[ official ] 2016 summer moves

[Orion Bailey]

In Dwight's window.......GS, SA, and the Clippers will still be strong. OKC is the wild card depending on Durant. And like you said Portland, Utah, and Minnesota are on the rise.

Leonard and LMA are still solid pieces for SA. Both them and the Clippers (when healthy) are as good as anyone in the East right now. Besides it is really about perception...and how Dwight's views the West vs the East. I think he is tired of not being a contender.

See I disagree. I think LMA is going to make the Spurs a perennial second round and out. UNLESS they somehow get a bunch more people to sign for dirt cheap like West did, but if Pop retires, I dont see that happening anymore.
Clips have hit their peak last year I think. Still good, but not a contender.
GS will be great still, but we play them well.
OKC is going to crumble.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I'm going to lay this concept out on the table as simply as I can. This is how I see this particular off-season. Based on the progression this team made during the season and their competitiveness (Not results which are skewed due to injuries) this is not a team that we should make a big shakeup with. It is the 3rd of 4th youngest team in the league and most the players still have considerable ceilings for growth. As such we should not be looking to make significant changes to the roster in terms of trading players. If we simply brought back the same team we would be better next year due to additional familiarity, taste of success and natural development. That is not the right decision either though. What we need to be doing is adding to the existing core of this team. This team is built in a similar mold to GS, but there is one significant difference. The role Andrew Bogut plays. A strong physical Center who can play D and affect shots as well as score within 3 feet of the basket. We need to make this addition this summer and then if the season doens't progress we look at making trades at deadline or next summer.

What a lot of you don't want to see is Dwight Howard joining the Blazers is almost the perfect storm of needs for both parties. Several reasons why. Dwight will get the ball more in Terry's system so will be happy, he will draw the defense in to the paint a bit more helping space the floor better for Dame and CJ. People complain that we would need a PF that has range to pair with him... Hello Meyers Leonard is one of if not the best shooting big in the league.

I know people are saying Whiteside this Whiteside that, and I know age is a big key there, but in reality Dwight is used to being on a contender, he carried the Magic to the Finals pretty much on his own. Yeah it's been a few years, but he still has that mind. I don't know that whiteside does.

What about Horford? Horford would fit us just as well, but I'm not sure we fit Horford as well as we fit Howard.

Am I a fan of Dwight Howard? Not particularly, but I do see him as being very likely as we can add him, improve our depth and not have to trade a core piece to make it happen. The question is would he take $27 instead of $30.

Just saying--this should be (expanded a bit to be) an analysis column over at BlazersLand.com.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Just saying--this should be (expanded a bit to be) an analysis column over at BlazersLand.com.

Agreed. A top notch A+ post for sure.

 

[Pinwheel1]

See I disagree. I think LMA is going to make the Spurs a perennial second round and out. UNLESS they somehow get a bunch more people to sign for dirt cheap like West did, but if Pop retires, I don't see that happening anymore.
Clips have hit their peak last year I think. Still good, but not a contender.
GS will be great still, but we play them well.
OKC is going to crumble.

Yeah but who besides Cleveland is as good as those teams you mentioned? They might not be a contender in the West, but they would be in the east. I hope you are right, but there are some big ifs. If Durant stays int he west, no matter what team he is on....that team will more than likely be as good of a contender as any team in the east. Lets hope he moves east.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

What a lot of you don't want to see is Dwight Howard joining the Blazers is almost the perfect storm of needs for both parties.

You're right. I REALLY don't see it. An over-the-hill, injury-damaged, over-entitled ball-demanding, poor-passing, terrible shooting, near pedophile? What could go wrong? But perhaps I'm being blinded by the shitshows of the last two teams that convinced themselves that Howard was the answer.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Harrison F. Barnes might be that guy...in about ten years.

So he ages in reverse?

 

[Schilly]

You're right. I REALLY don't see it. An over-the-hill, injury-damaged, over-entitled ball-demanding, poor-passing, terrible shooting, near pedophile? What could go wrong? But perhaps I'm being blinded by the shitshows of the last two teams that convinced themselves that Howard was the answer.

Yep you are.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Yeah but who besides Cleveland is as good as those teams you mentioned? They might not be a contender in the West, but they would be in the east. I hope you are right, but there are some big ifs. If Durant stays int he west, no matter what team he is on....that team will more than likely be as good of a contender as any team in the east. Lets hope he moves east.

Well, I think that several East Teams will be better than this year. I think Boston, Milwaukie, Charlotte and Phily will be markedly better. Contenders? Maybe Boston, But there are also alot of teams on the rise in the east as this last year has shown. I think the West dominance is all but over. ESPECIALLY IF Durant heads east.

 

[lawai'a]

i am kind of ambivalent about a howard signing. my feelings swing back and forth concerning fit and personality. age and cost factor as well. i doubt very much he would consider a discounted contract. risk at max and age/health. too many other teams with the cash will be vying for his services. if horford leaves the hawks i believe they become one of the favorites to sign him. its his hometown and where he trains each summer, they will still be a contender even if they trade teague for other assets. they will still spread the floor with milsap and korver opening up the post for howard.
tiago splitter would likely come available in this scenario and i recall him as a plus pick and roll defender before he got injured last year. mighy be wrong though

 

[Pinwheel1]

Just thought I would pass this along....I was just listening to Mychal Thompson's radio show in LA just now.
The subject was free agency and they were going down the list. Mychal who obviously watches the Warriors much closer than any of us, had a surprising take on Harrison Barnes. Thinks with another team he would easily average 18 points a game. He said besides being very athletic, (Which we knew) he was also very smart and very hard working. He said the Warriors will match, but thinks that some team.......would be wise to go after him.

 

[HolyBackboard]

Barnes didn't show me much when Curry went down. I think some team is going to overpay and have some serious buyer's remorse.

 

[blue9]

Just thought I would pass this along....I was just listening to Mychal Thompson's radio show in LA just now.
The subject was free agency and they were going down the list. Mychal who obviously watches the Warriors much closer than any of us, had a surprising take on Harrison Barnes. Thinks with another team he would easily average 18 points a game. He said besides being very athletic, (Which we knew) he was also very smart and very hard working. He said the Warriors will match, but thinks that some team.......would be wise to go after him.

Interesting. When I watch him I don't see any of those attributes (aside from being athletic). Makes you wonder if he's just saying good things about him because he's his son's friend, or if he truly, objectively feels that way.
I think half (or more) of the players in the league could easily average 18 points a game - but would their team win games?

 

[BBert]

Just thought I would pass this along....I was just listening to Mychal Thompson's radio show in LA just now.
The subject was free agency and they were going down the list. Mychal who obviously watches the Warriors much closer than any of us, had a surprising take on Harrison Barnes. Thinks with another team he would easily average 18 points a game. He said besides being very athletic, (Which we knew) he was also very smart and very hard working. He said the Warriors will match, but thinks that some team.......would be wise to go after him.

I agree HFB might break out on another team. But GS needs him coming off their bench so they would be wise to retain him if they can afford it.

 

[BBert]

Interesting. When I watch him I don't see any of those attributes (aside from being athletic). Makes you wonder if he's just saying good things about him because he's his son's friend, or if he truly, objectively feels that way.
I think half (or more) of the players in the league could easily average 18 points a game - but would their team win games?

I think you're right about that. NBA players are good, I don't care who they are. Feature just about any wing player in an offense and they can get numbers.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Interesting. When I watch him I don't see any of those attributes (aside from being athletic). Makes you wonder if he's just saying good things about him because he's his son's friend, or if he truly, objectively feels that way.
I think half (or more) of the players in the league could easily average 18 points a game - but would their team win games?

Tough to tell with Mychal. He has been wrong before. The thing is the topic was who the Lakers should go after. And with Mychal
being the radio voice of the Lakers, you think he would be careful. I agree with what you are saying about Barnes, but at the same time he does get at least a little inside info on him.
I guess we will know if GS matches a big offer.

 

[BBert]

Just thought I would pass this along....I was just listening to Mychal Thompson's radio show in LA just now.
The subject was free agency and they were going down the list. Mychal who obviously watches the Warriors much closer than any of us, had a surprising take on Harrison Barnes. Thinks with another team he would easily average 18 points a game. He said besides being very athletic, (Which we knew) he was also very smart and very hard working. He said the Warriors will match, but thinks that some team.......would be wise to go after him.

Maybe he's sowing seeds of discontent that HFB should be a starter in this league so his beloved Lakers can grab him.

 

[blue9]

Maybe he's sowing seeds of discontent that HFB should be a starter in this league so his beloved Lakers can grab him.

I'm confused - I thought HB is a starter?

 

[Orion Bailey]

I'm confused - I thought HB is a starter?

I thought so too?
Like on a championship team?

 

[BBert]

I'm confused - I thought HB is a starter?

No, it appears I'm confused. LOL HFB is so far in the background on that team, I just think of him that way. What will he want more: Another ring, or a bigger role on another team? Hard to say. Probably the ring, and less pressure.

 

[Natebishop3]

Who is this halfback that we're talking about and which NFL team does he play for?

 

[Blazinaway]

Barnes didn't show me much when Curry went down. I think some team is going to overpay and have some serious buyer's remorse.

Barnes is "fools gold" IMO assuming he gets maxed or close to it by some idiotic GM. He's an OK player but is not going to get close to living up to the contract he probably gets, I'm very happy with Aminu and Hark for 8-10 mil if thats what he gets.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Barnes is "fools gold" IMO assuming he gets maxed or close to it by some idiotic GM. He's an OK player but is not going to get close to living up to the contract he probably gets, I'm very happy with Aminu and Hark for 8-10 mil if thats what he gets.

If the money was equal.......who would you prefer? Aminu, Harkless, Crabbe or Barnes....as our starting SF?

 

[Blazinaway]

If the money was equal.......who would you prefer? Aminu, Harkless, Crabbe or Barnes....as our starting SF?

Barnes and Aminu are tossups stats wise IMO, given that Aminu steps it up in the playoffs I might prefer him, and with 3 yrs lef7 at 7.5 mil its a fuckkin no brainer who I'd prefer. Hark ultimately could be the best of the bunch but he's got a ways to go, Crabbe is on the bottom of the list for me

 

[Orion Bailey]

Barnes and Aminu are tossups stats wise IMO, given that Aminu steps it up in the playoffs I might prefer him, and with 3 yrs lef7 at 7.5 mil its a fuckkin no brainer who I'd prefer. Hark ultimately could be the best of the bunch but he's got a ways to go, Crabbe is on the bottom of the list for me

Pretty much my take.

 

[Natebishop3]

I wish we had a spreadsheet to keep track of all the things that are "fools gold" around here.

 

[Orion Bailey]

I wish we had a spreadsheet to keep track of all the things that are "fools gold" around here.

Create one and make it a sticky and se how long it gets.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Barnes and Aminu are tossups stats wise IMO, given that Aminu steps it up in the playoffs I might prefer him, and with 3 yrs lef7 at 7.5 mil its a fuckkin no brainer who I'd prefer. Hark ultimately could be the best of the bunch but he's got a ways to go, Crabbe is on the bottom of the list for me

I think Aminu is better suited at the 4. But his versatility to play both comes in handy.

Harkless might end up being the best option at SF, but right now both Barnes and Crabbe are more reliable shooters IMO. Crabbe actually has a longer standing reach than Barnes (Same wing span) which really surprised me. But Barnes does have a great vertical.

I think overall Barnes is probably the best of the 4, but not by much over Crabbe.

 

[BBert]

I think HFB, if he has the drive, would thrive on the Blazers. With his playoff experience, and I think he shows signs of putting it together in these playoffs, he would be number 1, with Aminu a close second, if the question is who could contribute today. Harkless may be the best of the bunch in two or three years. Crabbe is a nice player, but last on my list.

 

[Blazinaway]

I think HFB, if he has the drive, would thrive on the Blazers. With his playoff experience, and I think he shows signs of putting it together in these playoffs, he would be number 1, with Aminu a close second, if the question is who could contribute today. Harkless may be the best of the bunch in two or three years. Crabbe is a nice player, but last on my list.

Thrive or not at best if he's "slightly" better than Aminu IMO an upgrade at C is more important, especially if we're spending the type of money a Barnes Max would command

 

[riverman]

Mark Cuban will throw the bank at Howard and he likes older vets...even injury prone ones. I don't see us paying him what the Heat or Mavs would. Bosh is probably done in Miami and Riley can sell hot peppers in hell