Free Agents, Portland and Olshey

[Natebishop3]

There are two things I think our team needs to address.

1.) a sg that can attack the rim and create his own shot

2.) a defensive center that blocks shots, rebounds and sets great picks.

The rest is gravy

Two words:

Bench. Scoring.

 

[magnifier661]

Two words:

Bench. Scoring.

Those can be obtained with the youngsters improving with age. It's more important to find the starting core to win games; then you address the other needs with MLE and vet mins.

 

[Blazinaway]

Two words:

Bench. Scoring.

ONE WORD = CENTER, one who can defend and rebound, then work on filling the other holes!

 

[magnifier661]

ONE WORD = CENTER, one who can defend and rebound, then work on filling the other holes!

That should be priority #1. He needs to set good picks too!

 

[blue9]

I don't want Mayo either. But please tell me what Tyreke brings to the table? I keep hearing his name mentioned so I keep watching Sacramento games and I just don't get it. IMO teams adjusted to his game after the first year. He never got better.

Completely agree. But I think he'd potentially be a great 6th man. I would hate him as a starter though.

 

[Pinwheel1]

He'll be 32 next season and the most he's made in a year is $3.1 million. I just don't see a team spending more than the MLE for him. Sure he's a great defensive SG, but that doesn't warrant a huge contract.

I did not realize he was that old. I was thinking 29 or 30. I love his game too. I would offer him the MLE. But he has a good gig in Memphis. The Grizzlies will offer their starting SG that amount as well. I doubt he leaves.

 

[HailBlazers]

please tell me what Tyreke brings to the table? I keep hearing his name mentioned so I keep watching Sacramento games and I just don't get it. IMO teams adjusted to his game after the first year. He never got better.

Key word, bolded. Talk about growth stunting. Tyreke brings everything that Mathews doesn't, instant offense and quality slashing skills.

 

[Natebishop3]

Those can be obtained with the youngsters improving with age. It's more important to find the starting core to win games; then you address the other needs with MLE and vet mins.

We need a veteran scorer on the bench. So quickly we forget that our starters had us in games and our complete lack of bench scoring shot us out of many games. It would also be nice if our starters weren't averaging 38+ minutes per game. Yes, we need a center, but right now we desperately need a damn bench.

 

[blue9]

quality slashing skills.

I don't think the lack of slashing is Wes, or any particular player's fault - it's the game plan that limits the slashing. We've seen both Wes and Nic make good cuts for easy baskets on occasion - they're perfectly capable of slashing. But the offense just isn't designed to hit moving players with passes. Players only move in order to draw their defenders away from the ball.

 

[magnifier661]

We need a veteran scorer on the bench. So quickly we forget that our starters had us in games and our complete lack of bench scoring shot us out of many games. It would also be nice if our starters weren't averaging 38+ minutes per game. Yes, we need a center, but right now we desperately need a damn bench.

You can't always get what you want. You have to address the major needs and that's the defensive center. Then the slashing, getting to the line and creating his own shot sg is next in line. Matthews should be 6th man.

 

[Boise Blazer]

I really hope Olshey has something up his sleave because Im just sure that the resources and/or ability is there to take the "next step". Yes I think we will have a shot at the playoffs next year but to me the next step is more along the lines of home court advantage. I hope Im wrong but I just dont see it with what's available. Although I agree a defensive center could change our team the most I think. I would like to think that bench will naturally mature and get better with age and even the additional of MLE player.

 

[Natebishop3]

You can't always get what you want. You have to address the major needs and that's the defensive center. Then the slashing, getting to the line and creating his own shot sg is next in line. Matthews should be 6th man.

We had the worst scoring bench in the league. You don't think that ranks above a slashing SG? We have no idea if Wes will actually be effective coming off the bench. What if he's one of those guys that simply can't produce at the drop of a hat?

 

[Blazinaway]

You can't always get what you want. You have to address the major needs and that's the defensive center. Then the slashing, getting to the line and creating his own shot sg is next in line. Matthews should be 6th man.

you guys think we bring back Ewill on a 1 yr very cheap contract? Seems he likes the guys and was always around

 

[Boise Blazer]

you guys think we bring back Ewill on a 1 yr very cheap contract? Seems he likes the guys and was always around

I hope so. Depending on the price he could be a steal and make a big difference in our bench

 

[HailBlazers]

Sinobas trolling hard on Olive Comments:

This is the stupidest thing you've ever written Quick. These players are multi-millionares who live in mansions.....so what do you think their neighbors look like? We have a black ghetto in Portland, as does every major metropolitan area. Now find me a player who prefers to live there rather than around his rich white neighbors.

lol

 

[Natebishop3]

you guys think we bring back Ewill on a 1 yr very cheap contract? Seems he likes the guys and was always around

Why not bring back someone who has managed to play less than Greg Oden in his first three years in the league?

In the three years since being drafted, Williams has played in 24 games. He has played a total of 149 minutes in the league.

 

[Boise Blazer]

Why not bring back someone who has managed to play less than Greg Oden in his first three years in the league?

In the three years since being drafted, Williams has played in 24 games. He has played a total of 149 minutes in the league.

I have nothing to back it up with other than my gut says he it worth another shot for he right price and the right contract structure.

 

[Natebishop3]

I have nothing to back it up with other than my gut says he it worth another shot for he right price and the right contract structure.

I realize it doesn't really hurt to have him on the roster taking up a spot, but man I'm tired of guys like Oden and E-Will.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Why not bring back someone who has managed to play less than Greg Oden in his first three years in the league?

In the three years since being drafted, Williams has played in 24 games. He has played a total of 149 minutes in the league.

KP's parting gift to us - a pre-broken toy. Of course, I tried to tell people that at the time - and got called names.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Of course, I tried to tell people that at the time - and got called names.

And the Internet Dick measuring begins.

 

[illmatic99]

I don't want Mayo either. But please tell me what Tyreke brings to the table? I keep hearing his name mentioned so I keep watching Sacramento games and I just don't get it. IMO teams adjusted to his game after the first year. He never got better.

He can slash, handle the ball, and create for others while having the size to play either SG or SF. I think he and Dame would make a terrific duo. Even if he didn't significantly improve, he'd still be very valuable at his current level.

 

[magnifier661]

He can slash, handle the ball, and create for others while having the size to play either SG or SF. I think he and Dame would make a terrific duo. Even if he didn't significantly improve, he'd still be very valuable at his current level.

I would take a chance on him if he comes at a reasonable price. If he is gonna get 8-9 mil, then I wouldn't want to go that route.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Mayo would be a big mistake.

 

[craigehlo]

Mayo would be a big mistake.

Yep. He had some nice scoring games early in the season, but didn't fit too well after Dirk came back. Seems like a good bench spark plug, but I doubt he'd accept that role or MLE-type money.

 

[HailBlazers]

Mayo would be a big mistake.

but but but he looooves Neil

He can slash, handle the ball, and create for others while having the size to play either SG or SF. I think he and Dame would make a terrific duo. Even if he didn't significantly improve, he'd still be very valuable at his current level.

Agreed, and I think the environment here would light a fire under him like his rookie year

 

[Boise Blazer]

but but but he looooves Neil



Agreed, and I think the environment here would light a fire under him like his rookie year

Yeah i would gladly take rookie year Evans. At some point Evans and Mayo are the types of gambles that we are going to have to take and hope we get lucky. I dont like it but it is what it is for PDX.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Agreed, and I think the environment here would light a fire under him like his rookie year

OK you guys may be right. I can see him playing with Lillard as he is a pretty good passing SG.
I do like that he attacks the basket.

My problem with him is probably just in my head. I just get the impression that he is lazy and not all that bright. But it is based more on a feeling than any facts. (Other than the stupid car chase scene)

 

[Blazinaway]

OK you guys may be right. I can see him playing with Lillard as he is a pretty good passing SG.
I do like that he attacks the basket.

My problem with him is probably just in my head. I just get the impression that he is lazy and not all that bright. But it is based more on a feeling than any facts. (Other than the stupid car chase scene)

it's a bit hard to judge that as Sac just seems to be such a quagmire of weak leadership (mgmt and players and owners) creating a very poor environment. None of their "problem" guys really seem all that bad and I think it's something that a solid environment very well might fix, agree with what you said about risks, but from Sac they could IMO be risks worth taking.

 

[blue9]

you guys think we bring back Ewill on a 1 yr very cheap contract? Seems he likes the guys and was always around

Better not. Waste of money (even if it's only $800K) and waste of a roster spot. Will Barton has already proven to be MUCH better than Williams...and that's not saying much.

 

[Boise Blazer]

I would to just call it the JJ Hickson theory