I didn't say that the Blazers would attract a premier player via free agency. I do think that they can get a really good FA next summer. I think that the right very good player coupled with our core can make the Blazers a contender. I also think that a good GM can use cap space in unbalanced trades to bring in really good players and draft picks. I think that getting a good GM on board is the very first task that has to be completed before developing a strategy as to how to retool the roster. I DO NOT think that trashing the roster is a recipe for success. All you end up doing is developing young talent and then losing it because you don't have the other pieces necessary to keep the young stars around once their contract is up.
Shtick? Roy has to retire Oden will most likely never play for us again (Getting nothing for him) LA has a recurring heart condition Our center spot is manned by to of the oldest players in the league Our PG is fatter than I am We have a three headed GM that has basically no GM experience between them Our draft picks the last several years have been pathetic
Championship caliber SA CLE MIA LAL OKC CHI Other teams like Wash and LAC have great young studs to start with I would also add Portland to the list of teams if they hadn't been hurt. Or simply drafted Durant instead of Oden. It is one of the only systems that works. Even Boston and Dallas have built their teams around lotto picks
What? Yes they did. They got Robinson because of it, and then he got hurt, they tanked and got Duncan. Houston did this with Olajuwan as well
Dallas never tore down their team, and tried drafting lottery picks, as proposed. That would have been trading Dirk. They continued to add talent, and then look to upgrade that talent with other players in their prime. Similar to us adding Miller, and then upgrading him to Felton. Adding Wallace. Adding Camby. We're basically on that same road, intentionally or not. In fact, Dallas traded AWAY young talent(Harris and picks) to get to where they are now. The main constant with them was upgrading talent, which is what we need to continue to do. And it may take a couple of years to find the right fits around the one player you are building around, but it's the primary option we have currently.
Can we compromise? How about we just blow up the front office, the coaching staff, and the last 3 years worth of wasted draft picks?
So we should win the title this season? Huh, who knew? I guess it doesn't matter that people seriously compare Dirk to Larry Freaking Bird. That might help some. Aldridge is really good, but he's not in that class. close, but not there. Time to retool around him. Camby, Felton, Wallace aren't near enough to compete with the elite teams
I think you guys are all missing the point... Dallas has Dirk. SA has Duncan. We have LaMarcus. LaMarcus is no Dirk or Duncan. We are not going to win a ring with LaMarcus as our best player, it will not happen.
Hank is largely correct. My opinion is dump everyone but Aldridge and perhaps Batum if he re-signs cheaply enough. We'll suck, but if we can get multiple draft picks in 2012, perhaps it won't take five years to turn around. It's tough to break the mediocrity trap in the NBA.
Where did I say we're winning the title this season? Did Dallas win a title before last season? how many times did they swap out on part for another to get them there? I don't think we're winning a title with that group. But we weren't with Miller, Blake, Outlaw, Joel and dante. So i'd say from two years ago to now, we've upgraded THOSE pieces into better talent. The key is continuing that process.
People who say tear it down don't get it. They end up becoming the biggest whiners out there when the team is dreadful for 5 years. They then stop watching the team until a guy like Durant is drafted. Then they know everything again. This team/franchise needs a plan and a quality gm who can make one sided trades. Go find ways to get a star next to LA. Then just add some nice pieces around it with all the upcoming cap space. The Blazers aren't some scrub franchise like the freaking bobcats. This fan base has pride and wants to win. Tanking is easy way out with no guarantees except lotto hell for 3-5 years. Bad and lazy idea.
What is peoples problem with seeing how this team does this year? We have a new pg a full year of crash a healthy wes and a supposed improved batum while all we lost was a hobbeled roy. We have a great core that is only really missing a big defensive center to take over for camby. We have a lot of trade options come the trade deadline. I for one see a loot of pitential that could be realized with one or two moves to net us a big.
and dont forget we dont have a 1st rounder in 2013. with that said, should we have major injuries and not have a shot at post season play at the deadline, move guys like camby/wallace for a 1st round pick since its a great draft class. Then go shopping next summer.
There are 2 options for Portland. 1) Tear it down and start over again. This does not have to mean gutting the team, we could get lucky and have LMA sit out a year due to his heart condition and then come back 100% healthy next year with a top 5 pick. 2) Go back to the old days of overspending on FA's and making lopsided trades for washed up ex-allstars and hope to have a 1-2 year window at it. I would prefer blowing it up and trying to build it organically, but thats just me.
