Anti long-term, but right now there's no choice. He's a great guy, but I think there are better fits long-term.
he's cheap, he is getting better and is an athletic freak. keep for now....if he's on similar contracts, keep forever!
I think TO is a special player. He's going to be amazing when we trade him for a player who better fits what we want to do.
I am pro giving a useful but one dimensional player the backup's role and minutes that he deserves. I'm pro being willing to trade said player for a talent upgrade. I'm pro "winning creates good chemistry" and not vice versa. I'm against the idea that people have an agenda against him or that supporting Outlaw is an either/or proposition. He's a Blazer so I cheer for him, even if I think that he's given too important a role on the Blazers and I hope that he could bring back a more efficient and consistent player in return.
If he hits a game winning shot in the playoffs, will you still wish we had someone else? If we win a series with him, will you still wish we had someone else? If we a championship with him, will you still wish we had someone else? What do(es) we/he have to do to make you give up on the idea that he must be traded?
I like him. He makes me a little nervous when he starts his move because he often travels, but the Dude is the perfect role player for this team. He will not make waves. He keeps everyone loose. And he can shoot over almost anyone. I see him here as long as Roy is here. Another 10 years. (Because of his salary)
Agreed. I believe that when we win the championship, other teams will be saying "we need a Travis Outlaw."
Other players can hit game winning shots. Other players can be on the team when we win series. Other players are capable of being on a championship team. Travis Outlaw is a low BBIQ player on a team predicated on high BBIQ play. His team defense is terrible and he doesn't move well without the ball. I can't think of a single player who dramatically improved those phases of the game after six years in the league. He is what he is. I like him, but he doesn't fit.
He's like a really shiny, super duper camper shell on a lamborghini. Alone either are just 'swell.' Together? Not so much.
When it comes to Pro vs Anti any player my line of thinking is long term do I see this player being a big part of championships, and Outlaw doesn't fit that mold for me. One dimensional jumpshooters aren't that hard to come by in the NBA. His current contract has no bearing on his longterm place with the team for me, you can get guys on rookie contracts or vets hunting for a ring who can post a 15.1 PER (and who would possess far more intangibles). The main pieces for this teams future come down to Roy/LMA/Oden/Batum/Bayless/Rudy, everyone else is fairly interchangable with other guys around the leauge. Guys like Joel/Blake are very important at the moment because they play very important hard to fill positions(PG/C being the hardest positions to fill for any team) and the main pieces at their respective positions are still in development.
Since these are the only two choices, I'm choosing sucks, since he's much closer to that than ruling anything. I don't mind him on the team. I still think he's most valuable getting another asset. Since it didn't happen at the deadline, chances are that it'll happen at the draft.
partially b/c of the times that he's dug us holes in the 4th, and partially b/c of the times he's dug us holes in the first, second and third. Like I said, I don't think he sucks, but he's much closer to that than to "rules".
What if we DO win championships with Travis and he plays a big role in it? Will you change your mind? I think Travis is special. Not everyone can get a shot off whenever he wants to like Travis can. And not everyone can play so calm under pressure like Travis can.
Just show Travis some respect. He is the third highest scorer on the best Portland Trail Blazers team in 6 years. We are 39-23 and Travis is a big part of it. Embrace him.
