Y'know, I bet if you gave this poll to all the scouts and members of the front office of the Blazers they would be evenly split. If we're divided, you can bet they are too. I just wonder who's really pushing this, and why. Is it Allen? Is it all just to fuck with the Thunder? Is it really a calculation that defense doesn't mean shit when we're going to suck anyway, and a player who both gives us what fans want and gets us closer to a top pick is a win-win?
This reminds me of that famous Jerry West-signing-Brian Cardinal out of spite incident. Wait, let me look it up - oh yes, here it is:
The entertainment level of this move has been somewhere between watching two dogs humping, and watching Americas funniest home video TV show.
When I first heard of the signing I was very unhappy, but I've since read, watched clips, and realized a few things that have totally changed my perspective. Yes, he was a terrible defensive player, but in OKC he was just a tad below average. This show a big improvement. And, he just turned 23 in May, so he's very young and showing improvement. Also, when watching clips of his bad D, it's not like some people who are lazy, he crouches low, tries to do well, but has a poor feel for who he's defending and what they want to do. This mainly takes a lot of effort, coaching and time on the court. In PDX he will get that. He is never going to be a great defender, but if he gets to be an average one, while being an elite offensive player and very good rebounder, well that's a great get. I'm pleased as punch.
yeah..may or may not be here..BUT if he is..there are five guy on the court..we have covered for the precieved lack of D for many other players in the past, and I go back to the 70s....so, yeah, this will be fine
We either get him or we stick them with a potentially bad contract. It's their choice really. They were reluctant to give Harden a similar deal years ago so they moved him. I'm not sold that owner will commit that money to him. I think there is a decent chance he will be ours in a few days.
That list of awful DBPM players included Kevin "Went To The Finals Twice" Duckworth. So yeah, I'm not overly worried.
I like the fucking with OKC part. If they match they are financially fucked and have to lose other players, some of whom we may want. If they don't they lose their center and we have a young offensively talented post player. I've come around to seeing this as a win-win. And very entertaining.
Given the Thunder's financial philosophy, I don't believe for one minute they intend to match a max offer. IMHO their comments were intended to either scare off other teams or panic them into over-paying.
I don't see how that money for a 25 PER player with room to improve is overpaying, especially at the end of his contract. Sure he could be a bust, but he's an offensive monster at 23. He's younger than Legend, so you know he has room to improve, just like Legend does.
23 year old 20/10 guy gets the same contract that 28-29 year old Wes got from the Mavs..and Wes just ruptured his achilles..which is the better risk?
You didn't give an "I think this may be a crappy move, but I will need to see him playing with our team on a regular basis in order to be certain" option.
I voted sky falling. But WHAT is falling from the is whats important, and that would be rings.....Championship rings!
This is pretty much exactly the various stages of how I've felt about it. And because of that I think it's highly unlikely he lands with us. Watching him makes me wonder all over again why people thought/think LMA is special.
