I'm just hearing about all this weight that Martell has dropped. He had been working on his quickness before the broken foot. He may be better suited at the 2, or at least just as good.
When is D. Wade going to discover that he's going nowhere in Miami and want out? He's the one that I want. Ya, sit your ass down, Steve Blake!
Actually, I haven't been on the Conley bandwagon since I thought we had a shot at getting him with the 10th or 11th pick in the 2007 draft (via a trade, of course). Once he shot up the draft board all the way to number 4, I gave up on that idea. Blake is a better fit short term for this team, and we have Bayless long term. So, while I haven't totally written Conley off as a bust, I don't see him as a good fit on this team. If we do trade for a PG, I want it to be an immediate upgrade that will help us win more games now and improve ouir chances of advancing in the play-offs - NOT a long term project. See my comments in this thread: http://sportstwo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129964 BNM
Why would it necessitate a move to upgrade the 3? Batum has been playing adequately there and looks like he could be excellent in the future. Outlaw gives them scoring punch at the position off the bench.
The bottom line is none of us have any idea what KP is going to do. I personally know some folks within the organization as well as some pretty connected guys and they're all hearing completely different things. In June's draft, no one had any idea who we were targeting. That's all intentional. The Blazers' personnel group put out tons of false info.
Just an assumption. I don't see us carrying all 4 pgs in that scenario and if we would be making another move to even things out then I think the logical move is at the 3 if we can get a major stud. Batums been great but I see an opportunity to snag another high level 3.
Right, me either. I'd be happy to see point guards dealt, in the right deal. What that is, I don't know. Portland's not exactly lacking in much. My ideal trade would be something like Aldridge and Bayless for Bosh. Not that that specific deal is possible, but basically to deal some "extra talent" to upgrade our top-end players.
Have you followed any other sports besides basketball? Do you realize that the 18-19-20-21 year-old in most team sports is not typically counted on for anything? And that whatever they do accomplish is usually considered a bonus on top of their development. Basketball is no different. To say that Conley or Webster have not fulfilled expectations is to go against whatever common sense that is out there with regard to playing young players. It just blows my mind that someone could say something so idiotic and groundless. Lower your fucking expectations and get a clue. Sorry to personalize this because you are not the only one.
A place where we can upgrade is in the backup PF point for a bruising post player, sort of like Milsap or Landry kind of guy.
And I know it's not popular, and I don't want to hijack the thread to debate it, but I think Nash (even for one year) would do wonders showing this team how to play a little more open offense. Something tells me that Pritch is looking at this like chess. We may get someone soon like Redd or Baron or Arenas or something on the cheap, and look to turn a bunch of pieces that seemingly don't fit into a superduperstar. I could be wrong, though.
That backup PF also needs to be able to shoot from outside..... or the paint is going to be plugged up with Joel and Greg in there.... and quite frankly that person doesn't exist.
What about turning LaFrentz, Bayless and Frye into Gerald Wallace, Vince Carter, or Michael Redd? Batum could easily slide to a reserve role if we could get one of these high-caliber players.
I expect this guy to play next to Pryzbilla who does not really have too many post moves other than garbage man extraordinaire (which is great as well) or to play next to Aldridge when the teams goes to small-ball. That's why we are talking about a backup PF here - someone that should play 12-15 MPG.
We have our bangers, Joel and Greg. Our pf's need to be able to draw opposing players out of the paint to clear the lanes for the drivers. Having two post players inside just clogs things up. It just doesn't work. That's why Magloire and Zach didn't work. This whole theory that we need another banger is a myth.
I'm a fan of all sports. Yep. I sure do know that. You don't pay attention very well do you? First of all, I'm always preaching patience with young players. I fucking have to do it on these message boards so much that it has become irritating. Secondly, I haven't been necessarily disappointed with either Webster or Conley's advancements. I made that comment as a general consensus, not what I particularly believe. And to be fair, the consensus isn't exactly out of line. Not as much to label these young players as "busts", "lost causes", or "unfulfilled", but they certainly have struggled more so than other players at their same age. But it's fine with me, most people don't factor in that different players progress at a different paces or don't consider that other circumstances (team dynamics, etc..) could be affecting said player. And it blows my mind that someone, like yourself, could post something so silly and baseless. You took my comments out of the context with which they were meant. So piss off!