Chad ford insider grades Blazer offseason an A

[The_Lillard_King]

I don't think there was any "big cap move". If we look into what we got; we got a deadly three point shooter and legit back up to batum, we got a legit back up pf with rebounding and defensive abilities, we got a big body center that protects the rim and works well in a team concept (making the entire team rebound better).

Would you rather us not sign wright or grab Robinson so we could grab Iggy or evans instead?

Blazer had about 11 million in cap space and spent over half of it on Lopez, that is a pretty big move.

I know Olshey was in a tough position. I agree with Ford that Olshey is basically rebuilding while trying to look like this is a potential playoff team. I hope this all leads to a bigger trade to try and create some team LA will feel some confidence with. The idea that the most exciting pick ups this summer are young unproven players and what may end up being a journeyman center, I doubt has Aldridge excited about where this team is going.

Blazers need CJ, T-Rob or the Fro (2 of the 3) to over perform this year or I think they are in real danger of losing Aldridge.

 

[Draco]

Who did I try to discredit about Leonard? I only suggested that perhaps Meyers has a better perceived around the national NBA than he does on this board. His board image has been crafted by 3 or 4 posters, anyhow, who seem to think the guy is a total bust, regardless of any statistics suggesting otherwise. I've yet to see the poster here who thinks Leonard is going to be some sort of superstar center, but there are some who wanted him traded instead of Jeff Withey, who is 2 years older than Leonard, and struggled in summer league because he gets lost defensively, other than weakside shot blocking.

I assume you are referencing my postings from another thread, but I never said I wanted Meyers traded instead of Withey. I was posting about the chances Withey out performs Meyers in the upcoming single season, especially for the role the Blazers require from a backup center. I still value Meyers higher in the long-term.

 

[PapaG]

I assume you are referencing my postings from another thread, but I never said I wanted Meyers traded instead of Withey. I was posting about the chances Withey out performs Meyers in the upcoming single season, especially for the role the Blazers require from a backup center. I still value Meyers higher in the long-term.

No, wasn't you at all.

 

[PapaG]

Blazer had about 11 million in cap space and spent over half of it on Lopez, that is a pretty big move.

I know Olshey was in a tough position. I agree with Ford that Olshey is basically rebuilding while trying to look like this is a potential playoff team. I hope this all leads to a bigger trade to try and create some team LA will feel some confidence with. The idea that the most exciting pick ups this summer are young unproven players and what may end up being a journeyman center, I doubt has Aldridge excited about where this team is going.

Blazers need CJ, T-Rob or the Fro (2 of the 3) to over perform this year or I think they are in real danger of losing Aldridge.

Which moves would you have made to improve the center position and the bench? Allen wasn't on-board with a rebuild, so let's stop that silly fantasy right now.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Not in a good mood last night and vented a little about the Blazer situation. Decided not to go to work today and in a much better mood. I am excited about the Blazer season and have high hopes for CJ, T-Tob and even the Fro.

Go Blazers!

 

[crandc]

A modest suggestion. Why don't we see how Lopez plays on the Blazers before we decide how he plays on the Blazers?

 

[BBert]

A modest suggestion. Why don't we see how Lopez plays on the Blazers before we decide how he plays on the Blazers?

Too rational. This is the twitter age. We demand instant knowledge and instant gratification. Much like our need to go directly from lottery to finals in one year, followed by a championship the next.

 

[PapaG]

Found a site. Here is one post that kind of hurts and overall I don't see a lot of grief about losing Lopez . . . but the analysis is losing Lopez to gain Tyreke. Apparently Lopez is costing the Blazers 6 million/yr

So basically Dell got Portland to pay Lopez's trade kicker and got them to throw in a player that may have a higher ceiling than Lopez. Dealin' Dell Doin' Work!

http://www.pelicansreport.com/showthread.php?77517-Withey-to-Nola

(finding that site worth a rep?)

Another post from the site that no one seems to contest and sounds good coming from a Pelican fan:

Exactly what I think will happen as well. The Blazers get a solid player for nothing, we get cap space and Evans, and the Kings get a PG that is a fringe starter with upside (for a guy they didn't want to commit to). Everybody wins.

Who is the player with the higher ceiling than Lopez? Withey?

Here is a fun fact. Withey is 23 years-old. Lopez is 25 years-old.

 

[BBert]

Who is the player with the higher ceiling than Lopez? Withey?

Here is a fun fact. Withey is 23 years-old. Lopez is 25 years-old.

Here is another fun fact: Lopez is a basketball player. Withey is a volleyball player.

 

[KingSpeed]

Lopez absolutely has upside. When you're 25 and you just improved your numbers from the season before, there is obviously room to keep growing. I'm very excited about Lopez.

 

[Rhal]

Really not getting the Lopez hate. No other center was realisticly in our grasp after we traded for Trob. I'd much rather have a young big man who is good on D and had a good year last year with a decent contract then overpaying for someone on the decline like zaza/dalembert. I'd have liked to sign a vet backup but doesn't look like that will happen.
Also no way in hell is whitey going to be a better NBA player then either Leonard or Lopez.

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[Blazer4ever]

Saying Withey would not be a good player is ignorant. I'm not saying the Withey for Lopez trade wasn't a good trade but Withey is a good prospect and will be a good player in the NBA.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Really not getting the Lopez hate. No other center was realisticly in our grasp after we traded for Trob. I'd much rather have a young big man who is good on D and had a good year last year with a decent contract then overpaying for someone on the decline like zaza/dalembert. I'd have liked to sign a vet backup but doesn't look like that will happen.
Also no way in hell is whitey going to be a better NBA player then either Leonard or Lopez.

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I personally am not hating on Lopez but I'm not really understanding all the Lopez excitement.

I don't know know much about Lopez, but he is not someone who was creating a buzz around the NBA before the Blazers got him. Reading through the Pelican's fans comments hasn't swayed me about his potential (they see him as already reaching his potential and have more to say about missing his attitude more than his game). Yes he is cheap at 6 mil/yr for a center, but that does"t excite me like others.

Anyways, hope Ford and me are wrong.

Go Blazers!

(Sidenote: blew work off yesterday and went golfing then fishing . . . just what the doctor ordered. )

 

[oldmangrouch]

I personally am not hating on Lopez but I'm not really understanding all the Lopez excitement.

This.

Lopez is a perfectly servicable stop-gap at center. Simply having a real center (instead of a PF playing out of position) should make team defense more effective. You also can't argue with the price!

On the flip side - he isn't some kind of savior and he is pretty much a case of WYSIWYG.

 

[dviss1]

Saying Withey would not be a good player is ignorant. I'm not saying the Withey for Lopez trade wasn't a good trade but Withey is a good prospect and will be a good player in the NBA.

Saying Withey will be a good player is just as ignorant as saying he will not be.

 

[BrianFromWA]

I don't remember this much talk about a second rounder who hasnt played yet since taurean "4 wins" green. Unless maybe, if you count Blair.

 

[Blazer4ever]

I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Personaly, I've seen Withey several times in college and wasn't even aware of his BPG numbers when I thought he's a very solid prospect at the center position. Very smart, plays good team defense, above average offensively, doesn't shy away from contact.
I think some here are trying to feel better about Lopez by downgrading Withey's abilities which is pointless in my opinion. Lopez is more proven and I was happy we traded for him but disappointed that it cost us Withey.

 

[Draco]

I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Personaly, I've seen Withey several times in college and wasn't even aware of his BPG numbers when I thought he's a very solid prospect at the center position. Very smart, plays good team defense, above average offensively, doesn't shy away from contact.
I think some here are trying to feel better about Lopez by downgrading Withey's abilities which is pointless in my opinion. Lopez is more proven and I was happy we traded for him but disappointed that it cost us Withey.

Exactly what I've been trying to say, nice post.

 

[Rhal]

I personally am not hating on Lopez but I'm not really understanding all the Lopez excitement.

I don't know know much about Lopez, but he is not someone who was creating a buzz around the NBA before the Blazers got him. Reading through the Pelican's fans comments hasn't swayed me about his potential (they see him as already reaching his potential and have more to say about missing his attitude more than his game). Yes he is cheap at 6 mil/yr for a center, but that does"t excite me like others.

Anyways, hope Ford and me are wrong.

Go Blazers!

(Sidenote: blew work off yesterday and went golfing then fishing . . . just what the doctor ordered. )

Lopez isn't a ground breaking center but he is a starting caliber center who isn't overpaid and for me Personally Im just excited to see a legit 7 footer who likes to play D at the center position instead of Hickson.
If I were to rank the Blazers from last year in order of how much they made me want to drink. Watching Hickson play D ranks is up there at the tip along with watching Freeland try and do anything and failing.

Also, can't think of a better way to relax in a day then fishing Sounds like you got some good R&R.

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[ABM]

I'd give them an A....if you're grading on the curve.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Withey was a great value pick in the middle of the second round, but there were reasons he wasn't taken in the first round. Most 7' centers with any potential at all are usually taken in the lottery. I think Withey will turn out to be a good bench player, but I don't see him ever being a regular starter in the NBA. He's solid, but doesn't have much upside. I think his best case scenario is a Nick Collison type career - a guy you like to have on your bench, but too limited to be an everyday starter.

BNM

 

[PapaG]

Withey was a great value pick in the middle of the second round, but there were reasons he wasn't taken in the first round. Most 7' centers with any potential at all are usually taken in the lottery. I think Withey will turn out to be a good bench player, but I don't see him ever being a regular starter in the NBA. He's solid, but doesn't have much upside. I think his best case scenario is a Nick Collison type career - a guy you like to have on your bench, but too limited to be an everyday starter.

BNM

Nick Collison is a legitimate NBA player who has a career PER of 13.7 on 13.7 USG. If Withey comes close to those numbers, I'll be shocked. Withey seems more like Chris Johnson than Nick Collison, IMO. Undersized, unskilled, and can block a shot against college players.

 

[Blazer4ever]

He's different than Collison, Collison is more energy type player, Withey I think is more stable. It's an interesting comparison, though, both are white big men coming to the league after 4 years in Kansas, wouldn't be shocked if they have similar type careers. I don't think it's a best case scenario, though. Withey has potential of being better than Collison, I think Collison's NBA career is more like mediocre case scenario for Withey, I think best case is someone like Omar Asik who was drafted in the 2nd round and became a solid starting Center.