Blazers Sign Cliff Alexander

[oldmangrouch]

What can I say. There is only so much blind faith to go around - and my supply is exhausted trying to believe in CJ/Leonard/Vonleh. I have none left over for guys like Harkless or Alexander.

 

[magnifier661]

And despite all the nit-picks, they got drafted and Alexander didn't.

Since the team got him for free, I don't really care....I just don't get the enthusiasm.

I could almost guarantee that if he played one more year in college, he would be a top 5 pick. He is physically gifted and can be an amazing rim protector. I want us to be physical. I want our team cut from a different cloth of all the other teams.

 

[magnifier661]

Alexander was buried behind upperclassmen by a coach who is generally loathe to play freshmen, even when he routinely performs than the older guys. Had his coach actually allowed him to play the minutes his performance deserved, there would likely have been a different result.

Nate McMillian is coaching in Kansas????!?!?!?!

 

[PtldPlatypus]

There is only so much blind faith to go around - and my supply is exhausted trying to believe in CJ/Leonard/Vonleh.

Nothing "blind" about faith in those cats; they've already shown us something to believe in. They're all going to be very good--no doubt.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Nate McMillian is coaching in Kansas????!?!?!?!

Hey--Nate started Batum over Trout, started Roy from day 1, moved LA into the starting lineup shortly into his rookie year, and gave Rudy significant minutes from the get go. Bill Self is several notches above McMillan in terms of stunting young players' growth.

 

[MarAzul]

Wow, I guess Wes and Dame aren't the only petulant ones. You're whining like a child who didn't get the Christmas presents he wanted.

Blame the front office all you want, but the fact is that last year's team's dissolution of primarily attributable to a fickle forward not feeling appreciated enough despite every effort being made to placate him.

If you honestly think the team would have been better off bringing everyone else back after Tex's departure...well we'll just have to agree to disagree. But your suggestion that optimistic Blazer are happy with mediocrity is simply ludicrous.

Unlike you, some of us see the new acquisitions as building blocks to bring us to the point we all want to be. Yes, we know that the team is not a championship contender this year. But I (and many others) believe that the team is better positioned to build a contender now than they would have been had they overpaid to keep Rolo and Wes.

Wow! You are incapable of grasping the point. Well I am happy for you that you are happy with what you get. I am very sure you will get more of it.

 

[MarAzul]

Hey--Nate started Batum over Trout, started Roy from day 1, moved LA into the starting lineup shortly into his rookie year, and gave Rudy significant minutes from the get go. Bill Self is several notches above McMillan in terms of stunting young players' growth.

Wow! Now you're defending McMillan? Geez, you have alway been happy with what you get, hey?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Wow! Now you're defending McMillan? Geez, you have alway been happy with what you get, hey?

Was anything I said in that post inaccurate?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Wow! You are incapable of grasping the point. Well I am happy for you that you are happy with what you get. I am very sure you will get more of it.

Why don't you try one more time to succinctly articulate the point you claim I'm incapable of grasping? I'd like to see if it's something that is actually too esoteric for me, if it's something you haven't elucidated clearly, or if it's simply an opinion with which I happen to disagree.

 

[MarAzul]

Nope. No need, anybody happy with McMillan does not have the capacity to see the problem.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Nope. No need, anybody happy with McMillan does not have the capacity to see the problem.

Perhaps you've inhaled too much wood stain; your reading comprehension needs to be fine tuned. Did I say that I was happy with Nate? Not quite. But I do so enjoy your feeble attempts at insulting my intelligence. May I see some more, please?

 

[MarAzul]

I do so enjoy your feeble attempts at insulting my intelligence.

No no no. There was no such attempt. I always thought you were intelligent guy, that is why I am surprised to see you have blinders.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

No no no. There was no such attempt. I always thought you were intelligent guy, that is why I am surprised to see you have blinders.

Well, comments such as "incapable of grasping the point" and "does not have the capacity to see the problem" certainly imply a presumed level of mental incompetence, wouldn't you think?

By the way, do you realize how arrogant you sound when you suggest that someone who possesses a different perspective than you "has blinders"? Perhaps you need to edge a little bit from the "J" end of the spectrum and join me on the "P" side.

 

[MarAzul]

Perhaps you need to edge a little bit from the "J" end of the spectrum and join me on the "P" side.

Ha! Well I am a "P". That is why it took so very long to see that that your judgement was impair with homer blinders. Perhaps my high reqard for your intelligence also
delayed my closure on the matter, but today your failure to grasp a point forced the issue.

I will close my discussion on this today with the observation, the Blazers let Lamarcus walk, a highly valuable assets for which they gained nothing. It wouldn't be quite so bad
to not receive any compensation, if they at least gained some knowledge as to why he wanted out, along with several of his teammates, but they apparently did not.
It appears, we will go into next season with a new squad, but the same faults that brought down the last team.

 

[magnifier661]

Ha! Well I am a "P". That is why it took so very long to see that that your judgement was impair with homer blinders. Perhaps my high reqard for your intelligence also
delayed my closure on the matter, but today your failure to grasp a point forced the issue.

I will close my discussion on this today with the observation, the Blazers let Lamarcus walk, a highly valuable assets for which they gained nothing. It wouldn't be quite so bad
to not receive any compensation, if they at least gained some knowledge as to why he wanted out, along with several of his teammates, but they apparently did not.
It appears, we will go into next season with a new squad, but the same faults that brought down the last team.

Explain to me how Olshey was gonna convince ownership and the fan base to trade Aldridge immediately after we made it further in the playoffs than any other team since 2000?

Explain to me how Olshey would convince us to trade Aldridge before last year's deadline, when we were top 5 in both offense and defense and battling for the 2nd spot in the West?

Explain to me how Olshey would convince us to trade Aldridge, 2 years ago?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Ha! Well I am a "P". That is why it took so very long to see that that your judgement was impair with homer blinders. Perhaps my high reqard for your intelligence also
delayed my closure on the matter, but today your failure to grasp a point forced the issue.

I will close my discussion on this today with the observation, the Blazers let Lamarcus walk, a highly valuable assets for which they gained nothing. It wouldn't be quite so bad to not receive any compensation, if they at least gained some knowledge as to why he wanted out, along with several of his teammates, but they apparently did not. It appears, we will go into next season with a new squad, but the same faults that brought down the last team.

For a self-proclaimed "P", those conclusions are not supported by perception. We don't know why he wanted out; we don't know if management knew why; we don't know if management did everything they could to address his concerns; and we don't know if the same faults that brought down the last team persist. Those are all judgments you have made based purely on speculation, not observation.

 

[chzbrgr]

Ha! Well I am a "P". That is why it took so very long to see that that your judgement was impair with homer blinders. Perhaps my high reqard for your intelligence also
delayed my closure on the matter, but today your failure to grasp a point forced the issue.

I will close my discussion on this today with the observation, the Blazers let Lamarcus walk, a highly valuable assets for which they gained nothing. It wouldn't be quite so bad
to not receive any compensation, if they at least gained some knowledge as to why he wanted out, along with several of his teammates, but they apparently did not.
It appears, we will go into next season with a new squad, but the same faults that brought down the last team.

How the hell can you possibly know we will have the same faults when our roster is 90% different than it was the year previous. Jesus the same ol sob story how we didnt get anything for LMA how were all just failures rooting for a loser no free agents wanna come here and blah blah blah this is beyond beating a dead horse at this point.

Intelligent fans understand and empathize with whats going on doesnt mean were happy about it but we understand, you obviously do not, so pick another team to follow or shut the hell up.

 

[MarAzul]

For a self-proclaimed "P", those conclusions are not supported by perception. We don't know why he wanted out; we don't know if management knew why; we don't know if management did everything they could to address his concerns; and we don't know if the same faults that brought down the last team persist. Those are all judgments you have made based purely on speculation, not observation.

Gosh! To hear you tell it, you know damn little. I know they have the same fault because they have not changed it.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Gosh! To hear you tell it, you know damn little. I know they have the same fault because they have not changed it.

And how can you know if they've changed it unless you know what said fault is?

 

[blue9]

One of the biggest faults of the team was that it was built around a low-efficiency PF as the primary scoring option. That's a pretty major fault that's been changed!

 

[Duckhook]

How the hell can you possibly know we will have the same faults when our roster is 90% different than it was the year previous. Jesus the same ol sob story how we didnt get anything for LMA how were all just failures rooting for a loser no free agents wanna come here and blah blah blah this is beyond beating a dead horse at this point.

Intelligent fans understand and empathize with whats going on doesnt mean were happy about it but we understand, you obviously do not, so pick another team to follow or shut the hell up.

Well said chzbrgr. It's amazing how brazen armchair coaches/managers can be with hindsight on their side. Four months ago people would have crucified Olshey at the thought of trading LMA for assets. Who could have foreseen a March 5th achilles tear?

We're going to have to allow the process to manifest itself to see how this teams gels moving forward.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Back on topic......

In response to Barfo, I'd like to say...
I LOVE players with yellow/red flags.

Clyde Drexler had red flags (he couldn't shoot)
Terry Porter had red flags.
Jerome Kersey had red flags.
Duckworth had red flags.
Sabonis had red flags.
Roy had red flags.
Wes had red flags.
Batum had red flags.
.........................................................

If a player doesn't have red flags of some sort, then they are priced out of our market. So, I love players with red flags. These flags allow rival GMs to get nervous and pass them up, allowing us to swoop in and pick them up at a discount.

In this case, we get a top talent for what is essentially zero. He does take up a roster spot, and has a minuscule salary. So yes, I'm excited by Alexander.

 

[tlongII]

Explain to me how Olshey was gonna convince ownership and the fan base to trade Aldridge immediately after we made it further in the playoffs than any other team since 2000?

Explain to me how Olshey would convince us to trade Aldridge before last year's deadline, when we were top 5 in both offense and defense and battling for the 2nd spot in the West?

Explain to me how Olshey would convince us to trade Aldridge, 2 years ago?

Olshey didn't need to convince us. Only ownership. There were at least a couple of posters here that saw LMA's departure coming. Why didn't Olshey?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I think the D League affiliate is playing in Portland this year.

Oh nice! That'll make it a bit more worthwhile. I might go to a game if it's cheap.

 

[magnifier661]

Olshey didn't need to convince us. Only ownership. There were at least a couple of posters here that saw LMA's departure coming. Why didn't Olshey?

Wrong... There wasn't a single poster that had substantial evidence that LMA was leaving. And I suspect Aldridge was down to resign up until Matthew's injury. There is no reason he would play through an injury unless he was committed.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Hey--Nate started Batum over Trout, started Roy from day 1, moved LA into the starting lineup shortly into his rookie year, and gave Rudy significant minutes from the get go. Bill Self is several notches above McMillan in terms of stunting young players' growth.

Nate started Trout over Batum until Roy demanded Batum start.

 

[MarAzul]

shut the hell up.

You talkin to me?

 

[MarAzul]

One of the biggest faults of the team was that it was built around a low-efficiency PF as the primary scoring option. That's a pretty major fault that's been changed!

I think we will get to see just how accurate your dislike of Lamarcus is. If you are correct then Pop and the Spurs are even more fucked up than the Blazers.
You won't need to remind me of your correctness if Aldridge is a flop in Texas. I will sing your praises on early evidence.

 

[MarAzul]

Explain to me how Olshey was gonna convince ownership and the fan base to trade Aldridge immediately after we made it further in the playoffs than any other team since 2000?

Explain to me how Olshey would convince us to trade Aldridge before last year's deadline, when we were top 5 in both offense and defense and battling for the 2nd spot in the West?

Explain to me how Olshey would convince us to trade Aldridge, 2 years ago?

Naw Mags, I can't explain any of your questions, But I can say, I expect managers to succeed or leave. Good excuses for failure just piss me off.

Two questions I would like to have you or anyone else answer. 1. Why do the Spurs think they can be sucessfully with Lamarcus where the Blazers blew the chance.
2. Why did Lamarcus want to leave? It can't be for money, so it must be for success. Then why the Spurs instead of the Blazers?

For my part, I think Lamarcus is probably right in his assesment, I don't think he thinks success is possible here like it can be in San Antonio. Can you telll us why that might be true?

 

[blue9]

I think we will get to see just how accurate your dislike of Lamarcus is. If you are correct then Pop and the Spurs are even more fucked up than the Blazers.
You won't need to remind me of your correctness if Aldridge is a flop in Texas. I will sing your praises on early evidence.

Sadly I think Pops is the one coach who MIGHT be able to make LMA a worthwhile player. That doesn't matter, because it was NEVER gonna happen here. Just because LMA MIGHT succeed in a world class organization such as the Spurs - where players take massive pay cuts in order to build a great roster - doesn't mean we should be upset that he left.

And as great as Pops is, I still have serious doubts that he can turn LMA into a franchise player. The way I see it is that LMA will have to take a back seat to Leonard once the old guard retires. Wonder how he'll like that!