That KP will "stick with his boys" and "go to war with the players we have" because "They are his boys"?
I was hoping he would, but now that Nate ran Sergio off it would be retarded to do so. We still need a backup for LaMarcus, and hopefully KP realizes we need to dump Nate and get Sergio back.
No, I think KP knows his options are narrowing. He might do that in order to trade at the deadline or draft day in a "lop sided" trade or sign-and-trade.
You know I think we dodged that bullet. I had a bad feeling about the Turkey signing. (Though I was talking myself into it yesterday of course).
The whole We like our team, we are going to go to war with our guys, we like our culture crap is getting old. I certainly don't fault KP for Hedo not choosing Portland, but it really never should have come to this. Make the team better by adding a better player instead of keeping marginal players like Blake and Outlaw, and extending Webster. If we stand still we fall behind period. People keep talking about our youth, but the L*kers are youn too, and they aren't going anywhere. Teams like Memphis and OKC will only get better too. IMO, it's much better to make a move and fail at it then to not make one at all.
Depending on whom we are able to snag this summer, not trading Raef's contract can prove to be a HUGE mistake. Seriously, his $12m was 80% insured! will we ever have a chip like that again?
The current "boys"(who are extremely, extremely young) led this team to the 2nd best overall record in the WC and a share of the division championship or w/e it's called. Nothing to fear about that. The Blazers could use an upgrade or two probably, but I'm not going to pout if they can't find something they like. The roster as it is is already very good.
I am not fearful of that. Eventually he will make a move. But even if it was another year, then I have no problem "going to war with his boys". That way it would be crystal clear to everyone what is needed for the next step. Now I know some of you already think you know what the final pieces are for a championship run, but I kind of doubt any of really do. (unless they are so fucking un realistic that they will never happen.)
We aren't contenders with Steve Blake and 20-year-old Nicolas Batum as our starters. You would think KP would have learned his lesson by now for "sticking with his boys" We could have had Devin Harris and Brandon Bass in a three-way deal with New Jersey and Dallas if KP agreed to include Travis. KP refused...
I forgot Fez who we lost out on that would have brought us the championship. Who was it? Vince? Jefferson? We tried for Butler but they said no. Who was that mistake?
Memphis is NOT getting better (They added Z-bo and are, and I still chuckle darkly about this, considering adding A fucking I are you kidding me?). Extending Martell could definitely end up being a mistake. Outlaw and Blake are good enough pieces to keep around for trade bait, we do need movable pieces even for lopsided trades the other team wants some value. You are right, in that one or two of Oden/Batum/Rudy/Bayless will get better next year, possibly much better, but I think you can't risk that. You need to always be adding talent it's an arms race and Kupchak clearly isn't sitting this one out (Artest) and neither should we. If we don't add talent this summer via trade/lopsided trade/Free Agency I think that we might have made a dreadful mistake or two. IMO we need to make a move (trade) and preserve our cap space if we can't get everything we want this summer. Adding any of these within reason, not necessarily likely, PG's is an upgrade: Hinrich, Rondo, Harris, Sessions. Adding any of these PF's is an upgrade: Haslem, Landry, Hayes, Kurt Thomas, Millsap, Lee. Adding any of these SF's is an upgrade: Childress, Wallace, Battier, Prince, Odom. The question is what do we give up and who do we target as our top tier guys?
I would like to make some moves to improve our team. That said, if for some crazy reason we head into next season with basically the same team, I wouldn't be too bummed. Shit, we did have the 2nd best record in the west last year. I think KP will get something done, he's got 4 months!
Bear with me as I indulge in a few mixed metaphors ... The only real fear I have is that when the music stops we're going to be one of the teams left standing without a chair. By that I mean we'll probably see some movement, but I get the feeling that there's going to be some settling and lateral moves that amount to little more than changing the paint job versus adding that sweet turbo charger to the engine that was going to turn our souped up Chevy Nova into a bad-ass, honest to god, hot rod.
Giving Sergio away has already helped this team whether we add another player or not. He will NEVER help a team come playoff time.
We don't always see eye to eye about this team, but I agree that though I don't (much) blame KP or the Blazers for Turk changing his mind or using the team (or whatever), it is ENTIRELY their fault for getting to the point where there were dependant on a PROVEN mercurial Turkoglu as the great white hope to improve the roster. At this point I sure hope they don't panic and throw a bunch of money at their third or fourth or fifth choice, just to grab anybody. I would rather take one more flyer on the the very best young talent that is possibly available - position or need be damned. That may be Milsap or Lee or Sessions or whoever. I don't care. We want the best young talent we can get with our cap space. If that fails, fine. Carry the cap space over and hang it out for lopsided trades. Carry Outlaw and Blake as ending contracts availalbe for trades. Make our move during the season. This time - make the deal during the season. Fuck the standing order not to disturb during the season.
