Amir Johnson

I like his game. He's an energy guy and hustles and rebounds. He wouldn't be bad for a backup PF to LaMarcus for 10-15 mins a game.

 

I'd rather not get a backup PF. I want Oden, Aldridge and Camby to play as minutes as possible, and that means having them share all the minutes between the 4 and the 5. There will probably be injuries, but that's where Cunningham and Pendergraph and maybe Howard get to play.

 

That's a good idea. However, would he want to come to Portland?

In Toronto he'll get a lot more playing time. In Portland, he'll get what's leftover after LMA and Camby.

 

I totally agree. He'd be a worthwhile backup 4 ... Some will say we have Jeff and Dante, but I'm not convinced that Pendergraph is going to be a player, and Dante has me convinced he's a player, but I'm just not sure where.

 

He's a fouling machine. I don't think I've ever seen a player who fouls out Per/36 80% of his years in the NBA.

PER looks OK, but then again, the one season the guy started some games (33%), he averaged 3 pts/3 rebs/3 fouls in 14 minutes/per and had his lowest season PER (13) of his career. Plus, in the playoffs that year, he had a 12.3 PER and didn't even play in every game.

No thanks.

 

We already have Armon Johnson. It would be too confusing.

 

Only if you're Mike Rice.

 

Mike Rice's head would explode.

 

Damn. Beat me to it.

 

I am with you on this one. We have the players that cover big PF's (Oden, LMA, Camby, Pendergraf) Amir is a good but a duplication. If we can only target one player, I would prefer a Mike Miller type player. Although I have never been big on trading for MM, I do think he would be a great pick up for the mid level. Especially since Martel is gone.

I think Babbitt will be very good. But he is still a rookie. Get a taller wing player.

 

In concept I agree with you and over a playoff stretch I definitely agree with you...however, in the spirit of "an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure," I wouldn't mind having a solid backup power forward simply to reduce Oden's and Camby's minutes a bit, making it somewhat less likely they suffer injuries. I want them healthy and spry for the playoffs. In addition, a backup power forward would give the team options to allow them more dynamicism in managing Oden's minutes; they can play him somewhat fewer minutes to start with and increase his role as he starts to acclimate (which, essentially, means fouling less). If he's eventually playing 30+ minutes per game, great. But if he can't or shouldn't to start the season, I'd like there to be better options than Pendergraph or an undersized Cunningham.

 

It's possible, I mean Orlando payed Bass last year to sit on the bench the entire season. If Johnson isn't too expensive ($2.5Million+), I wouldn't mind. Still don't see him getting more than scrap minutes though, especially if we consider Joel coming back mid season.

 

I'm holding out no real hope on Przybilla and honestly, I think Portland should treat him like Raef LaFrentz in his final season. Don't factor him into any plans and just view his value as an expiring contract.

 

The fascination with bench players on bad teams continues.

 

A good bench player on a bad team can come be a good bench player on Portland. I don't think they were bad because of Amir Johnson.

 

A very similar player who hasn't failed to impress in as many different places is Ian Mahinmi. Basically, like Amir Johnson his first year, Mahinmi's numbers in limited minutes are ridiculous, and he's equally large and athletic.

Not a good sign the Spurs don't want him, though. Maybe he just needs a different French teammate.

Basically, what he said:

 

I'm looking forward to seeing what Pendergraph can bring his 2nd year. Dude has pretty good size/athleticism for a Big, seems coordinated and competitive, and besides being a year in he won't be coming off of hip surgery. I thought he showed some good flashes last year and expect him to grab a bigger role this season

STOMP

 

I would rather Portland get a decent big then a decent small player.
Being able to out-rebound your opponent is huge.

Amir Johnson would help with this on the off chance one of the other big guys gets hurt.
You know, like has happened every single year for the last 3.

 

5 years 34 million with Toronto.

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/67714/20100701/toronto_secures_$34m_deal_with_amir_johnson/