and if we did trade for Asik two guys we would most likely lose are McCollum and Leonard, they have basically not played this year, how would that hurt our bench?
It wouldn't. With that said, I love what Lopez is doing. I'm still not convinced that Asik is really an upgrade.
I know you know it would not, was basically agreeing with U. I love what Lopez is doing as well, Hawes might actually be a better fit giving us offense WITH Lopez and he'd likely be cheaper as he expires this year.
I have stated in this thread I would love to have Asik for depth purposes. He and Robin around 24 minutes a game. But Joel keeps doing the little things I don't think Asik can do. I realize they are two entirely types of players, but which one is more beneficial? Those two clutch baskets last night by Joel were huge. No way Asik makes them. Joel also can cover big players away from the basket, Asik can't. He spreads the floor more for LMA, Asik can't. So maybe it is not such a good idea. Joel is a good player to have for 15 minutes a game. Asik may not be happy with that role.
Freeland was one of the best big men in Europe. It was a matter of time before he figured out the NBA.
I'm kind of intrigued by Hawes, too - something I NEVER thought would happen (with his soft game and Republicanism). He's really stepped up this year and I think he'd add an interesting wrinkle. Imagine having FIVE guys who can shoot threes on the floor at once! I wonder if Philly wants to move him (because he's hurting their tanking) or they see him as part of their base. [Checks.] Ah - his contract runs out at the end of the year, so I assume they'll let him leave.
Dave doesn't understand intangibles or chemistry or character and their affect on a team. At least his writing is fairly clear on this point, that they play an insignificant role, if any role at all, in a team's success. Perhaps he would argue otherwise, but that's not what his writing suggests. He can't see the forest through the trees, he can't smell his own $@^# on his knees. In other words, he can't see how good the Blazers are when he's standing smack dab in the middle of them, and he can't see how poor his analysis is when he spends all his time "praying" to advanced stats and the history. He would call himself a pragmatist, someone who looks at data and what he sees and describes it in his own loquacious manner. Yet, his writing time and again shows a lack of understanding for the influencing elements that exist everywhere but on a stat sheet. LA hit on it, “This is the most cohesive, selfless team I've been on. Guys playing for each other, guys laying it on the line. Everybody having everybody's back. Every quarter a different guy showing up and making big shots and making big plays. This team has been great all season.” Heart, pride, putting team needs above personal accolades or successes. I think the soldier/war analogies in sports are often over-used if not misused, and often by people who have no personal frame of reference. But, some of the elements of the Band of Brothers character that leads to combat units performing amazing feats under fire have no doubt been on display throughout this season courtesy of the Blazers. You could even hear it on media day. It just had a different tone. The demeanor was different. And unfortunately for some, and perhaps many, media and fans, they had no frame of reference to recognize it. There's no stat, advanced or otherwise, to describe it. And that's how a team like Portland was so easily written of as a fringe to non-play-off team at best. It's not that they were wrong, it's simply that they didn't realize what they were looking at.
I'd be open to moving Leonard although it's a risk. But you are right I'd be opposed to breaking up the existing nucleus and chemistry to bring in Asik. That includes McCollum.
We are not trading Robin Lopez. As someone mentioned earlier, LA loves him and he's been a Godsend to this team.
All in favor of asik for Lopez go ahead and re watch the 4th quarter last night. Especially when Lopez blocked 3 shots in one possession before refs bailed out warriors with a foul call.
I'd be open to a CJ and Leonard trade for Asik. Ideally we could keep CJ but I'd be open to it. He hasn't played thus far so he hasn't really been a part of the formula, plus with Mo, it's not likely he'll find much time on the floor.
The way we are playing Houston might not entertain any trade with us. We could be a possible playoff opponent.
I wouldn't - you don't know what you have in CJ yet. He was the most efficient scorer in college basketball before his injury. The only college player you could compare him to (advanced stats) is Lillard. Lopez looks like he's taking his game to the next level.
Not sure if we'll be able to keep Mo after this season. CJ could be a replacement on a super cheap rookie contract.
