SB Nation User Blog: Portland Dynasty

BEdge gets attention from Yahoo Sports..

Portland Dynasty — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 20:09:46 -0000

This may "just" be a blog for Blazers fans by Blazers fans... and we all may buy into what Dave and Ben say about this being one of the "best" blogs around because of the content that the writers and bloggers add to this site... but when I stumble across a mainstream website like Yahoo Sports that has an article that links to BlazersEdge and helps build up the credibility of this beloved site... well, we have to point it out.

Check this link: Apparently the Andre Miller career story recieved this global attention. Great job.

Has anyone else seen any credibility boosting mentions, links or shout-outs elsewhere in the whole WWW? Here is the goods that I have stumbled across....

Recent NBA News:

PF Leon Powe was signed by Cleveland Cavaliers.

PF Glen Davis was re-signed by Boston Celtics.

GM Kevin Pritchard told by Magic that he "caught a break" by missing on Turkoglu.

FC Fabricio Oberto was signed by Washington Wizards.

ESPN Insider John Hollinger "I didn't like Andre Miller going to the Blazers if it was going to cost them $40 million. At $14 million guaranteed? At that price, I can talk myself into it."

This is my favorite list to go back and check every week or two... Chad Ford of ESPN's list of Top Remaining Free Agents for 2009.

Rumors:

The Utah Jazz have reduced Boozer jerseys by 50%... its anyone's guess as to where Boozer ends up playing.

PF Joe Smith is still an unsigned Free-Agent... Salary Cap Geeks: Is signing Smith possible for PDX?

PG Ramon Sessions is still available and won't sign with the Knicks... anyone here think they'd rather have Ramon over Miller?

........... all in all, I feel pretty good about the off-season for the Blazers so far. Sure, the "only" signing was Andre Miller, but the CORE is all back from 54 wins last season, Martell Webster will be reinfused, and the Blazers had another promising (albiet not uber-sexy) draft adding 4 more names into the talent pool. I likey... Now that the Andre Miller deal has sank in, what do you think?

Poll

How excited are you now that the Andre Miller signing has totally sank in?

Super-stoked... 60 wins here we come

96 votes

Definitely improved the roster... 54 wins or better

139 votes

Okay move... I anticipate similar wins and standings next season.

15 votes

Not good enough to keep up with the Jonses.

3 votes

253 votes | Poll has closed

Hindsight 20/20: Off-Season Targets Recap

Portland Dynasty — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 01:52:47 -0000

1. A legitimate 3rd Scoring Option on the First Team

2. Strong Perimeter Defender on the First Team

3. Powerful rebounding and scoring post to fully solidify the post rotation.

4. A true distributor who will generate opportunities for the team.

Target #1: Hedo Turkoglu was a legitimate 3rd Scoring option, has decent defense & rebounding but was also a strong distributor. Also Hedo was the most expensive target Portland went after.

Target #2: Kirk Hinrich was the 2nd option coveted most by Portland early. Kirks recent display of defensive strength in last seasons playoffs sparked much interest from the Blazers. Kirk also had the credentials to be that consistent 3rd scorer on the first unit, as well as being a solid distributor.

Target #3: Paul Millsap is a powerful rebounding and scoring post, capable of being the consistent 3rd scorer that Portland rotation currently lacks. There is nothing to prove that Portland didn't covet fellow PF David Lee just as much as Paul Millsap, but Paul Millsap was the better contractural opportunity? Who knows, but both of these guys were targeted here.

Target #3: Andre Miller is as "pure point guard" as you can get, and this guy is a great distributor. Miller is also a career 14.5ppg scorer and can be that 3rd scorer that is lacking for the Blazers. Miller is also a very good free-throw shooter and gets to the line effectively, a much unheralded skill.

I can see the fit very easily for Turkoglu, Hinrich and Miller, as well as understand the strategy in going after Millsap and Lee to even further the advantage Portland's frontcourt has. Of all of the 5 players named above, Andre Miller comes with the cheapest price tag and seems to be the likliest guarantee that the rest of the roster will benefit from playing with him.

After looking back at this off-season, do you all see KP & Co's priorities the same way as I wrote them here?

The only thing left remaining is whether or not Portland will add that powerful rebounding and post scoring player this offseason.

Poll

Which player do you feel would have been the best fit for Portland this off-season?

SF Hedo Turkoglu

9 votes

PG Kirk Hinrich

39 votes

PF Paul Millsap

6 votes

PF David Lee

1 votes

PG Andre Miller

31 votes

86 votes | Poll has closed

Andre Miller is a welcome addition, now for a Forward....

Portland Dynasty — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 20:39:49 -0000

It is exciting to be getting Andre Miller. I was of the camp that getting Andre Miller two seasons ago would have been a "great" move, in pairing Miller up with B.Roy. Instead we have had Steve Blake in that role, while Miller had put down two of the best seasons in his career and redefining the 76ers into a team that wins games in the playoffs. So, I more than welcome Andre Miller. Especially if we all remember how under-whelming Steve Blakes game play was during the playoffs vs. Houston.

So now we need to look at the rest of our roster. Clearly our two pressing holes are for a

1.) a strong-playing back-up PF (RFA Glen Davis $5M or UFA Drew Gooden $2M)

2.) play-making wing depth at SF (RFA Marvin WIlliams $5M or RFA Carlos Delphino $2M)

For you ESPN insiders, check back toChad Fords list of available Free Agents here.

Other than those players I noted above as options to fill Portland's two most glaring roster holes, who else is out their for acquisition?

Is KP going to move either Steve Blake or Travis Outlaw as long been rumored?

LINKS: Please link any applicable stories of potential targets to your posts below.

Poll

Now that is looks like Portland is going to bring in veteran PG Andre Miller, which of these free agents would you like to see added to Portland's roster for 2009?

6'9" FC Glen "Big Baby" Davis, RFA - Celtics ($5-$7M)

45 votes

6'8" SF Marvin Williams, RFA - Hawks ($5-$6M)

62 votes

6'10" PF Drew Gooden, UFA - Spurs ($2.5-$4M)

95 votes

6'6" GF Carlos Delphino, RFA - Raptors ($2-$4M)

1 votes

6'6" GF Marquis Daniels, RFA - Pacers ($2.5-$4M)

3 votes

6'8" SF Linas Klieza, RFA - Nuggests ($3-$5M)

31 votes

237 votes | Poll has closed

Are you impressed with the Orlando Magic's off-season?

Portland Dynasty — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 08:26:10 -0000

I just read the most recent addition to last season's NBA finals contender Orlando Magic is GF Matt Barnes as a free agent acquisition.

Orlando kicked off the off-season by trading PG Rafer Alston while his value is high, along with SG Courtney Lee and FC Tony Battie... bringing back SG Vince Carter and promising PF Ryan Anderson from the Nets.

Orlando let Hedo Turkoglu leave in free agency, but matched and retained 7'0" C Marcin Gortat's services who was wanted by Dallas... Then the Magic signed studly PF Brandon Bass away from the Mavs!

So now, the Eastern Conference Champs are looking like this....

PG: Jameer Nelson/ Anthony Johnson

SG: Vince Carter/ Mikael Pietrus/ JJ Redick

SF: Rashard Lewis/ Matt Barnes

PF: Brandon Bass/Ryan Anderson

FC: Dwight Howard/ Marcin Gortat

That is a pretty formidable line-up. Personally, with the players the Magic have brought in I think they are looking like the scariest team in the association now. What do you think about what the Magic have done?

What other NBA teams have done enough to impress you on their improvement and help their chances of getting into next seasons finals? How do you think our Portland TrailBlazers match up against arguably the best team in the Eastern Conference?

POLL: How would you grade Orlando's offseason?

Poll

With Orlando's off-season bringing in Vince Carter, Brandon Bass, Matt Barnes, and Ryan Anderson, retaining Marcin Gortat and losing Hedo Turkoglu, Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee, and Tony Battie.... how would you grade the the Magic's team versus last season

A. Magic are leading the East and back in finals for a second year in a row

46 votes

B. Orlando did a good job of adding enough talent to off-set the talent lost. Could get back in finals.

96 votes

C. Orlando didn't do enough to match other Eastern teams, won't make finals.

13 votes

155 votes | Poll has closed

State of the Franchise: Thank you Darius Miles...

Portland Dynasty — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 01:54:20 -0000

After an overachieved 54-win season and home-field advantage in the playoffs last season was a huge deal for this Blazers franchise, and the off-season has the reasonable expectations of improving the roster.

Most of us Blazers fans believe that our roster will be improved organically simply by growth out of Greg Oden, Rudy Fernandez, Nicolas Batum and Jerryd Bayless (who were all rookies last year) which all could have small step to huge leap improvements. It is realistic to believe that Martell Websters presence would be a nice compliment to the team, and that those players who carried Portland last season (B.Roy, LMA & Pryzbilla) are going to be back for another great season...

But our GROWTH improvement is nothing that KP & Crew have been doing this off-season to improve the team. The free agency opportunities that Portland had this off-season were cut in half when Darius Miles made his "comeback" with Memphis. That "comeback" cost Portland essentially $9-million dollars of cap space this offseason. Having $15-$18million of capspace rather than the $8-$9million that Portland actually had to work with. Seriously, there is such a better chance of success in free agency with double the cap-space. So thank you very much freaking Darius Miles.

PF Paul Millsap definitely is a great rebounder and post-presence, and I like the deal he was signed to. Millsap improves the strength our inside game across the board, but definitely renders Travis Outlaw's PF slot to nothing... If we keep Millsap in the fold, Travis Outlaw should be traded this off-season. If Millsap is in fact going to be a sign-n-trade player, then keeping Outlaw is really a piece that we trade if need be. Other than Millsap at the back-up PF, if he is in fact used as a trade chip, Portland no longer has Brandon Bass as an option, but David Lee and Glen Davis are both still available, so there are quality options at the backup-4. The only problem with the PF's is that this/these moves would not improve Unit 1, just Unit 2. I do feel that an improvement on the starting line-up should be made before this off-seaosn is done. Steve Blake just wasn't good enough and Portlnad really does need a more effective and more consistent 3rd scorer. Outlaw hasn't risen that far, either Turkoglu or Hinrich would've been the upgraded starter who takes that 3rd scorer option very well. Is there anything that can get done to improve either the starting PG or starting SF spot with using Blake and/or Outlaw?

I feel that a healthy Martell would improve the first unit... just not to the point of a 15+ppg scorer that either Turkoglu or Hinirch or Harris would be in this system. IF Portland can't bring in a new player then Martell, Bayless and especially Rudy Fernandez needs to step up and be a big-time contributor...

Out of the draft, 6'10" PF Jeff Pendegraph, 6'1" PG Patty Mills, 6'9" F Victor Claver and 6'8" Dante Cunningham are all solid prospects... none are earth-shattering, but I think at least two of those four will pan out well for this team. It was good, just not spectacular...

All in all I still believe that Portland is going to be in the conversation come playoff time... but the off-season chances for making huge improvements took a dive with that "comeback" of Darius Miles.

There is still time for KP & Co. to make some moves... do you think Portland is going to be in the Top-4 of the western conference next season?

Poll

Do you belief that Portland will remain a Top-4 team in the Western Conference next season and get home field advantage with this current roster?

Yes.

336 votes

No.

69 votes

405 votes | Poll has closed

The Ricky Rubio Kunundrum: Do Top Euro Prospects Live-up to the Hype?

Portland Dynasty — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:03:50 -0000

Here are the names in recent draft History that we need to be looking at:

2008: Pick #6 Danilo Gallinari, 6'9" Italy, Forward

2007: Pick #6 Yi Jianlian, 7'0" China, Forward

2006: Pick #1 Anrea Bargnani, 7'0" Spain, Forward-Center

2005: Pick #11 Fran Vasquez, 6'10" Spain, Forward-Center

2004: Pick #8 Rafeal Aruajo, 6'11" Brazil, Forward-Center

2003: Pick #2 Darko Milicic, 7'0", Center

2002: Pick #1 Yao Ming, 7'5" China, Center

2001: Pick #3 Pau Gasol, 7'0" Spain, Forward

Although these are just the international players who were the FIRST international players selected in each draft, adding in all the other international players who were drafted in the first round in all these drafts would show that there are much more BUSTS that players who are Stars, or even contributors.... Portland has done well with prospects Nic Batum, Rudy Fernandez and Sergio Rodriguez, but does the trend that MOST International prospects don't pan out scare you at all about new Spanish sensation Ricky Rubio?

Can top International Prospects live up to their hype? Will Ricky Rubio?

Will the Grizzlies and Clippers ALWAYS suck? (+ Poll)

Portland Dynasty — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:52:24 -0000

I just dove into some BlazersEdgers this morning and Ben's most recent intro got me thinking.... this years draft is headed by two of the absolute worst franchises taking the first and second round. The LA Clippers and the Memphis Grizzlies, it is the teams who draft in those first few slots who land the NBA Greats! Orlando landed D.Howard, Cleveland landed LBJ, Chicago once landed Michael Jordan at #3, more recently D.Rose at #1 overall, and a lot of the success of so many franchises is based on being able to draft and keep an NBA Superstar.

Here is what Ben wrote this morning:

Let me just say that the single best development for the NBA this year is basketball agents finally realizing they shouldn't want their players drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies and then actively working to prevent that from happening by cancelling workouts, avoiding interviews and visits, etc. When guys who have worked THEIR ENTIRE LIVES for the dream of making the league and receiving that first big pay check, the one that has the potential to change THEIR ENTIRE FAMILY'S LIVES, are saying "thanks, but no thanks" to your team, coach, city, franchise and your entire crew... that speaks volumes.

I am sure that Blake Griffin is not Super-stoked to be the Super-star of the Clippers... total bummer. I mean, what if this lottery had been won by the Washington Wizards or his new home-town franchise the Blunder? He'd be so much more excited I bet... no kid wants to be on the losers, even if you believe in yourself and your ability to be a franchise changer... it still is a steeper climb up the mountain of greatness. Would you rather be Derrick Rose and be the next superstar in Chicago to fill the void left by Jordan.... or be Blake Griffin being drafted to be the savior of Team DogMeat (Clips, LOL)?

Winning is the cure for everything, but teams like the Clippers and Grizzlies would likely deal with mass exodus of RFA's UFA's if the team was somehow a winner for a season or two. I mean, do either of these franchises have anything that would keep a player like Blake Griffin past his initial contract? Maybe. Maybe not.... Talk amongst yourselves.

My question is this: IF by some amazing stroke of luck either the Grizzlies or the Clippers ended up landing in the Top #2 picks THREE seasons in a row, would it transform their franchise or simply set them up for short term successes?

Poll

My question is this: IF by some amazing stroke of luck either the Grizzlies or the Clippers ended up landing in the Top #2 picks THREE seasons in a row, would it transform their franchise or simply set them up for short term successes?

Transform the Franchise into a long-term winner

20 votes

Simply set up team for short term successes until those contracts are up

112 votes

132 votes | Poll has closed

Trade Drawer: What is the Competition going to do?

Portland Dynasty — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 23:04:18 -0000

We do a pretty good job here around BlazersEdge.com of coming up with great trade ideas and following the latest rumors of what other teams might be doing. Of course, it is always more interesting to Blazer fans to discuss what is going to happen with Portland's Roster, but when we are this close to the draft and probably a boat load of NBA transactions... now seems like the best time for a little weekend Trade Speculation on what we might see out of the top competition from both the Eastern and Western Conferences.

There are a few teams currently riding in the Elite of all NBA teams who could make dramatic changes to their rotations, or maybe simply changes only... these teams are Orlando, Cleveland, Boston, F@kers, Houston, Dallas, and Denver. Also, there are some other teams on the cusp of really competing among the top ranks.... Utah, New Orleans, Washington, or Chicago. All of these teams are going to be making some changes, some of them will make close to wholesale changes..... What are your thoughts? Trade idea's? or Rumors that you have heard that seem too good for teams to not pull the trigger on.

Please, if you are siting a RUMOR, link it to your post.

As far as a poll goes.... Who is going to represent the Eastern Conference in the Finals next season? We already know who is gonna be reppin' the West.... Your Portland Trail Blazers!

As for a Competition Transaction that I want to address... the Dallas Mavericks. To me, Dallas has the ability to remain in the mix and could become the scariest team in the West (other than Portland) with a few transactions. Of course having Mark Cuban's passion and check book helps put them in elite company when talking about off-season ability to make moves and improve. Dallas still has PF Dirk Nowitski in his prime, a bevy of quality veterans and maybe just a few pieces away from being very dangerous. I could forsee Dallas making a deal with the LA Clippers for Chris Kaman or Marcus Camby, as the clippers need to open some Playing time in the post for #1 Pick Blake Griffen. Let's say Dallas trades Josh Howard & Pick #22 to LA for FC Chris Kaman, SF Al Thornton and a 2nd Rounder. Then Dallas resigns Jason Kidd at around $11M per year, and still has money enough to sign another veteran player like GF Ron Artest for around $7.5M per. Then still have enough money to sign a nice veteran backup PF since B.Bass is likely to move on... call it Joe Smith or Antonio McDyess at >=$2M....

Dallas would be very impressive with:
PG Jason Kidd/JJ Barea

SG Ron Artest/Jason Terry

SF Al Thornton/Jerry Stackhouse/Antoine Wright

PF Dirk Nowitski/Antonio McDyess

FC Chris Kaman/ Erick Dampier

What kind of GM-Genius is out there on BE as we approach the Week of Transaction Pandemonium?

Poll

Who is going to win the Eastern Conference next season to face Portland in their trip to the finals?

Orlando

11 votes

Boston

17 votes

Cleveland

76 votes

Washington

3 votes

Miami

4 votes

Chicago

6 votes

117 votes | Poll has closed

Spurs Draft Secrets.

Portland Dynasty — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:10:54 -0000

I ran across this article on ESPN.com from Ric Bucher. I thought this was a great article as it lends perspective to draft strategy from a solid franchise. A few things really stood out to me. One is that mantra that San Antonio brass followed of "Character not characters", meaning to draft players with high character and intangibles rather than somebody who is more interested in their sponsors and brand. The other is that franchises don't expect to hit a home run with every pick. You want to be able to target and draft players who will have productive careers... you don't have to land a star every time... But with this rule, you do need to take full advantage of high lottery picks.

Portland has really been focusing on "Character not characters" since the KP era began. Also, Portland has done a great job in drafting players with high lottery picks (Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden) and done a great job at finding solid contributors later in drafts (Sergio Rodriguez, Rudy Fernandez, Nic Batum)... Portland now only really needs to add players who can contribute to team as a role player... of course they could always find that diamond in the rough too. When you manuever in a draft to grab a player like Jerryd Bayless who is workout warrior gym rat type kid... you know your GM is working to find winners who want to work hard. At this point, I am completely confident in Kevin Pritchard's team to improve the Blazers this offseason.

Here is that article:

The San Antonio Spurs are proof that drafting well may be less about consistently identifying great talent than having the patience and persistence to develop whatever great talent you find.

Despite having had only four of their last 19 draft picks play significant minutes for the franchise, the Spurs are the best drafting team over the past 20 years, according to our analytical assessment. That's because those four draft picks were Tim Duncan (19.29 estimated wins added), Tony Parker (9.45 EWA), Manu Ginobili (6.93 EWA) and Beno Udrih (1.33 EWA), players taken over the widest draft spectrum imaginable -- from Duncan at No. 1 to Ginobili at No. 57. All four players exceeded the expected value of their draft slot. Only Udrih is no longer with the franchise, and that was after three seasons in which he contributed to two championships.

D. Clarke Evans/Getty ImagesThe Spurs' big three are a product of San Antonio's brilliant approach to the draft.

"What the Spurs' draft record demonstrates is that you can't hit a home run every time," says David Kahn, the Minnesota Timberwolves' newly hired GM. "And everybody hits one once in a while. What they've avoided is striking out with the bases loaded, as in making a mistake at the top of the draft."

Only twice in the past 20 years have the Spurs had a lottery pick, and they made good use of both. The Duncan pick in '97 was huge. And in 1989, they grabbed Sean Elliott. His 2.38 EWA didn't fulfill expectations for his draft slot, but it was far better than Pervis Ellison (1.61), who went first to the Kings and Danny Ferry (0.49), who went second to the Clippers. In fact, of the top 10 picks in that forgettable '89 draft, only Glen Rice (who went to Miami at No. 4) met the expected EWA for his slot, and Elliott's career was far more productive than the likes of J.R. Reid, Stacey King, George McCloud and Randy White who followed. In other words, in Elliott's case, a pick that looks like a disappointment based on our methodology still could have been much, much worse.

Ferry, now GM of the Cavaliers, played and worked under Spurs coach/VP Gregg Popovich before being tapped to run the Cleveland franchise. He credits San Antonio's emphasis of character over characters as a major factor in why their best draft choices have thrived. The Spurs have made incremental, rather than drastic, overhauls of the roster. They've also consistently had a core of no-nonsense veterans, from Terry Cummings to David Robinson to Avery Johnson, to demonstrate the necessary focus and work ethic to incoming rookies.

"You have to have fertile ground," says Ferry. "You can have great talent, but you put it among rocks and weeds, it's not going to develop. Being 20-something and trying to figure out the league is hard enough. Now you constantly put him in a different style with a different group of players around him, it makes it only harder."

A glance at top drafting teams over the past two decades reveals a common trait: stability in leadership and philosophy. Popovich and GM RC Buford have both been with the team since 1994, sharing the same slow-growth philosophy. The next-best drafting teams, the Lakers and Suns, are also on a Vatican timetable when it comes to leadership changes. The Lakers' Jerry West was succeeded by his longtime right-hand man, Mitch Kupchak; the Suns' Jerry Colangelo was succeeded by his son, Bryan.

If the Spurs haven't taken the dip the other two teams have in win-loss records, it's because they've had the same coach, Popovich, for 13 of the past 20 years. That means less guesswork about what kind of player will thrive in their system, which is the exact opposite of what the Clippers, the worst-drafting team, have dealt with.

"They know what kind of talent works for Pop," says Ferry.

The Spurs were also one of the first teams to explore and mine overseas talent. Parker was playing in France when San Antonio made him the 28th pick in 2001. Ginobili, who hails from Argentina, was also playing in Europe when the Spurs made him the next-to-last pick in the '99 draft.

"They were one of the first to see the value of European and South American players for their work ethic and experience from starting to play professionally at an early age," says Kahn. "They weren't alone, but they were on the front tier."

San Antonio was also patient. Ginobili stayed in Europe three more years, developing his game, before joining the Spurs in 2002 and instantly helping them to a championship.

For all that, there was some luck involved as well. The Spurs had the second-worst record in 1997 behind Boston but slipped past the Celtics in the lottery for the No. 1 pick to get Duncan. Ginobili was too raw in '99 for anyone to think he'd become one of the all-time top-five foreign players -- "They took a flier on him," says one source -- and the Spurs pursued free agent point guard Jason Kidd in 2003 and planned to deal Parker to make room. Kidd, however, chose to re-sign with New Jersey.

So, all in all, they've made sensible decisions at the top of the draft and did the necessary homework to get ahead of the curve on a couple of long shots. It's a philosophy that Ferry and Oklahoma City GM Sam Presti, both products of the San Antonio organization, are now implementing.

Which means San Antonio could have competition for the best draft record over the next 20 years.

Ric Bucher is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine and ESPN Insider.

Poll

With the NBA Draft just around the corner and transactions all over the NBA likely to happen around it, HOW CONFIDENT are you that Kevin Pritchard and the Brass are going to improve the Blazers this off-season?

Totally confident that the Blazers will take a big step forward thanks to the off-season work that will be done by KP

81 votes

I believe the Blazers will do some good on draft day, but only increase overall talent incrementally

87 votes

Nuetral

2 votes

Not very confident that the Blazers will be improved after this off-season, they need players that are unatainable

8 votes

178 votes | Poll has closed

B.Roy approves Ronny Turiaf, Part II: Trade Drawer/Poll

Portland Dynasty — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:12:23 -0000

Brandon Roy Approves this Trade Drawer.... (not literally)

Golden State is KP’s golden opportunity to keep his star Brandon Roy excited about what this team has going on. Everyone knows that Brandon Roy is the leader of this franchise, and he is a damn good one so far. Recently Brandon Roy named Golden State PF Ronny Turiaf specifically to Blazer Commentator Brian Wheeler (95.5 The Game) as a good target for the back-up PF role that needs to be filled by Portland. Golden State also has long-time friend of Brandon Roy… 29 year old 6’5" PG Jamal Crawford. Crawford is great scorer (19ppg, 4.4apg) and not a bad guy, but he does have a bad contract (08/09-$8.3M, 09/10-$9.4M, 10/11-$10M), ends when Jamal is 31 years old. So Portland has an opportunity to leverage it’s $5.8Million in available cap space and help another team (in this case Golden State) realize some flexibility. Of course, KP wants it to be a true "Win-Win" so there is something Portland will get in return… at first I thought, 2009 #7 pick… but after thinking about where the youth is on this team right now, it would be better for Portland to accept a future 1st Round Pick (top-5 protected) from Golden State for either 2010 or 2011 Draft.

If you look at Golden State’s roster you see a lot of scorers but no steady hand and no maturity at point guard… the Warriors need Steve Blake… an efficient facilitator and effective out-let scorer. Although Portland loves Blake and coach Nate actually trusts him, Portland’s steady hand needs to be Brandon Roy, and the guard rotation won’t redefine itself if Blake is still around. Now that the kids in Portland are growing up, Blake is the guy who needs to be sacrificed from this group, not Travis Outlaw (as he is another player who has an exceptional bond with B.Roy). I prefer keeping Travis Outlaw, and although some will think that a deal with Golden State can’t get done without including Travis Outlaw, this "lop-sided" trade is about creating cap space and it works… +$1Million cash, that is the way we do it!

Nick Van Excellent posted this quote previously on "B.Roy approves of Ronny Turiaf as the backup power forward"… this quote is Jamal Crawford talking about his friendship with Brandon Roy "It’s always tough. Brandon Roy is one of my best friends and when he went to the playoffs (with Portland) I was just as excited as if I was playing. I told him ’I’m playing through you’ and I was up there supporting him and going to games. And this is the closest I’ve been now it’s time to win. You can do all the individual stuff but until you win you won’t get the credit you deserve."-Jamal Crawford

Jamal Crawford at the starting point guard of Portland excites me for a number of reasons. One, he is a proven scorer in the NBA. Two, he is a big guard keeping Portland’s consistent size/length advantage. Three, he has the BB-respect of B.Roy which makes me believe they will have instant chemistry. And Four, leveraging our cap space also nets the Blazers a future first round pick, giving Portland options when they need 'em more than they do now.

Ronny Turiaf is a player who is 6’10", can play both center and PF, and is a special player because of his energy in rebounding and blocking. Turiaf definitely would fit with Portland’s culture, as B.Roy pointed out… plus he plays with the French National Team and that would be a neat fit for Nic Batum. Ultimately, Brandon Roy thinks he is the perfect fit for both team role and culture.

First Move: Portland uses $3.3M Trade Exception plus PG Sergio Rodriguez $1.1M to Golden State for PF Ronny Turiaf ($4.5M)

Second Move: Portland uses its cap space $5.8M in a lop-sided trade, $5.6M in Cap Space, PG Steve Blake ($4.2M) plus 2009 Picks #38, #55 to Golden State for PG Jamal Crawford ($8.6M), SG Marco Belinelli ($1.4M) and Future 1st Round Pick.

Why Golden State Does It? Well, I answered that question with the #7 Pick this season. If Golden State is able to get rid of Jamal Crawford’s contract and keep their #7 now… it is a no-brainer. Losing Turiaf could sting a bit, but with the cap space this deal would create they have available they have plenty of options. Plus if they want more cap space and feel that their #7 pick can play PG right away, they could always cut Blake’s non-guaranteed $4.2M, allowing them to grab an even better player in Free Agency. When Golden State has to give up that 1st Rounder in the future there will be choking on their end, but because it is a future… emotionally it hurts much less when you are pulling the trigger on deals. The additional 2nd Round picks acquired by Portland will help Golden State to try and find more diamond in the rough players who don’t come with guaranteed contracts… its like buying the rights to bring in two extra players to camp. They won’t miss Belinelli and wasn’t necessarily part of their plans. Golden State could even trade the #7 to a team with 2 first rounders (Chicago or Minnesota)…. Maybe land two players (#16 C BJ Mullens and #26 PG Darren Collison). This definitely gives them options.

Golden State: 2009 #7, #38, #55.

PG: Steve Blake/Sergio Rodriguez

SG: Monta Ellis/Stephen Jackson/

SF: Corey Maggette/ Kalenna Azubuike

PF: Anthony Randolph/Brandan Wright/Richard Hendrix

FC: Andris Biedrins/

Why Portland does it? Portland needs to evolve the guard rotation as this seasons playoffs proved that a new formula is needed. Steve Blake is a great player, but our first unit really needs an attacker to be beside Brandon Roy, while Roy becomes the steady hand of the offense. Jamal Crawford is a proven NBA scorer and has instant chemistry with B.Roy. Also, Crawford isn’t too big of star to fight-off our aspirations for Jerryd Bayless. The other need for Portland is a rebounding and defending power-forward, which Ronny Turiaf fits perfectly. By getting Ronny Turiaf at PF, and keeping PF Travis Outlaw… Portland has unbelievable match-up options. SG Marco Belinelli is a 6’5" Italian shooter who could blossom in a new situation, could be a darkhorse find. Not to mention the Future 1st Rounder which give our beloved GM the flexibility he is always talking about… What can’t you do with 2 first rounders in the same draft? Portland ALSO can use the Mid-Level Exception and the Bi-Annual Exception to add two more players, which is exciting.

Portland: 2009 #24, #32, #56, 2010 1st Rounder

PG: Jamal Crawford/ Jerryd Bayless

SG: Brandon Roy/Rudy Fernandez/ Marco Belinelli

SF: Martell Webster/ Nic Batum

PF: LaMarcus Aldridge/ Ronny Turiaf/ Travis Outlaw

FC: Greg Oden/ Joel Pryzbilla

A little more Speculation for Portland: Portland could land a player like Ron Artest or Andre Miller with the mid-level exception and a depth player with the Bi-Annual Exception. With Pick #24 I would like either PG Darren Collison or SF Sam Young. Allowing KP to keep Pick #32 enables Portland to target the top talent that slipped into non-guarnateed territory, and #56 has draft-n-stash written all over it. Getting Martell back will be huge, keeping Travis, infusing two new veterans (Artest & Crawford), adding Turiaf, getting improvement from Batum, Bayless, Oden and Fernandez.. and everyone else for that matter... this team would look good enough to challenge either of these two teams currently in the NBA Finals. So when it is all said and done, Portland could look like:

2009/2010 Roster is this good enough for a Championship?

PG: Jamal Crawford(T)/ Jerryd Bayless/ Darren Collison(#24)

SG: Brandon Roy/Rudy Fernandez/ Marco Belinelli(T)

SF: Ron Artest(MLE)/Martell Webster/ Nic Batum

PF: LaMarcus Aldridge/ Ronny Turiaf(T)/ Travis Outlaw

FC: Greg Oden/ Joel Pryzbilla/ Robert Swift(BAE)

Poll

If Portland adds PG Jamal Crawford, PF Ronny Turiaf and SF Ron Artest, does that give Portland enough weapons and depth to challenge the Lakers, Magic, Celtics, Cavs or Rockets for next year's NBA title?

Yes, Bring it On! Championship Caliber next season.

122 votes

Okay, an upgrade to maybe conference finals...

67 votes

No. Still a first round exiting team

34 votes

223 votes | Poll has closed