I kinda like that scenario. LMA would draw the opposing team's center out and Amare would have more room to work inside. Then Oden comes off the bench and faces the 2nd unit's center.
I agree with this. I think the reports are a little off, and that the Blazers never had any chance of landing Amare. Steve Kerr and Rob Sarver don't want to hear about how they were pritchslapped for the next decade. But rather, they're have talks with the Suns, because they're working out a 3 way with the Bulls. I think the Bulls would then follow it up with something using Gooden and Noah for Tyson Chandler. PG-Derrick Rose/Lindsey Hunter SG-Ben Gordon/Thabo Sefolosha SF-Travis Outlaw/Andres Nocioni PF-Amare Stoudemire/Andres Nocioni C- Tyson Chandler/Aaron Gray Not a bad revamp for the Bulls. Maybe Sergio Rodriguez would come back to the Bulls too, because I don't think they want Lindsey Hunter back there as the only point guard option.
Kirk/Hinrich just isn't that attractable to me anymore, especially Hinrich. IMO the Blazers settle for too less if they give up Bayless/Outlaw/RLEC for just Hinrich and Deng.
Deng is the main prize, though. Hinrich is just a useful, but non-impact, piece. He's an upgrade on the team's current point guard situation, as he's basically a rich man's Blake...a similarly mistake-free point guard, but with superior distribution skills and much, much better defense. At 28, Hinrich can be the solid, starting-quality point guard to lead the team for at least 3 years or so, giving Pritchard plenty of time to find a replacement. Meanwhile, the team gets a very talented, young small forward. The team would still have Rudy and Batum to potentially use as trade bait for a younger point guard, if so desired.
Hinrich is maybe a bit above average at this point. Deng is fine, although he's not playing at the level he was a couple years ago. Bayless is going to be a very good player imo, Outlaw, for as much as I rag on him, still produces while only making $4M, and LaFrentz's contract holds a lot of value around the league. IMO Pritchard can do better.
hinrich is one of the best defensive PG in the entire league, which also happens to be one of our primary weaknesses. if we go after him it will be for that reason.
He's pretty good, but I think he's kind of been living on reputation at this point from his second team all defense selection in 05-06 -- not to denigrate him because I do think he's a solid B+ point guard in the league who is a decent creator and no worse than average in any particular area. I'm not crazy about giving up Bayless in a deal that "just" nets us Hinrich and Deng and would rather move Batum or Rudy first, but if his inclusion is non-negotiable I guess I'd pull the trigger.
respectfully but totally disagree. from what i've seen he's certainly one of the best defensive PG in the league. as a pure defensive PG who bothers shots and limits penetration (as opposed to someone like chris paul who gambles and lives off of steals) possibly THE best.
Doesn't make sense to me the Suns would fire Porter and trade Amare. If they are trying to cut costs and rebuild they'd keep. Porter.
Kirk also doesn't do it for me. I kinda like our PG situation (as i've said before) but wouldn't mind trading Sergio to clear up the jam so he doesn't pout all year.
