Yardape mentioned in the Channing thread that Joel doesn't get enough credit. He's absolutely right. Without Joel, the Blazers are a lotto team again, period. Prz doesn't give us much offensively, but scores enough that the opposition has to guard him near the hoop. Defensively....well the Blazers' defense is pretty bad, but without Joel it would be just awful. I'd love to hear from the pile of fans that wanted to trade this 'waste of a roster spot' for a six pack and a bag of chips last summer.
Seriously, I don't remember anyone wanting to trade Joel. He is an excellent center and his low post offensive game has really improved in the last 2 seasons.
Joel is getting better on offense too!! I think he could be dangerous on pick and roll cause he actually knows how to do it. Last night when he blocked Duncan clean, with no whistle it was a thing of beauty. He anchors this team on defense and as mentioned above... Our team would be in a huge mess without him. We appreciate you Joel!!!! Maybe the hack press here should do a feel good article on The PRZ!!!! He deserves it!!!! Here's to our enforcer Joel!!!
Look for links of people calling him out and point to it. I don't remember that really either. I remember people suggesting him as trades, given that he could be valuable and start for a lot of teams, but that obviously won't happen with Oden "The Glass Man 2.0" on the team.
I don't recall anyone calling Joel a waste of space. At worst, most people thought he could be a mentor to Greg and show him the ropes of playing center in the NBA - and then when Greg was dominating, trade Joel for an upgrade at SF (not me, I always wanted to keep Joel). I don't recall anyone wanting to trade Joel becuase he sucks. Ever since his first preseason game with the Blazers, Joel has been a favorite of mine. I have always been one who values defense and rebounding over flashy scorers. It may not get you on Sports Center nightly, but defense and rebounding wins titles. Joel has always been a guy who does those things well - and sets good picks (he had a great one on George Hill last night) and knows his limits on offense. He has improved his FT shooting to the point where he's no longer a liability to have in at the end of close games - when we need his defense and rebounding. In the comeback win over the Hornets, everyone talked about Bayless taking over after Chris Paul went out, but we would not have won that game without Joel's defense on Davis West in the 4the quarter. West had been killing us all night, but in the 4th Nate put Joel on him and he completely shut West down. In Joel's first season with the Blazers his biggest problem was foul trouble - just like what Greg is going through now. At some point, after Joel became a starter, the refs started to cut him some slack and give him the benefit of the doubt on some calls that used to automatically go against him. He now has a reputation as an excellent defender - and when he blocks Tim Duncan's shot, it's not an automatic trip to the line for Timmy. Let's hope Oden can learn from Joel and get there, too. BNM
I could only imagine a duo of LA and FRYE tring to man our already non existant defensive core. YIKES!! But hey? GO would be cheering for them on ice!
what selective memories. http://www.basketballforum.com/portland-trail-blazers/374124-wheres-pryzbilla.html http://www.basketballforum.com/portland-trail-blazers/375332-glad-we-didnt-trade-pryz-huh.html http://www.basketballforum.com/portland-trail-blazers/367815-time-trade-joel-przybilla.html
I don't know if there has been another poster besides me that has included Joel in hypothetical trades, but I hardly wanted just a bag of chips back. Outside the Big 3, I put him as their #1 tradable asset. I've wanted a Gerald Wallace or Tayshaun Prince back. Hell I've got him in my sig as part of my favorite Blazers. Like seemingly everyone else who has chimed in, I'm wondering who the OP (oldguy) was quoting with the "waste of a roster spot" comment as that would have stood out here in a big way. Maybe he's confusing this community with another chatsite? STOMP
I think we've all been appreciative of Przybilla this season. One think worth noting is that he's playing with an injured hand. I think that's affected his rebounding and scoring a little (I've seen a few rebounds squirt away) but his defense is as good as ever. Having him has allowed us to go slow with Oden.
Most of the trade Joel discussion happened at the BBF site. I was calling out one poster in particular, that went on and on about trading Joel, without mentioning his handle. It wasn't you, STOMP.
Try this: http://www.basketballforum.com/portland-trail-blazers/407675-przybilla.html I'm not going to spend any more time looking for this stuff. I'm surprized that few remember some of the stuff said about Joel. I remember it well, 'cause it pissed me off.
as did it to me. people treated him as totally expendable and questioned his motivations for resigning with this team as purely monetary and not because of what he brings to the team and community. a similar phenomenom happens with STeve Blake too.
In fairness though, Pryzbilla is a more valuable commodity than Blake. Blake is a good team leader and good shooter, but there are more point guards that fit that mold than legit 7' players who actually play with some hustle and heart. Especially for their relative contracts. I don't think Blake should be moved for the sake of moving him, but Pryzbilla is much more valuable to the team than Blake is in my opinion.
Cool. I defended Joel in that thread, too - with many similar comments. Nice to see I'm consistent and can be counted on to bring my "A" game when anyone starts to dis Joel. BNM
Joel is the only guy on this team that has played defense like he has a pair this year besides Batum and Oden at times. Let's hope the team keeps up their efforts from the last two games.
well, there are some posts I skip reading as soon as I see who the poster is... which would explain why I missed this umpteenth round of nonsense from so n so even though I participated in the thread. It's the old fool me once, shame on you adage... at some point I just won't read BS anymore STOMP
