Harvey,Rice,and Barret were briefly talking about a callers merit of bringing in a veteran point guard next yr and then turn it over to bayless in a couple of years. They were chuckling at the callers thoughts and the caller asked why they were laughing?...Their reply was that they had been talking about it during the last commercial break. The three of them were in total agreement that Portland should play Blake and bring over Petteri Koponen to be the point guard in a couple of years...they all thought he was a pass first ,defensive point guard with a huge upside. the three of them were shocked that he didnt make the team this year. No mention of Bayless or Sergio as the future pg.
Koponen is stinking it up in Europe, and IMO didn't look real good in summer league either. But then again, neither did Batum and he is doing ok now.
I guess some straws needed grasping. The idea that Koponen is a sure thing at point guard is insane. Maybe he does kick ass. I sure hope so. But dominating the Finnish Leagues and playing limited minutes in Euroleague play doesn't exactly inspire confidence. I Bayless or Sergio played in Finland they would average 40 points and 20 assists a game.
No chance in hell. These guys, this year, played worse than Carlos Arroyo did at his best in the NBA and a little worse than he did in his last year in Orlando. Arroyo had a very disappointing year in the Euroleague this year. Not even close to these numbers - he averaged 14.6 points and 4.1 assists per game in 33 minutes per game. For the record - Arroyo's PER last year (not his best) in Orlando was 12.8, Sergio is at 11.7 this year. EDIT - I just saw that you said Bayless/Sergio in Finland, not Euroleague. My mistake. I doubt they would score that much there - but they would be pretty good there. My mistake, sorry.
The difference being, one stayed here, and played very well for a rookie. The other went to Europe, and has not done anything notable. Batum was productive in the the leagues he played in before coming here. Kop was productive in a league that might compete with high schools here. Fuck I am not going to argue about this. If people want to live thinking that Kop is a good player, good luck with that. Have a good time.
Not saying you are wrong... cause I havent seen PK play in europe this year.. but is that statement based on stats alone? cause Look at Batum's stats alone without seeing him play and we wouldnt exactly be impressed. We wouldnt think he is a starting SF on a playoff team. We would think "Viktor Khryapa"
PK is on a veteran team over in Europe. He may not be lighting it up but he is gaining valuable experience in the second best League in the world. A legit 6'5" with handles and a jumpshot, he also has PG skills to boot. I really like his potential.
I have questioned Bayless' ability to play PG since summer league (since the pick actually). But during the year, he hasn't complained, Roy and Nate seem to like him, he has good work ethics . . . which all has made me change a little to thinking he might develop the skills to be the Blazers future PG. But courtside people seemed to have thrown that idea away at this point . . . I wonder why?
Brandon Jennings. KP is in LOVE with the kid.. and will make a serious push to get him on draft day. Just remember you heard it from Hank.
So do you remember how Andre Miller played his last contract year, and then what it turned to after? I know it was a long time ago, but comon. The pattern is repeating. Learn from history.
I don't think he's worth as much, and he was quite a bit younger at that time. I think Dre wants to win. I think he's the kind of point guard I'd love to have on this team. Did you notice a drop in production in Denver after he left, and then that production returned after Billups came in? We need a Billups/Miller type point guard here, I think.
Yes I did notice. But I attributed it more to the selfishness of AI, than the departure of Miller. I guess it all depends on how you weight it out. Here is my thing. It was just last year Miller was shootin .088 from the 3 point line. Then amazingly enough, it is a contract year and he is shooting almost .300 (which still stinks IMO). I don't want to be the team that falls for the older guy shooting for a contract so he can coast again. We finally just got rid of the players that did that when we got rid of Miles. Miles. Ratliff. Derek Anderson. I say no more. Please do not make that mistake again.
That's definitely possible. I don't know. I would really like to see a veteran point guard on this team. I think it would do wonders for Oden and Rudy. We need someone who encourages movement without the basketball, and right now Blake ain't cutting it. I'm open to suggestions
