Moneyball

[BrianFromWA]

The more I think about it, the more I think Portland needs to be more of an Oakland A's franchise. Follow me here.

KP is good at drafting talent. He's hamstrung by the fact that he can't use his owner's deep pockets like Steinbrenner or the Red Sox (or even the Nintendo guys in Seattle) can. He's hamstrung by the fact that Portland isn't Miami, or LA, or NYC.

Maybe we should focus on staying relatively young, building through the draft, staying away from high-priced free agents, attempt to re-sign our stars when we have the leverage, and turn around our talent in consolidation. For instance, building around Roy and LMA and Oden, and going after high draft picks, high-2nd-round Euros, etc. Then package "developed but not great" talent (like Outlaw, maybe Freeland and/or Bayless and/or Batum) for high-reward potential. Seems the only way we'll be able to compete.

 

[BoomChakaLaka]

The more I think about it, the more I think Portland needs to be more of an Oakland A's franchise. Follow me here.

KP is good at drafting talent. He's hamstrung by the fact that he can't use his owner's deep pockets like Steinbrenner or the Red Sox (or even the Nintendo guys in Seattle) can. He's hamstrung by the fact that Portland isn't Miami, or LA, or NYC.

Maybe we should focus on staying relatively young, building through the draft, staying away from high-priced free agents, attempt to re-sign our stars when we have the leverage, and turn around our talent in consolidation. For instance, building around Roy and LMA and Oden, and going after high draft picks, high-2nd-round Euros, etc. Then package "developed but not great" talent (like Outlaw, maybe Freeland and/or Bayless and/or Batum) for high-reward potential. Seems the only way we'll be able to compete.

Agreed.

Trade Outlaw, Bayless and Picks to Minny. Get Rubio's rights and take back a bad contract - At least Songaila is a PF who can rebound....just as good as IKE!