So the outcome of our season could literally land on the shoulders of two rookie forwards. Jeff Pendergraph and Dante Cunningham are slotted in to be LaMarcus Aldridges back up power forward. How many of you are comfortable with this? I think Kevin Pritchard will go into this next season with these two guys as our back up power forwards. How effective do you see these two being for the blazers in the playoffs? Do you think they are tough enough? Mature enough? Experienced enough to deal and handle other western conference powers like the Spurs and Lakers? Kevin Pritchard has always stated that he wants to organically grow this thing out. What does that mean? If Jeff Pendergraph and Dante Cunningham are not ready for the big time and ready to produce in the way the team will need to produce. That by gosh either will the Portland Trail Blazers because hey, were family? I like both of these guys. But let me ask you this. What is the impact difference between these two rookies and lets say a Ronny Turiaf, Udonis Haslem or Kurt Thomas? Should we just embrace the idea that if these two cats are not ready for the big time, than hey I guess either are we? In the end It might come down to these two.
The outcome of the season could land on the players playing a combined 13 MPG, at most? I don't see it. Over 13 MPG? Honestly, not a huge amount. Yes, I'd rather have one of those players soaking up those 13 minutes (especially Kurt Thomas), but if the team's biggest problem is 13 minutes out of the total 240 player minutes per game, they're in good shape. Beyond that, Outlaw is likely to get most of those 13 MPG and with use of Przybilla and Oden on the floor together in certain situations (no perimeter-oriented big man on the floor for the opponent), they can further keep useful players on the floor. Almost nothing rests on Cunningham/Pendergraph, IMO.
no they're not. Like last year Travis is the primary backup at both forward spots. This year hopefully Martell will be able to kick in 10 minutes or so at the SF spot but Outlaw should continue as the primary option. I'm not sure about the rest of the posters, but I sure am. Portland has better quality depth then most teams. Am I supposed to be shaking in my boots when LA brings Odom Sasha Farmar and Walton off the bench with Portland having only Miller Greg Rudy and Outlaw? San Antonio has Dice, Manu, Hill and Bonner. The Jazz Nuggets and Mavs have even less. This isn't a gift horse... look it in the mouth and appreciate having one of the deepest and best benches in the league. Unless there are injuries, Pendergraph and Cunningham will spend their rookie seasons clapping. STOMP
Little. I value overall talent and fit for that talent. I don't think intangibles really have much impact and, if they do, no one has yet found any particularly good way to factor them in.
intangibles do not matter for 13mpg. That is our current reality, and we shouldn't get too worked up over hypotheticals.
I do think you can bring in a difference maker for 13mpg. Leadership, experience, timely play. All that can make the difference between a championship or not. However, I do think it's a good idea to start the season and see what we have and wait for the right move to make before the trade deadline.
Travis Outlaw is currently our backup PF, although I would be stoked if either rookie replaced him. Our season doesn't hinge on the play of a backup PF. For the last time, Udonis Haslem isn't coming to Portland to just play 10-15 mintues of backup power forward. The only reason Haslem would come here would be if we traded Joel, which would be stupid.
I disagree. If you want to compete with the bests, than you have to bring your best for the whole game. Not the whole game minus 13 minutes. I can tell you that none of the top teams take 13 minutes of the game off. If those guys are getting those minutes, and the Blazers want to compete at the highest level, then those guys need to play well if they are getting those spot minutes.
Good point. Not to mention that if someone gets hurt, and they have to play more than spot minutes, we are pretty much boned.
Here is the thing. And I don't think I have read more than one other poster who has alluded to this. What this team really lacked last year was 1. Toughness 2. Experience when it counted. 15 mins a game doesn't seem like much. I offer this to you all. Picture Ronny Turiaf for me, coming into the game. Envision the work ethic, the fire, the will to get to boards and rebound. Envision his steady leadership on the court speaking to and at his teammates. Envision his impact on the team during team practices. Envision his impact going head to head with Oden and LMA on a daily basis. Bodying them up and such. He will keep Greg sharp in practice. And Greg in return will keep him sharp. The bottomline here is, 10 mins, 15 mins, 30 mins, 40 mins. A player like Ronny Turiaf is going to pay big dividends for this very youthful club that has lacked the veteran leadership and toughness he is going to bring. He is a spark plug on the front line. He's going to help.
The bottom line is that the season doesn't rest on 15MPG. Would a Ronny Turiaf help? Of course, but it's certainly not a necessity.
It will be interesting to see if either Cunningham or Pendergraph can work thier way into the playing rotation.... I have a feeling that one of them likely will (My guess is Cunningham) and it will be at Outlaw's expense at the b\u PF spot....particularly if Outlaw provides his annual...come in out of shape....show little to no comprehension of where he should be on offense or defense...while displaying horrific offensive play.... I have a question for everyone...if you threw up a ball for a rebound 10 times...who out of Cunningham or Outlaw would get the most rebounds? Does anyone actually believe that it would be Outlaw? Seriously?
So you don't think Experienced Toughness will have an impact on this team? That it might give them the lil push they need to get over the top? If the lakers lose one player that is key to their success. It's going to help. So I disagree. A Turiaf, A Thomas, A Haslem type would benefit this team WHEN IT COUNTS. Playoff team.
When the Lakers are/were playing players like Sasha Vujacic, Luke Walton or Shannon Brown, were they "bringing their best?" Of course not. Those were their weak reserves that they had to use when their best players were resting. Almost every team has times when they have below-average players on the floor. It's not taking time off, it's simply the weakest part of the team...the part of the team you try to minimize minutes for. With Outlaw probably getting a solid chunk of power forward minutes, Cunningham and Pendergraph will see very little time.
If Outlaw challenged Cunningham to a game of HORSE, who'd win? Outlaw's a terrible rebounder, but he provides some nice scoring alongside a guy like Przybilla. Cunningham is supposed to have a decent midrange jumper, but I'd put my money on Outlaw scoring a lot more.
