Re: Do We Even Need TurkeyBoy? Dude. Trust me. He is exactly who we need on this team. 1) Legit third option. 2) Versatile. Can play PG. 3) Clutch. 4) Playoff/Finals experience. (His numbers went up each round in this year's playoffs. He's a big game player.) 5) This: [video=youtube;rE69d0H9bz0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rE69d0H9bz0&feature=fvst[/video]
Re: Do We Even Need TurkeyBoy? This assumes that Gerald Wallace is available. All signs point to no. Unfortunately, Portland has cap space during one of the worst free agent off seasons in the last 10 years. Though Hedo doesn't set the night on fire, he is better then doing nothing. Sure I would rather Portland get Artest. I would love it if the Bobcats were stupid enough to trade Wallace to Portland. But it sure looks like the guy KP wants is Hedo. I am going to have to be fine with that, and hope Hedo plays well.
Re: Do We Even Need TurkeyBoy? They need a consistent third scorer right? Plus it's not like Hedo has ever been a first option or a volume shooter. Honestly I don't expect him to be much more effective than Outlaw at scoring, but he brings so much more to the table with his ability to create shots for others that I think he can be pretty effective with the existing starting unit, especially his ability to feed the post which should help elevate our woebegone number one draft pick ... who knows, maybe I'm falling victim to wishful thinking and he's going to be a disaster, but my instincts feel "right" on this acquisition.
Re: Do We Even Need TurkeyBoy? He averaged 18 last year, and quite frankly, probably deserved more than that at times. There were clearly times the Blazers were a better team with Batum on the court instead of an Outlaw or Rudy.
Re: Do We Even Need TurkeyBoy? Now tell us who it is (aside from Shane Battier) that Kobe doesn't get around easily?
Re: Do We Even Need TurkeyBoy? I agree with the article. The part about how many shots he and Miller got last year are interesting. Especially when you factor in the assumption that Oden and a few others should get more shots. I wouldn't complain if we got Hedo (HCP you know you'd love to chill on Blazer one with Hedo and some Pizza Hut!), but I think in terms of our guys, we could have better fits. You get Hedo, and Batum's minutes are guaranteed to have minimal increases at most. If Rudy's still on the team, it becomes difficult to get him minutes, especially if we sign a PG as well. I'd rather get Miller/Hinrich and a backup PF, but getting Hedo would still be an improvement overall assuming we could parlay our then backup SFs into something.
Re: Do We Even Need TurkeyBoy? Well how about someone who could create shots for BROY and LA? Hedo averaged only .2 less assists than Roy a game last year as a SF. He's not a one-dimensional chucker and he'll make things easier for everyone else.
Re: Do We Even Need TurkeyBoy? And since we'll still have Batum on the roster to play his 18-20 minute "bulldog" role, where's the issue?
Re: Do We Even Need TurkeyBoy? He doesn't deserve that many minutes with how often his offense deserts him. It's been said but I'll say it again, his offense allows teams to focus on Roy and Aldridge, severely hurting our offense. There's a reason he only played 6 MPG in the playoffs.
Re: Do We Even Need TurkeyBoy? Did we watch the same playoffs? A player taking shots away from LA and Roy is EXACTLY what we need. We had Roy and LA shooting too much, because they were the only ones scoring. Good teams have a variety ways to score and we need a 3rd consistent way to score, and Hedo provides that along with ball handling and passing. Wallace would be nice, but I'm not willing to deal Batum for him, and his contract is just as crappy and he is injury prone.
Re: Do We Even Need TurkeyBoy? And Kobe doesn't get around everyone easily. Idk if you guys have noticed, but Kobe is turning into more of a jump shooter every single year.
Re: Do We Even Need TurkeyBoy? With someone besides Blake running the point that could happen. Besides, I expect Batum to be a better player than last year. Also, the Blazers are still not a great defensive team. Batum was one of the only Blazers that played consistent defense last year. There were times the Blazers elected to go with offense over defense and all that happened were the two teams traded buckets.
Re: Do We Even Need TurkeyBoy? It's so embarrassing that none of you guys know as much about hoops as me! Go away!
Re: Do We Even Need TurkeyBoy? If the Spurs can win championships with Bowen I'm sure the Blazers can find a way to win with Batum, who I think has more talent in his left pinky finger than Bowen ever had. I still believe PG is more of a need than SF.
Re: Do We Even Need TurkeyBoy? Parker, Manu, AND Duncan. Who do we have on offense? Roy, Aldridge....and.....Outlaw......
Re: Do We Even Need TurkeyBoy? I think Oden comes around and I would like the Blazers to add a PG, so you'd have Miller/Roy/Aldridge/Oden.
