Neil Olshey doens't sound too hot on this draft clss

Great interview.

http://www.1080thefan.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=6269931

Sounds to me like Olshey would rather we lose the pick the to Charlotte. More cap space and increases our chances at getting someone to help us sooner rather than later.

 

It's so cute that Neil feels we can get FA's to come here

 

It's gonna be cute when he proves you wrong.

 

Dude Portland has been able to get free agents to sign in Portland. This statement is absurd. We've never had the opportunity to toss max at a player. And FYI, hibbert was going to agree to our max offer; but I guess that doesn't count since Indiana was going to match?

 

Right?!?! I hate the statement that no free agents will want to come here. It's been already proven wrong. Okay so we can't have the Howard's or superstar talents; but how many other teams can?

 

The last near max offer we threw at a UFA was to freakin Greedo Turkeyglue (nearly a HUGE blunder by KP if it went through), and even he chose to go elsewhere.

I don't buy that we can get top level FAs to sign here.

 

That was when we had incompetent gms. I rember millsap signed an offer sheet with us too. Sorry but I look at other free agent signings here and just don't agree. And we aren't in search of a top flight free agent. We want pieces that solidify our starting 5 and bench. Doesn't have to be max free agents.

Also how many players have the blazers lost to free agency? Seems like if we want to keep them; they stay.

 

Hibbert was ready to come here. That would have absolutely completed our starting five and put us in the playoffs this year. Plus, Olshey would have had incentive to go out and find better bench players. And like Mags said, it isn't just about 'max' players.

Thank god Olshey doesn't have a defeatist attitude about it and is going to work his tail off to try and make the best use of whatever our cap space is this summer. The story has yet to be written. Stay tuned.

 

Do we really need another fringe young player? I say trade the pick if Charlotte doesn't get it.

 

I agree, although it might not end up being "another fringe young player". Still, I think I'd rather see them deal Hickson and the pick for something. Not sure what though?

 

I absolutely hope we retain the pick. And I absolutely hope we use it in a lop-sided trade. That's going to give us the best shot at attaining a "difference maker" - either a starting C or a 6th man.

 

Danny granger for Wes Matthews and our pick!

 

If his knee checks out, then sure. Not my ideal trade though.

 

Granger is better than Wes, but I don't think that trade addresses anything we really lack: size, defense, or depth.

 

Sure it does. Granger becomes the SF and Batum plays SG. Now we are much longer on the defensive end; plus you have 3 guys all able to create their own shots; handle the ball and distribute off the dribble.

Defensively, Batum would be a fucking nightmare for other guards; plus he now becomes the main "help defender" on the wings. He would become the steals master!

 

It's not about how competent the GM is or isn't. It's all about the money dude, and in that case Portland was willing to overspend and put a huge upfront bonus in Millsap's pocket. Beyond that if it came down to a free agent picking one of the cities in Texas or Florida or going to a huge market like New York or LA -- and the money is equal -- players by and large gravitate to those places, particularly star level players.

Portland has several natural disadvantages when it comes to luring talent. The weather sucks, the taxes are high, it's a small super white city and the weather sucks (did I mention the weather sucks?).

 

So how does it explain how the team is able to keep their free-agents? It seems that in such a shit hole, players would jump at the opportunity to get the fuck out of town. Also, how does that explain why Shaq and Howard wanted to leave such a high market, great weather city like Orlando, when they made it to the finals on both accounts?

 

The weather isnt THAT bad. We are pretty close to L.A. Too.

Tbh, id rather deal with portlands weather than be in minny, Atlanta, milwaukee, Indiana, Memphis etc. while we arent a #1 choice, I dont see why guys like gortat (trade), redick, splitter, pekovic, Al Jefferson, same dalembert, Paul millsap wouldnt be interested in us