Dragic is ballin

[illmatic99]

Hearing MB and Rice drooling over Goran was a bit weird, but I can totally see why we apparently will be after him this year.

If we can't successfully land Deron/Rondo, Goran isn't a bad alternative. As a starter with Lowry hurt, he has put up: 18pts, 9asts, 4rebs, 52% FG, 44% from 3, 3turns in 37 mpg through 19 games. And if he continues to ball out in the playoffs, he's gonna warrant some big $$ this summer. But he is unrestricted, so getting him would not be impossible if we pay up.

He talks about playing in PDX here: http://www.csnnw.com/pages/landingblazers?blockID=686112&feedID=5212

Some highlights:

[video=youtube;a7fs64zIGCo]

[video=youtube;qmol7tEr_hs]

 

[illmatic99]

He looks like freaking Steve Nash. Uncanny

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

He looks like freaking Steve Nash. Uncanny

In my thread I started on Goran I think adding D'Antoni would be key -- Dragic would flourish in that SSOL system.

 

[illmatic99]

Not a bad idea.

He's only 26. LA will be 27, and Nic 23. Hickson will be 24. Add two more lotto picks like Lamb and Cody Zeller, and that is a nice core to work with. Especially with someone like MDA.

Might not win that quickly, but would be very fun to watch.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Not a bad idea.

He's only 26. LA will be 27, and Nic 23. Hickson will be 24. Add two more lotto picks like Lamb and Cody Zeller, and that is a nice core to work with. Especially with someone like MDA.

Might not win that quickly, but would be very fun to watch.

I'd definitely go for Beal (check my sig) over Lamb. But I think building the roster around MDA is something NY didn't do.

Beal and Zeller would be an awesome draft.

 

[KingSpeed]

He had a game in the playoffs a couple years ago for the Suns where he had like 26 points in the last 13 minutes of a game against the Spurs. It was legendary. He was completely unstoppable.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I'd definitely go for Beal (check my sig) over Lamb. But I think building the roster around MDA is something NY didn't do.

Beal and Zeller would be an awesome draft.

A short SG and a white center? We have very different definitions of awesome

 

[Mediocre Man]

If Dragic is the answer the Blazers are asking the wrong question. Portland does this shit all the time. They swing and miss at big time guys (not entirely their fault) and then settle for, and overpay some role player.

 

[craigehlo]

I like Dragic, but I'd stay far away from overpaying. The good thing is that the other teams with cap are already set at starting PG (Cavs, Rockets, Celtics, Pacers, Bucks). If the Suns don't keep Nash they could be in play as well.

He's definitely a "plan b" type player if we miss out on DWill or a trade for a star PG.

 

[STOMP]

If Dragic is the answer the Blazers are asking the wrong question. Portland does this shit all the time. They swing and miss at big time guys (not entirely their fault) and then settle for, and overpay some role player.

He's had the starring lead role in Houston for a month now. Remind me of the last Blazer PG who has averaged anything in the area code of what Dragic has for the last month... feel free to include non-role players.

A 17 game starting stretch is a good sample size and the 2 other games he started this year were solid performances too. He's quick, has good size, is a proven outside threat, can drive & finish, and runs the pick and roll well. He's almost 2 years younger then Darron Williams and should have a lot more tread left on the tires

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/dragigo01.html

STOMP

 

[Mediocre Man]

He's had the starring lead role in Houston for a month now. Remind me of the last Blazer PG who has averaged anything in the area code of what Dragic has for the last month... feel free to include non-role players.

A 17 game starting stretch is a good sample size and the 2 other games he started this year were solid performances too. He's quick, has good size, is a proven outside threat, can drive & finish, and runs the pick and roll well. He's almost 2 years younger then Darron Williams and should have a lot more tread left on the tires

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/dragigo01.html

STOMP

If you want to overpay for him, fine. I personally think it's a bad idea is all

 

[tlongII]

I think Dragic is going to command a lot of money, so I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not. He would be a good get for $6M/yr or so, but I think he'll get more.

 

[STOMP]

If you want to overpay for him, fine. I personally think it's a bad idea is all

thanks for not answering my question, typical. Spot on analysis that I want to "overpay" him, because of course I want to overpay every player.

I personally think you root against the Blazers, which is fine too

STOMP

 

[Mediocre Man]

thanks for not answering my question, typical. Spot on analysis that I want to "overpay" him, because of course I want to overpay every player.

I personally think you root against the Blazers, which is fine too

STOMP

I didn't answer the question because it's apples to oranges. Different systems, different players, different eras even.

As for rooting against them. I am not sure how anyone can say that with my constant ranting about the sub par coach they had for 6 seasons while most everyone else was blinded by mediocrity. The team does stupid things all the time. Absolutely disregarding medical records of Oden and Roy, then extending Roy. Bidding against themselves for Darius Miles. Turning this franchise into a running joke in the early 2000's. I have been here, like other fans the entire time. Watching every game both on Portland and now in Houston where I am constantly staying up until midnight to do so.

 

[crandc]

It's not whether Stomp wants to "overpay". He's not cutting the check.

Question is what the going price will be and whether 1) Blazers will want to pay it or 2) if they have a better option. Also, whether he's a true "role player" or someone who learned off the bench (like Jeremy Lin and Deron Williams among others).

 

[BBert]

If you want to overpay for him, fine. I personally think it's a bad idea is all

I never overpay. I'm a bargain shopper. For the right price, and unless we can get someone better, he'd be a huge upgrade (/captain obvious).

 

[Mediocre Man]

I never overpay. I'm a bargain shopper. For the right price, and unless we can get someone better, he'd be a huge upgrade (/captain obvious).

Oh, I agree. But that price tag is going to be high. Down here in Houston they are talking about 8-10 million a year to keep him

 

[3RA1N1AC]

the market will set his price most likely, the blazers arent going to be bidding against themselves

 

[BBert]

Oh, I agree. But that price tag is going to be high. Down here in Houston they are talking about 8-10 million a year to keep him

Like I said the the sister thread, I expect the Blazers probably will overpay for him if they can't get D-Will. We're the Blazers. It seems we have to overpay. Good thing we've (still) got Paul Allen.

As far as bidding against ourselves, Paul and Whitsitt did so for years, thus making this a pretty desirable destination. He seems to have backed off from that strategy, and the new CBA makes it a lot tougher.

 

[Nikolokolus]

At 7 million-ish a year I'm fine with signing him, but if the bidding does get up into the 10 million dollar range then there's going to be some seriously diminishing returns on the investment ... Personally I hope the Blazers draft Kendall Marshall at 11 or 12th so they aren't backed into a corner when they get to free agency.

 

[STOMP]

I didn't answer the question because it's apples to oranges. Different systems, different players, different eras even.

Same 10 foot high hoop, same 24 second clock/48 minutes, same pick n roll, same drive n dish, same 3 point line. The real reason you didn't answer is because doing so would demonstrate how silly you labeling him as a role player is.

STOMP

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

At 7 million-ish a year I'm fine with signing him, but if the bidding does get up into the 10 million dollar range then there's going to be some seriously diminishing returns on the investment ... Personally I hope the Blazers draft Kendall Marshall at 11 or 12th so they aren't backed into a corner when they get to free agency.

Agree on marshall

 

[STOMP]

Any team going after Goran will be projecting him as a starter right? I know salaries are supposed to decline under the new CBA, but expect he's valued a level above the MLE. Nicolas Batum land, whatever that may be

STOMP

 

[Mediocre Man]

Same 10 foot high hoop, same 24 second clock/48 minutes, same pick n roll, same drive n dish, same 3 point line. The real reason you didn't answer is because doing so would demonstrate how silly you labeling him as a role player is.

STOMP

I think the issue here is we just have different definitions of what a role player is. Hickson, Batum, Felton, etc are all role players IMO. Then agoan, do are Babbitt and Joel. Just different levels.

This year Dragic is having his best season, while Felton is having one of his worst. So per 36 this season

Dragic shoots better from the field and 3 pt.
Felton better from FT

Dragic scores more
Felton Assists more

Both have identical TO


Post Nate, Felton's numbers are better. He is certainly better than what we have, but not at a big price. He is a role player.....a good one, but a role player

 

[Mediocre Man]

Any team going after Goran will be projecting him as a starter right? I know salaries are supposed to decline under the new CBA, but expect he's valued a level above the MLE. Nicolas Batum land, whatever that may be

STOMP

Either this thread or the other one, I said the Houston media says the Rockets expect to have to pay around 9-10 million to keep him. It's a big debate down here for Rockets fans

 

[e_blazer]

Given that it would take somewhere north of $16 million per year to start with to land Derron Williams, if Dragic can put up the kind of numbers he's been doing for the past month or so, he looks like exactly the kind of player that fits the money ball approach. So the question is, can he do that consistently as a starter?

Do you believe in Dragic? (Sorry, but somebody had to do it.)

 

[magnifier661]

I would pay 8 for him but that's it. Hopefully our team can think bigger though.

 

[Blaze01]

Who wouldn't want Dragic?

POR is going to get a PG in free agency or via trade....They are not going to go into next season starting a rookie (Kendall Marshall\Lillard) PG.....

Obviously Deron Williams should be the #1 target, and maybe the pipedream that is Rondo would be #2...but Dragic is\should be the #3 option....

The beauty about Dragic would be that POR won't likely have to pay max money to get him, meaning they can resign Batum\Hickson...Hickson being the important one in that they don't have to waive his rights....they also don't have to give up either of thier 2 lottery picks, meaning they could potentially add 2 high quality players (assuming they don't fuck up the draft) to the roster as well...ALL of this without having to give up 1 asset...This team needs a talent infusion BADLY....Potentially adding 2 free agents and 2 high quality draft picks (and possibly Freeland from overseas) coud potentially help A LOT.

I'd still prefer Deron Williams...but I think to give him max, which he will surely get, POR would likely? have to waive Hickson, who has done enough IMO to show he could be a valuable player for POR....and even then there is no guarantee that he would come here over DAL for instance....

I like Rondo, but I am unconvinced that BOS would deal him for anything but the moon (both draft picks AND a player\s)...at that price, forget it....

Hopefully POR can gauge whether Deron Williams has serious interest QUICKLY and then move on if he isn't and go after Dragic....

Going after Dragic, also would allow POR to potentially go after a 2nd free agent (likely big man) as well....

 

[Blaze01]

and comparing Felton to Dragic? bad form...

Felton is a loser...stat padder when the season is already decided....Dragic outplayed him SIGNIFICANTLY last night...not like that is hard to do...

 

[magnifier661]

Who wouldn't want Dragic?

POR is going to get a PG in free agency or via trade....They are not going to go into next season starting a rookie (Kendall Marshall\Lillard) PG.....

Obviously Deron Williams should be the #1 target, and maybe the pipedream that is Rondo would be #2...but Dragic is\should be the #3 option....

The beauty about Dragic would be that POR won't likely have to pay max money to get him, meaning they can resign Batum\Hickson...Hickson being the important one in that they don't have to waive his rights....they also don't have to give up either of thier 2 lottery picks, meaning they could potentially add 2 high quality players (assuming they don't fuck up the draft) to the roster as well...ALL of this without having to give up 1 asset...This team needs a talent infusion BADLY....Potentially adding 2 free agents and 2 high quality draft picks (and possibly Freeland from overseas) coud potentially help A LOT.

I'd still prefer Deron Williams...but I think to give him max, which he will surely get, POR would likely? have to waive Hickson, who has done enough IMO to show he could be a valuable player for POR....and even then there is no guarantee that he would come here over DAL for instance....

I like Rondo, but I am unconvinced that BOS would deal him for anything but the moon (both draft picks AND a player\s)...at that price, forget it....

Hopefully POR can gauge whether Deron Williams has serious interest QUICKLY and then move on if he isn't and go after Dragic....

Going after Dragic, also would allow POR to potentially go after a 2nd free agent (likely big man) as well....

Good post. I like how you broke things down. But we can get Williams and still get hickson and Batum. We should have around 18 mil cap space with the cap holds on hickson, Batum, and the two lottery picks. We just need to sign Williams first, then resign hickson and Batum. If we are over cap, it won't matter because we hold the bird rights to both hickson and Batum.