vs I'm not saying in the slightest that Ibaka is better than LA, but is his style of play more important to playoff success than LA's? Is he showing that you really don't need to be a star at the 4 to benefit your team? Could we deal LA for more depth, a chance at a superstar in the draft, and cap relief to sign a defensive minded 4? Again, this is just for discussion
You don't need a star at the PF position to be successful in the playoffs. . . of course it helps if you have the league MVP on the team at the SF position.
Aldridge shines in about 1 out of 4 games. In the rest, he's a decoy, and anyone (of at least Robin Lopez-quality) would help us more (as does Lopez, 3 out of 4 games).
For the sake of hypotheticals... You'd need to land a second option. Damian can't do it by himself as Nic and Wes are not go-to guys - they're (very good) role players. Maybe a tad off-base here but why would Neil interview Noah Vonleh? He is a lock to go no lower than #6.
For two years now we have heard whispers of LA maybe wanting to go to a larger city like Chicago or play in Texas. Maybe there is some slight truth to that, or Nil is covering his bases? Yes, we would definitely need a second option. My thinking was LA would bring that back in trade. In my hypothetical
we certainly are seeing the value of "serious" shot blocking (and threat of) and from Ibaka and even Adams, damn I wish we had drafted Adams ahead of CJ, another miss. I hear what you are saying, maybe this draft time frame will be more interesting than many think? we see
As this board's #2 option, you are sadly lacking. We could get Travis Outlaw and Dennis Rodman for you and they'd do a better job.
If Adams were here he'd do the same thing Leonard and Batum do...imitate the team's non-blocking role model, Aldridge. As long as he's our example to follow, every rookie will lose his toughness within a couple of years.
I wanted Adams over CJ but it was more gut feel then really seeing much of either one play, I figured we would likely not take him after having just drafted Leonard, it's perhaps one blown pick maybe causing another, and I realize CJ could still be solid
Just joking. Actually, it should be those two for Denny. Then, promote Sly to #1 and give those two the jobs of Buchanan and Born. After Chicago immediately throws Denny out of town, re-sign him as Canzano's go-for.
Realistically Ilbaka and LA are two very different players and effect the game in two different ways. You can build your offense around LA and have him be your Star player, you can't do that with Ilbaka. You can build your D around Ilbaka and have him be your Star on that side of the floor, you can't run your offense through Ilbaka.
I think it's worth noting that Ibaka plays a defined and specialized role behind two All-NBA players on offense, while LMA is much more critical for the opposing team to defend as one of the two options on offense for Portland.