Well I guess you don't pay attention to current events then. It is really hard to havea positive on that stat when your team only wins 19 games. In case you are wondering what that means, it means that all except 19 games last season, Butler's team was on the losing end of the score which would put a negative number on your "stat" that you brough tup. Caron Butler is a decent defender, and when he was younger it was one of his calling cards, especially in his Miami days. The whole fact your are trying to make him a scapegoat when he was one of the only things holding that team together last year is sad at best.
This would be comparable, except I haven't heard NBA experts say this about Roy. I have heard experts talk about Rubio like he is the second coming of Pistol Pete, Magic Johnson and the like. So really, they aren't alike at all. Once again, the hype machine for the kid has not originated on the sports two message boards. It originated on ESPN and the like. That makes it far more dangerous to Rubio's career. Do you think his confidence will not take a hit at all if national media call him a bust within the first 6 months of his career? The best Rubio can hope for is to live up to the absurd standard that is already set for him. Chances are he won't.
Where is that poll? I'd love to see it. I know KP likes them, is that what you mean? Their employer speaks highly of them?
wow you are a bitter bitter man.... you forgot that Nate was on the US nat team coaching and that we have a mr. Filpipi (spelling) that is a full time scout one of the few teams that actually has full time scouts in europe?
No, I didn't forget any of that. Nate being on the National team means nothing. He chose Green over Sessions which means he knows dick when it comes to talent. I have heard great things about Filipi from KP, which is what I mentioned. Not all teams have Euro scouts, but it's more the norm than not.
nate scouted and filpi has scouted rubio they know (the blazers) that you or i will ever know about him...you think rudy and batum were just luck? freeland and kopenen just luck too?
I know you like to bust Nate's balls over the Green pick, but is it really fair to say "he knows dick when it comes to talent" over that pick. First, it was the 52nd pick. Anybody picked at 52 is a crap shoot. If you pick a guy at 52 and he makes your roster, he's an exception. Most guys picked at 52 fade into obscurity rather quickly (quick - what are Guermillo Diaz and Axel Hervelle up to these days?). Swinging and missing at 52 is the norm. It's not like he pushed for the Blazers to take Adam Morrison over Brandon Roy. Leading up to the draft, Green was expected to be an early 2nd round pick. He had just helped lead Florida to their second consecutive national title. For 4 months prior to the draft, DraftExpress had Green slated to go in the 30s (or even as high as 29 two weeks prior to the draft). Their final mock draft had Green going at 31. Sessions, on the other hand, was a relative unknown. For the 4 months leading up to the draft, DraftExpress had Sessions going undrafted. He did well enough in workouts immediately prior to the draft to rocket up the mock draft boards in the final week before the draft. DraftExpress had him going 33rd, two spots after Green, in their final mock draft. So, Nate wasn't the only one who valued Green higher than Sessions. And, keep in mind, 25 teams passed on Sessions in the 2nd round. So, it's not like he was a slam dunk pick. Green, on the other hand, after four months of being pegged to go in the 30s, was probably seen as a steal at 52 (especially after being a part of two national title teams). If Pritchard truly thought Sessions was a more talented player, I'm sure he would have over ruled Nate and taken Sessions over Green. Nate may have preferred Green, but ultimately, it was Pritchard's decision. If you want to bash Nate for choosing Green over Sessions, you should also bash Pritchard as a poor evaluator of talent for agreeing to the choice. BNM
So - you disagree with Nate about the need for veterans, right? Clearly we should get more rookies because this is opposite what Nate wants? Right?
Freeman said on 95.5 that if the Blazers don't get their trade into the lottery, then they'll trade out of the first round and look to spend their money in free agency or trades after the draft.
That scenario has been one of my fears. If KP can't pull off a homerun deal (EG trading for Rubio), he will just take his ball and go home. Nevermind that we need a back-up PF. Nevermind that there are 3 or 4 other PGs in the draft better than Blake/Sergio. As much as we need a vet - there is no benefit in just punting the draft. Making trades and working the draft are not mutually exclusive!
My guess is that if he can not trade into the late lottery to get Lawson, Blair or Psycho-T - he will draft JEFF PENDERGRAPH in the early 2nd and go after a Capt. Kirk trade. This gives you a nice backup PF prospect and an upgrade at starting PG that actually should mesh very well with a Roy/Oden offense - not a bad thing...
We can also trade out of the first round for a vet. Keep in mind also that while in theory there are 3 or 4 PG's in this draft better than Blake and Sergio, Bayless was considered a lot better and was 3rd string.....Mostly because of Nate, but still.
I just can't stand the thought of Capt. Kirk coming to the Blazers! Right this second, conidering what has transpired today - I'm thinking we make our move up (possibly starting off by a trade of Sergio & #33 pick (and future considerations/ Lee S&T after July 1st) to NY for their #8 pick. We then bundle the Knicks #8 and Travis in a trade to the Thunder to nab Rubio. With our cap space, we go back in July and finish business with the Knicks: Sign & Trade of Rudy & Freeland for Lee. One other draft day move: Portland trades our #24 + #55 along with Ike's $3m exception to move up higher in the draft and we select Blair. Blake/Rubio/Bayless Roy/Webster/(Bayless) Batum/Webster/(Aldridge) Aldridge/Lee/Blair Oden/Pryz/Randolph Then, come the 2010 trade deadline, we look for the "gift" that others were speaking of.
One more note from the Boston Globe: http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2009/06/spears_latest_d.html
