MARIS61
Real American
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2008
- Messages
- 28,007
- Likes
- 5,012
- Points
- 113
I'm not sure what stars the Blazers lost. The only star players who moved were Steve Nash and Ray Allen, both at the tail ends of their careers, hoping to chase a ring. Oshley already made it clear the Blazers are not going to pursue aging stars. Dwight Howard is jerking around 3 or 4 teams. Deron Williams decided to stay put, so did Tim Duncan, not that there was ever any doubt. Maybe the Blazers should have gone after Jarrett Jack?
So easy to carp. Let's hear what they SHOULD have done.
Right, of course, Whitsitt would have found a way to get Nash, Duncan, Howard, Allen, Williams and win as many championships as he already has ... zero.
Nash and Allen both signed for 3 years, which is nothing to sneeze. In those 3 years Nash will produce far better than any point guard Portland has ever had at any time in it's 4+ decade history. At 9 mil a year. Probably the best deal of the century so far for PG's. Allen signed at $3 mil a year, and will out-produce anyone we have coming off the bench at much higher salaries. Nash will most likely sign another contract when this one expires and be a top PG well into his late 40's. For what we're willing to pay Batum we could have had both of them.
Most likely Whitsitt would have targeted Nash and Howard, filling the 2 most obvious persistent needs we've been without since, well, since Bob Whitsitt was GM. Nash has been saying for 2 years he'd be interested in playing here, and a 5 year contract would have sealed the deal. Howard will have to go wherever he is traded.
Duncan and Williams stayed put simply because they received no better offers. GM's these days have no sales skills. They don't sell the franchise or city to the player, they simply offer as much money as their owner will let them and cross their fingers. They have no idea what motivates a player to choose where he will play and where his kids will go to school...
BRING BACK BOB!

