Ratliff signs 5 Year Extension

[P.A.P.]

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Portland, OR (Sports Network) - The Portland Trail Blazers signed center Theo Ratliff to a five-year contract extension on Tuesday.

Ratliff led the league in blocked shots the last two seasons, playing 32 games with Blazers last season after he was acquired from Atlanta with Shareef Abdur-Rahim for Rasheed Wallace.

"We are delighted to have secured the services of Theo Ratliff, perhaps the best defensive player in the NBA, for the foreseeable future," said Trail Blazers General Manager John Nash. "From the time he arrived in Portland, we identified with Theo?s superior play on the floor and his lifestyle and character off the court as a member of the Portland community."

Ratliff posted 7.3 points with 7.3 rebounds with Portland, but it was defense that the 6-foot-10 center excelled. He established an all-time franchise-best 4.41 blocks a game. In Portland he collected 141 blocked shots. During the 2004 campaign, Ratliff averaged a league-leading 3.61 blocks per game.</div>

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Great re-signing. He was the key of the Wallace trade last season, and will be a critical player for the Blazers over the next few years.

 

[Iron Shiek]

Theo Ratliff is not only the best shot blocker in the league, he is the best defender in the league. This is a great signing. His contributions last season almost lifted the Blazers into the post season.

Does anyone remember when the Blazers hosted the Sonics in late March last season? Theo Ratliff literally changed at least 15 shots and blocked about half of the ones that he changed. He even blocked one of Flip's dunk attempts clean. That game was the best game that I saw all of last season, and Theo Ratliff was the reason that they won.

 

[Rod]

Its a very good re-signing but for how much money?

 

[Trip]

5 more years? That will probably keep him under contract until he's what, 35? One thing I don't like about the extension is the length of it, and Ratliff doesn't have a real healthy pair of legs, so I doubt he will be very effective once he hits 33. It was still a wise decision to lock him up though.

 

[mike18946]

According to SI, the Blazers have locked him up for 3 years and not 5.

 

[Rod]

Its a horrible deal!!!!!
i thought they signed him for like 18 mil' but im now seeing he will earn about 46 mil' for 4 years,thats above 11 mil' each year!!!!

 

[Iron Shiek]

I didn't even know the conditions of his contract when I posted earlier. I don't think that he is worth eleven million dollars a year, but considering how slim the talent in the NBA is at the center position, the Blazers almost had to overspend to keep him.

Ratliff is a game changing player. There are a loss less deserving people getting lucrative long term contracts.

 

[Buckets]

Good re-signing, but I dotn think Theo is going to stay as good as he is that long. Right now he's swatting shots like crazy but 3-4 years down the road he's gonna be soar and old and not able to play like he used to, like what happened to Jamal Mashburn.

 

[Jurassic]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">Theo Ratliff is not only the best shot blocker in the league, he is the best defender in the league.</div>

I'll ignore that comment.

As much as I love Theo, this is madness. I don't really understand what Blazer management is thinking, have they been smoking with the players? We trade Sheed and free up 17 million, then we turn around and overpay Miles and Ratliff? It boggles the mind.

The only good thing about this deal is that Damon's 14 million will be over after this year. Same with NVE. Unfortunately, a lot of the money will be going to Randolph eventually, so it's not like we can bring in someone new.

 

[Iron Shiek]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jurassic:</div><div class="quote_post">

I'll ignore that comment.
</div>

If you lead the league in shot blocking and can turn around and guard a multiple of positions I would think that you would be mentioned as one of the top defensive players in the league.

Bottom line, Theo guards his man and anything that comes in the paint. Ben Wallace is not a good one on one defender, and Ron Artest isn't as good of a help defender. Kirilienko is a great defender, but he isn't particularly great guarding the ball. Theo's shot blocking changes offensive schemes.

Good centers are hard to come by so sometimes you have to overpay. Just because the Blazers were stupid enough to give Miles big money doesn't mean that this is a bad signing.

 

[Jurassic]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">If you lead the league in shot blocking and can turn around and guard a multiple of positions I would think that you would be mentioned as one of the top defensive players in the league.

Bottom line, Theo guards his man and anything that comes in the paint. Ben Wallace is not a good one on one defender, and Ron Artest isn't as good of a help defender. Kirilienko is a great defender, but he isn't particularly great guarding the ball. Theo's shot blocking changes offensive schemes.

Good centers are hard to come by so sometimes you have to overpay. Just because the Blazers were stupid enough to give Miles big money doesn't mean that this is a bad signing.</div>

You said that he is "the best".

The Blazers are simply tossing their money around. Management hasn't learned. A couple years back we had the highest paid team, and they weren't doing jack. That is what is going to happen again, as long as we give players like Darius big contracts.

Like I said earlier, once Randolph's current contract is up, he'll be demanding big money as well. We should save up and try to put another big name next to him.

 

[Iron Shiek]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jurassic:</div><div class="quote_post">You said that he is "the best".
</div>

And I haven't changed my mind.

I'm not expecting you to agree with me, but I would really like to hear why he shouldn't be in the discussion when talking about the best.

 

[Sir Desmond]

People forget just how good Ratliff was when he was a Sixer. Nothing got past him, he was an underrated scorer and All-Star, and able to guard more than one spot. You don't lose talent through injury, and he's someone I'd love to have at the Sonics purely for his presence.

Excellent move from the Blazers.

 

[mike18946]

Ratliff is not really a good one on one defender, Hawks fans will tell you that (Yes there are a few) he is a great weak side shot blocker but one on one he isn't that good and can often get burnt If it's a 1 v 1 situation. He also doesn't rebound the ball enough, you really need to get more than 7 boards a game to be considered the best defensive big man in the league. He doesn't really get any steals either. You really need to be all-rounded to be labelled as the best defensive player. You really need to do more than just block shots. As for the shot blocking title, Ben and Theo the last 4 years have basically shared that honur.

He is a very good player to have on your team though and is exactly what the Blazers needed last year.

 

[Rod]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">Ratliff is not really a good one on one defender, Hawks fans will tell you that (Yes there are a few) he is a great weak side shot blocker but one on one he isn't that good and can often get burnt If it's a 1 v 1 situation. He also doesn't rebound the ball enough, you really need to get more than 7 boards a game to be considered the best defensive big man in the league. He doesn't really get any steals either. You really need to be all-rounded to be labelled as the best defensive player. You really need to do more than just block shots. As for the shot blocking title, Ben and Theo the last 4 years have basically shared that honur.

He is a very good player to have on your team though and is exactly what the Blazers needed last year.</div>

I think Randolph can take care of the Rebound Department,i think he is glad that the center will be out of his way and let him get 15 boards per game :mrgreen:

 

[Stockton]

Theo Ratliff will be a big part of the Blazers in the near future. After that, he may get hit by injuries and make this move a bad one. There's no guarentee he can keep up his current form until his contract expires. If he can, then the deal should be worth it.

 

[Vintage]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">If you lead the league in shot blocking and can turn around and guard a multiple of positions I would think that you would be mentioned as one of the top defensive players in the league.

Bottom line, Theo guards his man and anything that comes in the paint. Ben Wallace is not a good one on one defender, and Ron Artest isn't as good of a help defender. Kirilienko is a great defender, but he isn't particularly great guarding the ball. Theo's shot blocking changes offensive schemes.

Good centers are hard to come by so sometimes you have to overpay. Just because the Blazers were stupid enough to give Miles big money doesn't mean that this is a bad signing.</div>


Ratliff's strength is coming over from the weakside, not one on one defense. Similar in style to Ben Wallace.

Ratliff is a good defender and a shot blocking presence, there is no question about that.

But best defensive player in the league?

Might be stetching a bit.

 

[Iron Shiek]

Name a player who has more of an impact on a game defensively than Ratliff. I can only think of four other candidates, Ron Artest, Andrei Kirilienko, Ben Wallace, and Bruce Bowen.

I'll stay with Ratliff b/c he is hands down the best shot blocker in the league and he is a better one on one defender than Ben Wallace. If Ron Artest was on the Olympic Team and he shut down Dejan Bodiroga than maybe I would change my mind. Bodiroga scored 10 straight points on Ben Wallace in the 2002 World Championship games in the fourth quarter. I have never had respect for Wallace's defense since.

 

[Jurassic]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">Name a player who has more of an impact on a game defensively than Ratliff.</div>

Uh.....that really big dude who used to be on the Lakers.

 

[Iron Shiek]

Yeah you're right. That's why every team in the league plays pick and roll with Shaq's man so that their point guard will get wide open jump shots (Shaq never helps on pick and rolls). Shaq has almost become a liability defensively (and offensively) when drawn away from the basket.

Again, I'm taking Ratliff. You can pick whoever you'd like.

 

[Jurassic]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah you're right. That's why every team in the league plays pick and roll with Shaq's man so that their point guard will get wide open jump shots (Shaq never helps on pick and rolls). Shaq has almost become a liability defensively (and offensively) when drawn away from the basket.

Again, I'm taking Ratliff. You can pick whoever you'd like.</div>

That's bull. To say that Ratliff has more affect defensively than Shaq. Would you rather take it in on Shaq or on Ratliff. Shaq does help on the pick and roll, but he doesn't flash all the way. If he did, they would just drop it in to his man and their would be a mismatch for GP/Fisher.

Ratliff is great, but I would take Shaq and Ben Wallace of him defensively.

 

[durvasa]

Iron Shiek, have you had a chance to see any Heat preseason games yet? Shaq is doing a much better job coming out and helping on pick and rolls, and helping on traps. He's focused on playing good, solid team defense this year.

 

[Henacy]

Iam co-signing Iron Shiek, on taking Theo over Shaq defensively. Shaq only changes shot that come in his area; he doesnt go get anything. Ratliff moves well outside both low block areas to change & block shots. If Iam a perimeter defender trying to keep my man infront of me..I would feel much comfortable with Ratliff playing behind because I know he is quick enuff to get over to the weak side & give help when I need it.

And know need to talk about how bad shaq is in the point guard pick & roll, for 3 straight playoffs Shaq help defense on Pick & Roll has manage to make 3 solid but not great pg's look like their teams best player Bibby in 2002, Hudson in 2003, & Parker in 2004. Last year after a loss to the kings Gary Payton even called Shaq out a bit for his willingness to not comeout effectively to give the proper help in Pick & roll situations.

Shaq may be giving the effort in Preseason, But I want be convinced that he has improved until he giving that same type of effort 40 or 50 games into the season. And his body doesnt feel like it.

 

[Iron Shiek]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">Iron Shiek, have you had a chance to see any Heat preseason games yet? Shaq is doing a much better job coming out and helping on pick and rolls, and helping on traps. He's focused on playing good, solid team defense this year.</div>

Is there any points that I've made that you won't challenge?

Shaq can be the most dominant defensive player in the league if he committed himself to being a great all around defender. Shaq's problem is that he's never shown the desire to be a great defensive player. He's been able to get by just on his physical attributes.

I believe that Shaq would be a better defender than Ratliff if he got himself into tip top shape and really focused on being a great defender. Relax durvasa, it's only the preseason and the top players aren't going at full speed. Like Henacy said, let's see how long he sustains this effort.

Again, Ratliff is my choice b/c he will always give you a 100% effort on the defensive end.