Blazers to-do list.........

[donkiez]

Nate's system is designed to make on-trick ponies like Outlaw and Blake look half-way decent because all they were asked to do is catch and shoot from behind the arc, but if we're going to talk about complexity and maximizing the offensive talent of his most gifted and versatile players then forget about it.

What about Roy? Before his knees went out Nate's system seemed to maximize his potential. Some may argue that it was at the expense of the team but we constantly exceeded expectations (injurys considered) and he was our premier and most gifted offensive talent.

 

[Nikolokolus]

What about Roy? Before his knees went out Nate's system seemed to maximize his potential. Some may argue that it was at the expense of the team but we constantly exceeded expectations (injurys considered) and he was our premier and most gifted offensive talent.

You think designing an offense around isolation basketball takes an offensive guru? Nate had in hand one of the best (if slow) one-on-one scorers in the game before his knees went to hell and he ran everything through him. But as you pointed out in the part I bolded, yes it made Roy look very good and it added some regular season victories, but it also stunted LMA's growth, Nic's growth, etc.

Roy-ball was an ultimately "high-floor, low-ceiling" approach designed mostly for grinding out regular season victories against inferior and average opponents, but one that also had no real shot of getting this team very far into the playoffs. Good teams (ie. playoff teams) know how to take away what you do best and force ancillary players to beat them. If Nate had ever spent any serious time trying to get guys to play cohesively as a unit with balanced scoring, ball-movement and player movement it would have made it much more difficult for a good defensive team to key on one player and completely upset the game plan.

Nate's been coach for what, six years? Does anybody seriously believe he's suddenly going to stop playing snail-ball, predicated on isolation? Even LaMarcus was mostly playing in isolation from the post last year with Brandon out. It's a bad brand of basketball, we deserve better.

 

[THE HCP]

Greg Oden's agent, Mike Conley, says Oden is still not cleared for scrimmaging and basketball-related activities that have any contact.

 

[oldmangrouch]

In no particular order: upgrade the center, PG and SG position.

Matthews is just a placeholder; Camby and Felton barely qualify as even that.

This team needs a dramatic influx of talent.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

In no particular order: upgrade the center, PG and SG position.

Matthews is just a placeholder; Camby and Felton barely qualify as even that.

This team needs a dramatic influx of talent.

I'd totally focus on getting LMA an upgrade at PG.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Btw, I think we could put together a solid offer:

* Nicolas Batum's stint in Europe surely has helped his stock.
* Joel Freeland is probably the best all-around PF/C in Europe right now, and only 24 years old.
* Gerald Wallace EC
* Marcus Camby EC
* Wesley Matthews
* Ray Felton

 

[cdub503]

I'd totally focus on getting LMA an upgrade at PG.

now how do we get chris paul.....

 

[julius]

Btw, I think we could put together a solid offer:

* Nicolas Batum's stint in Europe surely has helped his stock.
* Joel Freeland is probably the best all-around PF/C in Europe right now, and only 24 years old.
* Gerald Wallace EC
* Marcus Camby EC
* Wesley Matthews
* Ray Felton

Isn't Wallace a player option, and not an expiring contract?

 

[WillG]

Wholeheartedly agree with Niks post above.

Some fans eyes will be opened once we are running a different brand of basketball. They'll look back and finally see the McMillan system shortcomings.

I rejoiced upon hearing we were finally going to have a season, and unfortunately it was dampened once I remembered who will be running the show.

Still, pupmped to finally see Greg back on the court.

 

[HailBlazers]

As always, different outlooks produce different perceived needs, unlike most you guys ^, I think we'll be more than fine.

To-Do

a. Get everyone 100% b. Get in Shape (Gonna be a long fast season) c. Get some more beef ( Real PF, and/or another C )

Accomplish those things, and this Team will be solid.

Felton/Smith/Roy
Mathews/Batum/Roy
Wallace/Batum
LMA / Camby / (Laundry, Powe, ? )
Oden / Camby / (Przybilla, Chandler, Dalembert)

Establish who the backup PG is.

Defiantly up on the to-do list, but can only happen in time. I'm betting that Smith will surprise everyone, thanks to his incredible work ethic and maturity. However, still up in the air as if he can play point. Should be interesting to see though, I think he could be a Brandon Roy like dark horse. Would have never said that before the summer, but after what I've seen and heard my perspective has changed.

Does anybody seriously believe he's suddenly going to stop playing snail-ball, predicated on isolation? Even LaMarcus was mostly playing in isolation from the post last year with Brandon out. It's a bad brand of basketball, we deserve better.

Maybe... As I see it, once the front-court is solidified (Oden and Crew), LMA can focus on Offense (Tim Duncan-esque), and the isolation will work. Bout Damn time we figured out that LMA is the go-to guy and not Roy. Ever notice how Timmy often takes the defense side of the court off? Well that's the key to him being so sharp all the time, and that's what LMA, our Portland superstar, needs most. Last year he played the second most minutes in the NBA, as a F/C! That's amazing. Imagine if he could focus all that energy on offense = unstoppable, no matter how predictable. AND, the rotations/ball movement will come thanks to the ever demanding double teams on Lamarcus and Greg. Furthermore, if the burden of defense is taken off LMA, I can see us getting a lot more rebounds, steals and fast-breaks to push the tempo.

 

[WillG]

Notice a lot of people are including Roy in future plans for the roster.

Do you really think he'll still be here with the opportunity to use the Houston clause on him?

 

[HailBlazers]

Yes I know Paul Allen will keep him, for sure this year.. It's just like Oden, PA's come to far to give up on him now.

If we can (?) put it off a year I could possibly see him doing that, since G-Wall doesn't expire till then.

 

[WillG]

Hmm, I can see the viewpoint, but I was thinking they would jump at the cap relief, and the flexibility that comes with it.

 

[HailBlazers]

Many owners/GM's would, but we have Paul Allen and no GM to speak of

 

[WillG]

True. The firing of Cho and Pritchad/Penn before Nate speaks volumes

Suppose the Blazers = Expect the unexpected.

Crazy Vulcans

 

[WillG]

As much as love these two guys, I believe the best move would be to use the clause on BRoy(15-16mil) freeing his contract from the cap, and then trying to unload Cambys' deal(11mil) in a trade for someone younger, hopefully a young banger C or PF. (A decision/choice of the brain and not the heart)

The cap relief would be around 26mil with just those two players gone, which would give the Blazers much more options going forward.

 

[THE HCP]

How 'bout TJ Ford as a backup PG?

 

[HailBlazers]

The cap relief would be around 26mil with just those two players gone, which would give the Blazers much more options going forward.

If we could get a Nene, Chandler, or a West and another Guard that would be awesome, but it seems IMO a lot to shuffle around for a non-sure bet.

 

[WillG]

HCP, rather than sign TJ Ford, I'd like to see what Elliot Williams & Nolan Smith can bring to the court.

Williams is a relatively unknown comodity at this point, but could use his athleticism on the defensive side of the ball. ( Not to mention the dunks!)

Between Felton, Nolan Smith, Elliot Williams and Armon Johnson I'd think we would be set.
Could be worthwhile to package a couple of guys together to try and up the talent level though. . .

 

[WillG]

If we could get a Nene, Chandler, or a West and another Guard that would be awesome, but it seems IMO a lot to shuffle around for a non-sure bet.

I don't see it that way. For me the non sure bet is the status of Roys knees and Cambys ability to stay injury free.

I think letting them go and trying to get some younger, healthy bodies for the cap space will serve us better in the long run.

It would have to be a decision of the brain, albeit a painful one for the heart.

 

[WillG]

How 'bout TJ Ford as a backup PG?

I'd like to see what Elliot Williams can bring to the court.

 

[oldmangrouch]

The track record for college SGs who try to become NBA PGs is abysmal. I see no reason to believe Williams is the exception. Bayless, Sergio and Jack had more PG skills than Williams, and Nate didn't exactly do a stellar job developing them.