The Gerald Wallace Equation

The more I think about it, the more I feel Gerald Wallace could have taken the Blazers to the next level - THIS season.

I seem to recall that Charlotte would have parted with him, but it would have cost us Batum as part of the deal..

Shoot, at this point, I might really be tempted to go ahead and pull that trigger.

You?

 

No way. This team needs another fragile player like Portland needs more rain.

 

Hmmm...he's played 76 and 71 the last two seasons.

 

Go look back at his career though. I consider those two seasons to be outliers.

 

I think Batum compares favourably with a young Gerald Wallace. I can see a rationale for not "risking" that Batum may not continue to develop and going for the more certain Gerald Wallace, but I'm comfortable taking that risk. I think Batum is going to be tremendous player and is already above average.

 

I remember they used to say Pryz was injury-prone, as well.

Oh, wait.

 

Gerald Wallace was one of the best defensive players in the NBA last season.

He's easily the Bobcats' best player and he's only 27 years old. He's played in a lot of games the past 4 years, there shouldn't be major concerns.

 

I don't want people to take my comments about Crash the wrong way -- I love that guy -- but with Brandon and Oden already so touch and go, I just think it would be near suicide to add another guy who would be considered a 'pillar' of the team with as many missed games as he's had.

 

Gerald also played 41 minutes a game last year.

 

Doesn't matter. He's not coming here anyways.

 

I think it would have been a great add two years ago, now I don't think we will have the right pieces to give away for him.

 

Crash would be awesome. He is a very good defender, he is a great rebounder, and he scores a lot for a guy who doesn't generally have plays run for him. Not many players as skilled as he is scraps like he does.

That said, I don't want to give up Batum for him, and so I don't think obtaining him is realistic.

 

I would give up Batum for him without thinking twice, but don't think they would go for it! In retrospect, though I was pushing hard for Batum or Butler back when we had Raef- I think Butler is the only one that we could possibly get now- given the Mavs need to blow things up.

 

Butler, with a history of injury, had the worst season since his second year in the league at age 29. I'd let Dallas be stuck with him and his huge contract next year.

 

Of his 6 seasons when he was getting playing time, he's missed roughly 80 games. Batum missed over half that many this season.

I still wouldn't trade Batum, but injury concerns with Wallace are not the reason.