Step #1: Come tomorrow, waive Patty Mills & sign D-Leaguer Dwayne Jones of the Austin Toros.

http://www.nba.com/dleague/playerfile/index.jsp?player=dwayne_jones

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Dwayne-Jones-438/

Jones, who's a standout rebounder -- especially on the offensive glass -- and post defender, will provide immediate insurance as Joel Przybilla's backup until a trade can be made to patch the hole caused by Greg Oden's absence due to injury. (Cap space would become $1,425,171 + $323,312 {i.e., $457,588 / 170 X 119} - $577,848 {i.e.,  $825,497 / 170 X 119} = $1,170,635.)

Step #2: Come 12/17/2009, trade Juwan Howard -- along with the draft rights of Victor Claver & Petteri Koponen -- to Toronto for Rasho Nesterovic. (Cap space would become $1,170,635 + $825,497 - $1,990,000 = $6,132.)

Step #3: After 12/17/2009 & before Christmas, trade Travis Outlaw & Jerryd Bayless to Oklahoma City for Nick Collison. ($3,600,000 + $2,143,080 = $5,743,080 X 125% + 100,000 = $7,278,850 & that's > $6,250,000.)

Step #4: After "Step #3," sign Reece Gaines.

ROSTER (By Christmas Day)

C: Joel Przybilla (28 m.p.g.)
C: Rasho Nesterovic (20 m.p.g.)
C: Dwayne Jones (0 m.p.g.)
C: Greg Oden (Inactive)
PF: LaMarcus Aldridge (32 m.p.g.)
PF: Nick Collison (16 m.p.g.)
PF: Dante Cunningham (0 m.p.g.)
PF: Jeff Pendergraph (Inactive)
SF: Martell Webster (28 m.p.g.)
SF/SG: Rudy Fernandez (28 m.p.g.)
SF: Nicolas Batum (Inactive)
SG: Brandon Roy (40 m.p.g.)
SG: Reece Gaines (0 m.p.g.)
PG: Steve Blake (20 m.p.g.)
PG: Andre Miller (28 m.p.g.)

FIRST QUARTER & THIRD QUARTER

SIX MINUTES
C: Joel Przybilla
PF: LaMarcus Aldridge
SF: Martell Webster
SG: Brandon Roy
PG: Steve Blake

TWO MINUTES

C: Rasho Nesterovic
PF: LaMarcus Aldridge
SF: Rudy Fernandez
SG: Brandon Roy
PG: Andre Miller

FOUR MINUTES

C: Rasho Nesterovic
PF: Nick Collison
SF: Rudy Fernandez
SG: Brandon Roy
PG: Andre Miller

SECOND QUARTER & FOURTH QUARTER

FOUR MINUTES

C: Rasho Nesterovic
PF: Nick Collison
SF: Martell Webster
SG: Rudy Fernandez
PG: Andre Miller

FOUR MINUTES

C: Joel Przybilla
PF: LaMarcus Aldridge
SF: Martell Webster
SG: Brandon Roy
PG: Steve Blake

FOUR MINUTES

C: Joel Przybilla
PF: LaMarcus Aldridge
SF: Rudy Fernandez
SG: Brandon Roy
PG: Andre Miller

That, folks, would be a playoff team with the potential advance to the second round this season.

P.S.: I expect Rudy Fernandez will return to full health before Christmas. Yet, even if Fernandez's back injury is serious, I still advocate acquiring Nick Collison at the cost of Travis Outlaw and Jerryd Bayless -- whose natural position offense in the high-low zone offense is the ballside wing (i.e., Brandon Roy's spot), which was shown by his on-ball playing style and 0 assists tonight -- although the team would probably need to subsequently sign a versatile SF/SG/PG type player from the D-League (e.g., Reece Gaines) for depth purposes.

P.P.S.: After having second thoughts, I feel as if I originally undersold Victor Claver. Even though I'm not a fan of unrefined Euro combo forwards like Claver, he should have more trade value than someone who's used to acquire a backup center. Plus, Petteri Koponen is probably enough of a prospect to entice Toronto into parting ways with Rasho Nesterovic.

The bulk of this fan post is from a comment of mine -- which follows this opening paragraph in block quotes -- that's located in a main page thread.

"The one thing the Grizzlies need more than anything is a steady presence at point guard who’s a willing distributor, calm floor general, and very reserved professional off the court.

As it is, Andre Miller fits that description.

As it stands, the Grizzlies could soon be ready to give up on Mike Conley, Jr. — who’s having a subpar season this year — and, even though I’m not a [really big] fan of his, he’s young, cheap, has three-point range on his shot, and possesses room to grow.

Yet, Conley, Jr. doesn’t earn enough salary to make the trade work within the CBA rules; thus, there’d have to be additions to any potential transaction. For the Grizzlies, moving Marko Jaric’s overpriced contract — which expires after the 2010-2011 season — would be essential to any deal. For the Portland Trail Blazers, Travis Outlaw’s on-court value is zilch; however, his off-court value is solid due to having an expiring contract. That, along with the Grizzlies reported interest in him earlier, makes him a prime candidate to also be included in such a trade come 12/15/2009.

FROM MEMPHIS & TO PORTLAND
SF/PG Marko Jaric ($7,100,000)
PG Mike Conley, Jr. ($3,883,800)

FROM PORTLAND & TO MEMPHIS
PG Andre Miller ($6,730,800)
F Travis Outlaw ($3,600,000)
2010 Second-Round Draft Pick (More Favorable of Chicago’s Pick & Portland’s Pick)
$3,000,000 Cash Considerations

http://www.realgm.com/src_checktrade.php?tradeid=5294307

ROTATION

FIRST QUARTER & THIRD QUARTER

6 Minutes
Pivotman: Greg Oden
High-Post Forward: LaMarcus Aldridge
Weakside Cornerman: Martell Webster
Ballside Wing: Brandon Roy
Off Guard: Steve Blake

2 Minutes
Pivotman: Joel Przybilla
High-Post Forward: LaMarcus Aldridge
Weakside Cornerman: Martell Webster
Ballside Wing: Brandon Roy
Off Guard: Steve Blake

4 Minutes
Pivotman: Joel Przybilla
High-Post Forward: Dante Cunningham
Weakside Cornerman: Rudy Fernandez
Ballside Wing: Brandon Roy
Off Guard: Mike Conley, Jr.

SECOND QUARTER & FOURTH QUARTER

4 Minutes
Pivotman: Joel Przybilla
High-Post Forward: LaMarcus Aldridge
Weakside Cornerman: Martell Webster
Ballside Wing: Jerryd Bayless
Off Guard: Mike Conley, Jr.

2 Minutes
Pivotman: Greg Oden
High-Post Forward: LaMarcus Aldridge
Weakside Cornerman: Rudy Fernandez
Ballside Wing: Brandon Roy
Off Guard: Mike Conley, Jr.

6 Minutes
Pivotman: Greg Oden
High-Post Forward: LaMarcus Aldridge
Weakside Cornerman: Rudy Fernandez
Ballside Wing: Brandon Roy
Off Guard: Steve Blake

Going forward, that’d be a solid rotation that could win roughly 55 games and reach the second round of this season’s playoffs."

http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/11/21/1168667/media-row-report-blazers-106#25973977

For Miller, I think it's only fair to him that he's moved elsewhere soon after 12/15/2009 -- which is the earliest he can be traded -- as this murky situation isn't all his fault. Rather, it's a collective miscommunication between the front office, the coaching staff, the hotshot superstar player (i.e., Brandon Roy), and also Miller himself. It's unfortunate that this group of individuals didn't have the foresight to recognize that this'd be a poor fit for all parties involved, but such is life. Now, though, it's only right to rectify this mess, as that'd be in everyone's best interest.

With that said, I'm curious as to why y'all think of my idea and, moreover, the ideas that each and every one of you brilliant folks have regarding a potential solution to the McMillan/Roy v. Miller conundrum.

STANDINGS

ATLANTIC DIVISION
Boston Celtics (62-20)
Philadelphia 76ers (39-43)
New Jersey Nets (34-48)
Toronto Raptors (31-51)
New York Knicks (24-58)

CENTRAL DIVISION
Cleveland Cavaliers (69-13)
Chicago Bulls (56-26)
Indiana Pacers (33-49)
Milwaukee Bucks (30-52)
Detroit Pistons (26-56)

SOUTHEAST DIVISION
Orlando Magic (64-18)
Washington Wizards (49-33)
Atlanta Hawks (37-45)
Miami Heat (36-46)
Charlotte Bobcats (32-50)

NORTHWEST DIVISION
Utah Jazz (53-29)
Denver Nuggets (53-29)
Portland Trail Blazers (53-29)
Oklahoma City Thunder (25-57)
Minnesota Timberwolves (10-72)

PACIFIC DIVISION
Los Angeles Lakers (63-19)
Phoenix Suns (38-44)
Los Angeles Clippers (35-47)
Golden State Warriors (28-54)
Sacramento Kings (18-64)

SOUTHWEST DIVISION
Dallas Mavericks (59-23)
San Antonio Spurs (58-24)
Houston Rockets (47-35)
New Orleans Hornets (46-36)
Memphis Grizzlies (22-60)

AWARDS

Most Valuable Player: LeBron James

Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard

Rookie of the Year: Blake Griffin

Most Improved Player: Brook Lopez (Editor's Note: Greg Oden was my original choice.)

All-Star Game MVP: Dwyane Wade

Coach of the Year: Rick Adelman

Executive of the Year: Donnie Nelson

Sportsmanship Award: Tim Duncan

J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award: Tracy McGrady

All-NBA First Team: Dwight Howard (C), Tim Duncan (F), LeBron James (F), Kobe Bryant (G), Chris Paul (G)

All-NBA Second Team: Amar'e Stoudemire (C), Kevin Garnett (F), Dirk Nowitzki (F), Brandon Roy (G), Dwyane Wade (G)

All-NBA Third Team: Brook Lopez (C), Pau Gasol (F), Carmelo Anthony (F), Vince Carter (G), Derrick Rose (G)

All-Defensive First Team: Dwight Howard (C), Kevin Garnett (F), Shane Battier (F), Andre Iguodala (G), Chris Paul (G)

All-Defensive Second Team: Brook Lopez (C), Tim Duncan (F), Ron Artest (F), Kobe Bryant (G), Rajon Rondo (G)

All-Rookie First Team: Blake Griffin, James Harden, Tyreke Evans, Stephen Curry, Jonny Flynn

All-Rookie Second Team: DeJuan Blair, Taj Gibson, DeMar DeRozan, Gerald Henderson, Chase Budinger

PLAYOFFS

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: #1 Cleveland beats #8 Miami (4-0), #2 Orlando beats #7 Atlanta (4-0), #3 Boston beats #6 Philadelphia (4-1), #4 Chicago beats #5 Washington (4-3)

Western Conference Quarterfinals: #1 Los Angeles beats #8 New Orleans (4-0), #2 Dallas beats #7 Houston (4-1), #3 San Antonio beats #6 Portland (4-1), #5 Denver beats #4 Utah (4-2)

Eastern Conference Semifinals: #1 Cleveland beats #4 Chicago (4-1), #3 Boston beats #2 Orlando (4-2)

Western Conference Semifinals: #1 Los Angeles beats #5 Denver (4-1), #2 Dallas beats #3 San Antonio (4-3)

Eastern Conference Finals: #3 Boston beats #1 Cleveland (4-2)

Western Conference Finals: #2 Dallas beats #1 Los Angeles (4-2)

NBA Finals: Dallas beats Boston (4-2)

NBA Finals MVP: Dirk Nowitzki

Okay, it's now your turn everybody.

As NBA fans, we tend to categorize guys as overrated and underrated regarding the credit they receive as basketball players. With that noted, I'm curious as to who y'all consider to be overrated and underrated posters at Blazersedge.

Personally, I think that I'm rated just fine by most people. Most of y'all have found me to be an obnoxiously brash, yet fairly intelligent poster who makes a fair amount of sound points -- while occasionally being wrong at times, though -- which means that I'm an overall above average, albeit not outstanding poster.

At any rate, here are my nominations for overrated and underrated posters.

Overrated: BlazerFan1 & tominhawaii.

Underrated: BlazerFanSince1970 & two4larue.

On a side note, my favorite posters are Magnum, Mortimer, Norsktroll, & jksnake99.

I have countless other favorites, too, although those four rank at the very top of my list.

Because it's been a long amount of time since anybody has posted some cockamamie trade proposal, I've decided to reignite this simmering flame by fueling the fire with my following four-team, eleven-player trade proposal.

FROM CHICAGO

Kirk Hinrich ($9,500,000)

Outgoing Salaries: $9,500,000

FROM NEW JERSEY

Trenton Hassell ($4,350,000)

Brook Lopez ($2,255,880)

Outgoing Salaries: $6,605,880

FROM OKLAHOMA CITY

Nick Collison ($6,250,000)

Outgoing Salaries: $6,250,000

FROM PORTLAND

LaMarcus Aldridge ($5,844,827)

Steve Blake ($4,000,000)

Travis Outlaw ($3,600,000)

Jerryd Bayless ($2,143,080)

Victor Claver (Draft Rights) {$1,012,900 Cap Hold}

Joel Freeland (Draft Rights) {$824,200 Cap Hold}

Petteri Koponen (Draft Rights) {$824,200 Cap Hold}

Outgoing Salaries: $15,587,907

TO CHICAGO

Steve Blake ($4,000,000)

Victor Claver (Draft Rights) {$1,012,900 Cap Hold}

Joel Freeland (Draft Rights) {$824,200 Cap Hold}

Petteri Koponen (Draft Rights) {$824,200 Cap Hold}

Incoming Salaries: $4,000,000

TO NEW JERSEY

LaMarcus Aldridge ($5,844,827)

Travis Outlaw ($3,600,000) {Acquired With Trade Exception}

Incoming Salaries: $5,844,827

TO OKLAHOMA CITY

Trenton Hassell ($4,350,000)

Jerryd Bayless ($2,143,080)

Incoming Salaries: $6,493,080

TO PORTLAND

Kirk Hinrich ($9,500,000)

Nick Collison ($6,250,000)

Brook Lopez ($2,255,880)

Incoming Salaries: $18,005,880

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=nkymyg

For the Chicago Bulls, Jerry Reinsdorf slashes payroll both now and for the summer of 2010 -- in which local legend Dwyane Wade will be an unrestricted free-agent -- by trading Kirk Hinrich for a cost-effective downgrade Steve Blake. The Bulls acquire some future assets, too, which is through the draft rights to a few foreigners (i.e., Victor Claver, Joel Freeland, & Petteri Koponen).

For the New Jersey Nets, the team would solidifiy the forward positions with LaMarcus Aldridge and Travis Outlaw. Because the possibility of LeBron James signing there next summer is a long shot, this'd be a much quicker and less risky way to retool the ballclub. Meanwhile, though, the Nets would be a bit weak at center, although Tony Battie, Josh Boone, and Sean Williams could hold down the fort for one season.

For the Oklahoma City Thunder, Sam Presti would save face in the community by dealing disgruntled Nick Collison, whose feud with asinine sports radio talk show host Jim Traber is amusing stuff. In return for Collison, Presti would receive a scrub with an expiring contract (i.e., Trenton Hassell) and a young prospect project combo guard (i.e., Jerryd Bayless) who'd receive playing time behind Russell Westbrook.

Bayless, who barely has more potential than the injury prone washout Shaun Livingston, would be lucky to play with a tall, defensive-minded point forward in Kyle Weaver. Heck, I can't even think of two more appropriately skilled backup wings than Weaver and Thabo Sefolosha for the fatally flawed Bayless to play next to on a second unit. Bayless, who can't run the point to save his life and is an overaggressive dunderhead on defense, would get his deficiencies masked by playing next to two smart, high BBIQ players like Weaver and Sefolosha.

For the Portland Trail Blazers, it's 100% about embracing tried-and-true traditional basketball. The vision of a present-day "Twin Towers" frontline built around two legitimate 7-footers, Greg Oden and Brook Lopez, would make me jump for joy and even cry tears of happy like G.O.B. (i.e., Arrested Development reference).

Also, I needn't explain in detail as to how Kirk Hinrich is astronomically superior to Steve Blake. For those of whom who appreciate first-class, five-star perimeter defense, you know by now how Hinrich is to filet mignon as Blake is to ground beef.

Oden and Joel Przybilla split time at center, while Lopez -- who, as a rookie last season, had a 62.2% eFG% on inside shots (i.e., 61% of his field-goal attempts) and a 39.0% eFG% on jump shots (i.e., 39% of his field-goal attempts) -- and Collison would split time at power forward. Y'know, I'm sick and tired of this inefficient pick-and-pop junk with power soft forwards like LaMarcus Aldridge and Travis Outlaw. When did Charmin become NBA sponsers? Man, I sure didn't get the memo.

Yet, a team with an ultra-efficient back-to-the-basket post-up threat on the low block who'd also excel in side screen-and-roll plays via the two-man game with Andre Miller (i.e., Oden) -- as well as a sweet pick-and-roll and occasional pick-and-pop option along the high-post who can also stick a 15-foot baseline jumper (i.e., Lopez) -- would need a head coach who could properly utilize their skills; that isn't Nate McMillan's forte.

Instead of the high-low zone offense, a team featuring a big frontline of Oden and Lopez, a spot-up shooter on offense at the 3, a well-rounded offensive player at the 2, and a pure point guard at the 1 would work best with a 3-outside/2-inside motion offense that focuses heavily on the pick-and-roll. There's one man who could successfully run it, too, and his name is Jeff Van Gundy.

http://www.coachesclipboard.net/MotionOffense.html

http://www.championshipproductions.com/cgi-bin/champ/p/Basketball/Jeff-Van-Gundy-Executing-and-Defending-the-Pick-Roll-Part-I-II_BD-02692.html

In 1999, Van Gundy led the New York Knicks to the NBA Finals with a frontline featuring old-fashioned center Patrick Ewing, stout man-to-man defender and face-up jump shooter Kurt Thomas, gritty backup center Chris Dudley, and stud weakside help defender Marcus Camby. Because Ewing was unavailable for the 1999 NBA Finals due to injury, the Knicks had no real shot of shutting down the San Antonio Spurs and its Twin Towers duo of David Robinson and Tim Duncan.

All in all, a 10-man rotation of Joel Przybilla (20 m.p.g.), Brook Lopez (32 m.p.g.), Nicolas Batum (16 m.p.g.), Brandon Roy (40 m.p.g.), Kirk Hinrich (20 m.p.g.), Greg Oden (28 m.p.g.), Nick Collison (16 m.p.g.), Martell Webster (16 m.p.g.), Rudy Fernandez (24 m.p.g.), and Andre Miller (28 m.p.g.) -- with Van Gundy at the helm, as well as benchwarmers in Jeff Pendergraph, Dante Cunningham, and three minimum-level veterans (e.g., Ime Udoka, Keith Bogans, and Brevin Knight or Tyronn Lue) filling out the roster -- may have a real chance at usurping the Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs and playing for a ring in the 2010 NBA Finals.