Outside of Golden State and San Antonio, why wouldn't Portland be at the top of the list for a FA? I know the history. I get it. But that was back when markets mattered. In this day and age they really don't. Portland has a great owner, a great GM that's created a players first culture, a great coach with a system that gives players freedom, and two unselfish stars. This team is legit one player away from long term title contention. Sorry but there aren't that many teams that offer all that. Geography is for dorks.
As someone who grew up in OR but now lives in CA, geography does matter...don't miss the weather up there at all. Drought and all, I'm a lot happier all the time in 72* and sunny year round. Not trying to hate, just personal experience.
Listen, if a player prioritizes things like that, I wouldn't want them anyway. I'm talking basketball wise.
The top 4 teams in each league won't have cap space if they keep their cores together. Cleveland, Toronto, and Miami don't have the cap space. Atlanta won't if they have they resign guys... GS and San Antonio won't have cap space if they keep their cores.. OKC won't have space if they keep Durant and the Clippers won't have cap space unless they trade a bunch of guys.. The 5th place teams? Portland and Boston. Boston is in a good position to trade for a star and then add another, but Portland has up to $45M in cap space.. The rest of the playoff teams won't impress. Dallas? Memphis? Houston? (Nobody wants to play with Harden).. Charlotte? Indianapolis? Detroit? Portland is more impressive than all of those. So I think that, unless other teams do some gymnastics to clear cap space, the contenders for big name free agents will be 1.) Their own team 2.) Portland and Boston 3.) Houston, Utah, Dallas, etc.
Nothing to do, basically. NBA players like to go clubbing, experience in the local music scene (scene here kind of blows.... sorry Riverman), be hip all around town. Portland's the place to be seen if you like vegan pizza places or trendy dog parks. If I didn't have family obligations or job preferences, I would have stayed in San Diego years ago.
You're not being honest with yourself if you don't think things like that factor into a life decision like where you're going to spend a large chunk of your and your family's time. And as others pointed out above (in jest or not), there are plenty of other legit reasons too...like hot women,night life, taxes, endorsement opportunities, etc. etc.
The local music scene is great. One of the best in the country. Note the clubbing scene probably sucks. I wouldn't know cause that shit is lame.
Yep but if Atlanta resign their star player Horford then we're missing out on the most suitable free agent signing in the Summer, ditto Miami and Whiteside as well as Oklahoma and Durant. You got some players in free agency behind them but aside from maybe Mahinmi I don't see how they'd improve current Blazers team significantly.
Portland and Boston should be atop all of the free agents' list. Boston has draft picks for days, a strong young core, and one of the best young coaches in the league. Portland has arguably the best GM in the business, one of the best franchise players in the NBA in Damian Lillard, an amazing fan base, and plenty of shots to go around.
There are hot women everywhere...just more in some places than others. And in my experience, good looking women generally look a lot better in less clothes in warmer places than they do in raincoats
Then we sign a role player or two, let these young guns develop even more, and save our cap space for a better free agent market next year that will probably be less competitive.
Could actually be a good idea. Also wait for some players to become available during season. Someone like Okafor may be available for a good price under right circumstances.
@Lockedonsports: I threw it out there earlier this year, but could you imagine Durant in Portland. Liked the Northwest. Gives Nike a star in home market --- David Locke- Jazz radio guy
The hot ones get swooped up and the rest get recycled through the bro circuit. At least in bigger cities its more of a rotating door. Everyone knows everyone in Portland.
Locke has a lotta love for Portland. ...actually, he just see's beyond the "OMG, Warriors, Steph Curry *Jizz*, Cavs Lebron's Kia *Fap Fap Fap*, Blake Griffin can dunk *Explosion*, Russel Westbrook has good stats!!! *Faint*" thought processes that all national media members posses. Respek.
