Fucking tired as hell. As much as it bothered me the Blazers lost, it was well worth the trip. What I did notice was LMA was very soft during the game. He just wasn't able to push back the defenders. Some of it had to do with the officials allowing his man to use both hands, but this is the NBA playoffs so..... So this may not be popular opinion, but I suspect we will not see Batum or Fernandez in a Blazer's uni for the next season (if there is one). Also, I think if the Blazers have an opportunity to trade Roy, I suspect they would do that as well. What I don't see is the CBA and NBA agreeing to some "buy out" clause. This is just a personal observation, so don't hold me to it. The player we will go after is resigning Oden, extending Miller, allowing Fernandez to go back to Spain and try and use Batum and Roy combo to entice someone to take Roy. Teams I think would be interested is Boston, New York, and San Antonio. Personally I really hope Roy stays a Blazer. I think we would get way more value in return just for Batum, then using Roy with Batum. But before you slam me for thinking Batum is gone, think about this. 1.) Wallace is the guaranteed 30-35 minute SF. 2.) Leaves only 10 minutes at SF left for Batum. 3.) Batum isn't good at SG or PG; so he would be a waste of talent. So I don't think Batum's gone because he sucks. Personally I love him as a Blazer. Just doubt management will let him be a 10-15 minute bench player.
I'd like to try and address your observations... 1) As LA being soft, he was being guarded by bigger and stronger players that are centers. LA's a PF. He's not going to push them around like he does a lot of other PF's. He's not soft, just isn't as big or strong as many NBA centers. 2) Unless we get an amnesty clause for 1 player, Roy stays and screws up our salary cap for years to come. I'd let him go. 3) I think we will try and keep Batum as we do not know what happens to GW when his contract is up. But I think he will leave via free agency, so you may be right that we trade him. 4) Rudy goes back to Spain when his contract expires. 5) Your minutes are incorrect for GW & Batum. If a game is 48 minutes and GW gets 30-35, that leaves 13-18 for Batum at SF, and I think Nate may very well play him at SG a bit to keep his minutes up. I agree he'd be out of position, but he'd be better than Roy.
It's was great seeing you here in the Rose City. But I enjoyed seeing your girlfriend more. (just kidding)
Just my guesses and I could be completely incorrect. I just think that 15-20 minutes for Batum is a waste. I think he should be a 25-30 minute player. But who knows... Maybe the coaching staff will work on his SG skills for the very reason you mentioned. I guess we'll see.
I don't disagree with you. I also think he'll leave if he has to play behind GW. You may be right that we will trade him, but I have a hunch GW doesn't want to stay here long term.
As much as I would love to agree with you; I really disagree. I just don't see Batum being a back-up for much longer. Maybe one more year and I suspect his demand to start. Wallace should be here to stay. From what I've read, he actually likes it here. But who knows man.
If I remember correctly, Batum was playing 25-30 a game late in the season and doing quite well! I assume his lack of intensity in the playoffs got his minutes cut back. I wish he had been thrown out there and urged to step it up so we could have found out if he can be valuable in playoff games or not. If he can't be, then he should be traded. I agree that Rudy will not be playing for the Blazers next year, they should just let the guy go, he does not have the inner confidence needed to play in the NBA. I don't think Miller will be extended, they will pick up his one year option though, and then see where it goes from there.
I only see Batum leaving if its in a trade to get us a PG. Wallace is a player much like Camby. When he gets to a team he wants to stay there, he doesn't' like moving his family around and grows ties to whatever team he is playing for so I assume we'll offer Crash a contract and he will agree to it. Problem with that is if he do that and Batum demands a trade because of it or simply says he won't stay here as the sixth man then we run into the problem of having an older crash whose game relays almost solely on his athleticism that will start diminishing every year. Rudy has showed to much inconsistency to keep, we need an outside shooter and he isn't that anymore. He isn't going to be extended here unless somehow he starts draining every three like its his rookie season again. I expect were gonna try and make some big trades at the trade deadline next year and will probably play Elliot Williams and Babbit a lot come that time to try and up there value. LMA will be a monster if he can play against other PF's, which means we need a Center who can score. If we decide Oden isn't worth it I expect us to go after Marc Gasol/NeNe in a sign and trade scenario. LMA isnt' soft but he needs to really step up and give the refs a lot of talk and get a kind of tough guy attitude because bigger stronger players like chandler get away with a lot on LMA because he lets them. Getting a T more often in those situations should help. Miller we will pick up the option and we might extend him if we can't find a way to get another guard to replace him but if we do extend him I doubt it will be longer then 2 years or 3 years with a team option for the third.
It was great to meet you and your girl at the game Mags. Too bad we couldn't pull it out but I still had a blast. And I can confirm what SlyPokerDog said, Mags' girl is smokin. Thanks for the ride to the bar, too, so I could drown my sorrows with beer and whiskey. Take care!
That was because we didn't have a true back-up center or PF. G. Wallace was playing PF, while Aldridge slotted 5. It was obvious that both Wallace at 4 and Aldridge at 5 didn't play out too well in the playoffs. I think Brass will find back-ups at both positions and hopefully see if Oden actually will be able to return.
Thanks man! I had a blast as well! Gotta make it down in L.A., so you can party with me and my friends here.
You the man Mags, Blaza Soldier! You made one Blazer fan's season, game 3 was the best by far, and thanks to you I got to go! Brilliant.
