FINDING A PF: Number 1 offseason priority

[Natebishop3]

Just curious, how are we going to do that? I'm as hip to the idea as the next person as the potential of a player like Vonleh, but sometimes no amount of coaching or training will get that out. It's like Meyers, he reached a certain plateau with his Kim Hughes.... we fired Hughes and he went completely backward. He a lost case. Next. The Blazers are more likely to just draft another player with their few draft picks and kick Vonleh to the curb. Not everybody reaches their potential and NBA teams are more likely to pick the staff they want, regardless of what fans think.

Gotta keep playing him. Aminu seems to be playing better as a sub, so just keep starting Vonleh and let him work through it.

 

[ripcityboy]

Gotta keep playing him. Aminu seems to be playing better as a sub, so just keep starting Vonleh and let him work through it.

Well I can keep playing my Strat till I'm blue in the face and it won't make me Jimi Hendrix. I can always find another person more talented than myself and teach them how though.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Gotta keep playing him. Aminu seems to be playing better as a sub, so just keep starting Vonleh and let him work through it.

Vonleh is to slow and most of the time telegraphs his moves.

 

[Natebishop3]

Well I can keep playing my Strat till I'm blue in the face and it won't make me Jimi Hendrix. I can always find another person more talented than myself and teach them how though.

The fact is, short of drafting another young prospect, there aren't a lot of young guys who are better options (and available.)

He has the tools that we want. He can shoot. He can rebound. He can defend. It just seems like he lacks confidence, but he's still such a young guy. There's a lot of time left to develop him.

 

[ripcityboy]

The fact is, short of drafting another young prospect, there aren't a lot of young guys who are better options (and available.)

He has the tools that we want. He can shoot. He can rebound. He can defend. It just seems like he lacks confidence, but he's still such a young guy. There's a lot of time left to develop him.

Trob had a ton of talent and was a high draft pick. He never amounted to a hill of beans either. One of the feeling in the league is that with many prospects, it takes them years to reach their ceiling. Well with others it doesn't matter, they never make the jump. Heck maybe he does but that slimit chance isn't enough to bank on.

 

[Natebishop3]

Trob had a ton of talent and was a high draft pick. He never amounted to a hill of beans either. One of the feeling in the league is that with many prospects, it takes them years to reach their ceiling. Well with others it doesn't matter, they never make the jump. Heck maybe he does but that slimit chance isn't enough to bank on.

What are we banking on? What's the alternative?

Go find a free agent power forward who would be a better fit, AND would sign here?

Or how about a rookie that will be available in our range and would be ready to contribute right away?

I'm simply saying that there aren't that many power forwards right now that would fit our need. There are even fewer that are available, and fewer still that could actually be had.

We stand to lose nothing by continuing to try to develop Vonleh.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Markief Morris or Marcus Morris?

 

[Natebishop3]

Markief Morris or Marcus Morris?

Two of the biggest assholes in the NBA. Might as well call them Boogie without the talent.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Two of the biggest assholes in the NBA. Might as well call them Boogie without the talent.

Well Rasheed use to be one of the biggest assholes in the NBA. We still got to the WCF.

 

[Natebishop3]

Well Rasheed use to be one of the biggest assholes in the NBA. We still got to the WCF.

Rasheed was one of the biggest assholes towards the refs..... but his teammates fucking loved him. All of them. He was EXTREMELY well liked on his teams. Sheed was not a cancer. The damage that he did to his team was on the court because he couldn't control his temper towards the refs.

 

[Blazinaway]

Fair enough.

Just so you know, that wasn't meant as a personal attack, just that I don't want to put a bunch of effort into speculating and arguing about what we should do when any of a thousand different things can change between now and then. There's still a lot of basketball to be played.

I get it Wook and mine wasn't personal either, we go too far back to the O-live boards. But if some of us want to have a conservation about getting a better PF to fit here it would be nice to be able to do it without a comment like that, if you don't like it just ignore it, its all good

 

[Blazinaway]

What are we banking on? What's the alternative?

Go find a free agent power forward who would be a better fit, AND would sign here?

Or how about a rookie that will be available in our range and would be ready to contribute right away?

I'm simply saying that there aren't that many power forwards right now that would fit our need. There are even fewer that are available, and fewer still that could actually be had.

We stand to lose nothing by continuing to try to develop Vonleh.

what we lose is time developing him if we count in him next yr, time IMO to move on and acquire a solid vet and perhaps groom a draft pick, at some point ya gotta say this guy is just not getting it, I am there with Vonleh and I think many others are as well

 

[Nikolokolus]

My hopes for Vonleh are like a candle flickering in the wind at this point, but it seems like he plays OK next to Nurkic, so maybe there's a slight chance?

Beyond that a quality, established 4 kills our cap unless we can dump salary, and a draft pick is hardly a sure thing and will take time to develop (probably).

Personally I think a wing defender who can actually shoot to replace/consolidate Aminu, Harkless and/or Turner is a bigger priority, especially if they are going to commit to CJ and Damian as the starting backcourt.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Trade:
Dario Saric
Julius Randle
Gorgui Dieng

Draft:
John Collins
Robert Williams
Jarrett Allen
Miles Bridges

 

[Trackjack]

Rather try to sign Z-Bo this summer than ever see LA in a Portland uniform.

I think he more play maker with his passes that why I see Draymond but can see little Zbo due to he play below the rim.

 

[H.C.]

Trade:
Dario Saric
Julius Randle
Gorgui Dieng

Draft:
John Collins
Robert Williams
Jarrett Allen
Miles Bridges

Saric and Randle aren't pieces those franchises will part with unless you give up Lillard or CJ.
Even then I still don't think the Lakers do it.
Dieng just signed a 4 year 64 million dollar extension with the T-Wolves in October. Don't think he's all that available as Thibbs prolly view's him as he view'd Taj Gibson.
Better chance to get a PF in the age range of 26-32, then draft one and hope by the time the 3-4 year contract is up the young guy can take over the position.
There is a plethora of stretch 4's in the league that would help the Blazers right now, and they're free agents this year.

 

[WillG]

Saric and Randle aren't pieces those franchises will part with unless you give up Lillard or CJ.

Lillard + 3 First round picks + filler for Saric and Simmons.

Roll with:
Cj
Turner
Simmons
Saric
Nurkic

Simmons can play point-forward. You then have four guys that can initiate the offense (excluding Saric).

 

[Natebishop3]

Lillard + 3 First round picks + filler for Saric and Simmons.

Roll with:
Cj
Turner
Simmons
Saric
Nurkic

Simmons can play point-forward. You then have four guys that can initiate the offense (excluding Saric).

Dame is sooooo much better at running the PNR with Nurkic. If anything, the emergence of Nurkic has made Dame much much much more valuable to the team. I also think Dame will keep Nurkic motivated.

 

[WillG]

Dame is sooooo much better at running the PNR with Nurkic. If anything, the emergence of Nurkic has made Dame much much much more valuable to the team. I also think Dame will keep Nurkic motivated.

Agreed he does run a nice two man game with Nurkic. Unfortunately every other facet of his game, outside of the P n' R, has sucked.

I'm just not a fan of Lillards style of game. I think we would be better overall with the haul that we could get for his perceived value.

 

[B-Roy]

Vonleh is fucking awful and comparable to Meyers Leonard. They just don't have a natural feel for the game so everything they do looks a half second slow. You can't do that in this league. I don't care about his measurements, I don't care about his athletic stats. He's been given every opportunity to succeed in these last two years and he's shown nothing. Keep him until the end of his contract but then cut him loose. Don't make the same mistake we made with Meyers by giving him one (ten???) chance too many.

 

[tlongII]

Agreed he does run a nice two man game with Nurkic. Unfortunately every other facet of his game, outside of the P n' R, has sucked.

I'm just not a fan of Lillards style of game. I think we would be better overall with the haul that we could get for his perceived value.

This is not a quality post. Sorry.

 

[WillG]

This is not a quality post. Sorry.

Opinions and all that - you know the rest. . . .

 

[H.C.]

Lillard + 3 First round picks + filler for Saric and Simmons.

Roll with:
Cj
Turner
Simmons
Saric
Nurkic

Simmons can play point-forward. You then have four guys that can initiate the offense (excluding Saric).

I bet Philly rejects that trade as they have hopes Simmons turns into a player similar to LBJ.
Especially being that those 3 picks are likely to be outside of the Lotto.

Frankly Portland rejects that trade also, you don't trade 3 firsts + a proven star for a player who's yet to play a single NBA game.

 

[H.C.]

Agreed he does run a nice two man game with Nurkic. Unfortunately every other facet of his game, outside of the P n' R, has sucked.

I'm just not a fan of Lillards style of game. I think we would be better overall with the haul that we could get for his perceived value.

How do you figure that? You don't have to be a fan of Lillard's game but to say he sucks outside of the pick and roll is supreme bias

 

[WillG]

How do you figure that? You don't have to be a fan of Lillard's game but to say he sucks outside of the pick and roll is supreme bias

You're right, I guess I'm just supremely disappointed with his decision making and shot selection these past couple of seasons.
I absolutely love the guy off of the court, and what he brings to the community. Just not a fan of his play-style.

I hoped he was in a slump, but game after game, he just doesn't seem to be restraining himself from poor decisions.
Wat I'd really like to see him do is reign in the crazy shots and focus on distributing a bit more; especially now we have a beastial low presence.
18-22 pts a game and 8-9 assists per game Lillard, along with better shot selection, would be ideal.

 

[H.C.]

You're right, I guess I'm just supremely disappointed with his decision making and shot selection these past couple of seasons.
I absolutely love the guy off of the court, and what he brings to the community. Just not a fan of his play-style.

I hoped he was in a slump, but game after game, he just doesn't seem to be restraining himself from poor decisions.
Wat I'd really like to see him do is reign in the crazy shots and focus on distributing a bit more; especially now we have a beastial low presence.
18-22 pts a game and 8-9 assists per game Lillard, along with better shot selection, would be ideal.

Do you have criticism for CJ?

 

[damianlillard]

i think trey lyles would be good next to nurkic. another guy is isaiah hartenstein, he got 3 point game, some handle, and good passing. he be a good fit next to nurkic and his game remind me of saric.

 

[HailBlazers]

My hopes for Vonleh are like a candle flickering in the wind at this point, but it seems like he plays OK next to Nurkic, so maybe there's a slight chance?

Beyond that a quality, established 4 kills our cap unless we can dump salary, and a draft pick is hardly a sure thing and will take time to develop (probably).

Personally I think a wing defender who can actually shoot to replace/consolidate Aminu, Harkless and/or Turner is a bigger priority, especially if they are going to commit to CJ and Damian as the starting backcourt.

Disagree with OP. Totally agree with this. We need to replace Wes Matthews, a defender of that caliber can hide the worst defense from Dame/CJ.

Rasheed was one of the biggest assholes towards the refs..... but his teammates fucking loved him. All of them. He was EXTREMELY well liked on his teams. Sheed was not a cancer. The damage that he did to his team was on the court because he couldn't control his temper towards the refs.

Cancer kills, and so do unchecked emotions. Call it what you want Sheed killed us bro.

 

[AFully22]

Marvin WIlliams had 12,18, and 8 tonight btw. Played some great defense, had a poster dunk, and was a +35. I probably sound like a broken record by now but this guy could be great for us while we groom our next PF. He's on a Meyers like contract for the next three years and is from the PNW. It just makes so much sense to me in a lot of ways.

Age is the only con but it's not like he's turning 35 next year, he'll be 31. He should still have at least two full seasons of good basketball in him, which may be all we need to groom Leaf, Giles, Williams, Hartenstein or whoever.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Greg Monroe?