Crimson the Cat
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This position is still, IMO, our weakest link. And that's not to say that I haven't been happy with Steve Blake's career year, Sergio's improvements, and the acquisition/progress of Jerryd. I have been. But if you were looking to improve this team you'd be hard pressed to not begin at this guard spot.
Blake is steady as hell. If I had my way I'd figure out a way to keep him in the rotation regardless of any moves we make. He would be quite possibly the best reserve point guard in the league. As a starter he's certainly above average, and he's been an integral part of our offensive success. He shoots well and hardly ever makes a mistake. I want more though then just sure handedness and outside shooting from this position. It's the point guards that put pressure on the opposition with dribble-drives or have more mid-range games that really are the difference makers in this league. This and, of course, defensive talents are where we could improve our team.
Sergio is still young and he has improved all facets of his game. The problem is this team has improved much faster than he has. I'm still very intrigued with how good he can become. His shooting will always be suspect, but it's not the oh-crap-he's-launching-a-three type fear that I usually went through last year. The biggest issue I have with Sergio is his lack of toughness, size, and speed. He could get by with missing two of these, but not all three. It's been nice to have him as a back-up, but I don't feel he'll fit in very well with next year's goals - a deep Playoff run.
As for Jerryd, I wasn't impressed with him at Arizona. Obviously he is much better than the player I remember watching. I have no doubts that he can become a reliable outside shooter. The way he can, at will, get where he wants on the court is a super valuable talent. He has the tenacity to become a solid defender. He's the anti-Sergio. My big question is: Can he run the team at such an early age? If we don't find out that answer this year I really don't think it's a good idea to head into next season assuming he can handle starting or being a back up. He hasn't shown enough signs of an ability to create for others, play team defense, or handle the rock under pressure. Way too many question marks as of today.
Petteri Koponen isn't the answer yet either. He too is showing a lot of promise though. He's playing decent with Virtus Bologna, which has turned into a quality basketball team. I don't get the feeling he's made vast leaps of improvements though to warrant moving Jerryd Bayless either to the off-guard position or - gasp - off the team entirely via a trade.
Here's a good report on Pett's current happenings ------> http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/2/23/768415/the-other-reserve-point-gu
There will be a few point guards available this summer - namely Andre Miller, Mike Bibby, and Ramon Sessions - that I like. Of these free agents, only Ramon Sessions fits the team's timeline. Not only that, he can be had at a likely more reasonable rate than the vets. The issue with any of these players is that Portland has to wait until after the July Moratorium to begin negotiating. Do we really want to pass up opportunities in the draft or via trades (we can begin trading after the last day of the season and before July 1st) only to find out that a deal wasn't reachable with our free agent target?
Kirk Hinrich, Aaron Brooks, T.J. Ford, and Mike Conley could arguably be pried away from their teams if the right deal could be struck. I think Hinrich, Brooks, and Conley would be definite upgrades over Sergio. There's absolutely no way though we should help out Houston or Memphis.
I can't say the same about any of the above players, except for Hinrich, being a significant upgrade over Steve Blake, especially when considering the relative steal Steve's contract is. At this point, the risk to wait for Sessions is worth it. If we can't reach a deal with him, continuing on with Steve Blake isn't a bad scenario considering all options.
The way I see it. Plan A: Pick up Steve Blake's option, trade for Kirk Hinrich before July 1st, and sign Ramon Sessions in free agency. Sessions is your starter and Hinrich backs him up. Steve Blake is then packaged to Miami or Orlando in a small deal. Plan B: Pick up Steve Blake's option, trade for Kirk Hinrich before July 1st. One player wins the starting position in training camp and the other backs him up.
Ramon Sessions is already displaying all-around skills. He appears to be potential All Star material. Kirk just doesn't get enough credit as a perimeter, tough-nosed defender. He may not give Chicago much on the offensive end this year, but he's allowing the oppositions' point guards considerably less. Dude was meant to play Playoff-style, slow-it-down basketball. This team needs defense and these players can provide this without hurting our offensive numbers.
I don't see many point guards via the draft that are both attainable and could step in next year and provide more leadership than the above mentioned guards. Even if Ricky Rubio comes out, he's still too young to contribute at a high level for the length of an NBA season. He will have to adjust. He's not Jesus. I doubt we have a shot at him anyway. I'm not even sure if he's going to declare for the draft. I like Jeff Teague (A LOT), and wonder whether if he'd fit more into Portland's plans than Bayless. Jrue Holiday of UCLA is going to be a heck of a good defender. I'm following these guys closely.
I do see a glimmer of hope in the possible crop of Euro point guards coming out in this year's draft. Most notably Sergio Llul appears to be a young and talented point guard from Spain. Trying to find out more about him, but from what I read on Draft Express he could be the real deal.
I would love to draft another point guard on this coming draft.
Anyway, let me know what you think about taking this sort of approach.
Blake is steady as hell. If I had my way I'd figure out a way to keep him in the rotation regardless of any moves we make. He would be quite possibly the best reserve point guard in the league. As a starter he's certainly above average, and he's been an integral part of our offensive success. He shoots well and hardly ever makes a mistake. I want more though then just sure handedness and outside shooting from this position. It's the point guards that put pressure on the opposition with dribble-drives or have more mid-range games that really are the difference makers in this league. This and, of course, defensive talents are where we could improve our team.
Sergio is still young and he has improved all facets of his game. The problem is this team has improved much faster than he has. I'm still very intrigued with how good he can become. His shooting will always be suspect, but it's not the oh-crap-he's-launching-a-three type fear that I usually went through last year. The biggest issue I have with Sergio is his lack of toughness, size, and speed. He could get by with missing two of these, but not all three. It's been nice to have him as a back-up, but I don't feel he'll fit in very well with next year's goals - a deep Playoff run.
As for Jerryd, I wasn't impressed with him at Arizona. Obviously he is much better than the player I remember watching. I have no doubts that he can become a reliable outside shooter. The way he can, at will, get where he wants on the court is a super valuable talent. He has the tenacity to become a solid defender. He's the anti-Sergio. My big question is: Can he run the team at such an early age? If we don't find out that answer this year I really don't think it's a good idea to head into next season assuming he can handle starting or being a back up. He hasn't shown enough signs of an ability to create for others, play team defense, or handle the rock under pressure. Way too many question marks as of today.
Petteri Koponen isn't the answer yet either. He too is showing a lot of promise though. He's playing decent with Virtus Bologna, which has turned into a quality basketball team. I don't get the feeling he's made vast leaps of improvements though to warrant moving Jerryd Bayless either to the off-guard position or - gasp - off the team entirely via a trade.
Here's a good report on Pett's current happenings ------> http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/2/23/768415/the-other-reserve-point-gu
There will be a few point guards available this summer - namely Andre Miller, Mike Bibby, and Ramon Sessions - that I like. Of these free agents, only Ramon Sessions fits the team's timeline. Not only that, he can be had at a likely more reasonable rate than the vets. The issue with any of these players is that Portland has to wait until after the July Moratorium to begin negotiating. Do we really want to pass up opportunities in the draft or via trades (we can begin trading after the last day of the season and before July 1st) only to find out that a deal wasn't reachable with our free agent target?
Kirk Hinrich, Aaron Brooks, T.J. Ford, and Mike Conley could arguably be pried away from their teams if the right deal could be struck. I think Hinrich, Brooks, and Conley would be definite upgrades over Sergio. There's absolutely no way though we should help out Houston or Memphis.
I can't say the same about any of the above players, except for Hinrich, being a significant upgrade over Steve Blake, especially when considering the relative steal Steve's contract is. At this point, the risk to wait for Sessions is worth it. If we can't reach a deal with him, continuing on with Steve Blake isn't a bad scenario considering all options.
The way I see it. Plan A: Pick up Steve Blake's option, trade for Kirk Hinrich before July 1st, and sign Ramon Sessions in free agency. Sessions is your starter and Hinrich backs him up. Steve Blake is then packaged to Miami or Orlando in a small deal. Plan B: Pick up Steve Blake's option, trade for Kirk Hinrich before July 1st. One player wins the starting position in training camp and the other backs him up.
Ramon Sessions is already displaying all-around skills. He appears to be potential All Star material. Kirk just doesn't get enough credit as a perimeter, tough-nosed defender. He may not give Chicago much on the offensive end this year, but he's allowing the oppositions' point guards considerably less. Dude was meant to play Playoff-style, slow-it-down basketball. This team needs defense and these players can provide this without hurting our offensive numbers.
I don't see many point guards via the draft that are both attainable and could step in next year and provide more leadership than the above mentioned guards. Even if Ricky Rubio comes out, he's still too young to contribute at a high level for the length of an NBA season. He will have to adjust. He's not Jesus. I doubt we have a shot at him anyway. I'm not even sure if he's going to declare for the draft. I like Jeff Teague (A LOT), and wonder whether if he'd fit more into Portland's plans than Bayless. Jrue Holiday of UCLA is going to be a heck of a good defender. I'm following these guys closely.
I do see a glimmer of hope in the possible crop of Euro point guards coming out in this year's draft. Most notably Sergio Llul appears to be a young and talented point guard from Spain. Trying to find out more about him, but from what I read on Draft Express he could be the real deal.
I would love to draft another point guard on this coming draft.
Anyway, let me know what you think about taking this sort of approach.
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