Moving the needle

[Fez Hammersticks]

Does a Lillard/Batum offseason move the needle any?

 

[Sedatedfork]

It does for me. Batum's making a lot of money, but I am excited to see what he can do in a different coach's system. I'm also excited to see how Lillard does in the NBA. To me that's moving the needle.

 

[RoyToy]

D'Antoni moves the needle

 

[DaLincolnJones]

Does a Lillard/Batum offseason move the needle any?

not only move it, but spin it like a top. We did not draft Lamb or Beal or any of the other tweeners, we drafted a first rate point that we have not had in years, and kept a hungry three/two

 

[Ed O]

Does a Lillard/Batum offseason move the needle any?

Not for this year.

To me, "moving the needle" means improving the team. Given Batum was on the team last year, I don't think that he can be considered "moving the needle".

Lillard looks like he's got a future in the NBA, for sure, but I think it's unrealistic to expect him to make a big impact as a rookie.

Ed O.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Not for this year.

To me, "moving the needle" means improving the team. Given Batum was on the team last year, I don't think that he can be considered "moving the needle".

Lillard looks like he's got a future in the NBA, fur sure, but I think it's unrealistic to expect him to make a big impact as a rookie.

Ed O.

FTFY

 

[blazerboy30]

I'm not exactly sure what "moving the needle" means, but we won't be a lot better this year than last. And I don't expect Batum to be an all-star, much less a superstar.

Lillard helps the future look better to me, but it is still just potential.

Moving the needle would have been getting a max contract level player with our cap space (like Williams or Hibbert), then going over the cap to sign Batum and still getting our two draft picks.

 

[DaLincolnJones]

I'm not exactly sure what "moving the needle" means, but we won't be a lot better this year than last. And I don't expect Batum to be an all-star, much less a superstar.

Lillard helps the future look better to me, but it is still just potential.

Moving the needle would have been getting a max contract level player with our cap space (like Williams or Hibbert), then going over the cap to sign Batum and still getting our two draft picks.

good point, but then again, when is the last time we had one on the team?

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

At my age the ol' needle doesn't move as fast as it used to.

 

[Sedatedfork]

At my age the ol' needle doesn't move as fast as it used to.

Too much needle moving can cause blindness

 

[blazerboy30]

good point, but then again, when is the last time we had one on the team?

I didn't say it was likely to happen. I just would have considered that "moving the needle".

 

[Nikolokolus]

I'm not exactly sure what "moving the needle" means, but we won't be a lot better this year than last. And I don't expect Batum to be an all-star, much less a superstar.

Lillard helps the future look better to me, but it is still just potential.

Moving the needle would have been getting a max contract level player with our cap space (like Williams or Hibbert), then going over the cap to sign Batum and still getting our two draft picks.

This sums up my own feelings nicely. They added some future with the draft, and they're finally cashing in all of those stashed picks, so that's something too I guess, but nothing I've seen this summer makes me think there will be immediate returns this season ... though I have to think even a rookie Damian Lillard with his inevitable ups and downs and maybe a sprinkling of healthy Elliot Williams and a confident Nolan Smith, trumps a fat Ray Felton and a trigger happy Jamal Crawford.

 

[tlongII]

Needle.

Moved.

 

[GriLtCheeZ]

Moving the needle to me means adding big time free agents, and making consolidation trades for impact players, but only for core guys who are in LaMarcus' window. Lillard doesn't fit my definition and I wouldn't include Batum because he was here last year.

 

[RedHotRollin]

Paul Allen and Upper management have their finger on the needle. If they want it to move, it will move. They can do this by the players they bring in and who they decide on for coach. If they are more interested in playing for ping pong balls they will stick with the status quo or go with a young assistant. If they are interested in making the most of the situation, they will bring in a proven commodity, like a D'Antoni.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

PG: Lillard
SG
SF: Batum
PF: Aldridge
C: Leonard/Freeland

What attainable SG would move the needle?

PS

I agree on D'Anoni!

 

[Public Defender]

I know that Olshey's preferred cliche is "moving the needle" but I think there are a few other ones that apply.

Either "step in the right direction" or "addition by subtraction" applies quite well to the Blazers' decision to get rid of Felton and bring in Lillard. That was the most significant change for next season... assuming nothing else is coming with the Blazers' cap space or trade exceptions.

 

[oldmangrouch]

What sort of shape is LMA in? When will he be at 100%? He is still the key guy.

If he is out (or just reduced effectiveness) for any extended period, I'm not sure "moving the needle" is a realistic goal.

 

[MARIS61]

We had Batum already, but Lillard and Meyers have the potential to be the needle.

They need a real coach to make them move, though.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

What sort of shape is LMA in? When will he be at 100%? He is still the key guy.

If he is out (or just reduced effectiveness) for any extended period, I'm not sure "moving the needle" is a realistic goal.

Aldridge should be at 100% in September.

 

[Run BJM]

Sweet avy Fez lol

 

[GrandpaBlaze]

If they are interested in making the most of the situation, they will bring in a proven commodity, like a D'Antoni.

And what, exactly, has D'Antoni proven?

We know he plays a more fun-to-watch style of play. We know his teams generally score a lot of points. But has he had any notable playoff success?

I see D'Antoni as somewhat the anti-Nate in style of play but don't particularly see someone who has been much more successful.

I'd welcome the style of play but I don't know that he is a coach who is going to take the team to a high level of success.

Gramps...

 

[Natebishop3]

Hiring Olshey moved the needle imo.

 

[BBert]

It would be hard to have a worse season than last year, at least as far as the taste the season left in our mouths.

However, I think the idea was to 'move the needle' by getting impact players that would propel the team into the playoffs, OR to rebuild. This is the rebuild. And a good start so far. The needle will sputter up and down and rise gradually over time. So...no.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Sweet avy Fez lol

 

[mook]

On day one I think Lillard will be the second best player on the roster, and not just this year but compared to last year as well.

We're replacing perhaps the worst starting PG in the NBA with a guy who can throw lobs like Andre, shoot like Blake and get to the rim/draw fouls like Bayless. We're replacing a PG who showed up fat for training camp and clearly played for himself with an incredible gym rat who everybody describes as a natural leader.

That's definitely moving the needle.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

From "Let it Bake" to "Move the Neddle"

Clearly different philosohpies from each GM. One GM fell in love wtih his players, the other treats them like objects (assets).