Heard an interesting point during today's W@W Show: If only one could stay, it would almost certainly have to be Johnson....considering the fact that the Blazers spent upwards of $2 mil on the pick.
From the beginning I didn't think there was much of a debate on who to take. Armon has a lot of potential on the defensive end, Mills is a spark off the bench. IMO, it's an easy choice.
I don't think our Billionaire owner would or should make the decision based on what the pick cost. I think we know Patty Mills is not good enough. The jury is still out on Johnson: he is a good defender and still has the 'potential' label. I'm fairly confident Johnson is overall better than Mills, so I'm happy if that's the way the Blazers go.
We are so short of anyone who can shoot on this team though... Mills could be an interesting spark. You can't fill the whole team with defenders... someone has to score.
It's obviously Johnson. Not just that we spent the money to get him, but that everyone raved about him and Nate has come out and praised him. But what I want to know is, why do we have to decide before training camp? Is it because Patty doesn't officially have a contract? Can't we give him a non-guaranteed one? Is it to let him get on with his life? Personally, I'd like them both to come to camp.
Pros and cons for both Patty and Armon: HTML: Patty: Pros - really fast - good shooter - has a "live body" willing to take a charge - Displays decent court vision Cons - forces things in the half-court - seems to be shoot first vs. pass first - less than ideal height, length, bulk - fast foot speed but not exactly an explosive athlete - has trouble keeping his dribble alive in half-court situations HTML: Armon Pros - willing defender - great size for his position - good athleticism and strength for a point guard - works well with a ball screen - plays with pace and control, ability to change gears - can finish through contact - decent 10 foot floater - willing passer - decent court vision Cons - Not a great shooter - got progressively worse from the college three point line - question marks about shot selection and decision making at Nevada - tries to make a lot of jump passes (aaarrrrrrgggh!!) - can he make more than just the simple pass? - Does he have enough lateral quickness to stay in front of NBA point guards? Neither may end up being able to hang in the league, but considering this team's needs I guess I'd lean more towards the guy with an NBA body and the rough outline of a pass first, defensive minded point guard that Armon seems to suggest he might become some day.
I agree. I think they're planning to make a decision mostly so Patty can sort out his options before it gets much further on in the summer and most teams have started to solidify their rosters. At this point I'd almost rather see the Blazers take a future first round pick in exchange for Rudy, just so it clears a roster spot ... though I suspect that won't happen (and I figure that's because Cho is going to want to try and maximize him as an asset, which I approve of).
Are we really that deficient in scorers though? Matthews, Batum, Aldridge and Roy (to a lesser extent) are all pretty capable shooters. Perimeter defense has been a major bugaboo for this team for years now. If Armon can help slow down guards on the defensive end of the court and can setup other scorers or himself with a pick and roll I'd rather pick the backup point guard who can hang defensively, takes a lower volume of shots and looks to pass. Patty would be nice in certain situations or as a spark however.
The $2 million is a sunk cost. It should have no influence on who we end up keeping. That said, IMO, the choice is easy and obvious. Johnson, without a doubt.
Wasn't Rich Cho hired almost simultaneously? I'm guessing Nate had every intention of giving him an answer within 48 hours, but I'm guessing Mr. Cho wanted to take a long look at both of them before the trigger was pulled on any kind of contract.
Batum a scorer? I'd like to see that. Seriously... hope it happens... but he usually passes like the ball is a hot potato.
That is because there are no designed plays for Nico. We know he has the long ball, we have seen him take it to the hole a few times as well. I think it is his next step, having a little more offense. I can't imagine he can improve much on his defensive skill set. I mean really is there anything he can't do right now on defense?
I agree with that Westnob... just saying Batum is not someone you can throw the ball to and hope he will score. Have you ever seen him post up? Me neither. Johnson and Miller and Aldridge and Oden... all the same... they can score but if they do not do a good job at creating their own shots. That is all I am saying... we are forming an entire team of players who can't create their own shots... and even some of the good offensive players we have (Rudy) have a hard time creating their own shot.
I think Miller and Oden can both create their own shots. But you do have to get the ball down to Oden, but Miller was very good at that!!!
