Neil Olshey is the man

[Natebishop3]

I agree on Hibbert. I think he can be 'rehabilitated' in the right environment, and probably grateful to be in a team oriented situation like Portland. Sanders, perhaps he's hopeless, IDK.

The problem is, Hibbert is so danged expensive.

It's not THAT bad, but it would be hard to match up the salaries. The bigger problem would be whether you could bring Rolo off the bench. I'm not sure I would want to bench rolo and I don't see Hibbert coming off the bench.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_24901720/robin-lopez-fits-well-trail-blazers-weird-portland

In case someone wants to read it . . .

I love it. A lot of portlanders are nerdy in exactly the same way Robin is. He's just such a good fit.

Now if Neil can pry Channing Frye from Phoenix as our backup PF, we'd be both better and weirder!

 

[blue9]

It's not THAT bad, but it would be hard to match up the salaries. The bigger problem would be whether you could bring Rolo off the bench. I'm not sure I would want to bench rolo and I don't see Hibbert coming off the bench.

That's why I think Sanders could be a better gamble. It's an interesting idea, if risky.

 

[Natebishop3]

That's why I think Sanders could be a better gamble. It's an interesting idea, if risky.

Sanders is making a ton of money, which is why I don't think it's worth the gamble. Hibbert is making a lot of money too, but he has a much better overall resume.

 

[blue9]

Sanders is making a ton of money, which is why I don't think it's worth the gamble. Hibbert is making a lot of money too, but he has a much better overall resume.

Salary-wise we're already screwed - adding salary via trade isn't going to hamper us in any real way, other than getting the "mini" MLE rather than the full MLE.

 

[Natebishop3]

Salary-wise we're already screwed - adding salary via trade isn't going to hamper us in any real way, other than getting the "mini" MLE rather than the full MLE.

That's not my point. In order to acquire Sanders (or Hibbert) we will have to send out a lot of salary. That means giving up assets. That means taking a risk. I would rather take a risk on Hibbert, who has a much better track record, rather than someone like Sanders who has been acting like a fucking moron for the last year.

 

[magnifier661]

I'm curious why any of you would even consider sanders or hibbert right now, knowing we would need to send out 3 good players to make up salary.

This has summer of 2000 written all over it.

 

[RR7]

That's not my point. In order to acquire Sanders (or Hibbert) we will have to send out a lot of salary. That means giving up assets. That means taking a risk. I would rather take a risk on Hibbert, who has a much better track record, rather than someone like Sanders who has been acting like a fucking moron for the last year.

Comes down to what sort of person you think you can mold better, a guy who is a jackass, or a guy who is seemingly very mentally weak.

 

[Natebishop3]

Comes down to what sort of person you think you can mold better, a guy who is a jackass, or a guy who is seemingly very mentally weak.

I dont' know if I believe that Hibbert is mentally weak. I think he's surrounded by a bunch of gunners and he checked out.

 

[magnifier661]

Comes down to what sort of person you think you can mold better, a guy who is a jackass, or a guy who is seemingly very mentally weak.

I have faith that Freeland and T. Rob will be fine back ups for us. If we are really looking for bench production, I would rather have a vet back-up pg. Maybe a defensive specialist that can still initiate offense.

 

[blue9]

That's not my point. In order to acquire Sanders (or Hibbert) we will have to send out a lot of salary. That means giving up assets. That means taking a risk. I would rather take a risk on Hibbert, who has a much better track record, rather than someone like Sanders who has been acting like a fucking moron for the last year.

Ah, gotcha.

 

[RR7]

I dont' know if I believe that Hibbert is mentally weak. I think he's surrounded by a bunch of gunners and he checked out.

He's going to get the same touches here that RObin gets, or less if you're bringing him in to be off the bench. If he checks out because George Stephenson and West are higher than him in the pecking order, than what when he is a bench player? If you check out mid way through a season like he has, and fall off dramatically, it screams being mentally weak to me.

 

[magnifier661]

I dont' know if I believe that Hibbert is mentally weak. I think he's surrounded by a bunch of gunners and he checked out.

A max player checking out on his team something you want? I don't care how badly the team is playing, there is a level of pride a max player must have. If it takes a little turmoil to check this guy out, then he isn't a max player. Simple as that

 

[RR7]

My issue with acquiring either Hibbert or Sanders is that I don't think they fit great as a backup big because of their inability to play alongside Lopez. I'd prefer someone who can play with Aldridge and Lopez both.

 

[magnifier661]

What I would love to have is a player that can score in the low post and rebound. His defense doesn't have to be stellar, but big enough to protect the back in.

A player that can give you a cheap 4-6 points, 4-6 rebounds and possibly a block a game.

Frankly, I think we have that with freeland. He has great fundamentals and is a great offensive rebounder. He doesn't demand playing time either.

 

[BBert]

My issue with acquiring either Hibbert or Sanders is that I don't think they fit great as a backup big because of their inability to play alongside Lopez. I'd prefer someone who can play with Aldridge and Lopez both.

Pao Gasol. And he's cheaper.

 

[magnifier661]

Pao Gasol. And he's cheaper.

I would be so for getting pau if it doesn't gut us. Him being back up could take us to championship contention. He has championship experience, he can rebound and block shots, plus he doesn't mind being third or 4th fiddle.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I have faith that Freeland and T. Rob will be fine back ups for us. If we are really looking for bench production, I would rather have a vet back-up pg. Maybe a defensive specialist that can still initiate offense.

I'm going to be banging the "get Greivis Vasquez" drum all summer.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

I think O'Neal would have been the ideal addition this year. An aging vet happy to come off the bench but can step up and provide more when needed (due to injury, foul troubles, etc), as well as offer some vet leadership.

Aside from that, are there any centers that are clearly head-and-shoulders above Lopez (besides Howard)? I feel like Lopez has more than held his own against everybody in the league, but there's clearly a difference between Lopez and Howard. Unless you can get Howard, I don't know that you can improve much more at the center position from Lopez (unless you convince LA to play center and find another dominant PF, which ain't happening, as we know).

 

[magnifier661]

I think O'Neal would have been the ideal addition this year. An aging vet happy to come off the bench but can step up and provide more when needed (due to injury, foul troubles, etc), as well as offer some vet leadership.

Aside from that, are there any centers that are clearly head-and-shoulders above Lopez (besides Howard)? I feel like Lopez has more than held his own against everybody in the league, but there's clearly a difference between Lopez and Howard. Unless you can get Howard, I don't know that you can improve much more at the center position from Lopez (unless you convince LA to play center and find another dominant PF, which ain't happening, as we know).

We should of had oneal this season.

 

[Natebishop3]

I think O'Neal would have been the ideal addition this year. An aging vet happy to come off the bench but can step up and provide more when needed (due to injury, foul troubles, etc), as well as offer some vet leadership.

Aside from that, are there any centers that are clearly head-and-shoulders above Lopez (besides Howard)? I feel like Lopez has more than held his own against everybody in the league, but there's clearly a difference between Lopez and Howard. Unless you can get Howard, I don't know that you can improve much more at the center position from Lopez (unless you convince LA to play center and find another dominant PF, which ain't happening, as we know).

I agree. I wish we had picked him up.

 

[shamelessblazer]

Now if Neil can pry Channing Frye from Phoenix as our backup PF, we'd be both better and weirder!

I'm going to be banging the "get Greivis Vasquez" drum all summer.

I've been banging both of those drums (not that way) for a while now.

I think Channing would be an excellent fit alongside Robinson (playing post D & D-rebounding while Robinson gets out on the break; playing stretch O and getting back to set up defense while Robinson seeks out offensive boards like a maniac); and can stretch the floor while Aldridge or Rolo works down low. If we could rest up Aldridge at 32 mpg next year over the course of the season, Rolo could grab 28, Channing 20, and Robinson 16. Of course you'd still want a real big as insurance in case Rolo went down b/c Channing's no full time 5, maybe Turiaf seeks a chance at a title with us.

Greivis is exactly what our backcourt needs for Dame's sake (rest and playing off ball a little) and if we ever want to develop CJ & Robinson. A tall real-PG, who defends 2's, can feed the post, and it's a bonus if he's a decent shooter. Hell I'd even be fine with old man Miller holding down the fort for 15 mpg, but Greivis for 24 (12 with Dame, 12 with CJ) would be great, with Wes sliding over to 3 to back up Nic. He'd have the Eric Maynor effect x 10 and give our bigs a lot more easy buckets.

I'm not sure if/how we could get both, but I think we'd be a strong championship contender (not saying we wouldn't be now with development next year). Not a ton of D, but enough w/Matthews, Batum, and improvement from Lillard.

Lillard (32)/CJ (16)
Matthews (24)/Vasquez (24)
Batum (36)/Matthews (12)
Aldridge (32)/Robinson (16)
Lopez (28)/Frye (20)

 

[tlongII]

I guarantee we're not giving up any of our starting 5.

 

[magnifier661]

I've been banging both of those drums (not that way) for a while now.

I think Channing would be an excellent fit alongside Robinson (playing post D & D-rebounding while Robinson gets out on the break; playing stretch O and getting back to set up defense while Robinson seeks out offensive boards like a maniac); and can stretch the floor while Aldridge or Rolo works down low. If we could rest up Aldridge at 32 mpg next year over the course of the season, Rolo could grab 28, Channing 20, and Robinson 16. Of course you'd still want a real big as insurance in case Rolo went down b/c Channing's no full time 5, maybe Turiaf seeks a chance at a title with us.

Greivis is exactly what our backcourt needs for Dame's sake (rest and playing off ball a little) and if we ever want to develop CJ & Robinson. A tall real-PG, who defends 2's, can feed the post, and it's a bonus if he's a decent shooter. Hell I'd even be fine with old man Miller holding down the fort for 15 mpg, but Greivis for 24 (12 with Dame, 12 with CJ) would be great, with Wes sliding over to 3 to back up Nic. He'd have the Eric Maynor effect x 10 and give our bigs a lot more easy buckets.

I'm not sure if/how we could get both, but I think we'd be a strong championship contender (not saying we wouldn't be now with development next year). Not a ton of D, but enough w/Matthews, Batum, and improvement from Lillard.

Lillard (32)/CJ (16)
Matthews (24)/Vasquez (24)
Batum (36)/Matthews (12)
Aldridge (32)/Robinson (16)
Lopez (28)/Frye (20)

36 mins for Matthews and batum? I definitely don't like that idea at all. They are more effected by too much playing time, more so than Aldridge.

 

[magnifier661]

I guarantee we're not giving up any of our starting 5.

I second that

 

[Natebishop3]

I would rather not tamper with our starting five. Yes, Rolo is having problems with Dwight, but realistically how many people can defend Dwight one on one?

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

We should of had oneal this season.

Um yeah, that's what I meant by "this year".

 

[magnifier661]

Um yeah, that's what I meant by "this year".

Bro I was all pleading olshey grabbed oneal last summer. Having him right now would have been epic!

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

I would rather not tamper with our starting five. Yes, Rolo is having problems with Dwight, but realistically how many people can defend Dwight one on one?

Yeah, exactly. Aside from Dwight, Lopez can hold his own against every other center in the league. So, unless you're getting Dwight, you're really not going to improve much at the center position. Especially when you factor in cost (both in terms of trading players and actual contracts), how the player fits in with the team, etc....

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Bro I was all pleading olshey grabbed oneal last summer. Having him right now would have been epic!

Samesies.

Dunno if it's accurate or not, but it seems like we didn't even make a play for him, which is just beyond me.