Should and if we lose roy, i believe this team will struggle to win 30 games as is. Because there are so many bad teams, i fear we would end up with another babbit (btw how bad is it that marks came off bench before babbit) which will do nothing for us. when we are in the lotto... i wonder if we get some bulls luck and move into top 3? that might get us back on track for a title. maybe finally a stud pg or center or banger at pf? hows the prospects looking? i think as soon as we get official word on roy... we should start thinking bout this. i never like settling for lotto but we are simply overmatched without his scoring.
There are so many bad teams, yet somehow we'll struggle to win 30. And while only winning 30, if that, we'll still be at the end of the lotto. I would imagine we'd be able to beat up on those sub-30 win teams, then, and get to 40. I mean, both teams in a game can't lose, right?
But yes, I agree. I actually think we bench roy for the rest of the season right now, and get LMA any surgery he needs done, as well as Batum getting a new shoulder. Trade Miller for a pick, then package our picks for better picks. Move Camby as well. No need for him in the lott.
Not sharing your thoughts on our record without Roy aside, this is the worst possible year to be a mid lottery team. With the CBA expiring and a lockout on the horizon there will be several lottery level talents told to stay in school/overseas by their agents and advisers, it should be similar to the 1st draft after they put the age limit in place with a shallow pool of talent to choose from.
Teams that go into the lottery tend to have a hell of a time getting out. Tanking doesn't work. Being in the lottery isn't really a solution to anything unless the problem is having too many fans and too much success.
Even without Roy we'd approach 50 wins. We will beat the MN/Sac/LAC-level teams on a regular basis, but we'll struggle against elite teams. Ed O.
I don't think this is quite a lottery team without a fully healthy Roy, they've got too much talent for that. But as for the general premise that eventually they'll need to get into the high lottery to acquire a true difference maker -- a real dominant wing or scorer to replace Roy should his injuries prove to be career ending or career threatening -- yeah, it may come to that. Hopefully Roy's knee can be rehabbed to a point where he can still heavily impact games for at least a couple more years or maybe some kind of trade gets consummated to get that kind of difference maker, who knows. Anyway, this isn't the year to tank. The draft could be really light on elite underclassmen given the potential lockout; a lot of these guys could end up sitting out the draft instead of risking losing their eligibility, losing the ability to play in competitive games and NOT collect a paycheck.
problem is elite players dont want to come here. paul is out of mix. anthony no chance. all we can hope for is devin harris
Oh okay, then why did you ask if we should trade for one? You are SO confusing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Okay, then my answer again is yes. The team should always trade for elite players (who have no choice in the matter).
well i just wonder..... assuming roy is needing micro.... do the blazers make a trade to improve us? like the camby deal? or a trade that signals rebuilding?
The Blazers are probably not as damaged without Roy as some people might think: Andre Miller can still drive, which keeps people on the wings open because the defense is trying to prevent said drive; L.A., while not a legitimate first option, is still a very good shooter, a decent passer, and is obviously making an effort with respect to his post game; Batum is showing he can be a temporary focal point of the offense; Wes Matthews has yet to gel with the team, but is a threat once he does... ...I also think we've seen how much more fluid the offense is WITHOUT Roy. If he really is done for the season, it gives the team that much more time to adjust to playing without him. Playoffs are certainly in play, and depending on how lucky the team is with close games and injuries, it might be possible to punch through a first-round team. i don't foresee the lottery in Portland's near future unless they do something dumb like mortgage the future by trading Batum and others for an aging star.
So your two choices are a tear down and rebuild or only adding an aged vet past his prime? I vote for the third option.
