Blazers In Search Of Shooting This Off-Season

[ABM]

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2010/06/trail_blazers_in_search_of_sho.html

The unsettled circumstances surrounding general manager Kevin Pritchard’s tenure with the Trail Blazers has generated the most confusion.

The news that an assistant coaching shake up is imminent on coach Nate McMillan’s staff has stimulated intrigue.

But as these distractions have stolen most of the limelight during this curious Blazers offseason, the team’s management staff has quietly continued preparing for the NBA draft and put in motion its plans to improve the roster heading into next season.

And while there seems little doubt that the Blazers would like to add depth at point guard and bulk at power forward, one area will guide most of what they do moving forward this summer: shooting.

“Nate likes shooters,” Pritchard said, grinning.....................

 

[Nikolokolus]

Assuming Oden is able to be productive on offense (or at all) next year, I agree that there will be a premium on shooters, especially with Rudy's imminent departure, Martell's yo-yo-like consistency, and Miller's less than stellar jumper. Unless we draft a guy like Paul George, the answers are far more likely to come through trade or free agency however.

 

[andalusian]

Maybe KP is trying to save his job by forgetting his "Culture first" mantra and going after Gilbert Arenas.

 

[hasoos]

Can you say JJ Reddick? I knew you could.

 

[illmatic99]

Maybe KP is trying to save his job by forgetting his "Culture first" mantra and going after Gilbert Arenas.

I wouldn't be opposed to that if we could get him for the right price and/or if they threw in incentives.

 

[andalusian]

I wouldn't be opposed to that if we could get him for the right price and/or if they threw in incentives.

That was a lame attempt at a joke about "shooting". I can't see any way the Blazers are taking on Arenas's monster contract if it does not come with John Wall attached to it.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Can you say JJ Reddick? I knew you could.

I'd be OK with Reddick. Mike Miller is intriguing as is Luke Ridnour ... though I suspect his career year shooting the ball was a bit of an outlier.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I can't wait for more of the ISO offense that gets our guys 23 footers with the shot clock winding down again.

 

[LittleAlex]

I can't wait for more of the ISO offense that gets our guys 23 footers with the shot clock winding down again.

Dude, that's what wins in this league.



At least in the regular season.

 

[B-Roy]

These two players shot pretty well from 3 last season, and they're free agents! Maybe we could get them?
-
Steve Blake
Travis Outlaw

 

[hasoos]

These two players shot pretty well from 3 last season, and they're free agents! Maybe we could get them?
-
Steve Blake
Travis Outlaw

And maybe I would have to go down to the Blazers office and leave a big steamy dump on their front step if that happened.

 

[LameR]

Can you say JJ Reddick? I knew you could.

Hopefully. Always liked him more than Morrison haha.

 

[The Professional Fan]

Can you say JJ Reddick? I knew you could.

I gained a ton of respect for Reddick's game during this season's playoff run for Orlando. I will admit that on several occasions I thought he would be one hell of an addition for the Blazers. Especially, obviously, if Oden can remain healthy.

 

[maxiep]

These two players shot pretty well from 3 last season, and they're free agents! Maybe we could get them?
-
Steve Blake
Travis Outlaw

I could see us re-signing Blake, especially if Nate has taken the upper hand on KP. IMO, however, TO is going to be a Hornet.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

Mike Miller would be an excellent acquisition and could be had cheap.

 

[jlprk]

That was a lame attempt at a joke about "shooting".

Now I get it! Thanks, I missed it. Now I know why the ESPN moderater didn't catch my subtle jokes and wants to hang me.

 

[Tince]

I can't wait for more of the ISO offense that gets our guys 23 footers with the shot clock winding down again.

Don't worry, even if that goes away, I'm confident you'll find something else to complain about!

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

I think it'd be smart if KP made a run at RFA Anthony Marrow!

 

[Nikolokolus]

I think it'd be smart if KP made a run at RFA Anthony Marrow!

That would certainly satisfy the "shooting" requirement. Maybe even work out a sign and trade with Rudy as the piece going back.

 

[Blaze01]

Redick, Korver, Morrow all make sense.....

reverse order for ease of actually signing them....

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Redick, Korver, Morrow all make sense.....

reverse order for ease of actually signing them....

Disagree on the ease of signing Morrow--I can't see the W's giving him up too easily. That said, I'd love to have him here.

 

[mook]

If you add "All Star" to "Shooter" you get Ray Allen. But after watching him for a few games in the finals, it's hard to imagine he's a "job-saving" type of acquisition.

Steve Nash still fits the bill, though. Can you imagine him feeding Oden and Aldridge on the pick and roll all game, kicking it out to Roy and Batum, and firing from three if you dare give him an inch? Droooooooool.

 

[LittleAlex]

If you add "All Star" to "Shooter" you get Ray Allen. But after watching him for a few games in the finals, it's hard to imagine he's a "job-saving" type of acquisition.

Steve Nash still fits the bill, though. Can you imagine him feeding Oden and Aldridge on the pick and roll all game, kicking it out to Roy and Batum, and firing from three if you dare give him an inch? Droooooooool.

On this team it would be far more easy to imagine him being forced to walk the ball up the floor then handing it off to B-Roy so Brandon can go one on five. Nash, meanwhile, wanders over to the corner to shoot the three if Brandon kicks the ball out.

Nash is a great players whose talents would be almost completely wasted on this Trailblazer team.

 

[Blaze01]

Disagree on the ease of signing Morrow--I can't see the W's giving him up too easily. That said, I'd love to have him here.

I totally disagree, he made what $1 million last year? I am sure they would love to have him back, but not if they had to shell out $4-5 mil+ to retain him....You look at thier roster and they are overloaded with wing players: Stephen Curry, Monta Ellis, Azibuike, Maggette...they have last years call up wonder in Reggie Williams, and CJ Watson as well... Where are the minutes for him? Heck, he griped about his minutes during the season this year as it is....

I am unconviced that GS is the type of team that will pay $4-5 million for a backup guard....history surely hasn't shown that to be the case.....

 

[handiman]

I love Morrow's shooting ability and mentality, but is there a worse perimeter defender in the league? I think even Nash is better... It's tough to find minutes for someone who is that big of a liability unless the rest of the guys play such good team defense that they can cover for him, and I'd say we're only average in that regard.

 

[Blaze01]

Well the problem is who could POR get that would better satisfy both needs?

Kyle Korver? not a noted defender either...

JJ Redick? Same, and all indications are that ORL will resign him, he made like $3.8mil last year, so a stretch to $5mil doesn't seem like a huge leap for ORL to make....

Mike Miller? he seems the best "all around" option to me, but I don't know enough about him defensively to tell whether he is a significant upgrade over Morrow....

There are a few other players out there, Randy Foye looks like he will be available as rumours are WAS will not tender him an offer, making him a UFA...I think he is an intriguing choice...

You got Raja Bell, certainly an upgrade defensively, but a downgrade offensively....but I would be worried that his age is catching up with him.....

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I totally disagree, he made what $1 million last year? I am sure they would love to have him back, but not if they had to shell out $4-5 mil+ to retain him....You look at thier roster and they are overloaded with wing players: Stephen Curry, Monta Ellis, Azibuike, Maggette...they have last years call up wonder in Reggie Williams, and CJ Watson as well... Where are the minutes for him? Heck, he griped about his minutes during the season this year as it is....

I am unconviced that GS is the type of team that will pay $4-5 million for a backup guard....history surely hasn't shown that to be the case.....

Loaded roster or not, he has probably been the best pure shooter in the league over the past two years. If GS is unwilling to pay 4-5M to keep him (even if as nothing more than trade bait), then they're idiots. Here's hoping you're right.