Health, consistent shooting and bigs = Cho Wow have things changed since a few years ago. I expect some big things to happen this Summer, just because the Blazers have too many overlaps and holes in the line-up. Probably most the deals we won't even see coming. Probably players we never would have guess we could obtain or want. It will be a very interesting off-season to say the least.
I agree, Mags. I think Cho has his own vision of the team and will provide the analysis to Miller and Allen to support his conclusions. Once the new CBA is settled, I expect a flurry of activity.
We may see a flurry of activity during the draft as well; even before the CBA is settled. Actually I would think that Portland will try to do more during the Draft than many would imagine. What I do know is Cho is much different than KP. I doubt KP makes any deal as big as the Wallace one on the dead-line. To me, this seems like Cho is willing to take gambles and is a much better negotiator than KP.
I'd be fine with keeping most of the team together and letting the guys get familiar with each other's (current...Roy) games. We have the court IQ, experience, and defense (It's on Nate if he can't get good defense out of this roster). I would like a few minor changes though, any way you guys think we could parlay Mills & Rudy (and a pick or Claver) into Aaron Brooks who had a very down year last year? If we were able to pull that off and sign someone like Turiaf as an insurance big along with maybe Pryz for extremely spot minutes, then this year could be a fun year adding some speed, depth, and shooting. It would kind of be Greg's chance too, and if it doesn't work out this year then go in another direction for a big. Miller/Brooks...(Johnson) Matthews/Roy...(Williams) Wallace/Batum...(Babbit) Aldridge/Wallace/Turiaf Camby/Aldridge/Pryz...(Oden, Johnson) You could play everyone 25 mpg and have a lot of fresh legs (plus covered for injuries because guys wouldn't be worn out), except 36 mpg for Aldridge (24-4, 12-5) and Wallace (24 SF, 12 PF). Then play either Turiaf or Pryz in the case of Camby or Wallace being in foul trouble. Basically play Turiaf if you want to keep Aldridge down low (matchups) and Pryzbilla if you want him out on the perimeter. However, this doesn't take into account Oden, who would bump both of them out of the rotation unless Camby or Wallace got hurt (fair possibility).
I'm not so sure we'll see activity before the new CBA, or at least if the sides are far apart (and therefore the new CBA's clauses are unsettled). Cho's MO has been to focus on the CBA and work his strategy from it, rather than to make moves and worry about the CBA later.
Cho stated speed in the backcourt, more size and shooting, along with the "overall" health..... later he stated that having Oden healthy would help with the "size"...and also mentioned another big like Pendergraph or a FA or possible big man draft pick? The most important of the three IMO is the shooting, although I think Cho is right in that they are not easy to find.... Not sure what he meant by speed in the backcourt, not a great supporting statement for Miller....Roy is certainly slow, Rudy not great either....maybe Elliot Williams might help a little...I don't see much positive in the future from either Mills or Johnson frankly.... There are some under the radar PG in this draft that might bear a hard look. Do they bring over Koponen? Does'nt help in the quick dept, but is supposedly a good shooter... POR really needs a player who can make that 10-15ft mid range jumpshot....too often POR players are either jacking a 3pt shot (with bad %) or driving to the rim....Some type of mid range shooter, or at least some type of Jason Terry\jamal Crawford\Corey Maggette tyep of scorer off the bench is sorely needed.... I was watching the MEM\OKC game last night and the came to the realization that thye have much better scorers coming off the bench than POR does currently, this is a real weakness for POR IMO....guys like Harden, Maynor (played out of his mind last nght), OJ Mayo, Tony Allen...or Dallas with Terry, Barea & Stojakovic. POR needs some better scorers coming off the bench Batum, Rudy & Roy were way to inconsistent and everyone else (Mills, A. Johnson, Babbitt) were non existant. I think bench play was a large contributor to why POR lost their series against DAL this year.
I think we need to plan for an Oden-less future. It's the responsible thing to do. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.
Absolutely Maxie. If Oden can give them anything that's great, but it's starting to seem increasingly likely that "Big Greg" probably wouldn't be averse to a change in scenery where he can make a fresh start ... and frankly maybe this organization needs a fresh start from him too. I'm not foolish enough to think that we're going to replace him with a big with as much physical potential (TM) as Greg posseses, but I think it's time to start looking at alternatives and make plans with Greg considered nothing more than a "bonus" player.
The Camby deal was just as important to the 2009-10 team as the Wallace deal was this year. Actually, the Blazers had a better record after the Camby trade than they had after the Wallace deal.
Miller is the main guy I think might be moved, because of his unique contract that can come off the books this season, deal before the CBA expires might happen.
I think that's not an unrealistic scenario. Number one picks make or break a franchise. This franchise has been broken by it so far and I don't expect it to change. All I do know is if Oden leaves for the same or less money than we offer him, he will become my most hated Blazer in history.
Yes. Better at taking the chance of Oden for at least until LMA's and Roys contract extensions happen. I don't see any foreseeable move that could put us over the top otherwise.
