An easy solution to the Oden fiasco?

[Fez Hammersticks]

With the Oden camp noncommittal and a beatwriter from Memphis speculating that Oden and his camp want to be in Memphis, I have an easy solution:

Center of the future? Last week, Blazers coach Nate McMillan was asked about Aldridge's chances at being chosen an All-Star reserve this season at power forward when he revealed some interesting insight into the organization's vision.

"I think the conversation for him is, is he a center?" McMillan asked. "Do you move him to center or do you keep him at power forward?"

McMillan's point is that most opponents are having their centers guard the 6-foot-11 Aldridge, especially now that he is playing more inside than on the perimeter as in years past. Plus, McMillan argued the NBA has trended toward a more agile and sleek center.

"Centers are guarding him, and the times he has played center for us when Camby is hurt, that's really when he has done a lot of work," McMillan said.

"He had seven blocked shots in Denver when he played center. So when you look at it, that's when he's really getting a lot of his blocks, rebounds and scoring, when he's at center. And the chances are, if he were listed as a center, he would have a good chance of getting in that All-Star Game."

January 08, 2011 article​

Building around LaMarcus at Center, where he had a PER of 23.5, is a rout I hope the management have already pondered. It'll open up the possibility of an Oden sign-and-trade, along with other assets, for a PG.

"I think he's a center and they never wanted to play him at center. [Before] he was a power forward, and now he's effectively a center. And now he's down on the low block. He has to be double-teamed."-Bill Simmons

Along with finding a PG, we'd have to find a PF that would complement LaMarcus. This may not be a popular choice, for defensive reasons, but with his rebounding and high-post passing I think Kevin Love is a player I'd look at. After his monster season just how attainable is he? It's a long shot but Love may want out of his current situation ASAP:

Owner Glen Taylor said Monday that he doesn't think the Wolves will trade their pick. That will come as a pretty big surprise to a number of GMs who claim that the Wolves are already talking to teams about the pick. The problem for the Wolves is that Williams plays the same positions as their best two players -- Kevin Love and Michael Beasley. They could trade either player (Love especially would welcome a trade), but I'm not sure Williams is an upgrade -Chad Ford (Insider)

 

[KingSpeed]

Very interesting.

 

[Rhal]

Oden for Howard get it done PA!

 

[Rastapopoulos]

So: trade Oden for Zach Randolph, move LaMarcus to C, and all we need to do is acquire Kevin Durant somehow and we'll be where we would've been if we'd've got the second pick instead of the first in the lottery back then. That's a heartening thought.

Here's the deal: the hope that Oden can play up to the level he was starting to play at before the injury before last (because, remember, he hasn't played since then) is our best hope. Nobody's going to give us anything of value in exchange for Oden now - they don't want to be lumbered with a huge contract for a hobbled player any more than we do.

If you like, we can call LaMarcus the center and Oden the power forward. Does that do it for you?

 

[Mediocre Man]

LOL, it is so awesome to hear and read fans of teams like Memphis talking smack about us. It just keeps getting better

 

[Nikolokolus]

Love and Aldridge as our front-court? Hmmm ... you know what, that actually might work. Love is a glass cleaner and is actually more of a three point threat and outside shooter than LMA, and it would probably allow Aldridge to focus more heavily on the block, since Love is so ground bound and not the best finisher around the rim. Now the real problem arises, what in god's name do we have that the Wolves would want? a signed and traded Oden doesn't seem likely, Camby will be an expiring contract the year after the lockout so maybe he has some value, but I suspect he'd just retire if traded to the wolves.

It's not a bad idea, but I don't see enough (or the right) assets to get it done.

 

[handiman]

http://sportstwo.com/threads/178869-my-solution-to-the-Blazers-future

 

[RoyToy]

No

edit - No

 

[JDC]

Back-up center yeah (If you want a more significant piece at the 4) but I wouldn't want him playing that position full-time.

We need more defense in a first unit.

The solution I think is to just hope Oden gets healthy by November, see what you can get for Camby and draft either Keith Benson or Lucas Nogueira.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Bargs supposedly wants out of Toronto. I wouldn't give up anything of actual value for him, but.....

How about a challenge trade: our loser #1 pick for their loser #1 pick. At least we get a young, fairly healthy body out of it.

 

[Rhal]

Bargs supposedly wants out of Toronto. I wouldn't give up anything of actual value for him, but.....

How about a challenge trade: our loser #1 pick for their loser #1 pick. At least we get a young, fairly healthy body out of it.

I want no part of Bargs. A softer person then LMA 2009 who picks up like 5 rebounds a game... ya i'll pass.

 

[MARIS61]

So: trade Oden for Zach Randolph, move LaMarcus to C, and all we need to do is acquire Kevin Durant somehow and we'll be where we would've been if we'd've got the second pick instead of the first in the lottery back then. That's a heartening thought.

We'd still have Oden, even if we had picked second.

 

[Rhal]

We'd still have Oden, even if we had picked second.

So Seattle would have picked Durant with the #1? Pretty sure the only team that would have picked Durant #1 was Orlando. Thats all in the past though, we got Oden and were stuck with him and we better keep his ass regardless of what he wants!

 

[Ed O]

We'd still have Oden, even if we had picked second.

That's silly. Revisionism and silliness.

Ed O.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Bargs supposedly wants out of Toronto. I wouldn't give up anything of actual value for him, but.....

How about a challenge trade: our loser #1 pick for their loser #1 pick. At least we get a young, fairly healthy body out of it.

Not just no, but FUCK NO!

If you amputated both of Oden's legs above the knees he'd still be a better rebounder and defender than Andrea Bargnani.

BNM

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Not just no, but FUCK NO!

If you amputated both of Oden's legs above the knees he'd still be a better rebounder and defender than Andrea Bargnani.

BNM

 

[maxiep]

I'm riding Oden like Slim Pickens on a nuclear bomb.

 

[barfo]

I want no part of Bargs. A softer person then LMA 2009 who picks up like 5 rebounds a game... ya i'll pass.

So you are saying he's two years away from being a stud? Maybe we better take him.

barfo

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Not to beat a dead horse but one Toronto Blogger speculates Portland is one of the teams the Raptors are likely to talk to regarding Bargnani.

Portland: Portland has been ravaged by injuries and plagued by poor offensive production, three point shooting and a lack of healthy quality big men. Bargnani can certainly help with all three of these deficiencies and could definitely help Portland extend its playoff runs. I have consistently mentioned that Portland has an abundance of assets, expiring contracts, and young prospects such as Fernandez and Mathews and could even sign and trade Greg Oden. As mentioned in previous issues, there could be interest in the Raptors other assets in Barbosa and Jose and thus there could be a deal here involving multiple Raptor players.

LINK​

 

[Nikolokolus]

I'm riding Oden like Slim Pickens on a nuclear bomb.

At least Slim got the big payoff with a thermonuclear detonation ... I fear all you may get is a very loud thud and cloud of dust.

 

[ppilot]

Just read the Memphis bit on Oden....why would Greg feel betrayed by the trailblazers? If he is talking about possibly being rushed back by the medical staff then I could understand, but the franchise has been pretty supportive of him despite all the injuries.

 

[maxiep]

At least Slim got the big payoff with a thermonuclear detonation ... I fear all you may get is a very loud thud and cloud of dust.

That's the chance we take. GO is high beta at this point.

 

[Rhal]

Not to beat a dead horse but one Toronto Blogger speculates Portland is one of the teams the Raptors are likely to talk to regarding Bargnani.

LINK​

I'd much rather keep Oden then S&T him for Bargnani. If we permanently move Aldridge to center it is more intriguing but i'd still rather keep Oden.

 

[Nikolokolus]

That's the chance we take. GO is high beta at this point.

In a hard cap environment? Oof.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

In a hard cap environment? Oof.

lol, doom and gloom

 

[maxiep]

In a hard cap environment? Oof.

We don't know what the CBA landscape will look like yet. I'm sure Oden's risk/reward envelope will be repriced accordingly.

 

[ebott]

So the fix to the Oden situation is to play LaMarcus at center?

That's like saying the fix to my bad AM radio reception is to sell my car.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

So the fix to the Oden situation is to play LaMarcus at center?

That's like saying the fix to my bad AM radio reception is to sell my car.

It's more like saying the fix is to stop listening to AM radio because it will always suck.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Not to beat a dead horse but one Toronto Blogger speculates Portland is one of the teams the Raptors are likely to talk to regarding Bargnani.

LINK​

So, Toronto guy suggests that we might want Jose and Bargs? Hmm--they make a combined $17.5M this year and are owed a combined $60M on the remainders of their contracts. If they're interested in salary reduction, I wouldn't be averse to a deal involving Camby+filler for those two.

 

[Nikolokolus]

lol, doom and gloom

What "doom and gloom?" That's what the owners are pushing for. If we're going to talk about the team and the way it's put together we might as well discuss it within the framework that is likely to govern the league no?