More news on Greg in Jerryd in Ohio

[Minstrel]

Hmm. I'm not sure what people are reacting against. This isn't "Wow, these players have really revamped their game and are about to take the league by storm!" hype. It's not about improvement at all. If it were, the "I'll believe it when I see it" viewpoint would make sense.

This is simply reporting that two young players are working hard and apparently take trying to improve their games seriously. Unless you think that the reporter might be lying, there's no "I'll believe it when I see it" issue. They are working hard. Simple fact. Willingness to work hard on one's game is an important trait that all NBA athletes don't have (which is surprising to me, but inescapably true).

What ultimately matters is what they end up doing on the floor in real games, but it's definitely a big plus that they have strong work ethic. In terms of projections, that matters. A player who didn't work hard would be less likely to improve by age as one might expect.

 

[GrandpaBlaze]

This is simply reporting that two young players are working hard and apparently take trying to improve their games

Agreed. However, such reports often lead to rampant speculation of how said players will be vastly improved next year, etc.

While a laud Bayless for his work ethic, I still remain a doubter and hence my grain-of-salt approach.

I hope. I hope. But I also doubt.

Gramps...

 

[LOTBfan]

Bayless is the man. I have said this before, but he is the type of guy that people will follow because of his work ethic and utmost desire to kill his opponent.

Indeed, I found this picture which affirms your opinion

 

[Rastapopoulos]

-Jerryd is eager to play in summer league and try to run the team as a distributor and team leader

That's good news if it works. But if that means we're definitely not drafting a PG, I shall be a mite peeved.

I guess that also means Koponen won't be playing, but I guess he'll be playing for Finland, so maybe we can see him in action there.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Outlaw, Fernandez, Sergio, Webster and #24 for Conley and Gay.
I would still do that deal yesterday. Conley, Roy and Bayless is a nice attacking back court, and Gay and Batum is a rock solid 3 rotation

I hereby thank Christ you are not our GM.

What is it about Gay that makes people overlook his atrocious defense and inability to help his team win? I wouldn't trade Outlaw straight up for Gay. He's Gay without the sense of entitlement.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

While everyone's going gaga over our young players working to get better, I'm sure you'll all be ecstatic about this and optimistic that this skilled young member of our roster will really blossom next year, right?

 

[Trader Ed]

Bayless is the man. I have said this before, but he is the type of guy that people will follow because of his work ethic and utmost desire to kill his opponent.

Outlaw, Fernandez, Sergio, Webster and #24 for Conley and Gay.

I would still do that deal yesterday. Conley, Roy and Bayless is a nice attacking back court, and Gay and Batum is a rock solid 3 rotation

Oh man... quit teasing me again LOL

That woud be huge....

 

[Shooter]

I have it on good authority by the way that Bayless and Greg are becoming fast friends. Also that Bayless is wowing Conley with his desire to be the best.

That's great to hear. I have this vision of Bayless driving to the hoop and dishing to Oden for easy dunks . . . over and over again.

 

[LittleAlex]

That would be a lot of talent to give up for conley. Honestly Gay comes across as a very me first player which isn't bad if he is your 1st option. Third or fourth option, not so much. Even if he would only make 10-12m that still wouldn't work.

Agreed on the last line

I didn't mean to imply I was in favor of the trade, really.

I am not.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

If I was Bayless, I too would try to ride Oden's coattails.

 

[Sinobas]

Bayless is the man. I have said this before, but he is the type of guy that people will follow because of his work ethic and utmost desire to kill his opponent.

Outlaw, Fernandez, Sergio, Webster and #24 for Conley and Gay.

I would still do that deal yesterday. Conley, Roy and Bayless is a nice attacking back court, and Gay and Batum is a rock solid 3 rotation

Why did you bring that up? Was it rumored to be on the table? I think I"d do it too.

 

[Nikolokolus]

While everyone's going gaga over our young players working to get better, I'm sure you'll all be ecstatic about this and optimistic that this skilled young member of our roster will really blossom next year, right?

This word "skilled," I do not think it means what you think it means

 

[B-Roy]

If I was Bayless, I too would try to ride Oden's coattails.

Really, you'd ride the coattails of a foul-prone center with a ton of question marks?

Wouldn't you rather suck up to Roy or Aldridge? The two pieces that definitely won't be moved?

Anyways, I've heard reports all throughout the season that Jerryd and Greg were best buds on the team. This doesn't surprise me, and has me very excited.

 

[Idog1976]

Bobby Medina is being interviewed by "Wheels at Work" right now.

bullet points:
-Greg sounds motivated
-Jerryd caught wind that Bobby was going to Ohio and wanted to surprise the big fella
-Jerryd, Greg, and Mike Conley scrimmaged and worked out with the Ohio State guys
-Greg is flying out to Phoenix next week to work out with Jerryd again -- both feel like they have some good momentum.
-Tentative plans for Greg to fly out to UCLA to work out with all of the pros later in the Summer
-Medina is trying to get Travis to maybe fly into Columbus (no hard plans)
-Jerryd is eager to play in summer league and try to run the team as a distributor and team leader
-Medina describes both players as "being on a mission" in terms of their attitude.

Sweet music to my ears. I swear now that Oden can finally do serious leg exercises (squats etc.) he will finally show what he's got next year. I'm so stoked there are no words!

 

[julius]

Really, you'd ride the coattails of a foul-prone center with a ton of question marks?

Wouldn't you rather suck up to Roy or Aldridge? The two pieces that definitely won't be moved?

When did Oden get off the "definitely" won't be moved list?

 

[B-Roy]

When did Oden get off the "definitely" won't be moved list?

In all honestly, he has no right to be on that list. I'm not saying the Blazers should be actively pursuing a trade, but if the right deal came along...

 

[Minstrel]

In all honestly, he has no right to be on that list.

Sure he does. One of the best big man prospects ever, was extremely productive when he was on the floor despite being much less than 100% in his rookie season. I'd say he's one of the most untouchable young players in the game.

 

[mgb]

While everyone's going gaga over our young players working to get better, I'm sure you'll all be ecstatic about this and optimistic that this skilled young member of our roster will really blossom next year, right?

Canary?

I remember last year Sergio worked on his shot,,,,not much of a improvement.

 

[BClutch]

In all honestly, he has no right to be on that list. I'm not saying the Blazers should be actively pursuing a trade, but if the right deal came along...

. . . Lebron James for Oden strait up? No, I wouldn't take that cause if Cleveland is looking to move James it's cause he's going to New York for sure and there's no way we'd be able to keep him if they can't. I think I'll stick with Oden. '

Anyway as far as the real discussion goes I like that they're working out together and I look forward to seeing how Bayless adjusts to facilitation in the summer league. I also am curious to see how much progress Oden will make next season if he can manage to stay out of serious injury trouble.

 

[RickyRubio]

I would not do that trade. We don't need Gay. I would do Outlaw, Sergio and #24 (throw in a 2nd rounder or two if they want) for Conley though. Would they though?

 

[andalusian]

I would not do that trade. We don't need Gay. I would do Outlaw, Sergio and #24 (throw in a 2nd rounder or two if they want) for Conley though. Would they though?

If they take Rubio - they should. This gives them someone that can score just like Gay and play defense just like Gay (brrr...) without paying him the way they would have to pay Gay - so they can move Gay in a trade for a post player... it also gives them a backup PG and another draft pick.

 

[Boob-No-More]

It's interesting that the Blazers and Grizz seem to always have a surplus of pieces that the other needs and redundant players the other supposedly covet (Outlaw and Conley), yet never seem to get a deal done. With the Grizz picking 2nd and supposedly targeting Rubio, will something finally happen? Drafting Rubio would make Conley expendable.

I'm also wondering if there is bad blood between the two organizations that keeps then from making a deal. We all know about the Darius Miles situation, which cost the Blazers an additional $9 million in cap space this summer, and the threatening letter the Blazers sent in response. But, I can't help but wonder if it goes even deeper than that. Did something happen prior to that that pissed off Chris Wallace so much that he would deliberately go out of his way to screw Portland. Is he still bitter that he didn't get the Portland job when they interviewed him and instead selected John Nash (I can see how he might take offense at that slight)? Did Pritchard renege on a deal? Or, is Wallace just the type of guy who would screw another team just to screw them? In any case, I can't help but wonder, given the history, if these teams will ever make a significant trade while Kevin Pritchard and Chris Wallace are their GMs. I know they should both put their differences aside and do what's best for their teams, but GMs are always reluctant to make a deal that helps a team that's a hated rival. I wonder if Wallace and Pritchard feel the same way about a deal that would help a GM who is a hated rival.

BNM

 

[BrianFromWA]

I was under the impression (perhaps wrong) that it was KP who said no to the straight-up Conley for Outlaw swap earlier this year. I don't think we need to sweeten the pot that much.

 

[Boob-No-More]

I was under the impression (perhaps wrong) that it was KP who said no to the straight-up Conley for Outlaw swap earlier this year. I don't think we need to sweeten the pot that much.

Except for the fact that Conley had a GREAT 2nd half and Outlaw stunk in the play-offs. Conley's stock is on the rise and Outlaw's is headed in the other direction.

BNM

 

[Wheels]

Except for the fact that Conley had a GREAT 2nd half and Outlaw stunk in the play-offs. Conley's stock is on the rise and Outlaw's is headed in the other direction.

BNM

gotta agree with BNM there.

 

[adrenalize74]

Bobby Medina is being interviewed by "Wheels at Work" right now.

bullet points:
-Greg sounds motivated
-Jerryd caught wind that Bobby was going to Ohio and wanted to surprise the big fella
-Jerryd, Greg, and Mike Conley scrimmaged and worked out with the Ohio State guys
-Greg is flying out to Phoenix next week to work out with Jerryd again -- both feel like they have some good momentum.
-Tentative plans for Greg to fly out to UCLA to work out with all of the pros later in the Summer
-Medina is trying to get Travis to maybe fly into Columbus (no hard plans)
-Jerryd is eager to play in summer league and try to run the team as a distributor and team leader
-Medina describes both players as "being on a mission" in terms of their attitude.

This is the awesomeness!! Everything I was hoping to hear about those 2. Of course results matter more than intentions. But just hearing about their attitude and chemistly are EXTREAMELY good to hear.

 

[hasoos]

I didn't see this posted, so I linked it here, it is more on this subject, and amazingly enough KP saying they will pick up the options on Blake and Outlaw.....

http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=124418030527213700

Looks like Bayno will be getting his first summer working with Greg, and yes they are considering hiring a specialist for him.

 

[RickyRubio]

I was under the impression (perhaps wrong) that it was KP who said no to the straight-up Conley for Outlaw swap earlier this year. I don't think we need to sweeten the pot that much.

How stupid of us to not take this trade.

 

[SteelBlaze1]

My thought was that Conley, being Oden's best friend, was always the target. But, with him and Bayless getting to be good friends, maybe we don't need to go after Conley.

 

[hasoos]

I really just don't get why folks think it is important at all to trade for some players buddy. The league has never been about that. It's about winning. If it's a good move for the team, great. But if it's just so they can have tea and crumpets together while off the court, fuck it. That's stupid.