If I remember correctly, Barkley still says the Blazers owe him money for airfare because he payed his own way here to convince them to trade for him
Very true. But it's hard to imagine happening. I mean I COULD win the lottery. What we have going for us is Dame and LA. But do big time Melo, Bron, KD stars WANT to come to Portland? They haven't to this point
Which players chose to go to OKC? David West went to indy after they over payed him following a knee injury
I always used to think of PDX as podunk growin up there, but after living in shit holes or boring ass towns like CLE and Indy for 6 of the past 8 years, I have changed my opinion of PDX. It's odd but I see so many people enthused about Portland these days and they keep asking about places to visit, restaurants to hit, etc. I wonder if the show Portlandia has changed opinions
He's been on the radar for four years and most say that his feel for the game is rare, especially at his size. He's not going to blow you away with his leaping ability or quickness but he's a straight up baller. You can't teach what he has upstairs.
What do you mean by going "big"? A center or a "big" star. I am no longer enamored with centers. I am fine with the Robin Lopez' of the world. I would prefer to have two of them on my team though. One thing I want to be clear on, my sign and trade strategy was not meant for this summer. I am all for being patient with this cast of players. I don't want to sacrifice LMA for a draft pick and I doubt we will have cap space any time soon for a FA. But if we add some trade assets over the next couple of years and there is a Vet out there (i.e a Ray Allen type talent when he went to Boston) who thinks he is the missing piece, then I think that is the way we are able to jump into the championship conversation. All I am saying is be patient. Don't do anything risky that will set the team back. Keep building the team and wait/hope for that missing piece. For the Jazz it was Jeff Hornacek, for Portland it was Buck Williams. No neither won it all...... but both came damn close. It may not be an ideal strategy, but it is realistic. In all scenarios, we have to get lucky. I just think this way gives us the best chance.
You have to wonder if one of the phone calls/texts came from Olshey or Allen? http://basketball.realgm.com/wireta...ceiving-Trade-Calls-Immediately-After-Lottery The Cleveland Cavaliers began receiving calls for the first overall pick immediately after it was announced on Tuesday. "I actually got calls right afterward, while I was standing there doing media," David Griffin said Wednesday during an interview on ESPN Cleveland's "The Really Big Show." "Teams were already reaching out and texting, so I think it will be an active period of time." The Cavaliers are expected to choose between Joel Embiid, Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker. "We're going to be open-minded to whatever it is that advances our cause the furthest."
I agree with you on this. I was thinking Parker back in October, but Wiggins came on late and has by far the most upside. I also agree with you that wings are a bigger priority over centers.
Just stop, David Griffin. We all see through the smokescreens. Stop doing what your predecessors did by explicitly going against the grain while shooting yourself in the foot. You have to take Wiggins and you get your top scoring star duo for the next decade.
Well stated. Paul Allen definitely loves the draft and likes to get in involved. We're in win-now mode, and need to resist adding more unproven young players. Unless we can pick up Embiid or Parker in the second round.
I meant "big star." I can see how you could think I meant size. Batum/Lopez would be the most realistic package Olshey would be willing to part with, IMO, if the players/player brought back makes the team better next season. If people are thirsting for a title, trading LMA for role players and draft picks isn't an option. It will take starters, and it had better work for the better, because 54 wins with no bench is a pretty high bar for next year.
That there isn't consensus #1 in this draft would be troubling to me if I owned the #1 pick. I'm not talking about an Oden/Durant situation, either. Wiggins is raw, athletic, and very frail. Could he be a great player? Sure, I suppose so. Is he going to go into a situation next year and suddenly be a key player on a title team. I'd bet $100 that won't be the case, if there are any takers.
I don't know, but at least it would be a major move that doesn't blow up the nucleus of the team. The idea of winning a title is to improve your roster the next season, unless you can get lucky like the Celtics did and have a friendly GM hand you a Kevin Garnett.
