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ABM

ABM

Happily Married In Music City, USA!
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Man, Kurt Thomas impresses the heck out of me!

Glad he's a Blazer. :clap:
 
wait, so KT is old man river, but you arent?

get your story straight!

;)
 
Valuable Guy.

He knows how to conserve energy and be effective, I doubt if his age will be anything but a plus factor.

The way KT sets screens and shoots the 15-footer is a perfect fit for this team.
 
Do you guys think he will end up being better than Juwan Howard was for us?
 
He really did well. Patient. Steady. Smith is a THICK boy. no wonder he's called Rhino. I liked Crawford's game and how he kept the second unit involved. Nolan Smith played well too.
 
One of the reasons Derrick Rose won MVP is because the Bulls kept winning when Boozer and Noah were out. Why? Because Kurt Thomas stepped in and didn't miss a beat.
 
I dunno. This schedule is going to be brutal, and I have serious doubts whether Camby and Thomas can survive it.
 
TheBeastBoy said:
He really did well. Patient. Steady. Smith is a THICK boy. no wonder he's called Rhino. I liked Crawford's game and how he kept the second unit involved. Nolan Smith played well too.
Click to expand...

from what I saw last night I could easily see Crawford being backup PG over Nolan and EWill getting playin time over Nolan in the second unit. It's only one night, we will see.
 
I hope that fans who were proud that Pritchard's teams were some of the youngest of all time have learned from watching Juwan Howard and Kurt Thomas. A young team is a positive only in potential, not in current floor ability, and if they're mediocre players, not even in potential.

The new regimen of Vulcans and Buchanan don't believe in the bake the cake nonsense. Just get guys who can play now and cut out the golden future BS.
 
KP's biggest issue to me was he fell in "love" with HIS players. He got too close and really struggled in getting rid of any of them, even if it made us better. He did a great job bring in talent and draft picks, but just couldn't seem to get past trading away players he selected. Maybe his pride got in the way too. Cho, I think, didn't mesh with Allen because he was more of plotter. Thinker. He analyzed everything till he felt comfortable with a deal. Allen, if we all know how he runs his many businesses, isn't that patient. Cho did get us Wallace, so that's good. But I think Allen wanted things done a bit quicker. It's sad to me that Paul won't consider Chad for GM, since he's been interm twice now and has worked well with everyone. The players he got now fit in well with who they are now building around: LA. With Roy no longer coming in to "save the day" and everyone worrying about his knees (and make no mistake, I am a BIG Roy mark and a healthy Roy makes this team better, but he made the right choice) and us already being used to not have Oden, Chad and company made moves to help LA rest and not have to carry the load as much. Crawford is a great fit and good replacement for Roy, seeing as I do think if Roy was able to play this year, he'd be back up G behind Matthews. Thomas is proven and consistent and Smith is just a big body to help shove people around. Think Mark Bryant. Now, for shit's sake, let's say Oden does come back this year (depending on which rumors you believe...), he would be a great addition for a late season push should we be in the thick of things, which I think we could. We have a nice mix of young and veteran talent right now. Let's see how it all comes together and HOPE for once, we have a year where we have no major injuries.
 
TheBeastBoy said:
KP's biggest issue to me was he fell in "love" with HIS players. He got too close and really struggled in getting rid of any of them, even if it made us better. He did a great job bring in talent and draft picks, but just couldn't seem to get past trading away players he selected. Maybe his pride got in the way too. Cho, I think, didn't mesh with Allen because he was more of plotter. Thinker. He analyzed everything till he felt comfortable with a deal. Allen, if we all know how he runs his many businesses, isn't that patient. Cho did get us Wallace, so that's good. But I think Allen wanted things done a bit quicker. It's sad to me that Paul won't consider Chad for GM, since he's been interm twice now and has worked well with everyone. The players he got now fit in well with who they are now building around: LA. With Roy no longer coming in to "save the day" and everyone worrying about his knees (and make no mistake, I am a BIG Roy mark and a healthy Roy makes this team better, but he made the right choice) and us already being used to not have Oden, Chad and company made moves to help LA rest and not have to carry the load as much. Crawford is a great fit and good replacement for Roy, seeing as I do think if Roy was able to play this year, he'd be back up G behind Matthews. Thomas is proven and consistent and Smith is just a big body to help shove people around. Think Mark Bryant. Now, for shit's sake, let's say Oden does come back this year (depending on which rumors you believe...), he would be a great addition for a late season push should we be in the thick of things, which I think we could. We have a nice mix of young and veteran talent right now. Let's see how it all comes together and HOPE for once, we have a year where we have no major injuries.
Click to expand...

All good points.

Yes, it's amazing how quickly the addition of "vets" Thomas and Crawford materialized. Instant experience. Plus, it sure seems to me, they've seamlessly assimilated themselves within the current team. Kinda cool. Let's hope it equates to court success.
 
ABM said:
All good points.

Yes, it's amazing how quickly the addition of "vets" Thomas and Crawford materialized. Instant experience. Plus, it sure seems to me, they've seamlessly assimilated themselves within the current team. Kinda cool. Let's hope it equates to court success.
Click to expand...

I think it's about getting the RIGHT vets on the team. You can get Vets that know how to play, but if they don't mesh, it can look all crazy and disorganized. Granted, this is one game. Yet, when you have 3 guys coming in knowing they are coming off the bench, know their roles, it makes things so much easier. I think more than any other year, this year we shouldn't have to worry about who's role is what.
 
TheBeastBoy said:
KP's biggest issue to me was he fell in "love" with HIS players. He got too close and really struggled in getting rid of any of them, even if it made us better. He did a great job bring in talent and draft picks, but just couldn't seem to get past trading away players he selected. Maybe his pride got in the way too. Cho, I think, didn't mesh with Allen because he was more of plotter. Thinker. He analyzed everything till he felt comfortable with a deal. Allen, if we all know how he runs his many businesses, isn't that patient. Cho did get us Wallace, so that's good. But I think Allen wanted things done a bit quicker. It's sad to me that Paul won't consider Chad for GM, since he's been interm twice now and has worked well with everyone. The players he got now fit in well with who they are now building around: LA. With Roy no longer coming in to "save the day" and everyone worrying about his knees (and make no mistake, I am a BIG Roy mark and a healthy Roy makes this team better, but he made the right choice) and us already being used to not have Oden, Chad and company made moves to help LA rest and not have to carry the load as much. Crawford is a great fit and good replacement for Roy, seeing as I do think if Roy was able to play this year, he'd be back up G behind Matthews. Thomas is proven and consistent and Smith is just a big body to help shove people around. Think Mark Bryant. Now, for shit's sake, let's say Oden does come back this year (depending on which rumors you believe...), he would be a great addition for a late season push should we be in the thick of things, which I think we could. We have a nice mix of young and veteran talent right now. Let's see how it all comes together and HOPE for once, we have a year where we have no major injuries.
Click to expand...

What players that KP selected that he didn't get rid of? Did you want him to get rid of Roy, LMA, or Batum? He got rid of Frye, Sergio, an Blake. Name one player that KP selected that you wish he got rid of?
 
You know exactly what I meant. Everyone talked about it. let's not get our panties in a bunch. It was known he loved his players and had a hard time considering trading any of them. He held onto some longer than maybe he should have...minus the big three. I am thinking minor players.
 
KingSpeed said:
What players that KP selected that he didn't get rid of? Did you want him to get rid of Roy, LMA, or Batum? He got rid of Frye, Sergio, an Blake. Name one player that KP selected that you wish he got rid of?
Click to expand...

It wasn't "whether" so much as "when"--he waited too long. Sergio's trade value was much higher than his court value for quite a while; that was never capitalized on. Same with Rudy. Same arguably with Outlaw and Webster.
 
PtldPlatypus said:
It wasn't "whether" so much as "when"--he waited too long. Sergio's trade value was much higher than his court value for quite a while; that was never capitalized on. Same with Rudy. Same arguably with Outlaw and Webster.
Click to expand...

Exactly, Plat.
 
KingSpeed said:
What players that KP selected that he didn't get rid of? Did you want him to get rid of Roy, LMA, or Batum? He got rid of Frye, Sergio, an Blake. Name one player that KP selected that you wish he got rid of?
Click to expand...

How about the "golden ticket" worth more to GMs around the league than Amare Stoudemire?
 
Kurt Thomas looks like a young Greg Oden.

barfo
 
This is why you get experience, not the stupid Pritchard strategy of let it bake for years and years. Win now and the future will take care of itself.
 
jlprk said:
This is why you get experience, not the stupid Pritchard strategy of let it bake for years and years. Win now and the future will take care of itself.
Click to expand...

When KT took his fourth friggin' charge, I knew we had a solid contributor.
 
jlprk said:
The new regimen of Vulcans and Buchanan don't believe in the bake the cake nonsense. Just get guys who can play now and cut out the golden future BS.
Click to expand...
I hear that. I've always been a "build-for-the-future" kind of guy, but after the Roy and Oden fiascos, I may change my tune. You can wait for that "golden future" only so many times . . .
 
http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...tml?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
10379735-large.jpg


He may be the oldest player in the NBA, but there's no denying that Kurt Thomas enters the season as one of the most important role players on the Blazers' roster.

This fact only came into sharper focus Wednesday night, as one Blazers big man (LaMarcus Aldridge) returned from a medical issue (heart) and another (Camby) did not play because of injury. Meanwhile, the crafty, brawny 6-foot-9 forward casually switched from reserve to starter without batting an eye.

Thomas was signed as a free agent during training camp to provide front-court depth and leadership. And based on the exhibition season, the 39 year-old is going to log heavy minutes this season.

After an efficient and effective 17-minute performance during the blowout debut victory over the Jazz on Monday, Thomas' playing time spiked to 24 minutes Wednesday as he started in place of Camby. Quietly, Thomas had a difference-making exhibition season, totaling 14 points, eight rebounds, three assists, four steals and three blocks -- all while doing the little things that often go unnoticed in the final box score.

In the opener at the Rose Garden, he swiped three steals. In the next game at Utah, he drew multiple charges. If he wasn't blocking an Al Jefferson shot, he was drawing a foul at the end of the shot clock that resulted in free throws and saved a floundering possession.

"He's going to be huge," Aldridge said, referring to the impact he expects Thomas to make this season. "He knows how to play. He's a pro, he's been in every type of situation -- the playoffs, the finals. He's done it all. He's definitely a valuable piece for us."

So what about those minutes? Thomas, who was unexpectedly asked to start 37 games for the Chicago Bulls last season when injuries hit the roster, said he's prepared to play as much as coach Nate McMillan asks. How about 40 minutes a game?

"Sure, I did that last year," Thomas said. "I don't even think about it. I just show up ready to play."

-- Joe Freeman
Click to expand...
 
You know, I'm at the point where I'm in favor of Kurt Thomas starting. He's more durable than Camby, likely more reliable, and more effective offensively. He has the skill set to defend centers, but is effective enough with the mid-range jumper to complement Aldridge playing down low on offense (as we'd all like to see).

With Camby's injury history, I think having Thomas start full time is the right play.
 
PtldPlatypus said:
You know, I'm at the point where I'm in favor of Kurt Thomas starting. He's more durable than Camby, likely more reliable, and more effective offensively. He has the skill set to defend centers, but is effective enough with the mid-range jumper to complement Aldridge playing down low on offense (as we'd all like to see).

With Camby's injury history, I think having Thomas start full time is the right play.
Click to expand...

It's funny. I was watching NBATV last evening and Chris Webber was goin' off about Kurt Thomas. He went as far to say that, "Hey, I love Kurt Thomas, and all, but, if he starts, the Blazers are going nowhere this season."

I was shaking my head in disagreement.

Kurt Thomas is definitely not the "answer" for this team, but, my oh my, he is SO solid. Amazing at his age, actually.
 
This is what I've been saying throughout the Pritchard years. There are so many cheap experienced players, while we keep giving raises to know-nothing newbies.

First McMillan, now Aldridge, say of Thomas, "He knows how to play." Meaning, he doesn't need years of coaching before solidifying.

Next time a GM makes us the 3rd youngest team in the history of the NBA, we should line up on the bridge to jump. It's nothing to brag about. It's a gross failure by a GM.
 
Thomas is 39 years old. Last season, he averaged 23 MPG. Asking him to play starters minutes would be a desperation move.
 
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