Crimson the Cat
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I think a lot of basketball fans, including many Blazers' fans, have lost perspective when it comes to Portland's offseason results thus far. We're a 54 win team in the West. This ties us for second-best record in the conference. We stood toe to toe with the Lakers, Celtics, Magic, and Cavs last season. The greatest improvement, even if we landed our number one target, Hedo, was going to be the advancements made by our existing players. Some of you are mistaken if you feel other teams are laughing at us for not landing Hedo; or, missing out on Ariza and Bass. They're fucking thankful, but they're not laughing. These other teams had to make loud changes if they want to continue their success. They didn't have a choice. There isn't a doubt in my mind that Oden, Aldridge, Batum, Roy, Fernandez, and Bayless become even better basketball players next season. That's six players covering all five positions where we will be improved at.
Sure adding Hedo would have been wonderful. It didn't happen. There's no shame in that. We missed out on Carter, Jefferson, and Ariza because of this. That's just the risk involved by targeting a player and taking the necessary steps to try and get him. If we had gone after Vince Carter, many fans would be screaming that we didn't pursue Jefferson instead, since the cost was lower and he was years younger. If we had gone after Jefferson, fans would be irate that we didn't pursue Ariza. Look, the goal is to add another quality player while losing as little assets, resources, and flexibility (current and future) as possible. Hedo was going to allow us to only lose our cap space. Millsap is allowing us to only lose our cap space. I would expect the next move (Lee or Williams) to be the same. It appears to me that Pritchard understand the value and control in building a team through the draft and free agency. This leaves Portland in the driver's seat. Now, eventually, Portland will have to relinquish control to deal with other teams, but there's no reason to rush into anything, especially with solid free agents without a team.
Even if Utah matches and Millsap is snatched back, there's still quite a few free agents available that would improve our team. David Lee, Marvin Williams, Andre Miller, and Ramon Sessions are all realistic options for us. Odds are a deal structured with a "toxic" second season could deter New York in matching for Lee. Or, a deadly signing bonus could scare off Atlanta from matching for Williams. Using up all of our cap space to skyrocket the 3rd and 4th season in a deal for Sessions might be just the trick. And, there's always Miller, who would improve the team in the short term. I could see any of these teams succumbing to Portland's pressure and working a sign-and-trade deal as well, which would allow us to sign a player at a more reasonable rate and/or moving a then expendable asset. Again, Portland keeps control.
Portland isn't the big loser this offseason. They're the big winners of past offseasons, and in turn, don't need to swing for the fences. They can continue to make smart, calculated decisions for the foreseeable future. That doesn't mean that they're not improving the team. No one wants to acknowledge the additions of Victor Claver, Dante Cunningham, Jeff Pendergraph, and Patty Mills. Sure, Claver and Mills won't likely contribute next season, but like Rudy Fernandez, they'll be welcome additions in seasons to come. Cunningham and Pendergraph both bring the grit and defense we were so sorely missing from our bench big men last season. No one wants to recognize the effects of releasing poor fits, such as Sergio Rodriguez, Channing Frye, and eventually Travis Outlaw. While all three are and will be quality players in the league for some time, they're not suitable for us any longer. Their absence opens the door for other more suitable options, such as Bayless or Fernandez). Even the non-moves in keeping both Koponen and Freeland were rewards as far I'm concerned.
So, shit, have a little restraint before you spout off about how our team is doing zilch. Show a little appreciation and even a little respect for the job they've done. And, maybe open your eyes to realize that they are indeed refining the team, just not at your pace, but at their pace. And really, isn't that how it should be?
K. I feel better now.
Sure adding Hedo would have been wonderful. It didn't happen. There's no shame in that. We missed out on Carter, Jefferson, and Ariza because of this. That's just the risk involved by targeting a player and taking the necessary steps to try and get him. If we had gone after Vince Carter, many fans would be screaming that we didn't pursue Jefferson instead, since the cost was lower and he was years younger. If we had gone after Jefferson, fans would be irate that we didn't pursue Ariza. Look, the goal is to add another quality player while losing as little assets, resources, and flexibility (current and future) as possible. Hedo was going to allow us to only lose our cap space. Millsap is allowing us to only lose our cap space. I would expect the next move (Lee or Williams) to be the same. It appears to me that Pritchard understand the value and control in building a team through the draft and free agency. This leaves Portland in the driver's seat. Now, eventually, Portland will have to relinquish control to deal with other teams, but there's no reason to rush into anything, especially with solid free agents without a team.
Even if Utah matches and Millsap is snatched back, there's still quite a few free agents available that would improve our team. David Lee, Marvin Williams, Andre Miller, and Ramon Sessions are all realistic options for us. Odds are a deal structured with a "toxic" second season could deter New York in matching for Lee. Or, a deadly signing bonus could scare off Atlanta from matching for Williams. Using up all of our cap space to skyrocket the 3rd and 4th season in a deal for Sessions might be just the trick. And, there's always Miller, who would improve the team in the short term. I could see any of these teams succumbing to Portland's pressure and working a sign-and-trade deal as well, which would allow us to sign a player at a more reasonable rate and/or moving a then expendable asset. Again, Portland keeps control.
Portland isn't the big loser this offseason. They're the big winners of past offseasons, and in turn, don't need to swing for the fences. They can continue to make smart, calculated decisions for the foreseeable future. That doesn't mean that they're not improving the team. No one wants to acknowledge the additions of Victor Claver, Dante Cunningham, Jeff Pendergraph, and Patty Mills. Sure, Claver and Mills won't likely contribute next season, but like Rudy Fernandez, they'll be welcome additions in seasons to come. Cunningham and Pendergraph both bring the grit and defense we were so sorely missing from our bench big men last season. No one wants to recognize the effects of releasing poor fits, such as Sergio Rodriguez, Channing Frye, and eventually Travis Outlaw. While all three are and will be quality players in the league for some time, they're not suitable for us any longer. Their absence opens the door for other more suitable options, such as Bayless or Fernandez). Even the non-moves in keeping both Koponen and Freeland were rewards as far I'm concerned.
So, shit, have a little restraint before you spout off about how our team is doing zilch. Show a little appreciation and even a little respect for the job they've done. And, maybe open your eyes to realize that they are indeed refining the team, just not at your pace, but at their pace. And really, isn't that how it should be?
K. I feel better now.
