1. You are not an idiot my good man. 2. I heard something like that too, but I can't confirm anything.
There are only so many players that will get more than the MLE- it's a matter of numbers- better free agents like Boozer will get those offers. The parts that we can trade include our trade exception, webster's contract, possibly a resigned Frye if they want him, Outlaw and Blake (about 4 million each) We're not necessarily below the salary cap for next year- it could be jimmied so that we stay above and get our midlevel- for instance, keeping both Outlaw/Blake and resigning Frye for the right amount to make him an expiring contract. Then we trade with Charlotte and use the midlevel to resign the best free agent loser among the point guards.
I understand, but I thought Frye and most likely Blake, would be gone in the plan listed above. I would expect Bibby and Miller to stay with their current teams if all they can get is the MLE.
Yeah, the plan depends on them preferring to come to Portland, money being equal. I think it's a good sign that Miller skipped his last team meeting. Of course, this all would have been easier if we'd traded for a small forward at the trade deadline, when we still had Raef's contract.
I'm pretty much in favor of Brandon Roy's expectations for next season: an NBA championship. http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/05/after_bitter_loss_sweeter_visi.html
That's his goal, not his expectation. I think a lot of people on this board think those two are one in the same, but they're not.
Granted, there's a degree of difference, but if you want to achieve your goals, they'd better also be your expectations.
So you are on the Blazers? Awesome -- keep those goals and expectations high, my man. As for me, MY goals for the coming season are almost the same as last year: attend as many home games as my budget allows, and celebrate big wins by drinking as much as my body allows. I feel I was pretty successful at this last season, but there's always room for improvement. This year I'd like to diversify my Free-Throw Jinx repertoire while coming up with a few original chants. Starting a clever nickname would be awesome, but maybe expecting a bit too much at this stage of my fan career.
I agree with Roy, that at this point, the Blazers' goal ought to be a championship. But as far as expectations go, I think the Blazers should win a first round series next year. If they can manage more than that, it's gravy. But in terms of moving forward in their development, and preparing themselves for a championship window, that's the next step. The West is still going to be really tough, and the Blazers are going to have setbacks like any team, so if they can take one significant step forward - repeating as a top four team, but actually keeping HCA and winning a series - that'd be great.
