Golden State bitter they didnt get Wallace? Says they could have had him.

[MIXUM]

Lacob: We Could Have Had Gerald Wallace But Didn't Think He Would Make Us Better
In a fascinating, wide-ranging interview with Tim Kawakami of the Mercury News, Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob claims the Warriors could have traded for new Portland Trail Blazers forward Gerald Wallace but decided not to because he didn't think Wallace would improve their team...
--------------------------
Portland? It depends whether you’re a fan of Gerald Wallace. We could’ve gotten Gerald Wallace–he’s not somebody we thought would make us better. I really believe that. He just doesn’t fit for us. He’s good defensive player, rebounder, certain things that do fit, certain things that don’t.

I could argue, don’t know whether Portland got better or worse.

Update: Kawakami tweets this morning: "Joe Lacob raised some eyebrows with his could've-had-Gerald Wallace comments. One exec says GSWs never had serious talks with Charlotte ... NBA exec: Warriors asked about Wallace-for-Andris Biedrins, which Charlotte flatly rejected. GSWs couldn't come close to Portland's offer." http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawaka...-big-deadline-moves-curry-and-ellis-and-more/

 

[MIXUM]

or maybe the feeling around the league is wallace is going downhill. and from watching his first 4 games.... i dont think i could argue that.

 

[RR7]

Doesn't fit for us.

In other words, yeah, he actually plays defense, and tries on that end, and we have no room for that. We discussed bringing him in at C, but ultimately felt like he didn't shoot the 3 enough for us. Also, while Portland offered up expirings and two draft picks, we don't own our 2012 pick, so we couldn't trade our 2011 or 2013 pick. So really, the best we could have offered to come near that was a 2014 pick. And we like that draft.

 

[e_blazer]

or maybe the feeling around the league is wallace is going downhill. and from watching his first 4 games.... i dont think i could argue that.

Golly, what a surprise that you would think that.

 

[santeesioux]

Doesn't fit for us.

In other words, yeah, he actually plays defense, and tries on that end, and we have no room for that. We discussed bringing him in at C, but ultimately felt like he didn't shoot the 3 enough for us. Also, while Portland offered up expirings and two draft picks, we don't own our 2012 pick, so we couldn't trade our 2011 or 2013 pick. So really, the best we could have offered to come near that was a 2014 pick. And we like that draft.

This, repped.

 

[Natebishop3]

or maybe the feeling around the league is wallace is going downhill. and from watching his first 4 games.... i dont think i could argue that.

Go fish.

 

[MIXUM]

has wallace played well?

go fish.

 

[RR7]

has wallace played well?

go fish.

His shooting has been off, for sure. And he needs time adjusting. But per36, he is getting the same amount of rebounds, same assists, same blocks as in Charlotte. His PPG is down 2, primarily because of the role he is playing here, so he's not getting to the line as often. But, his steals are more than doubled, 1.1 to 2.7. So I would say he is playing well, and fitting into a role we need and want him to fit into. And his shooting could only get better as he gets more acclimated and we fit him in better.

 

[santeesioux]

has wallace played well?

go fish.

It took Wes Matthews a while to click too. You can't expect the guys to play perfectly after only several games.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I have to admit that the first few games here in Portland has done nothing to disprove the notion that average players can put up big numbers on bad teams, but not good teams. Sort of like Harvey Grant for us after he came from Washington

 

[santeesioux]

Update: Kawakami tweets this morning: "Joe Lacob raised some eyebrows with his could've-had-Gerald Wallace comments. One exec says GSWs never had serious talks with Charlotte ... NBA exec: Warriors asked about Wallace-for-Andris Biedrins, which Charlotte flatly rejected. GSWs couldn't come close to Portland's offer.

- Blazersedge

 

[MIXUM]

I have to admit that the first few games here in Portland has done nothing to disprove the notion that average players can put up big numbers on bad teams, but not good teams. Sort of like Harvey Grant for us after he came from Washington

on the $$$$$$$$

wallace looks like a (L) eastern player trying to fit in with a team that he doesnt

 

[RR7]

I have to admit that the first few games here in Portland has done nothing to disprove the notion that average players can put up big numbers on bad teams, but not good teams. Sort of like Harvey Grant for us after he came from Washington

Good teams are generally good teams because of the quality and depth of their players. It would certainly stand to reason that adding another good player to that mix isn't going to allow him to continue the same production. Does it make Ray Allen less of a player because he went from being on poor teams and putting up[ big stats to putting up less stats on a good team?

 

[Natebishop3]

has wallace played well?

go fish.

It's been four games.

Go fish.

 

[Natebishop3]

Sure, guys can score a lot of points on a bad team, but first team All-NBA defense? Really? I don't see how that can be attributed to being an average player on a bad team.

 

[alex42083]

Kind of strange for an owner to go out of his way to comment on another team's player like that, and then bash the dude for not being a good player. Why did GS explore the possibility of getting him then if they didn't want him in the first place?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I have to admit that the first few games here in Portland has done nothing to disprove the notion that average players can put up big numbers on bad teams, but not good teams. Sort of like Harvey Grant for us after he came from Washington

The Spectre of Harvey Grant haunts every Blazers mid-season trade (along with the banshee wail of Rod Strickland II and Shawn Kemp), but I'll give Nate and Wallace a little more time to figure shit out.

But we now know that pretending Wallace is Outlaw isn't working very well, though.

 

[MIXUM]

if hes playing first team defense for the blazers... then collins is the long term answer at center.

 

[Natebishop3]

if hes playing first team defense for the blazers... then collins is the long term answer at center.

The Mixum schtick is in full effect.

 

[Mediocre Man]

The Spectre of Harvey Grant haunts every Blazers mid-season trade (along with the banshee wail of Rod Strickland II and Shawn Kemp), but I'll give Nate and Wallace a little more time to figure shit out.

But we now know that pretending Wallace is Outlaw isn't working very well, though.

I thought trading for him was a great idea, and i still do. I think Wallace is a good player and he and the coaching staff just need time to figure it all out. I was just saying that up to now, he has been very average

 

[Natebishop3]

Tough crowd. I know the Portland fanbase is rough, but if people are questioning him after only four games, that's pretty fucking weak.

 

[MIXUM]

well.... looking bad vs rockets, kings and bobcats will do that.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Tough crowd. I know the Portland fanbase is rough, but if people are questioning him after only four games, that's pretty fucking weak.

If it was the first 4 games of the season, I could agree with that.

As is - the clock is ticking down on the season. Wallace needs to fit in fast.

 

[GriLtCheeZ]

Tough crowd. I know the Portland fanbase is rough, but if people are questioning him after only four games, that's pretty fucking weak.

for reals dog

 

[crandc]

Golly, what a surprise that you would think that.

I'm quite certain that had Golden State or any other team traded for Wallace, mixum would be posting how the Blazers crappy management lost an opportunity to gain an all star and all defensive player. Mixum is the living embodiment of "grass is always greener". Maybe smoking some would make him more cheerful?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I'm quite certain that had Golden State or any other team traded for Wallace, mixum would be posting how the Blazers crappy management lost an opportunity to gain an all star and all defensive player. Mixum is the living embodiment of "grass is always greener". Maybe smoking some would make him more cheerful?

I don't think that could possibly be any more accurate. Repped.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Given what the Blazers gave up to get Wallace, I'm guessing a lot of teams could have had Wallace if they really wanted him. I don't think we can say the Blazers really wanted him if they weren't willing to give up Batum as part of the trade for him.

For whatever reason Jordan was committed to moving Wallace this trade deadline and because of Wallace's contract, Blazers took advantage of a very soft market for Wallace.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Just wondering aloud here, but I wonder if the market was soft for a reason? Like the Blazers "taking advantage' of open 3 point shots. Other teams want the Blazers to shoot those, maybe just like other teams didn't really want Wallace.

Again, just wondering aloud because I really like Wallace, and think he is a great addition

 

[andalusian]

Just wondering aloud here, but I wonder if the market was soft for a reason? Like the Blazers "taking advantage' of open 3 point shots. Other teams want the Blazers to shoot those, maybe just like other teams didn't really want Wallace.

I do not think that given the financial situation, most teams not having a billionaire as their owner and Portland's injuries not making them exactly a contender - teams really did anything to "stop" Portland - you are over-analyzing it. Teams that were buying (OKC, New Jersey, NY) had other needs. Everyone else was just trying to tweak and not take his large salary.

Again, just wondering aloud because I really like Wallace, and think he is a great addition

He is nice to have given this team's injury issues and the uncertainty over Joel's, Roy's and Oden's future. I am willing to bet that despite Cho's claims that he (Wallace) was a high-priority - he was more of a fall-back option given the Harris trade and Gortat earlier.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Just wondering aloud here, but I wonder if the market was soft for a reason? Like the Blazers "taking advantage' of open 3 point shots. Other teams want the Blazers to shoot those, maybe just like other teams didn't really want Wallace.

Again, just wondering aloud because I really like Wallace, and think he is a great addition

I commented in another thread, but Cuban came out with some interesting quotes on just how few NBA owners were willing to take on salary in this economic environment.

I thought it was a very telling comment and as mentioned above, the few teams willing to take on salary had other needs. So Blazers got Wallace on the cheap.

I read that this deal took place 3 minutes before the trade deadline and Jordan pulled away from the deal the day before. To me that says the Blazers had the best offer (lowball offer) and Jordan was determined to trade Wallace.