically stockpile more potential.

It's only when he's desperate to save his job that the supposedly has been working the trade phones hard.

In other words, He thought Portland was just fine for 3 years, but now apparently, he thinks they aren't. And he's come to this realization after the value of assets he's responsible for have sunk. Bad timing all around. I'd say he'll need to complete a Hail-Mary trade to save his job.

I agree on all points. I don't think it will be an old vet on the wrong side of 30 that he finally trades his precious-es for. I also have a hard time wrapping my mind around Pritchard having much leverage in trading negotiations due to the public handling of his impending free agency. Who knows though, teams want what they want and will give what it takes for what they need.

I personally would like to see Aldridge, Pryz and Rudy traded for a S&T Bosh. That would be my ultimate off-season get. I just envision a Roy, Bosh and Oden trio being great. The hang up of course is that Toronto could get a more competitive offer and or Bosh may simply desire a different landing spot over Portland. Keep hearing about the potential of Bynum for Bosh but I am not so sure that helps the Lakers - assuming Bynum can play a whole season and or a whole playoff year. Bosh and Gasol seem too devoid of strength, toughness and defense.

Tony Parker could be a possiblity. However, at the very least Aldridge would be shipped in that trade and then where does that leave Portland at the PF spot?

d-train · Post #237 » by **d-train** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 5:20 am

Wizenheimer wrote:I'd say he'll [KP] need to complete a Hail-Mary trade to save his job.

I don't believe even a completed Hail Mary trade will save his job, but I hope he completes one anyway.

TBpup · Post #238 » by **TBpup** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 5:23 am

so say the rumors

Also, so say people who work for other teams that I've talked to.

NikeZ15 · Post #239 » by **NikeZ15** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 5:26 am

Does said player have a gold medal? :wink:

BballFanAddict · Post #240 » by **BballFanAddict** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 5:28 am

TBpup wrote:
so say the rumors

Also, so say people who work for other teams that I've talked to.

Speaking of other GM's quoting on Pritchard, I found one to be rather funny and poignant. It was something to the effect: "....I would make a trade with Pritchard but I don't have 12 all star players on my team...." A clear reference to him over-valuing Portland's assets.

I am not trying to bash the guy. I would be perfectly happy if they kept him on as GM. It just seems more and more that a case can be made for his dismissal based upon performance alone.