So when we traded Drexler for Thorpe was that for long term or short term success? Not sure we saved any money. When we traded Rasheed just to get him the hell out of Portland, how long of a term were we talking? 5 years? With all the brilliant GM's we have seen over the years, none of them has just made a trade just to look like they are trying to shake things up? Persoanally I don't think the majority of trades make any difference in a teams success. Many do, but most don't We can find someone cheaper than Jefferson that has a high basketball IQ.
That's the clincher. If all players on the team get better, then maybe they can contend for a title. It is highly unlikely that all of the young players on the team get better. One, maybe two, will stagnate. If KP take take some of that risk out by bringing in a guy who is already at or near some of these guys ceiling, then he should get it done. I am not hopeful that team as currently constructed can win it all. I believe some of the players the team counts on during the season are fool's gold. I think some of the promise of the rookies will always be just that, promise. I could very well be wrong. But it sure doesn't look like it to me.
Yep I am sure that Travis Outlaw will get right on improving that game. Let's see. He should be ready by...2016.
i didn't say that all the players on the team needed to get better because that's not the case. portland really isn't as far off as some people here like to pretend. the blazers won 54 games for a reason and it's because they were a good team. it isn't unrealistic at all(in fact it's very realistic) to expect some improvements out of oden, bayless, and batum. if bayless keeps making strides defensively and rediscovers some of the shooting stroke he had in college, that's really all the blazers need. if batum can expand a little on his offensive game to go along with the defense, portland doesn't really need much else from him. the only guy portland needs much improvement out of is oden and even then, the amount of improvement he needs to make is generally greatly overstated. he just needs to work to stay on the court more, because he's definitely productive on the court regardless of how many times people what to call him raw and lacking skill. it's not like portland needs everyone to become an allstar to win a title.
None of us know. But of course it can be speculated and KP can be called names for not trading LaFrentz for Jefferson or Outlaw for Kidd or anything else although no one knows if those deals were ever offered.
They won 54 games last year because their home record was awesome. Their away record was ok, but against quality opponents it was fucking horrific. Until they can be good teams on the road even 25% of the time, I will assume they are playing over their heads. Much like the Miami teams of the 90's did. They always won a bunch of games during the regular season, but couldn't ever get it done in the playoffs. It's not like Portland is going to be getting better in a vacuum. Other teams will also be growing and getting better. If Portland wants to contend for a title, standing pat and playing safe are not going to get it done.
Obviously if he passed on RJ before, he will again. Trust KP!!! He is going to pull off some magic tomorrow!
Not getting RJ doesn't bother me. It's the #5 pick slipping through our grasp that worries me. Why not make a move and offer better upside youngsters then a ho-hum vet (Miller) and an oft injured not to promising young guy (Foye). Blake and Outlaw or even Outlaw and Sergio could have gotten it done potentially. I just hope KP is going to make a splash at some point. Minor upgrades aren't going to get it done.
