Not a meltdown at all. Olshey has brought in players that are young, talented, but more importantly, physical, athletic and hard workers. With Batum gone, and assuming LMA doesn't re-sign, then the de-pussification of the Blazers will be complete. Neil has done an outstanding job of assembling a young group that will play all out, balls to the wall style. A+ free agency period thus far.
Well said WillG! Anyone who doesn't want to be here then see ya! Let's work with the non Divas and thrive unexpectantly.
What offseason are you watching? Ed Davis? Vonleh? Gerald Henderson? 3rd stringers. Castoffs and misfits and no names.
Mrs. FromWA grew up there, her family still lives there, and she used to work for the Kings. She says I'm welcome to go back there, but it will not be as a family unit.
They'll play hard on defense (ie. actually try), so compared to Aldridge that's a 50% improvement right there. These signings will play larger than the sum of their parts. No more Aldridge not bothering on defense, no more Batum just coasting. The style of play, the effort and physicality, is what makes these signings good for the team. Additionally, they are a very young group who can show improvement in the coming seasons.
I will, thanks. I'd rather watch these young guys play tough and leave it all out on the court, all the while improving, rather than to watch pussies coasting to a first round exit the next three seasons. . .
Screw "names". Rudy Gay is a "name" - but he is just an empty stat sheet. Wes was never a "big name", but he was a difference maker. These guys are not difference makers. They are decent complimentary players on a team that has 2 or 3 difference makers. We don't, which makes these guys superfluous.
And with our luck they will be just good enough to leave us in the ass end of the lotto - just good enough that we neither get a good pick nor have enough cap room or trade assets to make a splash.
That right there is why I like the signings we have made. Wes Matthews didn't develop into the Ironman we know in one season Wes worked from being undrafted - into a legit third option. These guys Neil has signed, from all accounts, are hard workers - AND showed enough talent to be drafted high in the first round. They show the same work ethic and are starting from a higher talent base, with a much higher potential ceiling. Neil is signing 'Wes Matthew' type guys - just more talented versions!
These are guys Neil signed because he couldn't get the guys he really wanted, you know, those crappy "name" guys like DeAndre Jordan, LaMarcus Aldridge, Greg Monroe. Those bums. So much better to have Ed Davis and is 8 pts and 8 rebounds. But he might dive for a loose ball -- woo hoo! What an incredible difference maker that is.
Wow, what a revolution. If Wes, Rolo, LA and Nic are all gone we have a very different team. Would be interesting to see what bigger piece Olshey can bring after signing mostly role-players.
