Good read (says jefferson is the perfect fit and Ridnour ahead of sched)) http://trailblazers.realgm.com/articles/133/20090216/the_trade_options_at_small_forward/ just to give you all something to read in these anticipated days leading up to a make or break moment for portland The Reality Richard Jefferson is the player at small forward that is simultaneously in play and is a true upgrade. He will turn 29 just before the draft and so he will be in age-related decline, if not gone, during Portland's expected peak. But he should bridge the gap between the present and Batum/Martell Webster's prime and won't cost the Blazers any key elements of their core; this makes his value addition as a possible greater net gain than the Deng scenario. Portland eventually needs to consolidate some of their depth to strengthen a solid eight-man rotation, but delaying that consolidation will allow Pritchard to make a more informed decision on who to shed and who to keep. His overall field goal percentage is down this year, but his 3-point shooting is up to over 41.0%, which fits into Portland's system. He can also slash, plays a solid wing defense and fits in with the club on a character level.
Wow! Make or break?! That's pretty dire. Quick KP do something, our season and franchise are on the brink of ... wait a minute? What's that you say? We're currently in fourth place in the West and have the youngest active roster in the NBA? Oh ...
RIDNOUR might play this week... adding even more fuel to the fire for an RJEFF + RIDNOUR DEAL http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/39695807.html With the league trade deadline looming Thursday, Ridnour's name has appeared along with that of forward Richard Jefferson in rumors involving a possible deal with the Portland Trail Blazers. The Bucks could make a deal to bring financial flexibility for the future and help with re-signing Sessions and forward Charlie Villanueva, or they could elect to take their chances of making some moves in the summer and stand pat for now.
41% 3 pt shooting out of the SF spot is ideal for this team. That makes Blakes biggest plus, his 3 pt shooting, less of an issue in any deal regarding keeping Steve or not keeping Steve. Thanks for posting the article. Some interesting analysis on how Jefferson could be ideal for this team at this time.
Well one thing I will give up to RJ is that he is tough and he is experienced. I do think he has lost a step though.
Is it at all possible that RJ is bored and not motivated on a team that is going nowhere this year? In Portland he'd play alongside the youngest most exciting hub of players in the NBA and another allstar. Something tells me his #'s would go way up here!
Actually his stats would probably go down. I have to admit his last 5 games with all the injuries Milwaukee has had he has stepped it up. 24 pts, 5 RB, 3 assists per game.
I don't know about that. I saw his last game before the all star break and he looked sharp. Quick, strong, athletic. He's 29 years old - the odds that he's on the downside of his career athletically aren't very high (especially w/o major injuries) Remember Vince Carter back in his last Toronto season? WE WERE rumored to be in the trade mix back then, but many wanted to pass b/c he "lost a step". Well, turns out he just wasn't playing very inspired basketball. I remember reading a quote by an anonymous scout who said "he's not the same Vince Carter, so what's the point?" Then he gets traded and he's firing up triple doubles and walllahhh . . . he's dunking on people again. Remember the dunk he had in the all star game after he was traded to NJ? Where he threw it off the backboard to himself. I just think RJ's heart isn't into playing for a sub .500 team, and I think he would play more inspired on a team that has a chance to win. I actually like the guy a lot.
OK you all sold me. Give them REC and a draft pick. They don't need Outlaw. They have a young Joe Alexander. Get the kid some minutes.
Seems like a no brainer if available to me. What do the Blazers need? Consistency, defense, experience, ability to make plays. What is RJ? Consistent. Good Defense. Been to 2 finals. Makes plays.
I'm not fundamentally opposed to the idea of Jefferson for RLEC ... I am however, morally opposed to the idea of adding Ridnour, who just crowds our point guard position even further with slightly built guys who can't fight through a pick. I guess if this is the best KP can do I'd live with it -- he certainly would be an upgrade over what we currently trot out there on a nightly basis and could probably do it for the next couple of years, but I'd frankly rather wait until summer and make a play for Childress and/or Andre Miller if it's all the same to you guys.
If we save RLEC for the offseason, I just assume see us make an offer for Ramon Sessions instead of Miller.
