I got to thinking about all of the threads around here blaming Nate, Brandon, Lamarcus, Greg's bum foot, etc. and I realized we're letting KP off pretty easy for seemingly assembling a team that is high on raw talent and finesse, but low on balls and a mean streak. So there, I blame KP for all of our current woes; it's his fault for relying too much on guys with good character who fit "the culture" and not going after some players that don't mind getting physical and don't have choir boy backgrounds. ps. I'm brainstorming about who else needs some blame spread to them; I'm sure I can think up something to lay at the feet of Jay Jensen and, Monty Williams, and Maurice Lucas, just give me some time.
I'm guessing there is some tounge in cheek there, but I'll run with it. KP got this town hyped over the decision between Durant and Oden . . . making that decision a crucial decision for the Blazer future. Well to date, KP honked the wrong amount of times and choose Oden. KP made his bed by saying it wasn't an easy choice and he would have to fully evaluate both players before making this hard decision. He almost set himself up with this campaign stategy. Then after the Oden pick, reports come out that other GMs had concerns about Oden's health and his knee at pre-draft workouts (there was a report that actaully had the right knee circled in red prior to the exploratory surgery). If Oden comes back and is dominate, KP can stamp it on his resume that he made the right call in the face of those concerns. But if Oden doesn't work out . . . shouldn't we hold the great one accountable for making the worng decision/
If KP was a real man he'd fire Nate and take over the coaching responsibilities ala G. Popovich! We want to be like the Spurs then start acting like them.
We are 1-3 without Oden in a schedule some were telling us we would start 0-5. We are ahead of the curve. Feeling pretty good right now - when you do the right thing - you just have to take your licks like a man and perform when it counts. We will get Oden back, the schedule will get easier - and we will roll as we expected. Patience, patience, patience...
Funny thing Nik is I know KP is a solid GM and has done a lot to turn this franchise around . . . but you bring up a valid point . . . when putting this team togehter, did he overlook toughness?
All kidding aside? That's a good question; I don't know ... maybe this is the year (or the upcoming off-season) when we'll see him go after some hard assed, nut buster at small forward and backup power forward to at least contrast with guys like LMA and others who play without a lot of brute force.
If we could keep Aldridge and Lee would be satisfied with a backup PF role that would be great, but I have a feeling that he's going to command starter's money and want starter's minutes in his next contract. Then again I would love to see a 3 forward/center rotation of LMA/Oden/Lee ... meaning no more Joel in all likelihood.
why didnt we gooooooooo after james posey? i kept saying posey posey posey, seemed like no one else agree'd
All I know is that we need a change. I love Channing's personality and his seemingly perfect fit with the city of Portland, but I think his days are numbered in a Blazers uni; he just replicates too much of what Aldridge gives this team, as for Diogu I haven't seen anything from him that excites me. I just want to see this team play with a little more swagger and a chip on its shoulder ... bottom line, I want to see a "likes to fight" kind of guy minus the Ron Artest craziness ... some talent would be a nice bonus too.
I agree and both guys I mention play hard, rebound, supply some offense and can defend. I like Frye but he's soft as they come and spends way to much time outside the key which could be Nates fault.