So you would rather judge Lamarcus based off of one game last night than watching him for the past 4 seasons? We all know Lamarcus and what he can and can't do. One of those things he can't do, is be dependably physical on a nightly basis, which in my opinion, is a requirement for the "job" he has been given. But if you want to make the decision of the team based upon one game, go ahead. Also I keep seeing post on how I would give up this guy without giving up Player "A". There are no untouchable players on our roster, and in order to get talent back you have to give up talent, so that rather unrealistic expectations of getting a #3 draft pick for peanuts is pretty much a pipe dream. In order to get talent you have to give up talent. Sometimes the only difference is, one player is a better fit in one system than another. We have enough jump shooters on Portland. We need interior presence and scoring. We need players who will set bone jarring picks. We need a power forward who actually rebounds every night. Not just the nights where he is pissed off about the media ripping him for not rebounding.
That seems resonable. That's why I think the "sources" part of the story are embellished. Of course if things look bad after a few weeks they will look to make some moves. There is really no story here. No scoop. no insiders. Just business as usual for a team that is struggling. But since one writer decided to make an article out of common sense and claim he has sources........the rest of the media needed to get there own scoop. There is no scoop. The Blazers will try to get better without losing much in return. When that doesn't work they will wait until February like everyone else.
If you watched the TNT telecast last night, everything that came out the announcers mouth about the Blazers, whoever it was, was regurgitated material. And probably not something they probed to get themselves within the Blazer organization.
IMO, this speculation about two weeks, whether that's right or not, is about coming to a decision as to whether the Blazers are going to be able to do anything this season, as presently constructed, or not. If not, then the timing for looking for some major retooling begins before the deadline. If not, then the retooling takes place this summer. Either way, it's clear that there's some major retooling that needs to happen. Canzano and others keep trying to put it out there that there's some huge fire that makes it essential that Cho make a deal before the deadline. I just don't see that. Yeah, Miller can be an ending contract this year, but the Blazers have an option on him so his ending year could also be next year if Cho decides that making the playoffs this season is better served by keeping Andre around. Yes, Joel's contract is ending this year, but I don't see him as a typical ending contract type of player that's desired by a team that's just looking for a salary dump. Joel has value and is going to be sought after next season as a FA since he's showing that he's still got game. The Blazers could look to re-sign him next summer or to get involved in a sign and trade deal then. LaMarcus has value, but since he's a BYC player this year, the Blazers would find it easier to get more value for him next summer. Bottom line, as I see it, Cho's only going to make a move before the deadline if another team makes him a very attractive offer. Otherwise, I see him as looking to maximize his option next summer.
You seem to be referring more to his offense, though, and I think he'd be fine at C on defense. I'm not judging him solely on last night. I'd also judging him on the past 4 seasons, when I've watched with my own eyes him consistently have decent outings against big Cs like Bynum, Howard, etc. on defense. On offense, he is what he is, which has its benefits, pulling a C away from the basket, but otherwise, that's why I said having a more physical 4 next to him.
If there is not a single player that you compare him to, comparing parts of his game to other players would be ok.
Yes, they did say "two weeks.". Problem is now we're going to play well the next two weeks ago and they won't make the deals we need to improve the team going forward.
Either way I get the same result. He's by far the best player we have, the smartest player we have, and apparently the healthiest player we have. And other than Joel and Marcus, he's the toughest player we have.
freeman, on his freebot show says right now blazers are trying to improve through trade.... but if they suck by feb... then all bets are off. http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2010/12/freemail_props_for_wesley_matt.html
Re: making a move next summer. If the NBA follows precedent, no trades, FA signings, etc, will be allowed until the new CBA is signed. In other words, if the team doesn't make moves now, they may be stuck on hold until the summer of 2012.
Sure there are. There are some decent players in Cleveland that would improve our team. There are other players too. Miller and Przybilla are valuable trading assets.
Miller and Przybilla for Chris Bosh. Solves all Miami's problems (lack of a real point guard, lack of physicality up front) and gives Portland another long-term piece to build around. Perfect! Make it happen, Cho.
You hit the nail on the head. I would do a Favors for Aldridge swap in a second. A lot of posters in this forum haven't watched Favors play and outside of Blazers basketball they are clueless to whats going on around the league. Favors is a throwback, lunchpail in the paint type that battles for rebounds and is just scraping the surface at 19 years old of what he's capable of. The guy is going to be a solid, solid NBA player.
What current/former player would you compare him to? By MIXUM not answering the question, I would say he has not watched him.
They may very well beat the Suns since without Robyn Lopez that team is pretty bad but I don't see them beating either Dallas or San Antonio. The Grizzlies are a coin flip. My guess is they go 1 and 3 over the next 4 games putting them 2 games under .500. Not sure if Paul Allen thinks a team in the running for a high lottery pick is good enough to leave intact.
