There seemed to be a majority of fans who were upset we didn't address the SF at the last trade deadline. Since then, we got bounced in the 1st round and haven't added a SF in the off-season. However, we've seen Batum improve over in summer and continue to hear about Webster's improvement. So my question is, where did you stand, and where do you stand now.
What are the odds that the large majority is going to claim they are ok we didn't make a trade? I guess there is a problem with this question because I think a lot of people were pro making a trade that made sense, but the big debate is what trades were actually available and did they make sense.
I was disappointed. I had hoped that Gerald Wallace or Caron Butler were available. I still wish we'd been able to acquire one of them--it probably would've been the difference in advancing at least one round in the playoffs. Who knows if either were really feasible. But that ship has sailed. Batum doing so well this summer in Europe has taken some of the sting off. Webster sounds like he's coming along too. And adding Andre Miller really filled a much bigger need for us. I'm ok with where we are now.
I wanted us to have added a player with our soon to be gone assets, and am dissappointed we did not use those assets, but I was not specifically targeting SF. I did think SF or PG or even bu PF were options that could have been taken care of. Now, will a little time passed, I still wish the Blazers used all their assets, but I am also coming to realize that PA, KP et al were likely already looking ahead to the looming NBA economy and not wanting to put unnecessary strain on a team that already was going to be looking at a lot of large contracts in the near future. I don't think the Blazers have any positions that NEED to be upgraded. That being said, if an upgrade comes at any position, hopefully the Blazers find a way to make that happen. I think Batum, Rudy, Outlaw, Roy and Cunningham will be able to keep the SF spot well handled. And I do believe that in 2-3 years, Batum will be an excellent SF.
The SF position isn't the issue in my mind. It's the fact that we ultimately used Raef's supposedly "valuable" contract for just Andre Miller that concerns me. I'm satisfied with Batum's progress in Eurobasket, so I suppose that makes up for whatever KP did (or didn't do).
I wanted them to use RLEC. I admit I thought they should have at least come away with Richard Jefferson or BPA or something. But I also believed that Nico and Martell would evolve into all the SF we will need. My priority was PG. I'm optimistic that Miller will be a big plus for us. And I still have faith in Nico and Martell, at least in the long-term. So, I wouldn't have complained had they acquired an all-star SF, but I wasn't clamoring for one.
Wow, it's interesting to read all the posts that were posted since I stopped reading Tince's comment and started writing my own. I guess this question really opened some old RLEC wounds for some of us.
We could have traded RLEC and still signed Miller in the offseason. I would have much rather traded RLEC for a small forward, let Blake and Outlaw go, and signed Miller.
yeah, this is basically my thought. We should have traded Outlaw, simply because we're overloaded with talent in that spot. I'm okay with keeping Blake as a back up, but it would be nice for a younger superstar at the PG. But that's probably asking for too much.
I didn't see the need then, or now. I think Batum will be good this year. Webster is at least backup quality, and if he's better then Nic, so much the better. Even if neither shine this year, it's not so bad. They are going to be looking for ways to play Rudy. If Nic and Martel aren't all that, they can play Brandon and Rudy together more. I would have liked to see the team get something for RLEC, but I don't know what was on the table, if anything. They don't have to have a star at every position to win it all. Go Blazers
I did not want Butler, Odom, Hedo, Artest or anyone else I can think of off the top of my head. I would rather start Batum over all of them. I would take Battier, Granger or G Wallace to start over Nic. But I would not give up Batum to get any of them. I have a lot of faith in Nic and think he is going to be the Pippen and Roy is the Jordan. We will find out for sure this year when he runs the point a little and see if his outside shot has improved. You already know he will have improved on defense.
The team did get something. It got roughly $12 million since insurance paid for 80% of Raef's contract last year. After Memphis pulled their Miles stunt, that is money that I'm sure helped out the organization. Plus, the cap space did end up netting Andre Miller at a very affordable contract.
And, it did not hurt our team or the team chemistry. I don't know why people are so upset over the RLEC thing. Our team is fine. I wonder how much harder\longer it would be to sign Roy and LMA if we didn't have the extra RLEC money. w00t
Based on the rumors here, either Vince Carter or Richard Jefferson were availabe. So, instead of saving $12 million, you're paying an extra $12-$16 million for the next few years. That would have to figure into any negotiations with Roy and LMA, not to mention Oden/Rudy/Batum. Plus, the team would be over the cap this season with a deal for either Carter or Jefferson. I think the team made effective use out of RLEC considering the state of the economy.
If we had traded for Vince and had gone on to beat the Rockets and lose to LA in seven games, would your opinion have changed?
I'm always for improving. But I think Martell Webster has a lil surprise in store for everyone. He and Nic are sufficient. But last year I was all for bringing in Caron Butler.
to those who are concerned about "wasting RLEC" and only ending up with Andre Miller, think about the sort of dollars the Blazers are looking at spending down the line. Roy Aldridge Greg Batum and Rudy alone should have them around the lux line... how much over that line do you really expect PA to step where every dollar spent is actually two? As to the OP/poll, I wanted to get GWallace or Caron but I don't know that they were available for RLEC and I'd guess they weren't. None of the poll options really fit that criteria so I didn't vote. STOMP
