As they Stand (some thoughts about the Blazers)

I'm not sure how it can be worst case? All I did was point out things that were real. Other than Nate, which of course is only opinion. Maybe Rudy, but he's already bitching, so I think that has a good chance of happening

 

I guess I tend to see certain things shaking themselves out "OK" with Roy and Miller, as they seemed to do better as the season wore on sharing playmaking duties. Oden could be coming off the bench for all we know and may need time to get fully re-integrated into anything resembling a prominent role with the offense. I think Matthews can probably play a little bit of backup 3 if needed (hopefully?). But like I said I think you raise some valid concerns.

Regardless, I think there's enough time to sort some of this stuff out ... will it get sorted before training camp? I guess we have to wait and see.

 

Most deserving of minutes IMO...
1. Roy/Aldridge (36ish)
2. Batum (32-36)
3. Oden (32)
4. Miller (24-30)

5. Camby (25)
6. Bayless (16-28)
7. Matthews (15-25)
8. Cunningham (10-15)

9. Johnson (5-10)
10. Pendergraph (0-8)
11. Babbitt (0-8)
12. Williams (0-8)
13. Joel (Injured for the first part of the season, filler after)
14. Mills (DNP-CD)
15. Rudy (traded)

Babbitt can easily change my mind come preseason though. If he steps up and starts shooting well, he can be our designated shooter off the bench (Rudy's former-role), unless Matthews takes hold of that spot. Obviously the minutes that I listed are rough estimates as if you total it it's a lot more than are available. I don't think we're in bad shape though. This hasn't been the most exciting off-season ever, but our team doesn't look bad by any means. The ever-present "if healthy" statement rings true when looking at our guys. Again, this is just how I see it right now, and it will undoubtedly change over the coming months.

 

I would too. But, you know what, I have the feeling that Martell asked to be traded if they didn't see a big role for him going forward. They put him out there and got a trade they liked.

Babbitt is a rookie and none of us should expect much critical playing time for him. I think what the team is doing is tightening the wing rotation with the expectation that Batum will come back strong this season and gooble up more minutes there wasn't going to be enough non-injury minutes left over for Rudy and Webster behind Roy/Batum. With Rudy and (I think) Webster both asking for more minutes they both go out, replaced by Matthews.

 

(Barring injuries) our best bigs are: LA, Oden and Camby. After that it isn't even close. Those guys will take up ALL of the important big minutes. Who comes after that is immaterial.

(Barring injuries) our best PGs are Miller, then big drop off to Bayless even as his current style of a combo-guard, then big drop off. Since Roy is a ball dominating guard he can be on the floor with a variety of types of guards. Could be Miller, Bayless or even Batum or Matthews. Thus, I see no important role for Mills or Johnson.

For the wing rotation, I assume Rudy is shipped out for a pick. Roy is the star, Batum is the young stud. After that I see Matthews rounding out the wing rotation. Forget the rookies. If Matthews is not impressive, then Cunningham may carve himself a nightly role as a backup forward.

I agree with your starting lineup. After that the important bench players when the team is 100% healthy are: Bayless, Matthews and Camby.

 

This!

 

We desperately need a consolidation trade, now more than ever. We need to move Rudy and Bayless with Joel for something that will help us in the immediate. This team has the talent to compete, we just need to put it all together. I think we should target a veteran small forward. Giving up Bayless, Rudy, and Joel wouldn't hurt that badly with Matthews, Williams, and Johnson coming in.



This puts us at:

Miller/Johnson/Mills
Roy/Matthews/Williams
Prince/Batum/Babbitt
Aldridge/Pendergraph/Cunningham
Oden/Camby

Prince could either start or come off the bench. I think he's the perfect small forward to come in and mentor Batum. We don't give up much to get him, and he wouldn't have to log many minutes with Batum playing the bulk of the minutes at small forward. I would like to see Prince play 25ish minutes per game.

 

Ha! Now I see your post with your minutes breakdown. We both said the same thing in two different ways.

 

No thanks. I have no interest in Prince on this team.

I would MUCH rather use our many pieces on a PGOTF, or at the very least, a good backup big.

 

List the potential PGOTF's that are available.

 

Pooh Jeter, Will Bynum, Earl Watson, Carlos Arroyo ... need I say more?

 

I'm jumping out of my seat in excitement...

 

It's either that or jumping off the Fremont

 

If we're healthy we win 60 games. At least. Our size is going to be too much for most teams to deal with. I expect no less than the WCF.

I'm not impressed with Babbitt. He's lucky he's a 1st round pick because I don't think he would make the team otherwise. He doesn't have NBA 3 point range and he was supposed to be a "shooter."

 

Maybe Babbitt hsa NBA 3 range after all?

 

I just really don't see what we're gonna get for Rudy, Bayless, and Joel other than an aging vet with a big contract. I also disagree that we need a bigman. Right now, between Aldridge, Camby, and Oden, I don't see a lot of minutes for a decent player. Where is he going to find PT? Pendergraph and Cunningham are really are best options in that role.

I'm not sure that I believe the hype about adding Parker. I'll believe it when I see it. Rudy has shit for value right now, and I'm not sure that Joel's contract is really that enticing. Maybe it will be worth more at the deadline.

 

Mike Conley Jr. and of course the ever popular Chris Paul/Darren Collison fantasy.

 

Yep T. Prince is way too old. MUCH rather shoot for a PG and barring that backup big like Varejao or another PF/C.

 

He's 30. He's not THAT old. I think we get too caught up with age, and "the future." We need guys like Miller, Camby, and someone like Prince to help get us over the jump. We still have plenty of youth with Matthews, Williams, Babbitt, Batum, etc.

Who are we going to get at point guard?