I didn't say he was going to make a deal next year, I'm saying he could. What he did was turn RLEC into an above-average point guard, a position of need, for the immediate future and a tradable asset down the road as well. If you'd stop your reactionary fingers from typing for a moment and fucking read, you'd be able to ascertain what I was saying. What player do you believe we realistically could have had three years ago, at what cost, and at what result? Two years ago? One year ago? Now? You think he's getting all these deals on his desk and he's just irresponsibly passing on them? Or, isn't it more likely, that a KP, a reasonable person, believes that the deals presented to him were not enough in our favor and, because of this, didn't feel it was necessary to pull the trigger. I mean, c'mon, realistically adding even the best player that moved teams last year - Vince Carter - wouldn't have gotten us past the Nuggets or the Lakers. I fear the same this season as well. You see, injuries can happen in this league, and instead of gambling our real chances of a championship away, which have a higher probability of happening in the next upcoming seasons, by acquiring a past-prime player, Portland can continue building its young core together. There's no need to take chances. We're in no hurry to make a deal until the "right" piece becomes available. Until then, organically grow the team and its assets until we're in the championship window, not before.
When I say now, I mean before the trade deadline . . . so you got Rudy and Batum in the mix. Injuries suck, but that is the hand KP got dealt with. I'm watching second round conditional picks being traded, Miami getting Alston to be waived so they can get him, Dallas just pulled off something funky. Denver's going after Foster. No more excuses, IMO, KP has got to make something happen and get a good trade done. I know it's not easy, and many lesser GMs have lost jobs for not being able to get it done. Heck, Kupchak saved his job for getting it done. For KP, it isn't essential he get something done. He has doen too many good things and no way his job is on the line. But IMO he should get something done this year with the hand that he is dealt.
Oh I understand. We need a quality big man. When we find one available, let's get him. Hilton Armstrong isn't even nearly as good as our two rookie bigs. He isn't the answer. And he surely isn't worth giving up a second rounder for. Again, please point to a decision that KP made that, in the end, hurt our championship contending chances? That's what I thought.
You do realize that Portland's on pace to break the record for most games missed by a collection of players? For what purpose did the team require upgrades? Is KP responsible for any of the team's successes?
You sure as hell didn't predict we'd have won this many games this year, so forgive me if I have a hard time believing your prediction that the Jazz and Thunder get into the Playoffs over us. They just may, but don't you get tired of being wrong, over and over and over and over and over ...
I hear you. I want the team to improve as fast as possible as well. I just don't want to derail the train in the process.
Actually, it resonates with me. I can understand that KP has been under a LOT of pressure to make moves since last season's RLEC, etc. I also understand that he's greatly improved this team over the last 3 years. I stand on that and currently have no issues that he's made no bold moves. I'm sure he's had his reasons. Again, I base my "trust" on his past record. If that changes, I'll be sure to get back to you.
But you realize that he kind of set himself up for this criticism don't you? KP made it quite clear that the reason he was taking on Raef was for the express purpose of having a lot of cap room this past summer to make trades and/or acquisitions. I'm not really unhappy that it turned into Andre Miller (could have been better could have been worse) but you claim your trust is based on a past record ... aside from a knack for acquiring draft picks, I'm really curious where you see him behaving like an actual GM the past year and a half, and not just glorified college/Euroleague scout.
I don't begrudge anyone for thinking otherwise from my own opinion. However, I still stand by the cheesy "In KP I trust" mantra for no other reason than the Blazer have kept improving. If that changes, then I might re-think that stance.
Hilton Armstrong sucks and you know it. And if you don't know it, you're not watching basketball. I suspect you do know it and you're trying to be a drama queen. Yawn.
Crimson, you keep giving praise to Pritchard for winning individual games with our skeleton crew of a team. What does he have to with the gametime decisions? It's the Coach's coaching, not the GM. Pritchard is just in the stands, watching. McMillan is making them win. He should have gotten more for LaFrentz than Miller. ------------ Pritchard can go 3 ways. 1. Do nothing. When he does nothing, he's great!! Calm waters, now. Don't try to improve. 2. Do something. If he ever does, he'll be great!! It might happen in a few months, believe me. 3. Suck. This is logically impossible because his disciples have already covered all possibilities. ...not through Pritchard's skill. That was only because he could offer Paul Allen's money. So those who say he's lazy, now have to come up with ideas for trades for him? Doesn't that prove exactly what we're saying? That's like--Junior, you lazy butt!! Clean up your room!! Junior: Mom, could you prove I haven't done this by cleaning it for me? Why is it our job to propose trades for Pritchard, to prove that he hasn't come up with trades? Yet this is how you guys defend him against his critics, everytime.
miller was a huge mistake and classic example of money burning a hole through someone's pocket near their genitals. david lee should have been signed long term. he would have taken it with the junk the knicks paid him.
Yeah, I'm all for a consolidation trade, but for KP to get the best value he's got to have as many healthy assets as possible in his arsenal. The trade deadline is usually around the 16th of February. By then Batum, Blake and Fernandez should all be either back to full speed or at least close enough for KP and other GM's to make the call. Hopefully KP breaks tradition and can make a major deal midseason.
