Batum is an absolutely fascinating player. His chronic wrist pain was unfortunate, but it's also the leading theory as to what prompted him to become a 5apg player. I think it wouldn't be terrible if Batum wasn't an assertive scorer on a team with Lillard, Aldridge, and McCollum. At the beginning of last season, McCollum wasn't here and Lillard was an unknown, and Batum was newly paid, so we sort of wanted him to become 2nd banana to Aldridge. Now that our expectations are more in 3rd or 4th banana range, I think we'll be happier. Imagine a Batum who doesn't feel burdened by a scoring load, but has a healthy wrist, plays elite defense, hits three 3s a game, and dishes out 5 assists with 5 boards. He'd be the best role player of his kind in the NBA by a long shot.
That's fine, but his contract is a bit heavy for a role player like that. He's being paid to be a legit #3 option. Right now, it's not as big of a problem because Lillard is still on that rookie contract. But once Lillard gets his payday, Aldridge gets near max, batum needs to be a legit 3, IMO. He's definitely got the talent to be that player. He just needs to add about 10 lbs and an offseason without playing over seas. I think we've paid him enough to stop playing for France. I think he's obligated to up his game.
So, success in the offseason is predicated on convincing all the "Negative Nancies" that the front office turned a team with the worst bench in recent memory into a budding title contender?
I think it's fair to say that if the question about the direction of the franchise needs to be asked, the team isn't doing a very good job. I know exactly which direction the Celtics, Jazz are going for example. I don't think one fan knows for sure which direction Portland is trying to go. Are they trying to appease Aldridge and sneak into the 8th seed, or are they trying to build a contender for years to come by adding young pieces and hitting it rich in next years star laden draft
I disagree completely--both with your assertion that the direction is unclear, and with your suggestion that playoffs now and building a contender are mutually exclusive options. I think it's quite obvious that they're trying to "build a contender for years to come" by: acquiring pieces that allow them to improve now and make the playoffs (Wright, Lopez), retaining their best player (Aldridge), and having significant room for growth (McCollum, Crabbe, Robinson). Just because you disagree with the philosophy, or because Dave is too myopic to see it (thus precipitating the question being asked) doesn't mean that they "failed" in their efforts to progress toward their intended goal.
I believe I just answered that question, but I'll simplify my answer. They're trying to make the playoffs this year, and develop the young pieces they have so they can improve even more next year. Why? Because if Lillard is good enough to build around (as most believe he is), then Lillard/Aldridge is a good enough pair to build a contender with, so it is time to do exactly that.
Nice part about all their signings is they left themselves an escape door. If I'm not mistaken most of the guys contracts end in two years the same as Aldridge. Lillard will be in his prime and we could take another shot at Signing a free agent or making lopsided trade. Of course we have yet to sign a good free agent but that's not the point they didnt paint themselves into a corner. They did a great job of making a plan B if they need it.
The more I read and hear Dave the more I disagree with him. For the people that said we didnt make enough moves this year Im really not sure what they think we should have done instead. Trade LMA? Not for the crap that was being offered. You dont just trade arguably the best PF in the game now for something just to start a rebuild earlier. And trading him no less on the assumption that we arent going to get better so he wants to stay. We did the best with what we had this summer. We had one of the better starting line-up and one of the worst benches in NBA history. We went out and made the bench better and even improved the starting line-up. All without long term damage to our future cap space. Do people things we were going to load our bench with all-stars? Yes we want to compete for a title but that wasnt going to happen in the next few years outside of getting someone like LBJ which had a 0% chance of happening. When we build assets on good contracts like we did we put ourselves in a position that IF ... IF IF IF IF IF IF we have to move LMA in the future we can use those assets and the future cap space to get even more value for LMA. So to answer the thread question. I think that we put ourselves in a win/win position that we are going to try to build and IF we have to move LMA or even just let him walk we have the assets and cap space to do a quicker and easier re-tool more so than a rebuild. Until then we are competitive and gaining experience for our younger players and hopefully playoff experience even if it 8th seed playoff experience.
I think Paul Allen wanted a more competitive team, so Neil Olshey helped him out and got some players that will make this team a pretty decent bet to get an 8th or 7th seed this year ... second to that goal I think if you look at the way player contracts are structured and the kinds of players that were added, there's a better than average chance that the moves in the past week make it easier to trade Aldridge (if not likely) if a good enough offer comes up. We'll have a much clearer idea about which fork in the road Neil and Paul decide to take with the team when we see their record at the trade deadline. If they are strongly on pace to make the playoffs and most of the young guys are performing at a high level and it's all smooth sailing then they'll almost definitely hold on to LMA and let it ride. If they are struggling to gain traction and are mucking about in the 11th to 9th seed range (and trending down) then I think they'll seriously consider trading LaMarcus and getting young assets and draft picks and do their best to ensure a good pick in what many believe will be a loaded draft class. I think it's too early to say if they are building or rebuilding yet; it feels like they are in a bit of a holding pattern.
I respect dave for doing what he does but I would really like to know his basketball credentials. HAS HE EVER PLLLAAAAYED BEFORE? not to judge a book by its cover but I would say no. you can analyze all you want but if you have never played in a seriously competitive game you don't know what a guy like robin lopez potentially brings to the actual game going on. hes done a lot of bitching lately and its starting to bother me
Outside of the core 4 and a backup C, we had zero roster. Now we have a roster. I call that Building, not Rebuilding.
