It does for me. Batum's making a lot of money, but I am excited to see what he can do in a different coach's system. I'm also excited to see how Lillard does in the NBA. To me that's moving the needle.
not only move it, but spin it like a top. We did not draft Lamb or Beal or any of the other tweeners, we drafted a first rate point that we have not had in years, and kept a hungry three/two
Not for this year. To me, "moving the needle" means improving the team. Given Batum was on the team last year, I don't think that he can be considered "moving the needle". Lillard looks like he's got a future in the NBA, for sure, but I think it's unrealistic to expect him to make a big impact as a rookie. Ed O.
I'm not exactly sure what "moving the needle" means, but we won't be a lot better this year than last. And I don't expect Batum to be an all-star, much less a superstar. Lillard helps the future look better to me, but it is still just potential. Moving the needle would have been getting a max contract level player with our cap space (like Williams or Hibbert), then going over the cap to sign Batum and still getting our two draft picks.
This sums up my own feelings nicely. They added some future with the draft, and they're finally cashing in all of those stashed picks, so that's something too I guess, but nothing I've seen this summer makes me think there will be immediate returns this season ... though I have to think even a rookie Damian Lillard with his inevitable ups and downs and maybe a sprinkling of healthy Elliot Williams and a confident Nolan Smith, trumps a fat Ray Felton and a trigger happy Jamal Crawford.
Moving the needle to me means adding big time free agents, and making consolidation trades for impact players, but only for core guys who are in LaMarcus' window. Lillard doesn't fit my definition and I wouldn't include Batum because he was here last year.
Paul Allen and Upper management have their finger on the needle. If they want it to move, it will move. They can do this by the players they bring in and who they decide on for coach. If they are more interested in playing for ping pong balls they will stick with the status quo or go with a young assistant. If they are interested in making the most of the situation, they will bring in a proven commodity, like a D'Antoni.
PG: Lillard SG SF: Batum PF: Aldridge C: Leonard/Freeland What attainable SG would move the needle? PS I agree on D'Anoni!
I know that Olshey's preferred cliche is "moving the needle" but I think there are a few other ones that apply. Either "step in the right direction" or "addition by subtraction" applies quite well to the Blazers' decision to get rid of Felton and bring in Lillard. That was the most significant change for next season... assuming nothing else is coming with the Blazers' cap space or trade exceptions.
What sort of shape is LMA in? When will he be at 100%? He is still the key guy. If he is out (or just reduced effectiveness) for any extended period, I'm not sure "moving the needle" is a realistic goal.
We had Batum already, but Lillard and Meyers have the potential to be the needle. They need a real coach to make them move, though.
