Neil is active

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

I like Afflalo better than Martin as well. He plays both ends of the floor. But you have to bet that he will be a free agent this summer. At 7.5 /yr I doubt he gambles on waiting until next summer. He will get 9-10 anyways. Are we going to resign him?

Yes, I'd resign him to that, especially if Wes is gonna get a 13+mil offer.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Hate him or love him but the last time the Blazers made it to the WCF they had an aggressive GM in Bob Whitsitt.

Half way through this season and the Blazers are below .500 against playoff teams.

To get out of the first-round last year LMA was Shaq-like - 40 PPG in the first two games. To prevent that series from going into a game seven it took a miracle shot from Lillard.

This team isn't elite and still a ways away.

Does Neil pull a KP and sit back and hope the bench develops? If that's the case.....

 

[jlprk]

In his 17 years as GM of the Blazers and Sonics, Bob Whitsitt rarely passed up a Midseason Trade Deadline. Those were some of his best trades. I remember him changing the whole Sonic team dynamic each year, midyear. For example, he got Sam Perkins, and suddenly Michael Cage became a part-time player, and suddenly George Karl went from good to great.

I find a team more entertaining when it makes major roster changes each year. We anti-same-o same-o guys are pretty bored this season. Kaman is slow with wimpy hands, so he misses most layups. Blake is here for the 3rd time. That's it for the new guys. Count 'em yourself, 1 1/2 new guys. Use your fingers, but bend one. You same-o same-o guys should join us anti-same-o same-o guys.

 

[Orion Bailey]

No.

Really?
45 pts in 81 minutes 47% FG from 2, 54% FG from 3, 83% ft

I wouldnt say that he made big statements, but he definitely showed that he could play in the NBA. He reminds me of Nico, with tons of potential. His minutes have been very inconsistent this year and so has his play. He obviously needs to learn better full court awareness and improve on his defense and decision making. But if he is coachable, then he should be able to learn most of that with a good coaching staff, as muich of that is dictated by the coaches plans.
He hasnt done anything to raise his value this year, but he DID show the NBA he could play last year in the playoffs in my opinion.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

In his 17 years as GM of the Blazers and Sonics, Bob Whitsitt rarely passed up a Midseason Trade Deadline. Those were some of his best trades. I remember him changing the whole Sonic team dynamic each year, midyear. For example, he got Sam Perkins, and suddenly Michael Cage became a part-time player, and suddenly George Karl went from good to great.

I find a team more entertaining when it makes major roster changes each year. We anti-same-o same-o guys are pretty bored this season. Kaman is slow with wimpy hands, so he misses most layups. Blake is here for the 3rd time. That's it for the new guys. Count 'em yourself, 1 1/2 new guys. Use your fingers, but bend one. You same-o same-o guys should join us anti-same-o same-o guys.

This.

His legacy in Portland would've been a lot different had he not ran into a prime Shaq.


......and Fat Kemp.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

In his 17 years as GM of the Blazers and Sonics, Bob Whitsitt rarely passed up a Midseason Trade Deadline. Those were some of his best trades. I remember him changing the whole Sonic team dynamic each year, midyear. For example, he got Sam Perkins, and suddenly Michael Cage became a part-time player, and suddenly George Karl went from good to great.

I find a team more entertaining when it makes major roster changes each year. We anti-same-o same-o guys are pretty bored this season. Kaman is slow with wimpy hands, so he misses most layups. Blake is here for the 3rd time. That's it for the new guys. Count 'em yourself, 1 1/2 new guys. Use your fingers, but bend one. You same-o same-o guys should join us anti-same-o same-o guys.

I liked Bob. But this is not a video game. They're real feelings and emotions and lives involved. If you're a player working under Bob, you could never get comfortable in your situation. Here now, could be gone tomorrow. It's not a way to live and I can't believe you would go out and give it your all working for an organization in such a way.

What Neil is doing right now is gaining trust with the guys. When another trade deadline goes by and Thomas Robinson has survived again, he is going to learn what this general manager and team is about. The more comfortable and trusting someone like him gets, the more he will be willing to go out and lay it out on the line for the organization because organization is for him. Doesn't have to be Thomas, just using him as an example. I think San Antonio operates this way. They don't operate as a rotisserie organization. It allows the players to get comfortable in their situation and chemistry to build.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Looking at the roster there aren't many guys I am just dying to get rid of. Batum might go this off-season but no way he goes at the deadline.

Really how are you going to get anything good for just TRob and Barton? I would trade Kaman but only if I knew Freeland would be back and stay back. I suppose I could be convinced to throw in Wright but Dame wouldn't be all that happy.

The more I think about it the more I think we stand pat again at the deadline. This summer could be big changes though. If there is a move then, as much as I don't think we want it, I bet it is Crabbe.

 

[Scalma]

We still need a wing. A bench of blake-mccollum-Chandler-Leonard-freeland/Kaman would be real nice.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

In his 17 years as GM of the Blazers and Sonics, Bob Whitsitt rarely passed up a Midseason Trade Deadline. Those were some of his best trades. I remember him changing the whole Sonic team dynamic each year, midyear. For example, he got Sam Perkins, and suddenly Michael Cage became a part-time player, and suddenly George Karl went from good to great.

I find a team more entertaining when it makes major roster changes each year. We anti-same-o same-o guys are pretty bored this season. Kaman is slow with wimpy hands, so he misses most layups. Blake is here for the 3rd time. That's it for the new guys. Count 'em yourself, 1 1/2 new guys. Use your fingers, but bend one. You same-o same-o guys should join us anti-same-o same-o guys.

You're a rabid anti-same-o-tic.

 

[tester551]

What Neil is doing right now is gaining trust with the guys. When another trade deadline goes by and Thomas Robinson has survived again, he is going to learn what this general manager and team is about. The more comfortable and trusting someone like him gets, the more he will be willing to go out and lay it out on the line for the organization because organization is for him. Doesn't have to be Thomas, just using him as an example. I think San Antonio operates this way. They don't operate as a rotisserie organization. It allows the players to get comfortable in their situation and chemistry to build.

Not really.

SA is always making moves to the end of their bench (14 & 15th man types). They hardly make any trades, usually it is cut a guy and sign someone else to see if he can play.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Wasn't Danny Green a D-League call-up?

 

[Strenuus]

Wasn't Danny Green a D-League call-up?

For some team yeah... don't remember if it was the Spurs, though.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Wasn't Danny Green a D-League call-up?

Probably, I remember him on one of those 60 win cavs teams though.

 

[Orion Bailey]

We still need a wing. A bench of blake-mccollum-Chandler-Leonard-freeland/Kaman would be real nice.

Trade everyone else on the bench for a solid Nico backup who can slash to the hole, hit free throws and p[lay solid D. We do that and I am one extremely happy blazer fan! NOT CHANDLER! I don't think he is the answer.

 

[tester551]

Trade everyone else on the bench for a solid Nico backup who can slash to the hole, hit free throws and p[lay solid D. We do that and I am one extremely happy blazer fan! NOT CHANDLER! I don't think he is the answer.

Then who? The realistic options around the league are VERY slim.

 

[Natebishop3]

Hate him or love him but the last time the Blazers made it to the WCF they had an aggressive GM in Bob Whitsitt.

Half way through this season and the Blazers are below .500 against playoff teams.

To get out of the first-round last year LMA was Shaq-like - 40 PPG in the first two games. To prevent that series from going into a game seven it took a miracle shot from Lillard.

This team isn't elite and still a ways away.

Does Neil pull a KP and sit back and hope the bench develops? If that's the case.....

Bob also didn't make a bunch of moves mid season, which is what you're asking Neil to do. Sheed was acquired during the offseason, so was smitty and pippen and grant and Greg Anthony and jermaine. Only Damon and augmon were midseason trades.

Maybe Neil has a plan for the offseason that he doesn't want to ruin?


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[Orion Bailey]

Then who? The realistic options around the league are VERY slim.

I cant say I have an answer, but you don't trade just to trade. If the person we are not trading for doesn't fit exactly what we need and good enough to do it consistently, then you don't make the trade. Chandler is not that person in my opinion.
I say stand pat until the offseason if there isn't a clear cut player who will make us better without doubts.

 

[Boob-No-More]

I'd take Arron Afflalo before K-Mart. We should try to deal for him first IMO.

Martin can still play and would be a perfect addition to our bench. He's averaging 20.1ppg on 17.5 PER. How many guys are available that can do that? Yeah, he has two more years on his contract, but it's a VERY reasonable contract. I get the injury fear thing, but he only breaks down when he's expected to be a starter and log heavy minutes as the No. 1 option on offense. Give him a bench role like he had in OKC two years ago and he'll be fine.

Consider this: since Martin has returned, MIN is a very respectable 4-3. For the season, MIN is 7-9 when Martin plays and 4-31 when he doesn't. The guy can still make a difference and would give us the reliable scorer we need off the bench.

BNM

 

[dviss1]

Martin can still play and would be a perfect addition to our bench. He's averaging 20.1ppg on 17.5 PER. How many guys are available that can do that? Yeah, he has two more years on his contract, but it's a VERY reasonable contract. I get the injury fear thing, but he only breaks down when he's expected to be a starter and log heavy minutes as the No. 1 option on offense. Give him a bench role like he had in OKC two years ago and he'll be fine.

Consider this: since Martin has returned, MIN is a very respectable 4-3. For the season, MIN is 7-9 when Martin plays and 4-31 when he doesn't. The guy can still make a difference and would give us the reliable scorer we need off the bench.
BNM

Very good post. I agree with most of your points. What I disagree with is the assertion that I would rather have Afflalo because of Martin's injury history. For the record, I'd love Martin of the bench. The reason I prefer Afflalo is because he is a MUCH better defender.

 

[illmatic99]

Bob also didn't make a bunch of moves mid season, which is what you're asking Neil to do. Sheed was acquired during the offseason, so was smitty and pippen and grant and Greg Anthony and jermaine. Only Damon and augmon were midseason trades.

Maybe Neil has a plan for the offseason that he doesn't want to ruin?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not to make excuses, but it was a lot easier to make trades then

 

[Boob-No-More]

Very good post. I agree with most of your points. What I disagree with is the assertion that I would rather have Afflalo because of Martin's injury history. For the record, I'd love Martin of the bench. The reason I prefer Afflalo is because he is a MUCH better defender.

True, and I'd want better defense in a starter, but bench scoring continues to be a huge weakness for the Blazers and Martin would address that weakness. As a bench player, he would rarley be tasked with guarding the opponents best scoring wing player.

Afflalo is a better defender, but his net contribution is much less than Martin's. The sample size this year is limited to 16 games (so far) for Martin, but if you compare his net production to Afflalo's both this year, and last (when both players were starters on bad teams), Martin gives you much more than he gives up - and that's as a starter playing against other starting SGs. Imagine how good he'd look coming off the bennch lighting up other teams' 2nd stringers.

2014-15:

Kevin Martin:
Own Production = 20.6
Opponent's Production = 14.2
Net Production = +6.4

Arron Afflalo:
Own Production = 12.8
Opponent's Production = 12.7
Net Production = +0.0

2013-14:

Kevin Martin:
Own Production = 17.1
Opponent's Production = 12.8
Net Production = +4.3

Arron Afflalo:
Own Production = 16.9
Opponent's Production = 15.8
Net Production = +1.1

BNM

 

[illmatic99]

Bob also didn't make a bunch of moves mid season, which is what you're asking Neil to do. Sheed was acquired during the offseason, so was smitty and pippen and grant and Greg Anthony and jermaine. Only Damon and augmon were midseason trades.

Maybe Neil has a plan for the offseason that he doesn't want to ruin?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not to make excuses, but it was a lot easier to make trades then

 

[blue9]

Afflalo and Martin are 1a and 1b, of all the names bandied about, IMO. Everyone else is a distant 3c.

 

[Sinobas]

Afflalo would be awesome in the sense that he could boot Batum out of the starting lineup, and he'd be insurance in case we don't resign Matthews, but I can understand the hesitation since he's an expiring contract. If he had a couple of years left though, I'd trade him for our 1st in a heartbeat.

 

[Scalma]

I'm not sure the expiring contract is a bad thing, especially when you've made moves to set up maximum cap space like neil has.

 

[Scalma]

Our first pick has more value in a trade than it ever would if we actually used it to pick someone. We don't have room or time for another development project.

 

[riverman]

True, and I'd want better defense in a starter, but bench scoring continues to be a huge weakness for the Blazers and Martin would address that weakness. As a bench player, he would rarley be tasked with guarding the opponents best scoring wing player.

Afflalo is a better defender, but his net contribution is much less than Martin's. The sample size this year is limited to 16 games (so far) for Martin, but if you compare his net production to Afflalo's both this year, and last (when both players were starters on bad teams), Martin gives you much more than he gives up - and that's as a starter playing against other starting SGs. Imagine how good he'd look coming off the bennch lighting up other teams' 2nd stringers.

2014-15:

Kevin Martin:
Own Production = 20.6
Opponent's Production = 14.2
Net Production = +6.4

Arron Afflalo:
Own Production = 12.8
Opponent's Production = 12.7
Net Production = +0.0

2013-14:

Kevin Martin:
Own Production = 17.1
Opponent's Production = 12.8
Net Production = +4.3

Arron Afflalo:
Own Production = 16.9
Opponent's Production = 15.8
Net Production = +1.1

BNM

But JJ Hickson steals a lot of your touches and rebounds. Not a fair fight. Afflalo coming off the bench in Denver but wasn't KMart starting for the Wolves?

 

[OneLifeToLive]

Wes Matthews could use some help at that position. Either Affalo or Martin would do that and make us more dynamic offensively. I think it's needed back there or the three.

 

[jlprk]

Bob also didn't make a bunch of moves mid season, which is what you're asking Neil to do. Sheed was acquired during the offseason, so was smitty and pippen and grant and Greg Anthony and jermaine. Only Damon and augmon were midseason trades.

Bob Whitsitt was active at the Midseason Trade Deadline, except in his last Blazer years when the Oregonian was wearing him down. In 16 Midseason Deadlines (plus a 50-game season), he had 9* major trades, which qualifies as a bunch. Olshey won't be a full-time GM until he trades/signs all year round.

SONICS
1987* signed Eddie Johnson
1988* Sedale Threatt for Sam Vincent
1989 signed Greg Ballard and Mike Champion to 10-days
1990* Steve Johnson and a #2 for Brad Sellers
1990 signed Quintin Daily and Jim Farmer to 10-days
1991* Ricky Pierce for Dale Ellis
1991* Benoit Benjamin for Olden Polynice and #1s (LeRon Ellis, Brooks Thompson)
1992 signed Tony Brown to a 10-day
1993* Sam Perkins for Benoit Benjamin, rights to Doug Christie
1994 signed Alphonso Ford to 10-day

BLAZERS
1995* Thorpe and a #1 (Childress) for Drexler and Murray
1996 signed Rumeal Robinson to a 10-day
1997* Augmon for McKie and Childress
1997 signed Nembhard 10-day, waived Ennis Whatley
1998* Damon Stoudamire, Walt Williams, Carlos Rogers for Kenny Anderson, Alvin Williams, Gary Trent, #1s (Bryce Drew, Mirsad Turkcan), #2 (Tyson Wheeler), cash
1998 signed Gary Grant 10-day, waived Dontonio Wingfield and Vincent Askew
1999 50-game season
2000 none
2001 waived Gary Grant
2002 none
2003 none

 

[jlprk]

Any way Denny can change the font? "#1s" sure is hard to read.

So Whitsitt made 9 midseason trades in his first 11 seasons, and when he couldn't, signed a prospect to a 10-day contract, which usually got renewed to the end of the season. To have room, you prepare in advance for a trade by waiving a guy well before the deadline. It all takes planning 12 months a year. I used to criticize Pritchard for working only on draft day each year, but Pritchard had more midseason activity than Olshey, as little as it was. Get off your ass, Neil. Stop baking cakes.