NBA/Blazers Off-Season

Duck07 · Post by **Duck07** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 9:25 am

So Portland last night traded for Thomas Robinson from Houston for 2 future 2nds and 2 intl players (papanikalou and todorovic).
Portland has been talking to Chris Kaman and he'd def be a cheap veteran C.

karlhungis · Post by **karlhungis** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 12:19 pm

It's amazing how difficult it is for Portland to find a good center.

squintsdd · Post by **squintsdd** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 1:10 pm

karlhungis wrote:It's amazing how difficult it is for Portland to find a good center.

I'm no longer amazed by it, I'm disgusted by it

Post by **greenyellow** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 1:23 pm

There just aren't many good, all-around centers in the NBA anymore. The lack of talented centers is why you see so many teams use one-dimensional ones and compensate with the other positions or use larger PFs as Cs instead.

buckmarkduck · Post by **buckmarkduck** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 5:05 pm

greenyellow wrote:There just aren't many good, all-around centers in the NBA anymore. The lack of talented centers is why you see so many teams use one-dimensional ones and compensate with the other positions or use larger PFs as Cs instead.

Anymore? In the last 20 years there has been maybe 10 good ones, and then a bunch of crap.

karlhungis · Post by **karlhungis** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 5:14 pm

greenyellow wrote:There just aren't many good, all-around centers in the NBA anymore. The lack of talented centers is why you see so many teams use one-dimensional ones and compensate with the other positions or use larger PFs as Cs instead.

Yet there were probably at least 20 teams with better options at C than the Blazers had this year.

Duck24 · Post by **Duck24** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 5:18 pm

Last 10 years, I agree with you. The 10 before that, I'd completely disagree with you.

Shaq, David Robinson, Hakeem, Patrick Ewing, and Dikembe Mutombo all playing at the same time. 5 Hall of Famers playing the same position at the same time isn't too shabby. But yes, in the last 10 years, big man play has been pathetic.

oregontrack · Post by **oregontrack** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 5:45 pm

But what's being overlooked in all this was the Trail Blazers' willingness to facilitate the deal in order for Houston to free up the necessary cap space to pursue free agent center Dwight Howard.

According to league sources, several teams including the Trail Blazers, are closely monitoring the Omer Asik situation. Reports are out that the 7-0 center is available. If the Rockets get that verbal agreement they so desperately want from Dwight Howard, Asik will be moved.

One source who is tuned-in with how things could develop tells CSNNW.com that the Trail Blazers are in the Rockets' good graces, which could have an influence on where they choose to ship Asik when it's time to do so.

If Portland does get the green light from Houston, don't be surprised if free agent JJ Hickson agrees to a sign-and-trade to get the deal done. If that's out of the question, there are other ways Portland could make it happen.

It is widely known that Olshey has a good relationship with Rockets GM Daryl Morey and agent Andy Miller, who represents both Asik and Hickson.

http://www.csnnw.com/blog/blazers-talk/ ... overlooked

one theory

Duck07 · Post by **Duck07** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 5:56 pm

Its also theorized that if Howard signs with Houston, the Rockets will trade Asik for Josh Smith.

303DucksFan · Post by **303DucksFan** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 6:36 pm

You don't want Kaman...Trust me.

karlhungis · Post by **karlhungis** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 7:05 pm

303DucksFan wrote:You don't want Kaman...Trust me.

How much worse could he be than our current situation?

oregontrack · Post by **oregontrack** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 7:35 pm

we don't 'want' him, but barring a trade for someone of value, he's probably the best available option. he understands basic core concepts of team defense and knows where to be, so defensively he's already several steps ahead of hickson. i'm not saying he's roy hibbert, but he understands how to play the game, and our defensive interior wouldn't be the absolute sieve it was last year. he has an offensive game.

i think he's a passable stop gap. no one is going to say 'oh, crap, the blazers just signed chris kaman', but we'll be better for it. he's probably good for 25 minutes a game, which allows ample growth opportunities/playing time for leonard, which is good. got to see what we have there.

Boom · Post by **Boom** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 9:23 pm

I think if we sign Kaman it pretty much guarantees that LMA walks at the end of his contract. I think Al Jefferson would be a better choice.. not sure how much salary is needed though.

thomas time · Post by **thomas time** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 10:39 pm

I would take Al Jeff, Asik or Kaman. All would be an upgrade from last year

Post by **UOducksTK1** » Tue Jul 02, 2013 10:37 am

Duck07 wrote:So Portland last night traded for Thomas Robinson from Houston for 2 future 2nds and 2 intl players (papanikalou and todorovic).
Portland has been talking to Chris Kaman and he'd def be a cheap veteran C.

Meh Thomas is still young, but dude can't shoot FTs and although it's been only one year, he's looking like a bust. Hopefully he can shock people and contribute in a positive way this season.