Exclusive The Kanter poll

[oldmangrouch]

We either get him or we stick them with a potentially bad contract. It's their choice really. They were reluctant to give Harden a similar deal years ago so they moved him. I'm not sold that owner will commit that money to him. I think there is a decent chance he will be ours in a few days.

I think there's a real good chance Presti just faked Olshey right out of his jock.

 

[riverman]

We're on track to have all the 7' white guys in the NBA

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I think there's a real good chance Presti just faked Olshey right out of his jock.

How so?

 

[oldmangrouch]

How so?

Given the Thunder's financial philosophy, I don't believe for one minute they intend to match a max offer. IMHO their comments were intended to either scare off other teams or panic them into over-paying.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Given the Thunder's financial philosophy, I don't believe for one minute they intend to match a max offer. IMHO their comments were intended to either scare off other teams or panic them into over-paying.

I don't see how that money for a 25 PER player with room to improve is overpaying, especially at the end of his contract. Sure he could be a bust, but he's an offensive monster at 23. He's younger than Legend, so you know he has room to improve, just like Legend does.

 

[riverman]

23 year old 20/10 guy gets the same contract that 28-29 year old Wes got from the Mavs..and Wes just ruptured his achilles..which is the better risk?

 

[Hobbesarable]

Doesn't matter if he ends up with the Blazers or Thunder, do you like the move?

You didn't give an "I think this may be a crappy move, but I will need to see him playing with our team on a regular basis in order to be certain" option.

 

[adrenalize74]

I voted sky falling. But WHAT is falling from the is whats important, and that would be rings.....Championship rings!

 

[blue9]

When I first heard of the signing I was very unhappy, but I've since read, watched clips, and realized a few things that have totally changed my perspective. Yes, he was a terrible defensive player, but in OKC he was just a tad below average. This show a big improvement. And, he just turned 23 in May, so he's very young and showing improvement. Also, when watching clips of his bad D, it's not like some people who are lazy, he crouches low, tries to do well, but has a poor feel for who he's defending and what they want to do. This mainly takes a lot of effort, coaching and time on the court. In PDX he will get that. He is never going to be a great defender, but if he gets to be an average one, while being an elite offensive player and very good rebounder, well that's a great get. I'm pleased as punch.

This is pretty much exactly the various stages of how I've felt about it. And because of that I think it's highly unlikely he lands with us. Watching him makes me wonder all over again why people thought/think LMA is special.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

This is pretty much exactly the various stages of how I've felt about it. And because of that I think it's highly unlikely he lands with us. Watching him makes me wonder all over again why people thought/think LMA is special.

Because he was OUR imperfect player.

 

[Draco]

I pray OKC matches.

I think they do because of their unique situation having to impress Durant and letting Kanter walk provides zero benefit on the basketball court. They might actually like paying some luxury tax for this one season as then they can point to this and say "see Durant we are committed to paying for a winner"

I want nothing to do with Kanter at the max though. Not sure I want him on the team for the MLE; he is a selfish ball hog who can't play defense.

 

[Schilly]

Is it a fake if he says after the offer is signed that they intend to match? I think he was trying to bluff us and Neil called his bluff.

 

[Further]

I pray OKC matches.

I think they do because of their unique situation having to impress Durant and letting Kanter walk provides zero benefit on the basketball court. They might actually like paying some luxury tax for this one season as then they can point to this and say "see Durant we are committed to paying for a winner"

I want nothing to do with Kanter at the max though. Not sure I want him on the team for the MLE; he is a selfish ball hog who can't play defense.

The issue is also that the signing was for 4 years with a no trade clause, so it's not just paying the tax for one year, it's also going to hamstring them in the future. Also, they have Steven Adams and Mitch McGary, both cheaper but very good up and coming Centers who can provide better defense to pair with Durant and Westbrook. If healthy, they don't need offense from the center spot.

 

[Further]

70mil seems like a hell of a lot, but in 2 years the cap is projected to be at 108mil, about 40 more than it is now. At that point, this contract will be a bargain if Enes stays healthy and just improves a tiny bit on D. But for a cash strapped OKC, I'm not sure they are willing to overpay in the short term.

 

[magnifier661]

This is pretty much exactly the various stages of how I've felt about it. And because of that I think it's highly unlikely he lands with us. Watching him makes me wonder all over again why people thought/think LMA is special.

Dude u still blabbing about your hatred of Aldridge?!? I think we'd finally see the end the moment he left?

 

[oldmangrouch]

I don't see how that money for a 25 PER player with room to improve is overpaying, especially at the end of his contract. Sure he could be a bust, but he's an offensive monster at 23. He's younger than Legend, so you know he has room to improve, just like Legend does.

Nonetheless, this is a team with a well established history of fiscal conservatism. This wouldn't be the first time they made a decision based on finances rather than basketball. Even if you are correct about Kanter (we will just have to agree to disagree), I believe the Blazers overpaid because they were bidding against themselves. No one else, including the Thunder, would have made offered him that much. Presti exaggerated the amount of competition we were facing, and Olshey fell for it.

If the Thunder actually match, I will gladly and publicly admit I was completely wrong about the situation

 

[BlazerCaravan]

If the Thunder actually match, I will gladly and publicly admit I was completely wrong about the situation

That covers one of your possible outcomes...

...if Kanter turns out to be awesome in three years, will you also gladly and publicly admit you were completely wrong about the situation?

 

[Scalma]

I think too much is being put into KDs upcoming FA. I honestly don't think this decision will have any affect on durant or his thought process. If I had to bet money, I think he's going to leave either way. I also wouldn't match because if KD does leave, then what? You're stuck paying kanter and he will be almost untradeable. I know he's young but nobody will want to pay him 20 per, even with the new cap.

 

[Scalma]

Nonetheless, this is a team with a well established history of fiscal conservatism. This wouldn't be the first time they made a decision based on finances rather than basketball. Even if you are correct about Kanter (we will just have to agree to disagree), I believe the Blazers overpaid because they were bidding against themselves. No one else, including the Thunder, would have made offered him that much. Presti exaggerated the amount of competition we were facing, and Olshey fell for it.

If the Thunder actually match, I will gladly and publicly admit I was completely wrong about the situation

Or maybe just maybe Olshey did everything he could to get kanter. If he wanted Monroe so bad, I don't see why he wouldn't want Kanter.

 

[oldmangrouch]

23 year old 20/10 guy gets the same contract that 28-29 year old Wes got from the Mavs..and Wes just ruptured his achilles..which is the better risk?

As I said in another thread, I would have rather gambled on Wes. A healthy Wes is a more valuable player. He gives a significant contribution on both sides of the ball, he is an asset in the locker-room, and he plays a position where we are thin. Kanter is one dimensional, has a history of being a problem in the locker-room, and may well wind up being redundant with Leonard. (not to mention taking minutes away from Plumlee and Leonard - unless they beat him out and Kanter becomes the $17 Mil version of Kaman)

 

[Scalma]

Wes doesn't fit our current model though. By the time we get competitive he'll be in his 30s, where as kanter will still be approaching his prime, like the rest of the squad.

 

[Chris Craig]

You can quote me on this, "Oklahoma will not match Portland's offer."

 

[Chris Craig]

They will bring in Kevin Seraphin

 

[tester551]

I pray OKC matches.

I think they do because of their unique situation having to impress Durant and letting Kanter walk provides zero benefit on the basketball court. They might actually like paying some luxury tax for this one season as then they can point to this and say "see Durant we are committed to paying for a winner"

I want nothing to do with Kanter at the max though. Not sure I want him on the team for the MLE; he is a selfish ball hog who can't play defense.

Kanter has a usage rate of around 22 with approx 17 shots per 36 minutes. That is about where LMA was when he was 23/24. Last year LMA had a usage of around 30 with 23 shots per 36 minutes.

He is nowhere near the black hole LMA IS.

 

[blazers2285]

Also watching Kanter highlights he is good a passing when he does not have a shot and either pops or rolls to the rim very well. He would be a great LA replacement. He has a running hook across the middle that is money and he sets better screens than LA. LA may have him on d but LA also has 6 years on him. Kanter could be a terror. We got beat up by memphis. Kanter would help in that regard.

 

[dviss1]

The issue is also that the signing was for 4 years with a no trade clause, so it's not just paying the tax for one year, it's also going to hamstring them in the future. Also, they have Steven Adams and Mitch McGary, both cheaper but very good up and coming Centers who can provide better defense to pair with Durant and Westbrook. If healthy, they don't need offense from the center spot.

It's a trade kicker. They are 2 completely different things.

 

[dviss1]

Does everyone forget the defensive liability Lamarcus was in his first few years here?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Does everyone forget the defensive liability Lamarcus was in his first few years here?

It seems they all have. That's one reason why I haven't been concerned about Kanter's apparently horrific defense; because we've already seen something similar.

Nobody thinks this team is a fished product, even if we do get Kanter. He's got time to improve.

 

[magnifier661]

Getting Kanter would be the diarrhea on top of what would be dog shit of a cake for this off-season. Please match, OKC!

If we're going to tank, let's do it right. None of this half-ass shit.

I don't think we are tanking

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Coming into the league LMA had a negative DBPM/BPM as well. Though, not nearly as bad as Kanter's but he was well below average.