"Let the cake bake"

[Fez Hammersticks]

Horse shit.

Last year this was the same thing said by KP in regards to Raef LaFrentz, Jarrett Jack and Travis Outlaw when Devin Harris could have been had for that package. The reason why we didn't? "let the cake bake."

We have an expiring contract and the next time we'll have an exp. like this one wont be for a very long time. TRADE it.

I'm just sayin...

 

[Ed O]

I am one of those who disagrees with the "Let the cake bake" theory (which, as I understand it, is to pass up an otherwise good deal because these guys need time to grow together and we need more time to figure out what we have).

I'm not really in the "make a deal to make a deal" camp, either, however. That camp would be to consolidate and/or move Raef without a clear upgrade in net present value.

I want Pritchard to make a good deal... unless he can make a great one.

Ed O.

 

[ironcrotch]

KP is the one that got us here.. let's assume he knows what he's doing.

 

[alex42083]

I agree that something has to happen eventually either this year, next year or whenever to allow us to see what Jerryd can bring to the table, as well as get an experienced SF (Nicolas is sort of showing a little fatigue right now).

But it's still a big chip we have with Raef's contract, and I don't want to just give it away for nothing. Teams get more and more desperate at the trade deadline, and more players will be available who aren't now like Harris was last year.
And really, our trade shouldn't be made to win this year.. it's about winning the next 10 years.

 

[Minstrel]

I want Pritchard to make a good deal... unless he can make a great one.

Sometimes it's just that simple. There shouldn't be a philosophy about whether you make trades or don't make trades. A GM should always be aware of existing opportunities and take them if he/she feels they will make the team better, or pass them by if not. There's no "let the cake bake" or "frost the cake NOW." There's only "Make the cake better, if you can."

 

[Rodolfo]

I really hope we get someone for Raef...Who is out there that could potentially be this years Pau Gasol?

 

[Nikolokolus]

Horse shit.

Last year this was the same thing said by KP in regards to Raef LaFrentz, Jarrett Jack and Travis Outlaw when Devin Harris could have been had for that package. The reason why we didn't? "let the cake bake."

We have an expiring contract and the next time we'll have an exp. like this one wont be for a very long time. TRADE it.

I'm just sayin...

Your recollection of Harris' supposed availability is flawed. The way things broke down (supposedly) is that KP tried to interject himself as a third partner into the Harris-Kidd deal, but that New jersey wanted one of the big three in exchange -- It wasn't like the Nets came calling and asked for JJ, Travis and Raef. Of course KP is going to say "We like our team" when he got rebuked or at least was given a ridiculous counter offer.

As for the rush to trade Raef plus spare parts, it all depends on the target and the willingness of trade partners to deal. Just because Memphis gave Pau away for practically nothing doesn't mean that other GMs are going to be lining up to make bad deals; we completely overblow the value of Raef's expiring deal around here.

Unless there's some deal that KP can't turn down before the deadline, letting Raef expire still opens us up to the possibility of sign and trades over the summer, that allow the team to take on more salary than we send out, or to just go out and sign a free agent.

This isn't a "let the cake bake" issue, this is a "do we frost the cake while it's still warm or wait until it cools" decision.

 

[andalusian]

I have it on good authority that KP is actually waiting for the cheese to melt before we are ready for the Fondu.

 

[mgb]

Sometimes it's just that simple. There shouldn't be a philosophy about whether you make trades or don't make trades. A GM should always be aware of existing opportunities and take them if he/she feels they will make the team better, or pass them by if not. There's no "let the cake bake" or "frost the cake NOW." There's only "Make the cake better, if you can."

I think it's more that he's not aggressively looking for a deal right now. Sure if the right one comes along I'm sure he'd jump on it. Plus as time goes on he might decide to make a move as well and be more of the hunter.

 

[hasoos]

Lets skip the cake part and just get baked!

 

[MIXUM]

"Let the cake bake" is translation for no playoffs and that it is acceptable for KP.

well its not to the fans. This waiting for next year is complete BS and im tired of it.

 

[Nate4Prez]

I think if we dont use Raef's contract it is going to be a loss just letting it expire.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I think it's more that he's not aggressively looking for a deal right now. Sure if the right one comes along I'm sure he'd jump on it. Plus as time goes on he might decide to make a move as well and be more of the hunter.

How do you know he's not looking to deal right now? The fact is, that none of us haved insider information about what kinds of conversations he's having with other GMs. Frankly I think it's smart to wait until a little closer to the deadline as more teams are likely going to have a better picture of whether or not they have a legitimate playoff run in them and might be a little more convinced that they are ready to blow their team up.

January/February holds more promise than early December IMO.

 

[e_blazer]

Souds like the old Scott McKenzie song from the hippy '60s:

Someone left the cake out in the rain,
and I don't think that I can take it,
cause it took so long to bake it,
and I'll never have the recipe again...

Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair.

Man, I'm revealing my age again.

 

[Minstrel]

I think it's more that he's not aggressively looking for a deal right now. Sure if the right one comes along I'm sure he'd jump on it. Plus as time goes on he might decide to make a move as well and be more of the hunter.

I'd be surprised if that were true. I don't have any special insight into the workings of Pritchard's mind, but from the way he seems to operate and the things he says, I get the sense of someone who is always a hunter...a hunter for information. He may or may not currently feel a great compulsion to make a move, but I think it is very possible that he's working the phones just as aggressively as ever, getting other GMs' valuations of their players and his own players, finding out who's available and whether certain trade pieces would match. That doesn't mean he's going to pull a trigger any time soon, but that's definitely my image of him: a trade market information junkie.

 

[Masbee]

Horse shit.

Last year this was the same thing said by KP in regards to Raef LaFrentz, Jarrett Jack and Travis Outlaw when Devin Harris could have been had for that package. The reason why we didn't? "let the cake bake."

We have an expiring contract and the next time we'll have an exp. like this one wont be for a very long time. TRADE it.

I'm just sayin...

All this talk of cake is making me hungry.

Why don't we trade for.......

Cake.

At least we can eat it.

 

[Crimson the Cat]

I walked in the kitchen and there was your cake.
I know, KP, it took you the whole day to make.
Its beautiful frosting was something to see.
If you said “it’s championship-quality!”, I’d have to agree.
But then something happened, though I’m not to blame --
‘Cause folks, it’s the truth, the cake called me by screen name!
I said “please stop talking,” but still it called out.
I heard that cake plead. Heard it beg. Heard it shout.
So I did what it wanted. I sure won’t deny it –
I tasted its frosting in hopes of some quiet.
I started out slowly -- one finger, that’s all.
The line that I made in the frosting was small.
Then it begged and it whimpered and asked me for more….
So I pulled out a spoon from the silverware drawer.
I shouted “One mouthful. That’s it! Not another.”
But then the cake said “I’ll just call for more Blazers.”
Well, you know they're so young they'd come in on the double.
They'd mess up that cake, and they'd be in such trouble.
That seemed so unfair, and because I respect Nate,
I kept right on eating. I had to, it was fate!
I ate and I ate ‘til my mouth was exhausted,
But now that cake’s quiet! (And also unfrosted).
I think you can see how there wasn’t a choice:
I had to do something to silence that voice.
I should stay right here to say “sorry,” I know…
But TNT is calling, so I gotta go!

 

[Nate4Prez]

All this talk of cake is making me hungry.

Why don't we trade for.......

Cake.

Cake's last good album was in 2001 (Comfort Eagle), I think they are to washed up and not worth trading for.

 

[Masbee]

I walked in the kitchen and there was your cake.
I know, KP, it took you the whole day to make.
Its beautiful frosting was something to see.
If you said “it’s championship-quality!”, I’d have to agree.
But then something happened, though I’m not to blame --
‘Cause folks, it’s the truth, the cake called me by screen name!
I said “please stop talking,” but still it called out.
I heard that cake plead. Heard it beg. Heard it shout.
So I did what it wanted. I sure won’t deny it –
I tasted its frosting in hopes of some quiet.
I started out slowly -- one finger, that’s all.
The line that I made in the frosting was small.
Then it begged and it whimpered and asked me for more….
So I pulled out a spoon from the silverware drawer.
I shouted “One mouthful. That’s it! Not another.”
But then the cake said “I’ll just call for more Blazers.”
Well, you know they're so young they'd come in on the double.
They'd mess up that cake, and they'd be in such trouble.
That seemed so unfair, and because I respect Nate,
I kept right on eating. I had to, it was fate!
I ate and I ate ‘til my mouth was exhausted,
But now that cake’s quiet! (And also unfrosted).
I think you can see how there wasn’t a choice:
I had to do something to silence that voice.
I should stay right here to say “sorry,” I know…
But TNT is calling, so I gotta go!

He he.Aren't food analogies about sports teams great!

 

[Ed O]

Cake's last good album was in 2001 (Comfort Eagle), I think they are to washed up and not worth trading for.

I'm glad I stopped listening after that album. Maybe they knew I no longer was interested and just have been mailing it in since then.

Ed O.

 

[MARIS61]

Bake it!

[video=youtube;f1gfZwejPv8]

 

[whatsmyname]

blazer fans want a championship so bad they turn up the oven temperature but that leaves the inside uncooked.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

From following the blazers for over 20 years (yes, I remember Frank Layden coaching).
I think that most trades work something like this:

/begin{Pritchslap}
KP: I am interested in player X, Y, and Z from your team.
GM: X and Y are franchise cornerstones and are not available and never will be. Right
now, we're too dependent on Z to let him go. However, we are interested in your
A, B, and C.
KP: A and B are franchise cornerstones and are not available and never will be. We
want to see how player C develops before we trade him (unless you're willing to give up
X or Y of course.)

2 months later, conversation repeated.

2 months later, conversation repeated.

2 months later, conversation repeated.

2 months later, conversation repeated.

Then, other team goes into crapper.
KP: We've got an expiring contract to go with C and a second rounder too. Trade for A?
GM: Make it a high second rounder and add $3 mil cash.
/end{Pritchslap}

The point is, most trades happen over the course of months or years, not days. Some trades do happen that way, most don't.

It's not a matter of cake baking or not, he's always on the prowl. If the deal is right, he'll make it. He'd be stupid not to. The thing that makes KP so great is that he is so diligent and a make evaluator of talent.

 

[BrianFromWA]

I don't know for sure , but I think that Dec. 15 will be the kickoff for the 2nd round of frenzy.

 

[tlongII]

We will be in the playoffs. We will have a legitimate shot at the title. This year. We don't need to make a trade for this to happen.

 

[Nikolokolus]

We will be in the playoffs. We will have a legitimate shot at the title. This year. We don't need to make a trade for this to happen.

No. No we don't ... and it's not even close.

 

[rocketeer]

I want Pritchard to make a good deal... unless he can make a great one.

Ed O.

that's the right thing to do. if a good(or great) deal comes along, of course you do it. it would be stupid not to. and it would be stupid not to be exploring trades that would improve the team. but there's no reason to make a trade just to make one.

 

[rocketeer]

No. No we don't ... and it's not even close.

you underestimate the team too much.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

I am one of those who disagrees with the "Let the cake bake" theory (which, as I understand it, is to pass up an otherwise good deal because these guys need time to grow together and we need more time to figure out what we have).

I'm not really in the "make a deal to make a deal" camp, either, however. That camp would be to consolidate and/or move Raef without a clear upgrade in net present value.

I want Pritchard to make a good deal... unless he can make a great one.

Ed O.

See Ed, we always fall on oppostie sides of the argument . . . I wasnt KP to make a bad deal . . . unless he can make a terrible one.

 

[Nikolokolus]

you underestimate the team too much.

I neither underestimate or overestimate. This is not a title contending team ... yet. Talk to me in a year and a half and I'll probably have a different answer for you.