Report: Blazers will have the worst starting 5 in the Western Conference

I never said as is. I just think taking a couple of our guys at the trade deadline to bring in a star is a way better move long term than having a crappy core to get another lottery pick.
We have a bunch of lottery picks. Again. Tell me why your certain this next lottery pick will be a for sure blue chip player? Nothing is certain and we can get a lottery pick who doesn't even pan out in the NBA (cause that's never happened). However a veteran All star is proven.

Id much rather see this team battle for 8 or 9th spot with a couple break out guys, then trade a couple guys not working out with cap space and go after a big timer at the trade deadline. Again, the season is early, moves can still happen.

The lottery pick in my opinion is not nearly as valuable right now to the Blazers as many seem to think.

 

hmmm blue chip potential? I would possibly put Leonard and CJ in the borderline all-star potential. Definitely in the Rudy Gay and LaFrenz in their prime level. Vonleh could become an all-star if he progresses to potential.

The key situation would be CJ becoming like a Jason Terry or Vinnie Johnson type bench player, with Leonard being that Lambier or LaFrenz role player and Vonleh being a Chris Webber type. Then we could attract a 3rd superstar type.

 

I understand what you are saying, but on a practical level I disagree.

To finish on the fringe of the play-off race, the Blazers will have to ride our decent young vets (eg Davis, Aminu, Henderson) at the expense of developing Leonard/CJ/Vonleh. Developing those guys means letting them play through their mistakes and accepting the short-term pain. There is also the sad fact that maximizing wins this season means Dame will be near the top of the league in minutes played. I absolutely DO NOT want to see that! His career is worth more than a few extra wins in 15-16.

Over-achievement is fun, but not sustainable. I would rather stink for one year and then show some solid, sustainable progress.

 

I completely agree....and that means letting them PLAY and take their lumps. Playing to maximize wins in the short-term is inconsistent with player development.

 

I think there will be plenty of playing time for development of all the players I just mentioned. Only Dame will be the player with over 30 minutes a game. Hopefully he is still in the 35 minute and under mark though. Don't want to wear him out.

 

Let me desconstruct this a little bit. A. I don't think it's likely you can take a few of our role-players and parley them into a trade for an All-star (maybe a former All-star on the downside of his career or a headcase). B. I don't think it's a certainty that we'll draft a blue-chipper in the next draft. All I'm talking about is playing the percentages, and I'll take a 20% chance over a 5-10% chance any day, every day.

It's more valuable than no pick at all, especially for a team in the talent acquisition phase. Hell maybe the pick never even contributes to future (theoretical) playoff runs, but it's still an asset that does us more good to have than it does to surrender to another team.

 

I can't believe people are talking about us being a fringe playoff team in here with our roster. It is not possible.

 

Oh, and "Report" lol...

 

"Michelob Guy" LOL

 

Why cant you have both? This team certainly could.

Let me break your post down, since I wasn't clear about a couple things even though it has been beat to death. No a couple guys that don't fit wont get us an all star, but Combine it with our cap space to take on a contract? There are options here, its not black and white. And it all depends on the team we are dealing with and what they are planning for their future.

Second, wouldn't trading a couple guys at the deadline with cap space for a proven all star be a hell of a lot more than a 20% chance he works out? I know its better than the 5-10% you are assuming.

I never said the pick has no value, I only said that for the Blazers RIGHT NOW, it is not near as valuable as it normally would be.

Does that put us a bit closer in line?

 

Who are these theoretical teams in such a hurry to dump a "proven All-Star?"

 

Gees man, that's the unknown. Who's your proven lotto pick next year who will take us to the promised land?

Almost every year there isa disgruntled all star looking to move. Maybe its DMC next year> Maybe its Durant ( I know, both long shots). Maybe its Derek Rose. Who knows. But to just say it wont happen so why bother trying to find another all star?
Lotteries are a crap shoot as someone else pointed out. All Star vets are more a better odds bet.

 

That bit I bolded is the crux of the whole deal. What has a higher probability of happening? Gambling getting a really good player in the top 7 of the lottery or hoping you can somehow trade for a true All-NBA caliber player. If history is any guide then it's the former, not the latter.

 

The former for franchise type players maybe, but those are precious few and still are not sure bets (LBJ), but Portland's history has shown we can attract quality players that help the team become elite, but they wont come unless the upswing is massive agreed. With that said, I beleive our team currently has enough potential that if it goes right, we have all the pieces minus that 2nd main All Star.

 

What pick was the greatest Blazer in history picked at?

 

Define "greatest". Walton was an arse - but he was the #1 pick. Lucas was one of the first guys picked in the dispersal draft. Roy and Dame were high picks (and yes, LMA)

I assume you are referring to Clyde and Porter? We got lucky with Clyde, and Terry was a true sleeper. Those 2 data points don't prove the draft is just random. Higher picks improve your odds. I can't believe anybody would contest that.

 

Bowie was 2nd and Oden was first

 

Yes, Bowie was the #2 pick. Also picked in the top 5 that year were Hakeem, Barkley, and some guy named Jordan.

Phooey. This is pointless. The ship is sinking. You can sit in your cabin and hope for a big name FA to save you. I'll jump in the lifeboat and start rowing.

 

The league has changed bro. It's not about the market, it's about winning. Players are making bank now, so endorsements aren't as important to them, and a superstar gets most their endorsements on national sponsors anyway (look at Durant, Dame and Westbriok for examples).

The ship hasn't even sunk, we just started building a solid one. Go ahead and jump off and find a team like Minny, Sacramento or Philly that have all lived in the lottery years. Works great for them.