Emotions Settling Down/LaMarcus Aldridge Syndrom

I agree about the cost/benefit issue. I don't agree that there is nobdy out there who would be an upgrade. (which appeared to be the point of your initial post)

 

Sorry. Unless you can stick to things I've actually said I'm just not bothered.

Pay checks? 14 Other GM's?

When did I say collecting a pay check indicates competence?

I usually like and respect your posts but now you're going all old lady on me.

Try again.

 

You claimed they couldn't make the playoffs with the club that they stood pat with. They vastly surpassed your wins expectations, had home court advantage in the 1st round and yet you still claim that they still need to make changes to become good... and the people who disagree with that are defeatist

Personally I'm for making moves when the opportunity to improve is available... yesterday Portland was the owners of a late pick in a piss poor draft. They have no pressing needs to become good as they already are. To become great the team does need to become better, but of course at least some of that is a trackable natural progression for talented young players. If the opportunity to add other established stud player exists in Free Agency or via trade, I'd support it... and KP has been openly targeting the 2009 offseason for years now. Those doors swing wide in July.

Talented young players usually improve as do and young players recovering from serious surgery. For whatever reason, you reject these normal trends when it comes to the Blazer players and have actually predicted that you think the club will likely regress next year. 21 32 41 54... those are the team's win totals the last 4 years. Are you really trying to sell that you're a Blazer optimist? I seem to be reading a glass half full view regardless of the news.

STOMP

 

actually not all 30 teams had a pick to pass on blair...heat and magic didn't....thats all i can think of though...just being particular lol

 

I cheerfully admit the team exceeded my expectations, and is a year ahead of the time-table I expected. That just means we should be taking some steps now, instead of 12 months from now.

As for the organic improvement argument - it has two serious problems. Our biggest need is an upgrade at PG. Bayless is no where close to being even a league average starting PG, and it is an open question if he ever will be. Yes, I am impatient...I am not willing to wait 2 or 3 seasons to sort out the PG issue, when the rest of the team is approaching contender status.

You also have to keep in mind that while our young players may improve, we have 3 vets in our rotation who have (at best) peaked. In fact, Blake and Joel had career years and might well regress. (Blake because he isn't very good, Joel because he has a scarey injury history)

If we go into next season still depending on Blake and Outlaw, I am not optimistic we can win 54 games again. If Joel is out for an extended period, and all we have to fall back on is Pendergraph, we are in for some very rough sledding indeed. You may disagree, but those are hardly outrageous concerns.

 

the players exceeded your expectations of them, for the most part are very young/improving, yet the only way to improve is to trade them? Being proven as flat wrong as you were, you're sticking with the same thinking?

but the PGs in this last draft are no way close to being league average starting PGs... even Rubio will need 2 or 3 seasons.

Joel has been getting better every year for some time now and he's been playing more and more games each season. His physical conditioning seems much better now then early on. Was he in a contract year? Pessimist or Optimist?

3 vets in the rotation who have peaked? Blake Joel... and... and... 24 year old Travis Outlaw is the other vet who has peaked? I like having vets on the club. I don't want all rooks. But those three played just under 1/3rd of the total minutes logged by the whole club. The are all about the same level of rotation player. Guys with their talent levels who are also focused team players on reasonable salaries are assets in my opinion. Of course I'd love an upgrade, but complaining about them not making a move before their most obvious opportunity to do so seems... something other then optimistic

Injuries are a gauntlet that every team runs, it's a rough game. As a Blazer fan, I appreciate having one of the deeper teams in the league but of course any team could fall victim to bad luck

Maybe this will be the year you are right, but right now I'm guessing they win at least 58... here's to July

STOMP

 

I disagree with your assesment of the available PGs. IMHO, Flynn and Lawson are going to be at least league average. They have lower ceilings than Rubio - but are much closer to getting there.

Lawson in particular is badly undervalued by some fans. DX did a study refuting the notion that he was dependent on the up-tempo style to be successful. I guess only time will prove which view is correct....but I firmly believe he was a steal at 18.

Hey, I HOPE you are correct, and that we win the division next season and (at least) make it to the second round.

 

repped. Good post.

Great post, couldn't agree more with these few paragrapahs, and the sentiment they convey. I was slightly bummed initially at the draft, but then quickly realized it sort of signified we are no longer part of the Minnesota's and Clippers of the league.

 

btw, I was pretty thrilled when they drafted LaMarcus Aldridge... I had him as the #1 guy in the draft with Roy #2

STOMP

 

Actually, if you went back through the BBF archives, you would find I was one of the first people on the "draft LaMarcus" bandwagon. I don't *always* disagree with KP!

 

He should not be on the hot seat. He did everything he could to get his #1 target and for reasons he could not in his control, he lost that person, but KP tried to do something with it.
I really hope we don't panic and waste our cap space. I'd rather just start Bayless and let him get his feet wet, because honestly, with every team loading up for one push, we have a slim shot at the title. We win a lot of games based on chemistry alone and if we can continue to develop Oden, Batum, and Bayless..we will be the team already loaded in 2 years. Just do not panic KP!

 

Interesting quoting yourself there. Props I guess. I don't think Bayless starting is best for the team. He needs to earn his minutes, not have a starting spot handed to him (although he isn't someone I'd expect to become complacent). I would like him to get 15-20 mpg first half of the season, and get that up to around 25 mpg for the second half.