From how shitty the Blazers finished last seasons he fact that the blazers lost Roy and oden, and have only one semi-star, many would think the blazers are in a real bad situation. I disagree! When we take in the entire picture, I think the blazers will be a 50 win team this coming season. The only obvious great thing PDX has is LMA. however, the blazers will most likely keep batum, who is a solid player and at times an excellent defenderl. Wes is returning, and although he is not great, he fills a very important roll of, along with batum, wing defender, and threeballer. Now let's not forget two players who were just getting a chance to show off their abilities, EW and Babbitt. EW has had some real injury problems, but when on the court has been dynamic and actually seems to be able to create his own shot. He is fast and athletic as anyone, and is even a decent defender. He is young and just needs more time injury-free to tu rn into our future 6th man or even a starting SG if he outperforms Wes. Babbitt is turning into a real big time shot maker, able to shoot at an exceptional clip ten feet past the 3pt line. Having a player like this is an important component to creating an efficient offense because he is one of the best at spreading the floor. Let's see if he can continue from where he left off last Now let's add one of the best young pf/c from Europe in Freeland. He certainly won't be ready to beast yet, but he has been playing long enough in Europe at a high level that he should be a decent bu right off the bat. Now the blazers have the 6th and 11th picks in a deep draft where they stand pretty good chance of getting at least one real quality player. Of course the blazer should select BPA but ther is a good chance that the player will be at a position of need. There are several pg and Cs in that range so hopefully it works out. Now the blazers still have a big hunk of money to get a free agent. Who I really don't know. I don't h old out that much hope the blazers will be able to get deron, but dragic Is a real possibility. Then fill in the rest of the spots with the przybillas second rounders, and whoever else,, and I think the blazers could be in a very good position next season
the blazers suck donkey rod and shit all over their own balls and whats up with this gm shit, amirite??
there are certainly many reasons to be optimistic, im right there with you on that the great thing about the unknown is that it is always pliable in your own mind, the future is what you make it, etc 50 wins wouldnt shock the hell out of me, neither would 40 or 60...or 30
EWill hasn't been able to stay healthy. Guys who are that injury prone never seem to shake it off. I don't expect much from the kid. I love his talent, but if he can't stay healthy....
the knees were a genetic thing and not at all something that I consider making him "injury prone", the shoulder was freakish, now if he gets a serious injury this yr I'll agree with you
I don't even know where to start with this, unless they land D-Will Wes???? Below average PER Wes? I am not sure how anyone can see him as an asset or reason to be excited for next season E-Will is injury prone. He has had multiple knee surgeries and now shoulder surgery I like me some Luke Babbitt, but once defenses starting scouting him, his percentages went way down 13/7 in Europe probably doesn't transfer to "Beast" at any point. There is also a buyout situation and he is likely to stay in Europe Now the blazers have the 6th and 11th picks in a deep draft where they stand pretty good chance of getting at least one real quality player. Of course the blazer should select BPA but ther is a good chance that the player will be at a position of need. There are several pg and Cs in that range so hopefully it works out. I know the talking heads over at One Center Court want everyone to believe we have all this cap room, but unless we renounce Batum and Hickson and deal our lottery picks without getting any salary back, we will have about 12.5 million according to Storyteller Przybilla's and second rounders will put the Blazers in good position for another high lottery pick....which we need
I don't think anybody can say how good or bad they are right now because the team is almost completely tabula rasa at this point. We have no idea who will be on the team aside from a handful of guys and only one of them (Aldridge) is anything you can reliably count on as a good starter (yes I know he's better than that). When the draft is done and when free agency is completed then we can start to talk about wins and how "not bad" they are.
You know, we said the same shit about Oden, and the guy just kept getting hurt. Some people just can't stay healthy.
You a glass half full guy, I guess. Yes, from two years ago, the team has lost (without compensation) two players who were penciled in as All-Star caliber starters. So far, we have replaced them with........ Nothing. No Center. No Shooting Guard. No Playmaker or Closer. Oh, and for good measure, we shit all over the PG position, which is now vacant. The entire starting lineup needs to be rebuild, with as of today, only LaMarcus Aldridge as a legit, quality, full-time starter under contract. (We is decent, but should be coming off the bench on a good team) And, in addition, have lost: Our only other worthwhile center (Camby) for a brief audition with two young flops and a 2nd; The last several years of restocking young talent by trading it away (Bayless, Rudy) and making a hash of the last few drafts. "But, we can bounce back!" No. No we can't. IIIIIFFFFFFFF the team had won the lottery and had the #1 pick, AAAANNND Deron Williams signed with us as a free agent, and we retained Batum and Hickson, then, then, we would be fine. But, since that didn't happen and isn't going to happen, the team rebuild will be a "process". But, other than all that, we are in great shape.
I know that i sound crazy predicting the 50 wins before the picks, trades, signings etc, but I just see that the Blazers have a mix of players, assets and cap room and I just think it's going to click. And fuck it, the Blazers have been unlucky enough, I just think it's time for things to go right for a change. HCP, Masbee, if either of you want to figure out an avatar bet or some non-monetary bet and set the line now, lets do it. Everyone is just so damn used to doom and gloom they can't see the forest through our Northwest trees.
Everyone except me thinks that Babbitt can make 3 pointers on demand. Everyone except me is wrong. He's a better rebounder than shooter. He's just an average shooter.
I'm not sure that Hickson gets a contract from the Blazers, but even if he does, $12.5M is enough to sign an impact player. Obviously, if DWill somehow decides that he can't live without being a Blazer, Hickson would be dumped to clear room for him. Other than that, $12.5M is a chunk in this FA market. There are a whole lot of guys who can be had for that kind of money: http://www.hoopsworld.com/2012-nba-free-agents
The great thing about this off season is it can be taken either way. If your a pessimist all you see is the same old shit and nothing will change, our draft picks will either suck or management is to inept to actually find a talented player. None of our players will improve LMA will go back to his old long distance shots and this team will be stuck in mediocirty for years because no one in the front office knows how to do anything worth while. If your an optimism then everything is open. We have a shot at an all-star, we have picks that can be turned into great players who prospects that will develop. Batum/LA will continue to develop and we will have a great coach/GM in place by the lottery. If your a realist your lying to yourself because there is no such thing as a realist in sports fandom.
During the season, I am a slightly optimistic realist, but during the offseason, I am an optimist for sure. Without ongoing proof of the negative, I would rather spend my time regarding the blazers dreaming about what could be, it just makes me a happier person. But during the season, I try not to fool myself because I don't want to be let down.
Depends on what we do........ you never know who we sign or don't sign. Right now, I'd be very happy with 40 Ws.
A) Hire a competent GM. B) Hire a competent coach. C) Actually turn those 2 lotto picks into talent. Until the team hits those 3 benchmarks - I don't want to hear any "things aren't *that* bad" hot air. Seriously, I find this thread borderline offensive.
