Roy Hibbert - Indy says they will match/offer same terms.

[Sabzi]

I mean, say we land outside the top 5 next year, around 7 or 8. What if a player we signed this off-season helps us move up into the top 5?

The Blazers should trade LaMarcus if they aren't in the Top 5 next year. It's that simple.

I would be frustrated with the National Basketball Association too. Frustrated with the new CBA that does little to place small markets in more competitive environments. Certainly wouldn't be frustrated with the God dropping knowledge. Sounds like Olshey might be selling more than his fair share of wolf tickets.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

The Blazers should trade LaMarcus if they aren't in the Top 5 next year. It's that simple.

So your only answer is tank until our natural draft pick gives us what we need. Right, very helpful.

[Sabzi]

The Blazers should trade LaMarcus if they aren't in the Top 5 next year. It's that simple.

So your only answer is tank until our natural draft pick gives us what we need. Right, very helpful.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

...the more assets you can acquire in this league, the more flexibility you have to build the roster and accelerate the growth to become more successful quicker. We were on one path with the Los Angeles Clippers a year ago, building through the draft, building with youth and when an opportunity came in to go after a franchise-level player, we had the assets to do it.

[frizzledizzle]

Wait... maybe I missed something but is someone saying you can't win it all if you keep building with 6th and 11th picks? Because if that's what's being said, one of the top three picks usually turns out to be a huge bust and lots of the top players in the NBA haven't won championships. Basically Duncan and Kobe. And now Lebron who will probably win some more, but he didn't even do it with the team that drafted him. Even if you get an elite player, doesn't mean he'll stay. They only do that if you're one of the largest cities and a top market. Plus, Kobe was drafted 13th and Dirk for instance was drafted 9th and there were no other real superstars around him. A bunch of good players but none that Dallas even drafted.

Yeah, you need superstars to win in this league but there are no guarantees just because you get a top pick and there aren't always guarantees like Lebron and Howard.

I might have just misread this conversation completely, so everything I said might be pointless. Probably pointless regardless haha.




Also, someone said something about the Pacers and 7.5%/5 years. They just signed George Hill to a 5 year contract. Can you sign two players to 5 years in the same offseason? Regardless, I doubt Hibbert will be signing the offersheet if the Pacers are going to give him the same offer. That would just handicap them from signing another free agent before re-signing him. If he knows he'll be there next year and is gonna get the same contract, I'm assuming he'd wait and let them add another player as to play with the best roster possible. And as someone else mentioned, not signing the offersheet also benefits the Blazers if the Pacers are just going to match anyways. No point in tying up cap space for a few days.

[[RCG]]

The Blazers should trade LaMarcus if they aren't in the Top 5 next year. It's that simple.

So your only answer is tank until our natural draft pick gives us what we need. Right, very helpful.

No, your best bet is to get some dirt on Stern or have him owe you a favor

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Frizzle actually makes a VERY good counter-point to Sabzi..

Kobe (13), Dirk (9), Pierce (10) all would have something to say about the "top 5 pick or bust" mentality.

[Sabzi]

Wait... maybe I missed something but is someone saying you can't win it all if you keep building with 6th and 11th picks? Because if that's what's being said, one of the top three picks usually turns out to be a huge bust and lots of the top players in the NBA haven't won championships. Basically Duncan and Kobe. And now Lebron who will probably win some more, but he didn't even do it with the team that drafted him. Even if you get an elite player, doesn't mean he'll stay. They only do that if you're one of the largest cities and a top market. Plus, Kobe was drafted 13th and Dirk for instance was drafted 9th and there were no other real superstars around him. A bunch of good players but none that Dallas even drafted.

Yeah, you need superstars to win in this league but there are no guarantees just because you get a top pick and there aren't always guarantees like Lebron and Howard.

I might have just misread this conversation completely, so everything I said might be pointless. Probably pointless regardless haha.

Pierce, Kobe and Dirk would have zero titles without Garnett, Gasol, Shaq & Tyson Chandler. Not applicable to Portland. Safe to say you did miss most of the conversation and there is still only one path for small market teams and it includes multiple top 5 picks.

[License2Lillard]

Sabzi will respond: location, location, location

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Gasol, Shaq & Tyson Chandler.

Two of those guys were gotten through trade of lesser assets.


Tell me again why acquiring non-superstar assets is a waste of time.

[Sabzi]

Gasol, Shaq & Tyson Chandler.

Two of those guys were gotten through trade of lesser assets.

Dallas and Los Angeles. You still don't get it.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Gasol, Shaq & Tyson Chandler.

Two of those guys were gotten through trade of lesser assets.

Dallas and Los Angeles. You still don't get it.

You are changing your argument. First you were saying top 5 draft picks were necessary.


Now you are saying location.

[Sabzi]

You are changing your argument. First you were saying top 5 draft picks were necessary.


Now you are saying location.

Those are the same argument. Your philosophy would be fine if the Blazers were located in a large market. No big market and you are confined to a different set of rules that includes organic growth of multiple top lottery picks.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Listen, my point is the more assets you have, the better able you are to get a franchise player.


Whether that is moving up in the draft, or trading for an unextended superstar (using capspace or valuable players), that turning your nose up at assets just because they are not the right assets (or dumping valuable players just because they are not the right players), is akin to shooting yourself in the foot. If you have assets, you have flexibility and ultimately it is flexibility (and luck) that get you franchise caliber players.


A beggar cannot be a chooser - tanking and getting a 4 or 5 draft pick (unless you bank on lottery balls) is not a sure way to get a superstar. More than one way to skin a cat and all that.

[Sabzi]

If you have assets, you have flexibility and ultimately it is flexibility (and luck) that get you franchise caliber players.

Small market examples please.

[frizzledizzle]

Wait... maybe I missed something but is someone saying you can't win it all if you keep building with 6th and 11th picks? Because if that's what's being said, one of the top three picks usually turns out to be a huge bust and lots of the top players in the NBA haven't won championships. Basically Duncan and Kobe. And now Lebron who will probably win some more, but he didn't even do it with the team that drafted him. Even if you get an elite player, doesn't mean he'll stay. They only do that if you're one of the largest cities and a top market. Plus, Kobe was drafted 13th and Dirk for instance was drafted 9th and there were no other real superstars around him. A bunch of good players but none that Dallas even drafted.

Yeah, you need superstars to win in this league but there are no guarantees just because you get a top pick and there aren't always guarantees like Lebron and Howard.

I might have just misread this conversation completely, so everything I said might be pointless. Probably pointless regardless haha.

Pierce, Kobe and Dirk would have zero titles without Garnett, Gasol, Shaq & Tyson Chandler. Not applicable to Portland. Safe to say you did miss most of the conversation and there is still only one path for small market teams and it includes multiple top 5 picks.

What multiple top 5 picks did the Mavs have? They drafted their franchise player with the 9th pick. They traded for Kidd who was drafted 9th as well and was also 35 years old when he arrived in Dallas. 38 years old when they won the championship. Tyson Chandler was drafted 2nd overall but by the time the Mavs traded for him, he was considered a bust. All they had to give up for him was Alexis Ajinça, Matt Carroll, Erick Dampier and Eduardo Nájera. And at that point, Chandler was averaging 22.8min 6.5pts 6.2rebs with the Bobcats. Jason Terry was drafted 10th. Shawn Marion was drafted 9th. DeShawn Stevenson was actually starting and he was drafted 23rd.

And even the Spurs, sure they got Duncan 1st overall but Parker was drafted 29th and Manu was drafted 57th.

Sure, having more top 5 picks and assets gives you a better chance but that's not the end all to be all. Look at the T'wolves, they've had tons of top 5 picks and they're horrible. You still have to be good at drafting or if you're going to trade the pick, you have to make sure it's a good trade.

Having a bunch of top 5 picks doesn't automatically mean you'll be good. How many have the Bobcats had recently? They don't look like they'll ever be good. The roster they've putting together with those lottery picks is disgusting.

[Sabzi]

What multiple top 5 picks did the Mavs have? They drafted their franchise player with the 9th pick.

I stopped reading right there. Dallas isn't Portland. You are wasting my time. SMALL MARKET.

[frizzledizzle]

Listen, my point is the more assets you have, the better able you are to get a franchise player.


Whether that is moving up in the draft, or trading for an unextended superstar (using capspace or valuable players), that turning your nose up at assets just because they are not the right assets (or dumping valuable players just because they are not the right players), is akin to shooting yourself in the foot. If you have assets, you have flexibility and ultimately it is flexibility (and luck) that get you franchise caliber players.


A beggar cannot be a chooser - tanking and getting a 4 or 5 draft pick (unless you bank on lottery balls) is not a sure way to get a superstar. More than one way to skin a cat and all that.

Definitely. I agree with everything you just said.

[frizzledizzle]

What multiple top 5 picks did the Mavs have? They drafted their franchise player with the 9th pick.

I stopped reading right there. Dallas isn't Portland. You are wasting my time.

Um... okay.

They didn't have any top 5 picks and they didn't sign free agents to build their team.

I guess you're right. Multiple top 5 picks are the only way to win. Sheesh

[mojomarc]

What multiple top 5 picks did the Mavs have? They drafted their franchise player with the 9th pick.

I stopped reading right there. Dallas isn't Portland. You are wasting my time. SMALL MARKET.

It is worth pointing out Kidd and Chandler were both second overall players.