Really, you'd ride the coattails of a foul-prone center with a ton of question marks? Wouldn't you rather suck up to Roy or Aldridge? The two pieces that definitely won't be moved? Anyways, I've heard reports all throughout the season that Jerryd and Greg were best buds on the team. This doesn't surprise me, and has me very excited.
Sweet music to my ears. I swear now that Oden can finally do serious leg exercises (squats etc.) he will finally show what he's got next year. I'm so stoked there are no words!
In all honestly, he has no right to be on that list. I'm not saying the Blazers should be actively pursuing a trade, but if the right deal came along...
Sure he does. One of the best big man prospects ever, was extremely productive when he was on the floor despite being much less than 100% in his rookie season. I'd say he's one of the most untouchable young players in the game.
. . . Lebron James for Oden strait up? No, I wouldn't take that cause if Cleveland is looking to move James it's cause he's going to New York for sure and there's no way we'd be able to keep him if they can't. I think I'll stick with Oden. ' Anyway as far as the real discussion goes I like that they're working out together and I look forward to seeing how Bayless adjusts to facilitation in the summer league. I also am curious to see how much progress Oden will make next season if he can manage to stay out of serious injury trouble.
I would not do that trade. We don't need Gay. I would do Outlaw, Sergio and #24 (throw in a 2nd rounder or two if they want) for Conley though. Would they though?
If they take Rubio - they should. This gives them someone that can score just like Gay and play defense just like Gay (brrr...) without paying him the way they would have to pay Gay - so they can move Gay in a trade for a post player... it also gives them a backup PG and another draft pick.
It's interesting that the Blazers and Grizz seem to always have a surplus of pieces that the other needs and redundant players the other supposedly covet (Outlaw and Conley), yet never seem to get a deal done. With the Grizz picking 2nd and supposedly targeting Rubio, will something finally happen? Drafting Rubio would make Conley expendable. I'm also wondering if there is bad blood between the two organizations that keeps then from making a deal. We all know about the Darius Miles situation, which cost the Blazers an additional $9 million in cap space this summer, and the threatening letter the Blazers sent in response. But, I can't help but wonder if it goes even deeper than that. Did something happen prior to that that pissed off Chris Wallace so much that he would deliberately go out of his way to screw Portland. Is he still bitter that he didn't get the Portland job when they interviewed him and instead selected John Nash (I can see how he might take offense at that slight)? Did Pritchard renege on a deal? Or, is Wallace just the type of guy who would screw another team just to screw them? In any case, I can't help but wonder, given the history, if these teams will ever make a significant trade while Kevin Pritchard and Chris Wallace are their GMs. I know they should both put their differences aside and do what's best for their teams, but GMs are always reluctant to make a deal that helps a team that's a hated rival. I wonder if Wallace and Pritchard feel the same way about a deal that would help a GM who is a hated rival. BNM
I was under the impression (perhaps wrong) that it was KP who said no to the straight-up Conley for Outlaw swap earlier this year. I don't think we need to sweeten the pot that much.
Except for the fact that Conley had a GREAT 2nd half and Outlaw stunk in the play-offs. Conley's stock is on the rise and Outlaw's is headed in the other direction. BNM
This is the awesomeness!! Everything I was hoping to hear about those 2. Of course results matter more than intentions. But just hearing about their attitude and chemistly are EXTREAMELY good to hear.
I didn't see this posted, so I linked it here, it is more on this subject, and amazingly enough KP saying they will pick up the options on Blake and Outlaw..... http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=124418030527213700 Looks like Bayno will be getting his first summer working with Greg, and yes they are considering hiring a specialist for him.
My thought was that Conley, being Oden's best friend, was always the target. But, with him and Bayless getting to be good friends, maybe we don't need to go after Conley.
I really just don't get why folks think it is important at all to trade for some players buddy. The league has never been about that. It's about winning. If it's a good move for the team, great. But if it's just so they can have tea and crumpets together while off the court, fuck it. That's stupid.
