This has probably been brought up in the multiple threads, but I didn't see it as I scanned them. What if KP doesn't land Turkoglu? How will you start to view our leader then? He failed to bring us someone at the deadline because he said he thought we could make a move for someone now because teams would be in worse financial situations. Instead we go after Hedo, which I think is a good move, and not explore trades...at this point anyway. Portland clearly needs an upgrade at PG and SF. If we miss out of Turkoglu then all of the SF's that were rumored to be on the block have been moved. Some of the PG's rumored to be on the block look to be more vital to their teams because of other trades they have made or players leaving for another team. Do you think this will be a huge blunder if KP fails to get anything done this summer?
I think KP will make some move this summer with or without Hedo. If it is just a small move that gets us say a backup PF then I think we are still in good shape. A) We were a pretty good team last year and played through some Game 1 jitters to give Houston a pretty good test. Houston went the distance against the Lakers with a 6'9" guy playing C for most of the series. B) There could still be a trade deadline maneuver as teams jockey for 2010 cap space. Edit: So, no I don't think it is a blunder. Just who exactly were we supposed to get at the deadline? I am not a big fan of RJ on this team, and that is the only player I think we had an opportunity to get. Just because you have the opportunity to make a move or sign a FA, doesn't mean you should. Even if a player is talented, you have to consider some chemistry issues. For example, Sergio for garbage was a chemistry move. I am very happy about the status of the team as is.
I see your point, but I don't agree wit it. What we have been told is this. * The team has talked about the 09' cap space for 2 years now * RLEC, was called the best trade piece in the history of the league. We let it expire. * We didn't use RLEC because we can obtain the same pieces this summer for cheaper. * Paul Allen told KP to go for it * We drafted with intent on opening up cap space * We traded Sergio for cap space. I am surprised more people wouldn't be upset if our GM could get anything done in our one and only cap space year
The only person I remember referring to RLEC as being "one of the best trade chips in the history of the NBA" was Mike Barrett, the most pollyanna, sunshine pumper I've ever seen. I never heard anybody from an outside source make such a claim, although I do recall BSPN calling it a "super expiring" because it was backed by insurance payments. Bottom line, I don't think it was really that great of a trading chip. Regarding the rest of your fears about KP failing to get anything done should the Hedo deal fall through, I find that highly unlikely; quality free agents might be harder to come by, but I suspect there are still teams that are going to be willing to unload some salary as the summer progresses. It may not be the "homerun" we're all hoping for but something will happen.
With the people who are constantly being negative about this team and the people who have created it, it's almost made me try harder to look at the positives. I've become so amazed that the majority stuff out of any Blazer fans mouth can be negative. I don't know about everyone else, but when KP and Nate came in a few years ago to rebuild this franchise, I never thought we would get here so fast. I never expected KP's moves or Nate's coaching would be perfect, just like I never thought Roy would play well every game. If we are unable to land a quality free agent this summer, I'll be bummed, just like I'm bummed when Roy goes 4-15 in a game. However, when you look at the big picture, and see the situation we're in, you would have to be a real negative person to be unhappy.
I can't find the KP quote that Barrett quoted, but it is obvious how the front office felt about this
What I see is teams like LA, SA, Cle, and probably OKC all getting better on paper. I think at some point we need to do the same thing.
Is that phrase "pollyanna sunshine pumper" copyrighted? Because otherwise I think I can make a few million off of that. I think if Hedo falls through it's still worth points for effort on the courting. KP can't force players to come here. Maybe Paul Allen can but that's hard to say...
Which is exactly the reason we should have traded for someone because then KP can force someone to come here.
If we don't do anything real this off season, there will be pretty good reason to be upset about it. However, it's a little early to to all panty-in-wad on us. Teams can't even sign anyone yet and have only been able to talk to players a couple days. Let's see how the cards get played.
MM...I can see your point and reason for this thread, but I agree with Tince, in that we need to really take a look at what this team has done over the last couple years...it has been amazing. IF...Oden and LMA improve from last year, we will be a much better team (a team that won 54 games last year) and we are still young (as apposed to SA, who is aging by the minute). I agree that KP needs to continue to improve the team, but if we do not sign Hedo (I pray we do), then I trust that KP will make a trade that helps us in some capacity.
I think we got him. This is a moot point. blazersedge: Blazers TV broadcaster Mike Barrett: Hedo "starting to look like it's going to be just a matter of time." http://bit.ly/Znms1 per twitter
You know that's the problem. It's always if this happens and if that happens. When is the point reached where there has been enough talk, and it's time to quit making excuses? I think that year is this year. Guys have been in the leauge, playing time has been cleared to make time for guys with talent, and certain players have had their year to recover from knee surgery. It's time to nut up.
You are a very negative fan, in fact this relationship you have with the Blazers might not be healthy. It might be time for you to simply become a bandwagon jumper, then you can always be happy. I suggest you start choosing your team with two minutes left in the final game of the championship, wait for you I would suggest waiting until the result is complete then you can celebrate for about 30 seconds and star thinking about all of the reasons to hate that team.
I think we'll get Hedo, but I'll go with your assumption for the sake of the thread. I have said for a while now that I think we have/had three chances to wildly improve our team: 1) the february trade deadline; 2) draft night; and 3) post-moratorium. We sat on RLEC, even though that offered us $13MM to get a player. We sat on Blake/Outlaw, even though that offered us $9MM to get another player. So now we're down to our last chance. I think either KP has been overconfident or he's been completely outmanuevered or it's been a combination of both. I know I'll be disappointed if we don't get Turkuglu now, and I wasn't that psyched about getting him in the first place. That's how much my standards have already been lowered. In business, the last thing you want to do is overpromise and underdeliver, and so far that's exactly what KP has been doing.
If we don't get Hedo- then we probably lost him to Toronto- this would mean Marion is available. Odom is also still available. I'm not sure that I see Hedo as leaps and bounds better than either of these two- in fact, the other two are better defenders.
Odom is for sure going back to LA, he and Artest are long time friends and both come from the same neighborhood in New York. And frankly I think Marion would be a terrible fit in Portland. If Hedo falls through I expect movement through trades and very little through free agency (maybe Andre Miller as a fallback?)
