That's what they said, but we bought the pick. We could have done the same deal with Phoenix, since they didn't want to go into Luxury tax. We could have just as easily done the same deal with any team, offering the player Jones, for a exempt.
That was also some of the only motivated basketball I saw Zbo play during his career here. Folks around here seem to have selective memories. Many of the reasons we got rid of Zbo was because he never played D, he never got defensive rebounds, he would stand around and jaw at the ref as his cover dunked on the other end of the floor. Hell the only reason he got fired up in this particular game was some of the Denver players mixed it up with him and they almost got in a rumble. Otherwise it would have probably been just another game.
He played very motivated when he was working back from his injury. He was hard-workin' man! ah, yes, lazy players just stumble into 20/10 seasons.
The bottom line issue with Zach was always $$$$$$. For an NBA player, Zach is a below average athlete. He got to where he is by working hard and developing his skills. Because of his silly contract, however, many people were blinded to what he really was - an over-achiever. They saw the dollar signs, and assumed he must be a KG level talent. He isn't, and never could be. That is true of most NBA players, and was no reason to burn the guy at the stake....but that bad contract poisoned the fans against him.
No...he was quite memorably upset when Randolph was traded. All his "imaginary cap space" stuff is continued derision over that deal.
I've met Zach and he was the sweetest nicest guy when I talked to him. I don't know why he doesn't fit into our culture. And he's an incredible player. In Roy's rookie year, Zach averaged 23.6 ppg (up 5.6 ppg from the season before) & 10.1 rpg (up 2.1 from the season before). And we improved our win total by 11 games. The whole idea that you can't win with Zach is ridiculous. If we had kept Zach, we still would've continued to grow as a team. And we'd be better for it.
Also, for those who say he doesn't pass the ball, Zach averaged more assists that season than LMA is this season. And while, ZBo only averaged 0.2 blocks a game that year, LMA isn't doing much better this season. LMA doesn't even average half a block a game!
If you want Zbo over Lamarcus, have at it. It's your basketball reputatin on the line, not mine. F Zbo.
Newsflash to anyone that didn't want Zbo to go. The Blazers were on a downward spiral not only on image, but fan support. They issued that 20+ point plan or rules regarding who they bring in to Portland for the fans. There is a reason that they couldn't give away tickets and have people come to the game. Zach was among the many in Portland that didn't fit the "Culture" of Portland. This was the main reason why he was shipped out. It wasn't because he couldn't play. It's because he was tossing money on titties, starting fights with teammates and having his entourage blasting 9mm holes in cars at clubs. I think Zach is one hell of a "Stat filler" and probably would have been a better team with him playing PF and Aldridge playing Center, while grabbing Durant, but it couldn't work. We just couldn't keep him and still have the "corporate sponsors" pay up. Blazers need the fans, but they also need those corporate sponsorships. Everyone bailed and they had to do something to bring everyone back. So who the fuck cares on how good Zbo is, when he wasn't going to stay regardless? It would be like an alcoholic saying he quit, while drinking a gin martini with a smile. You have to stick with your program and so far it's working. We've been a better team without him and have good corporate sponsors and being sold out for 3 years straight. Bye Zbo, wish you the best and Blazer fans.... Let's move on and support Aldridge, our new PF.
We were winning and the fans starting dropping, just an FYI. I do believe you have those "fairweather fans" that will want to watch the "winners", but most in Portland are pretty savvy. They grew up loving the Blazers and know basketball well. Our attendance starting dropping the year before Sheed was traded and we had a winning record. So in theory, yes, winning cures all. But in this sense, our fans are more fickle with the team. If this was happening in a place like New York, the fans wouldn't care. In Portland, it does.
Yep, it's lame. But that's what happens when you live in a "one horse town". I didn't care one way or another, but I understand why he's gone. It's about character, not performance. I think Roy had a little say in it as well. I would rather have Roy than Zbo anyways.
There was a report that a player in Portland asked to ship out Zbo. What we got in return was lame as hell, but that's hindsight. He was gone, no matter what. Unless you want to make your "super-star" unhappy.
