I could've sworn I heard that Joel was offered more money to play elsewhere the last time he was a free agent. But yet he's still in Portland. Joel has said before he owes a lot to Portland for taking a chance on him and resurrecting his career. Does that mean he'll stay? No, but he comes off as a loyal, honest character who seemingly enjoys what Portland is building, and I can't see him walking away from Portland unless he's given a far bigger deal elsewhere.
There isn't a major sports franchise city I wouldn't live in for a measly few extra Mil a year. As an athlete you can just buy something near the PF to best take care of your business and then live where you prefer during the offseason and the rest of your life. In general players are understandably loyal to their families and each other before they are to loyal to some city where they are currently being cheered. Both family and fellow athletes are served by signing the biggest contract offered. To clarify how this MO serves fellow athletes... by signing the biggest deal possible it helps bump up the MLE for average players around the league. STOMP
I think everyone is ignoring one fact. If the Blazers make it to the Western Conference Championship this coming season and lose, do you think he's going to opt out? Or do you think he wants that ring? Anyone can make money in their life, but not everyone can get an NBA championship ring!
Yea, I think both San Antonio and Detroit where making offers for his services and he remained with the Blazers, if he did it then, he'll do it now regardless if he is a starter or not.
They HATE him in Minny! Every time he walks onto the court, he gets booed big time. I can't remember what happened in college, but they do not like him.
The Spurs and Pistons offered him contracts with less dollars and years then Portland... the Blazers also had a starting spot for him. If Greg's averaging 30 MPG or so this year, JP's going to be way down in minutes and Portland is unlikely to be the team that want$ him the most. STOMP
I think he left early for the NBA because the team switched coaches to a guy he hated. Blazers Edge ran a 3 part story on Joel that explains their hatred. Anyway, on the topic at hand, I would say it is in Joel's best interest to leave. He can get more minutes and more money elsewhere. There are a ton of teams that could use him as a starter. It just so happens Portland is currently not one of them.
All you peeps that say he is going to leave for more money.... do you really see a team paying him $10 million a season? Do you think New York has been planning for multiple years to have free agent money, and spend most of it to bring in Joel Pryzbilla? Do you think Miami is going to get Wade to resign, by using the biggest slice of their cap space on Joel Pryzbilla? We're talking about a guy who scores 4ppg! He is a liability on offense. He has had multiple years with major injuries. Yes he is a great rebounder, a good defender but he is not a complete player. We could not leave him in the games for extended periods of the 4th quarter because he destroyed our floor spacing. While I definitely could see him opting out, primarily to lock in additional years on a long-term deal, I'll be shocked if he receives a significant raise from his $7.4 million guaranteed when the salary cap is expected to significantly decline.
One point to ponder: if you were an NBA player, would you want to be a FA in 2010, or would you risk waiting until 2011 with the looming lock-out and probable drastic changes to the CBA? Even with the decline in the cap, the current CBA is almost certainly more favorable to the players than what they will face after the summer of 2011.
In the normal world, maybe, but if you're really that one-dimensional and your life is that empty I feel sorry for you. In the NBA where everyone's a millionaire, not so much. Most family guys realize they are set for life anywhere they play and it's more about enjoying that victory and sharing good times with their families in a utopian setting. Besides, Greg is years away from being a better player than Joel. This team would be a mess without Joel, and certainly not a contender.
I can understand the case for a guy like Rudy. He has enough talent to start, make more money, have more minutes, and potentially be a 1st/2nd option on other teams. He came to the US for fame, so it'll be no surprise when he bolts for some other big city. Joel is a character guy though. He's full of class, humble, and he's been a father/older brother figure to many of the Blazers in the locker room. There's a real connection between most of the guys here and you can tell they love playing with each other. It would be strange if Joel didn't want more money and minutes, but I'm of the opinion that he cherishes what we have going on here more than that stuff simply due to the kind of guy he's shown he is.
I guess I must be "no one" since I had not thought that Przybilla would leave. And according to the thread "everyone" does think so.
