Why the supreme Vujacic hatred? It's not like he's the floppiest guy, the most arrogant guy, the worst player or a Blazers-killer. He seems like a very meh bench player...nothing to get excited about positively or negatively.
I've already stated earlier, I have no rational reason to hate the guy as much as I do ... but holy shit, do I hate him.
Trust me, I'm there. I threw up just a little when his name was first mentioned. The guy just gets under my skin. His hair. His celebrations. He's just.........
Well, Derek Fisher's PER this year is 9.3. Hinrich may not be the best player in the deal, but he's really the most significant upgrade for any of the teams involved. And I think if you put him in the Lakers' system where all he's really asked to do is bring the ball up, play defense and shoot threes, his PER will look a lot better. That said, I'd be ok with this deal. If I thought we were a contender next year and the Lakers were our biggest impediment, I might think differently.
Hinrich is an OK 3 point shooter, but not anyone who I would want to play the weakside baseline in the triangle. He's certainly an upgrade over Fisher, but I'm not sure who well he fits into the triangle. Of course, I could be completely wrong in thinking this. Hinrich's contract would worry me, however. I also think that Tyrus Thomas adds more to Portland than Hinrich adds to the Lakers, but I'm pretty sure I won't have a lot of company in this opinion. I'd do this trade in a heartbeat. If the Blazers do want Outlaw or Blake, just try to resign them this summer. Meanwhile, let Bayless and Rudy take over Blake's minutes.
IMHO this season is lost anyway. We're in 8th place without our Centers. We're not getting out of the first round if we even get in. That said, we do this trade to use or expiring assets and get a player that COULD be in our top-8 or top-9 rotation next season when we're healthy. Sasha isn't as bad as everyone seems to be making him out to be. His stats are virtually the same as Rudy's. But, I fully understand the irritation factor. Miller - Bayless - Mills Roy - Rudy - Vuyabitch Nic - Webster - Cunningham Aldridge - Thomas - Pendergraph Oden - Przybilla and a mid-first-round pick. Going into next year!!
My problem with this trade scenario is that I think it essentially throws in the towel on making the playoffs this year. I don't think they can pull it off without what Howard has done to hold down the 5 spot and, although I know his detractors will say otherwise, I think Blake will be missed. Do this to get a backup PF who hasn't exactly set the league on fire? I can live with hairnet boy on the bench, but I guess I'm just not seeing enough in Thomas to be willing to get behind this deal. It has all the earmarks of a Laker smokescreen to me. They give up squat and get a significant piece. Crap...I guess that does make it pretty likely to happen. Yuck.
The entire ESPN Insiders 'rumor' To Chiago: Adam Morrison Steve Blake Travis Outlaw Juwan Howard To Lakers: Kirk Hinrich To Blazers: Tyrus Thomas Sasha Vuabitch
An interesting article in light of the situation: http://dberri.wordpress.com/2010/01/07/revisiting-lamarcus-aldridge-for-tyrus-thomas/
We'd finish the season with a starting lineup of: Miller Roy Batum Thomas Aldridge That's pretty good against most teams and good enough to get into the playoffs.
hahahahha!!!! I just saw this shit, been watching Olympics.....dear god take Sasha....Do it K-PEEEEEEE!!! I would laugh my ass off if this happend. I wish I could see your guys faces in person if this went down!
My friend, you just illustrated the true silver lining in this trade ... I do actually hate Morrison more than I hate Sasha. Fuck it, pull the trigger KP.