Broken Record: Upgrades needed at PG and C

[RoyToy]

Miller is nice, but his lack of outside shooting still kills the Blazers and he isn't great at pushing the tempo. Also getting old, will only get worse.

Camby....gives you absolutely 0 on offense. I mean this guy doesn't even dunk and his FG% shows it. He's also old and wearing down and his best days are behind him.

 

[craigehlo]

And SG. Wesley isn't cutting it as a starter.

 

[RoyToy]

2nd half of the season Camby's FG% was 30%. THIRTY FUCKING PERCENT.

He's best used as a backup at this point in his career.

 

[RoyToy]

And SG. Wesley isn't cutting it as a starter.

He's just a complimentary player so it isn't a huge deal if you have the right players around him.

What the team really needs is an upgrade at PG. The PG is going to be the one to run the show on this team with Roy being done as a franchise player.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

I hope Greg looks great this summer in his recovery so we could package him for a legit PG.

Oh, thanks for absolutely murdering your trade value Rudy! It went from throw in to can't give him away.

 

[RoyToy]

The team just really needs a dynamic ball handler that can get into the lane at will and make the defense react.

Oh, and a little defense on the perimeter would be nice.

 

[julius]

I think their issue is inconsistency from Nic, Wesley and really bad shooting from pretty much everyone.

No backup PF, no backup PG, players who can't create their own shots AND players who pretty much can't (or won't) do anything if their shots aren't falling.

All in all, one of the BIGGEST things that helped Dallas look as good as they did was having players who actually can hit shots from more than 2 feet out.

Jason Terry is wide open? 9 times out of 10, it's going in. Wesley Matthews wide open? 4 times out of 10 it's going in. If Portland had their own Jason Terry, instead of their own Derek Anderson, they could've won the series. But they don't, so they didn't. And won't.

Get some shooters. And by shooters I mean guys who actually already shoot good, and not players who will become decent shooters like Travis Outlaw.

Oh and make up your mind on Brandon Roy. I love what he's done for the franchise, but the dude needs to either be a spot up shooter off (ala Peja, etc) or just quit playing ball. 2 good games, even if one of them was a "holy shit" game, does not justify the playing time he gets.

And just let Rudy go. Dude was a waste of a roster spot once Roy came back. At least he gave effort, but I suspect that's because he wanted to be a good teammate and knows that'll help his came far more than pouting and whining.

 

[illmatic99]

This isn't about positions. What the playoffs have shown year after year is that star players and closers win. We don't really have one anymore. It was just fitting to watch Aldridge walk up to the line late in the fourth with the team down 4, shivering and nervous, and then eventually bricking two.

 

[RoyToy]

Yeah, not really convinced Aldridge has what it takes to be a true star. It's generally not something you just become after 5 years in the NBA.

And as true as it may be, he sure had to make it known just how tired he was this whole playoff series. We get that you've been overworked a little bit, but come on dude, no one wants to hear that in the playoffs. Makes it easy to perceive you as weak.

 

[Stevenson]

Look, Dallas has two future hall of famers and a former allstar, we have two sorta allstars. Game, set match Dallas.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

I think their issue is inconsistency from Nic, Wesley and really bad shooting from pretty much everyone.

No backup PF, no backup PG, players who can't create their own shots AND players who pretty much can't (or won't) do anything if their shots aren't falling.

All in all, one of the BIGGEST things that helped Dallas look as good as they did was having players who actually can hit shots from more than 2 feet out.



Jason Terry is wide open? 9 times out of 10, it's going in. Wesley Matthews wide open? 4 times out of 10 it's going in. If Portland had their own Jason Terry, instead of their own Derek Anderson, they could've won the series. But they don't, so they didn't. And won't.

Get some shooters. And by shooters I mean guys who actually already shoot good, and not players who will become decent shooters like Travis Outlaw.

Oh and make up your mind on Brandon Roy. I love what he's done for the franchise, but the dude needs to either be a spot up shooter off (ala Peja, etc) or just quit playing ball. 2 good games, even if one of them was a "holy shit" game, does not justify the playing time he gets.

And just let Rudy go. Dude was a waste of a roster spot once Roy came back. At least he gave effort, but I suspect that's because he wanted to be a good teammate and knows that'll help his came far more than pouting and whining.

I really like this post, lot of good stuff in it.

 

[Natebishop3]

I really don't think Miller was the problem. Wallace took too long to get going in the series. Aldridge didn't have the production that we had counted on, and our shooting guards were bordering on terrible. Roy had one really good game, Wes had one really good game, and Rudy stunk up the entire series. Mostly I think we got pounded at the center position. Camby just can't get it done anymore. If we'd had a healthy Oden, or hell, a healthy Joel would have been a huge difference.

 

[Shooter]

I think we learned one important lesson against Dallas--We're just not that good. Batum, Matthews, and Fernandez are very inconsistent. Aldridge, despite his great talent, is still too soft. Roy is not the old Roy. Camby is probably over the hill. And so on. We need a serious infusion of talent to take it to the next level.

 

[Natebishop3]

I think we learned a few things against Dallas. For starters, we're not as good as we think we are. Batum is invisible on some nights, Matthews is very streaky, Aldridge is still too soft, Fernandez is almost useless at times. This version of the Blazers is just a little too wobbly for playoff success. We need a serious infusion of talent, I think.

Rudy is useless most of the time.

 

[Tince]

I haven't read all the posts in this thread, but the topic is spot on.

Portland really needs someone who can bring down the defense and hit open shots. They also need another big guy they can put in with Aldridge that is an offensive threat. The free agent list doesn't have many guys that meets entire criteria. Jamal Crawford, Delonte West, and Carl Landry are all free agents. Not sure any of them are perfect fits, but we can't sign an all-star.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

JAMEER NELSON IS THE ANSWER.

 

[Tince]

JAMEER NELSON IS THE ANSWER.

And how would we get him?

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

for DRE.

 

[KingSpeed]

I don't see any PG who is out there that we could get that is an upgrade from Miller.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Whomever is out there I sure hope he's a PG and not a combo guard.

When Miller wasn't on the floor, and maybe even Roy, the offense was out-of-sync and frantic. I'm done with Bayless types running the offense.

Take a chance at Rubio? Augustin? Sessions?

Btw, do we pick up Miller's option? We would then have two expiring contracts this coming deadline with Miller and Camby to pony up.

 

[jlprk]

I think we learned one important lesson against Dallas--We're just not that good. Batum, Matthews, and Fernandez are very inconsistent. Aldridge, despite his great talent, is still too soft. Roy is not the old Roy. Camby is probably over the hill. And so on. We need a serious infusion of talent to take it to the next level.

We learned that we have one star, Wallace. We learned that Aldridge isn't focused enough to be a playoff star and never will be. And then there's what we already knew, that McMillan needs to go.

 

[jaspitzer]

Marc Gasol is a restricted free agent, Tyson Chandler is an unrestricted free agent, Nene is an unrestricted free agent, DeAndre Jordan is a restricted free agent, Zbo is an Unrestricted free agent, Carl Landry is an Unrestricted free agent, Aaron brooks is a restricted free agent, Spencer Hawes is a restricted free Agent, Eddie House is an unrestricted free agent, Rodney Stuckey is a restricted free agent, Ray Allen is an unrestricted free agent

No idea if we have enough cap space or even how we could get any of these guys, but I would especially like the guys I put in bold.

 

[KingSpeed]

We learned that we have one star, Wallace. We learned that Aldridge isn't focused enough to be a playoff star and never will be. And then there's what we already knew, that McMillan needs to go.

Wallace is a star but Aldridge isn't? Where was he Games 1-5? Aldridge was our most consistent player and had a pretty great game tonight actually.

 

[WillG]

Keep Wallace, Aldridge, Greg & Batum.
All others ship them out in trades and rebuild. (Rebuild the Training/Medical staff too)

The biggest key? Get rid of Nate and his machinations.

 

[tlongII]

With a healthy Oden we win this series. Simple as that. He is our meal ticket.

 

[Denny Crane]

I wish the Blazers would have won.

Camby isn't much younger than Shaq. He's REALLY old. I watch Blazers games and see videos of their play and I see a really old guy who stands around the basket on defense and can grab boards still, but not much else. In pick and roll situations, he is just terrible on defense.

If it's a choice between Dre and Roy, I'd go with Roy every time. Even if it meant missing the playoffs. One of the two theoretically has a long future with the team and has played at a near elite level.

I like Miller as a player fine, but you really need both a SG and a SF who can spot up and make threes. Ideally you get 3pt shooting from your PG, but you don't with Miller.

I don't see a team with LMA as featured player is going to be a contender. Nothing against LMA, but I think it's true for Pau Gasol, Garnett, Howard, Nowitzki, and other top bigs. Even Duncan wouldn't be a winner without guys like Parker and Manu and a lot of quality role players around him.

Wallace was a score. They guy can handle the ball like a guard and play the PF position. It would have been nice to see the Blazers get him before the season so they'd have time to design plays to take advantage of his skills. He was the goto guy on an NBA team for several seasons. He's got a few years left in the tank, too.

The ability to score Wallace via trade (and even Camby) after decimating the Blazers' bench strength (previous trades) indicates that the Blazers can't be counted out, even with Roy's big contract on the books.

Despite all the negative articles about Roy and his knees, he looks pretty good to me, just rusty. I bet he's back next season at a high level.

 

[Blazinaway]

I wish the Blazers would have won.

Camby isn't much younger than Shaq. He's REALLY old. I watch Blazers games and see videos of their play and I see a really old guy who stands around the basket on defense and can grab boards still, but not much else. In pick and roll situations, he is just terrible on defense.

If it's a choice between Dre and Roy, I'd go with Roy every time. Even if it meant missing the playoffs. One of the two theoretically has a long future with the team and has played at a near elite level.

I like Miller as a player fine, but you really need both a SG and a SF who can spot up and make threes. Ideally you get 3pt shooting from your PG, but you don't with Miller.

I don't see a team with LMA as featured player is going to be a contender. Nothing against LMA, but I think it's true for Pau Gasol, Garnett, Howard, Nowitzki, and other top bigs. Even Duncan wouldn't be a winner without guys like Parker and Manu and a lot of quality role players around him.

Wallace was a score. They guy can handle the ball like a guard and play the PF position. It would have been nice to see the Blazers get him before the season so they'd have time to design plays to take advantage of his skills. He was the goto guy on an NBA team for several seasons. He's got a few years left in the tank, too.

The ability to score Wallace via trade (and even Camby) after decimating the Blazers' bench strength (previous trades) indicates that the Blazers can't be counted out, even with Roy's big contract on the books.

Despite all the negative articles about Roy and his knees, he looks pretty good to me, just rusty. I bet he's back next season at a high level.

I think you are way too optimistic on Roy, he's not "rusty" this is the way he now is, he'll have a few good games once in a while them most of the time he'll be an average bench player. If there is a decent amnesty clause in a new CBA IMO POR uses it.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Why add anyone until we upgrade our coach?

 

[Rhal]

Upgrade at PG is really the big key. We have a guard on the bench that might be that "elliot williams" but were not a team in the "wait and see" mode. We need an outside shooter who can shoot consistently, Wes is one of our threats from there (as much bitching about his inconsistency at there is he was top 10 in three point FG% at over 42%) but we need another real threat from there. I was hoping Batum or Rudy can step up but neither one really did, I might rather have Batum spend all summer working on his three shot then try and add one of the FA or UFA this summer because none of the SG/SF really intrigue me. We also have Babbit who is supposed to be a shooter but again we can't wait and see on him.
As for Center/PF Oden coming back is really the only answer to making it really deep into the playoffs and no center out there are we going to be able to nab that would have nearly as much impact as him. The only players out there at the C position that would be nice are NeNe/Gasol and I doubt we get either one without giving up to much. A banger type PF to give us 15/20M at the PF/C position would be nice but there really aren't that many of them in the league anymore.
For us I really think the only things to look at are a new PG or a new C. Since we have Oden and there is no way we give him up for nothing and packaging him and a few others for a PG really doesn't answer our problems at the C I think we keep him. I would much rather have a good C then a good PG and fixing one leaves us in serious problems in the other.
Howard/Nelson for Camby/Miller/Batum/Rudy/Babbit this is the answer!

 

[PapaG]

Oh and make up your mind on Brandon Roy. I love what he's done for the franchise, but the dude needs to either be a spot up shooter off (ala Peja, etc) or just quit playing ball. 2 good games, even if one of them was a "holy shit" game, does not justify the playing time he gets.

Hobbled Roy is the only player who can consistently create his own offense.

He is no more to blame than the rest of the bunch, and was largely responsible for the only 2 wins of the series. Without Roy, I think this series is a 4 game sweep.