What's interesting to me is that Brandon, KP, and Nate are all in agreement that the team needs a 3 point specialist. Not exactly a ringing endorsement for Martell or Rudy.
Yep I noticed that too. All of them mentioned we need outside shooting. Basically translated to: Rudy isn't getting it done. Martell isn't getting it done. Bayless isn't getting it done. The other thing I would point out, is all of them mentioned toughness. Nate talked a lot about how Lamarcus game needs to improve, and pretty much called him out but in a "politically correct" way. The other thing that grabbed my attention, was how KP seemed to mention that they weren't afraid of making a move. Several times. It was also interesting that KP mentioned he had made mistakes. All I ask of any GM that makes mistakes is that they learn from them, and not repeat them. Unless they draft Martell over Chris Paul or Derron Williams. That is unforgiveable.
We have a three point specialist. Batum hits them at a 40% clip, and takes 3 a game. The problem was that he was used as a 25 mpg player, and then he had the shoulder go out when I was really hoping he'd start moving up to 35 mpg. That said, we definitely need to add three point shooting to the bench. Bayless may add it, but I've lost faith in Webster and Rudy. My money is on us bringing back Blake a third time. I wonder what the record is for a player returning to the same team over a career? If he comes back, that'll be three times over 7 years. Pretty impressive.
How about Mike Miller? I fucking hated that guy for the longest time, but maybe he'd be just fine filling the role Rudy plays currently. Edit: actually I should say the role we wished Rudy had played; we don't need another 'bed-shitter'
So, with Blake = first round exit last year. Without Blake = first round exit this year. With Blake = first round exit next year. What does no blake next year assure us? First round win?
The problem is that Blake doesn't assure us anything. The problem isn't the backups. It's the PG position. Webster and Rudy are more than enough 3pt shooting for the 7th and 8th man on the team. The problem that they're referencing is the PG position. For 35 mpg you can't count on Andre to hit anything outside of the FT line. That's what Nate, Roy and KP are referencing. And Blake's days of getting 35 mpg are about done, I'd imagine.
I'm no big fan of Blake. But honestly, what kind of player do you hope to get for $3-4 mil who will assure us that we get out of the first round? We'll get out of the first round next year if Aldridge and Batum are healthy along with either Roy or Oden. If neither Roy nor Oden are healthy going into the playoffs, we're fucked no matter who we acquire to stick on the bench this summer.
Where are you getting this 3-4 million number from? the MLE is about 5.5-6 million (depending on league revenue), but I do agree that without a healthy Oden or Roy this team isn't going anywhere. That said there's gotta be a better use of the mid-level exception than Steve Blake; this team needs more quality not more quantity.
Who is available for the full MLE that is quality over quantity? I'm guessing Ray Allen gets more than the MLE, which it too bad because he would be perfect. I ask because I really do wonder who would be available, and I don't really want to research it right now.
Looking at the list of FAs ... I don't know. I think Ray Allen can't expect a mega-deal at his advanced age and his clearly declining skills, of the others: possibly Mike Miller, maybe Luke Ridnour, perhaps Drew Gooden, or Ray Felton. I'm just saying I'd pay any of those guys the full MLE before I'd divide it up and give 3 million to Blake and 2.5 million to some other fringe player.
Felton is a career sub-15 PER player and is a career 33% 3pt shooter. Miller is kind of a meh as well considering he has seen his PER fall below 15 the past two years, although he was a great 3pt shooter this year. Why spend the full MLE on below-average players? I think a trade is the best option this summer in terms of making a big impact. Przy/Rudy/Webster for a resigned David Lee?
If New York does that, I'd jump all over that as Pritchard. But I doubt they would...Przybilla is probably not viewed as much on-court value with his career status somewhat in the air. Webster and Rudy are reserve-quality players. I don't think they'd want to trade their one good player to fill in around whomever they sign for a couple of reserves, especially when it gives them no extra financial flexibility this off-season.
I noticed that KP made a point a couple times of acknowledging he has made some mistakes. Be interesting to know what he thinks those mistakes are. Maybe he wishes he had made a big stink within the organization when Nash wanted to trade down to take Webster? Does he wish he hadn't tried to get rid of Darius without Darius signing on? Who knows? Maybe he wonders if he has gone for Euros too often? Really, our best late first, early 2nd draft pick has been Dante Cunningham, an American. (I'm counting Batum as middle first round). I think that he has to be wondering if he made a mistake on Bayless, using all his ammo on a shortarmed undersized guy who never seemed to really make his team better in college, instead of waiting for the next year with the PG heavy draft?
Several times he's answering questions about that... I'm recalling the same sorts of comments last offseason about being open to reshuffling the deck. My guess is that they're open to moves if the right sort of upgrade becomes available but aren't in a position where they have to make a move as they've already got a balanced & talented squad. Given health, they'll be one of the best in the league. I'd site the Camby trade as the sort of move they'd be looking to make. Joel might be their best trading chip. His value should increase as he approaches health sometime in the middle of next season. Unless something along the line of a no brainer move becomes available, I'm guessing there will be minimal player movement this offseason. STOMP
We didn't actually have a full year without Blake this season. The problem really isn't Blake per say. It's the fact that Nate will create a controversy when he starts Blake over Miller for half the season again killing team cohesion and chemistry. The Blake move was good primarily because it prevented Nate from playing Blake too many minutes. Which he would do again given half the chance.
