The Lakers were good with Bynum to begin last season, but they really got serious (instantly) when they got Gasol. The trade was good for both the Lakers and Gasol himself. He was starting to look like a Shareef Abdur-Rahim there as Memphis went down the tubes, but with the Lakers he just looks inspired. The system works for an intelligent multi-talented player like him, playing to his strengths and downplaying his weaknesses, and now he's no question an All-Star, and the Lakers are favorites again. Question: is there a player out there who could have a (nearly) equivalent impact on the Blazers? Don't say Dwight Howard, Chris Paul or LeBron James, because none of them is available, as Gasol transparently was. It has to be a good player unhappy on a bad team, a player who maybe has flaws, but who might look better in our system. I'd like to think so, but the downside is that we don't really seem to HAVE a system. One thing I'm sure of: it's not David Lee. He's ideal for a running system and his numbers would plummet were he to come here. Ditto for Gerald Wallace or Shawn Marion. And Rudy Gay (a) is a gunner, and (b) is not available. I think it has to be a smart player who will really move the ball. Somebody like Luke Walton, only preferably better. Contenders?
I don't think we can add a player that will be that important. The Lakers had Kobe Bryant, who is much better than anyone we currently have, and Lamar Odom, who's more experienced and well-rounded than LA. They also had veterans like Fisher and more experienced depth than we do. Our problem isn't a lack of talent or competence... it's consistency and experience. Adding a single player won't make Oden or the other young guys instantly better players, IMO. It's just going to take time for them to learn and it's not going to happen this season. Ed O.
I think we missed our best chance when Billups went to the Nuggets. A SF that can get cheap buckets ala Butler, Maggette or Igudala would be huge for this team.
it could potentially take a lot of pressure off them and speed the development of their confidence though.
I think our Gasol should come in the form of a vet PG . . . Batum, Webser, Rudy and Outlaw can role play the SF position. I don't think it will be Bibby given the Hawks season. So I will throw out Andre Miller.
You know I would have no problem with Andre Iguodala if he just didn't shoot from anywhere outside of 6' in.
I think you're right to an extent Ed, but then again, remember the impact that James Jones had last year. It wasn't so much his scoring as his directing people on offense and just an overall force of personality. And look at Mike Bibby's impact on a similarly young Atlanta team, who are now one step below the Orlandos of this world, and would I think still be lottery fare without him. It's not that he's any longer a star player, it's just that he has experience. (And Fisher, whom you mention, had if anything more impact than Gasol when he was added to, yes, a young Lakers team.) Finally, although Philly have gone in the tank, Andre Miller boosted them before they fucked it up with Brand.
Yes, well, in theory I can play the SF position. That doesn't mean my team will win with me there. I still hanker after Battier a little, although the Rockets are looking train-wreckish (I never thought Artest would work there) and he seems to have broken down this year. However, I agree that PG would be a more obvious help, and most of my examples above are of PGs. And let's hope the Sixers are ready to do the same! I dunno, though. Miller still can't shoot and is very quiet. He didn't work for the Clippers AT ALL. Chauncey would have been sweet. Sam Cassell of 3 or 4 years ago would have been awesome.
Vince Carter. Yeah, Yeah.. I know.. half a man half a season and all that stuff... but VC can ball and would immediately make us a better team as our 2nd or 3rd option. Raef, Outlaw, Sergio and several draft picks for Carter and change.
Y'know, a season or two ago I would've been dead set against it. But Carter has improved with age: he stuck with NJ when they were going downhill, never asked to be traded (unlike with Toronto) and has played a big role in their improvement (and hasn't complained now their team is built round Harris). Maybe he's ready to be a steadying veteran influence. But doesn't his deal expire in 2010? If so, they probably want to keep him to be decent until they can make a run at LeBron.
Nope, he's under a killer of a deal. 2012, iirc. EDIT: 2011-2012 is partially guaranteed...$4M buys you out of an $18M year.
I don't think Carter's deal is bad. He's paid a lot, but still produces at star level. I'd be interested in acquiring him. His defense is solid, he can shoot and attack the rim and he's a good passer. If Portland can't get a young-prime star or near-star (Caron Butler and Gerald Wallace, respectively), I'd definitely consider RLEC used well to get a veteran star.
Carter and Najera (who has the next longest non-Harris contract and isn't being used) for Raef, Travis and Ike works. I'd do that trade with no second thoughts. OR: Vince and Bobby Simmons (2 years, but at $10M py!) for those three plus Channing?
But too bad that ship has sailed... damn, he'd be so good here right now filling in for Roy's scoring.
