Ruh Roh!

[SlyPokerDog]

Blazers interim GM unsure about bringing back Oden, Andre Miller


Portland Trail Blazers college scouting director Chad Buchanan, who is serving as the team’s interim GM after this week’s firing of Rich Cho, is non-committal about the contract situations of center Greg Oden and point guard Andre Miller, the Portland Tribune reports.

But Cho said the organization was leaning toward making an $8.8 million qualifying offer to Oden for next season, and team president Larry Miller indicated the front office was “on the same page” regarding Oden, who can become a free a restricted free agent July 1.

“If Greg does the things that we need him to do or that we expect him to do, then we are going to issue a qualifying offer to him,” Miller said recently, according to CBS Sports. “Rich may have just said the same thing differently than the way I said it. The reality is, even up to (Blazers owner Paul), we’re on the same page.”

However, Buchanan does not seem so sure. “We’ve had a lot of discussions about that,” Buchanan said. “We’ll continue having those. I can’t give you much more than that on the situation with Greg or Andre.”

The Trail Blazers, meanwhile, have until June 30 to exercise their $7.8 million option on Miller for next season.

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nba/sto...-unsure-about-bringing-back-oden-andre-miller

 

[3RA1N1AC]

oh jeez

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Fuck the Blazers if they give up Oden. Its like they want to alientate the fans (so they can move to seattle...all part of the master plan). Don't give a shit about Miller though. Its all worthless to have him if they're not building a team to contend.

 

[Ed O]

He has nothing to gain by revealing anything.

At least that's my optimistic side telling the story.

I don't want to lose Oden. I'd rather have his overpriced and shredded knees retire as a Blazer than risk seeing him explode for another team...

Ed O.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

I have an Oden jersey and 2 Oden shirts. Fuck that shit if they give up on him and just let him go. I will be pretty furious. Not going to lie. Like protest in front of the RG in hippie fucking costumes and shit angry.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

I don't want to lose Oden. I'd rather have his overpriced and shredded knees retire as a Blazer than risk seeing him explode for another team...

Ed O.

this exactly

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

I know everyone likes to assume that Greg can come back like Amare after his surgeries (mainly due to age) but what if he comes back like T-Mac and Penny? His knees are ravaged.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

I really don't give a fuck. If we give up on Oden, this current Blazers squad is as good as fucked until Roy's contract is up anyway.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

his knees are fine, tmac and penny played for a decade before theirs

 

[Boob-No-More]

With center and PG being our two biggest positions of need moving forward, unless this interem GM has something else up his sleeve, you damn well better bring back Oden and Miller. It's not like we're going to draft anyone at 21 that can instantly jump in and be an NBA sarting center or PG.

Based on the players we've ended up with in the last few drafts, I can't help but wonder if Buchanan falls in love with some of the guys he's scouting and thinks they will be much better at the next level than they actually are. We basically dumped Martell Webster and Jerryd Bayless and gave their roles to Luke Babbit and Armon Johnson. Say what you want about Webster and Bayless, but they are MUCH better NBA players than Babbit and Johnson.

Bsed on the last couple of drafts, I'm not sure if our former director of scouting knows how to evaluate NBA talent, let alone assemble an NBA roster.

BNM

 

[Minstrel]

I know everyone likes to assume that Greg can come back like Amare after his surgeries (mainly due to age) but what if he comes back like T-Mac and Penny? His knees are ravaged.

McGrady had major back problems. Penny Hardaway had microfracture back when the surgery was significantly less refined. Microfracture and similar surgeries are considered to have far better recovery rates these days.

 

[Klinky]

What if we don't renew Oden, dropped Miller & then Roy rolled off via Amnesty Clause in the new CBA. Then imagine that a hard cap comes into place & teams need to shed salary, perhaps we can pick someone up. With some of the numbers being tossed around in the CBA negotiations, it'll be hard to forecast how resigning these two might affect us.

If we can drop enough salary off our books to rebuild around Matthews, Wallace, LaMarcus & Undetermined All-Star, I think you do it...

 

[magnifier661]

Roy and Oden will be Blazers next season. Oden will sign a multi-year contract with the Blazers as well. If there is an amnesty, I suspect we will use it on Roy, but I think the deadline will be closer to the year of the "hard cap". Enjoy

 

[mgb]

He has nothing to gain by revealing anything.

At least that's my optimistic side telling the story.

I don't want to lose Oden. I'd rather have his overpriced and shredded knees retire as a Blazer than risk seeing him explode for another team...
Ed O.

ditto

 

[magnifier661]

The questionable players are Batum, Camby and Miller. They hold the highest trade options and value. Also, Camby and Miller's contracts are great pieces for a team wanting to cut salary, since they have only one season left.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

Unsure? That's a Crapzano move... trying to make headlines out of nothing.

 

[chris_in_pdx]

If the Blazers let Oden walk, and he signs with someone else and succeeds, I really may give up the fucking ship. At that point, it'll be crystal clear this franchise will never amount to anything. I've said from day one that Oden is the Blazers' only chance for a title. Superstars win titles. They get the calls, they get the press, they get the glory. Brandon Roy, as good as he was, was never going to bring a title to Portland. LaMarcus Aldridge will never bring a title to Portland. They are 2nd tier stars AT BEST. Only Greg Oden had/has that something... that charisma, that look in the eye, that marketability.... to make ESPN and the average NBA fan, not to mention the NBA referees, wake up and take notice of basketball being played in the Pacific Northwest. He was and is Portland best and only opportunity for a Championship. Let him go, and kiss it all goodbye until fate drops another #1 draft pick, can't miss, once-in-a-generation megastar in Portland's lap and pray to God that he sticks around long enough to win the city at least ONE title before he jumps ship to a Glamour market, which is inevitable. That might happen once every 30 years... oh wait, that's how long it was.

 

[Rhal]

If the Blazers let Oden walk, and he signs with someone else and succeeds, I really may give up the fucking ship. At that point, it'll be crystal clear this franchise will never amount to anything. I've said from day one that Oden is the Blazers' only chance for a title. Superstars win titles. They get the calls, they get the press, they get the glory. Brandon Roy, as good as he was, was never going to bring a title to Portland. LaMarcus Aldridge will never bring a title to Portland. They are 2nd tier stars AT BEST. Only Greg Oden had/has that something... that charisma, that look in the eye, that marketability.... to make ESPN and the average NBA fan, not to mention the NBA referees, wake up and take notice of basketball being played in the Pacific Northwest. He was and is Portland best and only opportunity for a Championship. Let him go, and kiss it all goodbye until fate drops another #1 draft pick, can't miss, once-in-a-generation megastar in Portland's lap and pray to God that he sticks around long enough to win the city at least ONE title before he jumps ship to a Glamour market, which is inevitable. That might happen once every 30 years... oh wait, that's how long it was.

It would be real hard to watch Oden leave Portland in anyway. I agree that I think he is our only means of a championship at the moment.

 

[RR7]

What if we don't renew Oden, dropped Miller & then Roy rolled off via Amnesty Clause in the new CBA. Then imagine that a hard cap comes into place & teams need to shed salary, perhaps we can pick someone up. With some of the numbers being tossed around in the CBA negotiations, it'll be hard to forecast how resigning these two might affect us.

If we can drop enough salary off our books to rebuild around Matthews, Wallace, LaMarcus & Undetermined All-Star, I think you do it...

Basically, then we're a perenial 6th seed. Woooo! undetermined all star with a hard cap??

 

[Pinwheel1]

What if we don't renew Oden, dropped Miller & then Roy rolled off via Amnesty Clause in the new CBA. Then imagine that a hard cap comes into place & teams need to shed salary, perhaps we can pick someone up. With some of the numbers being tossed around in the CBA negotiations, it'll be hard to forecast how resigning these two might affect us.

If we can drop enough salary off our books to rebuild around Matthews, Wallace, LaMarcus & Undetermined All-Star, I think you do it...

Anyone in mind? Keep in mind teams like Miami and NY also need a top PG who may cost nothing to sign since his original team will be paying him the big bucks. We might get someone, but to get rid of Roy, Miller and Oden in the hope of landing a free agent is risky for a small market rainy city.

 

[Minstrel]

What if we don't renew Oden, dropped Miller & then Roy rolled off via Amnesty Clause in the new CBA. Then imagine that a hard cap comes into place & teams need to shed salary, perhaps we can pick someone up. With some of the numbers being tossed around in the CBA negotiations, it'll be hard to forecast how resigning these two might affect us.

If we can drop enough salary off our books to rebuild around Matthews, Wallace, LaMarcus & Undetermined All-Star, I think you do it...

Matthews hardly qualifies as a player you build around. He and Batum are around the same level...Matthews a little more consistent at this point while Batum has a higher upside, IMO. Right now, they're really just role-players. Wallace may or may not be around after next season...if we assume a hard cap and an "All-Star to be named later" signed, it's quite likely the Blazers won't have any financial advantage in trying to re-sign him, assuming they have the money at all.

And that all assumes that Portland is able to sign an All-Star worth building around as a free agent. When was the last time they did that?

Personally, I think dumping Oden and Miller essentially weakens the team's present and ceiling without materially improving their future outlook.

 

[DeanMoriarty]

I don't know. This franchise is cursed. We'll always be the the would haves, the could haves, the should haves.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

I don't like how this situation is being handled from both sides.

Blazer management have been mum on the subject. Really? This guy was the #1 pick and you're really treating his potential UFA like it's not a big deal?

Oden is as distant as any Blazer in history from his own teammates. Oden's "enthusiasm" during the playoffs for his own teammates was embarrassing. It was almost like he was at a funeral.

 

[Minstrel]

Oden's "enthusiasm" during the playoffs for his own teammates was embarrassing. It was almost like he was at a funeral.

If he looked cheerful, you'd call his obvious lack of caring about letting the Blazers, Portland and the US down "embarrassing."

Just admit it.

Considering his career has gotten off to a disastrous start, I wouldn't be so quick to play pop psychologist based on how he looks. He may be glum about not being able to participate and help his teammates win.

 

[jlprk]

It won't bother me either way whether they bring back Oden, because either way, his career is toast.

 

[Klinky]

Basically, then we're a perenial 6th seed. Woooo! undetermined all star with a hard cap??

Anyone in mind?

It was just an idea, I am not saying we have to do it. I've been quite adverse to "blowing it up". Just throwing it out there that we might be able to clean the slate of our injury prone players. Though I like Miller, he's no spring chicken. I am chalking us down for probably another first round exit(unless we solve some of the outstanding issues, mainly Roy). If we commit to Miller next year, do commit to him long-term?

Personally, I think dumping Oden and Miller essentially weakens the team's present and ceiling without materially improving their future outlook.

Who knows if the CBA will even change drastically. Dumping all three contracts might not be necessary, but that's about 31 million on the table if we clear them all off.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Greg is a risk, but I would be disapointed to lose him. Miller should have been traded last trade deadline

 

[crandc]

Good grief. Can reporters read?

Acting GM did not say unsure. He basically didn't answer. So he's not announcing in advance what he will or will not do.

Predictably, it gets spun as Blazers unsure on Oden and predictable the board has hysterics.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

It won't bother me either way whether they bring back Oden, because either way, his career is toast.

oh jeez, so you think he is garbage, but wouldnt care if they bring him back? lol

 

[Shooter]

I don't want to lose Oden. I'd rather have his overpriced and shredded knees retire as a Blazer than risk seeing him explode for another team...

Even if having his salary on the payroll prevents you from making the team better?