SF Solution: Trevor Ariza?

[Tince]

This guy has been on my list for the entire season as a possible upgrade at the SF position. Well, now, there is no doubt in my mind, this guy would fit great in Portland. Don't let the Rudy thing fool you, he's a very nice guy and would fit perfectly on our roster. Here is a list of reasons we should offer a healthy long-term contract with our cap room:

He can space the floor and hit threes.
He doesn't demand the ball, but isn't afraid to take big shots.
He can create for himself and others.
He can defend multiple positions, very well.
He has ideal size and strength for a SF.
He has playoff experience.
He is the perfect age to gel with this roster for a long time.
He is an excellent pick and roll defender (Hurrakane212)

To add the icing on the cake; losing him would really hurt the Lakers.

The only downfall I see in signing him is that he would take away major minutes from Batum and Webster. However, I believe Batum has great trade value and you net us a nice young PG in the proper package. If we wanted to trade Webster, he has a very reasonable long-term contract that teams would want to take on in these economic times.

A combination of Ariza and Batum or Webster would solidify our needs for years to come.

 

[MAS RipCity]

No, he won't have the hatred/dislike for the Lakers needed to become a Trail Blazer, plus Batum is our starter, we don't need another young SF who wants starters minutes

 

[Da_O]

Batum can become a much, much better player than Ariza. And I've never seen Ariza create for himself or others.

 

[Tince]

Batum can become a much, much better player than Ariza. And I've never seen Ariza create for himself or others.

You should check out the finals, he's done a decent job creating his own shot there.

And I have no idea what you are basing Batum's ceiling higher than Ariza. One thing is clear, Ariza is better than Batum right now. There is nothing wrong with having both of them.

 

[Tince]

No, he won't have the hatred/dislike for the Lakers needed to become a Trail Blazer, plus Batum is our starter, we don't need another young SF who wants starters minutes

So Steve Blake is our starter, so we shouldn't go after another PG who wants starter minutes? Come on, that's not an argument.

Ariza meets almost all the criteria this team needs at SF, and you don't think we should upgrade because you don't think he would play hard against his old team?

Come up with some good reasons.

 

[cdub503]

I don't think we need him because I think batum will hold his own quite well next year especially if he gets more minutes and maybe a few plays ran for him

 

[illmatic99]

Fuck no. I'd like to stay as far away from that dirty biatch as possible.

 

[Minstrel]

I like Ariza, but he's a RFA and I don't expect the Lakers to let him go for anything reasonable.

It doesn't matter too much to me, though. Ariza is better than Batum right now, but not by very much. I think Batum will be as good as Ariza pretty soon. That said, I really like players like Ariza, I wouldn't mind at all if Portland managed to snag him. But since Portland has Batum, my priority is on point guard.

 

[Da_O]

You should check out the finals, he's done a decent job creating his own shot there.

And I have no idea what you are basing Batum's ceiling higher than Ariza. One thing is clear, Ariza is better than Batum right now. There is nothing wrong with having both of them.

I've been watching every finals game and every playoff game so far, I've seen enough of Ariza to know that he can't create his own shot on a consistent basis. His ability to create a shot isn't even on par with Outlaw. Batum, who already gives us a lot of what Ariza does, is younger and still has many years of development left.

I would much rather spend our cap room on either a PG like Miller or Sessions; or a backup banger PF like Varejao and Bass. Ariza is not the type of player we need currently.

 

[alex42083]

Has a former Laker ever signed with the Blazers? I know former Blazers have become Lakers, but I don't think it's ever gone the other way.

 

[illmatic99]

Has a former Laker ever signed with the Blazers? I know former Blazers have become Lakers, but I don't think it's ever gone the other way.

Let's keep it that way.

I'd rather take Pietrus on my team. Did you guys see his last foul on Gashole? Beautiful.

 

[RoyToy]

Ariza "feared for his life" the last time he suited up in Portland. I doubt he would even consider signing in Portland.

 

[Tince]

I like Ariza, but he's a RFA and I don't expect the Lakers to let him go for anything reasonable.

It doesn't matter too much to me, though. Ariza is better than Batum right now, but not by very much. I think Batum will be as good as Ariza pretty soon. That said, I really like players like Ariza, I wouldn't mind at all if Portland managed to snag him. But since Portland has Batum, my priority is on point guard.

You make a great point about his RFA status. However, they are going to have to make decisions on Odom, Brown, and Farmar. Not to mention that Bynum's huge deal kicks in next year. My guess is they don't want to get in the crazy luxury tax area. However, if they are smart, they'll resign Ariza and not Odom, unless they think Ariza is basically the same as Batum. In that case, they won't mind letting him go.

I also agree that a PG is a more pressing concern. I bring this idea up because there is no obvious PG solution out there, so my guess is we are going to have to make a trade there. Getting Ariza, allows us to trade a guy like Webster without thinking twice.

 

[Tince]

Ariza "feared for his life" the last time he suited up in Portland. I doubt he would even consider signing in Portland.

Would you rather have the big bully at school on your side or 100% against you?

The fans would quickly forget about the Rudy foul (which wasn't dirty), once they heard him in an interview, met him around the city, and saw his night in and night out effort.

 

[Da_O]

You make a great point about his RFA status. However, they are going to have to make decisions on Odom, Brown, and Farmar. Not to mention that Bynum's huge deal kicks in next year. My guess is they don't want to get in the crazy luxury tax area. However, if they are smart, they'll resign Ariza and not Odom, unless they think Ariza is basically the same as Batum. In that case, they won't mind letting him go.

I also agree that a PG is a more pressing concern. I bring this idea up because there is no obvious PG solution out there, so my guess is we are going to have to make a trade there. Getting Ariza, allows us to trade a guy like Webster without thinking twice.

I may be in the dark but I believe Andre Miller is a solution for PG. Bring him in, have Bayless develop under him.

 

[Tince]

I've been watching every finals game and every playoff game so far, I've seen enough of Ariza to know that he can't create his own shot on a consistent basis. His ability to create a shot isn't even on par with Outlaw. Batum, who already gives us a lot of what Ariza does, is younger and still has many years of development left.

I would much rather spend our cap room on either a PG like Miller or Sessions; or a backup banger PF like Varejao and Bass. Ariza is not the type of player we need currently.

Ok, we disagree. Can we at least agree that Ariza can create better for himself and others than Batum? That's so obvious you couldn't possible overrated our own players that much, right?

I like Bass, but not for 7 million. If Batum is a good as some people feel, then Ariza would be an amazing backup.

Sessions would be a waste of money. Varejao would never come here to backup LMA. Miller would be fine. He can't stretch the defense or defend quick PG's, but he would be an upgrade from Blake.

 

[RoyToy]

Would you rather have the big bully at school on your side or 100% against you?

The fans would quickly forget about the Rudy foul (which wasn't dirty), once they heard him in an interview, met him around the city, and saw his night in and night out effort.

Ariza is on a team that's about to win the championship. I doubt he considers the Blazers a "bully".

I'd bet on Ariza not even wanting to be on the Blazers for reasons stated above, but also because he knows how much he's hated in Portland.

 

[Tince]

I may be in the dark but I believe Andre Miller is a solution for PG. Bring him in, have Bayless develop under him.

I don't totally disagree with you here, he is a solid player. I get a little worried that he never seems to preform well on good teams, but he is a tough guy. We could always do a S&T with Blake and change to get Miller if Miller really wanted to leave town for Portland.

 

[Tince]

Ariza is on a team that's about to win the championship. I doubt he considers the Blazers a "bully".

I'd bet on Ariza not even wanting to be on the Blazers for reasons stated above, but also because he knows how much he's hated in Portland.

So he is or is not affected by Portland? I was kinda joking about the bully thing. I don't think many free agents rule teams out based on who has booed them while they played for the opposing team. These guys are professional basketball players.

However, if he didn't want to play for us, then fine, he wouldn't sign. However, I would call up his agent first thing during free agency period and offer him a large chunk of our cap space and put the pressure on LA to match. He fits perfectly with this roster.

 

[Da_O]

Ok, we disagree. Can we at least agree that Ariza can create better for himself and others than Batum? That's so obvious you couldn't possible overrated our own players that much, right?

I like Bass, but not for 7 million. If Batum is a good as some people feel, then Ariza would be an amazing backup.

Sessions would be a waste of money. Varejao would never come here to backup LMA. Miller would be fine. He can't stretch the defense or defend quick PG's, but he would be an upgrade from Blake.

I like Ariza but not for 7 million. Batum in less minutes puts up near same production. Ariza has been in the league 5 years and is about to turn 24. I don't see him becoming much better.

I guess if you count the ability to pump fake and dribble into the defense creating your own shot then Batum isn't far off. That's the only move I've ever seen Ariza pull to create his own shot. He doesn't have the handle to go by his man and his shot(until lately) has been shaky.

Varejao would never come here to backup LMA.

How would you know that? He was a backup for Drew Gooden for many years.

 

[retroblazers]

Has a former Laker ever signed with the Blazers? I know former Blazers have become Lakers, but I don't think it's ever gone the other way.

nick van exel?

 

[MAS RipCity]

So Steve Blake is our starter, so we shouldn't go after another PG who wants starter minutes? Come on, that's not an argument.

Ariza meets almost all the criteria this team needs at SF, and you don't think we should upgrade because you don't think he would play hard against his old team?

Come up with some good reasons.

We're not talking about Blake, where in the hell did he come into the equation? Batum will end up MUCH better than Ariza, so no to him.

 

[Tince]

I like Ariza but not for 7 million. Batum in less minutes puts up near same production. Ariza has been in the league 5 years and is about to turn 24. I don't see him becoming much better.

I guess if you count the ability to pump fake and dribble into the defense creating your own shot then Batum isn't far off. That's the only move I've ever seen Ariza pull to create his own shot. He doesn't have the handle to go by his man and his shot(until lately) has been shaky.

Varejao would never come here to backup LMA.

How would you know that? He was a backup for Drew Gooden for many years.

I would agree 7 million a year might be pushing it, I was thinking 6 with annual raises. I'm not trying to knock Batum, and I'm not saying we should trade him, but I don't see Batum being a 36 minute a game SF any time soon. Sure he started this year, but as we saw in the playoffs, he wasn't a true starter. I think his potential is high and he is young, but I don't know of any championships won on youth and potential.

Sergio was real young and had a ton of potential after his rookie year too. Showing flashes of promises at a young age doesn't guarantee anything. If we can upgrade without trading Batum, I do not see the harm in it.

He has been his first real opportunity to play starters minutes and he has performed very well. His starts are not amazing, but he does all the little things it takes to win. He is a younger version of Shane Battier, a guy many of wanted to come to Portland.

 

[Tince]

We're not talking about Blake, where in the hell did he come into the equation? Batum will end up MUCH better than Ariza, so no to him.

It appeared to me that your logic was that since we already have someone starting at SF, we shouldn't try to get someone else that would want to play "starter minutes". Does that theory only hold true for SF, but not PG? I don't see that being a reason to not upgrade.

Batum could still get his "starters minutes" and Ariza could play the other 30 minutes he's out.

 

[Da_O]

I would agree 7 million a year might be pushing it, I was thinking 6 with annual raises. I'm not trying to knock Batum, and I'm not saying we should trade him, but I don't see Batum being a 36 minute a game SF any time soon. Sure he started this year, but as we saw in the playoffs, he wasn't a true starter. I think his potential is high and he is young, but I don't know of any championships won on youth and potential.

Sergio was real young and had a ton of potential after his rookie year too. Showing flashes of promises at a young age doesn't guarantee anything. If we can upgrade without trading Batum, I do not see the harm in it.

He has been his first real opportunity to play starters minutes and he has performed very well. His starts are not amazing, but he does all the little things it takes to win. He is a younger version of Shane Battier, a guy many of wanted to come to Portland.

Your last paragraph shows why Batum was better than Sergio his rookie year. His competitiveness and willingness for defense. If Battier wasn't getting up there in age, I'd take him over Ariza.

I'd much rather go after Hedo or Artest if we're going after a FA SF. Ariza's ability to create is nowhere near the level of those two guys. And I think is something desperately needed on this team is that ability to alleviate pressure off of Roy.

 

[Tince]

Varejao would never come here to backup LMA.

How would you know that? He was a backup for Drew Gooden for many years.

I guess I didn't use the right words. I would be SHOCKED if he would come to Portland to play 12mpg.

Either way, he is going to be opting out of $6.2 million next year, so he's going to want at least $7 million. That's a lot of money for a guy playing 12 minutes a game. Unless you want LMA to greatly reduce his minutes to let an energy player get more run.

I would way rather give that money to Ariza who is a more well rounded player and fits our needs much better.

 

[Tince]

Your last paragraph shows why Batum was better than Sergio his rookie year. His competitiveness and willingness for defense. If Battier wasn't getting up there in age, I'd take him over Ariza.

I'd much rather go after Hedo or Artest if we're going after a FA SF. Ariza's ability to create is nowhere near the level of those two guys. And I think is something desperately needed on this team is that ability to alleviate pressure off of Roy.

I agree that Batum is better than Sergio. I would be surprised if he ends up being a better player than Ariza when all is said and done. I would be interested in a non-Laker or Blazer fans perspective on the two players.

I would rather a young Battier than Ariza too, because he is even more proven. However, that isn't going to happen. If we could get Hedo for 6 million a year, I would be all for it too. Granted his defense is nowhere near Batum or Ariza, he has some great offensive game. If you watched Hedo play at 24, you would think that guy would never be more than a spot up shooter. I have watched Ariza since his days at UCLA, and I have seen plenty for me to be comfortable with his ability to create his shot. I do agree, he'll never be a guy we want to isolate with, but neither will Batum.

 

[Da_O]

I guess I didn't use the right words. I would be SHOCKED if he would come to Portland to play 12mpg.

Either way, he is going to be opting out of $6.2 million next year, so he's going to want at least $7 million. That's a lot of money for a guy playing 12 minutes a game. Unless you want LMA to greatly reduce his minutes to let an energy player get more run.

I would way rather give that money to Ariza who is a more well rounded player and fits our needs much better.

Since our need for SF isn't as pressing I'd rather get another PG or backup PF. I said I'd rather get Miller or another SF like Artest and Hedo before Varejao. But depending on the the route we take I'd give Varejao that deal. I'm sure between the 4 and 5 positions he could get adequate playing time.

 

[Tince]

Since our need for SF isn't as pressing I'd rather get another PG or backup PF. I said I'd rather get Miller or another SF like Artest and Hedo before Varejao. But depending on the the route we take I'd give Varejao that deal. I'm sure between the 4 and 5 positions he could get adequate playing time.

Show me how you would distribute 96 minutes between LMA, Oden, Joel, and Varejao,

I want Aldridge playing no less than 36 minutes, and considering he played 37 this year, I don't see that going down.

Oden needs to play as much as possible. I'd love to see him play 30 minutes a game. Only playing Joel 18 minutes would be a crime, but taking more of his minutes for Varejao would be crazy.

So seriously, break down 96 minutes between those four guys.


There is no way IMO we need Varejao more than quality starting SF.

 

[Tince]

I sent an email to Eric Musselman about the subject. Brought up all my points and the valid counter points (not the ones about him not wanting to sign for a team who's fans have booed him). I'll post his response when I get it....

I figure most of you would agree he's a knowledgeable and unbiased basketball expert.