That's left, here's an off the wall idea: Nate Robinson He just turned 25 and put up decent numbers (17/4/4) with a per of +16.
I like him, but he'd A) drive Coach bonkers, B) force a self-imposed defensive mismatch on someone, C) IMO needs some more offense coming his way to be effective than we're ready to give a PG. That said, he's got a great rapport with Roy, he wants to play in POR, he's a good "community guy" (does a bunch of stuff up here in SEA with Crawford and the guys), and already knows Brandon's game. And vice versa. And he seems to go off in the RG.
How about the team signs Brandon Roy and Lamarcus Aldridge. They can concentrate on free agents all they want, if they don't re-sign the two major pieces above, it won't mean jack shit.
Nate and Nate would hate eachother. Plus, I don't want anyone from Phoenix or NY. Any team coached by D'antoni have inflated player numbers. I think we saw that Shawn Marion. Nate and David Lee won't come close to those numbers on another team. Same goes for anyone who played with Golden State.
Jerryd could be just as good as Nate if the Blazers wanted him to -- turn Jerryd loose, and let him be who he is.
Put a sign and trade deal together with the Knicks - that sends Bayless and Travis to NY and brings us Lee and Nate. Let Blake and Nate R. fight it out as to who starts. At the 2010 Trade Deadline, we can (IF needed) move Pryz or Lee, along with Blake or Nate R. to find the missing piece(s). If Pendergraph truly develops into a stud, then we make a move for the best Point guard we can buy at the deadline. If our guard situation is looking good with Blake, Nate R. and Mills - but we're lacking at PF or SF - we can move Pryz or Lee...or even LMA? to get what we need. On the positive side, we may not need much more come the trade deadline and with a core of bigs that include LMA, Lee, Pryz and Oden - it may be fantastic! Summation: S&T for Lee and Nate - give up on Bay-Less and Travis and get this thing DONE already.
Jerryd is a BUST. Move him NOW. Nate R. can bring points off the bench and some leadership. He can be our Vinnie Johnson. BayLess will never be our PG of the future, let alone 2009.
If all we need are points off the bench, Bayless can provide that. However, what we are looking for is a back-up POINT GUARD. Neither Nate R., nor Bayless are ideally suited to that role at this time. The Blazers are trying to develop Bayless into that type of player. The results so far haven't been great, but he's only 20 and has only played that role on a VERY weak summer league team. Let's give him a little time to grow into that role surrounded by NBA talent before we write him off as a bust. BNM
