Good article but it's clear he thinks very little of Dallas, notice he doesn't even mention Mark Cuban.
The running joke from coach Nate [McMillan] and GM Kevin [Pritchard] when I got here was that I knew Portland's plays better than the Portland players knew their plays." thats just sad on the players and coaching staff... and this is scary if it happens... and an even more intriguing offer may come from Oklahoma City, where the league's youngest roster could use a wise defensive quarterback to protect the rim and create fast breaks for Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. "I know [coach] Scott Brooks really well," Camby said. "He was an assistant in Denver. There are a lot of different scenarios" -- he would mention Houston as another possibility -- "but my main focus is trying to come back here to Portland."
Resigning him has got to be priority one this summer ... I wouldn't blame him if he went to a team for money or to a situation where he has a better chance at ultimate success (despite his claims to the contrary). I think he gives Nic, LA and Oden somebody to actually learn to play defense from that goes beyond coaching or even what Joel can provide
He is a different kind of defender than Joel - but let's not kid ourselves - at the start of the year this team was an elite defensive team with Oden and Joel - and without Batum. This team, while much better than the team with Howard/Pendy manning the middle - is not close to a team anchored by Oden/Joel... Just think what a team with Batum on the perimeter, with Oden/Joel clogging the middle would look like. Camby is great and it would be great to have him back as an insurance for Joel never recovering/backup PF (which he can play very well, maybe even better than Center) - but do not kid yourself about what Joel/Oden do - they clog the middle much much better than Camby and provide much better man defense against the big, beefy centers of this league.
I agree. My concern is that Joel wont recover from his injury which makes re-signing Camby a no brainer IMO.
If I bought into this "Camby as mentor" idea (which I don't, really...I don't think most veterans are natural teachers), my hope is really that he'd be an influence on Aldridge. I think Aldridge is already a nice man defender. Where Aldridge could improve defensively is as a weak side force...he's not really the kind of big man that makes players around the hoop look over their shoulder to see if he's flying in to swat their shot. In fact, even Batum might be able to pick something up in that regard. Oden and Przybilla already have very nice instincts and skills both for man defense and weak side, help defense (Oden's only problem is being a bit too aggressive at times and picking up the foul). I don't think Camby has much, that can be taught, that either of those two guys need.
Now that he's been in Portland for almost two months, he said he doesn't want to leave. He likes the selflessness and promise of the young Blazers, and the idea of returning next year to take pressure off Greg Oden, who could find his way by coming off the bench in support of Camby.
Pretty much, because the same thing was said by Dre' during last summer's dinner with Nate and KP. In their defense, though, these comments were aimed more at Travis than anyone else.
I saw that, and I'd be happy to have Pritchard and Nate sell Camby a story about how if he re-signs he'll start until Oden proves himself. Worst that happens is that Oden is stuck on the bench all year backing up both Camby and Aldridge, which would be goddamned fantastic. Oden playing against backups all year because Camby is too good? Sign me up! This isn't like Przybilla starting in front of Oden. Camby gives you passing and some offensive game, and Camby can slide over to PF much easier than Przybilla can. More likely, though, is that Camby gets one of his usual injuries, Oden gets the start, and Camby plays out the rest of his career as a backup. In truth, I'm not even sure Camby wants a starting job next season. This year he definitely did because he's heading into his last big contract, and starters of all ages make more money. But the dude is going to be 37 this time next year. Are there any starting centers in the NBA that old? Shaq and..... I'm guessing once he gets that last deal he'll be happy to go the Hakeem/Ewing/Mutombo/Sabonis route of coming off the bench for the twilight of his career.
I still find both of them playing at once very intriguing. Oden and Camby on the floor at once. Who scores in the paint on us? Who gets rebounds against us? Camby likes the outside jumper giving Oden plenty of freedom to work. Plus Camby is out on the floor to call the defense, and teach.
It sucks that Oden's development keeps getting set back but what are we supposed to do? We can't waste Brandon's prime waiting for Oden to learn the game. We need a guy in there who can deliver.
