I'm not necessarily saying trade Rudy for Sessions, but at this point I'm still concerned about Rudy's future here.
That's fair. I agree with BW that Rudy can be an effective part of a 3 guard rotation that includes Roy.
Let's look at the facts. He is an undersized two. The last thing this team needs is another two and one that is undersized. If you focus on that fact and realistically think about how high his ceiling is as a two. Taking everything into consideration. Im not sure he will be good enough to fill a third string role for most teams. If he was ever going to make a name for himself it would have been as a point. And as a point, he is a mess. I say move him. But not move him for a point. Move him with Outlaw in a package deal to upgrade the backup four.
The whole Bayless issue is difficult. Jerryd is very, VERY talented. There's a reason that he was considered a top 2-4 pick (yes the Heat worked Beasily and Bayless out...pretty much exclusively). But on draft night he slid. I think that if he were in Westbrook's shoes, he probably would have done similarly well. And proved more in college. However, Sessions, in his first two years, has posted above average PER numbers, and appears he's on the upswing. His Per-36 numbers this last year were 16.2 pts and 7.4 assists. Not too shabby. It's really a toss up. If Rudy and Bayless can develop a bit more ball handling, then I can see a 3-guard rotation with them and Roy (which I think is ideal...like Drexler/Porter/Strickland back in the day) working out very well. Sessions isn't a long ball shooter. In any case, I think that with Andre we are set. Does anyone realize how good he is...I'll quote the mighty Wikipedia: Not only is he super-durable, but also one of the best pass-first PG's EVER. EVER. And think about the talent that he's been surrounded with. Only makes his stats more impressive. I've liked Andre forever. Despite his lack of outside shooting and age, he'll help us a ton next year.
I'm sorry...I'll be civil but that is a fucking joke. What is a decent backup four? Turiaf? Chris Anderson? Glen Davis? I'm confused. You're talking about trading a very highly regarded lottery pick...who hasn't had much of an opportunity due to our depth (Bayless), and a good role player...one of best reserves in the league (Outlaw) for a guy who might play 16 minutes per night? I don't think Oden and Pryzbilla will work together. But LMA will occupy 36+ minutes per night, and Outlaw can man the backup 4 against most players in this league. Think about the backup PF. What ones can't Outlaw "defend". And furthermore, what ones can really defend him? I think the roster is fine with the PF issue, especially given the depth at center and our prospects at PF. SF is fine between Batum/Webster/Outlaw. And PG is clearly good. So we're set for the run. I'd be surprised if we don't make at least the second round...more likely further...this year.
I know many of you are down on Bayless but I wouldn't trade Bayless for Sessions. I just think Bayless is the better player and will have a better NBA career if given the chance. There is a reason Sessions hasn't gotten many teams looking to sign him. They could sign him really cheap and the only teams that want him are the Clipppers and Knicks. They want to get him for almost nothing. Now some of you want to trade Rudy for Sessions. Is that a joke? We could trade Rudy to a lot of teams for something better then Sessions lol.
What kind of ceiling do you feel Jerryd has there balanced? How good do you think he will be if he is never, ever able to play the point? Ill give you a hint. Think Antonio Daniels.There is a reason why that highly regarded lottery pick dropped almost 10 full spots. He was suppossed to be a top five pick and ended up being a top 12 pick.
If he doesn't sign an offer sheet with any other team, then he can either accept the qualifying offer or another offer from Milwaukee. He could also go overseas to play, but doesn't sound like that's on the radar screen right now. Reports are that NY's offer, although officially a two year offer, is essentially for one year with a very small guaranteed amount for 2010-11. The Clips reportedly have a similar offer on the table. I think at this point, Sessions is holding out for somebody to make a longer offer so that he doesn't have to deal with restricted free agency again next summer if he stays with the Bucks. I don't think that kind of offer is going to come, so it'll be interesting to see where he actually ends up. 3 months ago, I would have bet that Sessions would sign an offer sheet or a new contract before Villanueva. I would have lost that bet.
Bayless's situation is remarkably similar to what happened to Gilbert Arenas. Both were PG's who played out of position at SG in college (@ Arizona), slid further than they were supposed to go, and didn't play much at all their rookie year. Now, a healthy Gilbert Arenas is a top player in this league. But I think that is the "ceiling". Similar skill sets, body types, histories, etc. More realistically, I could see Bayless becoming a Mo Williams Version 2.0.
I'm not sure Mo Williams or Gilbert Arenas is a great comparison, but agree he could improve a lot in the next two years.
If Bayless is to improve, it won't be with the Blazers (unless EVERYONE gets injured). He didn't get minutes ahead of Sergio - and Nate HATED Sergio! He CERTAINLY isn't going to get minutes ahead of Miller. And as for shooting guard minutes - not only do we have Roy and Rudy, we have Webster coming back who might take spot SG minutes (after all, he was supposed to be a SG when we drafted him). So... where's he going to play? I foresee even fewer minutes for him this year than last, and that's even if he's improved. How patient is he going to be? How much value will he have in trade if he never plays? Here's a thought that keeps recurring: trade him to the Nets for Terrence Williams (11th pick for 11th pick). Williams is actually a better passer and a better defender, and can guard 3 positions, as well as play alongside other scorers (something Bayless is practically useless for). Terrence Williams has a lot more potential as a PG of the future than Bayless does. Plus - Brandon Roy taught him basketball! And he has the endorsement of Nate's ex-teammate: [video=youtube;Xgw6FQxGWn8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgw6FQxGWn8[/video]
Nets already have Devin Harris and Rafer Alston at PG and Courtney Lee at SG. I doubt they give up the guy who will be likely starting at SF and playing a lot of SG/SF for them in Terrance Williams. Not for Bayless. I like Williams as well, but this trade wouldn't make sense. ...Unless you threw someone like Outlaw into the mix so that they had a solid starting SF as well.
I thought about that, too (although I don't see them holding on to Alston). The trouble is, they don't have any PFs to give us. A trade of Outlaw and Bayless for Williams and Najera works money-wise, but I can imagine a lot of Blazer fans squealing about it.
Hmmm. I see him closer to Damon than Gilbert. The difference between Damon and he is that DAmon could atleast play the point position. As I said above Jerryd is a mess there.
Gilbert and Mo are great examples of the scoring PG that has become more and more commonplace. Bayless has good size at 6'3" and I believe could be similar to these players. Granted both of these players have been all-stars (although I'm not sure if Williams is so deserving). In any case...we all know Bayless will not develop into Deron Williams. It's not going to happen. Too much to ask. He could be a good "scoring PG" like the others I mentioned, and would greatly benefit from having another ball-handler on the floor such as Roy. I think sometimes people get too caught up in "positions". Centers can shoot 3 pointers and a PG can lead the league in points in the paint (pretty sure Tony Parker did that a few years back). Can he defend? Shoot? His past basketball success, even looking to college for a bigger sample size, says yes he can. With Roy, I don't think it's that important that our PG be a CP3 or Nash or Kidd. I think we'll just have to see how he develops under Andre Miller, who is one of the most underrated players in the league (and one of the best pass-first point guards in the league ever).
I agree with you last line. Which Is why I feel he should be starting. I think he is going to open the offense up to things that will be new to a lot of these guys.
I would trade Blake for Sessions- this gives us two potential youngsters to develop as our future point guards. Whomever is better will win the spot when Miller leaves.
You didn't get the memo from God? They are. Deal with my responses or quit reading them. I ain't going to change any aspect of them just cuz you don't like my word usage and how they are applied.
