Offseason of talk about LMA potentially leaving the Blazers

[Moonbeam]

In Olshey We Trust. I believe we will have a new starting 2, and possibly 5. I'm hopeful LA will give Olshey a short timeline (day or two) to make a move to prove that we are Legit Contenders NOW, otherwise, he's gone. That's my opinion, not anything I've heard from people within the organization.

Am I the only one who interpreted "new starting 2, and possibly a new starting 5" and didn't think shooting guard and center, but 2 new starters next year, and possibly 5? That coupled with his connections made me feel like leaving a big puddle of sadness for a hot second.

Sorry Moonbeam, I meant a new starting SG/C!

Haha, no problem! I'm probably a little fragile from the loss still.

[monopoman]

Kind of a side tangent, but do people really think LMA has a chance to be the GOAT Blazer? Unless he improves from his very best level, I just don't see it happening. I value peak more than some, it seems, but I was involved in the RealGM Top 100 project, and I have a hard time see him passing Drexler. I'd have Drexler, Walton, and Porter ahead of him at this stage.

I think it would be more based on longevity, I mean Walton got hit with injuries very early on but obviously he was a ridiculously dominant player before he got those rough injuries. Drexler would be in the same category both had long glorious careers as a Blazer, but Drexler has the championship Aldridge has yet to receive. To be fair though Drexler won that championship with Houston, and it really doesn't count as his achievements as a Blazer.

I'm not really sure how you could put Porter on the same level though, I mean obviously how the team uses you is one thing but it seems Aldridge is just a straight up better player across the board in comparison to Porter.

[whatchaknow]

If Aldridge leaves i wonder the chances we could package Afflalo or Batum with that 1st rounder to move up in the draft. Even if he stays i would explore the afflalo deal not sure he has a ton of value right now. I just would like LA to decide quick so we can get a plan in place. Ideally he could've told us before the trade deadline and not left us without any leverage whatsoever, but everything looked fine at that point

[zzaj]

Kind of a side tangent, but do people really think LMA has a chance to be the GOAT Blazer? Unless he improves from his very best level, I just don't see it happening. I value peak more than some, it seems, but I was involved in the RealGM Top 100 project, and I have a hard time see him passing Drexler. I'd have Drexler, Walton, and Porter ahead of him at this stage.

I think it would be more based on longevity, I mean Walton got hit with injuries very early on but obviously he was a ridiculously dominant player before he got those rough injuries. Drexler would be in the same category both had long glorious careers as a Blazer, but Drexler has the championship Aldridge has yet to receive. To be fair though Drexler won that championship with Houston, and it really doesn't count as his achievements as a Blazer.

I'm not really sure how you could put Porter on the same level though, I mean obviously how the team uses you is one thing but it seems Aldridge is just a straight up better player across the board in comparison to Porter.

Yeah, if LMA decides to end his career as a Blazer he'll break all kinds of records for scoring and rebounding at his position. Even if he doesn't win a championship he'll at least be in the discussion for GOAT...similar to Karl Malone in Utah.

[PDXKnight]

Kind of a side tangent, but do people really think LMA has a chance to be the GOAT Blazer? Unless he improves from his very best level, I just don't see it happening. I value peak more than some, it seems, but I was involved in the RealGM Top 100 project, and I have a hard time see him passing Drexler. I'd have Drexler, Walton, and Porter ahead of him at this stage.

Id put Walton and Clyde ahead of him, I think you could make a case either way between him and porter but I don't think la will ever be the goat blazer barring an amazing finish to his career. That's no knock on la either, Aldridge has been a stud for the Blazers but Walton and Clyde set the bar so high. If la wins a title in Portland as a main component on the team he would deserve some of the discussion for goat but right now he's the best pf in blazer history but not the best player

[Moonbeam]

Kind of a side tangent, but do people really think LMA has a chance to be the GOAT Blazer? Unless he improves from his very best level, I just don't see it happening. I value peak more than some, it seems, but I was involved in the RealGM Top 100 project, and I have a hard time see him passing Drexler. I'd have Drexler, Walton, and Porter ahead of him at this stage.

I think it would be more based on longevity, I mean Walton got hit with injuries very early on but obviously he was a ridiculously dominant player before he got those rough injuries. Drexler would be in the same category both had long glorious careers as a Blazer, but Drexler has the championship Aldridge has yet to receive. To be fair though Drexler won that championship with Houston, and it really doesn't count as his achievements as a Blazer.

I'm not really sure how you could put Porter on the same level though, I mean obviously how the team uses you is one thing but it seems Aldridge is just a straight up better player across the board in comparison to Porter.

Porter has an edge statistically, and he was a much better playoff performer (even better than Clyde some years, in my book). Counting only seasons in Portland:

PER: Aldridge 20.3, Porter 17.9
WS: Porter 79.3, Aldridge 69.4
WS/48: Porter .159, Aldridge .145
BPM: Porter 2.6, Aldridge 1.2
VORP: Porter 27.8, Aldridge 18.5

Playoff PER: Aldridge 19.0, Porter 18.4
Playoff WS: Porter 10.3, Aldridge 2.0
Playoff WS/48: Porter .164, Aldridge .069
Playoff BPM: Porter 3.5, Aldridge -1.2
Playoff VORP: Porter 3.6, Aldridge 0.2

LMA has been regarded as a borderline top-10 player at his peak. Porter hasn't, but he perhaps should have been in that conversation in the early 90s. I have no doubt that LMA can pass up Porter if he resigns, but I'd give the advantage to Porter at this stage.

[Moonbeam]

I'd put Roy's peak ahead of Aldridge, too.

And love him or hate him, Rasheed Wallace has a case against Aldridge too, both based on peak and considering longevity.

[PDXKnight]

I'd put Roy's peak ahead of Aldridge, too.

And love him or hate him, Rasheed Wallace has a case against Aldridge too, both based on peak and considering longevity.

Sheed might on the merit of him being on aTeam that made the wcf and could have very well won a title that year but then again Sheed had a much better supporting cast

[JasonStern]

just rumors, but I've heard $100 million is a lot of money. like, "won the lottery" money.

one big way Lillard was getting some rest was to slide over to the SG role for a few minutes a game.

that, and not playing defensive.

Kind of a side tangent, but do people really think LMA has a chance to be the GOAT Blazer? Unless he improves from his very best level, I just don't see it happening. I value peak more than some, it seems, but I was involved in the RealGM Top 100 project, and I have a hard time see him passing Drexler. I'd have Drexler, Walton, and Porter ahead of him at this stage.

Aldridge is ahead of Porter.

If Aldridge leaves i wonder the chances we could package Afflalo or Batum with that 1st rounder to move up in the draft.

Batum is 26 and a big reason why Lillard is as good as Lillard is. Afflalo doesn't have much value with respect to trying to move up in the draft.

[Agenda42]

Kind of a side tangent, but do people really think LMA has a chance to be the GOAT Blazer? Unless he improves from his very best level, I just don't see it happening. I value peak more than some, it seems, but I was involved in the RealGM Top 100 project, and I have a hard time see him passing Drexler. I'd have Drexler, Walton, and Porter ahead of him at this stage.

I think the only way he gets by Drexler is if he wins a ring as the lead dog. Drexler was all-NBA first team and made two Finals in Portland.

[Agenda42]

LMA has been regarded as a borderline top-10 player at his peak. Porter hasn't, but he perhaps should have been in that conversation in the early 90s. I have no doubt that LMA can pass up Porter if he resigns, but I'd give the advantage to Porter at this stage.

Porter's problem there was the complete insanity that was the PG position at the time. Check out the top 8 assist makers in 1989-1990:

John Stockton
Magic Johnson
Muggsy Bogues
Kevin Johnson
Isiah Thomas
Terry Porter
Tim Hardaway
Mark Price

Now, after this, the names get less interesting, but this is just a phenomenally deep, talented PG position. Hard to get noticed in this kind of pack. If his prime were 5 years later, I think he'd be a much more respected and known player.

[Wizenheimer]

well, Marc Stein apparently believes the odds are high that Aldridge leaves:

http://espn.go.com/blog/marc-stein/post/_/id/3803/steins-scoop-next-for-blazers-aldridge

[The Sebastian Express]

I appreciated how Stein used the "we'll see" line said to Broussard, but neglected to mention any of the answers given yesterday during his exit interview.

[Wizenheimer]

I appreciated how Stein used the "we'll see" line said to Broussard, but neglected to mention any of the answers given yesterday during his exit interview.

there will be a narrative, especially out of media like ESPN. The basis of that narrative is that a free agent staying with his team won't drive page clicks and ad dollars as much as a free agent looking to change teams, thus, Aldridge is looking to change teams

I think it is safe to say that Aldridge seems more willing to consider leaving Portland then he was a year ago. That still could mean the odds are he won't though

[The Sebastian Express]

I appreciated how Stein used the "we'll see" line said to Broussard, but neglected to mention any of the answers given yesterday during his exit interview.

there will be a narrative, especially out of media like ESPN. The basis of that narrative is that a free agent staying with his team won't drive page clicks and ad dollars as much as a free agent looking to change teams, thus, Aldridge is looking to change teams

I think it is safe to say that Aldridge seems more willing to consider leaving Portland then he was a year ago. That still could mean the odds are he won't though

Oh, I'm sure. As he said in his exit interview, it's a nice feeling to be wanted. I think that's human nature. To hear how people want you and to listen to what they have to say. Certainly, it was a discouraging year in terms of injury. I just wish journalism would return instead of clickbait.

[Moonbeam]

LMA has been regarded as a borderline top-10 player at his peak. Porter hasn't, but he perhaps should have been in that conversation in the early 90s. I have no doubt that LMA can pass up Porter if he resigns, but I'd give the advantage to Porter at this stage.

Porter's problem there was the complete insanity that was the PG position at the time. Check out the top 8 assist makers in 1989-1990:

John Stockton
Magic Johnson
Muggsy Bogues
Kevin Johnson
Isiah Thomas
Terry Porter
Tim Hardaway
Mark Price

Now, after this, the names get less interesting, but this is just a phenomenally deep, talented PG position. Hard to get noticed in this kind of pack. If his prime were 5 years later, I think he'd be a much more respected and known player.

Yeah, and you've got guys like Lever too. I'd put Porter ahead of Bogues, Price and Hardaway.

[GreenRiddler]

If LMA is as fickle as they say, SASs losing in the first round tomorrow may shift him away. As might the possible micro-fracture surgery needed by Parsons in Dallas.

[Norm2953]

I've been pulling hard for the Clips in that series for in addition to helping with keeping
LA in Portland, Pop has really taken the foul DAJ tactic to a new high.

We'll likely see the Spurs really go after DAJ hard in game 7. If they put him on the line 35
times, how will LA see playing for the Spurs?

[deanwoof]

LMA has been regarded as a borderline top-10 player at his peak. Porter hasn't, but he perhaps should have been in that conversation in the early 90s. I have no doubt that LMA can pass up Porter if he resigns, but I'd give the advantage to Porter at this stage.

Porter's problem there was the complete insanity that was the PG position at the time. Check out the top 8 assist makers in 1989-1990:

John Stockton
Magic Johnson
Muggsy Bogues
Kevin Johnson
Isiah Thomas
Terry Porter
Tim Hardaway
Mark Price

Now, after this, the names get less interesting, but this is just a phenomenally deep, talented PG position. Hard to get noticed in this kind of pack. If his prime were 5 years later, I think he'd be a much more respected and known player.

Yeah, and you've got guys like Lever too. I'd put Porter ahead of Bogues, Price and Hardaway.

What? I wouldn't.

[Moonbeam]

Porter's problem there was the complete insanity that was the PG position at the time. Check out the top 8 assist makers in 1989-1990:

John Stockton
Magic Johnson
Muggsy Bogues
Kevin Johnson
Isiah Thomas
Terry Porter
Tim Hardaway
Mark Price

Now, after this, the names get less interesting, but this is just a phenomenally deep, talented PG position. Hard to get noticed in this kind of pack. If his prime were 5 years later, I think he'd be a much more respected and known player.

Yeah, and you've got guys like Lever too. I'd put Porter ahead of Bogues, Price and Hardaway.

What? I wouldn't.

Why not?