I'd like people to explain to me how Hibbert last season was better than Rolo. Not saying he isn't, but I'd like proof that he was. Seems to me Hibbert has been on a pretty steep decline, and was only ever good for a kind of short period. I really wanted Hibbert for a while, but Rolo has performed admirably for the most part and isn't he younger? And more mobile? And a better, more efficient scorer?
People are banking on a rebound from Hibbert (saying the reason he has done so-so is he doesn't like it there) but that is a very big gamble.
I seem to remember Lopez being a mediocre center everywhere else but in Portland. I think that has more to do with being next to Aldridge than Lopez just getting better. I suspect Hibbert would be amazing in Portland using the same concept. I would also think we could get Hobbert and Lopez, so we would have the best of both worlds
I think Hibbert is a better defender than Robin is. And if we gave Hibbert the shots we gave Lopez, and not put him in a spot to shoot 18 footers like thru do in indy then I think his scoring would be just as efficient. I think he'd be slightly more of a post up threat than Robin currently is.
Cool. So, every major injury must mean to just get rid of them. Pacers should just get rid of Paul George then? Boris Diaw should have just stopped playing then. Get out of here with that stuff, as Dviss would say.
I am with you on Danny Green as opposed to taking a big chance on Wes - love the guy but the comeback from his injury is very chancy. Agree on Rolo, would sign him for 7-8 mil per but no more, Kaman may be a nice trade chip with his contract only 1 mil guarateed. I also look to move Nic, we can argue all day about his issues of playing overseas amd his inconsistency but the MAIN thing for me is that I don't think will or wans to re-sign in POR after next year, so let get some value for him NOW while we can. A guy I keep thinking of is Tyreke Evans who can play PG/SG/SF, yes he's not the best outside shooter but he's a great slasher and good ball handler and backup/alternate PG, we have plenty of shooters. Trade Nic for Tyreke is something I would look at, Tyreke is only 25 and has 2 yr left on his contract
Paul George is 25, he is a superstar, and it's a bone break, which can heal without any ill effects. Wes is almost 30. He is not a superstar. It's an achilles tear, which could either heal with no ill effects, or it could give him problems the rest of his career. Do you want to pay him 10+ million a year for four or five years without having any idea how he will recover from this injury? Oh.... and report to the principles office (me), you're going to get a spanking.
Yes, I would. He's earned it. Now, what about Diaw? Wade? Not all Knee issues mean the same thing. If you're scared off because of one persons injury, then that's on you, I suppose.
Has either of those players torn an achilles? Wade is a HOF caliber player, and Diaw..... well I don't see Diaw pulling down a 15+ million dollar per year contract.
But the knees, man! That's what I'm talking about. And I would sign Wes to a $10 mil/year contract without batting an eye. He's EARNED that. And if he isn't the same, so what? If a guy has worked hard, he's earned it. I have no problem with that. If he's bad, people are going to say it was a stupid decision, but the hindsight crowd is always right in some respects, they just look silly waiting. That's on them. Wes earned his money. Fear shouldn't get in the way of loyalty.
So you would hamper an organization for years because someone earned a contract in your eyes? What if we sign him to that deal and he never plays another game?
Wes earned his last contract and before the injury was looking at a 4 yr 50 mil deal at least, IMO the Blazers owe him nothing as we've seen too often this is a BUSINESS. We did not know he would even return to Portland. I would we willing to offer Wes an 8-10 mil ONE year deal or a 15 mil 2 yr with a player option after one year, nothing more. If he comes back strong he is looking at a big time payday next year as he could opt out, if not he gets 8-10 mil and likely signs a smaller contract if his performance is impaired - still making millions per year.
Wes earned his last contract and before the injury was looking at a 4 yr 50 mil deal at least, IMO the Blazers owe him nothing as we've seen too often this is a BUSINESS. We did not know he would even return to Portland. I would we willing to offer Wes an 8-10 mil ONE year deal or a 15 mil 2 yr with a player option after one year, nothing more. If he comes back strong he is looking at a big time payday next year as he could opt out, if not he gets 8-10 mil and likely signs a smaller contract if his performance is impaired - still making millions per year.
I was leaning that way too, but to be fair to the Blazers, year two should be a team option. I say this because Wes could very well miss at least half the season. Really it is a win-win. Wes wins because he gets a raise even though he is hurt, and the Blazers win because they get him for year two at a reasonable rate. Of course Wes and his agent will say he will be ready by training camp. And you never know he might be. But Kobe said he would too, and ended up hurting something else. Which is common when you try to come back too soon.
yeah, the worse thing you can do with that type of injury is come back to fast as tendons are very slow healers
I have a gut feeling the Knicks or Cavs will overpay Wes and we won't ..I love Wes and hope he heals but as some say..this is a career altering injury. If Wes signs a 2 year with team option second year, we'd be smart to see how it pans out. I don't think Neil is going to offer him max years given the circumstances. On a two year deal, you have some flexibility and if Wes does want to stay, there'll be more money next time around. I think we keep Kaman around because his salary is not going to make much difference compared to what he brings for the money and he doesn't need playing time to be happy here. Rolo is replaceable.