I was pretty "meh" about Hickson because of his recent history of being bounced around. But I was reminded by something I read that there was a trade for Amare Stoudemire that was nixed because the team didn't want to include Hickson. So at one point he showed promise. And he has certainly been a glimmer of light in the gloom of the season. I just don't know if he's actually good or if he's a Drew Gooden, can-put-up-numbers-on-crappy-teams type.
Isn't this a bit like saying that losing WWII was the best thing that ever happened to Japan? Maybe in the long run things rise from the ashes, but that doesn't make it actually good. Besides, for a total purge, we need to have a new owner and training staff, too.
Your analogy is off. The Japanese entered WWII expecting that they could win or at least force the US into making some concessions. How many really thought that the Blazers were still a contender going into this season? The window on the Blazers contending for a title with Roy, Aldridge & Oden slammed shut when Ron Artest stepped on Roy's foot and tore his meniscus and Greg's knees fell apart. Given where the team sat prior to the start of the season, with Roy and Oden trying to rehab their ways into maybe playing some role for a few more years and the Blazers applying bandaids to that sinking ship with role player signings, getting past the Roy/Oden era is a good thing. The fact that the Blazers were able to pry a high lottery pick from the Nets for Gerald Wallace was amazing. They still have Aldridge to build around while having two lottery picks and cap space to spend this summer. IMO, we're going to look back on this season as a good thing simply for the prospects is provided. As for the comment about the owner and training staff, I think that's message board hyperbole. I think PA is a good owner and I don't think our training staff has had much to do with Roy's and Oden's bad knees or other freaky injuries. But each to their own theories, I guess.
steve kerr on the bs report a couple of months ago said the best offer they got was hickson so they were fine taking a shot at resigning or letting amare walk. Sent from my LS670 using Tapatalk