I disagree w/ Brian Wheeler about trading for Joe Johnson

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Chad Ford says there's potential for 6+11 = 2. He thinks it's for Beal, but I say MKG would look awesome at SF with Nic and LMA (get well soon, btw)

Beal is probably going to be a good player, but I don't think he's Wade Lite. He doesn't attack the rim, and when he does, he doesn't have the strength or explosiveness to finish. He may be an awesome NBA shooter, but he shot 33% from college 3 for an entire season. He measured 6'3.5" in shoes, and draftexpress' view of his defense is that it's inconsistent, though his ceiling there is "probably solid".

MKG, however, seems like he'd be a pure fit on our team. He's a big, strong wing player. At 18 he's already displayed leadership (running UK's Breakfast Club workout program) and has an immense work ethic and motor. He's not going to be the #1 (or even #2) option on offense, but that's ok b/c LMA is going to be that guy for as long as he wears Rip City unis. He loves defense and guards everyone from 1 to 4. He has a little bit of Z-bo in his offensive game (not nearly the 'jumper' Zach has) in that he finds ways to rebound and score or finish near (above?) the rim. He's acknowledged to be a very good passer and a very heady (BBIQ) player, knowing where he needs to be in space and when (and how) to make good picks and sharp cuts.

Draftexpress also says:
"he is the type of player who needs good teammates around him to fully utilize all the different things he does well. He really understands the nuances of making others better with his ability to set screens, pass, and make hustle plays, which is likely a big reason why he's always been considered such a winner from very early on in his career"

From DraftExpress.com www.draftexpress.com#ixzz1wZhtRwnr

I know we toss the name around a lot with Nic, but MKG seems like a raw Pippen-type player. Scottie was awesome, but he started as a defensive stalwart, let his offensive game mature as a semi-Robin to Jordan's Batman (or maybe a Jimmy Olsen to Jordan's Superman) and eventually turned into the Top 50 player. But if Scottie had needed to shoulder the load his rookie year, it wouldn't have worked.

I personally think CHA needs two lotto picks more than we do, and that we both know it. If you take a lineup with Batum/MKG/LMA into free agency, especially if you can pick up and hit on a later pick (Adelman doesn't want the #18 and covets Wes--which I'd do in half a heartbeat) then you not only look attractive to FA's, but also have a bunch of $$ to make those lopsided trades or to look to amnestied guys. I don't know that we'd be players in the Deron Sweepstakes (I have literally no feel for how that would go down), but having 2 perimeter-able-defensive guys like MKG and Batum allows us to have a gamut of PG options, on a spectrum from someone like Lin to Nash to a combo guard like Stuckey. If we go with an undersized, relatively one-dimensional SG like Beal (no matter if his shot turns around or not) then you're taking options away from later picks, FA and trades.
 
I don't like the 6 and 11 for the #2. This team has major needs and 2-12 IMO the talent gap isn't very broad. If we play our cards right we can set ourselves up really nice for the future with this draft. I think its a great draft to have 2 lottery picks in.
 
Chad Ford says there's potential for 6+11 = 2. He thinks it's for Beal, but I say MKG would look awesome at SF with Nic and LMA (get well soon, btw)

Beal is probably going to be a good player, but I don't think he's Wade Lite. He doesn't attack the rim, and when he does, he doesn't have the strength or explosiveness to finish. He may be an awesome NBA shooter, but he shot 33% from college 3 for an entire season. He measured 6'3.5" in shoes, and draftexpress' view of his defense is that it's inconsistent, though his ceiling there is "probably solid".

MKG, however, seems like he'd be a pure fit on our team. He's a big, strong wing player. At 18 he's already displayed leadership (running UK's Breakfast Club workout program) and has an immense work ethic and motor. He's not going to be the #1 (or even #2) option on offense, but that's ok b/c LMA is going to be that guy for as long as he wears Rip City unis. He loves defense and guards everyone from 1 to 4. He has a little bit of Z-bo in his offensive game (not nearly the 'jumper' Zach has) in that he finds ways to rebound and score or finish near (above?) the rim. He's acknowledged to be a very good passer and a very heady (BBIQ) player, knowing where he needs to be in space and when (and how) to make good picks and sharp cuts.

Draftexpress also says:
"he is the type of player who needs good teammates around him to fully utilize all the different things he does well. He really understands the nuances of making others better with his ability to set screens, pass, and make hustle plays, which is likely a big reason why he's always been considered such a winner from very early on in his career"

From DraftExpress.com www.draftexpress.com#ixzz1wZhtRwnr

I know we toss the name around a lot with Nic, but MKG seems like a raw Pippen-type player. Scottie was awesome, but he started as a defensive stalwart, let his offensive game mature as a semi-Robin to Jordan's Batman (or maybe a Jimmy Olsen to Jordan's Superman) and eventually turned into the Top 50 player. But if Scottie had needed to shoulder the load his rookie year, it wouldn't have worked.

I personally think CHA needs two lotto picks more than we do, and that we both know it. If you take a lineup with Batum/MKG/LMA into free agency, especially if you can pick up and hit on a later pick (Adelman doesn't want the #18 and covets Wes--which I'd do in half a heartbeat) then you not only look attractive to FA's, but also have a bunch of $$ to make those lopsided trades or to look to amnestied guys. I don't know that we'd be players in the Deron Sweepstakes (I have literally no feel for how that would go down), but having 2 perimeter-able-defensive guys like MKG and Batum allows us to have a gamut of PG options, on a spectrum from someone like Lin to Nash to a combo guard like Stuckey. If we go with an undersized, relatively one-dimensional SG like Beal (no matter if his shot turns around or not) then you're taking options away from later picks, FA and trades.

You could get creative with this situation: Let Batum walk and focus the FA cap at Eric Gordon.

You can build around LMA/Gordon/MKG and they call complement each other.
 
You could get creative with this situation: Let Batum walk and focus the FA cap at Eric Gordon.

You can build around LMA/Gordon/MKG and they call complement each other.

The only teeny tiny issue I have with that is Gordon's injury history for the number of $$ we'd have to pay to get him.
If you go MKG (who I disagree...would be much better at less risk than anyone for our team at 6), then you could go for Deron or Hibbert and when you don't get them, look for two "lesser contracts" like, say, Lin and Eryasova or Nash and McGee or something.
 
You could get creative with this situation: Let Batum walk and focus the FA cap at Eric Gordon.

You can build around LMA/Gordon/MKG and they call complement each other.

I'm scared to death of Gordon's injuries. People call Ewill injury prone but Gordon is just as much. Not to mention Gordon is not known for any defensive prowess in the NBA.
 
Joe Johnson has never had even a 20-PER season.

End of discussion for him being worth two lottery picks, isn't it?
 
Bingo. 5 years ago, JJ was a desirable asset. So was Brandon Roy. Not relevant to the current discussion.

5 years ago Joe Johnson had a PER of 17.3, which is what Nic Batum had this year. That season, Johnson made $13.5 million.

Johnson was never, EVER, on BRoy's level as an NBA player. People are shatting their pants over Batum at $10 million, yet would be willing to trade two lottery picks, let Batum walk, and get Joe Freaking Johnson in return?
 
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I think it was at "31y/o, cap-space sucking player who doesn't play PG or C." But yeah, you can add "never a 20 PER" to that, also.
 
This is like the impatient route the Magic took -- Instead of grooming the more talented prospect they opted for the "immediate veteran help" for Dwight.

This off-season is making me nervous for the Blazers in the short-term and in the long-term.
 
I think it was at "31y/o, cap-space sucking player who doesn't play PG or C." But yeah, you can add "never a 20 PER" to that, also.

For a supposed follower of the NBA, trading two lottery picks for Joe Johnson is dumb on multiple levels, especially considering the Blazers' All-Star PF will only be 27 next year.
 
I don't know that I'd be too hard on Wheels...he's either smokescreening for the team, OR the FO really wants Joe for some dumb reason and is using him as a mouthpiece to get us hyped for it.
 
I don't know that I'd be too hard on Wheels...he's either smokescreening for the team, OR the FO really wants Joe for some dumb reason and is using him as a mouthpiece to get us hyped for it.

I'd rather bring back Andre Miller than trade two lottery picks for Joe Johnson, and that's not even close. May as well try to get back Crawford if you're going to just give away two lottery picks for an overrated "All-Star" like Joe Johnson.
 
It's fun that we're 72 posts in and I don't think there's a single person other than Wheels (and I'm pretty sure this isn't his personal opinion) who agrees at all, in the slightest, with doing this.
 
The Trail Blazers' draft picks: I'm hearing the Trail Blazers are leaning towards keeping their No. 6 and No. 11 picks in the 2012 NBA draft.
-Haynes

Yessir!
 
Yeah, that would be good news if true.....

Having Buchanan pick them is concerning however....
 
I'm curious to see who slips to six. I'm sure someone good is going to slip. My hope is Robinson.
 
He's a lock to go in the top-5. I think the guy who slips is Drummond. IMO, the top-4 are pretty much a lock to go like this:

Davis
MKG
Beal
Robinson
 
He's a lock to go in the top-5. I think the guy who slips is Drummond. IMO, the top-4 are pretty much a lock to go like this:

Davis
MKG
Beal
Robinson

It's so early though, and some idiot team always reaches on a guy that would be there ten picks later. I'm just hoping it's not us.
 
FWIW, Jeremy Lamb apparently is in play at #4 to Cleveland.

They reached last year for Thompson it wouldn't surprise me to see them reach again in this draft.
 
FWIW, Jeremy Lamb apparently is in play at #4 to Cleveland.

They reached last year for Thompson it wouldn't surprise me to see them reach again in this draft.

Shiiiiit.... he might be there at 11. That would be just silly.
 
Keep the picks. Wait for gems to fall to six and 11. Of course, that presumes our GM knows a gem when he see's one. Oh, right....
 
Keep the picks. Wait for gems to fall to six and 11. Of course, that presumes our GM knows a gem when he see's one. Oh, right....

I wonder, with Paul Allens mother dying, if he's going to go into a bit of a funk for a while.

Having a parent die is hard, no matter how old you are (or they are). It took my dad a long LONG time to get over his dads death. And he died 30 years ago.
 
I could certainly see myself going, screw it, status quo.
 
I could certainly see myself going, screw it, status quo.

When a loved one passes, we sulk and linger on our loss, or we find a distraction. Maybe Paul says, "Nobody loved the Blazers more - let's do this!".

Not saying I wouldn't understand if Paul disconnected, but I hope he finds some outlets to enjoy while he's down and in pain.
 
Keep the picks. Wait for gems to fall to six and 11. Of course, that presumes our GM knows a gem when he see's one. Oh, right....

We just need a pair of hard-working juniors or seniors who lack ideal size and athleticism but are good citizens.

I think that's been the approach lately, and obviously it's worked!

Ed O.
 
I think that it's still early, and while presumably a top 2 or 3 will emerge by draft time, the sixth spot looks to be a pretty good place to be at this point.

Ed O.
 
Honestly, no worse than some of the suggestions made by posters here.
 

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