I was an Andre Miller fan too. I think he was our best player beginning at Roy's demise (a month before the end of 2009-10). The only exception was the one all-too brief month when he helped make Aldridge hot last Winter. So Miller was our best player for exactly half of the 2 seasons he was here. But-- Felton is 8 1/4 years younger than Miller. My sports calculator says that equals 41.25 years in sports time. If we don't like Felton, we get another chance to fill his spot by trading him in a couple of years, or 4, or 6 years. We couldn't do that with Miller.
This sucks. I'm gonna be hated in here for liking a player on my own team! No matter how well Felton plays, I'll be bashed for liking him. Ugh.
I guess I'm in the minority too. I've always kind of like Felton's game. In fact, several people on here have to whether they want to admit it, or not. I've seen quite a few threads about trading for him.
Also, I seem to remember Felton from highlights throwing lobs to Gerald Wallace in Charlotte. It's not like he's Steve Blake. My initial reaction to draft night was meh and maybe I should trust that and not let the doom and gloom here affect me too much. I'm very sad to see Miller go and definitely disappointed about not getting Faried, but I had pretty low expectations anyway (the Jameer trade did not seem to make any sense to me from Orlando's side).
I'm even more in the minority, because not only do I like Felton, but I'm also pretty sure that Smith is going to be our primary backup PG from day 1 and do a decent job in that role, especially on the defensive end. Overall, I think we got better at the PG spot, and I'm happy about that.
I like both Felton and Smith, but as for next year, Felton is no better than Miller. Lateral move for next year, and we gave up a ton
Aren't you one of the ones who always says we over value our own players? Did we really give up a ton? Three guys we often spoke about trading. It does seem like a lot, but personally I didn't think either of those three would be on our team next year. So I guess that's why it did not upset me like it did others. True we did not screw another team like we all wanted to, but didn't we all kind of expect that Felton was the best we could get from another team? No one was going to give us their "best" PG. I think Felton is better than Flynn or Ridnour or any other options out there. But I can see why people see it as a lateral move. I think we got better though. We had to get a better scorer at the point IMO. I think we did.
Gave up a ton? Miller was BRUTAL for the last two season in the playoffs and this was necessary move. Everyone knows this team needs to get past the 1st round and we've seen Miller's disappearing act in the post season for 2 years now.
I guess I agree with this. Who's going to beat him out? Armon showed last year that he pretty much had no clue and Patty was just in there because he could hit threes. Felton is certainly more outgoing than Miller. Or Rudy, come to that. Our lockerroom lost two quiet types and picked up two solid citizens. I'm most upset for largely irrational reasons. I really wanted to see Koponen have a chance in a Blazer uniform, and I think Rudy did a lot of things that were unappreciated (of Blazer highlights over the past three years, he's been featured in a disproportionate amount, and he threw creative passes to our post players). I guess Elliot Williams will get some of Rudy's minutes. That can't be bad... or can it?
Our defense got better all around, Felton > Miller on D, no Rudy and Nic or E Williams playing some SG - another Defense increase. E Williams was expected to be a very good defender coming out of college and Smith was also known for his very good D, Matthews plays good D. So basically besides Roy (will he even be here?) we have solid defenders at every position, backups as well. If Oden can play we are become a defensive stud team. If we can pick up a player like Chuck Hayes I would really like that team.
Good call. IIRC, perimeter defense has been one of our bigger complaints around here for years. Now, outside of Roy, do we have any backcourt players that are considered weak defensively? Is it possible that a perennial significant weakness could actually be one of our strengths next year?
It is, but some folks here haven't yet pulled their heads out and come up for air - no surprise actually.
Feltons defense may not be much better than Andre's, but on pure foot speed alone I imagine he'll be much better at keeping oppossing point guards in front of him. I grew so tired of watching our defense colapsed because Andre (Patty and Roy to) couldn't keep their men out of the lane. For the Blazers to get to an elite level their defense is going to have to improve, and the start of that is to not let the other teams point guard take one dribble and get to the lane. Their has to be some resistance and I can only hope Felton, and Smith to can provide that! So for that point alone, as much as I loved Andre's old school hard nosed offensive game, I'm thrilled to see him move along.
I consider E.Williams as part of this draft since we didnt have him at all last year. I think he's going to be solid. I hope!
