Well, what Center do you want?

[Prue]

A few threads around here with various chatter about the position has me asking the question: For next year, what backup center do you want?

There has been some interesting chatter here about boo-Pau, and I dont think Portland would ever really get him for the money he would take (I KNOW he said money isn't first, wining is...but ~5 mil to come off the bench I don't think bags him.) Combine this talk with a fairly mutual discussion over the 'raw-ness' of Meyers (I swear last nights NOP game he looked scared out there at one point) and with no updates on Joel 2.0...We might could use a center.

Spencer Hawes is an interesting choice and one I wouldn't mind seeing. He's not an enforcer...he could spend the off season in the gym and gain 15-20 lbs of ripped-city for sure...but he could come in for the second unit and cause all sorts of damage with our guys. This would be the "We need more point production from our bench" sorta choice.
PRO

• He can legit shoot the 3-ball as a Center
• He's got a ok back to the basket post-up game
• He runs the floor faster than most 7 footers

CON

• He's not very agressive on Defense
• He likes to roll away instead of stand firm from driving players

Otherwise if we go the other way, and we say our bench next year will get plenty of point production then we get someone more defensive minded for when Robin sits out. Marcin Gortat would be a good option here.
PRO

• The guy is quick, can run back at pace
• Very good shot blocker
• Would be the best rebounder on the 2nd unit by far

CON

• Not going to bring him in for offense
• I think costs to much to make deal plausible

 

[Blazinaway]

IMO another consideration would have to be Okafor, if he fully recovers from groin injury would be a nice backup and possibly in our price range

 

[Blazinaway]

Picked this post up from another board, it covers the FA C's well"


"Andray Blatche
Dante Cunningham
Ed Davis
Jordan Hill
Kris Humphries
Mike Scott
Ryan Hollins
Chris Kaman
Nazr Mohammed
Lavoy Allen
Gustavo Ayon
Spencer Hawes
Josh McRoberts
Emeka Okafor
Jason Smith

obviously, weeding by defenders ratchets the list down in a hurry. Okafor is clearly the best defender, but he's missed a full season from injury and would likely want more then the MLE

Jordan Hill, IMO, is the best of the rest defensively and he's a strong rebounder as well. He can play either PF or C too. Ed Davis appears to be a good defender

Josh McRoberts is versatile and a great passer. Decent defender and viable 3pt shooter. Average rebounder and has a PO so he might not become UFA

Kris Humphries is a decent defender and a physical presence. Stong rebounder as well"

 

[illmatic99]

IMO another consideration would have to be Okafor, if he fully recovers from groin injury would be a nice backup and possibly in our price range

Great suggestion

I don't care about offense from the backup big. With TRob coming along nicely on the P&R game, and CJ hopefully better, we should be okay on scoring. I want a guy who can protect the rim. He can also play alongside LA or RoLo if needed. Okafor would be the perfect target.

 

[Prue]

IMO another consideration would have to be Okafor, if he fully recovers from groin injury would be a nice backup and possibly in our price range

Yeah no there are a LOT of considerations out there for sure, and Okafor would be one worth looking into...I just don't see them letting him get away though. Out all season with injury...he's still going to want bigger money than I think we can afford though.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Pau Gasol?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

How about Joel Freeland? A little undersized, but plays straight up well, rebounds offensively very well, and has soft hands for a big man. Good at passing out of the key. Doesn't have a huge offensive game, but is good out to 15 feet and can can the odd wide-open jumper.

 

[illmatic99]

How about Joel Freeland? A little undersized, but plays straight up well, rebounds offensively very well, and has soft hands for a big man. Good at passing out of the key. Doesn't have a huge offensive game, but is good out to 15 feet and can can the odd wide-open jumper.

lol it's like I didn't see the forest through the trees. Joel was very good to start the season. Kinda forgot about him.

 

[Blazinaway]

Yeah no there are a LOT of considerations out there for sure, and Okafor would be one worth looking into...I just don't see them letting him get away though. Out all season with injury...he's still going to want bigger money than I think we can afford though.

Think about it, Okafor will be 32 when next season starts and is coming off a big injury, Phoenix has Plumlee and Len and a lot of draft picks - I have to think Okafor is not in their plans and he will be a UFA

 

[Blazinaway]

Pau Gasol?

I think it highly unlikely he comes to Portland, but one can never say their is zero chance

 

[Blazinaway]

How about Joel Freeland? A little undersized, but plays straight up well, rebounds offensively very well, and has soft hands for a big man. Good at passing out of the key. Doesn't have a huge offensive game, but is good out to 15 feet and can can the odd wide-open jumper.

even with Joel I'd like to have another solid vet big and get rid of Meyers

 

[PapaG]

A few threads around here with various chatter about the position has me asking the question: For next year, what backup center do you want?

There has been some interesting chatter here about boo-Pau, and I dont think Portland would ever really get him for the money he would take (I KNOW he said money isn't first, wining is...but ~5 mil to come off the bench I don't think bags him.) Combine this talk with a fairly mutual discussion over the 'raw-ness' of Meyers (I swear last nights NOP game he looked scared out there at one point) and with no updates on Joel 2.0...We might could use a center.

Spencer Hawes is an interesting choice and one I wouldn't mind seeing. He's not an enforcer...he could spend the off season in the gym and gain 15-20 lbs of ripped-city for sure...but he could come in for the second unit and cause all sorts of damage with our guys. This would be the "We need more point production from our bench" sorta choice.
PRO

• He can legit shoot the 3-ball as a Center
• He's got a ok back to the basket post-up game
• He runs the floor faster than most 7 footers

CON

• He's not very agressive on Defense
• He likes to roll away instead of stand firm from driving players

Otherwise if we go the other way, and we say our bench next year will get plenty of point production then we get someone more defensive minded for when Robin sits out. Marcin Gortat would be a good option here.
PRO

• The guy is quick, can run back at pace
• Very good shot blocker
• Would be the best rebounder on the 2nd unit by far

CON

• Not going to bring him in for offense
• I think costs to much to make deal plausible

Both Hawes and Gortat will make too much money to be back-up centers.

 

[Blazinaway]

Both Hawes and Gortat will make too much money to be back-up centers.

agree

 

[Prue]

Both Hawes and Gortat will make too much money to be back-up centers.

I mean they are right there for sure...Hawes I think is cheaper to get than Gortat would be but in part it would be based more on WHERE they would WANT to play. One one hope Portland is an attractive option. I guess it really begs the question on what are you willing to 'let go' in order to secure a 'solid' backup Center. Lets say Blazers make it out of the first round. If we drop in the 2nd round and the middle/defense was our weakness (as it has been at times) then for next year do we get aggressive with trying to be outside-contenders for the WCF? Do we let Meyers and Joel go to do a trade like this? Do we let Wright go too? Victor?. Earl is already gone so there is a little space there gained....I dunno. I'm not a money guy so I have no clue what it takes to secure a player but I'm willing to sacrifice the right people to make us stronger for the now + long term.

 

[PapaG]

I mean they are right there for sure...Hawes I think is cheaper to get than Gortat would be but in part it would be based more on WHERE they would WANT to play. One one hope Portland is an attractive option. I guess it really begs the question on what are you willing to 'let go' in order to secure a 'solid' backup Center. Lets say Blazers make it out of the first round. If we drop in the 2nd round and the middle/defense was our weakness (as it has been at times) then for next year do we get aggressive with trying to be outside-contenders for the WCF? Do we let Meyers and Joel go to do a trade like this? Do we let Wright go too? Victor?. Earl is already gone so there is a little space there gained....I dunno. I'm not a money guy so I have no clue what it takes to secure a player but I'm willing to sacrifice the right people to make us stronger for the now + long term.

Either of those guys would be a nice option, but the problem is that Lopez is going to get paid after next year, and I'm not sure having ~$20m tied up at the center position is the best move if Stotts continues to be the coach. He doesn't really utilize that position, and Hawes, for one, probably would feel like his talents are being restricted. The Blazers are lucky in that Lopez seems content to be a 'glue' guy, but the reality is he could probably have a larger role on another team, as could Hawes and Gortat. Lopez shoots FTs very well, has a passable 15' shot, and seems to be developing some moves both in the post and off of the pick and roll.

I have a feeling that Leonard/Freeland will again be the back-ups, primarily because they are both still on rookie contracts, and the MLE can be used to get some more scoring from the bench from a wing.

 

[Denny Crane]

IMO another consideration would have to be Okafor, if he fully recovers from groin injury would be a nice backup and possibly in our price range

He has a neck injury, no? Herniated disk if I remember correctly. He may never play again.

 

[Strenuus]

I like that Joel Freeland kid. I'll stick with him.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I like that Joel Freeland kid. I'll stick with him.

Me too obvs, but I agree with Papa: we can also get a vet center and let Meyers grow in peace.

 

[dviss1]

Me too obvs, but I agree with Papa: we can also get a vet center and let Meyers grow in peace.

How do you grow without PT?

 

[Natebishop3]

I like Hawes because I think he could swing between both frontcourt positions.

 

[Strenuus]

How do you grow without PT?

Well, he hasn't been growing with it, so I guess it's option 2? lol.

 

[Blazinaway]

Me too obvs, but I agree with Papa: we can also get a vet center and let Meyers grow in peace.

I think bout how well Dieng is playing given minutes, a player i wanted in last years draft, and I cringe when I think of meyers just about total lack of development/improvement, what a waste of a lottery pick

 

[Strenuus]

Me too obvs, but I agree with Papa: we can also get a vet center and let Meyers grow in peace.

I understand that, but where does Freeland go from there? If we get someone like Hawes or Gortat (Most likely not, but for arguments sake), does Freeland go back to 3rd C/PF now? He's worked his ass off to become a pretty good back up... now when he gets an injury and an offseason, we're just gonna put him on the bench with Claver after he's proved himself?

 

[Blazinaway]

Well, he hasn't been growing with it, so I guess it's option 2? lol.

well Meyers hasn't grown and he has had numerous chances the past few years with our weak bench and Freelands injury. who the fuk knows, maybe riding the pine will work? lol

 

[Prue]

Strenuus point is valid on all accounts: I like Joel, he did work his ass off and is a nice option. But liking the guy and him riding pine in favor of a stronger center brings to light the truth of the league: Who said things have to be fair?

That said, I think Portland does better than most on this facet of the game and looks to treat players fair...You get a Hawes or Gortat or Gasol or Okafor and you get them to BELIEVE in the rotation and the system. Can Scotts do that? not sure. Pop can for sure...he'll I'll bet ANY of those 4 would fight for the chance to play for Pop 2nd fiddle...like fight in a 8-sided cage for it. This concept though of 'buying' into your role is what I think Portland gets the most gain in the offseason from the bench with. You tell Will, T-rob, CJ etc..."Look, you'll get the minutes...I need you to play your role out there 100%, not try to fill 3 roles @ only 60% effectiveness." This then translates into HOW you get a valued big for backup center. 2 legit starting centers willing to work together for the purpose of wining games.

Factor as well, Robin (love the man, perfect fit for Portland hands down) isn't 100% the player he was. Post-injury he's lost a lot off of what he had. He's STILL a good center though. But if you can have 2 GOOD centers splitting the time 24 mins each...you can keep BOTH of them healthy! Right now, like many teams...we wear down our starting centers with 'starting' minutes and are screwed if one goes down. Joel showed he can come and and play. Add 2 years to his game at the progress level he had been showing and BOOM we are right there...But if you've got that in the wings, and can have a 3-center rotation (makes more sense with Hawes who can spread out defense since you have to somewhat honor his shot) you get MANY more offensive and defense sets than we currently have. Want to run a twin-towers? DONE, defense lock down with Robin + Gortat for 5-6 mins. Want to pick up the offensive pace with 2nd unit but still be able to rebound? DONE, Will, T-rob, Mo, CJ and Hawes activate! Just saying, gives you MORE than just a Robin <> Joel swap in rotation does.

 

[dviss1]

well Meyers hasn't grown and he has had numerous chances the past few years with our weak bench and Freelands injury. who the fuk knows, maybe riding the pine will work? lol

This is Meyer's 2nd year in the league...

 

[dviss1]

Factor as well, Robin (love the man, perfect fit for Portland hands down) isn't 100% the player he was. Post-injury he's lost a lot off of what he had.

What rock have you been hiding under? Fropez is having a career year.... He's the best he's ever been.

 

[Blazinaway]

This is Meyer's 2nd year in the league...

yes, so almost 2 full seasons and nada from a 13 pick, I'd be glad to not see him on the Blazers next year

 

[Hobbesarable]

FTFY

yes, so almost 2 full seasons and nada from the 11 pick, I'd be glad to not see him on the Blazers next year

 

[Prue]

What rock have you been hiding under? Fropez is having a career year.... He's the best he's ever been.

Yeah no rock, He admits himself he doesn't have the athleticism, the vert that he use to have pre-injury. Nothing taken away from the man, this is his break out season for sure and best he's ever had. Im just saying its CRAZY he's done all that WITH having taking some toll on the body. My bad though for calling him a GOOD center, This year for sure: He's a GREAT center.