Any way you look at it, today is a watershed day for the franchise

[SodaPopinski]

If we make a deal or not, February 19, 2009, will be looked back upon as one of the most important dates that either brought us closer to a championship or pushed us further away. In five years, when some writer at The Oregonian is doing a timeline of major events over the last 8 years, this day will be included.

I happen to think that KP is making a GIANT mistake if he doesn't take advantage of this opportunity now. When we strike out this summer or next year on a trade, he'll regret it. But apparently he thinks that by the grace of God some miracle will happen this offseason where a team will be clamoring to offer us a perennial all-star for a pair of tube socks.

-Pop

 

[Ed O]

I don't agree.

We could make a huge splash this summer with cap space that would be eaten up by a deal we might have made today. Or we could not make a deal and the team could make it to the WCF and be one of the favorites to win it all next year no deal at all.

It's possible today is a great or terrible day, but it's not necessarily one.

Ed O.

 

[Tince]

What if KP doesn't make a move, and we win a championship with the group we have no. Or we make a major trade next year? Then will today be that important? We don't look back at the days we didn't trade SAR or Damon and say they were critical.

 

[MIXUM]

stop, this group couldnt win the final four.

aldridge is a 3rd option at best, our centers always hurt and teh rest are just average to below average talent.

sorry its the truth

 

[RoyToy]

Yes, the Blazers have weak spots on their team...just like every other team in the NBA.

 

[Tortimer]

stop, this group couldnt win the final four.

aldridge is a 3rd option at best, our centers always hurt and teh rest are just average to below average talent.

sorry its the truth

If this is true it wouldn't help who we got not even Lebron could help that group of bums.

 

[Tince]

stop, this group couldnt win the final four.

aldridge is a 3rd option at best, our centers always hurt and teh rest are just average to below average talent.

sorry its the truth

Tough to win the final four when you're not in the NCAA.

 

[e_blazer]

There's just no way for any of us to know with any certainty the significance of not making a trade today. We don't know what other teams were really willing to do, what we would have had to give up, and whether there are other opportunities that the Blazers have gamed for next summer.

I do know that KP has always held up the Spurs model of three stars and a bunch of supporting players as the one he favors. He's talked about competing, but being able to keep the budget within reason. The Blazers are committed to Roy, Aldridge and Oden, and those three guys will likely be near max contract players. That doesn't leave a lot of room for taking on a long term contract in exchange for Raef's ending deal.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I don't agree.

We could make a huge splash this summer with cap space that would be eaten up by a deal we might have made today. Or we could not make a deal and the team could make it to the WCF and be one of the favorites to win it all next year no deal at all.

It's possible today is a great or terrible day, but it's not necessarily one.

Ed O.

Won't that cap space be eaten up by the shrinking cap number anyway?

 

[TradeNurkicNow]

stop, this group couldnt win the final four.

aldridge is a 3rd option at best, our centers always hurt and teh rest are just average to below average talent.

sorry its the truth

man you sure like a shitty team.

 

[Ed O]

Won't that cap space be eaten up by the shrinking cap number anyway?

Maybe. Look at Brian's "Cap Space primer" for more deets. We still can use our cap space to SOME effect, though, and it's possible that a deal could be just what we need.

I'm not saying it's probable, just that today being a certain make-or-break day isn't accurate.

Ed O.

 

[SodaPopinski]

We could make a huge splash this summer with cap space that would be eaten up by a deal we might have made today. Or we could not make a deal and the team could make it to the WCF and be one of the favorites to win it all next year no deal at all.

So then wouldn't you concede that today was a watershed day in that we didn't compromise our future by making a deal now? Because, according to your possibilities, neither of those could happen if we made a deal today.

I happen to disagree with those possibilities, but I'll concede they could happen and that this day will still be reflected on as a major date in that we didn't make a deal.

-Pop

 

[hasoos]

Yea but the feeling I get right now is this team losing a lot of momentum. Teams aren't as willing to deal with KP it seems. He hasn't shown any record of ability to bring in established talent to augment what we have. I believe when your starting SF goes down with injury, most GM's would go out and get a guy to shore up the team until your starter gets back. We didn't even see that. Besides the occasional "good game" Batum is not ready yet, barely ready for bench duty, or spot defender duty. So it is a bit deflating.

The facts are Brandon Roy is having to carry too heavy of a load for this team, and it's going to hurt his career durability, as it has shortened his nba seasons every year.

The facts are that some players have pretty much displayed what they are going to bring to the league. Outlaw has been in the league 5 years now. Sergio hasn't shown improvement from his first year. Channing Frye has completely lost his confidence. (Which is a bummer because I like Charmin).

I still have confidence in several team members to step up and play, but there are some huge glaring holes on this team which could have been filled, and he missed an opportunity. That is what it was, an opportunity. Hopefully it won't be one we look back in and lament for a decade.

 

[Ed O]

So then wouldn't you concede that today was a watershed day in that we didn't compromise our future by making a deal now? Because, according to your possibilities, neither of those could happen if we made a deal today.

I happen to disagree with those possibilities, but I'll concede they could happen and that this day will still be reflected on as a major date in that we didn't make a deal.

Maybe this flow chart will clear things up.

The first scenario seems to be what you're implying.

In the second, more complicated, scenario, only the black-outlined outcomes would have us look back at today as a watershed.

Ed O.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I heart Ed.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Heckuva chart. Was that powerpoint rangering, or did you use something spiffy?

 

[tlongII]

Bake it!

 

[MIXUM]

yah bake it..... bring teh cake to another lotto party where we will all hear "the blazers might make a trade"

then we end up with another potential guy

 

[anonymous gambler]

stop, this group couldnt win the final four.

aldridge is a 3rd option at best, our centers always hurt and teh rest are just average to below average talent.

sorry its the truth

How about Roy?

 

[andalusian]

How about Roy?

Mixum is saving a Roy rant for the sweep week rating. Can't let all the good material go at once.

 

[Ed O]

Heckuva chart. Was that powerpoint rangering, or did you use something spiffy?

Visio ftw.



Ed O.

 

[Sinobas]

stop, this group couldnt win the final four.

aldridge is a 3rd option at best, our centers always hurt and teh rest are just average to below average talent.

sorry its the truth

I have to agree with you. Oden and Joel are very good roleplayers, Roy is a top 10 NBA talent, and LaMarcus, on balance is an above average starter.....but our supporting cast, which some tout as being so talented and deep really isn't all that great.

Some people think that if we stay pat, we're going to develop into a dynasty, but it looked the same way for the Baby Bulls to. We might just have an all-star, a few good role players and a bunch of scrubs. We've greatly over-achieved this year because of Roy's heroics.

 

[MrJayremmie]

I think we are counting on Batum/Bayless developing, and odds are they are both going to end up as extremely good players in my eyes as they have both shown flashes of exactly what we need at both positions.

I think for me, i'd rather put that lineup on the floor and let them grow together, like someone said in his article I read... I think Quick said it, and then Henderson (IDK if that is his name exactly) had one of his points that he thinks the Blazers should do is commit to Bayless, and I agree. I think it will pay off in the future, since its obvious we are still thinking about the future more than the present.

 

[SodaPopinski]

I think we are counting on Batum/Bayless developing, and odds are they are both going to end up as extremely good players in my eyes as they have both shown flashes of exactly what we need at both positions.

I think for me, i'd rather put that lineup on the floor and let them grow together, like someone said in his article I read... I think Quick said it, and then Henderson (IDK if that is his name exactly) had one of his points that he thinks the Blazers should do is commit to Bayless, and I agree. I think it will pay off in the future, since its obvious we are still thinking about the future more than the present.

-Pop

 

[andalusian]

We have forever wanted good prospects in the PG and SF positions - now that we have them in B-Rex and Batum - it would have been silly to remove them. My gut feeling is that KP did not get any offer for a player he really targeted that did not require moving these 2 from the roster - so he passed.

 

[HailBlazers]

This Thread


Trade Deadline has passed. Will someone please go outside to make sure the sky is still up there?

 

[Miksaid]

LOL a flowchart rebuttal. Awesome post.

 

[PapaG]

Maybe this flow chart will clear things up.

The first scenario seems to be what you're implying.

In the second, more complicated, scenario, only the black-outlined outcomes would have us look back at today as a watershed.

Ed O.

Ha! Awesome. Repped!