JJ Prefers to play PF

[BBert]

No huge surprise there, LOL, but here's Eggers with some Hickson quotes.

http://www.blazersedge.com/2013/2/1...ckson-talks-situation-in-portland-role-future

 

[BBert]

"I'm going to make sure any situation I'm in is right for me," Hickson says. "I'm the one who is going to live and die with my situation. I can veto or OK any trade. I'll make sure the situation is right for me, a place where I can help the team."

...

"I'd be lying if I said it's not a different situation, but I'm happy where I'm at with this team," Hickson says. "It's a great group of guys. We all get along on and off the court. I'm pretty cool with the coaching staff. We're a close-knit group. It's one big, happy family of guys who have ups and downs with each other."

...
"I'm playing out of position at the 5-spot," Hickson says. "Coach Stotts told me what the situation would be. I think I've done a good job accepting my role. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to play the 4. That's my natural position. That's another problem that comes into play. But I'm happy with this team. I can only control what I do on the basketball court and let the front office handle their part. I'm going to do my job and let them do theirs."

(...)

 

[GoldStandard]

Awesome, back-up 4 it is

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

I wish he preferred to play defense.

 

[blue9]

Great attitude. It also sounds like the situation is more important than the money - to a point, of course. From his quotes it sounds like he'd entertain a lower offer if he felt that the opportunity was better than that with a team who might offer more money. Like he'd choose to stay with POR for $6M rather than play for WAS for $7.5M (just examples).

 

[mook]

Pretty clear he doesn't want to come back here and play out of position at C indefinitely. He's a starting caliber PF and he knows it.

We picked him up off of waivers without trade, so whatever we get for him is like a free draft pick. If Portland can parlay him into anything more than second rounders I will be pleased. He's basically found money.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Great attitude. It also sounds like the situation is more important than the money - to a point, of course. From his quotes it sounds like he'd entertain a lower offer if he felt that the opportunity was better than that with a team who might offer more money. Like he'd choose to stay with POR for $6M rather than play for WAS for $7.5M (just examples).

I didn't get that at all, most of his talk centered around talk with his agent about possible destinations if a trade occurs; it didn't seem like he was addressing his long-term future much at all (aside from saying he'd rather play power forward).

 

[HailBlazers]

most of his talk centered around talk with his agent about possible destinations if a trade occurs; it didn't seem like he was addressing his long-term future much at all (aside from saying he'd rather play power forward).

Disagree:

I'm happy where I'm at with this team," Hickson says. "It's a great group of guys. We all get along on and off the court. I'm pretty cool with the coaching staff. We're a close-knit group. It's one big, happy family of guys who have ups and downs with each other."

Sounds like a guy that want's to stay here IMO.

 

[Nikolokolus]

And then he goes on to say this:

"I'm playing out of position at the 5-spot," Hickson says. "Coach Stotts told me what the situation would be. I think I've done a good job accepting my role. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to play the 4. That's my natural position. That's another problem that comes into play. But I'm happy with this team. I can only control what I do on the basketball court and let the front office handle their part. I'm going to do my job and let them do theirs."

I think JJ is handling things very diplomatically and he probably does like it here, but it also looks like he's fully aware of the economics and some of the drawbacks to staying with Portland long-term.

It's not personal, it's business.

 

[BlazerWookee]

TRANSLATION: "I'm going to answer this question vaguely so as to leave myself with the most possible open options."

 

[Nikolokolus]

TRANSLATION: "I'm going to answer this question vaguely so as to leave myself with the most possible open options."

Ding.

 

[magnifier661]

He better like it here! We gave him an opportunity to get a payday.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Hopefully another team makes his agent an offer he can't refuse, and gives Olshey an offer that's good enough

 

[Mediocre Man]

I wish he preferred to play defense.

Awesome

 

[Rhal]

Hickson is still young, he has to want to play PF so he isnt' getting so badly abused on D and show what he can do vs other people more his size so he can try and get a bigger contract not just this summer but down the line. I see nothing wrong with this.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Hickson is still young, he has to want to play PF so he isnt' getting so badly abused on D and show what he can do vs other people more his size so he can try and get a bigger contract not just this summer but down the line. I see nothing wrong with this.

Hickson got badly abused at the 4 as well