LMA and the super-max

[GriLtCheeZ]

I get the feeling Dame may take less to win. He has a ton of endorsement money coming in.

I'd be surprised if Dame takes less than a max contract. It is a sign of being an elite player, and a status symbol among players. I think Dame cares about that type of stuff, unfortunately.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

But I left this first-round series convinced it's the Blazers, not Aldridge, who need the change of scenery. I went from believing Portland was going to be lost without him to wondering if they'd instead soar.

Aldridge doesn't owe Portland a thing. But the Blazers don't owe him anything either.

They're sitting on some good young players and the luxury of cap space.

They must realize it's not just Aldridge with a difficult choice to make.

-John Canzano

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Lol

So half the board is Crapbaldo now.

Neat.

 

[magnifier661]

Make all the stupid excuses you want, but if LA had played like a star this series, we'd be up 3-2 right now, headed back to Portland to finish them off. Meyers and CJ are the only thing that kept it respectable.

You mean like last playoffs when Aldridge single handedly beat Houston?

 

[blazerboy30]

This thread makes me glad no one in this forum is our GM. We are a bunch of short sighted soccer moms.

THANK YOU.

It's unbelievable seeing the amount of over-confidence in building a team from the soccer moms and armchair GMs in here. In reality the majority of these posters are completely inept in evaluating talent, blinded by hatred for certain players (the LMA hate is ridiculous) or a combination of both.

Most of the posters screaming the loudest about wholesale changes are the same posters who:
1) wanted to dump CJ
2) wanted to dump Meyers
3) thought AAA was on par with Matthews
4) wanted to trade LMA for Love
5) forgot what it was like to win 20 games
6) think if we just get rid of everybody we can easily rebuild to make the finals

Posters like this look ridiculous.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

THANK YOU.

It's unbelievable seeing the amount of over-confidence in building a team from the soccer moms and armchair GMs in here. In reality the majority of these posters are completely inept in evaluating talent, blinded by hatred for certain players (the LMA hate is ridiculous) or a combination of both.

Most of the posters screaming the loudest about wholesale changes are the same posters who:
1) wanted to dump CJ
2) wanted to dump Meyers
3) thought AAA was on par with Matthews
4) wanted to trade LMA for Love
5) forgot what it was like to win 20 games
6) think if we just get rid of everybody we can easily rebuild to make the finals

Posters like this look ridiculous.

Agreed. A lot of the guys that were on the 1 and 2 bandwagon now want to let LMA walk and trade Batum.

 

[oldfisherman]

Every GM in the league would offer LMA a max contract if they could.

One word that best describes LMA’s career is “consistent”. He has consistently produced night after night for nine seasons. During those nine seasons as a Blazer, he consistently developed his game. Every season LMA improved his game over the prior season.

So what happened to LMA in the playoffs? I could speculate on several reasons for his poor showing, including several reasons not mentioned before. But the truth is, I do not have a clue, and neither do most, if not all, posters on this board. Anyone that knows is not talking.

Does LMA’s poor showing in these playoffs justify letting him go to another team. NO!

Think back to how he destroyed the Rockets in last season’s playoffs. Something was not right with LMA in the Grizz playoffs.

I hope whatever the problem is that caused LMA's poor playoff showing against the Grizz is fixable. I also believe that LMA has too much pride in his game to not come back and give his best, as he has done for nine prior seasons.

LMA has earned the super max contract from the Blazer.

 

[ripcityboy]

I hope that Olshey and LA have a sit down talk at Voodoo Donuts. That would really simplify things.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

I hope that Olshey and LA have a sit down talk at Voodoo Donuts. That would really simplify things.

Ah yes. Deep throating cock and balls together always brings dudes together

 

[dviss1]

Wow..... Lots of vitriol aimed at a guy who just took one for the team.... Shame on you haters....

 

[dviss1]

The Wes you know is done. Done. You cannot expect anything close to his production going forward.

http://thehoopdoctors.com/2013/07/top-10-nba-careers-ruined-by-achilles-injuries-1992-2013/

That article doesn't mention Tim Frazier (still quick as a hiccup) our newly acquired PG who is quicker than Dame.

 

[Natebishop3]

THANK YOU.

It's unbelievable seeing the amount of over-confidence in building a team from the soccer moms and armchair GMs in here. In reality the majority of these posters are completely inept in evaluating talent, blinded by hatred for certain players (the LMA hate is ridiculous) or a combination of both.

Most of the posters screaming the loudest about wholesale changes are the same posters who:
1) wanted to dump CJ
2) wanted to dump Meyers
3) thought AAA was on par with Matthews
4) wanted to trade LMA for Love
5) forgot what it was like to win 20 games
6) think if we just get rid of everybody we can easily rebuild to make the finals

Posters like this look ridiculous.

The criticism of Afflalo is equally unfair though. We gave up a heaping pile of crap to get him. He never got a chance to mesh with the team, and he played hurt in the playoffs.

 

[TBpup]

LA is certainly the foundation of this team but that might be a problem. He is a very good player but IMO, not a guy that leads you to a title. He is more of a #2 and to spend the 'SuperMax' on that type of player who would be 30-35 during that contract does not seem like good value. He has 1 playoff series win in 9 years and that took a miracle shot from his young PG. Yes, he had two historic games against Houston but since those first two, in the 14 games since, he is shooting under 40% with a very low efficiency.

That is not to take away what he means to Portland but I just don't thing he leads you to a title in downside of his career which is what is coming. If Blazer fans are okay with 50-55 wins and a first round exit or possible one series win once in a while, then that is fine. If winning a title is the goal, I just don't think LA is the direction you go for that kind of money. It is part of the reason I wanted Wiggins + players back when it was available. It would have been a step back and there are no guarantees it would have made us better but after 8 years, you know what LA is and what he is not and that just doesn't seem title worthy so if that is the goal, another direction is needed.

What would a young core of Meyers Leonard, Andrew Wiggins, Tristen Thompson, Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum with tons of cap room and a few vets sprinkled in look like. Not a 50 win team this year but going forward I like that potential more than where we are now.

 

[blue32]

Wow..... Lots of vitriol aimed at a guy who just took one for the team.... Shame on you haters....

Attack the post(s) and not the posters. ;-)

Again with the "hater" label. People have different opinions of our players, big deal, let it go.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Attack the post(s) and not the posters. ;-)

Again with the "hater" label. People have different opinions of our players, big deal, let it go.

Agreed on this! At least he went to "haters" instead of continuing to call people "mother fuckers". Now that was messed up. Maybe it is some progress....

 

[dviss1]

Attack the post(s) and not the posters. ;-)

Again with the "hater" label. People have different opinions of our players, big deal, let it go.

Dude... I'm gonna say WTF I want. If I see a hater I'm calling one. Having a differing opinion is WAY different than hating. Use it in context.

 

[dviss1]

LA is the 7th best player in the NBA based upon this year's MVP voting. Are we saying that's not worth a max deal?

 

[Duckhook]

LA is the 7th best player in the NBA based upon this year's MVP voting. Are we saying that's not worth a max deal?

We've given the max deal to players who have done far less for Portland than LA has. Why is this even a question? He played basically with a broken wing for the 2nd half of the season. He should get the max based on his sacrifice for this team (dviss1 - I know your question was rhetorical). I think the better deal for him would be a 1-year deal so he could be in play for the super-max after next season. He'll get it if he stays healthy. Team owners have dipped into their pockets and went over the cap to win. I think PA is willing to do that again to surround our core with players who will contribute... at least I hope. He's tasted success the last 2 years and has a great core - it would be silly to break this team up with so much potential still here.

 

[blue32]

Dude... I'm gonna say WTF I want. If I see a hater I'm calling one. Having a differing opinion is WAY different than hating. Use it in context.

Sigh you just don't get it. This is a message board about basketball and you continue to make it about the poster....

 

[dviss1]

Sigh you just don't get it. This is a message board about basketball and you continue to make it about the poster....

Whatever dude. If you say some hater type shit don't be cryin' when someone calls you out on it.

 

[blue32]

Whatever dude. If you say some hater type shit don't be cryin' when someone calls you out on it.

Rule # 7 from the Forum rules:

"Everyone is here to offer their opinions, so be prepared to have people disagree with your opinions. There is a difference between attacking someone's post (their opinion) and attacking the poster with the latter not allowed. The staff is here to monitor for such occurrences."

Might want to rethink that strategy.

 

[Coast541]

What would a young core of Meyers Leonard, Andrew Wiggins, Tristen Thompson, Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum with tons of cap room and a few vets sprinkled in look like. Not a 50 win team this year but going forward I like that potential more than where we are now.

Just like any other roster, it would take a couple injuries and a bad playoff series for half the board to blow up and demand trades and deem half of them unworthy of their contract.....don't kid yourself.

 

[Draco]

LaMarcus clearly has value around the league on a max contract so no matter how much you hate the guy just purely from an asset accumulation perspective its worth it.

 

[riverman]

A healthy LA with thumbs is the best PF in the world in my jaded view so if anyone deserves a max contract it's him. As to the poster wars...just saying...I love my ignore function here. It works!

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

A healthy LA with thumbs is the best PF in the world in my jaded view so if anyone deserves a max contract it's him. As to the poster wars...just saying...I love my ignore function here. It works!

He's worth a max deal for sure, I'd definitely take Anthony Davis over him now though. Who also deserves a max deal.

 

[Draco]

Anthony Davis and Blake Griffin. I'd put LaMarcus 4th among all big men behind those two and Marc Gasol. Duncan might have actually outplayed him this last season as well but I'd expect he regresses next year when he turns 40.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

Anthony Davis and Blake Griffin. I'd put LaMarcus 4th among all big men behind those two and Marc Gasol. Duncan might have actually outplayed him this last season as well but I'd expect he regresses next year when he turns 40.

Eh,

Griffin is debatable imo. When Griffin and Aldridge played this year in the rose garden, healthy Aldridge took him to school. It was pretty sad.

 

[TBpup]

LA is the 7th best player in the NBA based upon this year's MVP voting. Are we saying that's not worth a max deal?

My guess is there are very few GM's in the league who would take him over either Blake Griffin or Anthony Davis though. It's not about him getting the max. There are many players who have received the Max who are not Superstar players. I'm not sure he was even as good as almost 40-year old Tim Duncan in the playoffs and he is no where near getting the Max. Max contracts to players on the downside of their career rarely works out well. I'm a Yankees fan and have watched it over and over put them in a mess.

He has been very good while he has been here so far but not great. 1 playoff series win on a miracle in 9 seasons are not the results I'm looking for in a SuperMax player no matter how many stats he has accumulated. Some posters will think it's that I don't like Aldridge which is far from the case. I'm merely looking at it from a results/value standpoint and don't quite see how that contract would be worth it.

 

[Draco]

My guess is there are very few GM's in the league who would take him over either Blake Griffin or Anthony Davis though. It's not about him getting the max. There are many players who have received the Max who are not Superstar players. I'm not sure he was even as good as almost 40-year old Tim Duncan in the playoffs and he is no where near getting the Max. Max contracts to players on the downside of their career rarely works out well. I'm a Yankees fan and have watched it over and over put them in a mess.

He has been very good while he has been here so far but not great. 1 playoff series win on a miracle in 9 seasons are not the results I'm looking for in a SuperMax player no matter how many stats he has accumulated. Some posters will think it's that I don't like Aldridge which is far from the case. I'm merely looking at it from a results/value standpoint and don't quite see how that contract would be worth it.

Because there is room under the luxury tax for four of those contracts? I'm not saying Aldridge hands down makes you a contender; the team needs to put talent around him. But he provides far more value to his contract than the alternative options the Blazers will have so that makes signing him a no brainer. Saying Griffin or Davis provide even more value relative to their contract is irrelevant since neither is available to sign.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

LA is certainly the foundation of this team but that might be a problem. He is a very good player but IMO, not a guy that leads you to a title. He is more of a #2 and to spend the 'SuperMax' on that type of player who would be 30-35 during that contract does not seem like good value. He has 1 playoff series win in 9 years and that took a miracle shot from his young PG. Yes, he had two historic games against Houston but since those first two, in the 14 games since, he is shooting under 40% with a very low efficiency.

That is not to take away what he means to Portland but I just don't thing he leads you to a title in downside of his career which is what is coming. If Blazer fans are okay with 50-55 wins and a first round exit or possible one series win once in a while, then that is fine. If winning a title is the goal, I just don't think LA is the direction you go for that kind of money. It is part of the reason I wanted Wiggins + players back when it was available. It would have been a step back and there are no guarantees it would have made us better but after 8 years, you know what LA is and what he is not and that just doesn't seem title worthy so if that is the goal, another direction is needed.

This.