I'm not going to ask what specific players you want but if you were GM Larry Miller, I mean Rich Cho , what kind of team would you build for the next era of Blazer basketball? Would you build this roster without Roy/Oden in mind? SSOL-esque Uptempo offense with LaMarcus at Center? Status quo with a Roy/Aldridge/Oden core?
First thing I'd do is put out feelers for available head coaches who have the ability to develop a system that caters to the players' strengths.
Which players'? Just the few that fit a style the fans want? Or others? How many systems should this coach have?
this is pretty simple to me. You cant rebuld because i dont think the fans can take it. Its become too much of a gamble by doing it. You can be bad for too long unless you get lucky. You need to retool and make a suns type trade or a better example is dallas. fight for playoff type trades where you stay decent (top 8-9) and have nice pieces to deal in later trades that land you better talent. The other issue is we still have 2 major players early in their deals and cant deal them. Roy isnt able to be traded in so many words. So basically I think you retool. Our problem is.... we dont have the GM for it. you need a crafty vet gm who wheels and deals. cho has no clue how to do this. its become pretty evident. therefore allen either needs to find another trader bob as or get a asst gm who has skills at making deals. the answer is retool and try to trade for guys like gerald wallace, iggy, or devin harris with expiring deals we have. then roy gets likely a long rest, la improves, and the new player makes a impact. surround those guys with decent talent like we have and hope for an oden comeback. then we will be fine. rebuilding is not a good idea. see sac, minny, wash, clippers, gs, etc.
And your suggestion would be? Without a legit first option we'll still be that team that is bounced in the first round.
You go with the idea that Roy is probably unmovable, but anything you get from him is a bonus. I love Roy as a player, love his heart, his willingness to play no matter what - but at this point - he is the cherry on top, not the base anymore. You want a system that takes advantage of LMA's speed, Wes's movement without the ball - you realize that spacing is important no matter what - and you need a reliable consistent first option scorer - which you try to get in a trade. I would keep Nic, Wes, LMA as the basis - these 3 are good defensively and can score, even if neither is a #1 option. With that in mind - I am taking a flyer on Oden and offering him a contract, probably matching anything up to the $50m contract assuming what I know at the time does not tell me he can never recover - with the idea that at worst, he will be a defensive anchor to play behind Nic/Wes and LMA on the side, at best, maybe he can turn into a real good offensive player as well and that long-term investment will be worth it. So, it comes down to getting a younger, good scoring PG that can space the floor. Candidates that are maybe obtainable - Jameer Nelson if the Magic do not click soon, D.J. Augustin, I would take a flyer on Mo Williams even if his eP% this year is atrocious, it was very good in years past. So, my plan would be try and leverage the moveable assets the Blazers have - JPEC, AMEC, Camby, Euros, Picks for a PG of that nature, sign Oden to a reasonable contract and hope for the best.
I agree with some of what you said. You do not rebuild. However I would not use Phoenix as an example of what to do. And I don't see how how Gerald Wallace would help this ball club. (Before yes but not now) This team needs a big time scorer. And that guy needs to be able to attack the basket. (Not just clean up missed shots) We need a go to player. Iguodala would be worth the chance. Roy is now a perimeter SG. He and Iggy could work. But to get Iguodala you would need to move Wes and his 6 million. (With Pryz) I do not want to do that. Batum ,Rudy and Joel have value but that does not add up to 12 million. I guess you look at this season as a write off and you move Miller if you can get a long term piece. I really do not want to lose Wes though. We need his toughness. (No matter what the hell is PER ever is)
I enjoyed this post and would like to subscribe to your newsletter, please. This is exactly the sort of plan I could get behind as a fan.
Just in case anyone needs one http://rlv.zcache.com/gm_monogram_logo_hat-p148342311606293744qz14_400.jpg
I could end up being the worst coach in the history of the league, but I do have twice the coaching experience Nate does, and my teams have been proven winners.
I would rebuild the same way KP did, but add to it. Trade away aging players for picks. Trade away expirings for assets. Understand Portland is not a sexy destination for free agents. Fire Nate and look to bring in a coach next season that has a motion based offense.
i just want to see some motion on the court and a system that plays to our greatest strengths, slow ball n roysolation is history. as is being an outside jumper team *yuck*. i want to see them RUN, we've got athletic wings and a PF who can dominate when in motion - maybe it means a new coach? different pg? id like them fitter too (higher cardio), i want opposing teams to dread playing us cause we'll work run and pressure all game. i want to see some emotion and smiles on their faces on the court - i want to see them playing for each other and leaving it all out there. it's not really a plan as such, but damn - id love ^ to be the result
I am not sure I want to trade Miller, Joel, and Camby for picks. The only teams that want aging vets are teams with shitty picks. Statisticly speaking players drafted after about 18th (Can't remember the exact number) have a very low chance of making a contribution. KP built the team because we sucked for 3 straight years and had good draft positions. Do we want to suck for 3 years?
