To understand the state of the team, one must examine what occurred last summer.... http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/18400380/nba-bad-summer-bummer-trail-blazers
"Hey guys, I was the 3rd string center on a championship team, you need to listen to me!" - Festus Nokneeli
I feel for Fes. His input, coming from such a successful team, should be priceless. But I also see where CJ comes from-- it's hard to take criticism from someone who isn't out there in the trenches with you.
He's lost nearly as much as he has in the last two seasons combined, less than halfway into this season. Even if he didn't play much, his input should not be completely discarded.
At least ESPN edits his stuff better than CSN did. No more obvious typos. And he seems to have Dame's ear for some reason.
It would be like if Meyers stood up in front of the team and lectured everyone on not taking so many jump shots.
Until either Noel is traded elsewhere, or the trade deadline passes, I'm just going to tell myself this is just the typical Olshey loose lips sink ships approach. Otherwise, I'd have to completely give up all hope of substantial improvement and lose all faith and respect for Neil Olshey. Whether a trade happens, or not, anything that has the potential to improve the team HAS to at least be on the radar. Trading Crabbe for Noel solves two of Neil's biggest blunders of last summer. It let's us get out from under Crabbe's ridiculous contract (relative to his role and his production). And, it actually gets us an elite defensive big man, not a guy in a suit who yells at the teammates he's never played a single minute with. BNM
Dwight Howard was the Blazers' next option. Cap wise, Portland wasn't in a position to commit to extending him a max offer. The team would have had to renounce one of three restricted free agents (Moe Harkless, Allen Crabbe or Meyers Leonard), a move Olshey wasn't inclined to exercise. Dump Meyers to sign Howard? I would have packed his bags and driven him to the airport. Even pay for the in flight movie. Bye Meyers!
It takes two to tango. What makes Haynes think that Howard was interested in signing here even if the Blazers were inclined to clear cap space for a max offer?
I also don't think Ezeli is a bad guy here. I think he's just trying to contribute somehow. It must be crushingly disappointing for him not to be able to play, so he's trying to provide emotional support and leadership. Obviously, though, no matter how well-meaning it may be meant, players aren't going to want to hear from a guy who isn't in the trenches with them. As I mentioned in another thread, Joe Posnanski once asked an end-of-career Terry Pendleton (who was brought to a team for "veteran leadership") how he leads and Pendleton said that while he makes himself available, no one's interested in advice from him. "If you ain't hitting, you ain't leading," was how he put it. It's just how it is.
Are you sure? I've always heard the best tangos involve three, though it's also an extreme risky maneuver.
Yeah, if I could trade Meyers and Turner for Howard today, I'd do it in a heartbeat. I still doubt that he would have chosen Portland over his hometown, but if it were to come out that we would have signed Dwight had we renounced MyLe, I'm going to fall into a deep depression.
You at least put it on your radar, which is what I said. How do you know he's not interested if you don't at least ask? If he's not interested in Crabbe for Noel straight up, sweeten the pot by throwing in CLEs 1st round pick. PHI definitely NEEDS to trade one of Noel or Okafor. Colangelo will listen to offers and take the one that he feels is best for his team. You may not be the one he chooses, but when a player is available that addresses your biggest weakness, you at least "put him on the radar" and do your due diligence. Which why I suspect, whether we get Noel or not, this is just typical Olshey keeping his cards close to his vest. To not at least inquire about Noel would be negligent given our needs. BNM
This. Dwight is from ATL and wanted to go home given the shit shows he's been in with his last two teams. Once ATL lost Horford, Dwight to ATL was a done deal. BNM
2's the key number here. Think about it. 2 sides of a coin. 2's company, 3's a crowd. 2, man, that's the number. 2 little monkeys jumping on a bed, one fell off and bumped his head. You know that old children's nursery rhyme. It's like you're dreamin' about Gorgonzola cheese when it's clearly Brie time, baby. Step into my office!
