Gortat to Minnesota - rumor

[nevetsov]

Help me out here - would it be fair to say that Jimmer is more of an Aaron Brooks shooting type PG, but with more size and markedly less speed?

Something like best case/ poor man's Kidd (without his vision), worst case/ Damon Jones?

[Stix]

Help me out here - would it be fair to say that Jimmer is more of an Aaron Brooks shooting type PG, but with more size and markedly less speed?

Something like best case/ poor man's Kidd (without his vision), worst case/ Damon Jones?

I think its more like...

Best Case: Ben Gordon
Worst Case: JJ Reddick

[thamadkant]

Williams looked like a good young forward, a level above most of the players he was up against. There are some doubts about whether he'll look as good against NBA players, if he can adapt, get stronger, etc. That said he's a good bet if you have oen fo the top picks this year

Blake Griffin was a man among children in college, a big nasty man who had no problem hurting children and making them cry. His ambition was to ge to the NBA and make other men cry ---- there's no comparison between the two players

D.Williams is actually LONGER than Griffin... but as I said, Griffin's solid build (he's built like a MMA fighter) and amazing explosive jump makes him way more effective PF in the NBA..

I didnt do a direct comparison GAME wise... I just mentioned Griffin's uncanny translation into the NBA... and D.Williams short comings and his advantage and disadvantages physically with Griffin.

Basically, both are same height, Williams being longer, but Griffin being built better and higher verticals.

[lilfishi22]

My concern with Williams is that he doesn't have the physical assets, other than his length, that would allow him to dominate his opponents in the league. Josh Smith is an undersized 4, but he makes up for it with great hops and length. Elton Brand is another undersized 4 who excelled at his position due to his ridiculous length and size down low. Williams isn't big, nor is he amazing athletically.

Comparing Williams to Griffin, who is a very skilled big already and a freak athletically, is kind of unfair.

[nevetsov]

Maybe he could be a Barkley type? Or is that way way too optimistic?

[Frank Lee]

I think we should just keep him (Williams) as a "Beasley" type, with more maturity and discipline.

I really dont get all the buzz about him. I would still take Kanter. There is something about a 6'11", 260+, 20 yr old who has a complete game, boring, but complete, that is more appealing.

[rsavaj]

http://arizonasports.com/category/green ... ms/?page=0

[nevetsov]

All Minny really needs to do is sign a vet like JRich:

Rubio, Ridnour
Richardson, Johnson
Beasley, Williams
Love, Randolph
Milicic, Pecherov

Sure it might be a little too deep, but having such tremendous young (cheap) depth would be desirable in any trade. Isn't accumulation of young assets how Boston got KG and Ray?

[RunSunRun]

So if Durant was in this draft and available at No.2 you wouldnt trade Gortat?
Since Durant wouldnt be "proven"?

Thats my biggest problem with "safe".... you wont get ahead much.

Jordan went No.3, I'm just wondering if you guys were living back then, and Gortat was on the Suns and No.3 pick was available...

Oden went first because Portland needed (and still needs) a center, Rockets chose Hakeem (center) and the Blazers also went for a center in Bowie. Centers are by far the most valued position in the league, it has only been in recent years, primarily due to our own Steve Nash, that point guards are being coveted as much. (Rose, Wall, and soon to be Irving should send royalty checks to Nash honestly)

Also let's not forget that Bowie has a heavily lauded player and many applauded the Blazers in taking him over Jordan. I remember that draft quite vividly and that college basketball year. Bowie was dominant and put up ridiculous numbers, like 25 pts. / 18 boards or something like that, he looked like a man among children. Oden was similar, no way the Blazers could have predicted his career would be injury plagued and that Jordan would be the GOAT.

Like they say though, hindsight is 20/20. We could easily be talking about how lucky the Blazers were if Bowie and Oden both panned out.

The thing with Jordan and Durant is they were drafted because they were prolific scorers, teams knew what they were going to do and what position they would play.

With Derrick Williams, he is a tweener, no one knows for sure how his game will translate into the NBA, what position he is best suited for (SF or PF), and how he will fit into team schemes. Plugging in a Durant or Jordan is easy as you know for sure what they can and can't do, but trying to plug in a tweener there are a ton of question marks, too many to give up our solid center. It's just way too risky to trade Gortat for the #2.

It's not just a "safe" play, but also the "smart" play, in my opinion.

[JasonDaPsycho]

Oden went first because Portland needed (and still needs) a center, Rockets chose Hakeem (center) and the Blazers also went for a center in Bowie. Centers are by far the most valued position in the league, it has only been in recent years, primarily due to our own Steve Nash, that point guards are being coveted as much. (Rose, Wall, and soon to be Irving should send royalty checks to Nash honestly)

Also let's not forget that Bowie has a heavily lauded player and many applauded the Blazers in taking him over Jordan. I remember that draft quite vividly and that college basketball year. Bowie was dominant and put up ridiculous numbers, like 25 pts. / 18 boards or something like that, he looked like a man among children. Oden was similar, no way the Blazers could have predicted his career would be injury plagued and that Jordan would be the GOAT.

Bowie suffered a very severe injury in college and played two years only. He averaged really really average numbers in college, averaging 10 and 7.5 in the NBA. Oden on the other hand is a beast defensively. Dude averages 8+8+2 playing half a game each night. You have to look at the potential of each player. Blazers went for needs in a deep draft. They screwed up. They didn't make the same mistake in drafting Oden, since Oden is legit talent and potential.

[Qwigglez]

After watching more videos of DWill, I think if the offer is still there, I would trade Gortat for the No. 2 Pick. I think it's fair for both teams, and we could hope Lopez comes back stronger. He was developing that flat mid-range jumper that was surprisingly consistent.
Two more days...

[azballer53]

What about Flynn and 2 for Gortat and 13? it seems like they are trying to deal Flynn.

[Qwigglez]

I'd rather keep the pick if Jimmer is available at 13. But we can only hope.

[JohnVancouver]

What about Flynn and 2 for Gortat and 13? it seems like they are trying to deal Flynn.

Lakers reported to have offered 2 to LA for Bynum - can't see that working for them. Is Minny that far under the cap?

[Stix]

[Kerrsed]

What about Flynn and 2 for Gortat and 13? it seems like they are trying to deal Flynn.

Lakers reported to have offered 2 to LA for Bynum - can't see that working for them. Is Minny that far under the cap?

No, but you know how the Lakers work.

Lakers FO Executive: "Ok Kahn, We will give you Bynum for the #2 straight up!"

Kahn: "I would love that, the problem is the money doesnt match up."

Lakers FO Executive: "Ok, make it Love/#2 for Bynum!"

Kahn: "You cant fool me into making the same mistake Memphis made by gifting you Gasol."

Lakers FO Executive: "You are one smart cookie Mr. Kahn. I see there is no way to fool you, i guess Beasley/Flynn/Randolph and the #2 pick will be fine."

Kahn: (under his breath) "Thats what i thought! Sucker!"

Lakers FO Executive: (under his breath) "Sucker!"

[thamadkant]

So if Durant was in this draft and available at No.2 you wouldnt trade Gortat?
Since Durant wouldnt be "proven"?

Thats my biggest problem with "safe".... you wont get ahead much.

Jordan went No.3, I'm just wondering if you guys were living back then, and Gortat was on the Suns and No.3 pick was available...

Oden went first because Portland needed (and still needs) a center, Rockets chose Hakeem (center) and the Blazers also went for a center in Bowie. Centers are by far the most valued position in the league, it has only been in recent years, primarily due to our own Steve Nash, that point guards are being coveted as much. (Rose, Wall, and soon to be Irving should send royalty checks to Nash honestly)

Also let's not forget that Bowie has a heavily lauded player and many applauded the Blazers in taking him over Jordan. I remember that draft quite vividly and that college basketball year. Bowie was dominant and put up ridiculous numbers, like 25 pts. / 18 boards or something like that, he looked like a man among children. Oden was similar, no way the Blazers could have predicted his career would be injury plagued and that Jordan would be the GOAT.

Like they say though, hindsight is 20/20. We could easily be talking about how lucky the Blazers were if Bowie and Oden both panned out.

The thing with Jordan and Durant is they were drafted because they were prolific scorers, teams knew what they were going to do and what position they would play.

With Derrick Williams, he is a tweener, no one knows for sure how his game will translate into the NBA, what position he is best suited for (SF or PF), and how he will fit into team schemes. Plugging in a Durant or Jordan is easy as you know for sure what they can and can't do, but trying to plug in a tweener there are a ton of question marks, too many to give up our solid center. It's just way too risky to trade Gortat for the #2.

It's not just a "safe" play, but also the "smart" play, in my opinion.

well regarding Oden.... he was concensus No.1 pick among every team.... whether you need a center or not. He was projected to be next David Robinson.... if you can draft him... you do it.. and you worry about fitting the team around later.


Sam Bowie.... was also amongst one of the best players coming out of college that year.... however YOU CANNOT judge him as a bust due to him not being good enough..... but simply unfortunate case of being INJURED all the time.




And regarding my post...

As I said, if there is a star potential player at No.2.... you trade your good but more solid starting center ANYDAY and EVERYDAY for it.... assuming you've done your due diligence of scouting and have enough confidence on the draftee.

If I had David Robinson or Tim Duncan and the potential to draft a LeBron James comes to offer... its 200% understandable if you refuse that trade... franchise big men > franchise wing men.

Gortat is not a franchise center.... thats all I'm implying... and if you have the chance to draft a Star talent who is very likely to be an All-Star and be 1-2 of your team's best player for the next decade... you trade a non-franchise player ANY day ANY time. The risk is worth it... and for the Suns case where they are rebuilding very very soon anyways... its even more incentive to stack pile star potential talents as opposed to "fillers" like Gortat.

Thats all.

[BurningHeart]

It's not even worth talking about. He's going nowhere.