Blazers @ Chicago Game Thread (Merged)

No way of telling at this point. Really, we'd like to just have him back. The guy can't get healthy. It's concerning.

 

Nice posts, MikeDC. I agree that there just doesn't seem to be the minutes for Martell that he probably needs, and that's a problem for a couple of players here. We really need a consolidating trade that offloads some pretty good players for one really, really good player.

One thought I'm pondering is if it'd make sense to trade Fernandez (and filler) for Deng. Both guys have tons of talent and upside, but neither seems to be playing that great in the current system. I realize you haven't given up on Gordon, but really, what better fit for a point guard like Rose is there than a lights-out three point shooter who loves to dunk on lobs? You add a steady, mature presence like Fernandez to that team and it'd push the Bulls a long way toward rebuilding.

A lot of Blazer fans would consider it heresy to trade Rudy, and frankly I'm not sure that Rudy doesn't wind up being the better player. But I see Bayless and Roy as our future at the guard spots, and if my choice is 28 mpg of Rudy or 38 mpg of Deng, I'd rather have Deng.

 

Re: Blazers @ Chicago Game Thread

The debate of Outlaw vs Martell at SF is soooo 2007. It's pretty much over now. Outlaw sucks as a starting SF (I was wrong in arguing for it last year).

But the truth is Webster was one of the worst starting small forwards in the league last year too. He apparently showed signs of progress over the summer, but I was not excited at all about the idea of him returning to the starting job.

The big question right now is how long before Batum is actually going to develop into a quality SF. He's already better than either Outlaw or Webster, but that's a pretty low bar to set. And given his freaky length, his ability to finish in the open court, and his defense, it's pretty clear he's going to be pretty good. But will he be a top 15 SF? And if so, when?

I love Batum, but I also don't want to pin our hopes on a 19 year old late first round rookie's development. I'd rather bring in a veteran, quality SF like Deng, and let Batum come off the bench until he can become more consistent.

 

I think it's another example of McMillain having a negative impact on a player's game.

 

I'd pull the trigger on that without question. I didn't think it was worth asking for Rudy. (I like him a lot)

Except, and this is the pain it is to be a Bulls fan... because we've got such as messed up roster situation, what can we do with Gordon then but let him walk. He can nix any trade at the moment, so there's very few situations in which we could get something in return for him.

So trading Deng for Rudy probably amounts to trading Deng and Gordon for Rudy. Which isn't exactly a stellar return.

If the Bulls could figure out a reasonable trade for Gordon, perhaps it'd make sense, but without that it'd just be trading two players for one. and we already don't have enough players.

 

You know there is always one solution to playing time problems. It's called playing better. Maybe if our first 2 depth levels of PG were actually fighting through screens defensivly and not leaving our big men out to dry on switches, then they would get more playing time. Blake does a better job than Sergio. Bayless does better defensivly than both of them, easily. Once he gets into the flow offensivly, which is getting better it looks like every time he steps on the court, this will be a moot question. The reason you don't get playing time is simple. Your not as good.

Bayless is better.

 

Also I forgot to add above, mad props for Travis and his game. I know I am one of his detractors, but I give credit when it is due. He played great last night. I have alluded to this before, but I believe he has a problem getting comfortable offensivly when he plays SF. Last night he started at PF, found his comfort zone, and then as you know, when he is on, its lights on. Maybe Nate is figuring that out, because his production has been up as of late since Frye and Diogu hit the pine for good.

 

get a starting sf for sergi and webster. batum backs up at sf. outlaw backsup at pf.....bayless at pg

 

By the way, I didn't notice if anybody talked about Rudy's foot injury? Anybody know how serious it is?

 

wasnt it his knee?

 

Yeah, I see your point. I really like Rudy too, so much so that I think at some point he's going to realize he just can't reach his potential on a team as stacked as ours is. I see a situation similar to what happened back when Michael Redd was Ray Allen's backup. The Bucks just weren't able to maximize the talents of either guy.

I'm a big Blazers fan, but I'm also a big fan of a few individual players. I was actually happy for Rasheed to see him go, because I knew he'd have much greater success in Detroit. As a Blazer fan, I'd be disappointed to see Rudy go, but I'd probably follow him for the rest of his career no matter what team he went on.

I'll hate to see him go, but when we eventually do our big consolidation trade, I think Rudy will probably be part of the package.

 

I disagree... that'd be such a huge mistake to trade Rudy away. His impact goes far beyond what he gives us on the court, which is already great.
And with how much of a priority KP and the team made to bring him out here, it would take a lot more IMO for KP to give him away just for consolidation purposes. You won't find many guys with Rudy's talent who will accept the backup SG role and is capable to start if Roy is injured.

 

As a counter-example, Manu Ginobili has seemed content with coming off the bench...the combination of playing for a winner, being given as much credit as any starter not named Duncan and being paid like a starter seems to have kept him satisfied. That is hopefully the route Portland would go with Fernandez.

 

What folats your boat? Becuase the only time you seem to post is to take a shot at someone or complain.

 

Oh, I don't think we'll "give him away." I think he'll be a cornerstone of a major trade. A lot of NBA fans are going to look at whatever the trade winds up being and saying, "I can't believe Portland got ___ for a bunch of no-names," much like Miami got Shaq in a deal that included Butler. Turned out Butler was a huge piece in that trade (even if LA didn't realize it).

I suspect a lot of GM's see Rudy the same way we do--a guy with Manu Ginobili-level potential (at a minimum). On a rookie salary with years to develop, he's going to be worth a nice premium if we decide to trade him.

 

Re: Blazers @ Chicago Game Thread

So don't laugh, but do you consider Hinrich an upgrade from Blake? Or should I ask, how much of an upgrade?

Because, this year, Blake has really developed a chemistry with the first unit.

 

Re: Blazers @ Chicago Game Thread

I think that Blake has really developed as a shooter with the first unit, but he's still not a first-rate point guard. The guy can score. I think he has been stellar in that regard. I just don't think his defense or passing is up to snuff.

 

Mook, you and I have been on the same page about Rudy for a while (I hope taht doesn't discredit your thoughts)

Rudy is too small to play SF and isn't a PG. So to play him with Roy means moving Roy to a different position, which I think is a mistake unless it's the last few minutes of a game.

I understand that you aren't saying get rid of Rudy or look to trade him. But if the Blazers are going to go after a big name PG or SF, that team will want talent in return . . . young talent because they are probably rebuilding. And Rudy could be the big piece in Ptd to get the next established starter in Ptd.

Having said that, I love Rudy, his game and attitude, off and on the court.

 

Here's something I don't understand... why can't Rudy play point guard? How is Rudy any different than Bayless? Obviously Bayless has been a "point guard" his whole life, but they both have a scorers mentality, in fact I'd say Rudy has more of a pass-first mentality than Bayless does. Why can't Roy and Rudy co-exist?