Some time during next season we will be talking about Rolo and kaman fighting for the starting position
He turned out to be a good signing, but he was an undrafted FA for the Jazz (a smaller market BTW) who averaged 10 ppg in 25 mpg for the Jazz, and has a career PER UNDER the NBA average of 15.00. He is a nice player, but significant is overstating it
You guys are both right, probably the city and the team is what influenced him to take less money than what is sounds like both Phx and the Cavs were willing to offer.
With all this Wes talk . . . had the Blazers stole some undrafted player with potential from another team with the MLE, I would be excited about that signing. I just don't get what they see in Kaman, but they are the professional and do this for a living and must see something in him. They were quick to move on Kamen after they knew they couldn't get Hawes, so it wasn't like Kaman was the only player left at the end of summer. Maybe all the lack of PT has allowed his body to recover (trying to see the bright side of that signing after a fun 4th of July)
Well, the second year of the contract is not fully guaranteed and he is an upgrade over Freeland and Leonard. I expect TRob and Freeland to help fill at the 4/5 back-up spots while Leonard is still learning the game.
The contract is basically a 2 yr contract with a team option after his first year (which is good) . . . I wonder if the Blazers can use an MLE next year worth about 4 million if they choose to buyout Kaman. Also Rolo did log the most minutes of his career, don't know if you can count on that each year. But Kaman for the MLE? . . . ok I'll stop.
I understand and feel the same way. I don't think Kaman was the BPA for the MLE as we need help everywhere on our bench.
I'm shocked people don't think back up center wasn't our biggest problem last year. We got killed defensively, rebounding and got zero offense in most games from our 2nd string center. While kaman isn't a good starter he's a huge improvement to our bench. Plus he will give you roughly 8-10 points a game as back up plus 6-8 rebounds. While i would rather have had Hawes at least we got a legitimate back up center! Plus great job with contract allowing us flexibility for next year.
You are 100% accurate bro. When freeland went down with an injury, we had a very tough time winning ball games. And freeland wasn't really a center.
He's a one year stop gap we are hoping will play more than 50% of his games while keeping Leonard on the bench. I'm cool with the latter part of that statement.
Kaman may have been the BPA for the MLE that was a "good fit" with all the variables the Blazers are looking at WHO WAS WILLING TO CHOOSE THE BLAZERS FOR THE MLE. It takes two to tango. The Blazers have certain criteria they are looking for in a player, and they have to formulate an overall strategy -- this season and into the future. The players have certain criteria they are looking for in a team (mostly money). And there are other teams looking at the same players we are. I have to think the Blazers talk to many teams, agents, and other team executives. Every move is a risk and should be part of a strategy. And yeah, the Blazers have always had to overpay.
I agree with you both. Backup center for this upcoming season was IMO our top priority. I joked while Freeland was injured he must be our MVP, because when he went down, so did we it seemed.
Thank you, would love to post more but two kids in high school and I coach high school football and my daughters traveling basketball team. Life gets in the way lol
Funny thing is, that at 32 years of age, Chris Kaman had one of his best seasons statistically last season. Small sample size at 39 games, but he's been putting up numbers per 36 that compare to guys making 10+ mil at center. Last year it was 20/11/3assists 2 blks per 36.
