PG seems to be Neil's BIG priority

[Blazinaway]

per the barrett and wheels interview, glad to see that!

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Deron Williams or bust.

I really don't want to see him package the picks for Lowry.

We would allow a Conference rival keep the better PG (Dragic) and two high picks.

No. Fucking. Way.

 

[Nikolokolus]

A point guard is like an engine in a car, if you don't have an engine, you've got a gravity racer and the only thing those are good for is going downhill ... which is precisely what your winning percentage does when your point guard sucks.

 

[MickZagger]

A point guard is like an engine in a car, if you don't have an engine, you've got a gravity racer and the only thing those are good for is going downhill ... which is precisely what your winning percentage does when your point guard sucks.

Unless you have a ball dominant wing, or 2 guard. But, we don't have a wing or 2 that can even put the ball on the floor.

 

[Blazinaway]

Deron Williams or bust.

I really don't want to see him package the picks for Lowry.

We would allow a Conference rival keep the better PG (Dragic) and two high picks.

No. Fucking. Way.

LOL I like the "tude"!

 

[Nikolokolus]

Unless you have a ball dominant wing, or 2 guard. But, we don't have a wing or 2 that can even put the ball on the floor.

Or that ... Fact is you can call it a point guard, point-forward (LeBron), or a shot-creator (Wade, Kobe, etc.) the simple fact is you need a guy who can create offense with his dribble if you want to succeed in the NBA.

 

[Natebishop3]

His answer to my question about convincing a player to overlook our small market was that the location shouldn't matter and that facilities should trump location. I don't know if I buy that.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

His answer to my question about convincing a player to overlook our small market was that the location shouldn't matter and that facilities should trump location. I don't know if I buy that.

If that were the case I think CLE should be able to attract FA as they have the best practice facility in the NBA.

But who would want to live in Cleveland? I don't buy this argument.

 

[Natebishop3]

If that were the case I think CLE should be able to attract FA as they have the best practice facility in the NBA.

But who would want to live in Cleveland? I don't buy this argument.

Yeah, I don't either. Sounds nice though.

 

[Sedatedfork]

You have to sell the features and benefits: strip clubs (very liberal on the freedom of expression), easy access to chronic, oh yeah and the owner has a super yacht and might let you take the sub out for a little joyride.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

One issue attracting free agents is our state income tax.

 

[Natebishop3]

One issue attracting free agents is our state income tax.

The Blazers should move their HQ to Vancouver and have the players live in Washington

 

[MickZagger]

The Blazers should move their HQ to Vancouver and have the players live in Washington

Pippen, Cliff Robinson and some others lived out in the Hockinson/Camas area. Fuckin mansions. I knew a kid who lived by Pippen and said he had an elevator in his house.

 

[Natebishop3]

Pippen, Cliff Robinson and some others lived out in the Hockinson/Camas area. Fuckin mansions. I knew a kid who lived by Pippen and said he had an elevator in his house.

Unfortunately now you'll still get dinged for income tax if you work in Oregon but live in Washington. That's why the Blazers should move their HQ to Washington!

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Option A: FA signing
Option B: Draft

Trading for a young PG is next to impossible if you don't overpay.

Just say no to Houston!

 

[Mediocre Man]

Ya, he made that pretty darn clear in his interview with Barrett and Wheels.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Option A: FA signing
Option B: Draft

Trading for a young PG is next to impossible if you don't overpay.

Just say no to Houston!

A FA signing is also an invitation to overpay.

I don't think we need a great PG to be a consistent winning team. I also don't believe in intentionally trying to build a championship team. I prefer building a playoff team and then seeing how it can be tweaked to get better, not always swinging for the fences. I'm not a Lowery fan (curiously, I think his stats are pretty much the same as Failton's), but he'll do if he doesn't cost us too much. I see him like I do Brooks. They'll do. That said, I'd offer a max deal to Williams, but it's unlikely he'll play here. But the offer has to at least be made.

As to the draft, it depends on whose available. We need a PG, sure, but we also need some serious muscle inside (as in a physical PF allowing us to slide LA to center) or a sharp shooting SG. Matthews is more of a backup type. I'd only draft a PG if he were a 100% can't miss top tier one- and I don't see any of those around this year.

 

[STOMP]

Or that ... Fact is you can call it a point guard, point-forward (LeBron), or a shot-creator (Wade, Kobe, etc.) the simple fact is you need a guy who can create offense with his dribble if you want to succeed in the NBA.

in a nutshell... yup.

Wes is good off the ball having a solid catch and shoot game, Nic too. Assuming Ray is gone, the only guy on the roster who has shown some ability to create offense is Elliott and thats only for himself. A ball dominant PG who can run pick and roll with LA and create for himself and others off the dribble would benefit everyone.

STOMP

 

[Blazinaway]

in a nutshell... yup.

Wes is good off the ball having a solid catch and shoot game, Nic too. Assuming Ray is gone, the only guy on the roster who has shown some ability to create offense is Elliott and thats only for himself. A ball dominant PG who can run pick and roll with LA and create for himself and others off the dribble would benefit everyone.

STOMP

as far as draft prospects go that would seem to favor Lillard over Marshall, can score for himself and good pick n roll player. His passing and playmaking are the big Q with him, and I have doubts Neil wants to go thru the draft to get a PG and I tend to agree. But then options may be limited, Dwill is a dream, I like Dragic but wonder how much he would cost?

or could one of the many SG's in the draft possibly develop into that role? I do not really like the "combo guad" think since we've tried so many, but then again they weren't all that good and Roy was just not enough "PG" for more than limited time there.

 

[Mediocre Man]

First impressions are that it seems to me that he will be very aggressive in pursuing a top level PG in the off season. Whether that be via FA or trade. He brought up RFA's several times, so maybe there is someone in that batch to look at as a potential target?

Thank God it sounds like Nash is out. It also sounds like whichever youngish veteran we bring in, we will also pursue someone in the draft if we can. It seemed like such an important position to him.....which it is

 

[RR7]

The positive thing about the pursuit is, he came from a previous job he just held, instead of being someone like Bower, who has been off for a bit. Not that it would take too long, but I imagine in his pursuit of CP3, he found out the asking price of a few other PGs along the way.

 

[glazeduck]

With Olshey coming here, it'll be interesting to keep an eye on Eric Bledsoe.

Olshey drafted him and refused to trade him at this past deadline - reportedly for our 1st round pick - so it would appear that Olshey likes him quite a bit...

Certainly depends on the Clipp's GM position too, but if the incoming guy isn't as much of a fan he could be a decent buy medium-low option. I think it's safe to say that down the stretch an in the playoffs he can be a quality backup off the bench at worst...

 

[Blazinaway]

With Olshey coming here, it'll be interesting to keep an eye on Eric Bledsoe.

Olshey drafted him and refused to trade him at this past deadline - reportedly for our 1st round pick - so it would appear that Olshey likes him quite a bit...

Certainly depends on the Clipp's GM position too, but if the incoming guy isn't as much of a fan he could be a decent buy medium-low option. I think it's safe to say that down the stretch an in the playoffs he can be a quality backup off the bench at worst...

Bledsoe has not impressed me overall, I know he had a good playoffs but the rest of his yr was meh, but I really have not seen enough of him to have a strong opinion

 

[Mediocre Man]

Bledsoe has not impressed me overall, I know he had a good playoffs but the rest of his yr was meh, but I really have not seen enough of him to have a strong opinion

Pretty low PER in his first two years. 10 and 11

Not that that is the end all be all

 

[Blaze01]

I was very pleased, he pretty much preached what my thoughts were....Keeping both picks, not trading for mid tier or older players just to gain a 7th\8th seed only to be right back here in a few years....not going to be a 1 year process....good talent in this draft....only reason to trade picks would be for a young all star caliber player....team needs to upgrade its talent....free agent class is not that strong and strongest most in RFA, which is problematic (for POR)...I don't see them trading 2 picks to move up a few spots, and unlikely they move down, more likely the use both 2nd's to move up into the late 1st (or buy a pick)....Interestingly in his Skype interview Allen pretty much echoed what Olshey was saying

He mentioned LA and Batum as cornerstones, I would question him on that....is Batum really a Core 3 player? On par with Harden\Gasol\Ginobli\Bosh\Rondo? I don't think so....and I am not conviced that LA is a true #1, but it is possible he was just refering to Batum being an important piece...He likened them to Paul & Griffin, well who would you rather have? Paul or LA? Griffin or Batum? I don't think those 2 are as good as the Clips 2....but that was the only thing I disagree with.

 

[magnifier661]

I'm curious what PG(s) he's got his eyes on. I suspect he will draft one and sign a free agent. That's pretty obvious I guess, but which free agents and rookies does he have his eyes on?

 

[magnifier661]

I was very pleased, he pretty much preached what my thoughts were....Keeping both picks, not trading for mid tier or older players just to gain a 7th\8th seed only to be right back here in a few years....not going to be a 1 year process....good talent in this draft....only reason to trade picks would be for a young all star caliber player....team needs to upgrade its talent....free agent class is not that strong and strongest most in RFA, which is problematic (for POR)...I don't see them trading 2 picks to move up a few spots, and unlikely they move down, more likely the use both 2nd's to move up into the late 1st (or buy a pick)....Interestingly in his Skype interview Allen pretty much echoed what Olshey was saying

He mentioned LA and Batum as cornerstones, I would question him on that....is Batum really a Core 3 player? On par with Harden\Gasol\Ginobli\Bosh\Rondo? I don't think so....and I am not conviced that LA is a true #1, but it is possible he was just refering to Batum being an important piece...He likened them to Paul & Griffin, well who would you rather have? Paul or LA? Griffin or Batum? I don't think those 2 are as good as the Clips 2....but that was the only thing I disagree with.

I consider Aldridge like Westbrook is to OKC and Batum being a much lessor Harding. The trick is to find the PG that can run the offense. That is the #1 concern. Without a playmaker, Aldridge is going to have a really tough time controlling a game, IMO. Even Shaq needed Penny or Kobe to be successful. Big men need the dominate wing to open things up in the paint.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I'm curious what PG(s) he's got his eyes on. I suspect he will draft one and sign a free agent. That's pretty obvious I guess, but which free agents and rookies does he have his eyes on?

I mentioned in another thread that he mentioned RFA's a few times yesterday, and wondered if that might be a clue? He said the UFA class was weak overall

 

[Blazinaway]

Here's a new scouting report on Lillard

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Damian-Lillard-Video-Scouting-Report-3946/

 

[DaLincolnJones]

I mentioned in another thread that he mentioned RFA's a few times yesterday, and wondered if that might be a clue? He said the UFA class was weak overall

Yeah, that caught my attention as well, I do like how honest he is with his thinking.