What all really happened

[barfo]

I will be anxious to see if KP will actually trade one of his players. I've stated this many times, but I really think it is his kryptonite. I don't think he has the guts to do that.

Didn't he trade Sergio?

barfo

 

[Mediocre Man]

Didn't he trade Sergio?

barfo

And here I thought you would try and disprove me?

Sergio didn't pan out. We needed to not only give up an additional pick to get rid of him, we needed to pay them also. I suppose I should have been more clear and said one of his good players, or player others around the league might view as good. Blake, Outlaw, Joel, Batum, Bayless, Rudy, Webster maybe. You know, trading a piece or two to bring back an asset?

 

[barfo]

And here I thought you would try and disprove me?

Sergio didn't pan out. We needed to not only give up an additional pick to get rid of him, we needed to pay them also. I suppose I should have been more clear and said one of his good players, or player others around the league might view as good. Blake, Outlaw, Joel, Batum, Bayless, Rudy, Webster maybe. You know, trading a piece or two to bring back an asset?

Well, I guess if he trades Roy that would disprove the theory. And actually, I don't think that's crazy. If we got a superstar PG or SF, then we could afford the loss of Roy since we have Rudy waiting in the wings.

barfo

 

[oldmangrouch]

That's why they call it *free* agency....the guy can base his choice on whatever he wants.

No point in trying to blame anyone. As long as KP has a viable plan B, it is time to move on.

 

[alex42083]

Oh well.. despite all this 'trying to look at this objectively' nonsense , there's no doubt in my mind when Toronto comes to play here next season, Hedo will get booed by Blazer fans. Right or wrong, it'll make an interesting subplot and I hope we kick the Raptors' ass by 50 at the RG.

 

[Shooter]

If you think you will be happier somewhere else, then go there.

If you think you will be happier somewhere else, then don't make a verbal commitment to Portland. How's that?

 

[crandc]

If you think you will be happier somewhere else, then don't make a verbal commitment to Portland. How's that?

Don't faint, everyone, but I actually agree with Shooter.

Had Turkoglu come to Portland, said he is considering two offers and would get back to KP et al, then decided to go to Toronto for all the reasons he said - and they are good ones - I would be disappointed but that's life. If you have two job offers you are going to consider both and say yes to one. But he said he would take Portland's offer. The first I heard otherwise was watching tennis and seeing the scroll at the bottom of the screen on ESPN. I thought I'd read wrong and waited for it to come back.

I am surprised at just how furious I am. I think it's because Portland Trail Blazers worked so hard to become respectable again after being the joke of the NBA. Here they are with a good and improving team, a manic fan base, an owner who is engaged and willing to spend, a general manager who made great decisions, everything good and happy and warm and fuzzy, and Turkoglu treated the team like Jail Blazers.

And I don't think the issue was this or that mistake KP made. Sure, we are all geniuses in hind sight, right? But the bottom line is that Turkoglu wanted to go elsewhere and went back on his word. I suppose that's better than having him sulk here for 5 years, although personally I think he'd have been happy. But as Shooter said, don't give your word until you're sure.

 

[ABM]

If you think you will be happier somewhere else, then don't make a verbal commitment to Portland. How's that?

He was overruled by the chief at the 11th hour. That ever happen to you? Unfortunately, it's happened to me on several occasions. Consequently, and as I've often said, you can be right (her terms).........or you can be dead right. The former has kept my heart pumping.

 

[Ed O]

Clearly verbal commitments aren't binding. I can understand why the Blazers would feel "aggrieved" but if they really thought they "had him", there would have been NO REASON to give him the dog and pony show in the city. They would have done what Detroit and other teams have done this summer: make an announcement and then had a press conference on July 8 (or whenever contracts can be signed).

Portland hosting Hedo is, to me, a sign that neither side REALLY saw the deal as sealed.

I don't blame Portland for trying to convince Hedo by showing him the city... I like Portland, personally. I also don't blame Hedo or his wife for preferring a city that's bigger and more cosmopolitan... or for accepting the larger contract.

Ed O.