You're right! $7.98m. What a mistake that would have been, and it would have tied up cap space anyhow once another team made an offer. Renouncing him was the best move possible.
That's pretty badass. You can just feel in his body language and his voice the frustration of the season he had. I'm excited to see what he can do with a focus on the things (rebounding, defense) that our team desperately needs.
No, I'm right. Hickson chose a 57-win team where he has only a 50-50 chance of starting, instead of a worse team with more need of a PF. Your diversion to a separate nonissue, whether Hickson would have beaten out Aldridge to start here, is irrelevant to the issue, which is whether Hickson required a team where he would be a sure starter.
One could look at it that way. Or you could look at the completely obvious: We aren't trading Aldridge (right now) and we didn't want to tie up so much cap space for someone who is going to come off the bench for less than 20 mins a game. JJ went to Denver for the money. I say all that to say: Portland chose not to sign Hickson.
The issue wasn't whether we should have kept Hickson. A couple of people keep posting that we had to trade him anyway, because he would have been a problem if he were not a starter, so I pointed out that he sure didn't choose a team where it's clear that he'll start. So Papa said I'm wrong because Aldridge would have continued starting here (huh?), you say that we couldn't afford Hickson (whatthe?), everyone reads his own agenda into it. I'm saying that Hickson is a team player, not the selfish ogre that a few portray. He will sacrifice to be on a winning team like Denver.
Honestly for both Robinson, and Leonard for that matter, I'd love to see a couple of opposing players land on their asses tonight.
I really feel like someone got on T-Robs ass at some point and asked what the fuck he was doing on the perimeter. He kept saying he needs to do what he knows he can do...which is the post right now. I like.
I think the best thing the Blazers can do for themselves and for Robinson, is to offer him stability. Let him know he has a long leash and one of the luxuries of not competing for a ring is that we can take our time and develop him. Tell him there's no pressure of being a #5 pick, just be the best player he can be. Work with Aldridge on his mid-range game and attack the boards.
Exactly. This guy could be some very good insurance to have in case Aldridge decides to force his way out or leave in two years. We need to bring him along right, let him develop, and don't jerk him around.
