Let's look at this from Memphis' point of view: In their starting 5, they have lotto picks at PG, SG & SF, and they're firmly committed to Gasol at C. At PF, they have Darrell Arthur and Hakim Warrick (Eeesh)--this is the main hole they should be looking to fill this offseason (along with depth). If they were to draft Rubio and deal Conley, the most sensible deal for them will return a starting PF, something we can't give them. Memphis would be much better off keeping Conley, swapping picks with Sacramento, and taking Hill at #4 to be their PF for the next several years than making any deal that we could offer.
I agree with this, but perhaps some kind of three way deal could be worked out ... probably a long shot though.
Wallace is probably from the BPA school of thought--especially in a weak draft. He's probably more worried about picking a good player than filling holes at this point.
Very possible, but that doesn't change the main premise that MEM probably wants what we can't give. If they keep the pick and draft Rubio, they're still likely to trade one of their stud PG's for something a little more substantial than Outlaw & Bayless.
Perhaps not, but still more attractive than Outlaw. Rubio for David Lee and #8 sure wouldn't shock me.
We can give them capspace by absorbing salary (Jaric, Buckner), while Sac probably can't (or won't). With more salary flexibility, they can go after a guy like Boozer. A lineup of Rubio/Mayo/Gay/Boozer/Gasol looks pretty decent actually.
I remember hearing him on 95.5. My GF did not want to listen to him being interviewed. She said she would try, she hates sports. Anyway, I think it was Canzano is talking to Greg and I remember making the comment to my GF " This guy sounds so depressing I will turn it off " . Portland Picked Greg, Greg Didn't Portland. When they ask him what was his best years playing he says OSU and HS. That's fine, I can understand playing with friends. I think in the interview he hates the pressure of the NBA and maybe Portland in particular. How many times does Greg laugh in this interview ?? Way more than his Portland radio interview. The Game might still have it on their website, It was right before the season started. Canzano was practically kissing his ass to make him laugh. Finally Canzano gives up and says something like Greg sounds so depressed it was bad radio. True story. On a side note, my Sis works at the Swoosh and has told me some things that make me feel he would rather play in a Diverse city. Take it FWIW.
Odd story. So because he was downbeat in an interview after less than one season playing for Portland, he doesn't want to be in Portland? I don't think that's solid evidence for your conclusion.
Well, seeing three Physc Dr's in a year isn't what I would call normal. That was part of my conclusion. I think a 21 year old Millionare shouldn't have to many worries in his life. Something happened, Could you see Greg do the ESPY's now, like he did two years ago ? I'm just advocating bringing in his best friend to make him feel like he did when he was in HS and College.
I haven't been on the Oden bandwagon. If I were the GM I'd try like hell to ship Greg to L.A. for Blake Griffen.
I don't think he has worries about his long-term future. He's under a lot of scrutiny and pressure, locally and nationwide. He's being criticized by a lot of people. I don't think anything particular happened, it seems pretty natural that he'd be a little downcast at being perceived a disappointment by a lot of people. Portland will be the team from whom he can receive the most money when he becomes a free agent. It would take a pretty serious dislike of the city to go elsewhere for less money. I don't see any evidence that he has a specific dislike for Portland.
Btw, I don't think it's the city of Portland, it's the pressure of being the #1 overall pick and due to injury, he looks like a 3rd stringer on a good team.
It's true. His pre-draft physical scared me away. From one leg being shorter than the other by 1/2" inch to the bulging disc in his back. Seeing him play, pre-injury, in the Summer League didn't help his case, either. He seemed injury prone to the tenth power. Unfortunately, I was right. Does anyone remember what he put up in those 3 Summer League games? He was ATROCIOUS on both ends of the court. His numbers were on par, if not worse, than what Ha Seung-Jin put up during Summer League. Being able to get Blake for Greg is a pipe dream. Griff is a beast, and at 6'10.5" in shoes he can play center full time in this league.
But you've been so patient until now. If you were never on the bandwagon, why weren't you blasting him all season as a bust?
I blasted Greg plenty of times this season. You don't remember me calling him Jamaal Magloire - the Miami version?
I don't put too much stock in that. Per all you want, his foul rate negates that, IMO. He was a foul machine and couldn't score to save his life. He also collected the most rim checks on dunk attempts I've seen in a long time. 3.9 Fouls per game in 21 min. of play...
his foul rate doesn't negate anything. oden proved to be a very effective player when he was on the court. yes, foul trouble kept him from being on the court for huge minutes, but good production for 20 minutes a game isn't something to expect from a 3rd stringer. funny that someone who "couldn't score to save his life" was able to score 9 points a game in a little over 20 minutes while also being extremely efficient, drawing a bunch of fouls, and doing so only being assisted on 50% of his baskets.
