I'm getting to the point when I find talking about signing people like Jack or acquiring people like Iggy (and certainly, God help us, Jermaine O'Neal) tiresome. I guess I invested a lot in the we-just-drafted-Greg-Oden, we're-going-to-win-five-championships moment, so trying to claw our way up to, say, Atlanta Hawks level just doesn't excite me. The trouble is that the alternative will take five years of sucking and a hell of a lot of luck. Blah.
At times I feel like I dont see a scenario out there that makes us a title contender as opposed to a good "playoff making" team (or ATL as you mentioned) and unfortunately unless Olshey really is a wizard or something it seems more and more like either Paul Allen is going to have to over pay and go over the cap to make a 2001 type of run or we are going to have to seriously gamble on a few players and hope they really pay off.
See I disagree with your statement. Atlanta is not a good example. They have some of the worst fans today. Also, jsmooth is not even close to the player Aldridge is. Give us a stop gap center combo of jermaine and dalembert; while trading Matthews for igs would be a huge upgrade. Our team would instantly become longer, defensive minded and a headache for all other teams at every position. Then finding a bench could be as easy as using Barton, freeland and a little more cap space for the back up wing that can create their own shot. A starting five of Lillard, batum, igs, Aldridge and dalembert. With a bench of: Leonard, jj redick, jermaine, and claver is a solid rotation. I think that's better than Atlanta could ever dream of being.
Much as I love the guy, I hope you're not thinking that Jarrett Jack is the player to put all our chips on...
Not at all. I dont even like the idea of gambling but if we do Im afraid its going to have to be a big gamble. Like Bynum, Tyreke Evans. Not that Im saying we should but it feels like we are going to have to gamble on injuries or a player that has fallen off but has shown all-star or near all star talent in the past. And I really hate the idea of Bynum. But its going to have to be high risk high reward and it going to have to pay off to make the jump from playoff maker to title contender. Unless of course Paul Allen is ready to go over the cap. Or we get waaaaaaay lucky in the draft and I think we used up all of our credit for about a decade with Lillard.
I think there is no chance in hell Allen gambles on a center like Bynum this summer; unless he agrees to some insanely small contract like hickson for 1 year. It's too much of a gamble with our luck, IMO.
I agree but I think this is why some people get discouraged because it feels like we are making changed to make the playoffs and the only way to be a title contender is to go into luxary tax or take a huge gamble
I think Portland and olshey want to make the playoffs first and try and keep manageable, tradeable talent. I think we act patiently for the disgruntled star to want to leave a team. Then we would have the talent and contracts to make it work.
You're right, that probably is that plan. Hopefully that happens in the short term and not the long term.
I wouldn't mind the Blazers getting Jarrett Jack back. I would not use Jack to replace Maynor though.
