That too, but I would assume they would want SOME talent in return after they let Blake and Travis walk next summer.
Okafor: good call. I always thought it was weird that they traded for him, because their owner is a notorious cheapskate, and Paul/Chandler was gold. BUT: I actually like Brand better, just because he can score. Okafor is like a slightly-richer-man's Kandiman. Does he do anything above average? I'm not even sure he's a big step up over Juwan Howard. There is no way I'd offer a package that included BOTH Outlaw AND Rudy for him. He's just too bleh. Comparison over the last ten games: I guess Okafor is a better rebounder. But boy, that is Dudley-esque FT shooting. Code: Scoring Statistics Player Pos G M/Gm FGm FGa PCT 3m 3a PCT FTm FTA PCT AVG 1 brand,elton PF 10 31.8 59 124 .476 0 1 .000 24 37 .649 14.2 5 okafor,emeka C 10 31.1 49 91 .538 0 0 .000 16 33 .485 11.4 Rebounding Statistics Player AS AS/g ST ST/G TO TO/g BK BK/g TND OR OR/g TR TR/g 1 brand,elton 16 1.6 17 1.7 15 1.5 13 1.3 15.2 25 2.5 63 6.3 5 okafor,emeka 9 0.9 5 0.5 11 1.1 15 1.5 15.8 30 3.0 88 8.8
Sure, Okafor is an excellent rebounder (18.4% career Rebound Rate--20% is elite) and a very good defender (104 defensive rating, where 100 or below is tremendous and average seems to be around 108 or so). Now, I think defensive rating is a very noisy stat, but it jibes with most people's view of his defense, that he's solidly above-average. I'd really like to have Okafor as a backup to Oden. He'd be a deluxe version of Pryzbilla...healthy, younger and a better scorer (though hardly standout at that) while possessing Przybilla's virtues (rebounding and defense). I'd give up pretty much any combination of Przybilla, Webster, Outlaw, Blake and maybe even Rudy (but hopefully, cash savings would be enough to tempt the Hornets without including Roodee). A front court rotation of Oden/Aldridge/Okafor would be splendid for years.
In Webster's career in Portland....he's only had a few games "on!" More off than on! Agree: Move him now! Even if it is for a team's First Round pick in next year's draft! Make room for Trout.
But you can't teach desire either. Many times you will see the trainer come over to Kwame after a shift and check his pulse - to make sure he's still alive. Sometimes it's hard to tell with him.
Lets see, he starts playing some of the best ball of his career so lets trade him for nothing as fast as possible to make room for a player who will become a free agent this summer? All because of pre-conceived notions about his fraility in competing for a starting position? I'm not going to have to start another Fire Pritch thread will I?
I would hate to see Webster go but you can see the kid wilts as soon as something happens to shake his confidence. It's a damn shame because he wants it really bad, unfortunately he's his own worst enemy. I think he's having a very similar problem that Blake had earlier this year. They both knew/know that they are starting in front of a player that is better than them. I think Webster would play much better if he came off the bench.
Yeah, but he's young he'll eventually learn. People said he wouldn't learn how to do anything other than just shoot 3s, but he's getting better at cutting to the hole..also playing better defense. He's not a bad contract...he would be a great role player or even more if he gets his stuff together. A bruce bowen type would be GREAT on a championship team. Better than TROUT (I still love the guy) who just seems to shoot or break up the offense at times.
I was on the Robin Lopez bandwagon since this summer and now that he's starting he has played himself out of attainability. The guy is a beast.
I'm down with your deal, except I think it should be Webster instead of Outlaw. Specifically, we know that whichever one stays will be coming off the bench whenever Nic gets his starting gig back; we know Outlaw can be effective as a reserve, but Webster has never shown that ability.
Works for me! And when Anthony Tolliver is getting more minutes than you, you know you're not wanted. (Added bonuses: another Frenchie! Went to college in the NW! Brandon Roy specifically named him as someone to trade for.)
Where do I sign? Nelson is having Turiaf rot on his bench. That guy is the most manic coach I've ever seen.
Martell is pretty obviously a movable piece and probably nearer to his highest trade value ever in the buy low sell high dynamic. Batum sure seems to be the guy at the 3 and MW has never done well coming off the bench while Outlaw has. Victor Claver and Cunningham seem viable backup 3 options as we go forward. MW also has a very palatable contract for a team looking for a outside threat wing. I don't think he has to go ASAP, but I'm pretty sure they're including him in their various trade discussions. About the only positional need for the team is one more serviceable Big as Joel is no spring chicken... though maybe English Joel can fill that need STOMP
