So, the Blazers are reportedly talking with centers (Monroe & Hawes) and SFs (Pierce & Carter). Anybody heard any discussion or rumors about targeting a quality backup PG? Perhaps the spot is already spoken for?
Courtside said last evening (Monday) that Mo wants to return to Portland. I think he will. Its an easy signing. Give him the years but keep the $$ low.
That would be a terrible mistake! He sucks now, but in two years making 3 million? 2/4 is the max that guy should get.
Talk about dramatic. It wouldn't be a mistake. 3 million per year is nothing. Mo will averaged 10/5 last year. He is a great bench player and apparently a team leader in the locker room.
Yeah, I agree. Sure, Mo sometimes makes plays that leave you scratching your head or swearing at the TV, but he also makes some really clutch shots. For those who complain about him pounding the ball too much, I wonder how much difference it will make if he has guys on the second unit that are actually decent options to make a play on the offensive end. If he has Hawes and Carter, for example, waiting to catch a pass instead of Freeland and Wright, I think that the ball isn't as likely to stick in Mo's hands as it did at times last year. Re-signing him instead of burning the MLE and BAE money on another backup PG makes total sense. $3M per year is pretty reasonable for a solid backup PG in the NBA.
And this is 100% the key. If given a better bench is Mo willing to change his game or does he lose his effectiveness by doing so?
This is what id be fine with. You can increase the salary a bit as long as year three is a team option. Not only saves us if he declines fast but makes him a valuable trade chip after next year.
Where does this come from? Quality backup/vocal leader in the lockeroom who is respected by his teammates for only 3 million a year? Sigh me up! Sent from my baller ass iPhone 5S...... FAMS!
I seem to recall the spurs running away with it w/in 5 minutes of Mo coming in, every time at the end of the first quarter that series. HCP: I don't think he's quality or helps the offense flow (T-Rob should get far more easy buckets) or is able to play with Dame. And I definitely don't want him in the development of our other guys or getting someone good w/his contract space. However, for a short-term stop-gap with a continuity and chemistry bonus, I'd give him a 1 or 2 year very cheap deal.
He's just really inefficient. His TS% is the same as Aldridge, but he doesn't rebound like Aldridge. His TOV% is exceptionally high, like Nic's, but Nic's usage is way lower, and his defense is better. Mo, despite not having to guard the best player on any team ever, had one of the worst DRtgs on the team. Despite taking the 5th most shots on the team per 100 possessions, he's only as offensively potent at Thomas Robinson, and that includes the fact Mo shoots threes. Mo does pass the ball well, when he trusts his teammates. But he plays favorites, passing to a less open Wright than a more open player who isn't Wright, because he likes Wright and wants to get him going. That's great when Wright is 0-0, but not so much when he's 0-5. If we resign Mo it's not the end of the world, but I want to think we can do better.
HCP is biased because he knows these guys. I know how he feels. When you're around the players you start to develop opinions that aren't based on what happens on the court.
If I had to pinpoint the one aspect of his game that I hate the most, this might be it. But I do see value in bringing him back. I think he'll help make sure new players are integrated into the locker room in a positive way. If Monroe/Hawes/whoever doesn't initially fit with the other personalities and there are a some minor issues Mo will help get/keep everyone on the same page.
Absolutely right. Blazers starters would 'sorta' hang with the Spurs, Mo comes in, poof. We're burnt toast. Mo couldn't guard a chair that series. That's not to say I wouldn't take Mo back on the deals being discussed here. Use MLE plus BAE (maybe) then sign Mo. Asset acquisition is your friend. Plus it seems logical that if you put better bench players on the floor with Mo, we'd have a better bench. Players tend to play better when they have better teammates, and maybe Mo wouldn't try to do "too much".
I think that it's a bit simplistic to put the blame on Mo for the Spurs running up the score when he entered the game. That usually corresponded with a general shift of bringing in our subs and the Spurs bringing in theirs. Pretty obvious which team had the far superior bench. Not sure if Chris Paul could have kept the Blazers in the game when the second units came in.
