Backcourt 2000. Oh wait. He he. I am a huge Paul fan, and agree that Paul has the (likely) potential to go down as one top 5 point guards of all-time, and possibly even 2nd only to Magic. I think even today, some fans don't quite realize how good he is. Trading LaMarcus, Rudy and Bayless would be really painful, but Paul is worth it. Unfortunately, I think we would be outbid by a team offering a sexier, more hyped name prospect attached to a longer cheap contract. Two of the top 5 guards in the NBA on the same team. Jesus. Add in one of the top rebounder/defenders in Oden. Paul will create 10 easy pts per game for Oden. Double Jesus.
I'd do anything to pair Paul up with Roy. They'd be crazy to deal him but with the Hornets operating in the red in the smallest market in the League, I'd say anything is possible. Aldridge/Rudy/Bayless/Outlaw/picks. We could put together a respectable package.
I think you'd probably have to offer Oden instead of Aldridge, if only because Oden is cheaper and cheaper for longer, and because to get a great young PG, you probably have to give up a great young center. That'd be a tough pill to swallow, but I'd think long and hard about it.
I'd do it. I've been one of Oden's biggest supporters, and I think he's a huge talent...but Paul is just as special a talent and has already reached an all-time elite level. Paul/Roy/Aldridge/Batum is still an amazing core and still gives Portland a very talented big man.
Chandler has been hurt this season, but Paul made Chandler look like an All-Star last season. Peja is just old.
I'm curious how effective the two of them would be without each being able to dominate the ball. And don't give me the All Star game as an example. Everyone looks good there, and ROy wasn't trying to take over and win a game.
Roy doesn't need to dominate the ball to be good. In fact, I think it's a detriment because it's the damn high pick and roll that gets him double teamed most of the time. The reason why I mentioned the All-Star game is because Paul had Roy spotting up for jumpers, and Roy was knocking them down. We don't see Roy spotting up much, but with a decent point guard he could get a lot of easier shots.
Allowing Roy to play off the ball and pick his spots would be a big benefit. I think he'd be even more efficient when he doesn't have to initiate everything. Roy could still be the closer down the stretch. Jordan and Pippen co-existed beautifully even though both their games are predicated on having the ball in their hands. Jordan benefited from having Pippen to initiate a lot of the offense, allowing Jordan to play off the ball more.
So Roy goes from showing he is the 3rd best SG in basketball, and has some of the best ability to take over games to being a guy spotting up for jumpers, and playing second fiddle to Paul? I don't understand how Roy dominating the ball is a detriment to the team at all.
Also, Roy will be playing off the ball with the improvement of Oden, with LMA and Oden posting up. The percentage of offense initiated by him will slightly decrease, as we throw the ball into the post more. I understand what you are saying about Jordan with Pippen, but they never had a very good post presence to initiate offense.
Yeah, that's what I said. That Roy would defer to Paul and only spot up for jumpers. You said you didn't understand how Paul and Roy could be effective without "each being able to dominate the ball." I told you that Roy can be effective without dominating the ball. I'm not saying he wouldn't dominate the ball at times, but you made it sound like Roy can't be effective without dominating the ball.
This was an article from this winter from the Oregonian, If I remember correctly, where Roy was asked what PG he'd like to play with and he said Chris Paul.
I'm thinking with a better PG, Roy would be making more cuts to the basket, and not just waiting out on the wing all the time.
Think about how much fresher his legs would be at the end of games and at the end of the season ... hell, he'd probably be able to devote more energy to defense.
