Source: Blazers Identified As 'Wild Card' For Omer Asik

[magnifier661]

Lopez and Freeland, combined for 48 minutes, get you Asik's production last year in 30.

Our back-up center is the true need. Freeland should be our back up PF. If we had Hawes and Lopez, we'd not be having this debate.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I don't know what you're trying to argue about. What divergence have I claimed? I've said that I don't have an opinion on Asik because I haven't seen him play...I just have a suspicion that people are selling him short.
But yes - Joel was good defensively. Better than Lopez. I think we'd be better if we had that sort of interior defense right now. With that said, I wonder how Joel would stack up against today's talent. When he played there was really only one C (unless I'm completely blanking) who had to be guarded. These days probably 1/3rd of teams have a capable C that demand attention.

Perhaps I misinterpreted. Sorry. From your posts, I got the impression that you were seeing "Przybilla-tier" as a major denigration, as though equivalent to "scrub".

I remember Przybilla as a prototypical defensive center, with very little offensive ability outside of putbacks and the pick-and-roll. Good enough to be a starter on a contender, but clearly not an all-star, and in no way worthy of a major asset return in the trade market. Seems to me that that's exactly where Asik falls, and I haven't really seen a major change in regard to that perception.

 

[blue9]

Perhaps I misinterpreted. Sorry. From your posts, I got the impression that you were seeing "Przybilla-tier" as a major denigration, as though equivalent to "scrub".

I remember Przybilla as a prototypical defensive center, with very little offensive ability outside of putbacks and the pick-and-roll. Good enough to be a starter on a contender, but clearly not an all-star, and in no way worthy of a major asset return in the trade market. Seems to me that that's exactly where Asik falls, and I haven't really seen a major change in regard to that perception.

I'm definitely not denigrating Joel! I liked him a lot, and we could use a player like him now. I just wonder if "Przybilla tier" is selling Asik short. For much of Joel's career he was thought of as a scrub. I don't know that Asik has ever been viewed that way. But mainly I just think it's a little silly how popular opinion of Asik has changed SO dramatically.

 

[Draco]

It's funny to me that Asik was once thought of as one of the best Cs in the league, and we would be head-over-heels giddy to get him. And now that we have a capable C he's "Przybilla tier".
I haven't seen him enough to have an opinion, but I suspect his ability leans (if only slightly) more towards the Hibbert end of the spectrum than the Przybilla end.

Nobody ever thought he was one of the best centers in the league. He’s a role players, a good one but not a cornerstone of a franchise. Chicago let him walk when they had the right to match. They could’ve matched and traded him a few months later if he had value. Thats what Orlando did with Gortat. Houston could’ve paired Asik with Josh Smith this last summer if they thought Asik was one of the better centers.

Sure many teams would’ve been happy to get Asik in the summer. But a team like us isn't giving up a starter for him. We’d still be excited to add him as our best backup today but stll not by giving up a starter. Houston is delusional in thinking he is worth so much when nobody else was willing to sign him to that contract.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Morey unfollowed Milsap today

Like a heartbroken ex-gf.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Our back-up center is the true need. Freeland should be our back up PF. If we had Hawes and Lopez, we'd not be having this debate.

What makes you think Hawes would be such a good back up center? He could be just like Asik is for the Rockets right now. He has proven that he is a starting quality center.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

What makes you think Hawes would be such a good back up center? He could be just like Asik is for the Rockets right now. He has proven that he is a starting quality center.

For one thing, we have more center minutes available than Houston does. For another, his and Lopez's games work much better together than Howard's and Asik's. And third, Spencer can hit a three, which would be perfect in Stotts' offense.

 

[magnifier661]

What makes you think Hawes would be such a good back up center? He could be just like Asik is for the Rockets right now. He has proven that he is a starting quality center.

You could be right, but it's not like Asik at all. Howard is a high 30 minute superstar. Asik knew his playing time would drop considerably. In Portland, Hawes could easily average 20-25 minutes, giving Lopez rest.

 

[BBert]

Lopez/Hawes would be a great two-headed tag team tandem.

Get 'er done Olshey!!

 

[Natebishop3]

Have there been any actual rumors about Hawes being on the block? The only name I've actually seen is Young.

 

[magnifier661]

Have there been any actual rumors about Hawes being on the block? The only name I've actually seen is Young.

Usually the players not talked about are the ones in discussion!

 

[Natebishop3]

Usually the players not talked about are the ones in discussion!

Well, at this point, I would not put CJ on the block at all. I would definitely talk about moving Robinson for the right price.

How bitter would you be if we moved Robinson, Leonard, and Barton for Hawes only to have him leave this summer?

 

[magnifier661]

Well, at this point, I would not put CJ on the block at all. I would definitely talk about moving Robinson for the right price.

How bitter would you be if we moved Robinson, Leonard, and Barton for Hawes only to have him leave this summer?

I'm sure Olshey wouldn't trade for Hawes unless he knows for certain he can keep him.

 

[Natebishop3]

I'm sure Olshey wouldn't trade for Hawes unless he knows for certain he can keep him.

I trust Neil.

I would feel really awful about trading Robinson though. The guy works really hard. He seems like a good kid. I just see him as a project right now, and we need proven assets. We already have so many young guys with CJ, Dame, Nic, and even Robin. We need some more veteran help imo.

 

[magnifier661]

I trust Neil.

I would feel really awful about trading Robinson though. The guy works really hard. He seems like a good kid. I just see him as a project right now, and we need proven assets. We already have so many young guys with CJ, Dame, Nic, and even Robin. We need some more veteran help imo.

Same here, but sometimes you need to make tough decision to get to that next level. And honestly, being in Philly would only help him improve.


Go Blazers!

 

[Natebishop3]

Same here, but sometimes you need to make tough decision to get to that next level. And honestly, being in Philly would only help him improve.


Go Blazers!

The sad thing is that I wouldn't mind having someone like Asik on the team, but Houston is being completely unrealistic about their expectations out of the deal. If they turned down Bass, Lee and a first for Asik, they've completely lost touch with reality. They aren't getting someone like Milsap.