I just think we need one of two things to true contenders. One more all star caliber player or one upgrade in the starting lineup and two positions upgraded off the bench I hate putting it in terms like that but I think that's the simplest way to explain it. To do either would likely mean getting rid of Nics salary. Another thing this team needs is an attitude change. A contending team has to have more than one "heart and soul" guy, or at least one more guy that plays with fire. The Warriors have Steph, Draymond Green, Klay and Iggy, the Cavs have Dellavedova, Lebron, and to a lesser extent, Tristan Thompson and Mozgov. The Clippers have Matt Barnes, DeAndre, and CP3. The Bulls have Noah, Gibson, and Butler. Who do we have? Wes. That's it. I don't think losing Wes exposed the fire that he brought to the team, I think it exposed the passion that the rest of the team severely lacked. Lillard someone plays with it, but only when things are going really well, and when things aren't, it disappears. Lopez, LA, Kaman and CJ are quiet guys by nature. However Nic in my opinion is the dullest player there. It's not a knock on him as a person, I just think we need more guys that will play with constant energy, passion, and heart. So I support trading Nic because it's the best way to get to one of those 2 scenarios stated above, and it also opens up a spot for a guy that can bring some fire to this team!
The excuses people make for this dude are unreal. Guys been in the league what 7 or so years? He's basically the same guy he was years ago and people are still holding onto his "potential." Dude does not deserve a pass for his horrendous year last year. I don't care what the excuse. If I were to be tired out or going through a divorce my job wouldn't want to hear it and wouldn't accept those excuses if my production fell substantially. I hope he returns to his 2013-14 year. I've always enjoyed nics game when he plays well. If he doesn't this year, the excuses are over and it's time to move on
I feel like most Portland fans become more connected to certain players then they should be. You hear some fans hating on free agents that are a clear upgrade because they find one weakness with his game, while only recognizing the things their own guy does right. The DeAndre Jordan "he can only dunk" to Robin Lopez "he can hit a jumper" comparison is a prime example. They say they don't want Tyson Chandler because he's "old" but then they want to keep Kaman because he's a good "mentor". I understand Portlanders love their team and that we have one of the smartest fan bases out there, it's just that we have a tendency overall as a fanbase to look through tinted glasses
The comparison between Kaman and Chandler isn't age. Kaman will make far less than Chandler. I also believe that if anyone in this forum would vote between a swap between those two players would easily pick Chandler over Kaman. I would love Chandler, even though he's an older player. He definitely has fire. Although, I suspect he's a bit out of our price range and I definitely wouldn't want to trade Batum and let go Kaman and another player for him.
I feel that you're stereotyping long time fans unfairly. 105 wins in 2 seasons. Back to back playoff showings. Keeping a talented core and a coach together when a team has youth on it's roster is a smart way to build a team. I've stuck with the Blazers throughout the good and bad and this is not a team to really complain about compared to teams in the past. Sure it can get better. Health is pretty important. There are factors that affect a season. People hated Meyers Leonard from the day we drafted him until he had a half way decent season. I think some younger fans just like fantasy basketball and have an on going need to constantly shuffle the deck. It's not a character flaw to show support for players you like whether it's Aldridge, Batum or Kaman..etc. There are fans who freak out if Dame has a shooting slump. Steph Curry the MVP just had a shooting slump. Think Kerr will trade him? A players body of work goes beyond his last game. When there's a win streak, the love just jumps out but lose 2 in a row and watch the meltdown. I call that fair weather fandom. The Blazers have had plenty of old vets through the years and coaching changes. I welcome the stability over the last couple of years.
that's the tricky thing about trading Nic, you trade him if you can find a decent enough replacement at SF that makes it worth upgrading center. I gauruntee that if DeAndre Jordan agreed to a contract with us, then wed sign and trade Batum for him and Barnes. They'll have no cap space anyway, and trading Barnes for Nic is an upgrade. We do it because it gives us the space to resign Wes, and Barnes brings attitude that this team needs. You can't just wheel and deal Nic for just anything, it would have to be a small step backwards to take a bigger step forwards, which is tricky, but I think NO will know what to do.
that makes sense, and I guess it builds onto what I was saying. It's definitly not all fans, and probably not most like I said, its just that fans will be totally against a guy for almost no reason and will be adamant against giving up a mediocre player. Most fans in here aren't like that, I just see it a ton on the streets
Thing is is I read other teams fans in twitter and comment sections and they're so much worse, that I guess I shouldn't be complaining. I was reading about Lakers fans talking about what to do with their 34th pick, and they were discussing whether or not to trade it for Batum
For some of these fans that is a real problem. And it effects those fans that really want to see progress but I also think the organization has a tendency to follow this group. Nic for whatever reason whether it was fatigue an attitude not being motivated last season held this team hostage. I've said it more than once, if he played with fire and a real intent and desire to win game in and game out I don't think we would be talking about LA leaving right now. I think he spent the year sabotaging every one this organizations goals and efforts. Might be unpopular. But it's the way I feel. He needs to go.
I think that just like last season, guys like Allen Crabbe, Joel Freeland and even Alonzo Gee may make a big leap going into training camp. If you think about guys we have now and project that they'll stay healthy, we're deep as constructed. Crabbe may become way better than Barnes..we don't know but Neil Olshey probably does. Barnes is not a facilitator and has a short fuse. Aldridge, Kaman, Rolo, Leonard, Freeland and DWright are a pretty deep set of bigs or combo bigs. Nico will stifle Barnes the majority of times. I don't see the panic or the advantage and another point is, why make the west better if you were to trade? You just wouldn't want to make the Clippers or Mavs or Spurs or OKC closer to contention. If I did trade a starter, I'd probably try to send him east. Nic could have bigger trade value come February than he does now if the FO were dangling him. I think we've earned the chance to have Nic on the team when he makes the leap to allstar level which could be this coming season. He knows the system now and if he regresses in the fall, he still an asset to trade with an expiring contract. Contract years are often career years for talented players.
Nic's offense sucked this season, don't get me wrong, but his assists and defense won us games even with him deferring to other players offensively. His exit interview impressed me. If I'm wrong about him next season, I'll be the first to start a crow eating thread but my gut says he's entering his prime and due to have a healthy season and find his stroke. Nic made Rolo better
As everybody seems hot to trot for Hibbert (clearly they fell asleep through this season), here's the trade that I'd actually consider for him. Allegedly they have told him they don't want him back, so it's not like they're likely to hold out for a star. And if we do this before June 30, they can ditch Kaman and really lean on Afflalo and Blake not to opt in. I'm still not sure I'd want to do it, though, because it would mean we've given up on Rolo, probably my fave current Blazer. So just do it if his agent has demanded the max. Also, you better be sure that Aldridge has is coming back, because if not, there's not much point to getting a non-scoring big man.
There's no point in trading Nic in Feb. If he's somehow repeating his 2013-14 season then you won't be able to upgrade him because an all star will be untouchable. If he's not hell have no value as a guy on his last year. Crabbe is another one if those guys with no fire. He can't facilitate, or create his own shot and maybe that changes but don't count in it I've given up on Freeland. He's what 28? 29? And he has absolutely no offensively game to speak of and is barely an above average defender. I like Gee, but he's not young anymore either. He's my favorite out of those 3.
yeah that would tie us up though and we'd only take a small step forward. I would want a little more withan Hibbert, but they don't have much
Wow. This is one of the stupidest things I've read in these forums. And that's saying A LOT! Well done.
Last time I looked (and it was before the end of the season but after the all-star break) Freeland actually graded out as our very best defender on the whole team.
Which Barnes are you referring to? Matt Barnes is under contract with the Clips for next year & Harrison Barnes is also under contract with GS next year.
Joel Freeland just turned 27 and when healthy he had the best defensive rating on the team...we were 8-0 with Crabbe starting for Batum and he's an above average defender who didn't have plays run for him on offense. Pretty good rebounder for his size as well and he's a lot taller than CJ. Crabbe played better with the starting unit than with the bench. He also went months at a time without playing enough to break a sweat. He could be next seasons Meyers. He's only been here 2 years. Meyers is headed to his 4th season.
Meyers is an athletic 7'1 big man with the touch of a shooting guard. We shouldn't an above average shooter and defender to make the same jump. I guess Freeland is a better mid range shooter than I give him credit for, because it seems like I've seen 20 of his little jumpshots and 1 or 2 went in. His percentages say otherwise
