What's wrong with RJeff everyone? I love the guy's game. He can score, defend, he's athletic, he can shoot, get to the foul line - very versitile guy. He's had some injuries, but he's only 28. Mixim makes him sound like he's Rick Fox coming out of retirement. Hello? He scored 22 PPG LAST SEASON and appeared in all 82 games. I've always liked his game. He's a very, very good #2 scoring option. Just wonder if there would be enough shots to go around for Roy, RJ, & LA. Not to mention Rudy, Oden, Bayless, etc. Sidenote: Did anyone see the highlights of Amare vs Philly tonight? What a tank job. He's letting guys drive right by him for lay-ups. Absolutely no effort. Maybe he knows something.
Who knows, maybe we can get David Stern to raise the roster limit from fifteen to twenty players? Seriously, the object is not to have a bench that is fifteen deep with each guy equally capable of being a rotation player, the goal is to stockpile talent for just long enough that you can then package them together to go out and get guys to surround Roy, Aldridge and Oden; guys that can play solid complimentary roles. Holding on to players for too long, especially a bunch of young guys all operating on rookie scale deals will eventually lead to some major discord as 4 or 5 will eventually be left sitting on the bench to rot, watching their limited window of opportunity at a career and financial security narrow and eventually close up. I know guys like Channing, Ike, etc. have been playing the part of the "good soldier" (which is much to their credit as professionals) but these guys are former lottery picks with probably enough game to at least be rotation players on another less deep team, to hold on to them and deny them an opportunity to prove themselves in what essentially amounts to a contract year seriously puts in jeopardy their ability to get picked up or get paid what they are "worth" over the summer. In fact I would argue that the mix of players KP has put together carries a serious risk of imploding unless he does a better job of staggering the ages and contract status of this roster. You're kidding yourself if you think this team -- as currently constructed -- will look the same this time next year.
Mainly that by advanced metrics, his production has fallen off a fair amount the last three years. In addition, I think most would agree that his defense hasn't been as good the past few years. I like RJ's game, it's just that he's not very productive anymore. Jefferson from four years ago was super.
true, but you're preaching to the choir here. I'd guess a great many of us want a quantity for quality trade, but it takes two to tango. Do you really think KP isn't pushing for such a trade or wouldn't jump if a good one became available? Get back to me when a decent player who'd be a good fit is traded for capspace and mediocre prospects from another team, until then your complaints are hollow. STOMP
some posters are hard of reading. Do you give them space and let their misunderstandings fade or call them out in hopes that you can get your point through? Thats a tough one STOMP
jefferson has a grand total of 7 blocks in 1900 minutes this year. thought it was interesting that a player known for defense might be the worst forward in the league at shot blocking. he must be a REALLY good perimeter defender to get that reputation.
He's never been a shot blocker in his career. He's guy that rotates well on defense, doesn't make stupid fouls and stays in front of his man. All things we desperately need.
Dwight Jaynes on Courtside later went on to make the point that cap space is more important to us down the road, say when were actually vying for a championship! I'm sorry but no one player is going to make us an immediate contender, just not going to happen. If there is a great piece for the taking then yes you do it. But how about saving the money for our big three and yes they will be BIG. Yes Paul Allen is beyond rich, but this recession is a once in a century event! KP make some magic or BAKE IT over the hot summer.
I kind of doubt Outlaw is going anywhere because he is such a good friend with Roy. I know that alone won't keep him from being traded, but I think Roy does have some influence. I don't see how we trade Webster when he's still injured. On Courtside they said there isn't a time table, he's just trying to get better. That worries me a bit. Why isn't he healing? Maybe he is, but to have no estimate of when he'll return is worrisome to me.
There is no cap space after this summer. Once Roy and Aldridge are given their extensions, the Blazers won't have cap space for years to come. Raef's contract can be used in a trade before the deadline, or after the Blazers' season ends but before the end of June. After that, if no trade has taken place, the Blazers will be something like $7 mil under the cap this summer and can potentially increase that if they renounce their rights to Blake and/or Outlaw. That money could be used to chase a free agent. After that, there's no more cap space for the rest of the Roy/Aldridge/Oden era.
I am not talking to anyone in particular....I just think that there is some overvaluing in general in regards to Outlaw's worth as a player...He is a decent scorer and that is about it....and I think that after six years in the NBA, you have to start to seriously wonder about his inability to grasp some of the most basic defensive principles.... To see Greg Oden or Rudy Fernandez tell Outlaw where he should be is a little ridiculous....and IMO some of those "lapses" that he is prone to, will (have already) end up costing POR some key games...and POR isn't even in the playoffs yet, where the intensity and stakes are much higher....
I agree that it's very strange. Why should it take this long for an ankle injury to heal? Something doesn't smell right about that situation.
I'd prefer we don't go after RJ or VC. I like Deng, Butler and Wallace but I don't think we can get any. I like Prince as well. I wouldn't mind a trade that helps clear up our rotation though.
To see Oden telling anyone where to be is a little ridiculous . . . He doesn't even know where to be himself.
Come on Shooter that is a low blow on Oden. I actually think he knows where to go but in Nate's defense it is hard to tell. Serioudly Oden does look lost sometimes but he has been paying better defense in the last 10-12 games. I have seen Oden telling Outlaw where to go by the way.
He's an unrestricted free agent after the season. They might not be able to keep him even if they want to.
Good point. I assume that Sessions is going to get more than a MLE offer, so there are limited teams that can offer him money. But if the Bucks don't want to get into a bidding war, maybe they do trade him.
