Merged: Another Crazy Thought: Baron Davis

[Rastapopoulos]

I've brought him up before, as have others, but he seems to be being ignored in all the talk of free agent signings. Now this might be because he's not a free agent (duh!) but we can use our cap space to trade for somebody too, and it wouldn't amaze me at all if the Clippers would be happy to offload his big salary (say, in a Steve Blake + cap space trade). Of course, another probable reason is that nobody wants to touch him with a barge pole. I think that's a mistake. I think he's a genuinely good guy and great competitor who was blindsided by Elton Brand's defection and an injury and was just in general depressed. We've seen him bounce back from looking washed up in Charlotte to being an MVP candidate in Golden State. And everybody's current fave, Andre Miller, also stunk it up for one season in Clipperland before putting his career back on track. Donald Sterling will do that to a guy.

I truly believe that Davis can be a good teammate and an emotional leader and would really put in the effort if he thought he could get a championship. He's got the kind of larger-than-life personality that this team could do with but I don't think he's an egomaniac, and if he can happily coexist with Stephen Jackson, then he can be a teammate to anybody.

Check out the letter he just wrote to Clipper fans.

Check out these comparative ages:

36: Jason Kidd (3/23/73)
35: Steve Nash (2/7/74)
33: Andre Miller (3/19/76)
31 (soon): Mike Bibby (5/13/78)
30: Baron Davis (4/13/79)
29: Steve Blake (2/26/80)

And lastly, remember this, not so long ago:

[video=youtube;j01q8A6pqps]

Okay, and also this:

[video=youtube;vzbXIGJoISs]

 

[Nikolokolus]

Re: Another Crazy Thought: Baron Davis

You're right, that is a crazy thought.

I'll pass, the guy is a baller, but he's weak sauce.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Re: Another Crazy Thought: Baron Davis

Not interested for the price.

Don't think he'd mesh well with the team (could be wrong)

Don't think he wrote the letter himself.

 

[Reep]

Re: Another Crazy Thought: Baron Davis

No for several reasons.

1) Baron would hate living in Portland. (He's an L.A. kind of guy)
2) He dominates the ball too much
3) He is injured for most of the season--every year.

The only plus I see with Baron is that he grows a better beard than Roy or Blake.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Re: Another Crazy Thought: Baron Davis

You're right, that is a crazy thought.

I'll pass, the guy is a baller, but he's weak sauce.

...I don't know what that means...

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Re: Another Crazy Thought: Baron Davis

No for several reasons.

1) Baron would hate living in Portland. (He's an L.A. kind of guy)

So? He doesn't have to. Outlaw still lives in Mississippi. Does Aldridge still live in Texas? In fact, most NBA players don't live in their teams' cities.

2) He dominates the ball too much

This is a worry. But does he do it more than Andre Miller? I don't think other Warriors players were hurting for shots. Or even Clippers players this year.

3) He is injured for most of the season--every year.

He's a little injury-prone, granted. But he did average 39 mpg over all 82 games in 07/08.

The only plus I see with Baron is that he grows a better beard than Roy or Blake.

But not Oden. Imagine those two having a beard-growing contest! Roy would be SHAMED into shaving.

One more plus for Baron (and the most important): his averages all go up significantly in the playoffs.

 

[Tince]

Re: Another Crazy Thought: Baron Davis

Crazy thought.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Re: Another Crazy Thought: Baron Davis

...I don't know what that means...

"Weak sauce" means when things get a little tough and he gets hit with a little bit of adversity he's prone to shutting it down and isn't much inclined to play through pain.

In short, he's kind of a quitter.

 

[BasX]

Re: Another Crazy Thought: Baron Davis

You're right, that is a crazy thought.

I'll pass, the guy is a baller, but he's weak sauce.

Weak sauce... the more epic thing ever

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Re: Another Crazy Thought: Baron Davis

It's a shame this is a Nike poster, so it couldn't include Clyde. Why Clyde went with Avia, I'll never know. I did make a pilgrimage to an Avia outlet in Oregon, where I got a picture of myself next to a life-size cutout of his greatness...

I'm sure I've seen a home-made update with current players - anyone got a link? Of course, it's kind of a cruel joke given that we're now the second-slowest team in the league.

 

[LittleAlex]

Re: Another Crazy Thought: Baron Davis

No, no, a thousand times no.

 

[Wheels]

Re: Another Crazy Thought: Baron Davis

"Weak sauce" means when things get a little tough and he gets hit with a little bit of adversity he's prone to shutting it down and isn't much inclined to play through pain.

In short, he's kind of a quitter.

lol oh.. I thought it meant that was a weak call.. thats what they put on the advertisement panels at the rose garden when they make a close call go against the Blazers.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Re: Another Crazy Thought: Baron Davis

lol oh.. I thought it meant that was a weak call.. thats what they put on the advertisement panels at the rose garden when they make a close call go against the Blazers.

I'm sure there are plenty of applications for the term ... it's utilitarian.

 

[Further]

Re: Another Crazy Thought: Baron Davis

I would be interested if (IF) it was cheap as far as giving up talent. If the main thing they wanted was the savings and then just throw in a Blake/Sergio then OK, if Paul Allen wants to open his wallet, thats fine by me.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Re: Another Crazy Thought: Baron Davis

I'm not as down on Davis as many people. I believe many of his perceived flaws stem from him being a very emotional guy - and I would rather have an emotional guy than a blase' one.

The deal breaker for me is the combination of his salary and his health. Out of a potential 820 (regular season) games in his career, Davis has played in 673. Even that is deceptive, as his rookie year he played in every game, but his MPG were sharply limited.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Re: Another Crazy Thought: Baron Davis

I'm sure there are plenty of applications for the term ... it's utilitarian.

Well it's not maximizing MY happiness.

 

[Natebishop3]

Re: Another Crazy Thought: Baron Davis

Injury prone, egotistical, and aging. Bad combo.

 

[BalancedMan]

Re: Another Crazy Thought: Baron Davis

I kinda like watching Baron play...but don't want him on our team. Sorry.

 

[Tortimer]

Re: Another Crazy Thought: Baron Davis

NO!

 

[crandc]

Re: Another Crazy Thought: Baron Davis

I'm surprised with so many against the idea of adding Baron Davis. When healthy, I think he's among the best PG in the NBA. He's got a large contract, so that is what I don't like. But if we can get him for cheap, he'd be a great pickup. I think he'll be very motivated to play for a competitive team again. Another plus is, he would make a great mentor for Bayless. Bayless has many of the same physical attributes as Davis -- strong, athletic, good size.

Answered your own question.

When healthy - rare
Large contract - bad
If we can get him for cheap - can't
Great mentor - no way

 

[STOMP]

he'll make about 12M next year, so conceivably he could be traded for using just Portland's capspace.

He's a chucker from the outside as his low FG% indicates, but many of those chucks come when the clock is winding down... it might be a different story if he's catch and shooting off of good looks from Roy's drives. He's tremendous at setting others up because he can take most PGs off the dribble with his quickness/strength avantages and has a great feel for the game. Playing on a team with as many weapons as Portland has, I could see him averaging a career low in points and being happy about it because he'd be part of a winner.

Personality wise, I've heard he's sort of difficult because he's so bright and has many interests outside of hoops... this makes him different then most NBA players so there is often some disconnect between him and his teammates.

Acquiring him would be a win now move as he probably doesn't have more then 3-4 years left. While not my ideal target, I'd rather they trade for him (with little other then salary going out) then stand pat.

STOMP

 

[BlazerWookee]

Re: Another Crazy Thought: Baron Davis

Fuck Baron Davis. His only redeeming characteristic is that his beard looks like the guy who sang "New Shoes" for The Busboys in the movie 48 Hours.

 

[bigbailes]

Re: Another Crazy Thought: Baron Davis

no on baron, like everyone has already hashed out. i love the thought of him posting up smaller 1's and creating open shots for the wings but he has too much baggage and too large a contract to bring onto this team.

 

[bigbailes]

Re: Another Crazy Thought: Baron Davis

It's a shame this is a Nike poster, so it couldn't include Clyde. Why Clyde went with Avia, I'll never know. I did make a pilgrimage to an Avia outlet in Oregon, where I got a picture of myself next to a life-size cutout of his greatness...

I'm sure I've seen a home-made update with current players - anyone got a link? Of course, it's kind of a cruel joke given that we're now the second-slowest team in the league.

that is still my favorite poster from my childhood. i personally loved that clyde wasn't on it. The other three had a grit and toughness to them, like they would run right over you if it meant getting the bucket. cylde never seemed like that kind of player to me.

as for the new one....

 

[crandc]

Re: Another Crazy Thought: Baron Davis

Speaking of Baron Davis.

Interesting, but I still don't want him on the Blazers.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Re: Another Crazy Thought: Baron Davis

no on baron, like everyone has already hashed out. i love the thought of him posting up smaller 1's and creating open shots for the wings but he has too much baggage and too large a contract to bring onto this team.

I love the thought of Andre Miller posting up smaller 1s even more.

 

[STOMP]

no on baron, like everyone has already hashed out. i love the thought of him posting up smaller 1's and creating open shots for the wings but he has too much baggage and too large a contract to bring onto this team.

Again, he's not the guy I'm targeting, but his contract would not be a problem. They won't have the capspace to go after prime time FAs after this off season regardless of whether they sign a high dollar FA like Baron this summer or not, but doing so will not limit their ability to resign their own.

the size of his contract wouldn't limit the club's ability to make moves in any way

STOMP

 

[alex42083]

Re: Another Crazy Thought: Baron Davis

No thanks to Baron. I agree with some that it's fun to watch him play when he's at his best, but not for our team. It's too bad he didn't stay with Golden State as that was the best fit for him.
He'd probably sulk being the third option behind Roy and Aldridge.

 

[Dufferduck]

Why not Baron Davis ??

As I've watched Chauncy Billups help make the Nuggets emerge as a title contender from a also ran playoff team I have tried to figure out who could fill that role for the Blazers.

So I ask, why not Baron Davis ? Could you imagine a back court of Brandon Roy, Baron Davis and Rudy Fernandez ? What about those three ending games with LA and G.O ?

As far as I know Davis has never had off the court issues. He actually has done some great things in his community. How many Blazers have done as much as he has ?

His contract is for another 4 years I believe. The question would have to be if BRoy would accept having another player whom he may have to share the spotlight. This team desperately needs a veteran go to guy who can make a big shot in the clutch. Hopefully Brandon understands that.

I think this team is ready to add that last ingredient, ala Buck Williams and start competing for a championship and not just making the playoffs.

Bibby, Miller, Sessions these are guys who will not put us over the top. Baron Davis is as close to a Chauncy Billups type that I can think of that will put us over the top. Paul Allen, KP have to make a bold decision and shot for the stars and not think in the lines of the Free agents that are out there now.

So, can anyone make an argument why Davis would not be a good fit for the Blazers ? I'd love to know because I can't.

 

[Natebishop3]

Re: Why not Baron Davis ??

Chauncey Billups was a Finals MVP. Billups is a defensive minded point guard. Billups has a track record of winning in Detroit. What has Baron done, other than score?