So NOW do you understand what I'm talking about??? We are a better team this year.

[blue9]

Pun aside, he was a FA and re-signed with the Cavs.

You don't think that it being his best shot to win a title had anything to do with that decision? Or do you think that POR's chance to win a title equals CLE's chance?
Your comparison is crap.

 

[blue9]

Not usually one to throw this around, but we don't know that. It takes a while for guys to actually show what they're working on in practices and warmups in real game time.

We're a third of the way through the season. It seems like Stotts is going to do his typical coaching job until we're mathematically eliminated before he lets players try to expand their games.

 

[Denny Crane]

You don't think that it being his best shot to win a title had anything to do with that decision? Or do you think that POR's chance to win a title equals CLE's chance?
Your comparison is crap.

If a title is what he wanted, he could have signed as a UFA with the Warriors.

I think he signed because he got the most money possible from Cleveland. The Blazers' money is as green as anyone else's.

I think Portland has pretty much what Cleveland had when LeBron chose to sign with them. In fact, I think the Blazers are a better opportunity since I like Lillard and CJ better than Kyrie.

 

[blue9]

If a title is what he wanted, he could have signed as a UFA with the Warriors.

I think he signed because he got the most money possible from Cleveland. The Blazers' money is as green as anyone else's.

I think Portland has pretty much what Cleveland had when LeBron chose to sign with them. In fact, I think the Blazers are a better opportunity since I like Lillard and CJ better than Kyrie.

I really don't even know what you're trying to argue. CLE traded for Love. By the time Love had a choice in the matter they had LeBron and just as good a chance as anyone to win a championship. Did the Warriors even offer Love a contract this summer?
I still don't know what you're trying to argue - but it seems to have something to do with POR being able to sign Love because Love is playing for CLE. And if that's what you're saying, then your reasoning is crap.

 

[Denny Crane]

I really don't even know what you're trying to argue. CLE traded for Love. By the time Love had a choice in the matter they had LeBron and just as good a chance as anyone to win a championship. Did the Warriors even offer Love a contract this summer?
I still don't know what you're trying to argue - but it seems to have something to do with POR being able to sign Love because Love is playing for CLE. And if that's what you're saying, then your reasoning is crap.

I'm trying to say "I wouldn't say Portland is too small a market to attract FAs." and "The Blazers' money is as green as anyone else's."

Greg Monroe signed with Milwaukee, a smaller city than Portland, and a team without anyone near as good as Lillard.

 

[Natebishop3]

I'm trying to say "I wouldn't say Portland is too small a market to attract FAs." and "The Blazers' money is as green as anyone else's."

Greg Monroe signed with Milwaukee, a smaller city than Portland, and a team without anyone near as good as Lillard.

Nobody as good as Lillard, BUT a much better core. MCW/Giannis/Parker/Henson is a really solid group.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Nobody as good as Lillard, BUT a much better core. MCW/Giannis/Parker/Henson is a really solid group.

MCW is trash. Has good games at times but gives up that much or more on the other end. And you might think Henson is a good solid core piece but the Bucks don't (yet at least). They play him 15 mins a game.

 

[julius]

What's Love got to do got to do with it?

What's Love, but a second hand power forward.

 

[Natebishop3]

MCW is trash. Has good games at times but gives up that much or more on the other end. And you might think Henson is a good solid core piece but the Bucks don't (yet at least). They play him 15 mins a game.

If you were a free agent, and you were comparing rosters, would you sign with the Blazers after they just lost 4/5 of their starters? CJ hadn't done much outside of a solid showing in the playoffs. The Bucks looked a lot more stable at that point.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

If you were a free agent, and you were comparing rosters, would you sign with the Blazers after they just lost 4/5 of their starters? CJ hadn't done much outside of a solid showing in the playoffs. The Bucks looked a lot more stable at that point.

Toss up. MIL is a worse destination (living-wise) than POR. So the slight improvement in roster is outweighed by the downgrade in City.

The reason Monroe picked MIL was because he said it is easier for them to make playoffs (due to the East being weak). Well come to find out the East is stronger this year. West is probably easier to make playoffs.

 

[Natebishop3]

Toss up. MIL is a worse destination (living-wise) than POR. So the slight improvement in roster is outweighed by the downgrade in City.

The reason Monroe picked MIL was because he said it is easier for them to make playoffs (due to the East being weak). Well come to find out the East is stronger this year. West is probably easier to make playoffs.

It's really too bad because he would have been a solid addition to this roster.

 

[Denny Crane]

If you were a free agent, and you were comparing rosters, would you sign with the Blazers after they just lost 4/5 of their starters? CJ hadn't done much outside of a solid showing in the playoffs. The Bucks looked a lot more stable at that point.

He chose Milwaukee, a smaller city than Portland, with near zero chance of winning a title.

We have signed prized UFAs that were matched. Those UFAs did choose to sign with us.

 

[Natebishop3]

He chose Milwaukee, a smaller city than Portland, with near zero chance of winning a title.

We have signed prized UFAs that were matched. Those UFAs did choose to sign with us.

Who are these "priced (RFAs) that were matched?"

Kanter? Hibbert? Both of those players wanted max contracts, their teams weren't willing to offer them max contracts, and it was widely believed around the league that the team would match any offer. We tossed them a bone, the teams matched, and that was that. Let's not pretend like it was anything other than a player accepting an offer for more money than was being offered by their team.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Who are these "priced (RFAs) that were matched?"

Kanter? Hibbert? Both of those players wanted max contracts, their teams weren't willing to offer them max contracts, and it was widely believed around the league that the team would match any offer. We tossed them a bone, the teams matched, and that was that. Let's not pretend like it was anything other than a player accepting an offer for more money than was being offered by their team.

But I think thats the point. Even though most teams have good money, we have about the most of any team and its all about the money, then....

If its money they want, we have it. So in the end your analysis shows that the players signed for the money. NOT the destination.

 

[Orion Bailey]

And Kanter was one of the best offers we made IMO. We stuck it to OKC pretty good.

 

[Denny Crane]

Who are these "priced (RFAs) that were matched?"

Kanter? Hibbert? Both of those players wanted max contracts, their teams weren't willing to offer them max contracts, and it was widely believed around the league that the team would match any offer. We tossed them a bone, the teams matched, and that was that. Let's not pretend like it was anything other than a player accepting an offer for more money than was being offered by their team.

If their teams didn't match, they'd be Blazers. Free agent destination: Portland.

 

[Natebishop3]

But I think thats the point. Even though most teams have good money, we have about the most of any team and its all about the money, then....

If its money they want, we have it. So in the end your analysis shows that the players signed for the money. NOT the destination.

It was about the money because we offered more than anyone else was willing to offer. If we're talking about big name guys who will command max deals, how are we going to stand out from the pack if they can all offer the same amount of money?

 

[Natebishop3]

If their teams didn't match, they'd be Blazers. Free agent destination: Portland.

But it was widely known that their teams WOULD match, and they did match. It was a negotiating tactic by both agents to get their players the most they could. Everyone knew that OKC would match Kanter. It was an opportunity for Neil to stick it to the Thunder.

 

[Orion Bailey]

It was about the money because we offered more than anyone else was willing to offer. If we're talking about big name guys who will command max deals, how are we going to stand out from the pack if they can all offer the same amount of money?

Too many X factors to answer without knowing who the target is, but it could be anything from not fitting in with a few other teams that would offer, etc.

 

[Natebishop3]

Too many X factors to answer without knowing who the target is, but it could be anything from not fitting in with a few other teams that would offer, etc.

Up till now, Neil has used his space to sign free agents that are under the radar. Guys like Aminu, Davis, Kaman, Wright, and Mo Williams. He hasn't made a successful run at a top flight free agent. He struck out on Hawes. He struck out on Monroe. Obviously he struck out on Aldridge, but I don't blame him for that. I wanted to trade Aldridge. So in a summer where money won't really be an advantage, how do we convince a top flight guy to sign with the Blazers?

 

[Denny Crane]

But it was widely known that their teams WOULD match, and they did match. It was a negotiating tactic by both agents to get their players the most they could. Everyone knew that OKC would match Kanter. It was an opportunity for Neil to stick it to the Thunder.

There's never a guarantee a team will match.

The Bulls said all along they'd match any offer for Omer Asik.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Up till now, Neil has used his space to sign free agents that are under the radar. Guys like Aminu, Davis, Kaman, Wright, and Mo Williams. He hasn't made a successful run at a top flight free agent. He struck out on Hawes. He struck out on Monroe. Obviously he struck out on Aldridge, but I don't blame him for that. I wanted to trade Aldridge. So in a summer where money won't really be an advantage, how do we convince a top flight guy to sign with the Blazers?

If the money is even, then the upside of our team for the future. depends on the FA wants. Some want money. some want a long term home. Some want to win now. Some just want a place for their numbers to increases. Name the free agent and I will try to answer.

 

[Natebishop3]

If the money is even, then the upside of our team for the future. depends on the FA wants. Some want money. some want a long term home. Some want to win now. Some just want a place for their numbers to increases. Name the free agent and I will try to answer.

If you're Neil, how do you pitch Kevin Durant? DeMar DeRozan? Whiteside? Chandler Parsons?

 

[Orion Bailey]

If you're Neil, how do you pitch Kevin Durant? DeMar DeRozan? Whiteside? Chandler Parsons?

Well for starters I wouldnt even pitch Parsons. Whiteside and Durant would be my only two real offers on that list. I would pitch Durant as already having had a core group of guys but with a PG that dominates the ball. I would pitch him a ring in the next three years along with watching his numbers reach all time highs because of how many more touches he will get. I would pitch him that we have always seen him as an MVP player, but when we passed on him in the draft, it was purely out of what the TEAM needs, not what he has to offer.

Whiteside is a space cadet half the time. You can probably pitch him with about anything true, then beef it up some and who knows. He has bounced around and found a home with Miami, but I dont think that lasts. That team is 2 years away from the Lotto... unless they think Whiteside is a cornerstone to build around. then there is nothing we can do.

Alot of people are high on Derozan... not me.

 

[Natebishop3]

Well for starters I wouldnt even pitch Parsons. Whiteside and Durant would be my only two real offers on that list. I would pitch Durant as already having had a core group of guys but with a PG that dominates the ball. I would pitch him a ring in the next three years along with watching his numbers reach all time highs because of how many more touches he will get. I would pitch him that we have always seen him as an MVP player, but when we passed on him in the draft, it was purely out of what the TEAM needs, not what he has to offer.

Whiteside is a space cadet half the time. You can probably pitch him with about anything true, then beef it up some and who knows. He has bounced around and found a home with Miami, but I dont think that lasts. That team is 2 years away from the Lotto... unless they think Whiteside is a cornerstone to build around. then there is nothing we can do.

Alot of people are high on Derozan... not me.

Whats' wrong with DeRozan?

Look at his last five games

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3978/demar-derozan

He's a UFA. He can score. He's 6'7 and he's only 26 years old. His biggest knock is that he can't shoot the three.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Whats' wrong with DeRozan?

Look at his last five games

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3978/demar-derozan

He's a UFA. He can score. He's 6'7 and he's only 26 years old. His biggest knock is that he can't shoot the three.

I have to admit, I haven't watched film. Can he get to the hoop? Can he finish? Does demand doubles and can he pass well out of them? That's what will be required of his position. And the three is pretty big considering how much f a percentage it is of our offense. (Not that an offense cant change styles, but is he such a player that would be worthy of such a change?)

 

[Natebishop3]

I have to admit, I haven't watched film. Can he get to the hoop? Can he finish? Does demand doubles and can he pass well out of them? That's what will be required of his position. And the three is pretty big considering how much f a percentage it is of our offense. (Not that an offense cant change styles, but is he such a player that would be worthy of such a change?)

Pretty sure he's a slasher, and most importantly he gets to the line. The guy is averaging over 8 free throw attempts per game.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

My problem with DeRozon is he has always seemed like a chucker to me. Like Crawford and Nick Young. I am sure his percentages are fine it is the shots that make you go WTF occasionally.

 

[blue9]

I'm trying to say "I wouldn't say Portland is too small a market to attract FAs."

I agree that city size doesn't have much to do with it, but quality of team DOES. Until we're a quality team we will NOT sign a marquee free agent. Monroe is not a marquee free agent, and MIL was in just as good a spot as we were, and arguably better. Only when we make the WCF will we be a destination.

 

[Blazinaway]

I'd love Durant but we'd be a very interesting team adding Derozan and Whiteside in the offseason thru FA and giving nothing up, plus a likely Top 5 pick, does Derozan play mostly SG or SF or does he do both?