Is Chris Paul worth it?

[Rastapopoulos]

I get that we're all geeked to see Portland on the 4-team list, and to figure that we have the most to offer. But do we really WANT Chris Paul for what it would probably cost? I think we're blinded by the glare coming out of Miami (certainly Paul is) and want our own superteam. But we don't even know if that'll work out. And it seems obvious to me that, those few minutes in that All-Star game notwithstanding, Paul and Roy get in each other's way as much as they complement each other.

Other factors:
Paul has been injured, quite a bit. And he's small. Small guys who get injured tend to break down. One of the major quibbles about Tony Parker when he was our Star Target Of The Moment was that he was potentially on the downhill slope.

Miller has been damn good for us. Has Paul ever scored 52 against Dallas? I think not. But Miller would be basically a giveaway, and I don't think NO would want him, as they've got Collison.

Batum could be really good. And there is essentially no way this trade goes down without Batum in it. I want to see Batum in the World Championships (remember, his game took a quantum leap last summer playing for France. And this year Parker won't be there. Batum could be our PG of the future!) Here's a question: suppose we don't trade for Paul, and you find out later it's because they asked for Batum, and we said no. Could you live with that? I guess it depends what happened afterwards...

Paul is somebody forcing a trade from the team that he supposedly totally committed himself to. Could you really come to see him as an all-time Blazer great?

Paul's numbers are, I think, inflated playing for New Orleans. Obviously he's better than Damon, but Damon was being put with Nike in ads with Jason Kidd and Gary Payton after his rookie-of-the-year year. When you have total freedom and total domination of the ball, you can look better than you would on a more balanced team. I remember thinking that Paul looked kind of ordinary playing for Team USA.

 

[blazerboy30]

I think you're underestimating how good CP3 really is. He's possibly the best PG to play the game since Magic.

 

[noknobs]

Miller has been damn good for us. Has Paul ever scored 52 against Dallas?

Paul's numbers are, I think, inflated playing for New Orleans. Obviously he's better than Damon, but Damon was being put with Nike in ads with Jason Kidd and Gary Payton after his rookie-of-the-year year. When you have total freedom and total domination of the ball, you can look better than you would on a more balanced team. I remember thinking that Paul looked kind of ordinary playing for Team USA.

haha... wow. That's all I got, I'm speechless.

 

[HailBlazers]

I agree Miller has been damn good and underrated

But CP3 is king at PG position

 

[Ed O]

Many people doubted Paul before he entered the NBA (the Bucks, Atlanta, PatterNash) and I'm not shocked that some people are doubting him now.

If we can get him without giving up Roy/Aldridge/Oden, there's no doubt in my mind he's "worth it".

Ed O.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Injuries are a concern, but evenwith last years 45 games played, he averages 69 games played a year

Conversely

Roy = 68
Oden = 27
Batum = 58


It's true that Batum COULD be really good, but Paul already is better than that. He and Roy playing together scares me a bit, but hopefully since it's a player who Roy probably respects more, it won't be a huge issue.

 

[alex42083]

A 25-year-old PG in his prime and an MVP candidate, who simply wants to win a championship? Yeah, the guy is certainly worth it.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

haha... wow. That's all I got, I'm speechless.

Same here man. Rasta have you ever seen CP3 play? He made Tyson Chandler's name in the top 10 or so center of the league discussion a few years ago.

I don't care if Miller scored 52 against Dallas in one game, one game doesn't make him a better player. Everyone has been ridiculous lately ever since CP3 got hurt. Saying Rondo and Deron are better than CP3. Give me a break. CP3 is the best PG in the league.

 

[Idog1976]

I get that we're all geeked to see Portland on the 4-team list, and to figure that we have the most to offer. But do we really WANT Chris Paul for what it would probably cost? I think we're blinded by the glare coming out of Miami (certainly Paul is) and want our own superteam. But we don't even know if that'll work out. And it seems obvious to me that, those few minutes in that All-Star game notwithstanding, Paul and Roy get in each other's way as much as they complement each other.

Other factors:
Paul has been injured, quite a bit. And he's small. Small guys who get injured tend to break down. One of the major quibbles about Tony Parker when he was our Star Target Of The Moment was that he was potentially on the downhill slope.

Miller has been damn good for us. Has Paul ever scored 52 against Dallas? I think not. But Miller would be basically a giveaway, and I don't think NO would want him, as they've got Collison.

Batum could be really good. And there is essentially no way this trade goes down without Batum in it. I want to see Batum in the World Championships (remember, his game took a quantum leap last summer playing for France. And this year Parker won't be there. Batum could be our PG of the future!) Here's a question: suppose we don't trade for Paul, and you find out later it's because they asked for Batum, and we said no. Could you live with that? I guess it depends what happened afterwards...

Paul is somebody forcing a trade from the team that he supposedly totally committed himself to. Could you really come to see him as an all-time Blazer great?

Paul's numbers are, I think, inflated playing for New Orleans. Obviously he's better than Damon, but Damon was being put with Nike in ads with Jason Kidd and Gary Payton after his rookie-of-the-year year. When you have total freedom and total domination of the ball, you can look better than you would on a more balanced team. I remember thinking that Paul looked kind of ordinary playing for Team USA.

You are REALLY reaching in half what you wrote here I mean REALLY reaching. Other then Paul's health all your arguments were pretty weak. I normally like your stuff but come on Nic as a PG and not worth Paul? Come on!

 

[Masbee]

I think you're underestimating how good CP3 really is. He's possibly the best PG to play the game since Magic.

This.

 

[Idog1976]

Injuries are a concern, but evenwith last years 45 games played, he averages 69 games played a year

Conversely

Roy = 68
Oden = 27
Batum = 58


It's true that Batum COULD be really good, but Paul already is better than that. He and Roy playing together scares me a bit, but hopefully since it's a player who Roy probably respects more, it won't be a huge issue.

Yep Roy's health is like the forgotten thing around here, it never ceases to amaze me. Also I LOOOOOVE me some Nic Batum and wouldn't trade him for most guys in the league but for Chris Paul? Where the hell do I sign in blood on a parchment made of human skin to get this deal done!!!

 

[oldmangrouch]

Over-paying for any player is bad business....and I agree that some people (slightly) over-rate CP3.

Conversely, who do the Blazers have that could be deemed irreplacable? Roy is very good, LMA is close, and Batum could get there. That's it. Everybody else on the team is old, injury prone, a huge question mark, or some combination of the above.

The Blazers are not a few tweaks from being a contender - they need a *big* move to get there.

 

[Reep]

I do agree with some of Rasta's concern though. Looking at this negatively, what if Paul and Roy = anti-synergy, meaning together they are less effective than they were apart. Also, what if injury bugs continue to hit the team and it doesn't really challenge in the next two years? Will Paul stick it out or will he bolt to NY to be with Carmello? This is not a no-brainer to me.

Honestly, I wish it could be a three way where Roy goes out and Paul comes back. Part of me likes Paul/Batum/Aldridge/Oden better than Paul/Roy/Aldridge/Oden for chemistry reasons.

 

[Cake]

I remember thinking that Paul looked kind of ordinary playing for Team USA.

So he looked ordinary for one of the 12 best players in the world?

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/08.../teamnumber/379/fe_teamPlay_teamAccuStat.html

Middle of the pack in scoring and rebounding, first in assists, second in steals. I'll take it.

I love Batum. Chris Paul is almost certainly one of the top 5 players in the league. I doubt that Batum ever gets to that level. I think you have to do this deal if that's all you give up.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I think you're underestimating how good CP3 really is. He's possibly the best PG to play the game since Magic.

Personally I think DWill is better. Head to Head he kicks his ass. But none the less CP3 is awsome. But I do think he can be a whiny little bitch. Maybe it was the Byron Scott effect. I want CP3, but I would not mortgage the farm on him. Because if we are not one of the best teams in two years, he will bail on us too.

 

[Minstrel]

Chris Paul is amazing. He's the best player in basketball not named LeBron James, as far as I'm concerned. I'd hate to lose Batum, but I don't blink an eye to do it in order to get back a once-a-generation point guard. Yes, his injuries have been mildly worrying, but it's a risk I definitely take. I think Roy and Paul can coexist together (Jordan and Pippen did, despite both being primary ball-handler types). If not with McMillan then with a new Portland coach.

Paul with Roy, Oden and either Aldridge or Batum would be a team that could challenge the Miami superteam, as far as I'm concerned. They'd also be odd-on favourites in the West this year and even more so in future seasons, as Kobe Bryant gets older, barring a remarkable move by one of the other major West teams.

 

[craigehlo]

A 25-year-old PG in his prime and an MVP candidate, who simply wants to win a championship? Yeah, the guy is certainly worth it.

Exactly. For all the PER stats that get thrown arund here, CP3 is #7 in the NBA. He's probably got another 10-years of productivity in him at age 25.

I understand fans not wanting to give up on Oden, but anyone that thinks giving up Batum is too high a price for CP3 is insane in my book. This team has two choices. We can either become a real contender by trading for CP3 or we can stand pat and be a perennial also-ran like Dallas. Standing pat would make us good but not great. You need to be great now with the Lakers and Heat in your way.

 

[Idog1976]

Chris Paul is amazing. He's the best player in basketball not named LeBron James, as far as I'm concerned. I'd hate to lose Batum, but I don't blink an eye to do it in order to get back a once-a-generation point guard. Yes, his injuries have been mildly worrying, but it's a risk I definitely take. I think Roy and Paul can coexist together (Jordan and Pippen did, despite both being primary ball-handler types). If not with McMillan then with a new Portland coach.

Paul with Roy, Oden and either Aldridge or Batum would be a team that could challenge the Miami superteam, as far as I'm concerned. They'd also be odd-on favourites in the West this year and even more so in future seasons, as Kobe Bryant gets older, barring a remarkable move by one of the other major West teams.

Yep, and all this CP3 bouncing stuff is just silly he'd stay for the $$$ but more, he's a competitor and would stay to be on the best team possible. Plus after we kill the Lakers next season you extend him in the off season if not before. Also we wouldn't "screw up the team" even if he did leave, because if CP3 walks in three years and Oden presumably isn't a superstar (otherwise Paul would stay) then we need to rebuild with our sights on 2015ish when LeBron starts to decline.

 

[Minstrel]

Exactly. For all the PER stats that get thrown arund here, CP3 is #7 in the NBA.

In a down year. He was top-ten in PER in a bad season. The season before that, he had a 30 PER! That's LeBron James/Michael Jordan territory.

 

[Idog1976]

In a down year. He was top-ten in PER in a bad season. The season before that, he had a 30 PER! That's LeBron James/Michael Jordan territory.

Seriously people need help and need to call Shick if they are worried about CP3 being a great player I mean come on. Really? Rasta was just playing Devil's advocate, but the I wouldn't trade Batum for him camp is clearly drunk off it's ass or has a real inhalant problem.

 

[MrSelfDestruct]

I absolutely want Paul.

That said, I worry about some things unrelated to talent and injuries. I am concerned about the financial side of things. We are likely getting ONE year of play from Paul if we trade him without an extending him first (is that even possible under the current CBA?) as next year's lockout seems imminent. With that in mind, I can't see why the owners would relinquish Bird Rights in a new agreement, but for the sake of argument, say they do. Paul could choose to walk and we end up with nothing after essentially a one year rental.

Of course, that is all worst case scenario but makes me pause for a second.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Jesus Rasta ... you worry about Roy and Paul fitting together, but you've been pimping Ricky Rubio for a year and a half -- a guy who can't even shoot?

Paul is quite simply put the best point guard I've seen since Magic, he can shoot it from distance, he can shoot it in the mid-range and if he and Brandon can't learn to play together then Brandon will never be able to play with anybody.

 

[LittleAlex]

Injuries are a concern, but evenwith last years 45 games played, he averages 69 games played a year

Conversely

Roy = 68
Oden = 27
Batum = 58


It's true that Batum COULD be really good, but Paul already is better than that. He and Roy playing together scares me a bit, but hopefully since it's a player who Roy probably respects more, it won't be a huge issue.

Even if Batum shatters his ceiling and becomes many time better a player then I think is possible he STILL won't be in the same conversation as CP3.

We are talking a first ballot hall of fame players versus Batum.

The OP is just plain wrong.

 

[hasoos]

Here is one thing I want to point out. One of the reasons Chris Paul gets hurt every year is because he has to carry too much of the load in NO. One of the reasons Brandon is hurt every year is because he has to carry too much of the load in Portland. By having them play together, you share the load and their injuries will go down.

Secondly I would point out, if Chris Paul can get Tyson Chandler to average almost 12 points a game, what can he do with Lamarcus, Oden and Camby?

 

[LittleAlex]

Jesus Rasta ... you worry about Roy and Paul fitting together, but you've been pimping Ricky Rubio for a year and a half -- a guy who can't even shoot?

Paul is quite simply put the best point guard I've seen since Magic, he can shoot it from distance, he can shoot it in the mid-range and if he and Brandon can't learn to play together then Brandon will never be able to play with anybody.

Exactly. If Brandon Roy cannot play with CP3, then the problem is Brandon's.

 

[Minstrel]

if he and Brandon can't learn to play together then Brandon will never be able to play with anybody.

My thoughts exactly. I was in favour of tailoring personnel to Roy when he was easily the team's best player. But Paul would be easily the best player if Portland acquired him and Oden is potentially more important than Roy (if he ever stays healthy). I have no doubt that Paul and Oden can play together offensively...so if Roy couldn't, I'd say it would be time to look for opportunities to deal Roy. But I'd hate to do that. I love Roy's game, so I would really hope he could integrate it with other talented guys.

 

[maxiep]

Paul is quite simply put the best point guard I've seen since Magic, he can shoot it from distance, he can shoot it in the mid-range and if he and Brandon can't learn to play together then you trade Brandon.

I made a small alteration.

If I'm POR, I tell NO that every single asset we have is on the table except for Roy, Aldridge and Oden. We'll also take back Peja, Emeka or Posey. They can mix and match to fill the cap space.

 

[Ripcity4life]

Is Chris Paul worth it ?? hmmm i can understand why this topic was made but i think as long as Portland only gives up Batum OR Oden then the answer is -- HECK YES without a doubt. I have suspected that the reason the Blazers wanted Matthews is to make Batum leaving easier on the team. I think if Batum get's dealt for Paul then you will see Roger Mason sign a Vet deal for 1 year with a promise of a 2 or 3 year deal at 4 to 5 million next summer.

 

[ironcrotch]

Exactly. If Brandon Roy cannot play with CP3, then the problem is Brandon's.

watch, lots of CP3 to BRoy action.

actually got me even more excited at the thought of CP3 playing here

[video=youtube;XJ8u9Ygn_gI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ8u9Ygn_gI[/video]

 

[Minstrel]

watch

That was for a short stretch, in a light-hearted game, against no real defense. I don't think that tells us a lot about how they'd work together all the time, in the heat of professional competition.

That said, I think they'd figure it out and be a stellar backcourt.