Organic Growth

[RoyIsClutch07]

So the outcome of our season could literally land on the shoulders of two rookie forwards. Jeff Pendergraph and Dante Cunningham are slotted in to be LaMarcus Aldridges back up power forward.

How many of you are comfortable with this? I think Kevin Pritchard will go into this next season with these two guys as our back up power forwards. How effective do you see these two being for the blazers in the playoffs? Do you think they are tough enough? Mature enough? Experienced enough to deal and handle other western conference powers like the Spurs and Lakers?

Kevin Pritchard has always stated that he wants to organically grow this thing out. What does that mean? If Jeff Pendergraph and Dante Cunningham are not ready for the big time and ready to produce in the way the team will need to produce. That by gosh either will the Portland Trail Blazers because hey, were family?

I like both of these guys. But let me ask you this. What is the impact difference between these two rookies and lets say a Ronny Turiaf, Udonis Haslem or Kurt Thomas?

Should we just embrace the idea that if these two cats are not ready for the big time, than hey I guess either are we?

In the end It might come down to these two.

 

[Minstrel]

So the outcome of our season could literally land on the shoulders of two rookie forwards. Jeff Pendergraph and Dante Cunningham are slotted in to be LaMarcus Aldridges back up power forward.

How many of you are comfortable with this?

The outcome of the season could land on the players playing a combined 13 MPG, at most? I don't see it.

But let me ask you this. What is the impact difference between these two rookies and lets say a Ronny Turiaf, Udonis Haslem or Kurt Thomas?

Over 13 MPG? Honestly, not a huge amount. Yes, I'd rather have one of those players soaking up those 13 minutes (especially Kurt Thomas), but if the team's biggest problem is 13 minutes out of the total 240 player minutes per game, they're in good shape.

Beyond that, Outlaw is likely to get most of those 13 MPG and with use of Przybilla and Oden on the floor together in certain situations (no perimeter-oriented big man on the floor for the opponent), they can further keep useful players on the floor. Almost nothing rests on Cunningham/Pendergraph, IMO.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

The outcome of the season could land on the players playing a combined 13 MPG, at most? I don't see it.



Over 13 MPG? Honestly, not a huge amount. Yes, I'd rather have one of those players soaking up those 13 minutes (especially Kurt Thomas), but if the team's biggest problem is 13 minutes out of the total 240 player minutes per game, they're in good shape.

Beyond that, Outlaw is likely to get most of those 13 MPG and with use of Przybilla and Oden on the floor together in certain situations (no perimeter-oriented big man on the floor for the opponent), they can further keep useful players on the floor. Almost nothing rests on Cunningham/Pendergraph, IMO.

Let me ask you this. 13 MPG aside. How much do you see intangibles having an effect with this team?

 

[STOMP]

So the outcome of our season could literally land on the shoulders of two rookie forwards. Jeff Pendergraph and Dante Cunningham are slotted in to be LaMarcus Aldridges back up power forward.

no they're not. Like last year Travis is the primary backup at both forward spots. This year hopefully Martell will be able to kick in 10 minutes or so at the SF spot but Outlaw should continue as the primary option.

How many of you are comfortable with this?

I'm not sure about the rest of the posters, but I sure am. Portland has better quality depth then most teams. Am I supposed to be shaking in my boots when LA brings Odom Sasha Farmar and Walton off the bench with Portland having only Miller Greg Rudy and Outlaw? San Antonio has Dice, Manu, Hill and Bonner. The Jazz Nuggets and Mavs have even less. This isn't a gift horse... look it in the mouth and appreciate having one of the deepest and best benches in the league. Unless there are injuries, Pendergraph and Cunningham will spend their rookie seasons clapping.

STOMP

 

[Minstrel]

Let me ask you this. 13 MPG aside. How much do you see intangibles having an effect with this team?

Little. I value overall talent and fit for that talent. I don't think intangibles really have much impact and, if they do, no one has yet found any particularly good way to factor them in.

 

[Eastoff]

Let me ask you this. 13 MPG aside. How much do you see intangibles having an effect with this team?

intangibles do not matter for 13mpg. That is our current reality, and we shouldn't get too worked up over hypotheticals.

 

[fumanchu]

I do think you can bring in a difference maker for 13mpg. Leadership, experience, timely play. All that can make the difference between a championship or not.

However, I do think it's a good idea to start the season and see what we have and wait for the right move to make before the trade deadline.

 

[LameR]

Travis Outlaw is currently our backup PF, although I would be stoked if either rookie replaced him.

Our season doesn't hinge on the play of a backup PF.

For the last time, Udonis Haslem isn't coming to Portland to just play 10-15 mintues of backup power forward. The only reason Haslem would come here would be if we traded Joel, which would be stupid.

 

[Cake]

Almost nothing rests on Cunningham/Pendergraph, IMO.

Agreed. Mop up time rests on their shoulders...that's about it.

 

[hasoos]

I disagree. If you want to compete with the bests, than you have to bring your best for the whole game. Not the whole game minus 13 minutes. I can tell you that none of the top teams take 13 minutes of the game off. If those guys are getting those minutes, and the Blazers want to compete at the highest level, then those guys need to play well if they are getting those spot minutes.

 

[oldmangrouch]

I disagree. If you want to compete with the bests, than you have to bring your best for the whole game. Not the whole game minus 13 minutes. I can tell you that none of the top teams take 13 minutes of the game off. If those guys are getting those minutes, and the Blazers want to compete at the highest level, then those guys need to play well if they are getting those spot minutes.

Good point. Not to mention that if someone gets hurt, and they have to play more than spot minutes, we are pretty much boned.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

I disagree. If you want to compete with the bests, than you have to bring your best for the whole game. Not the whole game minus 13 minutes. I can tell you that none of the top teams take 13 minutes of the game off. If those guys are getting those minutes, and the Blazers want to compete at the highest level, then those guys need to play well if they are getting those spot minutes.

Here is the thing. And I don't think I have read more than one other poster who has alluded to this. What this team really lacked last year was 1. Toughness 2. Experience when it counted. 15 mins a game doesn't seem like much. I offer this to you all. Picture Ronny Turiaf for me, coming into the game. Envision the work ethic, the fire, the will to get to boards and rebound. Envision his steady leadership on the court speaking to and at his teammates. Envision his impact on the team during team practices. Envision his impact going head to head with Oden and LMA on a daily basis. Bodying them up and such. He will keep Greg sharp in practice. And Greg in return will keep him sharp.

The bottomline here is, 10 mins, 15 mins, 30 mins, 40 mins. A player like Ronny Turiaf is going to pay big dividends for this very youthful club that has lacked the veteran leadership and toughness he is going to bring.

He is a spark plug on the front line. He's going to help.

 

[B-Roy]

Here is the thing. And I don't think I have read more than one other poster who has alluded to this. What this team really lacked last year was 1. Toughness 2. Experience when it counted. 15 mins a game doesn't seem like much. I offer this to you all. Picture Ronny Turiaf for me, coming into the game. Envision the work ethic, the fire, the will to get to boards and rebound. Envision his steady leadership on the court speaking to and at his teammates. Envision his impact on the team during team practices. Envision his impact going head to head with Oden and LMA on a daily basis. Bodying them up and such. He will keep Greg sharp in practice. And Greg in return will keep him sharp.

The bottomline here is, 10 mins, 15 mins, 30 mins, 40 mins. A player like Ronny Turiaf is going to pay big dividends for this very youthful club that has lacked the veteran leadership and toughness he is going to bring.

He is a spark plug on the front line. He's going to help.

The bottom line is that the season doesn't rest on 15MPG.

Would a Ronny Turiaf help? Of course, but it's certainly not a necessity.

 

[Blaze01]

It will be interesting to see if either Cunningham or Pendergraph can work thier way into the playing rotation....

I have a feeling that one of them likely will (My guess is Cunningham) and it will be at Outlaw's expense at the b\u PF spot....particularly if Outlaw provides his annual...come in out of shape....show little to no comprehension of where he should be on offense or defense...while displaying horrific offensive play....

I have a question for everyone...if you threw up a ball for a rebound 10 times...who out of Cunningham or Outlaw would get the most rebounds?

Does anyone actually believe that it would be Outlaw?


Seriously?

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

The bottom line is that the season doesn't rest on 15MPG.

Would a Ronny Turiaf help? Of course, but it's certainly not a necessity.

So you don't think Experienced Toughness will have an impact on this team? That it might give them the lil push they need to get over the top?

If the lakers lose one player that is key to their success. It's going to help.

So I disagree. A Turiaf, A Thomas, A Haslem type would benefit this team WHEN IT COUNTS.

Playoff team.

 

[crandc]

I thought this was a thread about gardening.

 

[Minstrel]

I disagree. If you want to compete with the bests, than you have to bring your best for the whole game. Not the whole game minus 13 minutes. I can tell you that none of the top teams take 13 minutes of the game off.

When the Lakers are/were playing players like Sasha Vujacic, Luke Walton or Shannon Brown, were they "bringing their best?" Of course not. Those were their weak reserves that they had to use when their best players were resting.

Almost every team has times when they have below-average players on the floor. It's not taking time off, it's simply the weakest part of the team...the part of the team you try to minimize minutes for.

With Outlaw probably getting a solid chunk of power forward minutes, Cunningham and Pendergraph will see very little time.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

I thought this was a thread about gardening.

LOL.

KP uses or has used the term organic quite a bit when referring to his team.

 

[mook]

It will be interesting to see if either Cunningham or Pendergraph can work thier way into the playing rotation....

I have a feeling that one of them likely will (My guess is Cunningham) and it will be at Outlaw's expense at the b\u PF spot....particularly if Outlaw provides his annual...come in out of shape....show little to no comprehension of where he should be on offense or defense...while displaying horrific offensive play....

I have a question for everyone...if you threw up a ball for a rebound 10 times...who out of Cunningham or Outlaw would get the most rebounds?

Does anyone actually believe that it would be Outlaw?


Seriously?

If Outlaw challenged Cunningham to a game of HORSE, who'd win?

Outlaw's a terrible rebounder, but he provides some nice scoring alongside a guy like Przybilla. Cunningham is supposed to have a decent midrange jumper, but I'd put my money on Outlaw scoring a lot more.

 

[STOMP]

If Outlaw challenged Cunningham to a game of HORSE, who'd win?

Outlaw's a terrible rebounder, but he provides some nice scoring alongside a guy like Przybilla. Cunningham is supposed to have a decent midrange jumper, but I'd put my money on Outlaw scoring a lot more.

seriously?

STOMP

 

[WarriorFan]

In the playoffs, rotations get shortened anyway. I would think Oden/Pryzbilla/LMA would take pretty much all the minutes at 4/5. If there's any left over, Outlaw can handle it. I don't particularly like him but he's good enough. There really aren't many good backup 4s anywhere out there.

And I think Turiaf would be a horrible fit for you. He couldn't play next to Oden or Pryz without hurting guys like Roy/Rudy/Outlaw who like to get to the rim. Even Miller's game is dependant on getting to the middle. Since none of those bigs can hit a jumpshot, the key is going to be pretty clogged

 

[hasoos]

I thought this was a thread about gardening.

Gardening a certain green plant involved with "hemp"??

 

[hasoos]

When the Lakers are/were playing players like Sasha Vujacic, Luke Walton or Shannon Brown, were they "bringing their best?" Of course not. Those were their weak reserves that they had to use when their best players were resting.

Almost every team has times when they have below-average players on the floor. It's not taking time off, it's simply the weakest part of the team...the part of the team you try to minimize minutes for.

With Outlaw probably getting a solid chunk of power forward minutes, Cunningham and Pendergraph will see very little time.

The good teams never let off the intensity even when the bench is on the floor. The facts are, you can talk all the shit all you want about their bench. The Lakers bench was way better than ours last year. Part of that is intensity. Part of it is playing as a unit. Also amazing is the fact that you mention their guards and perimeter players mostly, but fail to mention that Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom were coming off the bench for them on the front line, which would be the players that our weak front line would be playing against. If you fail to see the portions of the game last year where Frye would the the softest pile of shit on the court when he was supposed to be a rebounder and interior presence, then I cannot help you. You are hopeless.

 

[crandc]

Gardening a certain green plant involved with "hemp"??

Sorry to disappoint you, hasoos, but not something I grow. Not even for medicinal purposes.

 

[Minstrel]

The good teams never let off the intensity even when the bench is on the floor. The facts are, you can talk all the shit all you want about their bench. The Lakers bench was way better than ours last year. Part of that is intensity. Part of it is playing as a unit.
...
If you fail to see the portions of the game last year where Frye would the the softest pile of shit on the court when he was supposed to be a rebounder and interior presence, then I cannot help you. You are hopeless.

I don't see you offering any analysis with any of this, just pseudo Pop Warner football coach exhortations. There wasn't a lack of "intensity"...Frye is just not good. Pendergraph and Cunningham are unlikely to lack intensity...the worry is that they won't have the talent.

As far as this goes:

Also amazing is the fact that you mention their guards and perimeter players mostly, but fail to mention that Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom were coming off the bench for them on the front line, which would be the players that our weak front line would be playing against.

You seem a little confused. I wasn't talking about who Portland's backup power forward would be going up against. You responded to my lack of concern over having not-great players on the floor for 13 minutes by saying that "good teams don't take 13 minutes off" implying that playing bad players is "taking time off." I pointed out that the Lakers played plenty of bad players and for more than 13 minutes per game.

 

[B-Roy]

So you don't think Experienced Toughness will have an impact on this team? That it might give them the lil push they need to get over the top?

If the lakers lose one player that is key to their success. It's going to help.

So I disagree. A Turiaf, A Thomas, A Haslem type would benefit this team WHEN IT COUNTS.

Playoff team.

I said it would help, but it's far from necessary. You are implying that the season could rest on whoever plays the backup power forward position for 15 MPG. Absolutely ridiculous.

 

[STOMP]

The good teams never let off the intensity even when the bench is on the floor. The facts are, you can talk all the shit all you want about their bench. The Lakers bench was way better than ours last year. Part of that is intensity. Part of it is playing as a unit. Also amazing is the fact that you mention their guards and perimeter players mostly, but fail to mention that Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom were coming off the bench for them on the front line, which would be the players that our weak front line would be playing against. If you fail to see the portions of the game last year where Frye would the the softest pile of shit on the court when he was supposed to be a rebounder and interior presence, then I cannot help you. You are hopeless.

Bynum started every game he played in last season and Odom started the 32 he was out with injuries... if you fail to see this You are hopeless

STOMP

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Gardening a certain green plant involved with "hemp"??

Not everyone in the bay area does pot.


...some do LSD.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

I said it would help, but it's far from necessary. You are implying that the season could rest on whoever plays the backup power forward position for 15 MPG. Absolutely ridiculous.

I'll tell you where it's NOT ridiculous. In a critical game 7 in any playoff series. Experience, poise and toughness tends to have an major effect.

So yes, it could rest of these two cats shoulders.

 

[B-Roy]

I'll tell you where it's NOT ridiculous. In a critical game 7 in any playoff series. Experience, poise and toughness tends to have an major effect.

So yes, it could rest of these two cats shoulders.

I'm done. This has been amusing enough.