Who puts us over the top?

[RR7]

Am curious, and also bored, what player, or combo of players from one team do you think would realistically put us over the top THIS season, and make us very real contenders for the championship. Maybe it's not possible at all, in your opinion. Please no Lebron James answers. Just curious if there was a deal or combo of deals, or players, rather, that could realistically push us into the talk o fbeing a legit title threat. I think we are definitely in the mix for the WCF, adn from there, anything can happen, so I'm not writing us off or something. The Prince thread got me thinking about possibilities of a move to push us into the LA, Boston, SA, Orlando discussion. Thoughts?


rr7

 

[Idog1976]

Am curious, and also bored, what player, or combo of players from one team do you think would realistically put us over the top THIS season, and make us very real contenders for the championship. Maybe it's not possible at all, in your opinion. Please no Lebron James answers. Just curious if there was a deal or combo of deals, or players, rather, that could realistically push us into the talk o fbeing a legit title threat. I think we are definitely in the mix for the WCF, adn from there, anything can happen, so I'm not writing us off or something. The Prince thread got me thinking about possibilities of a move to push us into the LA, Boston, SA, Orlando discussion. Thoughts?


rr7

I don't think we can get a player that puts us over the top this year. There are tons of players that would do that (Harris, CP3, LeBron, DWill, Caron, etc. etc.), but none of those guys are realistically available.

The only two impact players I think we could reasonably trade for this year are Mike Conley Jr. and Gerald Wallace. Neither of them would be easy to obtain, but both are at least plausible unlike the above list. Conley wouldn't likely put us over the top this year, but I think he would cement a championship caliber core for years to come. Likewise Wallace is getable, his impact is debatable given our struggles to incorporate both Oden and Miller into our offensive schemes especially in the starting unit.

I think that's the rub, our current team could potentially put us over the top, just not they way they are being used. We are arguably one of the best mid-range team's in league history and you see where that gets you in the playoffs. The mid-range game is fools gold. It kills in the regular season, because teams will give you that shot. McMillan is clearly obsessed with mid-range jumpers due to the fact they aren't defended well in the league...until the playoffs roll around that is.

So to answer your question I don't think there is a realistically gettable guy that puts us over the top. I say this just because we haven't maximized our current rotation. Perhaps a massively consolidating trade would do that, but Roy would have to want to share the ball and Nate might have to change his coaching style. Currently I'm concerned about both of those. I hope Roy realizes that to take it to the next level we need a post presence and some opportunistic running ala' the Spurs. Roy can figure this out, it's becoming more and more clear that Nate never will.

 

[BrianFromWA]

I think there's a difference b/w us being contenders (personally, i already think we are) and being thought as legit by the national fan/media. To do that, I think that either Oden needs to blow up (doubtful with the offense we're running) or we need to trade for a "proven vet". I think if we got a "name" like Prince, Wallace, Vince, Battier, Nash, etc. then we'd move into that echelon. If we got someone young but pretty good (like the Conley- or Sessions-caliber player) then it wouldn't have the same effect, even if the team would be better.

 

[RR7]

Yeah, I meant primarily in the eyes of the media, where if we pulled off a trade this week, similar to what Denver did last season with Billups, if we pulled off a deal this week, and the media would immediately start saying well, now they have a legit shot of knocking off LA, a good path to the top seed, etc. I dunno if it is out there. Probably not, as I agree a lot of it isn't acquiring a player, but continuing our development. Was just curious. And, like I said, bored.

 

[oldguy]

How bout Conley and Marko (assuming Joel goes to the Grizz.)

 

[RR7]

You think the addition of Conley and the subtraction of Joel makes us a legit title contender in the eyes of the media?

 

[oldguy]

You think the addition of Conley and the subtraction of Joel makes us a legit title contender in the eyes of the media?

I don't know about whether the media would consider us a contender then, but MC would give a our young PG that knows how to feed GO and Marko would give us a badass three man rotation at PF/C.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Marko "I'm a poor PG, but married to Adriana Lima" Jaric solidifies our PF/C rotation?

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

Am curious, and also bored, what player, or combo of players from one team do you think would realistically put us over the top THIS season, and make us very real contenders for the championship. Maybe it's not possible at all, in your opinion. Please no Lebron James answers. Just curious if there was a deal or combo of deals, or players, rather, that could realistically push us into the talk o fbeing a legit title threat. I think we are definitely in the mix for the WCF, adn from there, anything can happen, so I'm not writing us off or something. The Prince thread got me thinking about possibilities of a move to push us into the LA, Boston, SA, Orlando discussion. Thoughts?


rr7

Honestly, I don't think you could make a deal that would put this team over the top this season. There are players that will give you a better shot at the end. But in the end the team will come up short. Unless the lakers are hit with a significant injury. But one player that get's us closer to competing and beating the lakers is Caron Butler.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

A year of Gregg Poppavich would put this team over the top.

 

[Mediocre Man]

With Assclown as our coach, only a really quick defensive PG would put us over the top. Obviously Assclown has no idea how to use the talent on the roster to get deep into the playoffs.


A new coach would get us there much quicker.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

A new coach would get us there much quicker.

I agree. We have an unbelievable collection of players and Nate can't figure out how to use them. If we can get a good coach, we will succeed. At this point you can bring anyone you want, with this coach they will be wasted.

 

[Minstrel]

Marko "I'm a poor PG, but married to Adriana Lima" Jaric solidifies our PF/C rotation?

I'm guessing he meant Marc Gasol, but said Marko.

Anyway, to answer the original poster's question, adding a player like Prince (still has a very good reputation, "proven playoff/championship vet," many people's idea of an underrated "star") would put Portland in the upper echelon in the eyes of the media, assuming that Portland didn't have to give up any of Roy, Aldridge, Oden, Miller or Fernandez. If Portland traded, for instance, Batum, Bayless and Outlaw for Prince, the media would probably chalk it up as a big win for Portland and an impact move.

I wouldn't like such a move at all and I'm dubious that it would have a major effect on the team's ceiling.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I can't tell if some of you are joking or if you are really that young and naive. If you are not young, then replace naive with stupid.

 

[oldguy]

I'm guessing he meant Marc Gasol, but said Marko.

Anyway, to answer the original poster's question, adding a player like Prince (still has a very good reputation, "proven playoff/championship vet," many people's idea of an underrated "star") would put Portland in the upper echelon in the eyes of the media, assuming that Portland didn't have to give up any of Roy, Aldridge, Oden, Miller or Fernandez. If Portland traded, for instance, Batum, Bayless and Outlaw for Prince, the media would probably chalk it up as a big win for Portland and an impact move.

I wouldn't like such a move at all and I'm dubious that it would have a major effect on the team's ceiling.

Thanks Minstrel, that is what I meant.

 

[hasoos]

From what I have read there are like 5 teams in the chase for Jackson, and so far the Prince thing is mostly just rumors. It's an amazing coincidence I guess that the teams included in going after Jackson include Cleveland, Dallas, San Antonio, Denver. Because you know, Portland is just to frackin cool and stocked with talent to need a player like Jackson

 

[Idog1976]

I can't tell if some of you are joking or if you are really that young and naive. If you are not young, then replace naive with stupid.

Idog1976: "Give it to us straight man, don't hold back! All I want to know is do we have a shot at being legitimate posters? Like 1 in a thousand? Come on give it to me straight!"

Pinwheel1: "More like 1 in a Million."

Idog1976: "So you're saying there's a chance!"

 

[Idog1976]

From what I have read there are like 5 teams in the chase for Jackson, and so far the Prince thing is mostly just rumors. It's an amazing coincidence I guess that the teams included in going after Jackson include Cleveland, Dallas, San Antonio, Denver. Because you know, Portland is just to frackin cool and stocked with talent to need a player like Jackson

You mean Phil? Perhaps the corpse of Michael to inspire our players? I hear Blake loves "ABC"...

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Hedo

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

-Rodney Stuckey
-Michael Beasley

Stuckey is the perfect PG next to Roy. Detroit is in rebuilding mode but we'd still have to overpay for Rodney to pry him away.

Bealsey is a tweener (SF/PF) but is a low post threat with a high ceiling. Getting him out of South Beach will be his turnaround, IMO.

A pipedream:

-Rajon Rondo

 

[LOTBfan]

-Rajon Rondo

locker room suicide = instant win, triple double point guards are tasty on the box score totals

 

[Pritchslap Madness]

Gerald Wallace!!!

 

[Pinwheel1]

Idog1976: "Give it to us straight man, don't hold back! All I want to know is do we have a shot at being legitimate posters? Like 1 in a thousand? Come on give it to me straight!"

Pinwheel1: "More like 1 in a Million."

Idog1976: "So you're saying there's a chance!"

I think you are misquoting me. I would have said 1 in 5 million. But yes there is still a chance. As long as you don't actually think that Nate is the only thing holding us back from winning the title this year. Because that is fucking insane.

I think there are a couple other things that need improvement. But hey blame nate and travis if it make some of you feel better. (The coach and a bench player)

 

[BrianFromWA]

You mean the guy who draws up the gameplan, and calls almost all of the plays and substitutions? And the "bench player" who played more minutes than anyone (perhaps deservedly in Game One? Blaming them doesn't make me feel better. Changing them makes me feel better. Which is why I'm happy for Travis right now (based on what I've read/heard).

 

[Pinwheel1]

You mean the guy who draws up the gameplan, and calls almost all of the plays and substitutions? And the "bench player" who played more minutes than anyone (perhaps deservedly in Game One? Blaming them doesn't make me feel better. Changing them makes me feel better. Which is why I'm happy for Travis right now (based on what I've read/heard).

Yes that would be the guy. Tell me the game plan and different substitution pattern that will win us the title this year. I would love to see this strategy that makes the difference. Becasue I always hear a lot of bitching, but very debatable solutions.

 

[Nikolokolus]

CP3 or bust.

But no seriously, I would trade Roy and change to get Paul.

 

[BrianFromWA]

I can't prognosticate this year. (Plus, we're one game in).

But, as I said multiple times last year in game threads, take Blake out at the end of the game. Keep Travis in only if it's a last-second shot and defense doesn't need to be involved, and the ball won't be in his hands. Have your inbounder be a tall player, not a small (generally Blake, which is retarded b/c supposedly he's in there b/c of his 3pt and FT shooting, not his passing skills). Don't take Oden out with two quick fouls.

There's 4. Off the top of my head. But I'm a clueless fan, so sticking with the strategy that had us lose in the first round with HCA probably is for the best.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

I can't prognosticate this year. (Plus, we're one game in).

But, as I said multiple times last year in game threads, take Blake out at the end of the game. Keep Travis in only if it's a last-second shot and defense doesn't need to be involved, and the ball won't be in his hands. Have your inbounder be a tall player, not a small (generally Blake, which is retarded b/c supposedly he's in there b/c of his 3pt and FT shooting, not his passing skills). Don't take Oden out with two quick fouls.

There's 4. Off the top of my head. But I'm a clueless fan, so sticking with the strategy that had us lose in the first round with HCA probably is for the best.

I think Nate's refernece to clueless fans are in respect to those who are saying that Oden didn't get enough offensive touches last game.


This is the first time I remember Nate coming out and saying something like this. So either he is especially defensive about this issue or he is sick of people making an issue out of a non-issue (in his mind . . . and that is a pretty good basketball mind)

Really has Nate ever said anything like this before. If he has even an ounce of credibilty with reagrd to basketball, he is cashing in on that and letting it be known what he thinks of this issue . . . it's stupid and a non-issue. Not the politically correct response respecting the issue, basically calling people out saying I know more than you in this area and you have no idea what you are talking about. Strongest words I rememeber from Nate.

 

[andalusian]

CP3 or bust.

But no seriously, I would trade Roy and change to get Paul.

I would not. How often is the best player on a championship team a PG? Not that often. Maybe Billups in Detroit (some would argue that Ben Wallace's defensive output that year would make him that guy) and before that... Isiah Thomas?

There were a lot of Small Guards (MJ, Kobe, Wade), one all-time-great PF (Duncan), two hall-of-fame centers (Shaq, Dream) and a combo SF/PF (offense/defense) with PP/KG.

I still think we have not seen how good Roy can be when there is a high-level, take it all win on the line.

CP3 is great. He really is and he is a better individual player than Roy - but somehow, I am going with Roy as being more capable taking a series down when it is the best player vs. the other team's best player. I might be wrong, I might be emotionally attached to him because he is the face of the team I am a fan of - but there is one player I would not hesitate swapping Roy for - and it's not CP3.

 

[RR7]

but there is one player I would not hesitate swapping Roy for - and it's not CP3.

Let me guess, it's Randy Foye?