LINK Basically John Givony reiterates what Chad Ford said: Portland wants to jump ahead of Boston and San Antonio for Solomon Alabi
Re: Portland talking to Chicago? Not sure if he is a guy Portland wants. "Alabi will surely struggle against perimeter oriented big men who can take him outside and attack him off the dribble, as he lacks the agility and lateral quickness to move his feet very effectively outside the paint, looking very upright in his stance". Seems he wouldn't be very effective when Portland's guards switch on the pick and roll, as they are prone to do. Also not a very good rebounder (6.3 a game), something Blazers focus on. Maybe a smokescreen. From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Solomon-Alabi-551/#ixzz0rSYJbSyH http://www.draftexpress.com
Re: Portland talking to Chicago? Another Center though??? damn...they are really trying to shop pryz hard because i dont think they are shopping camby and oden...
Re: Portland talking to Chicago? .....or, Joel might be traded at the deadline...when his (expiring contract) value is rather high.
Re: Portland talking to Chicago? I'm cool with getting a center for insurance, but just not this center.
Re: Portland talking to Chicago? I don't see a problem with drafting a center if that's the best player available. Camby won't be playing a ton of future seasons but he can slide over for some minutes at PF during his last few remaining years here.
Re: Portland talking to Chicago? Marcus can slide down to PF if needed. Joel is done. Finding minutes for this dude won't be a problem if he can ball. I don't really know much about him, but I hope we don't give up too much to get him.
Re: Portland talking to Chicago? Joel won't be active until partway through the season at best. Camby can play some PF if necessary (although not ideal). If one of Camby or Oden got injured before Joel theoretically gets healthy, we're right back where we were with a Howard-type player being our backup center.
Re: Portland talking to Chicago? While I'm a big proponent of defensive Bigs, this seems like a red herring/bone they've thrown out for the insatiable rumor mill. I'll be surprised if this turns out to be their target. STOMP
Re: Portland talking to Chicago? Alabi has had some injuries during college, which would make it seem like the Blazers would be possibly scared of. I could see Portland trying to trade up to get Hassan Whiteside, but Solomon Alabi just seems out there.
Re: Portland talking to Chicago? I pray to god this is a smokescreen. This guy is going to suck balls big time ... I don't know why I feel this way so strongly (aside from Hollinger's draft rater predicting that he's a likely bust) but I've seen some video of the guy and he didn't look particularly good and it's a fair bet that if you are a true seven footer and you aren't going in the lottery, there's a good reason for it.
