PDXFonz
I’m listening
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2013
- Messages
- 20,345
- Likes
- 17,068
- Points
- 113
A week or 2 ago I hashed this theory and posted it in a random thread. After giving it more thought and compiling what I consider to be 'evidence' I decided this needed its own thread.
First:
We still don't know the validity of the claims that All-Stars told Aldridge they want to play in Portland. However if there is any truth, or future occurrences involving Aldridges claims, you cannot dispute that Hibbert is perhaps the most likely candidate. Hibbert is one of the top in a position that has long been believed to be the one thing needed to push Portland back into title contention. He is one of the best defenders in the league at any position, and would go a long way in improving the Blazers defense. You would see similar offensive numbers as with Lopez, but you would now have a better defensive player, being backed up by Rolo. A combination that will end up smacking more balls than Jenna Jameson.
Second:
While its hard to put stock into anything from social media, or press, I feel that sometimes it shouldn't be overlooked. For example there is this quote from Hibbert - "Portland was on my list of teams that, if Indiana didn't match, it would have been a pretty good opportunity to go out there and play," Hibbert said. "It was pretty serious." I find his second quote about being focused on being a defensive presence the most important of his quotes. Players like to play ball where their game involves what the team asks of him. He will never be a scorer, we don't need that at the center position. The more he is pressured to be a scorer in Indiana, the more they drive him away. With Stephenson gone I would assume that Hibbert will be looked to on the offensive end much more next year. After what could be a hellish season of failed expectations in Indiana, Hibbert will surely be tempted to come to Portland where all that is asked is that he be an anchor on the defensive end while his team mates get it done at the other.
Next I looked at his Twitter followers. I wasn't at all surprised to see that he was followed by, and follows Aldridge, I wasn't even very surprised that he did the same with Lillard, however I was surprised to see that him and T-Rob follow eachother. I decided to check to see the list of non team mates he follows, and that list was surprisingly small.
That list includes: John Wall, Russel Westbrook, Harrison Barnes, Tiago Splitter, Nerlens Noel, Julius Randle, Jared Sullinger, Miles Plumlee, Eric Gordon, Kevin Durant, and Andre Drummond.
He also follows Earl Watson, who was his team mate in Indiana.
Outside of his previous team mates, Hibbert follows 14 NBA players on twitter. 3/14 of them were on the Blazers roster last season. Aside from Westbrook and Durant in OKC, and Indiana, Portland is the only team he seems to have friendships with multiple players.
Third:
Chris Kaman's contract, and this offseason.
[TWEET]484903145542152192[/TWEET]
The structuring of Kamans contract, and the lack of any moves that would heavily affect next summers cap situation is an indicator that the team already has a plan which will require as much cap flexibility as possible. I believe that after the Pacers matched Hibbert, Olshey marked his calender for July 1st, 2015. They've planned on targeting Hibbert once he becomes an UFA all along, and the success they have had building the team in between has granted them the tools to pull off a big signing such as this.
They will need to shed all 4 million of that contract if they want to get Hibbert here and retain matthews. They could however sign Aldridge while paying Kaman the full 5 million next season. One thing is for sure, Paul Allen wont be buying a new yacht next year.
Lastly, and possibly the most important piece of evidence:
This current management team has targeted him before. They thought Hibbert was a max player 2 years ago, the difference now is that he has proven it. You cannot argue that the organization won't so much as reach out to Hibbert, they will, that much we know is true. The door will be open at the practice facility next year, and Hibbert WILL be walking through it. Everything else depends on how good his relationship with Dame, Aldridge, T-rob, really is. If hes close with those three, and can hang out with the rest to see for himself how close knit the group is, then I don't think there is any reason he wouldn't consider Portland.
Finally consider next seasons outcome. It is entirely possible that while the Blazers likely stay competitive in the West, the Pacers take a slip back in the standings in the east. The east is strong enough now that a first round exit for Indiana is not out of the question depending on their seeding. Going from losing the Eastern Conference championship twice, to losing in the first round, would undoubtedly push his decision in our favor.
If you combine all of these things I believe there is no way Hibbert signs anywhere but Portland next year. The question is, will you be happy when this happens?
If you don't want Hibbert then I suggest cheering for the Pacers this season.
Oh yeah, he'll fit right in!(Skip to 1 minute)
[video=youtube;9c4hY8mQM6Y]
First:
We still don't know the validity of the claims that All-Stars told Aldridge they want to play in Portland. However if there is any truth, or future occurrences involving Aldridges claims, you cannot dispute that Hibbert is perhaps the most likely candidate. Hibbert is one of the top in a position that has long been believed to be the one thing needed to push Portland back into title contention. He is one of the best defenders in the league at any position, and would go a long way in improving the Blazers defense. You would see similar offensive numbers as with Lopez, but you would now have a better defensive player, being backed up by Rolo. A combination that will end up smacking more balls than Jenna Jameson.
Second:
While its hard to put stock into anything from social media, or press, I feel that sometimes it shouldn't be overlooked. For example there is this quote from Hibbert - "Portland was on my list of teams that, if Indiana didn't match, it would have been a pretty good opportunity to go out there and play," Hibbert said. "It was pretty serious." I find his second quote about being focused on being a defensive presence the most important of his quotes. Players like to play ball where their game involves what the team asks of him. He will never be a scorer, we don't need that at the center position. The more he is pressured to be a scorer in Indiana, the more they drive him away. With Stephenson gone I would assume that Hibbert will be looked to on the offensive end much more next year. After what could be a hellish season of failed expectations in Indiana, Hibbert will surely be tempted to come to Portland where all that is asked is that he be an anchor on the defensive end while his team mates get it done at the other.
Next I looked at his Twitter followers. I wasn't at all surprised to see that he was followed by, and follows Aldridge, I wasn't even very surprised that he did the same with Lillard, however I was surprised to see that him and T-Rob follow eachother. I decided to check to see the list of non team mates he follows, and that list was surprisingly small.
That list includes: John Wall, Russel Westbrook, Harrison Barnes, Tiago Splitter, Nerlens Noel, Julius Randle, Jared Sullinger, Miles Plumlee, Eric Gordon, Kevin Durant, and Andre Drummond.
He also follows Earl Watson, who was his team mate in Indiana.
Outside of his previous team mates, Hibbert follows 14 NBA players on twitter. 3/14 of them were on the Blazers roster last season. Aside from Westbrook and Durant in OKC, and Indiana, Portland is the only team he seems to have friendships with multiple players.
Third:
Chris Kaman's contract, and this offseason.
[TWEET]484903145542152192[/TWEET]
The structuring of Kamans contract, and the lack of any moves that would heavily affect next summers cap situation is an indicator that the team already has a plan which will require as much cap flexibility as possible. I believe that after the Pacers matched Hibbert, Olshey marked his calender for July 1st, 2015. They've planned on targeting Hibbert once he becomes an UFA all along, and the success they have had building the team in between has granted them the tools to pull off a big signing such as this.
They will need to shed all 4 million of that contract if they want to get Hibbert here and retain matthews. They could however sign Aldridge while paying Kaman the full 5 million next season. One thing is for sure, Paul Allen wont be buying a new yacht next year.
Lastly, and possibly the most important piece of evidence:
This current management team has targeted him before. They thought Hibbert was a max player 2 years ago, the difference now is that he has proven it. You cannot argue that the organization won't so much as reach out to Hibbert, they will, that much we know is true. The door will be open at the practice facility next year, and Hibbert WILL be walking through it. Everything else depends on how good his relationship with Dame, Aldridge, T-rob, really is. If hes close with those three, and can hang out with the rest to see for himself how close knit the group is, then I don't think there is any reason he wouldn't consider Portland.
Finally consider next seasons outcome. It is entirely possible that while the Blazers likely stay competitive in the West, the Pacers take a slip back in the standings in the east. The east is strong enough now that a first round exit for Indiana is not out of the question depending on their seeding. Going from losing the Eastern Conference championship twice, to losing in the first round, would undoubtedly push his decision in our favor.
If you combine all of these things I believe there is no way Hibbert signs anywhere but Portland next year. The question is, will you be happy when this happens?
If you don't want Hibbert then I suggest cheering for the Pacers this season.
Oh yeah, he'll fit right in!(Skip to 1 minute)
[video=youtube;9c4hY8mQM6Y]
Last edited:
