This argument means nothing IMO. You have to look at each situation individually. They have a top 5 young PG, Paul Pierce still under contract, possibility of retaining KG/Allen, they're a big media market that gets lots of love on ESPN (not NY/LAL but big the next tier down), they have a history that other teams don't if that means anything. Howard/Rondo/Pierce/KG is a pretty good top 4 for the next two seasons and he'll still have Rondo for the next decade, once Pierce expires they'll again have a sh*tload of cash to get another 3rd core piece. Or maybe they dump Rondo and go all out for Deron/Dwight. They've got options. It isn't NY or LA, but they have a decent pitch and the crop of suitors isn't as high quality as in 2010. I am extremely interested to see how this plays out. Will Orlando really play hardball and let him walk? Will Dwight give up the extra money to leave? I'll go the opposite way and say that Dwight ends up somewhere else, one way or the other. Partly because I think he does believe he can make up the money he would lose by getting the f*ck out of Orlando. Partly because it sounds like hes burning bridges with his teammates and it doesn't make sense for either party to bring him back into that kind of locker room situation where everyone knows he doesn't want to be there. Ultimately they can't win a ring with Dwight and the current supporting cast, its a talent issue but its also a chemistry issue. Trading Dwight does mean they could get out of Hedo's contract and add some kind of value in return. Adding Monta Ellis or some other feaux star won't make them a real contender. Perhaps that combined with the extra 20-30 mil (if thats really how much he'll lose) is enough to keep Dwight. I dunno though, its hard to see Dwight opting for Monta and Hedo Turkoglu instead of Rondo/Pierce or Dirk or Deron or whatever his other options are.
wasnt an argument, i was actually wondering when the last time they signed someone big i agree to an extent, but players dont really seem to care about bostons "mystique" or whatever, they want LA/CHI/NY or warm weather....or the #1 trump card, THE MOST MONEY
That's not what I said. I said that I don't understand why the Blazers wouldn't have a chance... they have the space to sign both Williams and Howard this summer, while still retaining Aldridge and possibly even Batum. That would be a pretty amazing starting core right there. But why would Williams want to go to Boston when they have Rondo? Or are you assuming that Rondo is traded before this summer?
I don't think the idea of Batum becoming the third wheel of a Big Three has much weight to these guys. Portland would be great with Dwight or Deron, but you can't underestimate the egotism of these guys. They're all vying for more and more face time on Sportscenter and in Nike commercials. PDX can't compete with Boston or Dallas let alone LA or NY in that respect. You guys don't have any real recruiters either. I don't think anyone wants to play for McMillan. Paul Allen isn't going to get through to these guys. You have no GM. Will these guys listen to LMA and would LMA even make a pitch? Guys like Pat Riley, D'Antoni, Doc Rivers, Isiah Thomas, Mark Cuban, the Russian guy who owns the Nets, and then players like Dirk, Kidd, Deron, KG, Paul Pierce, Chris Paul could feasibly get through to these guys and make some kind of impact if all else is equal.
