SF upgrade possibilities

[Tortimer]

If that bad contract is Troy Murphy, then we can cut frye loose.

Murphy is horrifically overpaid, but he fits the bill well here in POR cause he can backup both positions and shoot from the outside when paired with Oden.

Granger is ideal imo, but I just don't think Bird is willing to part with him.

You mean trade Frye not cut him? He does have a fair amount of trade value and a lot of teams could use him. I'm not sure about Murphy and even if we ended up trading for him I would rather keep Frye and let Diogu go.

 

[Magnum]

You mean trade Frye not cut him? He does have a fair amount of trade value and a lot of teams could use him. I'm not sure about Murphy and eevn if we ended up trading for him I would rather keep Frye and let Diogu go.

figuratively... He'd be a guy I'd try to move in the deal for granger, or in another deal, but I don't see him as being the backup big for our championship run. I know he's personable and loves portland, but that's not a good enough reason for me to keep him on the team.

 

[Tortimer]

figuratively... He'd be a guy I'd try to move in the deal for granger, or in another deal, but I don't see him as being the backup big for our championship run. I know he's personable and loves portland, but that's not a good enough reason for me to keep him on the team.

I'm not against including Frye in a package for a good SF but I think Frye is the perfect role player. He isn't really a center which they tried to play him last year but PF with a good outside shot. He is a team first player and doesn't ever complain about PT which I think we need guys like this as our 10th-12th man.

 

[Magnum]

I'm not against including Frye in a package for a good SF but I think Frye is the perfect role player. He isn't really a center which they tried to play him last year but PF with a good outside shot. He is a team first player and doesn't ever complain about PT which I think we need guys like this as our 10th-12th man.

he just shoots Js. Doesn't rebound, doesn't defend, doesn't block shots, doesn't bang. I don't get the appeal.

 

[Tortimer]

he just shoots Js. Doesn't rebound, doesn't defend, doesn't block shots, doesn't bang. I don't get the appeal.

If you watched the end of last year I think 5-6 games he was rebounding really well when given the PT because of Joel being injured. He isn't a banger but when your talking about a 10th-12th guy on the team he is pretty good. Like I said I would include him a in trade package if we could get a good SF. I do think he is a player good teams need at the end of their bench. He can shoot from anywhere and never complains and is always ready.

 

[mook]

I'd be really interested in seeing what Bayless, Outlaw and Raef could net us in a trade. Marion seems at least possible (although I don't know that Miami really wants a Bayless when they already have Wade, so it might require a third team).

I realize Marion has had delusions of being "the man", but really, if we got him he'll have been on 3 teams in 4 years. And each of those three teams used him the same way. At some point you have to realize that maybe you aren't ever going to be the focus of an offense.

I like Bayless and Outlaw still, but I don't really see how they have a role on this team. Rodriguez seems a better fit at PG, and Fernandez is better in the role of bench leader. Damned foreigners are taking hard-working American jobs.

 

[Cake]

I'm not a big Melo fan either. He plays no defense, and is ineffective without the ball in his hands. We'll be fine when we get healthy, and when Brandon is actually playing and doing his thing.

Did you watch the Olympics? He was outstanding for the US national team. Excellent defense and good passing.

 

[1 Eye Jack]

Just throwing this out there, what about Mike Miller? Not exactly the perfect fit but someone to consider..... Looks like teams are already throwing 2-3 guys at Oden in the post so we are going to need to have some guys who can shoot when he kicks it out. Another long shot is Gerald Wallace?

 

[mook]

Just throwing this out there, what about Mike Miller? Not exactly the perfect fit but someone to consider..... Looks like teams are already throwing 2-3 guys at Oden in the post so we are going to need to have some guys who can shoot when he kicks it out. Another long shot is Gerald Wallace?

When we play the Lakers one of these years in the Western Conference Finals, who does Mike Miller guard?

I couldn't think of anyone either.

 

[1 Eye Jack]

When we play the Lakers one of these years in the Western Conference Finals, who does Mike Miller guard?

I couldn't think of anyone either.

When we play anyone who does Travis guard, I couldn't think of anyone either

Not saying he's the perfect fit but having Greg behind him instantly makes him a decent defender. Just a thought and not sure I want him either. Nice part is he shoots well, plays Defense as well as Travis,has a high BBIQ and his natural position is SF. Obviously guys like

Battier
Grainger
Prince
Wallace

are all better fits but most of them aren't available where as Mike Miller could be.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Lots of panic here.

Let it play out. We have plenty of decent options until Webster returns.

 

[mook]

When we play anyone who does Travis guard, I couldn't think of anyone either

I definitely agree that Outlaw isn't a good fit either for that role. The difference between Miller and Outlaw, though, is that Outlaw would be pretty easy to trade. He's still young, he's got athleticism that makes GM's drool, and (most importantly) he makes less than half of what Miller makes.

I want us to trade Outlaw for either:
1. Somebody who is an upgrade at SF in areas we need (defense, perimeter shooting)
2. Somebody who is a better trading asset than Outlaw

Miller doesn't qualify.

 

[1 Eye Jack]

Lots of panic here.

Let it play out. We have plenty of decent options until Webster returns.

I think it's a big deal because regardless of what people think of Webster he was a nice fit to our starters. Also the fact that this could have an effect on whether we make playoffs this year. Not saying Webster is the deciding factor but he could mean the difference in 2-3 wins. Those 2-3 wins is what cost Denver a spot last year. I still wouldn't mind seeing Roy play some SF before deciding because it would also allow one of our best players to become a starter. Roy would be a mismatch in only a few games with guys like Lebron and Melo other than that he creates lots of problems for the other team at SF.

 

[Masbee]

I'd love to trade Outlaw, LaFrentz, Webster and a pick for Danny Granger and a bad contract from Indiana.

Failing that, try for Josh Childress in the off-season.

Co-sign.

I just don't see Indy doing that deal unless the owner demands immediate cost cutting moves.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

I think the Blazers should be more concerned with the PG position than the SF position.

If there is a trade out there for a quality starting PG in the league, I hope the Blazers use thier assets to get that and let the Webster, Outlaw, Batum, Roy battle figure out the SF postion.

 

[Crimson the Cat]

There aren't any realistic possibilities at small forward for the Blazers to trade for.

What they need to do is wait patiently for Mike Conley Jr. I'm telling you. He's going to break out this year. And I think the Grizz will be better with Lowry and Mayo. They complement each other better.

With Oden and Aldridge, Portland can go small on the wings. Roy, Fernandez, and Conley would be exciting, cerebral, and hard working.

This is the move that must be done!

 

[Tortimer]

There aren't any realistic possibilities at small forward for the Blazers to trade for.

What they need to do is wait patiently for Mike Conley Jr. I'm telling you. He's going to break out this year. And I think the Grizz will be better with Lowry and Mayo. They complement each other better.

With Oden and Aldridge, Portland can go small on the wings. Roy, Fernandez, and Conley would be exciting, cerebral, and hard working.

This is the move that must be done!

It is a possibility IMO.

 

[Masbee]

Thanks to Mook for the talking point.

Recent NBA Champions:

2008: Celtics, featured not one, but two fine wing defenders to stop Kobe Bryant - Paul Pierce and James Posey. The Lakers best wing defender is also the number one option, thus they didn't have the ability to shut down Pierce.

The Celtics with their two solid wing defenders got past LeBron James in the semis.

2007: Spurs, with Bruce Bowen (and Ginobili, who is actually an ok defender), were able to keep LeBron from single handedly winning in the Finals.

2006: Miami Heat, with James Posey, beat the Dallas Mavs, a better team.

2005: Spurs (Bowen) over the Detroit Pistons.

2004: Detroit (Prince, but with lots of team defense help from Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, etc.) over the Lakers.

2003: Spurs (Bowen) over New Jersey.

2002; 2001; 2000: Lakers (Rick Fox) over New Jersey. Actually, here is our first example. Fox wasn't all that as a defender. Decent, but not in the class of the above guys. This Lakers team wasn't about lockdown defense like the Spurs. They played above average defense and outstanding offense. Fact is, they had Shaq and Kobe. Just try to stop them from getting a bucket. You couldn't. Thus, defense was important to the Lakers but not essential.

1999: Spurs. Another example. No Bruce Bowen yet. Had the Twin Towers defense with Duncan and Robinson. All wings had to do was funnel guys into the teeth of the defense.

1998 and for many years prior. Bulls, Bulls, Bulls. Scottie as the defensive cake, Jordan as the icing. If they didn't want you to score a bucket, you probably didn't, as a parade of Hall of Fame offensive players found out.

Do we absolutely have to have a lockdown wing defender?

No.

Are we giving ourselves the best shot at making regular shots at the title without a lockdown wing defender?

I don't think so.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

On courtside they were talking about the gold mine we have in Raef's contract and one name popped up that is most likely a pipe dream but good for conversation: Rudy Gay.

 

[AgentDrazenPetrovic]

I'll go gay for Gay! (no homo)

 

[STOMP]

When we play anyone who does Travis guard, I couldn't think of anyone either

Nate had him guarding Kobe in the 4th for stretches in several of last years games where he did decently. Melo too. Nate also has him lining up against decent bigger guys like KG and Brad Miller.

I don't think he's a world beater on D, but he's not Mike Miller bad by a long stretch. Thats being ridiculous

STOMP

 

[Minstrel]

On courtside they were talking about the gold mine we have in Raef's contract and one name popped up that is most likely a pipe dream but good for conversation: Rudy Gay.

Fun to dream about (plus Portland would have the three excellent talents from the 2006 draft), but why in the world woul Memphis trade their potential franchise player without getting one back? Assuming Oden, Aldridge and Roy are off the table, the best (reasonable) deal Portland could offer is LaFrentz, Outlaw and one of Bayless/Fernandez and a first round pick for Gay and a bad contract. I can't see that being enough.

 

[AgentDrazenPetrovic]

The Stache!!!!

 

[drexlersdad]

if melo bought into the team, he would be a huge addition. fucking huge.

bayless
roy
melo
lma
oden

wowsa

 

[alex42083]

if melo bought into the team, he would be a huge addition. fucking huge.

bayless
roy
melo
lma
oden

wowsa

I think Rudy is that fourth big horse on our team instead of Bayless, and outside of Roy, Aldridge and Oden.
Bayless has a long way to go in fitting into the team concept, and not having to be the man -- probably for the first time ever in his life.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Nate had him guarding Kobe in the 4th for stretches in several of last years games where he did decently. Melo too. Nate also has him lining up against decent bigger guys like KG and Brad Miller.

I don't think he's a world beater on D, but he's not Mike Miller bad by a long stretch. Thats being ridiculous

STOMP

Nate switched him onto K*be, after Martell had been guarding him for 2 1/2 quarters to the tune of 8 points scored. When Travis was done guarding him, he had (iirc) 35.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Mike Rice mentioned last night on courtside that Nate might be considering a lineup of Roy, Rudy, Channing, LMA, Greg (or possibly Blake, Roy, Channing, LMA, Greg).

Supposedly Channing really can hit the the 3, and he has gotten a lot leaner over the summer, but I wonder if he'd have the speed to keep quicker small forwards in front of him ... at the very worst I guess there wouldn't be anyone who could shoot over us -- talk about an insanely tall starting lineup.