Do we need a third star?

[ponderguy]

I'm not too familiar with the hoop doctors but they actually suggested a similar trade as natebishop in december

Record: 19-4 (thru 23 games)
Points per game: 106.4 ppg
Leading Scorer: LaMarcus Aldridge 23.5 ppg
Trade Package: Nicolas Batum and Wesley Matthews for Carmelo Anthony
Usually, you don’t make a move when you’re 19-4, but the Blazers may still have some question marks, like playmaking and clutch scoring. Carmelo Anthony may assist with those areas. And, having Aldridge and Anthony in the same offense would be a defensive nightmare for most teams. For the Knicks, they got some talented, young pieces, great team players they can build around.

 

[RoyToy]

I think you have to trade Nic and Wes for Melo if possible. Those two aren't good enough to win a championship with. They're just not.

I think we all have reservations about Melo, but the guy is a true star player/talent. He was a part of those very good Denver teams.

If the Blazers did get Melo, I'm not sure Stotts would be the right coach, though. He just loves the 3 too much, and he can't coach defense.

And one big problem with Lillard/Melo/Aldridge is there's not a lot of defense there. That's troubling.

Idk. I think if Olshey thinks this starting 5 is good enough to win a championship then he should just leave now. Waste of time.

It's easy to win games in the regular season when half the league is a joke. I think this team loses a 1st round playoff series no matter who they go against based on where they're projected to slot in at.

 

[Boise Blazer]

Whether or not it makes sense or actually works there is a part of that would get a lot of enjoyment of the look of pure terror on the other Western conference teams if we did.

 

[ponderguy]

I think you have to trade Nic and Wes for Melo if possible. Those two aren't good enough to win a championship with. They're just not.

I think we all have reservations about Melo, but the guy is a true star player/talent. He was a part of those very good Denver teams.

If the Blazers did get Melo, I'm not sure Stotts would be the right coach, though. He just loves the 3 too much, and he can't coach defense.

And one big problem with Lillard/Melo/Aldridge is there's not a lot of defense there. That's troubling.

Idk. I think if Olshey thinks this starting 5 is good enough to win a championship then he should just leave now. Waste of time.

It's easy to win games in the regular season when half the league is a joke. I think this team loses a 1st round playoff series no matter who they go against based on where they're projected to slot in at.

I think this team can win it all but they need another elite piece somewhere. If they had landed Hibbert when he was a FA this team would be fine with Nic and Wes at the 2 & 3. I think they can both be starters on a championship team but we still need that elite defensive center to pair with the other 4 guys

 

[PapaG]

Rodney Stuckey.

Unrestricted free agent. Can play both guard positions. Unguardable at times.

I'm curious what kind of deal he'll get this summer. He would be the perfect guy to come off the bench.

He'd be an improvement over Mo. No doubt about it, IMO.

I'll also make the argument that Nic Batum is already the third star. His game is pretty close to what Lance Stephenson gives the Pacers, when you look at it statistically.

http://www.basketball-reference.com...1&y1=2014&p2=stephla01&y2=2014#per_game::none

 

[OneLifeToLive]

but we still need that elite defensive center to pair with the other 4 guys

Do they need an elite defensive center or do they all just need a greater commitment to the defensive end?

I personally think a change of mindset on this side of the court will help them. They have shown to me several times this year that they are decent enough on defense. Go back to OKC on New Years Eve. San Antonio on their last road trip to texas. Dallas on that same trip. For whatever reason, they pick and choose when they do it. They don't do it all the time. The team needs depth, they need the help. But they also need a greater commitment to defense. If they had it, this lineup with some more bench help is enough.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

He'd be an improvement over Mo. No doubt about it, IMO.

I'll also make the argument that Nic Batum is already the third star. His game is pretty close to what Lance Stephenson gives the Pacers, when you look at it statistically.

http://www.basketball-reference.com...1&y1=2014&p2=stephla01&y2=2014#per_game::none

How bout MO, Meyers, Dorrell Wright to New York for Beno Udrih who is apparently in Woodsons dog house and Tyson Chandler?

 

[blue9]

I think this team can win it all but they need another elite piece somewhere. If they had landed Hibbert when he was a FA this team would be fine with Nic and Wes at the 2 & 3. I think they can both be starters on a championship team but we still need that elite defensive center to pair with the other 4 guys

Based on what others have said of him, I think we'd be MUCH better off adding someone like Larry Sanders and keeping Nic/Wes, than we would be in shipping out Nic/Wes for Melo. There's no doubt that Melo is an elite scorer, but I believe the combination of Nic/Wes provides far more benefit to the team than the individual effort of Melo.
Based on what's gone down between Sanders and the Bucks it appears his value is low enough that we could offer a package of CJ/Robinson/Leonard+ which would give MIL enough young lottery talent to at least make them consider it if another team doesn't offer a lottery pick (which I'm guessing they won't).

 

[blue9]

How bout MO, Meyers, Dorrell Wright to New York for Beno Udrih who is apparently in Woodsons dog house and Tyson Chandler?

If that could be accomplished that'd be great! Previous suggestions on acquiring Chandler involved Robinson and/or CJ - I wouldn't give up either of them for Chandler. But Mo/Wright/Leonard would be great - for both teams, I would think.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

If that could be accomplished that'd be great! Previous suggestions on acquiring Chandler involved Robinson and/or CJ - I wouldn't give up either of them for Chandler. But Mo/Wright/Leonard would be great - for both teams, I would think.

Agree. I kind of think Beno fits here. I would think Tyson would like to get back to a winning, professional environment. His ties to Stotts from Dallas's championship gives him some familiarity to him and his system.

I just wish there was a way we could pry a wing away from them at the same time WO sending CJ or TRob anywhere.

 

[MARIS61]

Wes is our third star. Nic could be our fourth star if he weren't so passively French.

 

[riverman]

Malone got injured in the T'Wolves series and was severely limited in the Finals against the Pistons. If he is healthy that series definitely could have gone in the Lakers favor. The Pistons had a good bench, Mehmet Okur was really good for them and starting until Rasheed got there. The Nets were thrown together over the summer and have had a rookie head coach. They've gone 12-4 since the new year and are starting to look more like the team everyone was expecting coming in this year. I don't see how you can say team ball takes time to develop and then knock the nets for not being a well oiled machine right away.

Malone was the oldest superstar on that Laker roster, Kobe hated him and injured or not, they stacked up stars then and again last year with Nash and Howard ...no ring. Nets also paid a bunch of superstars and don't say you didn't think Deron Williams and Brook Lopez were a solid core, not new guys thrown together. Pierce and Garnett have played together how many years? Wrong comparison. I do knock the Nets. My point is paying for these guys guarantees nothing. Anyone who thinks Melo and his New York model wife are moving to Portland is seriously in denial. Ain't happening. Melo played with Kidd, Tyson, Stoudamire...ring? nope

 

[riverman]

So my short answer to the thread question is..no we don't

 

[Natebishop3]

Malone was the oldest superstar on that Laker roster, Kobe hated him and injured or not, they stacked up stars then and again last year with Nash and Howard ...no ring. Nets also paid a bunch of superstars and don't say you didn't think Deron Williams and Brook Lopez were a solid core, not new guys thrown together. Pierce and Garnett have played together how many years? Wrong comparison. I do knock the Nets. My point is paying for these guys guarantees nothing. Anyone who thinks Melo and his New York model wife are moving to Portland is seriously in denial. Ain't happening. Melo played with Kidd, Tyson, Stoudamire...ring? nope

Oh come on, Kidd was decrepit at that point, and Stoudemire looks like the real live version of Uncle Drew.

Melo was part of some pretty good Denver teams. The guy can win, and if he was part of a legitimate contender I think he'd be willing to put up. He won a national title in college.

 

[santeesioux]

Melo would have gotten some bs fouls to win the game!

 

[riverman]

Oh come on, Kidd was decrepit at that point, and Stoudemire looks like the real live version of Uncle Drew.

Melo was part of some pretty good Denver teams. The guy can win, and if he was part of a legitimate contender I think he'd be willing to put up. He won a national title in college.

Superstars are superstars..Melo hasn't won anything. He's in the east and still not winning anything. He's no longer a poor college student, guy is a gazillionaire with a trophy wife in the big Apple...this has nothing to do with my point that you can't buy championships by overpaying these guys and expect rings everytime. Stoudamire is playing well for the Knicks if you haven't noticed this season. What do you call JR Smith (6 man of the year last season) and Tyson Chandler? I'd take Kidd over Felton right now. Is Melo putting them in contention? Nope.....Nolan Smith won a title in college..that's not the NBA though. Yeah, Melo is a great player. Will overpaying for him win you a ring, that's the question.Also of note, we've swept Melo this year with our role playing roster.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

Don't expect this management team to cut corners when putting together this team. I would say trading for Melo would be an example of this.

 

[riverman]

Don't expect this management team to cut corners when putting together this team. I would say trading for Melo would be an example of this.

When Melo left Denver he had a list of destinations, Portland was nowhere to be found on that list.

 

[Sinobas]

We need a freakin' bench. Don't you guys notice how almost every game, when the subs come in we either blow the lead or fall behind. If they could just play toe to toe with other benches around the league we'd probably have the best record right now.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

When Melo left Denver he had a list of destinations, Portland was nowhere to be found on that list.

I think he would come over here just to have that heavy burden lifted off his shoulder. And it's a big one. Also, this is three years later. When he was suggesting this, he just got done witnessing the biggest free agent movement in NBA history and he wanted to start his own movement with Paul and Stoudemire. Now that has no chance. Just how important is his destinations to him?

 

[OneLifeToLive]

We need a freakin' bench. Don't you guys notice how almost every game, when the subs come in we either blow the lead or fall behind. If they could just play toe to toe with other benches around the league we'd probably have the best record right now.

Agree. I think we do a trade with New York. Just not one with Carmelo.

 

[BigGameDamian]

I think he would come over here just to have that heavy burden lifted off his shoulder. And it's a big one. Also, this is three years later. When he was suggesting this, he just got done witnessing the biggest free agent movement in NBA history and he wanted to start his own movement with Paul and Stoudemire. Now that has no chance. Just how important is his destinations to him?

Agree. I think we do a trade with New York. Just not one with Carmelo.

What?

 

[OneLifeToLive]

What?

huh?

 

[BigGameDamian]

huh?

You think we should do a trade with the Knicks and Carmelo would be happy in Portland but you don't want him here?

 

[OneLifeToLive]

You think we should do a trade with the Knicks and Carmelo would be happy in Portland but you don't want him here?

Look through the thread BG, I don't endorse a deal for Carmelo. I was responding to different posts by different posters with different thoughts

I don't think he would nix a deal to Portland. I wouldn't want him on this team.

But what do I know?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Hopefully we can pick up a third star that wears a whistle, because all the other good teams have one.

 

[ponderguy]

Superstars are superstars..Melo hasn't won anything. He's in the east and still not winning anything. He's no longer a poor college student, guy is a gazillionaire with a trophy wife in the big Apple...this has nothing to do with my point that you can't buy championships by overpaying these guys and expect rings everytime. Stoudamire is playing well for the Knicks if you haven't noticed this season. What do you call JR Smith (6 man of the year last season) and Tyson Chandler? I'd take Kidd over Felton right now. Is Melo putting them in contention? Nope.....Nolan Smith won a title in college..that's not the NBA though. Yeah, Melo is a great player. Will overpaying for him win you a ring, that's the question.Also of note, we've swept Melo this year with our role playing roster.

A'mare is averaging 9.5 ppg and 4.5 RPG this year and is only playing 19 mpg. He is hardly a second superstar at this point in his career yet he is still making more than Melo is. JR Smith is getting 13 ppg on 37% shooting. He is not a guy you can count on consistently at all. He started the season off with a drug suspension and has been very streaky. You cannot rely on him to be your number 2 guy. he is a heatcheck guy much like a nick young or jamal crawford. he makes melo look like a competent defender as well. Tyson Chandler is not his former self, he has been injured quite a bit for NY and has clearly lost a couple steps just from his Mavs days. Jason Kidd was 39 years old when he played with him and was only contributing 6 ppg and 3 apg. You're acting as if he is playing with the A'mare Stoudemire of the Suns, Mavs era Chandler and the Nets version of Kidd and not getting it done. These guys are all old and shells of their former selves. You seem to have an issue with him having a model for a wife but she has come out over and over saying she doesn't care where he plays one bit and she doesn't control that. She is smalltime compared to Melos career.

 

[craigehlo]

Hopefully we can pick up a third star that wears a whistle, because all the other good teams have one.

We'll you are partially correct. We need a player that can manufacture points at the FT line, especially in tough games. Wes averages 3.2 attempts (worse average than dudes like Alec Burkes and Rodney Stuckey) and Batum averages 2.7 (behind players like Derrik Williams and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist). We need an upgrade at one of those spots in aggressive offense that gets more attempts. I would also make opposing defenses think twice about pressuring LA and Dame too much since our wing players tend to mainly shoot long jumpers as the line up is currently composed.

 

[riverman]

A'mare is averaging 9.5 ppg and 4.5 RPG this year and is only playing 19 mpg. He is hardly a second superstar at this point in his career yet he is still making more than Melo is. JR Smith is getting 13 ppg on 37% shooting. He is not a guy you can count on consistently at all. He started the season off with a drug suspension and has been very streaky. You cannot rely on him to be your number 2 guy. he is a heatcheck guy much like a nick young or jamal crawford. he makes melo look like a competent defender as well. Tyson Chandler is not his former self, he has been injured quite a bit for NY and has clearly lost a couple steps just from his Mavs days. Jason Kidd was 39 years old when he played with him and was only contributing 6 ppg and 3 apg. You're acting as if he is playing with the A'mare Stoudemire of the Suns, Mavs era Chandler and the Nets version of Kidd and not getting it done. These guys are all old and shells of their former selves. You seem to have an issue with him having a model for a wife but she has come out over and over saying she doesn't care where he plays one bit and she doesn't control that. She is smalltime compared to Melos career.

I agree, the Knicks are a mess and they've all regressed around Melo...still they were all superstars paid money to go to one of the biggest markets on the planet and they composted. Scientific method! I don't like Melo or want him here or his wife and I'll give you this, I don't know her and I read she wanted to live in NY for her career, so if you have other info on her motivation, good on ya mate. No issue with any of them.

 

[Blazer4ever]

You bring Melo here and this becomes a Melo-team and starts underachieving.
We started losing when Nic got hurt and IMO letting him still play with those nagging injuries instead of letting him rest/heal hurts us right now and hurts us in the long run. With Nic at 100% we are arguably the best team in the league, right now Nic is at 60% and we are not better than if he wasn't playing.
Indiana beat us without Stephenson, OKC beat us without Westbrook, Miami without Lebron, we'd lose some games without Batum but also win some and I don't think our record would be much worse than with an injured Batum lately, the thing is when he comes back healthy we're contenders and if we keep playing him injured he won't get healthy and we wouldn't be contenders.