No "shtick". I just want this franchise to get it right for once. Can you honestly envision a scenario where LMA leaves and the team improves?
Hey, I like LMA as much as anybody, but I certainly don't think that he's the be-all and end-all of the Blazers' chances for success. To me, it looks like there's a pretty good chance that the Blazers will end up replacing 4 out of 5 of last year's starters. Do I expect that to translate to instant success next season? Probably not. If Olshey does this right, could it lay the foundation for a team that is eventually better than last year's squad? Yeah, I think that's a reasonable possibility. You say you want this franchise to get it right for once. Seems like you ought to recognize that you have to break a few eggs to make a good omelet.
If we are in rebuild mode because Lamarcus is leaving, why would we trade a pick for an established player? My gut feeling is we either are.moving Kaman or are not investing in Lopez.
I get what you are saying. LMA is a very good player, but not Duncan level irreplaceable. Batum is always going to be inconsistent, Wes' future is up in the air, and I have been saying for months that RoLo was playing without his prior enthusiasm. Changes were coming - but I was holding out hope that the team would be re-tooling around Dame and Lma - not going into full rebuild mode.
It doesn't make sense that we'd be looking for a PF when we don't have anybody who can play SF, but have two PFs with good potential. (Although we'll see if we keep Vonleh, I guess.) If we're rebuilding we're set at PF for the next season or two while we see how Meyers/Vonleh progress.
My assumption all along is that if LMA leaves we'd throw max $ at Greg Monroe. However, I have heard no rumors about this.
I was thinking the same thing. But I guess we have room for one more if that player is really good . Meyers and Vonleh can play center as well. We need 4-5 good bigs. Maybe they think they will get a decent SF in the draft who can step right in, and then add Wes who I still think is better suited for SF.
Depending on the contract, that might not be too bad. We wouldn't be all that much worse with West in place of LMA - if we didn't just trade our only SF!
True - good point about M/V at C. And I guess I forgot that I'm planning on Lopez not being on the roster. Certainly room for Monroe, Love, or West. Wes at SF is interesting. But I'm now assuming that we won't pay out big money if we're rebuilding. We need either a SG or SF that can generate points with the ball in their hands.
I was hoping the trade for Batum included the #23 pick for the #9. That said if its not trade it for Hibbert. Pacers don't want him anymore...want to go small...have delusions they can win a championship like Warriors did...my wet dream is stealing Draymond Green from Golden State...If Lamarcus leaves...look for a Greg Monroe/Roy Hibbert Pairing.