As they Stand (some thoughts about the Blazers)

[Minstrel]

Babbitt's strengths: basketball IQ, creating his own shot. Weaknesses, athleticism, defense.

His measurables suggest he's quite athletic. He may not have played a highly athletic game in college, but neither did Roy...which led Roy to be undervalued in the draft, it seems. It's good to know that Babbitt does have explosive athleticism in reserve though. If he learns to use it to his advantage in the NBA, he could very well be a steal where he was drafted.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Ya. I remember also reading an article last year about Roy going to Nate to let him know he wanted the ball more in the 4th. Then making comments after a loss that he needed to have the ball more for the team to be more successful. It was about that time we started seeing so many ISO's.

Roy is a very good player, but IMO, he won't be great until he starts trusting his teammates more

And learns to play off the ball.

One of the hurdles this team is facing, is that Roy sometimes seems to think he is on the same level with Kobe/LeBron/Wade. Self confidence is a wonderful thing....up to a point. Somebody needs to give Roy a reality check, and I'm afraid Nate isn't that guy.

 

[Ed O]

Re: Babbitt: I'd really like it if all of the possessions that are going to Pendergraph on the block were instead given to Babbitt. I don't think we start out 0-10 against the Clippers if we hadn't been trying to get Pendergraph to score against DeAndre Jordan, and having him block Jeff's shot FIVE TIMES. This team should either be scoring in transition or giving it to Babbitt just to see what happens. Hell, they've been running Mills off screens - can't they do the same for Babbitt?

Pendergraph needs to keep working on his towel-waving. THAT might be a way he can dominate summer league.

Ed O.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Here's how I would place it:

PG: Miller, Mills, Johnson
SG: Roy, Rudy, Matthews, Bayless, Williams
SF: Batum, Cunningham, Babbitt
PF: LA, Pendy
C: Oden, Camby, Godzilla

Really? You would place Rudy and Mills that highly in the rotation nevermind the fact that Rudy doesn't want to be here plus the fact that they just paid Matthews the full MLE and Mills is a turnover machine.

But hey, who doesn't need 4 backup shooting guards, that's going to be fun

If anything I think you've just perfectly illustrated just how imbalanced this roster really is and how ripe it is for a major consolidation trade -- let's pray to god they're able to get something together sooner rather than later.

 

[B-Roy]

But hey, who doesn't need 4 backup shooting guards, that's going to be fun

But it really works for the Wolves!

 

[THE HCP]

Here's how I would place it:

PG: Miller, Mills, Johnson
SG: Roy, Rudy, Matthews, Bayless, Williams
SF: Batum, Cunningham, Babbitt
PF: LA, Pendy
C: Oden, Camby, Godzilla

You are right on but I believe whether people think he is a "true" PG or not, Bayless is the back up point guard!

 

[THE HCP]

But it really works for the Wolves!

Is the green typing something new that I didn't get the memo about?

 

[Idog1976]

Glad to see all the reasonable criticism of Roy. He's the best player we've had since the Glide. That said his ego is larger then his game. If Roy is interested in being a true leader he needs to work with other players (Oden) and be willing to work on the only holes in his game.

His three ball needs work in certain situations and most importantly he needs to turn it up SEVERAL notches on defense. The guy could be all NBA third or second team on defense if he just applied the effort. He has had some of the most brilliant steals I've ever seen (usually after a TO or mistake on his part). He's also had some godlike clutch blocks against the likes of Joe Johnson and Carmello. I believe his biggest problem on defense is he is too tired from his offensive efforts.

This in turn goes back to a willingness to share the ball/glory on offense. If Roy learns to trust and work with Oden the sky is the limit for this team. He needs to develop a Kobe and Shaq attitude. Feed the big man and create when nothing else is available. If Roy wasn't so burnt out from ISO's I think his defensive effort might dramatically improve.

Until his defense improves he has no business comparing himself to LeBron or Kobe because he only brings half what they do. His offense I think is comparable. His defense not so much.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Wait...what?

You think we will the same number of games with or without Oden, Joel, Batum, Camby (and Roy for quite a few games)?

Weird.

I'm not looking at it like a fantasy team.

Roy doesn't like to play with Miller

Miller wants to get Oden involved, but Roy....and Nate for that matter, want him rebounding and defending

Aldridge isn't good enough to be a number 2 scorer on a very good team

We are extremely thin at the 3

Rudy will be bitching all year about playing time and not wanting to be in Portland

In reality we are thin at the 5 also because both Oden and Camby are injury prone, and Joel won't be back until MAYBE December.

This will come to a surprise to many, but I don't think Nate can coach a full team. I don't think he can handle the personalities.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I'm not looking at it like a fantasy team.

Roy doesn't like to play with Miller

Miller wants to get Oden involved, but Roy....and Nate for that matter, want him rebounding and defending

Aldridge isn't good enough to be a number 2 scorer on a very good team

We are extremely thin at the 3

Rudy will be bitching all year about playing time and not wanting to be in Portland

In reality we are thin at the 5 also because both Oden and Camby are injury prone, and Joel won't be back until MAYBE December.

This will come to a surprise to many, but I don't think Nate can coach a full team. I don't think he can handle the personalities.

Hmmm, you raise some valid concerns, but I do think that's a little bit of a worst case scenario for every variable. I'd expect some of those concerns to be true or become factors, but not everything.

In any case whomever takes the GM job is going to have his work cut out for him -- some really big decisions (and some minor ones) are going to need to be made before training camp, or the deadline at the latest.

Needs:
At least a real backup point guard (or longer term solution to Miller preferably).
A backup power forward if Cunningham and Pendergraph can't cut it.
Another proven shooter (James Jones?) to backup Nic in the event Babbitt isn't ready to contribute
Finding Rudy a new home without getting nothing in return
Clearing the logjam at backup shooting guard
Potentially moving Bayless before he rots on the bench and loses all value and becomes disgruntled because of a lack of a role

There's more, but those seem to be the most pressing problems or biggest questions I can think of.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Hmmm, you raise some valid concerns, but I do think that's a little bit of a worst case scenario for every variable. I'd expect some of those concerns to be true or become factors, but not everything.

In any case whomever takes the GM job is going to have his work cut out for him -- some really big decisions (and some minor ones) are going to need to be made before training camp, or the deadline at the latest.

Needs:
At least a real backup point guard (or longer term solution to Miller preferably).
A backup power forward if Cunningham and Pendergraph can't cut it.
Another proven shooter (James Jones?) to backup Nic in the even Babbitt isn't ready to contribute
Finding Rudy a new home without getting nothing in return
Clearing the logjam at backup shooting guard
Potentially moving Bayless before he rots on the bench and loses all value and becomes disgruntled because of a lack of a role

There's more, but those seem to be the most pressing problems or biggest questions I can think of.

I'm not sure how it can be worst case? All I did was point out things that were real. Other than Nate, which of course is only opinion. Maybe Rudy, but he's already bitching, so I think that has a good chance of happening

 

[Nikolokolus]

I'm not sure how it can be worst case? All I did was point out things that were real. Other than Nate, which of course is only opinion. Maybe Rudy, but he's already bitching, so I think that has a good chance of happening

I guess I tend to see certain things shaking themselves out "OK" with Roy and Miller, as they seemed to do better as the season wore on sharing playmaking duties. Oden could be coming off the bench for all we know and may need time to get fully re-integrated into anything resembling a prominent role with the offense. I think Matthews can probably play a little bit of backup 3 if needed (hopefully?). But like I said I think you raise some valid concerns.

Regardless, I think there's enough time to sort some of this stuff out ... will it get sorted before training camp? I guess we have to wait and see.

 

[LameR]

Most deserving of minutes IMO...
1. Roy/Aldridge (36ish)
2. Batum (32-36)
3. Oden (32)
4. Miller (24-30)

5. Camby (25)
6. Bayless (16-28)
7. Matthews (15-25)
8. Cunningham (10-15)

9. Johnson (5-10)
10. Pendergraph (0-8)
11. Babbitt (0-8)
12. Williams (0-8)
13. Joel (Injured for the first part of the season, filler after)
14. Mills (DNP-CD)
15. Rudy (traded)

Babbitt can easily change my mind come preseason though. If he steps up and starts shooting well, he can be our designated shooter off the bench (Rudy's former-role), unless Matthews takes hold of that spot. Obviously the minutes that I listed are rough estimates as if you total it it's a lot more than are available. I don't think we're in bad shape though. This hasn't been the most exciting off-season ever, but our team doesn't look bad by any means. The ever-present "if healthy" statement rings true when looking at our guys. Again, this is just how I see it right now, and it will undoubtedly change over the coming months.

 

[Masbee]

I would feel more comfortable with Marty's name on that list instead of Babbitt!!!!!!!

I would too. But, you know what, I have the feeling that Martell asked to be traded if they didn't see a big role for him going forward. They put him out there and got a trade they liked.

Babbitt is a rookie and none of us should expect much critical playing time for him. I think what the team is doing is tightening the wing rotation with the expectation that Batum will come back strong this season and gooble up more minutes there wasn't going to be enough non-injury minutes left over for Rudy and Webster behind Roy/Batum. With Rudy and (I think) Webster both asking for more minutes they both go out, replaced by Matthews.

 

[Masbee]

Here's how I would place it:

PG: Miller, Mills, Johnson
SG: Roy, Rudy, Matthews, Bayless, Williams
SF: Batum, Cunningham, Babbitt
PF: LA, Pendy
C: Oden, Camby, Godzilla

(Barring injuries) our best bigs are: LA, Oden and Camby. After that it isn't even close. Those guys will take up ALL of the important big minutes. Who comes after that is immaterial.

(Barring injuries) our best PGs are Miller, then big drop off to Bayless even as his current style of a combo-guard, then big drop off. Since Roy is a ball dominating guard he can be on the floor with a variety of types of guards. Could be Miller, Bayless or even Batum or Matthews. Thus, I see no important role for Mills or Johnson.

For the wing rotation, I assume Rudy is shipped out for a pick. Roy is the star, Batum is the young stud. After that I see Matthews rounding out the wing rotation. Forget the rookies. If Matthews is not impressive, then Cunningham may carve himself a nightly role as a backup forward.

I agree with your starting lineup. After that the important bench players when the team is 100% healthy are: Bayless, Matthews and Camby.

 

[LameR]

(Barring injuries) our best bigs are: LA, Oden and Camby. After that it isn't even close. Those guys will take up ALL of the important big minutes. Who comes after that is immaterial.

(Barring injuries) our best PGs are Miller, then big drop off to Bayless even as his current style of a combo-guard, then big drop off. Since Roy is a ball dominating guard he can be on the floor with a variety of types of guards. Could be Miller, Bayless or even Batum or Matthews. Thus, I see no important role for Mills or Johnson.

For the wing rotation, I assume Rudy is shipped out for a pick. Roy is the star, Batum is the young stud. After that I see Matthews rounding out the wing rotation. Forget the rookies. If Matthews is not impressive, then Cunningham may carve himself a nightly role as a backup forward.

I agree with your starting lineup. After that the important bench players when the team is 100% healthy are: Bayless, Matthews and Camby.

This!

 

[Natebishop3]

We desperately need a consolidation trade, now more than ever. We need to move Rudy and Bayless with Joel for something that will help us in the immediate. This team has the talent to compete, we just need to put it all together. I think we should target a veteran small forward. Giving up Bayless, Rudy, and Joel wouldn't hurt that badly with Matthews, Williams, and Johnson coming in.

This puts us at:

Miller/Johnson/Mills
Roy/Matthews/Williams
Prince/Batum/Babbitt
Aldridge/Pendergraph/Cunningham
Oden/Camby

Prince could either start or come off the bench. I think he's the perfect small forward to come in and mentor Batum. We don't give up much to get him, and he wouldn't have to log many minutes with Batum playing the bulk of the minutes at small forward. I would like to see Prince play 25ish minutes per game.

 

[Masbee]

This!

Ha! Now I see your post with your minutes breakdown. We both said the same thing in two different ways.

 

[Masbee]

Prince could either start or come off the bench. I think he's the perfect small forward to come in and mentor Batum. We don't give up much to get him, and he wouldn't have to log many minutes with Batum playing the bulk of the minutes at small forward. I would like to see Prince play 25ish minutes per game.

No thanks. I have no interest in Prince on this team.

I would MUCH rather use our many pieces on a PGOTF, or at the very least, a good backup big.

 

[B-Roy]

No thanks. I have no interest in Prince on this team.

I would MUCH rather use our many pieces on a PGOTF, or at the very least, a good backup big.

List the potential PGOTF's that are available.

 

[Nikolokolus]

List the potential PGOTF's that are available.

Pooh Jeter, Will Bynum, Earl Watson, Carlos Arroyo ... need I say more?

 

[B-Roy]

Pooh Jeter, Will Bynum, Earl Watson, Carlos Arroyo ... need I say more?

I'm jumping out of my seat in excitement...

 

[Nikolokolus]

I'm jumping out of my seat in excitement...

It's either that or jumping off the Fremont

 

[tlongII]

If we're healthy we win 60 games. At least. Our size is going to be too much for most teams to deal with. I expect no less than the WCF.

I'm not impressed with Babbitt. He's lucky he's a 1st round pick because I don't think he would make the team otherwise. He doesn't have NBA 3 point range and he was supposed to be a "shooter."

 

[tlongII]

Maybe Babbitt hsa NBA 3 range after all?

 

[Ed O]

Maybe Babbitt hsa NBA 3 range after all?

Haha. One good quarter obviously doesn't mean MUCH, but he was a very very good shooter in college and I expect him to have NBA three point range once he gets his feet under him (emotionally as well as physically).

Ed O.

 

[Natebishop3]

No thanks. I have no interest in Prince on this team.

I would MUCH rather use our many pieces on a PGOTF, or at the very least, a good backup big.

I just really don't see what we're gonna get for Rudy, Bayless, and Joel other than an aging vet with a big contract. I also disagree that we need a bigman. Right now, between Aldridge, Camby, and Oden, I don't see a lot of minutes for a decent player. Where is he going to find PT? Pendergraph and Cunningham are really are best options in that role.

I'm not sure that I believe the hype about adding Parker. I'll believe it when I see it. Rudy has shit for value right now, and I'm not sure that Joel's contract is really that enticing. Maybe it will be worth more at the deadline.

 

[Idog1976]

List the potential PGOTF's that are available.

Mike Conley Jr. and of course the ever popular Chris Paul/Darren Collison fantasy.

 

[Idog1976]

No thanks. I have no interest in Prince on this team.

I would MUCH rather use our many pieces on a PGOTF, or at the very least, a good backup big.

Yep T. Prince is way too old. MUCH rather shoot for a PG and barring that backup big like Varejao or another PF/C.

 

[Natebishop3]

Yep T. Prince is way too old. MUCH rather shoot for a PG and barring that backup big like Varejao or another PF/C.

He's 30. He's not THAT old. I think we get too caught up with age, and "the future." We need guys like Miller, Camby, and someone like Prince to help get us over the jump. We still have plenty of youth with Matthews, Williams, Babbitt, Batum, etc.

Who are we going to get at point guard?