Well, what Center do you want?

[BlazerCaravan]

I understand that, but where does Freeland go from there? If we get someone like Hawes or Gortat (Most likely not, but for arguments sake), does Freeland go back to 3rd C/PF now? He's worked his ass off to become a pretty good back up... now when he gets an injury and an offseason, we're just gonna put him on the bench with Claver after he's proved himself?

I'd want my vet center to be the 3rd stringer. Someone mostly washed up but good for 10 minutes in a pinch, like Juwan Howard was or Jermaine ONeal will be soon. An Earl Watson of centers who might take the young bucks under his wing as a de facto big man coach.

 

[Prue]

I'd want my vet center to be the 3rd stringer. Someone mostly washed up but good for 10 minutes in a pinch, like Juwan Howard was or Jermaine ONeal will be soon. An Earl Watson of centers who might take the young bucks under his wing as a de facto big man coach.

This is a solid concept too, and one that we'd likely have to accept. In that category though who's even on the table next year for FA like that....Frye?

 

[Strenuus]

I'd want my vet center to be the 3rd stringer. Someone mostly washed up but good for 10 minutes in a pinch, like Juwan Howard was or Jermaine ONeal will be soon. An Earl Watson of centers who might take the young bucks under his wing as a de facto big man coach.

I see what you're saying. All that said, that completely takes out Hawes and Gortat.

 

[Natebishop3]

I actually wouldn't mind someone like Asik, but the guy is going to be making so much money next season and there's really no guarantee he re-signs here.

 

[e_blazer]

Unless you're thinking that the Blazers can trade either Freeland or Leonard for a better backup center, I'm not sure that there's much point in this conversation. Most or all of the MLE money is going to get spent either re-signing Mo Williams or another backup PG. I wouldn't be averse to adding another veteran's minimum big, but those guys are in short supply and don't really move the needle anyway.

 

[Natebishop3]

Unless you're thinking that the Blazers can trade either Freeland or Leonard for a better backup center, I'm not sure that there's much point in this conversation. Most or all of the MLE money is going to get spent either re-signing Mo Williams or another backup PG. I wouldn't be averse to adding another veteran's minimum big, but those guys are in short supply and don't really move the needle anyway.

I really don't think Mo is going to get the entire MLE, or even most of it. The guy is getting up there in age, and there wasn't much of a market for him last summer. I could see us tossing him another 2 million-per-year offer over 2-3 years.

 

[e_blazer]

I really don't think Mo is going to get the entire MLE, or even most of it. The guy is getting up there in age, and there wasn't much of a market for him last summer. I could see us tossing him another 2 million-per-year offer over 2-3 years.

I know that you're far from a Mo fan, but his numbers argue that he's one of the top backup PGs in the league. He'll get $4-5 mil easy.

 

[Natebishop3]

I know that you're far from a Mo fan, but his numbers argue that he's one of the top backup PGs in the league. He'll get $4-5 mil easy.

He didn't last year. Why do you think it will change?

 

[e_blazer]

He didn't last year. Why do you think it will change?

I don't know the particulars about why he didn't get more money last year. Maybe he just needed a season away from the mess that is Utah in order to get back on GM's radar. Maybe it was simply a case of him wanting to play in Portland, knowing that was the max he could get from the Blazers because they didn't have the full MLE, but his deal would be structured so he could opt out this summer and get paid. Regardless, take a look at these numbers and tell me that Mo isn't in line for more money:

Andre Miller $4,875,000
Jose Barea $4,500,000
Steve Blake $4,000,000
Luke Ridnour $4,000,000
Mario Chalmers $4,000,000

 

[maxiep]

He didn't last year. Why do you think it will change?

Because this year he's been an instrumental part in a winning team.

 

[Strenuus]

He didn't last year. Why do you think it will change?

Just took a quick look at his stats, in 46 games last season (all starts) Shooting 43%... in 1400 minutes. In 72 games (1789 minutes) he's only gone down to 41%. it's not a fair comparison, but it's a pretty decent look. He hasn't been light years ahead of last year in any category with 370+ more minutes and 26 more games. I am not on either side of the Mo camp in terms of money, but I just wanted to see where he stood from last year.

 

[maxiep]

So, do we not have Mo's Bird Rights? I haven't looked much at the salary issues this year.

 

[e_blazer]

So, do we not have Mo's Bird Rights? I haven't looked much at the salary issues this year.

Nope. He'll be an unrestricted free agent and the non-taxpayer MLE will be the most the Blazers can offer him.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I see what you're saying. All that said, that completely takes out Hawes and Gortat.

Yeah. I can see them as stretch goals. If one of them fell in my lap, I'd dump Freeland and Leonard to maybe land a backup PG. But really, I want some old wolf like Jermaine to hang out and teach some skills to the young kids.

 

[BBert]

How about Joel Freeland? A little undersized, but plays straight up well, rebounds offensively very well, and has soft hands for a big man. Good at passing out of the key. Doesn't have a huge offensive game, but is good out to 15 feet and can can the odd wide-open jumper.

Joel sure got better between his first and second seasons. Maybe he has more room to improve.

 

[Denny Crane]

Nope. He'll be an unrestricted free agent and the non-taxpayer MLE will be the most the Blazers can offer him.

Or 120% (I believe) of his previous salary, whichever is more. 120% is less than MLE in Mo's case, tho.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Joel sure got better between his first and second seasons. Maybe he has more room to improve.

With TRob growing up strong, Joel doesn't have to do a ton, just be a baby RoLo: play solid defense, and box out so TRob can feast on rebounds.

 

[B-Roy]

Either of those guys would be a nice option, but the problem is that Lopez is going to get paid after next year, and I'm not sure having ~$20m tied up at the center position is the best move if Stotts continues to be the coach. He doesn't really utilize that position, and Hawes, for one, probably would feel like his talents are being restricted. The Blazers are lucky in that Lopez seems content to be a 'glue' guy, but the reality is he could probably have a larger role on another team, as could Hawes and Gortat. Lopez shoots FTs very well, has a passable 15' shot, and seems to be developing some moves both in the post and off of the pick and roll.

You kidding me? Hawes would love the freedom to jack up threes in Stotts's offense. Hell, Stotts likes Meyers because he can (supposedly) hit a jump shot.

 

[Natebishop3]

You kidding me? Hawes would love the freedom to jack up threes in Stotts's offense. Hell, Stotts likes Meyers because he can (supposedly) hit a jump shot.

Yeah.... Hawes' offense is perfectly suited to Stotts.

 

[Prue]

At least with Hawes (lets say we axe Meyers, Victor, and DW to get him somehow)...At least when Hawes catches the ball (which even that alone he seems to do VERY WELL compared to Meyers...who dropped how many passes in that NOP game?) he doesn't look scared when he has it.

 

[riverman]

Pay Rolo, keep Freeland and give Meyers another year is my view. TRob, Freeland, Lopez, Aldridge and Leonard are an affordable and long front court. We need elite backcourt defenders who can score. A lot depends on whether Freeland returns to form but he's our version of Nic Collison. Leonard has one more year on his rookie contract and if he works hard offseason he may become a defender, if not, there's the trade deadline next season. I wouldn't over pay for any available and affordable 5. Especially one that's injured really often like Okafor.

 

[PapaG]

You kidding me? Hawes would love the freedom to jack up threes in Stotts's offense. Hell, Stotts likes Meyers because he can (supposedly) hit a jump shot.

I must have missed where Stotts has his centers anywhere near the 3 point line.

 

[PapaG]

Pay Rolo, keep Freeland and give Meyers another year is my view. TRob, Freeland, Lopez, Aldridge and Leonard are an affordable and long front court. We need elite backcourt defenders who can score. A lot depends on whether Freeland returns to form but he's our version of Nic Collison. Leonard has one more year on his rookie contract and if he works hard offseason he may become a defender, if not, there's the trade deadline next season. I wouldn't over pay for any available and affordable 5. Especially one that's injured really often like Okafor.

Leonard has 2 more years on his rookie contract, if Portland picks up his 4th year option.

 

[B-Roy]

I must have missed where Stotts has his centers anywhere near the 3 point line.

You serious? He's not stupid enough to make Robin shoot threes but he's shown he's been willing to play Meyers over Robinson because he "spaces" the floor, despite being inept at almost every other part of the game. It's pretty clear Terry values shooting at every position. He'd have a field day with Hawes.

 

[MARIS61]

I'd trade Freeland and scrubs for McRoberts in a heartbeat, but only as a better stopgap until Leonard takes over.

 

[MARIS61]

You serious? He's not stupid enough to make Robin shoot threes but he's shown he's been willing to play Meyers over Robinson because he "spaces" the floor, despite being inept at almost every other part of the game. It's pretty clear Terry values shooting at every position. He'd have a field day with Hawes.

A player's knowledge and ability in positioning on the court is 9/10th of successful basketball, and is absolutely necessary for plays to be executed properly, rebounds to be had, shooters to be wide open...

 

[BBert]

You kidding me? Hawes would love the freedom to jack up threes in Stotts's offense. Hell, Stotts likes Meyers because he can (supposedly) hit a jump shot.

Not 'supposedly'. Leonard shoots 53% from the field and 80% from the free throw line. Maybe better with more and more regular minutes. Instead of trying to make him a center they should be trying to make him Channing Frye.

 

[e_blazer]

At least with Hawes (lets say we axe Meyers, Victor, and DW to get him somehow)...At least when Hawes catches the ball (which even that alone he seems to do VERY WELL compared to Meyers...who dropped how many passes in that NOP game?) he doesn't look scared when he has it.

Not to say that I'm thrilled with Meyers' play, but those passes that Mo and Dame tried to feed him were stupid. Bounce passes to a 7-footer in traffic? There are reasons that the words dumb and ass get combined.

 

[Prue]

Not to say that I'm thrilled with Meyers' play, but those passes that Mo and Dame tried to feed him were stupid. Bounce passes to a 7-footer in traffic? There are reasons that the words dumb and ass get combined.

No I'll give you that they wern't good passes at all...but sometimes that's part of it, what you can come up with when delt something crappy. He goes out, Rolo and Nic go in...Batman to Robin bounce pass (which wasn't that good of a pass either) yet Robin came up with it and scored...much to Mike x2's approval

 

[Blazinaway]

I'd trade Freeland and scrubs for McRoberts in a heartbeat, but only as a better stopgap until Leonard takes over.

what in Hades is Leonard going to take over? he is awful and may have even regressed this year if that is possible! Did you watch their guards out rebound him last night, he was terrible. The guy must go