Time to rebuild?

[Shooter]

Is it time to rebuild the Blazers?

It looks as if this team has leveled out and is ready to decline, with Roy and Oden both cursed with weak knees that will probably only get worse over time. I hate to sit by and watch this team hover around .500 for the next several years and keep flaming out in the first round of the playoffs, or not even making the playoffs.

As Kenny Rogers said, "You gotta know when to hold 'em, and know when to fold 'em." Is it time to fold 'em and start adding some first-round picks? We might be able to get a first-round pick right now for Roy, and one for Oden, too.

I think trying to build a championship team around those two guys is foolhardy. I know it's hard to start over, and go through the struggles that come with a young team, but this edition of the Blazers is going nowhere fast.

 

[RoyToy]

 

[Natebishop3]

Rebuild how? We JUST signed Roy and Aldridge to huge contracts. We're going to have to extend Batum, Oden, and possibly even Rudy depending on how things go. Matthews has a big contract. Camby and Miller have another year on their contracts. What would you do?

 

[Minstrel]

It's just pre-season.

Okay, it's actually not, but you're still jumping the gun on the "tear it down and rebuild" cannon.

 

[MickZagger]

No.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Yes. Rebuild the Blazers medical and training staff.

 

[Shooter]

Rebuild how? We JUST signed Roy and Aldridge to huge contracts. We're going to have to extend Batum, Oden, and possibly even Rudy depending on how things go. Matthews has a big contract. Camby and Miller have another year on their contracts. What would you do?

I'd keep Aldridge, Batum, Matthews, Cunningham, and Johnson, and build around them.

I'd try to get rid of Roy, Oden, Przybilla, Miller, and Fernandez. Even as "damaged goods," Roy would be attractive to a few teams out there, and I'm positive there are several who would take a chance on Oden.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

As Waylon Jennings said, "You gotta know when to hold 'em, and know when to fold 'em." Is it time to fold 'em and start adding some first-round picks? We might be able to get a first-round pick right now for Roy, and one for Oden, too.

Waylon Jennings didn't say that.

But he did say this,

[video=youtube;zRX4mlFi06A]

 

[RoyToy]

Good thing Batum is the next Scottie Pippen.

 

[Natebishop3]

I'd keep Aldridge, Batum, Matthews, Cunningham, and Johnson, and build around them.

I'd try to get rid of Roy, Oden, Przybilla, Miller, and Fernandez. Even as "damaged goods," Roy would be attractive to a few teams out there, and I'm positive there are several who would take a chance on Oden.

Not with the contract he has. The guy has a max contract, and with news of his knee problems spreading, I can guarantee that you won't get decent value for him. Not even close.

At this point, why give up on Oden? Why not wait until he comes back just to see how he does? It's like you're folding without even looking at your cards.

 

[Shooter]

Not with the contract he has. The guy has a max contract, and with news of his knee problems spreading, I can guarantee that you won't get decent value for him. Not even close.

Maybe not, but I bet we'll get more for him now than we will in 2 years.

At this point, why give up on Oden? Why not wait until he comes back just to see how he does? It's like you're folding without even looking at your cards.

Oh, I've looked at those cards, believe me. Those are very suspect cards. Every time you think you might have a winning hand, it all comes crashing down.

 

[Minstrel]

Portland doesn't rebuild, they reload.

 

[Reep]

They are only 6 difference from having an amazing start to the season (the two OKC losses). I would give them time.

 

[DeanMoriarty]

Two years of first round exits isn't a large enough sample. Even then, it was with either a)The youngest team in the league or b)an injured team without two of their main starters.

Just before these past four years, we went through one of worst periods in Blazer history...and now, you want to go back. Great idea!

 

[Shooter]

Just before these past four years, we went through one of worst periods in Blazer history...and now, you want to go back. Great idea!

I want to build a team that can win a championship. Do you think this version of the Blazers is capable of that?

 

[julius]

I'd rather the team rebound.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I want to build a team that can win a championship. Do you think this version of the Blazers is capable of that?

This is where I disagree with you. We tried building a championship team- and this is the result. It's possible we may not even make the playoffs this season. Personally I think we will, but not without healthy centers.

My way of thinking is that rather than constantly shooting for the moon (and the resulting unrest from unmet expectations) I'd build a solid team with great depth. A team built to make the playoffs consistently and then see what shakes out. Once that team is in place, fine tune it to get better and possibly upgrade. Detroit won a title recently with no players that will make the hall of fame. Just a team of solid, smart veterans that had good chemistry. The Spurs have won one or two titles with a borderline hall of famer in Duncan. We can, too. We don't need a team of all-stars- just good, smart players that play well together. We took a good step when we unloaded Bayless and I think we will continue to make progress.

 

[MrSelfDestruct]

This is where I disagree with you. We tried building a championship team- and this is the result. It's possible we may not even make the playoffs this season. Personally I think we will, but not without healthy centers.

My way of thinking is that rather than constantly shooting for the moon (and the resulting unrest from unmet expectations) I'd build a solid team with great depth. A team built to make the playoffs consistently and then see what shakes out. Once that team is in place, fine tune it to get better and possibly upgrade. Detroit won a title recently with no players that will make the hall of fame. Just a team of solid, smart veterans that had good chemistry. The Spurs have won one or two titles with a borderline hall of famer in Duncan. We can, too. We don't need a team of all-stars- just good, smart players that play well together. We took a good step when we unloaded Bayless and I think we will continue to make progress.

Duncan is first-ballot HOF IMO.

While I don't think it's necessarily time to rebuild, I don't think ANYONE on the roster should be considered untouchable at this point.

 

[Natebishop3]

Duncan is first-ballot HOF IMO.

While I don't think it's necessarily time to rebuild, I don't think ANYONE on the roster should be considered untouchable at this point.

Yeah, I don't see how TD wouldn't be in the HOF right away after he retires.

 

[BGrantFan]

Is it time to rebuild the Blazers?

It looks as if this team has leveled out and is ready to decline, with Roy and Oden both cursed with weak knees that will probably only get worse over time. I hate to sit by and watch this team hover around .500 for the next several years and keep flaming out in the first round of the playoffs, or not even making the playoffs.

As Kenny Rogers said, "You gotta know when to hold 'em, and know when to fold 'em." Is it time to fold 'em and start adding some first-round picks? We might be able to get a first-round pick right now for Roy, and one for Oden, too.

I think trying to build a championship team around those two guys is foolhardy. I know it's hard to start over, and go through the struggles that come with a young team, but this edition of the Blazers is going nowhere fast.

What happened to what Waylon Jennings said?

 

[Natebishop3]

What happened to what Waylon Jennings said?

You must be mistaken..... lol

 

[MickZagger]

Tim Duncan borderline HOF?

The guy was the centerpiece of 4 NBA titles. 3x Finals MVP, 2x league MVP, 12x All-Star.

He's as surefire HOF as it gets.

 

[Natebishop3]

Tim Duncan borderline HOF?

The guy was the centerpiece of 4 NBA titles. 3x Finals MVP, 2x league MVP, 12x All-Star.

He's as surefire HOF as it gets.

Pure crazy talk.

 

[Nikolokolus]

With Roy and LMA's contract you might as well get used to this team for a little while. I'm sure there will be tweaks made and some trades around edges, but neither of those guys are going to be very movable for a couple of years (at best).

 

[Natebishop3]

With Roy and LMA's contract you might as well get used to this team for a little while. I'm sure there will be tweaks made and some trades around edges, but neither of those guys are going to be very movable for a couple of years (at best).

Pretty much, and unless we plan on letting Batum and Oden walk away for nothing, they will both have significant contracts as well.

 

[julius]

I refuse to believe anyone who has watched more than 20 seconds of basketball actually considers Duncan a "borderline" HOFer.

 

[Rhal]

Tim Duncan borderline HOF?

The guy was the centerpiece of 4 NBA titles. 3x Finals MVP, 2x league MVP, 12x All-Star.

He's as surefire HOF as it gets.

Yea Duncan will go down as one of the best PF this game has ever seen. Best PF of his generation and one of the most efficient players ever.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Tim Duncan borderline HOF?

The guy was the centerpiece of 4 NBA titles. 3x Finals MVP, 2x league MVP, 12x All-Star.

He's as surefire HOF as it gets.

OK, OK, he's a HOF for sure. My thoughts were that he's no Wilt or MJ and the TEAM plays very well.

 

[julius]

OK, OK, he's a HOF for sure. My thoughts were that he's no Wilt or MJ and the TEAM plays very well.

Quite an insanely high standard you've set there, Pablo. Because neither are 99% of the league and fellow HOF'ers.

 

[Natebishop3]

OK, OK, he's a HOF for sure. My thoughts were that he's no Wilt or MJ and the TEAM plays very well.

I agree. They need a HOF for HOFers. The cream of the crop. The best of the best. Tim Duncan would not be a HOF of the HOFer.