What's the latest on Festus Ezeli?

[Mediocre Man]

So, you're pissed that they drafted Bill Walton? Wasn't he a WABC?

BNM

Great counterpoint. The league ABSOLUTELY hasn't changed since the 70s

 

[Boob-No-More]

Great counterpoint. The league ABSOLUTELY hasn't changed since the 70s

So, what exactly is your point? In the entire history of the team, we have drafted EXACTLY one WABC in the lottery.

Given our luck with Greg Oden, Sam Bowie and LaRue Martin, perhaps it's the BABC we should be avoiding.

And since skin pigmentation has nothing to actually do with anything, maybe we should just avoid using high draft picks on centers period.

BNM

 

[PtldPlatypus]

So, what exactly is your point? In the entire history of the team, we have drafted EXACTLY one WABC in the lottery.

Given our luck with Greg Oden, Sam Bowie and LaRue Martin, perhaps it's the BABC we should be avoiding.

And since skin pigmentation has nothing to actually do with anything, maybe we should just avoid using high draft picks on centers period.

BNM

Leonard was a lottery WABC, and MM's favorite (as we all know).

Your point about centers in general is well-said.

 

[Minstrel]

What does the "AB" in "WABC" stand for? I groked the "W" and "C."

 

[Boob-No-More]

Leonard was a lottery WABC, and MM's favorite (as we all know).

That's a single data point, yet he extends his hatred of Meyers Leonard to all WABC.

We didn't draft them but Joel Przybilla and Mason Plumlee are both WABC that have played for the Blazers in recent years. Guess we should have avoided them too based on the low level of melanin in their skin and country of birth.

BNM

 

[Boob-No-More]

What does the "AB" in "WABC" stand for? I groked the "W" and "C."

America Born. His hatred doesn't extend to white centers born outside of the US.

BNM

 

[Minstrel]

Ah ha. Cool, thanks.

 

[Mediocre Man]

That's a single data point, yet he extends his hatred of Meyers Leonard to all WABC.

We didn't draft them but Joel Przybilla and Mason Plumlee are both WABC that have played for the Blazers in recent years. Guess we should have avoided them too based on the low level of melanin in their skin and country of birth.

BNM

I have zero problens with WABC's. Its when we waste a lottery pick on one that's the issue. Them or someone from the Cuse.

 

[Boob-No-More]

I have zero problens with WABC's. Its when we waste a lottery pick on one that's the issue. Them or someone from the Cuse.

So, why don't you feel the same way about the lottery picks we've wasted on players of other positions and skin colors?

The first lottery pick in team history wasted on Sebastian Telfair. He was neither white, nor a center.

What about Martell Webster. Again, not white, not a center. We could have had Chris Paul.

What about Greg Oden. He was a center, but not white. We could have had Kevin Durant.

Meyers Leonard is the only WABC this team has ever used a lottery pick on, and it wasn't even a high lottery pick (like Oden or Webster). And, it's not like we passed on any sure fire future Hall of Famers to take Meyers. There was no Kevin Durant or CP3 available where we picked.

Who the fuck should we have taken at pick #11 in 2012 that would have made a difference? I recall you were high in Jeremy Lamb and maybe John Henson. Big fucking deal. Both have had pretty meh careers to date and neither are any kind of needle movers. The only players that have had any kind of impact who were taken after Meyers Leonard in that draft were Draymond Green, Jae Crowder and Khris Middleton, and they were all taken in the second round. So, it's not like they were considered sure fire contributors.

BNM

 

[chzbrgr]

We went through this shit with Oden. His body never recovered in the projected timeline after his second microfracture, and it was actually the end of his career. Festus probably has some sort of chronic issue that makes it physically dangerous for him to continue playing (even though he probably could). There's a good chance his career is done.

This so much this

 

[Mediocre Man]

So, why don't you feel the same way about the lottery picks we've wasted on players of other positions and skin colors?

The first lottery pick in team history wasted on Sebastian Telfair. He was neither white, nor a center.

What about Martell Webster. Again, not white, not a center. We could have had Chris Paul.

What about Greg Oden. He was a center, but not white. We could have had Kevin Durant.

Meyers Leonard is the only WABC this team has ever used a lottery pick on, and it wasn't even a high lottery pick (like Oden or Webster). And, it's not like we passed on any sure fire future Hall of Famers to take Meyers. There was no Kevin Durant or CP3 available where we picked.

Who the fuck should we have taken at pick #11 in 2012 that would have made a difference? I recall you were high in Jeremy Lamb and maybe John Henson. Big fucking deal. Both have had pretty meh careers to date and neither are any kind of needle movers. The only players that have had any kind of impact who were taken after Meyers Leonard in that draft were Draymond Green, Jae Crowder and Khris Middleton, and they were all taken in the second round. So, it's not like they were considered sure fire contributors.

BNM

Preconceived opinion. MOST WABC's through the years have been stiffs. I'd rather stay away from them.

 

[Nikolokolus]

We aren't counting on shit.

"We don't know when" is literally the worst answer you can get when talking about a player's injury. It either means:

a.) We know what is wrong, and it's going to probably keep him out the whole season or more, but we don't want to disclose it to the media.
b.) We actually don't know what the fuck is wrong, and who knows when or if he will ever play again

We went through this shit with Oden. His body never recovered in the projected timeline after his second microfracture, and it was actually the end of his career. Festus probably has some sort of chronic issue that makes it physically dangerous for him to continue playing (even though he probably could). There's a good chance his career is done.

It's a good analysis and explains why we got him so cheaply. GMs around the league had to know there's a high chance he's just done, otherwise he still would have gotten a pretty good payday if they thought his issue was just a matter of rehabilitation for 6 months or whatever.

 

[Scalma]

It's a good analysis and explains why we got him so cheaply. GMs around the league had to know there's a high chance he's just done, otherwise he still would have gotten a pretty good payday if they thought his issue was just a matter of rehabilitation for 6 months or whatever.

I'm guessing Neil knew this as well. Could explain why he held onto all his other bigs.

So he took a 7m gamble and structured the contract so in the likelihood it doesn't work out, he at least has something he can match salaries with in a trade.

 

[riverman]

I'm sure they'd hoped to get Festus in condition for a possible playoff piece....could still happen...I would imagine they are looking into rehab options ..as good as Festus is, he is just taking Kaman's spot now anyway so it was worth the risk...if he doesn't pan out, we're not going to be surprised

 

[andalusian]

I believe they are keeping him fresh for the lottery ball ceremony.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Might be sad to think but I would say that Ezeli is actually our best trade chip.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Might be sad to think but I would say that Ezeli is actually our best trade chip.

His non-guaranteed contract would certainly be a nice sweetener to throw into a deal to hopefully get us something useful in return. Either between now and the deadline or at the time of the draft.

Probably ranks right up their with our two first round picks as or most valuable trade commodities.

BNM

 

[MARIS61]

I asked our sideline reporter Brooke tonight. She said they're not rushing him and they are resting him to be ready for playoffs.

I also am looking forward to seeing him play in the 2028 playoffs.

I'll be 73 years old, how old will Festus be?

 

[MARIS61]

Here's Festus with a commentary on fake news.

 

[Scalma]

Might be sad to think but I would say that Ezeli is actually our best trade chip.

My order

1. Draft picks. In today's NBA, with the way salaries are going, draft picks reign supreme. Even a late first has massive value.

2. Vonleh

3. Harkless

4. Crabbe (forget the contract. He would be a starter elsewhere, and the contract would be standard. Still young. Numbers suggests he would thrive with more touches/bigger role)

5. Ezeli

special mention: Davis and Aminu. Cheap contracts, solid role players.

Meyers is also a guy getting payed bench player salary. A project someone would take on, but I wouldn't expect much in return. Still, tradeable.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Here's Festus with a commentary on fake news.

Dammit, who said Beetlejuice 3 times?

 

[KeepOnRollin]

I am one of (maybe 3) Harkless' biggest fans on this board but I would put Ezeli's trade value (due to a team having the ability to have it either expire this year or next) as 3rd at worst on that list.

 

[Scalma]

I am one of (maybe 3) Harkless' biggest fans on this board but I would put Ezeli's trade value (due to a team having the ability to have it either expire this year or next) as 3rd at worst on that list.

His contract would save a team, what, 6 million? That's not insignificant, but it's not a lot either.

Harkless is a young, starting caliber SF, locked up on a great contract. That's more of an asset to me than some cap savings.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

His contract would save a team, what, 6 million? That's not insignificant, but it's not a lot either.

Harkless is a young, starting caliber SF, locked up on a great contract. That's more of an asset to me than some cap savings.

7.7 MIL I believe. And much too general to say. Depends on the teams needs. Most teams need cap space unless you are PHI. I believe if there is a trade at the deadline that he is a part of it. If we wait until summer then I could see a lot more people traded with him or without him though.

 

[Scalma]

7.7 MIL I believe. And much too general to say. Depends on the teams needs. Most teams need cap space unless you are PHI. I believe if there is a trade at the deadline that he is a part of it. If we wait until summer then I could see a lot more people traded with him or without him though.

I agree with that, but that's because I think Neil would rather not trade Harkless. I guess in a way Ezeli is more valuable then. I don't know.

 

[Scalma]

So, what's up?

 

[ripcityboy]

Next.....

 

[Dougnsalem]

So, what's up?

No kidding. I was wondering that myself. Its been almost two months since they announced the impending operation. Then nothing at all.... Why not just get it over with, unless they have some hope of him not needing it. Weird....

 

[riverman]

No kidding. I was wondering that myself. Its been almost two months since they announced the impending operation. Then nothing at all.... Why not just get it over with, unless they have some hope of not needing it. Weird....

I did a search about him and nothing came up except that he's probably done for the season pending surgery...so far no surgery news

 

[Chris Craig]

What about that clip after the Memphis game with the Memphis announcers where says his knee is getting better and he's looking forward to getting back on the court