Forget point guard, Focus on small forward

[PapaG]

Who?

Exactly.

 

[alex42083]

He's a somewhat mediocre rebounder...especially, for his size. But he scores at a really high percentage. I'd be interested in him as a "buy low" proposition. If Golden State were ready to cut bait on him due to the presence of Anthony Randolph or something. His PERs have been really strong for his age, though his defense is suspect.

Yeah, I'd take a chance if we could get him for real cheap, but come playoff time.. I'd be skeptical how much he'd be able to bang down low for a guy who can't muscle his way to some boards, or maybe even play D.

The guy's already broken down with a shoulder injury, probably due to being so weak and nimble at a tough position.

 

[number 10]

Yeah, I remember a year before that draft, there were considered three blue-chip prospects...Greg Oden, Kevin Durant and Brendan Wright. He was considered to be a phenom roughly on par with those two.

I don't know about on par, but maybe the multiple All-Star to Oden and Durant's "surefire" hall of fame careers.

I'm not too high on Wright.. the guy is 6-9, 205 pounds.. And statistically he doesn't seem to be a great rebounder. The guy's got talent, but just seems a little soft.

Wright's rebounding numbers are actually a bit better than Aldridge's. I agree that he's a tweener, which would probably limit him to a 6th man role off the bench, but he could be a very good player as long as you avoid matching him up against strong PFs or quick SFs.

 

[PapaG]

Yeah, I'd take a chance if we could get him for real cheap, but come playoff time.. I'd be skeptical how much he'd be able to bang down low for a guy who can't muscle his way to some boards, or maybe even play D.

The guy's already broken down with a shoulder injury, probably due to being so weak and nimble at a tough position.

He's on another team, and a bad team at that. That makes him better than anyone off of the Blazer bench. Plus, he's due an extension next summer after doing nothing in the NBA. Add him to the Batum/Oden/Bayless/Rudy list. What a steal!

 

[alex42083]

but he could be a very good player as long as you avoid matching him up against strong PFs or quick SFs.

Aren't most PFs supposed to be strong, and SFs supposed to be kind of quick? haha.. And I think going against strong PFs has been one of our weaknesses, which is why we've been wanting a banger for a backup PF.

I don't doubt he could be a good player someday, I remember how high he was regarded coming out of college, but we already got a sort of finesse PF in LaMarcus.

 

[number 10]

Aren't most PFs supposed to be strong, and SFs supposed to be kind of quick? haha.. And I think going against strong PFs has been one of our weaknesses, which is why we've been wanting a banger for a backup PF.

I don't doubt he could be a good player someday, I remember how high he was regarded coming out of college, but we already got a sort of finesse PF in LaMarcus.

Sure, but that's why you would bring him off the bench, where positions are much more fluid. Put him next to Prz on the 2nd unit and you're good to go. I mean, Outlaw manages well enough, doesn't he? Wright already has better shooting (57 TS% to Outlaw's 54%) and rebounding numbers, and be reasonably expected to keep on improving.

Besides, I just mentioned his name because the OP was talking about Golden State, I admit that as is he wouldn't really have a role on the Blazers. But in terms of obtainable players who could turn into big contributors, B. Wright is towards the top of my list.

 

[KingSpeed]

I'd love Turiaf and Jackson.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I think the next target is going to be Odom.


It won't get done, but that's wh I think we will offer.

 

[bobf]

Last year (according to 82games.com)

Roy played

• 47% of the total available SG minutes
• 25% of the total available SF minutes
• 0% anywhere else

Rudy played

• 46% of the total available SG minutes
• 0% anywhere else

That means if we fill up the SF slot then Rudy has no place to play. Rudy will squawk and we'll have chemistry issues. In order to accomodate Rudy, Roy will still end up still playing SF minutres and Batum will get squeezed out of the picture, not giving him a real chance to pan out or not pan out.

Look at Roy's production at the SG & SF slots:

ROY	Min	PER	OPP	Net
SG	47%	26.4	17.1	+9.4
SF	25%	27.1	8.8	+18.3

Roy looks damn good at SF. So why do we need another SF? Just give give Batum 24-30 mintues at SF and find out if he's really going to be as good as some of us hope he is. Give Roy about 18 minutes at SF and 18 minutes at SG. Give Rudy about 30 mintutes at SG This way Rudy is happy and we give Batum a real chance to blossom. Effectively Outlaw's minutes are traded for more Rudy and Batum. That can't be a bad thing. The time to find out about Batum & Rudy's upsides is now when we are still a ways away from contending for a title.

Go after Sessions using a carrot (Outlaw + Bayless) and a stick ($ offer).

 

[SpanishFly]

I totally agree.

I know, "don't question KP." Whatever. I would love to hear a serious explanation as to why this team wouldn't look for an upgrade at the point! The closest I can come up with, is that Roy and Blake must be *really* tight.

+100! If are PG's this coming season are Blake and Bayless IMO we are taking a huge risk and our PG play will be mediocre. We have capspace and players to trade. my god can't KP do something? I'd be happy with Sessions and Blake, Hinrich, or even Andre Miller signed to a 2 yr contract at 6-7 mil per.

 

[mook]

Last year (according to 82games.com)

Roy played

• 47% of the total available SG minutes
• 25% of the total available SF minutes
• 0% anywhere else

Rudy played

• 46% of the total available SG minutes
• 0% anywhere else

That means if we fill up the SF slot then Rudy has no place to play. Rudy will squawk and we'll have chemistry issues. In order to accomodate Rudy, Roy will still end up still playing SF minutres and Batum will get squeezed out of the picture, not giving him a real chance to pan out or not pan out.

Look at Roy's production at the SG & SF slots:

ROY    Min    PER    OPP    Net
SG    47%    26.4    17.1    +9.4
SF    25%    27.1    8.8    +18.3

Roy looks damn good at SF. So why do we need another SF? Just give give Batum 24-30 mintues at SF and find out if he's really going to be as good as some of us hope he is. Give Roy about 18 minutes at SF and 18 minutes at SG. Give Rudy about 30 mintutes at SG This way Rudy is happy and we give Batum a real chance to blossom. Effectively Outlaw's minutes are traded for more Rudy and Batum. That can't be a bad thing. The time to find out about Batum & Rudy's upsides is now when we are still a ways away from contending for a title.

Go after Sessions using a carrot (Outlaw + Bayless) and a stick ($ offer).

Really good post. It's why I'd rather see us upgrade PG. We're actually pretty decent at SF as is, provided Rudy can play more minutes.

 

[bobf]

Really good post. It's why I'd rather see us upgrade PG. We're actually pretty decent at SF as is, provided Rudy can play more minutes.

Yeah, to me Rudy's & Batum's upsides (esp Batum) are assets. Sure they are only potential assets because they might not pan out, but a potential asset is still an asset. Like if I tell you: flip a coin and if it comes up heads I'll give you $100,000. That's an asset worth about $50,000. But if you never flip the coin it's worth nothing. Let Rudy & Batum play lots of minutes and you give their upsides a chance to pan out. Otherwise you flush those assets down the drain. So if you are going after a SF you might as well go balls-out and lose either Rudy or Batum and go after G. Wallace. But I'm not sure if that door is still open. I'd rather just flip the Rudy/Batum coin and go for a PG.