What do you think we could give for them? They're both under reasonable contracts for 2 years and are very good off the bench.
So? I didn't say they were BAD signings, I said I'm unimpressed with his targets. I also said that I LIKE Olshey, I just think his trades and draft picks have done more for us than his signings. I'm not going to go in circles like so many people here love to do. If you like his signings - great! I think they're okay, at best, and am glad he hasn't overpaid for anyone.
It has seemed a bit like he tries to sign guys that we were lucky not to sign, but the signings he has made have been pretty solid. Even some of the ones he has missed on like Kanter and Monroe
It was a bad trade in hindsight. No doubt. Although as I recall most of this forum wanted us to make some sort of a trade to help our bench. And i don't think any of us thought Will or TRob would be back anyways. (since they were't playing much) We had to make a decision on either Will or Crabbe for the future, and IMO Crabbe was the right call even though you can make an argument for both. But in the future we need to learn not to trade young assets (Including draft picks) for a half season rental. Unless we know for sure he will re-sign.
The biggest problem is that our biggest need isn't necessarily Center. Mason isn't the perfect Center by any means, but he holds his own most the time. The problem is we don't have anyone at the 4 or 5 that really is an offensive post threat that can finish in the paint. Ed Davis is probably best in that regard, but he doesn't muscle in, and has no shot beyond 3'. Mason gets blocked a lot and has no shot beyond 3'. Vonleh does pretty well at the rim .603 (lots of follow dunks) struggles from 3-10ft .283 (yips and adrenaline of a 20yo) but shoots pretty dang well from 10-16 at .467. Meyers has the ability to score from everywhere really. He shoots .527 from 2pt land his lowest rating being .500 from 10-16 and his best being .548 from 3-10 all the other ranges are in the .525 range, he just needs to react and shoot more. We really lack a power guy, I look at the effect Bogut has and while he doesn't play a ton, he definitely changes how people enter the paint and frees things up defensively for others and can score a bucket here or there.
So is it the city that cant get big time free agents or is it NO? I think we are unfairly judging NO. Just about everyone on this board has agreed that Portland doesn't attract big time players, but yet we are outing NO for his FA signings? Not impressed? Oh lord some people are impossible to please.....
I really don't get the trade ed davis talk. the guy actually likes it here, and wants to be here, and is happy with his role here. That isn't easy to find. You gotta hold on to guys that want be here. if nothing else it shows free agents that people like it here and might make more of them interested in at least checking it out.
I agree with most of this. Which is why I think Horford is the best option. He would fit next to any of of our current bigs. On a side note, Plums may get a lot of his shots blocked, but he also finishes strong a lot of times too. (In traffic) I think his issue is knowing when not to throw it up soft. He has a decent hook....he needs to use it more when someone is on him.
That's a pretty solid track record. In most cases the vast majority of transactions long term are very lateral, what you look for is routine pattern of bombs. Neil's biggest bomb was actually a good move at the time considering the goal and circumstances, but in hind sight looks ugly.
Can't they be separate issues? Can't it be that the city of Portland doesn't attract big name FA's, but also that the GM is below par. I am not agreeing or disagreeing with that, just asking.
The only reason that didn't work out is because Wes went down and Afflalo was thrust into a much, MUCH bigger role with zero time to prepare. Can't blame Afflalo for that, it took a long time to develop the chemistry in that lineup, and to expect him to step in and be Wes was unreasonable and unfair, both to him and to Wes.
It is interesting though, because on one Hand Portland historically struggles at landing big name FA's, and on the other hand Neil's GM history was with the Clippers who historically haven't ever wanted to spend money on FA's, and were a basement team, but he has been able to get FA's to listen to him and hear him out.
Sounds like with a little work over the summer, he can eliminate that problem. We need to keep him one more year at least, to see how much he improves. My guess is he will be better next year.
If that were the case then NO wouldn't be able to sign anyone. Yes, they can be, but are they? I don't think so. I think everyone who is knocking on NO are forgetting that they are probably also the ones who said Portland cant get a big name here. So which is it. Portlands' shortcomings or the GM's? If Portland cant get a big name, then how is that the GM's fault?
Yeah, he's the perfect backup PF for us. I'm tired of trading great backup PFs because they're the coolest guys on our team *cough*should have kept Channing Frye and traded LaMarcus *cough*
