Roy says we need a backup PF

[illmatic99]

I'm sure this has been posted, but I can't find the discussion for it anywhere on the forum.

The Portland Trailblazers are ahead of schedule and though they will make some moves this summer, the core is expected to remain together.

“Not that much, really,” said Brandon Roy after their Game 6 elimination when asked what the Blazers need. “Maybe a banger, a power forward, a rebounder in back of LaMarcus (Aldridge). Something like that.

“I’m going to take the time to think about it the next few weeks, but we have really good players now. We’re going to be a much better team next year.”

Outside of eliminating any chance of Frye staying here next season, BRoy brings up a thought that we've been thinking for a while now. Any ideas on whom we pursue? There are quite a few blue collar prospects who could possibly fit the mold (DeJuan Blair or Patrick Patterson). Also, guys like Paul Millsap (RFA), and David Lee (S&T possibility) could be available. But a guy we usually give little consideration to is Joel Freeland.

Check his stats for this season in Europe, where he's finally getting an opportunity to play:

Year	League	GP	Min	Pts	FG	FGA	FG%	2Pt	2PtA	2P%	3Pt	3PtA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%	Off	Def	TOT	Asts	Stls	Blks	TOs	PFs
2008/09	EUROCUP	4	20.3	12.5	5.3	8.0	65.6	5.3	8.0	65.6	0.0	0.0	 	2.0	2.3	88.9	2.0	4.0	6.0	1.0	1.0	0.8	1.5	2.5
2008/09	ACB	27	17.0	9.8	4.0	6.8	59.0	4.0	6.8	59.0	0.0	0.0	 	1.7	2.7	62.5	2.0	2.5	4.5	0.6	0.4	0.8	1.3	2.0

Also, some blurbs from Draftexpress.:
In late February:

Although it’s pretty clear that that Freeland is not ready to contribute in the NBA, it seems like this summer will be the time for Portland to bring him over if they indeed intend on getting him in a Blazers uniform. He has an NBA escape clause and is drawing major interest around Europe from some of the top teams around, for example Real Madrid, Barcelona and Fortitudo Bologna, who all appear to have interest. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Gran Canaria decide to cash in and sell his rights at some point, which would likely make Freeland’s spot on the NBA rookie scale (around $800k gross) look paltry relative to the new contract he’d receive.

In November:

At 6-11 and approximately 250 pounds, Freeland is quite an interesting player from a physical standpoint, as his frame appears to have filled out nicely and he’s retained pretty much all the athleticism that made him a prospect to begin with. Freeland runs the floor well, is very explosive off his feet, and possesses nice fluidity and agility for a player this size.

Inside the paint Freeland can make a big impact, as he has the size, bulk and explosiveness to finish everything around the rim with a powerful dunk, and is quick and active enough to go out of his area and make a living on the offensive glass as well. He is an excellent finisher and is beginning to improve his skill-level to a certain extent as well, showing nice hands and decent touch when forced to finish with a bit of finesse.

Freeland is still fairly limited when asked to create offense for himself, either with his back to the basket or facing up, as he lacks significant offensive polish and is still clearly learning the fundamentals of the game. Defensively he is a solid shot-blocking threat, but is still a little bit inexperienced in his knowledge of the game, making him somewhat foul prone at times.

 

[Shooter]

Freeland sounds intereting, but it seems his offensive game is pretty limited. I think we need a banger AND a scorer on the front line.

 

[cdub503]

i think we bring freeland over but he might be like shlivak in that he doesnt get to play much especially if we get blair, patterson ect. just depends on what happens i for one am excited bout draft day because KP is a freaking monster! what day is that again anyways?

 

[Nikolokolus]

Freeland sounds intereting, but it seems his offensive game is pretty limited. I think we need a banger AND a scorer on the front line.

I'm all for bringing Freeland over to fill the 12th man role that Shavlik and Ruffin occupied and let him develop in the D-league, but this team needs a proven commodity as a backup 4, not more draft picks -- proven commodity to me means a guy like Antonio McDyess, Brandon Bass, Kurt Thomas, Drew Gooden, Chris Wilcox, et al. Not necessarily a star, but somebody who will rebound, defend a little and not be afraid to get in the trenches and knock people around ... or at least give you some productive hustle type play in short minutes.

 

[illmatic99]

Oooh. I forgot this guy: Brandon Bass is a UFA this summer. He's pretty much Patterson + three years experience.

 

[THE HCP]

No more rookies. Bass would be sweet. I don't think Utah would let Millsap go anywhere!

 

[B-Roy]

Why is he not willing to call out any of the other positions?

 

[Ed O]

I don't blame Roy for not "calling out" any other positions... while I'm sure he has his opinions, I don't really think that they're very significant. KP's the one whose opinion matters. Roy's probably better served to keep supporting his current teammates as he waits for the roster to improve.

Ed O.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I'm not so sure he's right.

Let's assume Oden starts next season and let's further assume Webster is our starting SF as well. Our second team looks like this:

Joel
Sergio (or Bayless)
Outlaw (or Batum)
Rudy
rookie "banger" PF with no offense or he'd get drafted a lot higher

To me, that's not enough offense for a second unit and we'll have 2 players who probably don't run the floor. I'm thinking we either keep Fry or have another scorer out there.

 

[Fender]

Let's assume Oden starts next season and let's further assume Webster is our starting SF as well. Our second team looks like this:

Oh yea that's right. Couldn't we play Outlaw at PF more?

 

[STOMP]

my guess is that this Roy quote was made because he was naming the one position where there isn't a clear projected current teammate to offend. Frye is gonzo so...

STOMP

 

[Nikolokolus]

Oh yea that's right. Couldn't we play Outlaw at PF more?

How about less? God love Travis and his 'never met a shot he didn't like' mentality, but I'd really like to see a little more points in the paint oriented game at that position, just to add some balance to LMA's mostly mid-range game.

 

[Natebishop3]

My realistic summer:

Cut -
Ruffin
Frye
Outlaw
Blake

Sign -
Andre Miller 8 million a year
Anderson Varejao

Lineup -

Miller/Bayless/Sergio
Roy/Rudy
Batum/Webster
Aldridge/Varejao
Oden/Przybilla

 

[oldmangrouch]

How about this:

A) Find a better PG
B) Leave Batum in the starting 5.

That leaves Blake/Bayless/Rudy to come off the bench at guard; Joel; and Outlaw/Webster/rebounder-defender at forward. Mix and match, based on the opposition. Offense is NOT the problem.

 

[shamelessblazer]

Count me in the sign a vet Mcdyess/KThomas, and develop Freeland camp. We don't need to rely on another young guy in that second unit, and having a legit defensively 4 will do wonders for the development of our guards in the second unit.

 

[mgb]

It's obvious that when Frye came in we went down hill. I'm not bashing Frye, much, he plays well when he gets starter mins, but not off the bench in limited mins. What Roy says just makes sense. I'd added we need a better PG, but it doesn't jump out at you as much as backup PF.

 

[LittleAlex]

Oh yea that's right. Couldn't we play Outlaw at PF more?

Not if Portlands wants actual power out of the power forward.

 

[julius]

Why is he not willing to call out any of the other positions?

We already have a backup PG on the team. His name is Stevie.

 

[andalusian]

I went to 82games.com and looked at the win% of our team when our first/2nd unit were in. Some interesting finding:

PG: Blake 65%, Sergio 38%
SG: Roy 69%, Rudy 55%
SF: Nicolas 50%, Travis 55%
PF: LMA 65%, C-Frye 30%
C: Joel 48%, Greg 60%

Several things are clear - our backup PF is our worst position - as Roy noticed. Our backup PG is 2nd worst. Interesting to notice that we lost more than we won with Joel on the court (I would not have guessed it) - and that we win so much more when Greg is on the court...

It is also interesting to notice how under-appreciate Blake is - based on win% when he is on the floor - he was actually our 3rd best player...

 

[Tince]

My realistic summer:

Cut -
Ruffin
Frye
Outlaw
Blake

Sign -
Andre Miller 8 million a year
Anderson Varejao

Lineup -

Miller/Bayless/Sergio
Roy/Rudy
Batum/Webster
Aldridge/Varejao
Oden/Przybilla

We'd look pretty stupid cutting our starting PG and 6th man who are both on decent contracts, if we didn't sign at players like you mentioned above. If we can't end up getting the top tier players (I don't think we could ever land AV for near the MLE), then we just created more problems than anything.

Steve Blake would be a great backup PG. We know he loves Portland because he came back to play here for less money, so I can't imagine he wouldn't be willing to finish his career out here at a decent contract.

 

[Sug]

I don't think you meet this need through the draft if you can find a vet that has playoff experience to fill the role.

A few guys to think about:
NAME POS AGE HT WT
Udonis Haslem PF 28 6-8 235 1yr 7.1 Mil
Charlie Villanueva PF 24 6-11 232 RFA
Eduardo Najera PF 32 6-8 235 3yrs 8.5 Mil remaining
David Lee PF 26 6-9 240 RFA
Chris Wilcox PF 26 6-10 235 FA
Nick Collison FC 28 6-10 255 2yrs 13mil
Reggie Evans PF 28 6-8 245 2yrs 10mil

*Brandon Bass -I doubt they let him walk.

I put the total remaining on their contract so you have to do a little math if you want to figure out how much per season.

 

[Tince]

I don't think you meet this need through the draft if you can find a vet that has playoff experience to fill the role.

A few guys to think about:
NAME POS AGE HT WT
Udonis Haslem PF 28 6-8 235 1yr 7.1 Mil
Charlie Villanueva PF 24 6-11 232 RFA
Eduardo Najera PF 32 6-8 235 3yrs 8.5 Mil remaining
David Lee PF 26 6-9 240 RFA
Chris Wilcox PF 26 6-10 235 FA
Nick Collison FC 28 6-10 255 2yrs 13mil
Reggie Evans PF 28 6-8 245 2yrs 10mil

*Brandon Bass -I doubt they let him walk.

I put the total remaining on their contract so you have to do a little math if you want to figure out how much per season.

I don't think Villanueva or Lee are going to be content as a backup so I'd take them off our list right away.

Reggie Evans has no offense, and if him and Joel are going to be in at the same time, that won't work.

Collison and Haslem would be two high quality bench players that I would love to him.

 

[MARIS61]

I went to 82games.com and looked at the win% of our team when our first/2nd unit were in. Some interesting finding:

PG: Blake 65%, Sergio 38%
SG: Roy 69%, Rudy 55%
SF: Nicolas 50%, Travis 55%
PF: LMA 65%, C-Frye 30%
C: Joel 48%, Greg 60%

Several things are clear - our backup PF is our worst position - as Roy noticed. Our backup PG is 2nd worst. Interesting to notice that we lost more than we won with Joel on the court (I would not have guessed it) - and that we win so much more when Greg is on the court...

It is also interesting to notice how under-appreciate Blake is - based on win% when he is on the floor - he was actually our 3rd best player...

I have no idea what you mean but you must be referring to something other than win%, as all players are on the same team.

I do remember researching our win% with Sergio starting and Bayless backup compared to Blake starting and Sergio/Bayless backup (up 'til Blake's injury).

The Sergio/Bayless pairing had a higher win% than when Blake started.

The team definitely played better overall both offensively and on defense with Sergio starting and Bayless coming off the bench, and Steve watching from the sidelines.

 

[Further]

Freeland - Yes, lets bring him over, but the Blazers should not rely on him. We should expect nothing more than 12th man from him his rookie year. He will obviously get a shot, and if he somehow showed that he is more ready than expected, the Blazers could adjust at that time.

BU PF - I agree that we need a banger vet in this spot. I love the idea of McDyess or Bass.

But one thing to remember is that in the long run, we really don't need this position filled. As Greg learns to control his fouls sending Joel to the bench, and as LMA continues to improve commanding 38min, a Banger PF will see fewer and fewer minutes. For the coming season, I think it would be a definite benefit, but 2,3 years from now I don't think it will be nearly as important. It is important to remember this because we should not be selling anyone important to fill this position, and we should use our chips first to fill positions that are a little more important like PG. If we can get a vet bu PF without giving up much more than money that we will not be spending on a PG/SF upgrade, then great, otherwise, buy cheap and hope for gold.

 

[Natebishop3]

I don't think Villanueva or Lee are going to be content as a backup so I'd take them off our list right away.

Reggie Evans has no offense, and if him and Joel are going to be in at the same time, that won't work.

Collison and Haslem would be two high quality bench players that I would love to him.

If we cut those players, we should have enough to sign Miller AND AV for around 8 million each.

 

[ehizzy3]

anderson varajeo or birdman

 

[Tince]

If we cut those players, we should have enough to sign Miller AND AV for around 8 million each.

Like, I said, you are taking a big risk because you don't know if they'll sign.


Plus 8 million is a ton for a backup PF that you'll only need for 10 minutes a game.

 

[andalusian]

I have no idea what you mean but you must be referring to something other than win%, as all players are on the same team.

When the player is on the court - his team wins the portion he is on the court or loses - this number provides the win percent of said player. This is really not that hard to understand.

The specific definition from 82games is - These stats represent how the team performed while the player was on the floor.

The team won only 38% of the stretches when Sergio is on the court - compared to 55% for Travis or 65% for Blake or 55% for Rudy.

The numbers show that Sergio (or Frye) are the most harmful to the team's win percent of the guys that actually got to see at least 60 games of action. If you want to look at something like 1000 minutes as a real measure of a regular rotation guy - Frye does not match this criteria - and makes Sergio the worst of our "regular rotation" guys when it comes to win%.

With this in mind - it seems rather reasonable to expect an upgrade in the backup PG position and upgrade in the backup PF positions to be at the top of the wish list for the team. Upgrade at backup PG can come either from getting a new starter and sliding Blake to backup, hope that Bayless progresses as the designated backup or assume that Sergio (who does not sound like he wants to stay) remains and takes a big step forward in his production. I will be shocked if Sergio is still on the roster - but who knows.

Upgrade at backup PF can come either from the return of Webster and sliding Travis to play only at backup PF - or from removing the glut at SF and shipping either Webster or Travis while bringing a backup banger PF.

 

[Natebishop3]

Like, I said, you are taking a big risk because you don't know if they'll sign.


Plus 8 million is a ton for a backup PF that you'll only need for 10 minutes a game.

There's enough options in free agency this summer to make it a safe decision. If Miller doesn't sign, you get Kidd or Bibby, possibly even Sessions. If you don't get AV, there's Bass or Chris Andersen. There's a lot of options at point or power forward this summer, and I think it will be a buyers market.

 

[BalancedMan]

It doesn't hurt to bring Freeland over. We'll have him for a minimum of 4 years and we'll see what he can develop into during that timespan. You don't want a situation where the rookie scale is low and he will have to take a huge pay cut to play in the league (they might be amending this rule, however, so that we could use cap space or MLE to increase the value of a drafted player's contract to account for these situations).

I'm totally in the bring Freeland over camp. I hope we can see him in summer league. Might as well give him a shot and let him be the 15th man.

It could turn out like Jermaine O'Neal --> He said one of the reasons he became so good was because he had to go up against Brian Grant, Rasheed and Sabonis every day in practice. If Freeland has to practice against/with LMA/Joel/Oden...he'll get better and more used to playing top talent than just about anywhere else. It would be a very good time to bring Freeland over if he's even close to hacking it, and I think he would be. So I now expect Freeland to be on the roster occupying Michael Ruffin's vacated spot.