As much as I would love to get a Johnny Flynn, a Turkoglu, or someone like that, the more I think about it, the less I think this team needs someone that's that "big of a name". It's weird to be saying this, but I think we actually should stand pat for the most part. We know what we have in Roy, Aldridge, Joel, and can expect some improvements from each of them as well. We think that Oden, Bayless, Rudy, Batum, and Webster can and will get better. We have guys who are question marks on where people fit with Outlaw, Blake, and Sergio. If we trade for a PG, and Blake remains, we're basically saying that we don't want Bayless to play. I think that's a huge mistake. Maybe Bayless won't be above-average, and maybe he'll only play 10-15 mpg, but I think the more opportunity we give him the better. I don't think he should start, but I think we should have one veteran PG in front of him, that as he grows he will have the potential to take minutes from. Should that be Blake? I'm not sure, but I wouldn't mind getting an Andre Miller or Jason Kidd type if Blake is moved, but I don't think we should have two vet PGs in front of Bayless. Similarly, I really wanted an SF during the season, and the beginning of the offseason, but I just don't think it's necessary now. Batum showed he can be an above-average defender, and has the tools to be a pretty good player on offense. I think his biggest issue is knowing when to be aggressive on offense. He passed up way too many open 3's and chances to drive last year (although that's understandable when you have Roy and Aldridge). He's such a smart player that when he does end up dribbling, he generally knows when/if he's got an option open. He just needs to be a bit more assertive. I think a tandem of Batum-Webster will be above average. On Webster...I think a lot of people are overrating him based off of what he actually has done. He was fairly mediocre in his first few years, but he has shown flashes of brilliance as well. I think playing with an improved Roy/Aldridge/Oden at least gives him a lot higher possibility of playing well due to hopefully being able to get some more open looks. At the very least, I think that he'd be a good offensive option when Batum isn't hitting things. I think that with Batum and Webster, there's a very good chance that at least one of them is a pretty good player in the next few years. Maybe one will not reach his potential, but I think at least one will continue to improve significantly. The biggest thing that I think we need to do this summer is decide what to do with Outlaw. I don't think he's a better option at SF than either of Batum or Webster, and I don't think he's that great at PF either. I am a bit of an Outlaw hater, but I think KP and company have to decide where he fits or get rid of him. IMO, he doesn't fit, but that's just me. Also, if you have Outlaw, then we're probably not going to be playing a "banger" backup-PF much. My list for the summer (in no particular order) -No big moves at PG unless Blake goes out -Get rid of Sergio (duh) -Renounce Frye/Shavlik/Ruffin -Decide on Outlaw (my preference is get rid of him) -Get a backup-PF through draft or free agency (regardless of whether or not Outlaw stays, if Outlaw's here, this guy should probably be able to play a little C as well) I think with Roy, Rudy, Batum, and Webster, you have the wing covered well enough to where you don't need a Turkoglu or Artest. I would like to either draft or get a cheap vet to back-up this spot in case of injury though. Preferably someone in the mold of Udoka. Also, we need a 3rd Pg. Either a rookie like Collison or Beaubois, or a vet who can bring some poise if our starter gets injured and Bayless isn't ready. Blake(or Vet)/Bayless/3rd PG Roy/Rudy Batum/Webster Aldridge/(Maybe Outlaw)/Backup-PF Oden/Przybilla It's not as sexy as getting a big name and making a ton of trades, but if Oden, Batum, Bayless, Webster, and even Rudy progress the way I hope and actually expect them to, I think we will be a very improved team. The reason I'd prefer vets at starting PG, 3rd PG, and backup PF are because our team did look fairly rattled in playoffs. I think some of that will come with more experience, but there are some guys on our team who I don't think belong in the playoffs for the Blazers if we're looking to contend. My ideas in this thread hopefully both allow for the team to improve, as well as decide on whether or not Rudy, Bayless, and Webster are going to be a part of the long-term plans. However, if we go a completely different direction, Pritchslap some teams who are hemorrhaging money, and reshape the team with some new big names, I'll still be cheering just as loud next year
My thoughts on the "stand pat" plan are that it's just too safe. KP will likely never have this type of opportunity w/ cap space and a lot of tradable assets to get us over the top. SOMETHING needs to happen. I think you'll see a few things happen. I think we'll see 1 BIG player come in; either a big time vet pg like Conley or Harris a bigtime SF like Caron Butler OR a stud rookie like JFly or Rubio. To get this big guy KP will trade Outlaw, Blake, Sergio, our Euros, cap space, extra picks and cash, NOT Martell, Bayless or Batum. From there KP will take advantage of value in the draft to restock our depth. I think a few guys to keep an eye on... Beaubois for obvious reasons, Dejuan Summers (I see him being a Michael Redd type steal in the early-mid 2nd), and Earl Clark/Terrance Williams (both great athletes falling fast). Gun to my head, predicting the offseason... Trade Outlaw + Stuff for Caron Butler "get" (purchase or trade for picks to acquire) Beaubois and Summers Find a startable Vet Pg and slowly hand Bayless the keys...
Both posts seem plausible with one exception. And that's Bayless. He hasn't proven anything. At all. When Blake was out Nate gave him a nice stretch of games to show what he had learned and he flat out stunk. And for that you're demanding the team be turned over to him? I don't know wether to laugh or have you both committed to an insane asylum. When and if he becomes a NBA player and then maybe a PG, then he'll get more playing time instead of picking splinters out of his ass. Now, all that said, I hope he makes it, I really do, but he's no where near ready to start, let alone prove he deserves to get back-up minutes.
Flat out stunk? Jerryd's numbers when Blake was out during that fifteen game stretch were nothing short of good. 20.8 MPG, FG% 48%, 3pt 38%, FTAs 55 (3.7 per game) FT% 84% PPG: 8.9 APG 2.6 , TOPG: 1.4 PER36: points: 15.4, ATS: 4.5, TOs: 2.4 So show me the part again where he flat out stunk when Blake went down with injury? Sure the turnovers stand out and clearly Jerryd wasn't ready to start and lead the team, but wouldn't it be nice to at least base statements even remotely in fact? Here's his gamelogs if you don't believe me: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/gamelog?playerId=3417
He was inconsistent but showed at times why he's considered an elite prospect. I would rank him higher than any PG in this draft except for Rubio, and I don't think he's a realistic possibility. Sergio is likely to be gone this offseason, so I fully expect Bayless to pick up the backup minutes and then be our eventual long-time starter.
I didn't see anyone DEMANDING Bayless get time. I think the concensus is though that he and he alone (or whomever becomes "our franchise pg in waiting") should get the backup minutes. No he hasn't proven much, but it could also be argued the opposite way... Who's to say he wouldn't already have blossmed into a good young pg w/ longer rope from Nate? The fact is that, like w/ Oden maturing, we're also going to need PG play to improve to another level or two, clearly Blake's not the guy to do that, a stopgap like Dre Miller, Bibby or Kidd might but not for long. This team is on the verge of being dynastic and a good young pg would help us get there. W/out time Bayless can't get there.
If Sergio gets his trade demand wish and if we do not draft a PG or pick up a free agent then either Bayless or Roy will start out with PG minutes. But I seriously doubt we'll start the season with only Blake & Bayless as our "true" PG's.
