Report: Spurs might get a free agent meeting with LaMarcus Aldridge

[BBert]

Batum is a role player. A very good, multi-talented role player. He usually plays his role quite well, and did so in Game 1. That loss is in no way shape or form on Batum for not carrying the team or doubling his already pretty good output. He cannot, will not, and is not expected to carry the team. Damian Lillard and Aldridge are supposed to carry the team. Damian in particular has self promoted himself to the max as a player who will carry the team. This is on Dame. Not Batum.

 

[BBert]

Luring in Aldridge could get Pop and Duncan to stay a few more years. Aldridge could just sign short term, get his ring(s) and come back. Who knows?

Could happen. Either way, Aldridge would be a fool not to interview other teams. I don't think his mamma raised no fool. Or something like that.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Chuck jinxed us for a decade with that rant.

So now we just need him to go on and on about how fit and attractive the women of Memphis are...

BNM

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Damian in particular has self promoted himself to the max as a player who will carry the team.

I think this is what's making the backlash on his performance so swift. If you're going to hype yourself, you gotta live up to your own hype. This is the same whether you play basketball or make phones.

 

[BBert]

I think this is what's making the backlash on his performance so swift. If you're going to hype yourself, you gotta live up to your own hype. This is the same whether you play basketball or make phones.

Exactly. I don't recall the quotes in that one article before the series started, but again he was shooting his mouth off about how he was going to show the world how good he is (my words not his).

He didn't.

But he still can.

 

[BigGameDamian]

The Blazers have always been blessed to have great power forwards.

 

[BBert]

The Blazers have always been blessed to have great power forwards.

So true.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

This is ridiculous! At least these idiots could wait until after the playoffs to speculate on free agent moves.

 

[HailBlazers]

This is ridiculous! At least these idiots could wait until after the playoffs to speculate on free agent moves.

You can thank Jason Prick for that!

 

[Natebishop3]

I can't remember, did LeBron say he was going to stay with the Cavs during his first stint in Cleveland? (not being sarcastic, I really don't remember).

 

[Boob-No-More]

This is ridiculous! At least these idiots could wait until after the playoffs to speculate on free agent moves.

Yeah, tampering rules prevent coaches, owners, GMs, etc. from talking about free agent targets and destinations until the actual free agency period starts. But that doesn't stop our local media from causing a distraction during the playoffs by talking about stuff no one else will be allowed to talk about for months.

Hey dipshits, we're in the middle of a playoff series, why not write something about what we need to do to win Game 2 and get back in this series? Let's save the rampant, unfounded off season speculation for the actual off season.

BNM

 

[Natebishop3]

Yeah, tampering rules prevent coaches, owners, GMs, etc. from talking about free agent targets and destinations until the actual free agency period starts. But that doesn't stop our local media from causing a distraction during the playoffs by talking about stuff no one else will be allowed to talk about for months.

Hey dipshits, we're in the middle of a playoff series, why not write something about what we need to do to win Game 2 and get back in this series? Let's save the rampant, unfounded off season speculation for the actual off season.

BNM

Because I'm sure they think the Blazers are about to get swept out of the playoffs, so it's much more fun to talk about LA leaving.

 

[blue9]

Hey dipshits, we're in the middle of a playoff series, why not write something about what we need to do to win Game 2 and get back in this series? Let's save the rampant, unfounded off season speculation for the actual off season.

Seriously! As much as I like talking about potential roster moves and trades, now that the POs have started I'm waiting to launch into those discussions after Game 4, er, I mean when the series is over, um, I mean, er, when our season is over.

 

[BigGameDamian]

So when is the article about shopping for power forwards coming out?

 

[Pinwheel1]

Does Pop really want to coach until he is 70? He will be 67 next season. Maybe he does, but be does not seem like the type who would. Didn't he say he would retire when Duncan did?

SA is 4 1/2 hours away from Dallas. It's not like he will be close enough to see his kid every night unless they move there.
Other than the River Walk, not much to SA. I would be surprised if SA was a threat. Dallas maybe, LA maybe, but SA?

 

[BigGameDamian]

Does Pop really want to coach until he is 70? He will be 67 next season. Maybe he does, but be does not seem like the type who would. Didn't he say he would retire when Duncan did?

SA is 4 1/2 hours away from Dallas. It's not like he will be close enough to see his kid every night unless they move there.
Other than the River Walk, not much to SA. I would be surprised if SA was a threat. Dallas maybe, LA maybe, but SA?

Not New York?

 

[Pinwheel1]

Not New York?

I think he would hate the media in NY. That .....and they suck

 

[BlazerWookee]

Not New York?

Yeah, not New York.

 

[KingSpeed]

I can't remember, did LeBron say he was going to stay with the Cavs during his first stint in Cleveland? (not being sarcastic, I really don't remember).

At one point he said he wouldn't stop until he brought a championship to Cleveland but leading up to 2010, he never said he would definitely sign with Cleveland like Aldridge did with the Blazers. Quick is an asshole.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

Well, they can both do better - but even if they both play to their potential we're not advancing.

I don't believe that

At the end of the day Lillard is the suppose to be the presumed sidekick superstar. Players leave teams to join other other stars not to join role players like Batum.

Do you realize Nic was called a 'pillar' just three years ago in the mold of 'Chris Paul and Blake Griffin' and at the time was paid as such?

Batum is a role player. A very good, multi-talented role player. He usually plays his role quite well, and did so in Game 1. That loss is in no way shape or form on Batum for not carrying the team or doubling his already pretty good output. He cannot, will not, and is not expected to carry the team. Damian Lillard and Aldridge are supposed to carry the team. Damian in particular has self promoted himself to the max as a player who will carry the team. This is on Dame. Not Batum.

I know you're a Nic fan. And I agree with much of what you said. I never said that he needed to carry this team. I agree this is on Damian and LA. And while I haven't been happy with D's performance, I'm going to give him pass because he is younger and still learning and adapting. IMO, Nic has spent the year dogging it. He acts like a guy that really doesn't care. Even after LA very courageously decided to forego the surgery on his thumb so all wouldn't be lost for the team on the season. Nic still acted like he didn't care. Why should LA want to come back to a team with players that don't care? Especially with what he was willing to sacrifice for the good of those same teammates?

 

[noknobs]

Yeah, tampering rules prevent coaches, owners, GMs, etc. from talking about free agent targets and destinations until the actual free agency period starts. But that doesn't stop our local media from causing a distraction during the playoffs by talking about stuff no one else will be allowed to talk about for months.

Quick and Canzano are probably getting paid under the table by someone to tamper for them.

 

[barfo]

LaMarcus would be a fool not to meet with other teams, even if his heart is set on staying in Portland.

I think the phrase is "due diligence," but I ain't done gon't' no fancy larnin' skool like soma you smart fellers...

You mean the Pineway Academy?

barfo

 

[Draco]

Do you realize Nic was called a 'pillar' just three years ago in the mold of 'Chris Paul and Blake Griffin' and at the time was paid as such

Nobody was saying that. Three years ago most Blazer fans thought Nic was worth maybe $7 million a year and the team would let him walk if they had to match a $10+ million contract.

 

[ripcityboy]

Trail Blazers are the only team that can go to the playoffs and lose before they win. PSU gets better press coverage.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

Nobody was saying that. Three years ago most Blazer fans thought Nic was worth maybe $7 million a year and the team would let him walk if they had to match a $10+ million contract.

Does Neil count as nobody? It was him that stated it. It tells you this organization values Nic Batum

Btw...they did match at 10 mil plus a year.

 

[stampedehero]

For the Spurs LA would be perfect fit for a retiring TDuncan and for us we need him as the anchor of our franchise. Unfortunately, if he's got a lawyer then he will be looking.

 

[Kaydow]

Good for LMA. He should be wined and dined. SA is no more (or less) likely to make it out of the first round than us however.

I don't believe that



Do you realize Nic was called a 'pillar' just three years ago in the mold of 'Chris Paul and Blake Griffin' and at the time was paid as such?



I know you're a Nic fan. And I agree with much of what you said. I never said that he needed to carry this team. I agree this is on Damian and LA. And while I haven't been happy with D's performance, I'm going to give him pass because he is younger and still learning and adapting. IMO, Nic has spent the year dogging it. He acts like a guy that really doesn't care. Even after LA very courageously decided to forego the surgery on his thumb so all wouldn't be lost for the team on the season. Nic still acted like he didn't care. Why should LA want to come back to a team with players that don't care? Especially with what he was willing to sacrifice for the good of those same teammates?

Batum has had a frustrating year, even he agrees on that part. But ask yourself this - why would a guy that doesn't care or is dogging it continue to play hurt rather than sit out? He played all 82 games with nagging injuries last season, & there were a number of times he was "Questionable", but he answered the bell every time. This season he played 71 games through an assortment of wrist, knee, back issues (+ he fell on his head . . . did I miss any others?). He was playing some of the worst basketball he's ever played during the first half of the season. He was getting called out by the media/fans, yet he didn't sit out. A lot of "me first guys" won't play through injuries if it means their stats are going to take a hit. There were a string of games in January when Nic's wrist was so bad he couldn't hit anything, scoring less than 10 points in 10 out of 13 games. I think it's fair to criticize Nic's decision to play for France in the summers after the season he's had. Clearly his play has suffered from it. But I don't question his heart, effort, or dedication. He's aloof, which can be mistaken for lazy, but he's a team first guy that wants to win. I'm ok with his contract if he were playing like he did last year. I don't expect him to be Scotty Pippen anymore. He is what he is. I'm not disappointed he never lived up to whatever expectations we put on him years ago. I just want to see the guy we've already seen in past years reappear.

 

[Draco]

Does Neil count as nobody? It was him that stated it. It tells you this organization values Nic Batum

Btw...they did match at 10 mil plus a year.

Liar. Neil never said Batum was the same to our team as CP3 or Blake Griffin.

Yes the team later ended up paying a few million a year more than most thought Batum was worth. That's far different than him being a max level franchise cornerstone which nobody proclaimed.

 

[BBert]

In Sunday's game, the team came out like a bunch of scared little girls in their first recital. Dame and LaMarcus were rushing and forcing everything. Their form was terrible. The first Blazers player to settle down, relax and start stroking shots was Batum. What some people perceive as Batum not caring, I perceive as him "playing within himself". Sure, sometimes we think he has more room within himself to do more, but I prefer his demeanor to multiple players I've seen in this year's playoffs trying to go hero ball, and fucking up any chance their team had to win the game.

One of my top 2 all time favorite Blazers was Bobby Gross. Nicolas Batum = Bobby Gross. And I'm happy with that.

 

[kjironman1]

For the Spurs LA would be perfect fit for a retiring TDuncan

I'm not really so sure of that. Tim Duncan plays an awful lot of center for the spurs . Also does anyone really want to try to move into Tim Duncan's position on a team like that? Aldridge is already in that position here. If he does not measure up it could go really really bad quick. And really is there chance at all that people will not compare him to Duncan? Would you want that?