Steve Nash Mike Bibby Jason Kidd Allen Iverson Andre Miller Other players to use the money on K*be Bryant Ron Artest Hedo Turkoglu Some of these players might have signed an extension, but they are out there
I suspect thats because in the past (at least the time of those rumors) the team sucked. I would be surprised if he had a particular dislike of Portland specifically rather than being stuck on a bad team. Not that I'm sure I want to trade for him at this point. I'm just unsure how much he has left in the tank.
Kobe Bryant would be great, but is a pipe dream. He can earn more money in LA, LA is a championship contender and he loves the area. There's nothing at all that would cause him to leave that situation. And Artest and Turkoglu are small forwards; if we're going to add a small forward, I'd much rather have Wallace. Allen Iverson isn't a point guard, he's a small shooting guard with passing skills. If we want that, we have good in-house prospects in Fernandez and Bayless. Nash and Kidd are on the downhill slopes of their careers. Bibby or Miller would be an interesting signing, I'll admit. I'd much rather use the cash to acquire a long-term addition to the core, though, which is why Wallace seems ideal. He's a "young veteran"...he's played in the league for a number of years, but is still young enough to be a part of the core the team has assembled. He's also very talented. I'd love to have a long-term core of Roy/Wallace/Aldridge/Oden. That's almost an entire starting lineup of talented, young players. The team has a chance to complete that lineup with Fernandez or Bayless. And would still have players (like either of those two players, or Webster) to use in potential deals. All without talking about Batum, who could be special, but it's hard to know right now where his value might ultimately lie.
Quick - name all the NBA champs without top 5 defense at the wing position? Quick - name all the NBA champs with top 5 defense at the wing position? Answer that question, while adding the notion that Brandon Roy is the player on our team who will run playoff 4th quarter offense and have the ball in his hands in cruical moments. Quick - who was the point guard and what type of point guard were on the Bulls and Laker teams that featured a clutch closer (Jordan and Michael)? Roy is not an off-the-ball guard. You do not need two star guards that both need the ball to be effective. Think of the Pistons. On (Billups) was best with the ball. The other (Rip) is an off-the-ball guard.
Who's our 'Pau Gasol' that vaults us into the elite? Tony Parker. The Spurs' window is about to shut as they age and decline, the West gets stronger. We have a lot of assets we could throw at them. I like Jason Kidd for this team. Obviously a short-term answer, but I like what he would bring immediately to the court (Leadership) and he could mentor our guards. Brandon, Rudy, and Jerryd could learn so much from playing with Kidd every day. Gerald Wallace, a 7-year vet, would improve us a lot on the defensive end. His weakside shotblocking is elite for a SF. A very, very good post defender.
Parker would be unreal to get. That would be amazing!!! I agree with Fez about Kidd too. He could teach so much. I doubt either will ever come though.
Well then your idea of solid, and mine, are quite different, considering I can't remember the last time TJ Ford didn't miss a major part of the season due to an injury, and the fact that TJ Fords "Me First" mentality does not fit here.
