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JasonT

joined Apr 16, 2008 last login Dec 24, 2009 posts 128 comments 1997

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Trade Drawer - To trade or not to trade?

by JasonT on Dec 8, 2009 1:02 PM EST Comment 22 comments

It's pretty apparent, that we have a serious talent gap on our team. Even when considering Rudy shouldn't miss too much time, we just don't seem to have the horses to get us much further than a 7th or 8th seed and a first round exit at best. We have little to no production from the small forward position. And if we shift Rudy or Roy to the small forward we are at a significant disadvantage on the boards and defensively. Our depth at the power forward and center positions is limited as well. So, what to do? Do we part with some of our talent to bring in a small forward/power forward or power forward/center? KP doesn't like to do short-term thinking moves, but if he doesn't do something, I could easily see us slipping back into the lottery - I don't see anyway we get out of the first round of the playoffs.

One player I think we could target:

Rudy Gay - he is going to be a restricted free agent this summer and Memphis may not want to pay him. Maybe they're thinking let's get something for him now, rather than just let him walk away?

We'd have to give up some serious talent in exchange - but Gay would give us another legitimate offensive threat and is very effective in transition offense. This may cause a problem, b/c Batum will be squeezed out for minutes, but Gay should be able to slide over to the power forward postion which would open up minutes for Batum.

Otherwise, I don't know which direction for Portland to go. I just don't see a lot of good options out there. Maybe the best move would be to stay put and let the players get healthy?

What do you think? Do you see any solid moves to be made for Portland? Or should they just play out the season and try to make a run again in 2010-11?

22 comments | 0 recs

Awesome BRoy story by Quick

We are lucky to have Roy. What a difference a leader makes. Just think the last time we were thinking about contending Rasheed Wallace was leading us.

about 1 month ago JasonT 6 comments 4 recs

Free NBA League Pass 10/27-11/3

You can view NBA League Pass for free 10/27-11/3. Also, right now you get free NBA league pass broadband for the whole regular season with the NBA league pass TV subscription...this is actually pretty cool, b/c you if you miss a game you can go back in the archives and watch online. If you live within a 150 mile radius of Portland don't order it, b/c the games are probably blacked out...in that case you can order games directly from the Blazers website. Just to be on the safe side, before ordering I would check with my local cable provider regarding blackouts, if you live in Oregon, Washington or Idaho. Better yet, see if you get the free trial, then order. You get a little bit of a discount if you order before Nov 3rd.

2 months ago JasonT 5 comments 1 recs

One of these years, you're going to wake up in a strange bed in a strange room in a strange house next to a strange woman with strange eyes, and you're going to ask yourself, "How did I get here?" And then the strange woman is going to open her mouth to speak, but Greg Oden's voice is going to come out, and Greg Oden's voice is going to tell you to "shut up" and "go back to sleep."

And then you'll wake up. It was all a dream. Except the Greg Oden part, because he'll be in your nightmares, telling you to "shut up" and whatnot. And your name will be Spencer Hawes.

Hysterical quote and observations that should warm your heart from Sactown Royalty

2 months ago JasonT 3 comments 15 recs

VIDEO - Greg Oden shooting hook shots...nothing too exciting, but we'll take it in times like these

2 months ago JasonT 3 comments 0 recs

Who Is The Most Overrated Laker?

by JasonT on Aug 21, 2009 1:40 PM EDT Comment 52 comments

It seems like the media and fan obsession with all things Lakers hypes marginal players into stars. Or turns guys who are superstars into messianic deities. Has there ever been an underrated Laker? Probably not. And now that they won the title last season, the hype train is in overdrive.

With that said, who on the current Laker roster is MOST overrated. Because all Lakers are overrated, you have to pick the one who is most overrated. My pick right now is Lamar Odom. That dude has a long history of disappearing during crucial games. And now that he had like 3 good games in the playoffs last season, he is all of a sudden a top 10 power forward in the game?

So who is it? Comment below, vote in the poll, or both.

Poll

Who is the most overrated Laker?

Kobe Bryant

38 votes

Andrew Bynum

195 votes

Pau Gasol

20 votes

Lamar Odom

39 votes

Derek Fisher

15 votes

Shanon Brown

2 votes

Ron Artest

24 votes

Jordan Farmar

4 votes

Sasha Vujacic

25 votes

Luke Walton

12 votes

Adam Morrison

11 votes

Phil Jackson

30 votes

415 votes | Poll has closed

52 comments | 0 recs

Reality Check on Lamar Odom

Excerpts from the LA Times:

Ah, memories, how powerful. Already dealing with unease caused by swapping rock-solid Trevor Ariza for Artest, Lakers fans were worried sick these last few weeks, what with Odom and Jerry Buss engaged in an ego-fueled stare-down over a new deal. Suddenly, in the minds of many, Odom was a 10-time All-Star. In fact, despite having as much skill as anyone in basketball, he's never even been a one-time All-Star.

Now don't go getting me wrong. It's wonderful that he stays here. He isn't only a great talent; he's also a good guy and a calming force. Just don't believe for a moment that he's suddenly become a player who will deliver the goods night in and night out. Memories are powerful, and sometimes fickle.

With Odom, bless him, all that can be counted on for next year is more maddeningly spectacular inconsistency. It was good enough for one title. Whether it will be good enough for more isn't as sure a bet as many -- bedazzled by memories of a few great games -- seem to think.

4 months ago JasonT 5 comments 2 recs

Lamar Odom - Let's Get Some Perspective People

Here are some money quotes from Kurt Streeter of the LA Times:

But some perspective is needed. Let's not forget who we're talking about. Signing Odom, as maddeningly inconsistent and frustrating as anyone in the NBA, ensures nothing more for Lakers fans than a continued roller coaster ride and another season of heartburn.

Next season, guaranteed, will come moments when you'll swear he's Elgin Baylor. There will also be times when you'll swear he's Elgin your aging third cousin who comes off the bench for his church league team. Despite their great talent, if we see too much of your cousin, the Lakers just might get upset in the first round of the playoffs.

And this one:

We forget, after this last playoff run, the unexplainable pratfalls that have pockmarked Odom's career. One could sift through season after season of examples, but there's no need to go back that far. Remember that alongside those flashy playoff games last spring there were several with no luster at all. Remember Odom's two-point, 25-minute performance against Houston in Game 4, which kept that series a stalemate. Remember Denver and clunker Games 1, 3 and 4. Odom played a total of 93 minutes. He scored seven, eight and five points.

And this one too:

Remember how, smack in the throes of the playoffs, doctors were sending the Lakers unasked-for-advice theorizing that Odom's insatiable sugar cravings had created an NBA Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Remember how, not so long ago -- just the start of last season -- Odom was a whipping boy. When I wrote a piece last October titled "Don't be so hard on Lakers' Lamar Odom" my in-box overflowed with e-mails claiming I'd lost my marbles. Back then, in the minds of many who now say his signing ensures a dynasty, Odom was a lost cause: wonderful trade bait in a deal for Shawn Marion, a pack of pecans and an old goat.

Today, of course, we talk about how great Odom is and will be. Today we prattle on about how this signing ensures the spectacular chemistry of next season's Lakers and the wisdom Odom will bring his New York City running buddy, that wack job Mr. Artest.

And lastly:

It was good enough for one title. Whether it will be good enough for more isn't as sure a bet as many -- bedazzled by memories of a few great games -- seem to think.

Thanks goodness someone, in LA of all places, is giving a little reality check about Lamar Odom.

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