Nice one on one with Thabeet on Blazer tv

Also, bird rights are pretty much useless unless a player can command a large salary where the year over year raises and number of years can be higher for a bird-rights holding team. Neither of these guys qualify.

 

So the ideal (and un-likely) situation is they show a lot of potential in practice, we hide them on the bench as much as possible for 20 games. (Everyone is looking for good PGs and Centers) I would love for them both to turn out to be better than expected and to re-sign them both for 3 million/year. Pay Batum 9 million a year, Eric Gordon 12 and with the 27 million we get a PG, C, SG, and a re-signed Batum to go with LMA, Nolan, Elliott Williams and two lotto picks.

 

Word, I can attest to this. I'm a pretty young guy and somehow got a freak case of arthritis/soreness in my hip for a couple months. It's an extremely debilitating injury, obviously you can't run or practice much. But it went away eventually. I think it's something that slows you down for a while, but no way it can derail a career...

If his surgery was successful, no reason he can't come back 100%.

 

I suspect if Flynn actually does well, blazers will do everything it can to keep him. Maybe we see another "Joel pryzbilla" situation and he stays loyal to this franchise?

If thabeet somewhat pans out, and let's be honest here, it's highly unlikely; we can still get him for cheap. I suspect we may still keep him, even if he's not that productive. I suppose he'd be a really cheap free agent sign.

 

What a great trade. Dumping Camby's salary and underachieving attitude, and taking a flier on Flynn and Thabeet is exactly the kind of move I wanted the Blazers to make. Didn't we also get a second round pick? You never know when you might strike gold (or silver) in the second round, or it can be another trade chip.

Say what you want about "Thabust" but he's got to be an upgrade over Chris Johnson, right? I have a hard time believing Thabeet won't be better than Rhino and Thomas if he sticks here next season. The right coaching and the right opportunity and you just never know. If he truly wants to work hard, this is a really good opportunity for him to prove something. All he really needs to do is set picks, rebound, defend and block shots. If he wants to work and learn, Joel P can teach him a thing or two.

Flynn has a great attitude. I'm betting there is no way he will ever show up out of shape. He's been dealt a crappy hand so far and I wouldn't write him off yet either. I don't think E-Will's injury helps him much though. He's the third PG, and then there is Crawford and Matthews at SG. Felton is the starter, and Nolan deserves minutes. Tough situation for coach K-C. I really hope Flynn gets a chance to compete for a spot next year. The rest of this season should be one big tryout anyway.

I kind of like the idea of hiding these two on the bench, keeping their value low, and signing them for next season. I'm sneaky like that. Plus, there is the risk that if they play, they might help us win games.

 

You nailed it 100%. Thabeet has to be an upgrade to Chris Johnson. Also, we won't have Rhino or Thomas next season, so why not keep Thabeet if he comes out semi-productive? It's not an answer, but it's definitely "out of the box" thinking. Who knows, maybe Thabeet, under Kaleb grows a heart and becomes dedicated. Our fan base has a way of making people take that extra step to greatness.

Flynn played well his first season as a rookie and his injury pretty much screwed him the next. Then being buried in Houston didn't help things. He could have a renewed energy, knowing the Blazers will give him time and if he's doing well; they will give him more burn. I'm truly excited to see just how he pans out.

If the stars align, we could put together a fairly good team this summer. If the players actually play well that is.

Flynn, Igs (trading matthews and pick), Batum, Aldridge and Pryzbilla?

Bench of: Smith, E Will, Thabeet, draft pick and Babbit?

 

Crawford was averaging the second-highest FGA/36 with Nate as his coach, first highest Assist/36, 3rd-highest PPG/36, and 2nd-highest PER. That was with Nate not letting him do as he pleased, I guess.

Nate got more out of Crawford than I expected, quite frankly. For as much bitching as people do about Jamal, they could have saved themselves a lot of stress just by looking at his career stats.

 

Absolutely, well said for both guys.

 

It's true. Prime example is look at Gerald Wallace at home and on the road. Our crowd made him some superstar almost talent, then on the road he was a third string bench player. There is a reason most the players that ever played in Portland talk highly about us. We are the best fans on the planet!

 

Except for mixum. His shit is weak!