Nate wants guys that can play now!!!

[Mediocre Man]

Nate is looking for players who can come in and contribute right now. Nothing too old, nothing too young. This should be an interesting off-season. I see a bunch of scrapping role players in our future


Oh, and for SlyPokerDog
http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=130756831357778500

 

[RR7]

Seems like a reasonable request. Guys in their prime who can get into the rotation, as opposed to another off season where we add guys like Babbitt, Armon and Elliot Williams to a core looking to take the next step.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I think so as well, but I also think this is a sign that the team thinks it is closer than it is. But I feel Nate's frustration. The last several drafts have netted us nothing. Babbitt, Williams, Claver, Bayless...None of those guys helped us last year because they either sucked, or were traded. Batum was in the Bayless draft, but the draft hasn't been very good for Portland.

 

[BrianFromWA]

It's pretty tough to get veteran talent in when you don't have things to trade for them. Nate should realize that his best bet of getting impact veterans is drafting and developing young talent to trade for them.

 

[Nikolokolus]

That makes me think they'll take somebody like Farried if he's available for them in the draft ... beyond that what? Bring over Freeland, trade for Raymond Felton? ...

 

[RR7]

Closer to what, I don't know, but it's never a bad idea, IMO, for a playoff team to add solid players that are good now, instead of wasting years of a player's prime chasing ever younger players. Some of the rebuilding plans thrown out around here make me believe at first opportunity, Aldridge would leave for greener pastures, rather than deal with a losing team. Go out and trade for Iguodola, etc. other guys who are available, and who knows what can happen. I mean, I know we're all just random fans of a different team, but nobody here thought Dallas could win a title. And I would guess the sentiment was the same everywhere, outside of Dallas. And has been that way for 4 years or so now. But they kept on adding vets to the roster, with an occasional young guy(Beaubois) to throw in a youthful infusion of talent. But kept on plugging away adding in more and more talent, and they're tied 2 a piece in the Finals. Meanwhile, half of our fan base is probably still convinced it was possible to field an entire team of 22 year olds that would all grow old an dhappy together here, without ever needing to add any pieces, and even as an 8th, 9th man, young guys would be happy winning some games over making money and getting to play, themselves.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I agree with RR7. There are guys out there, but Portland has always been affriad to pull the trigger in the summer. That being said, Portland doesn't have a ton of assets to trade. And as Brian said, the way to get those is to build your team up with young talent. Drafting Euros what seems like 54 years in a row has really hurt this team.

 

[RR7]

I agree with RR7. There are guys out there, but Portland has always been affriad to pull the trigger in the summer. That being said, Portland doesn't have a ton of assets to trade. And as Brian said, the way to get those is to build your team up with young talent. Drafting Euros what seems like 54 years in a row has really hurt this team.

Developing talent is one way, for sure. I think getting small incrmeental upgrades for various reasons from other teams works as well. Again, with Dallas as the example, they used contract situation to upgrade Dampier to Chandler. They traded Josh Howard and minor pieces for Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood. Really, the only deal they've made to build that team that consisted of developing talent and moving it was the Harris for Kidd deal.
I don't see any reason we can't follow a similar blue print. We signed Miller, traded Blake and Outlaw for Camby, and Joel, Dante and 2 1sts for Wallace. Now, because of their expiring or unguaranteed contracts, we should be looking very aggressively, IMO, to move Miller and Camby to teams looking for either that salary relief provided, or for a vet to come in on one year to make a push. You could add in developed talent of Batum or Matthews in deals, to try for a bigger return. But if you find a way to slightly improve on Camby and Miller, and maybe even Wallace, it makes the original trade even better. Blake and Outlaw for...whoever, instead of Camby. Continue using those pieces.

I love the draft, I love young talent. I'd prefer if we didn't have such a heavy reliance on so much of it. I'd prefer the last 3 spots on the team be rookies of some sort. Taking a chance on young talent. Or maybe sliding in one rotation piece. And with a little flash, you use those pieces along with current players to improve that spot, and replace with new young talent.

 

[HailBlazers]

We got plenty o talent (Yea we need some bench help & another scorer). But IMHO, It all comes down to health and Nate. Can Nate create an offense that actually works? Consistently?!? Put Nate on the hot stove and let it bake. Without a GM, I don't see much trades going down.

 

[RR7]

plenty of talent? You can never have enough talent. And on our roster last year, of the 15 men, we had Chris Johnson, Earl barron, Armon Johnson, Luke Babbitt, Elliot Williams, Patty Mills. 6 guys who contributed little or nothing. And I don't think anyone on that list has a very high upside. Like good starter type upside. Then throw in Rudy to that mix, an injured Roy, an old and getting older camby, and yeah, I'd like to see added talent. Especially when our top 3 wings, Wallace, Matthews and Batum are all below average at getting buckets for themselves.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Plenty of talent?

Williams, Mills, A. Johnson, Babbitt, C. Johnson, Barron Those were all on our team last year. That is almost 1/2 the roster for crying out loud. Add in Oden and Roy and it is over 1/2. We have Aldridge, Wallace, Matthews, Batum, Rudy, Miller and Camby as guys that can actually contribute regularly on our roster. One of those players is 38 years old, another is 36 years old, and two of them are role players. Portland needs a huge upgrade in talent to even think about competing with the big boys.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Developing talent is one way, for sure. I think getting small incrmeental upgrades for various reasons from other teams works as well. Again, with Dallas as the example, they used contract situation to upgrade Dampier to Chandler. They traded Josh Howard and minor pieces for Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood. Really, the only deal they've made to build that team that consisted of developing talent and moving it was the Harris for Kidd deal.
I don't see any reason we can't follow a similar blue print. We signed Miller, traded Blake and Outlaw for Camby, and Joel, Dante and 2 1sts for Wallace. Now, because of their expiring or unguaranteed contracts, we should be looking very aggressively, IMO, to move Miller and Camby to teams looking for either that salary relief provided, or for a vet to come in on one year to make a push. You could add in developed talent of Batum or Matthews in deals, to try for a bigger return. But if you find a way to slightly improve on Camby and Miller, and maybe even Wallace, it makes the original trade even better. Blake and Outlaw for...whoever, instead of Camby. Continue using those pieces.

I love the draft, I love young talent. I'd prefer if we didn't have such a heavy reliance on so much of it. I'd prefer the last 3 spots on the team be rookies of some sort. Taking a chance on young talent. Or maybe sliding in one rotation piece. And with a little flash, you use those pieces along with current players to improve that spot, and replace with new young talent.

I agree with you. I was just saying that by taking Euros for the least 87 years in the draft, Portland really hurt it's ability to trade for an established guy.

 

[HailBlazers]

Okay maybe I spoke out my a$$. I guess I was referring to our top 9, the people that actually play. Regarding the wings, we need an offense that is conducive to them getting buckets, they have the skills, their just not being used properly. Nate needs to get his $hit together this summer.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I hear ya, Regarding the wings, we need an offense that is conducive to them getting buckets, they have the skills, their just not being used properly. Nate needs to get his $hit together this summer.

It's been 11 years as a head coach. I don' tthink his stripes are changing anytime soon

 

[e_blazer]

I see Allen Iverson is looking for a team for next year. Any takers?

 

[Draco]

We have had a ton of bad draft picks the last few years. At least with trader Bob we got guys like Jermaine, Zbo, Bonzi with mid to late picks. I feel like we are going to have to get super lucky to pickup a starter in a draft.

An Ape using ESPN draft rankings board could have done a much better job running our last few years drafts.

I think coaches always want veterans, but I just want us to add talent. If it's a young guy that is a few years away but he has legit starter potential I'll be fine with it.

I think we really need to see how this team plays the first few months of the season. If Oden is healthy and the team is clicking maybe we trade some draft picks and pickup a vet and try to make a run for contention. If the team just isn't clicking and we are not close to contending then we should trade Camby/Miller to a contender for some young talent.

 

[MickZagger]

Nate's known Isaiah Thomas since he was in grade school. I bet we somehow end up with him on draft day.

 

[PapaG]

Nate is being pretty bold in calling out whoever is in charge of the front office.

Is he trying to push Paul Allen's buttons to the point where Paul will turn on Nate and fire him as well? Nate got paid; I wonder if he would have signed the extension had he known Cho would be fired?

 

[Blaze01]

Monta Ellis would be a guy who can"play now".....

oh...and can create his own shots in a 1v1 scenario....

 

[Mediocre Man]

Nate's known Isaiah Thomas since he was in grade school. I bet we somehow end up with him on draft day.

I didn't want to bring this up because someone would have said I was Nate bashing, so I'm glad you did. There isbn't a doubt in my mind we end up with Isiah Thomas on our team.

 

[RR7]

I didn't want to bring this up because someone would have said I was Nate bashing, so I'm glad you did. There isbn't a doubt in my mind we end up with Isiah Thomas on our team.

If it was 1989 Isiah Thomas, I'd be stoked.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

So Nate doesn't want Oden . . .

 

[jlprk]

Meanwhile, half of our fan base is probably still convinced it was possible to field an entire team of 22 year olds that would all grow old an dhappy together here, without ever needing to add any pieces, and even as an 8th, 9th man, young guys would be happy winning some games over making money and getting to play, themselves.

In Kevin Pritchard We Trust = Let's stock our pond with little baby fishies.

Boy, am I glad that Pritchard's gone. Saying he should be fired is what made a couple of ESPN posters turn the ESPN moderator against me.

 

[oldmangrouch]

I can understand where Nate is coming from. Me, I'd like a pony for Xmas. I guess we will both have to learn to live with the disappointment.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

The first thing I thought of when I read what Nate said was: "Sure every coach would love to have ten guys in their prime on the roster". But as others have pointed out it's not that easy.

Another thing I got from the story is he seemed to be saying we are all young or old. But i would consider Wallace, Aldridge and Batum in their prime now. Rudy also, except his prime is very mediocre. And Roy of course, but his prime time is uncertain.

I do understand his frustration if he is just talking about a couple experienced role players; I think part of the reason Cho got canned is because we never had even a half-decent backup PG and backup big. But adding those wouldn't have been enough to make us a champion, so maybe Cho is right to try to develop young guys with a chance to become better than half-decent. Not sure if he and KP before him have been making the right choices as far as selecting guys to do that.