SB Nation User Blog: Portland Dynasty

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?

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?

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

B.Roy approves of backup PF Ronny Turiaf to be a Blazer.

Portland Dynasty — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:49:50 -0000

According to 95.5 The Game' "Wheels At Work" Brandon Roy has told them that the player that he would identify as fitting the Blazers need at the back-up Power Forward position is 6'10" 26 year old Ronny Turiaf.

Ronny currently is backup on Golden State and made $4.5M in 2009. This is a reasonable contract to make a move for, since both Blake and Travis have similar contracts to trade and Portland has enough room to absorb Turiaf's contract if a lopsided trade were to take place.

Personally I like Ronny Turiaf, but what do you guys think about having Turiaf as part of our line-up and just how do you think he would be acquired by Portland?

If we added Ronny, what other piece could Portland still go after to add in addition to finish out the roster for next season?

Poll

Would I like to have Ronny Turiaf brought in as the back-up PF for this young Blazers franchise?

Yes, this move would be awesome and Turiaf would become a fan favorite

506 votes

I'd be fine with it, just not super stoked

540 votes

No, I don't think Ronny Turiaf is the answer

116 votes

1162 votes | Poll has closed

Top Prospects decline workouts with Portland...

Portland Dynasty — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 05:41:13 -0000

This is from www.RealGM.com wiretaps....

this is the article, but here is what it says:

"A number of top prospects have declined workouts with the Trail Blazers, citing the team's successful young roster.

"We're fighting to get some of these kids in for workouts," said Chad Buchanan, Portland's director of college scouting.

After having more than 15 separate workouts prior to last season's NBA Draft, the Blazers have a total of just eight scheduled this year.

"The agents are saying, 'Where is my guy going to play for you guys? I understand you like him and you may move up (in the draft) to get him, but I don't know if I want him playing for you,'" Buchanan said. "Even though we have a history of being able to move up in the draft to get the (prospect) we like, we're having trouble bringing guys in for workouts."

Portland general manager Kevin Pritchard and his staff attended two "Supercamps" in Oakland and Minnesota, where they were able to evaluate 68 prospects."

Really? This is what "the kids these days are saying"... All I know is, if a player literally doesn't want to play for an up and coming team they are too much of an egotistical idiot. Really? The best fans in the NBA, one of the Top-5 arena's and one of the RICHEST owners in hoops and you are too good because you are scared to play with this up and coming franchise. Any player Portland brings in this offseason can become part of the core and yet some of the young prospects are scared to "risk" joining this team? I think it is weak, but lets be honest.... the success of the Blazers is starting to scare some away...

Has anyone read anywhere else who might have turned down the Blazers? Maybe this is why Portland is actually looking to trade out of this years first round?

This is the first report I have read saying that prospects don't want to "waste their time" working out with Portland... has anyone read this in other places on the web? What do you think about this and the impact it could have on Portlands ability to negotiate?

How much do you think Bayless' situation this season is weighing on kids or agents shying away from Portland as a "potential destination"?

Poll

What is going to happen with Portland in the first round of the 2009 Draft?

Portland trades out of the 1st round this year all together

36 votes

Portland trades up in the 1st round this year,picking higher than #24

62 votes

Portland trades #24 pick, but buys another 1st rounder to use

12 votes

Portland actually picks and keeps the player at #24

25 votes

135 votes | Poll has closed

Coach Nate's Comments yesterday on 95.5 and our confidence in KP

Portland Dynasty — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 22:01:58 -0000

I am not sure if yoiu were listening to Wheels at Work in the final hour of his program yesterday, but at 3pm, coach Nate MacMillan was the guest and he said some things that I wanted to discuss here on BlazersEdge.

Comment #1: Nate was asked about finding a playmaking point guard rather than sticking with our existing personnell, his answer was "What we need to do is take full advantage of our players strengths" he went on to say that one of Brandon's strengths is handling the ball and creating so we can expect that "Brandon is going to be handling the ball". Of course, the question was actually about who is next to Roy, not what Roy is going to be doing... but Nate felt it neccessary to reiterate to the public that for Roy to be Roy he needs that ball in his hands. I took from this that a player in the mold of Jerryd Bayless IS the plan at the starting PG, even if Portland adds someone else it is likely that they don't have to be the 8 assist guy that many are clammoring for. My question to all of you here is: WHAT player strengths do you hope we take better advantage of next season?

Comment #2: Wheels brought up the Team USA player invitations, apparently B.Roy is gonna sit out to rest but Aldridge and Bayless are gonna practice. Nate was kinda pimpin Jerryd Bayless stating "what a great opportunity it is for Jerryd to play with those players", but what really caught my attention was when Nate reminded us that after his summer league success last off-season "Jerryd practiced against the Gold Medal Team and did a really good job". It is pretty clear around this blog that many have forgotten just what kind of prospect we have in Jerryd Bayless because he didn't have a 'breakout' rookie season, yet recently both KP and Nate are speaking out about the fact that Bayless is still very much IN the plans for the future. To the many out there who may be thinking this is posturing to improve the value of a trading chip... that thought is becoming less and less believable.

Comment #3: Wheels bridged the subject of Team USA to the summer league roster, specifically asking if Petteri Koponen was going to be back on the Blazers summer league team. He stated something like last year having both Koponen and Bayless on the summer league team forced these two top prospects to split time at the Point Guard role. Nate's comeback? Nate said simply "I really want Jerryd to play the point". Nate said nothing memorable about Petteri, and made it fairly clear in yet another comment that Jerryd is gonna get a shot at PG next season, and that getting max time possible in summer league was part of their plans.

These three comments really stuck with me because it seemed that Nate was illustrating his confidence in Pritchard's personnel decisions, being willing to work with the players he has, and sticking with the Long-term vision that those in the circle of trust had planned out a few years back. How much faith do WE (the United Bloggers of BlazersEdge) have in Kevin Pritchards decisions. I mean, really? We need a back-up PF who is a banger defender and rebounder, 99% agree with that, so what if Kevin Pritchard walked out of the 2009 NBA draft with non-other than Tyler Hansbrough?

Of course this is an example, but would you lose faith in our "leader" if he did something that wasn't popular with media writers like drafting a kid (who even though he is a national champ, measured out way better than expected, and is reasonably/arguably the 2nd best PF on the draft board behind #1 Blake Griffiin, and is likely to slide down draft boards as predicted 3 seasons ago...) like Tyler Hansbrough is a POPULAR choice to hate? Really, if KP drafted Hansbrough would you be willing to say "Okay, I think KP knows what he is doing and Hansbrough does have some good skills and experience, and his body fits the role we need very well."

There are so many people who have forgotten that Bayless was apparently #2 or #3 on the draft board last season, and now believe his lack of opportunity and success this season makes him a player to discard... yet when Bayless was drafted it was a VERY popular pick. If KP makes a move that he and the Brass think is the best one, yet our fans believe more in the negative media hype rather than our Genius BrainTrust... real bad mojo scenario's could be the result. I am as guilty as anyone who LOVES to play GM and try to figure out what our next or best options are... but I will tell you this... WHOMEVER KP and Co. bring into the Blazers Roster for next season and beyond I am going to embrace them and be excited. Are you?

Poll

If the Blazers Brain Trust drafted and signed PF Tyler Hansbrough this offseason I would...

Embrace him as a Blazer and be excited that such a menacing player is on our roster

171 votes

Be pretty Sketchy about Psycho-T, although I trust KP

58 votes

Be Livid... no way I would back that move, KP is dead to me

12 votes

241 votes | Poll has closed

Jerryd Bayless vs. Jarrett Jack

Portland Dynasty — Tue, 26 May 2009 20:38:02 -0000

So does anyone miss Jarrett Jack? I always liked that guy a lot, I liked his toughness… I like to imagine pairing him on the court with Joel Pryzbilla to give the attitude that I would love to see from the bench of the Trail Blazers. And I said BENCH, but… what if Jarrett Jack were the PG to get away? I doubt it. Regardless, Jarrett Jack flat out won the starting PG duties in Indiana midway through this past season, beating out TJ Ford hands down in both play and team leadership. Jarrett had good stats 13.1 points per game, 4.1 assists, 5.6 rebounds per game, shot 45%FG, 35%3’s, had 1+ steals per game, a Hollinger PER of 13.10 (not as good as Steve Blake at 14.49, Blake turns the ball over way less). Jarrett Jack has incredible leadership skills, even if some Blazer fans didn’t believe in Jack’s intangibles, that well chronicled position battle between Jarrett Jack and TJ Ford was won by Jack. Jarrett was the best option for the Pacers to play consistently and win games, because of the respect that his team mates have for him and Jack’s willingness to trust his consistent effort to come through for him he did an admirable job helping the Pacers to within 1 spot out of the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Indiana finished 36 – 46, Three wins shy of the playoffs.

So why all this chatter about Jarrett Jack? Simply, I started to realize that Jerryd Bayless was reminding me of Jarrett Jack. The ability to get to the rim, albeit Bayless has much more flare here than Jack. The reputation of a training fiend and hoops-a-holic mentality, though many fans and media types might be thinking this type of “news” is an attempt to create a feel-good story or something, but intangibles are very important to teams as Jack proved this season in Indiana. Jack was Portland’s off-season “Captain”, was a leader in the weight room, conditioning and keeping enthusiastic about training; that is whole-heartedly what I believe Jerryd Bayless needs to be if he even wants a SNIFF at the starting point guard role. Jay Bay should fly out to live with Oden in Ohio and get that dude in the gym two times per day. That is the kind of leadership the next point guard of the Blazers should be. So is Jerryd Bayless going to be better than Jarrett Jack by the time he is 4 years into the league?

Here is what ESPN’s Hollinger wrote about Jerryd Bayless, age 20, 1 year exp.:

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/players/hollinger?playerId=3417

2008-09 outlook: Portland picked up the shoot-first point guard in a draft-day trade with Indiana, and it looks like he might play fairly substantial minutes immediately. Bayless only played one season at Arizona, but his college stats were impressive, and at 6-foot-3 he has enough size to move up to the 2 when Portland wants to play small. Bayless shot 40.7 percent on 3s and 83.9 percent from the line in his one college season, so once he adapts to the pro 3-point line he should be a force from long range. But his instincts are as a driver off the dribble, and he has a good first step to the basket.

Here is what ESPN’s Hollinger wrote about Jarrett Jack, age 25, 4 years exp.:

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/players/hollinger?playerId=2768

Scouting report: A strong pick-and-roll driver who has excellent size and strength for a point guard, Jack is comfortable going to the rim and absorbing contact. He's also become a passable outside shooter, so opponents can't just go under the screen and lay in wait.

Additionally, Jack's size and strength make him an excellent rebounder and defender for a point guard ... except that he's not a point guard. Jack is turnover-prone, has a shoot-first mentality, doesn't push the ball in transition and doesn't see the floor well, so he's really more of a combo guard or even a pure shooting guard. Though he's an inch short for that spot he can defend the position because he's quick and strong, and it may end up being his best spot long-term.

2008-09 outlook: Jack was traded in the offseason to Indiana, where he'll either be in a combo guard role or a pure shooting guard slot coming off the bench -- something he's better suited for than the point. The Pacers need players who can get to the basket, so he fills a need there as well. All told, it's a helpful move for him, not to mention a timely one -- he'll be restricted free agent after the season if the Pacers don't extend him by opening day.

Most similar at age: Vinnie Del Negro

I dunno? Personally I believe that Jerryd Bayless has more upside than where Jarrett Jack is right now. I feel that a lot of people around here need to be reminded of what type of prospect Jerryd Bayless was when Portland landed him. KP’s work to get a player that was slated to be a #3 to #6 pick who slid and Portland was able to maneuver for him… and it cost us Jarrett Jack to do it. Here is a draft bio from collegehoopsnet.com: http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/story/jerryd_bayless_nba_draft_profile41877

Jerryd Bayless

Outlook: Consistent NBA Starter

College: Arizona

Class: Freshman　

Position: PG

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 193lbs

Accolades: Gatorade Player of the Year – Arizona – high school (06 & 07), First Team All-Arizona – high school (04, 05, 06, 07), McDonald’s All-American – high school (07), First Team Parade All-American – high school (07), USA U-18 Team (06).

Scouting Report: A lightning quick scoring point guard.

Strengths: Blow-by quickness – leaves defenders in the dust. Great slasher – gets to the hoop and finishes. Great at drawing fouls and a superb free throw shooter. Solid, quick defender. An explosive scorer – had three straight 30-plus point games in Pac-10 competition this year. Three-point range on his jumper. Versatile – can play both guard spots. Can elevate and hit his jumper over defenders. Can be unstoppable off the dribble – very good at getting by and/or eluding defenders. Decent assist man. Shoots for a high percentage for a guard.

Weaknesses: Inexperienced – only one year of college. Is not really a true point guard – more of a combo guard. More of a scorer than a passer. Turns the ball over too much. Will need time to learn to run an NBA offense and learn the pro point guard game. A little undersized for the NBA if he plays shooting guard.

Projected 2008 Draft Range: Between number three and number six overall.

Consensus: Bayless’ draft stock has exploded as the season has gone on and he continues to pile the points on the board. His offensive skills are NBA ready, but in order to really excel he will have to become more of a point guard or risk becoming a dreaded “tweener”.

So what do we all think about how this “transaction” by KP has worked so far. The weakest part of the Blazers in the playoffs was perimeter defense, which is one spot that Jarrett Jack was more than solid on… not to mention 6’6” Kareem Rush who was also part of that trade is very athletic perimeter defender as well. Maybe Portland would have been better this year in playoffs with Jack and Rush?

I am still excited about Bayless because of his athleticism which is better than either Jack or Rush. I also believe that Bayless’s competitiveness is going to make a very solid on-ball perimeter defender, JBay has got too much pride to get beat all night long! I also believe that this season’s “The Coach Nate Experience” didn’t give Bayless much opportunity to get his shot rolling. Bayless will be at least a 40% 3-point shooter, and 45+% FG shooter, not to mention his ability to get to the free-line AND, more importantly, draw those costly fouls on opponents post players. I agree with collegehoopsnet.com’s draft bio rating Bayless’s prospect level to being a “consistent NBA starter”. Since he is on Portland, Bayless has the potential to become a Consistent NBA starter on a Championship Team.

My Bottom Line: Jerryd Bayless was hyped to have been this great move by KP, but Nate McMillan is going to have to give Jerryd Bayless faith and consistent minutes if Bayless is to have any chance at working out on this roster. Portland has a strong cast of players to be play surrounding Jerryd, if Jerryd is to ever be the pg in Portland, Nate will need to play Jerryd consistently next to Brandon Roy so they can work together and get to know eachother’s game nightly. Even though I am lobbying for Nate to simply hand the keys over to Bayless as the starting PG for half a season no ifs ands or buts, I still unconditionally believe Jerryd Bayless needs to be filling that “off-season” captain void that left when Jarrett Jack was traded. If Bayless establishes himself as a leader THIS offseason, he undoubtedly deserves the starting gig day 1 through all-star break next season.

Poll

Will Jerryd Bayless be a better NBA guard than Jarrett Jack?

Bayless >>>>>> Jack

88 votes

Bayless > Jack

78 votes

Bayless = Jack

15 votes

Jack > Bayless

17 votes

198 votes | Poll has closed

Defining B-Roy's Running Mate (Poll)

Portland Dynasty — Fri, 22 May 2009 18:53:46 -0000

Brandon Roy is totally freaking SICK at Basketball. It is unbelievably awesome that Portland has a player could easily become one of the top 3 most marketed(able) players in all of the Association. Let's just see what a little more team success will mean to the forming legacy of Brandon Roy.?

This fanpost is not a trade forum, I don't want to discuss WHO should be brought onto this roster to be Brandon Roy's running mate... What I do want to do is to DEFINE Brandon Roy's game, his strengths and weaknesses. By clearly defining Roy's game, we can create the criteria in which Roy's "Running Mate" will definitely need to bring to the table if he is to work with this team. The way I figure it, Portland needs to balance out Brandon's weak points by grabing a PG who has strengths in his top weaknesses, and then one who also possesses some of those qualities that make Roy great.

Brandon Roy Strengths:

Excellent Ball-Handling

Good NBA size

Smooth Offensive game

Gets to the free-throw line

Fantastic intangibles

Very efficient

Strong guard rebounder

Solid playmaker passer

Roy's Weaknesses or Questions:

Only an adequate on-ball Defender

Not considered freakish athletic

Rarely shoots 3’s

Doesn't run the fast break

Needs to dominate the ball to be playmaker

Mediocre speed

So I would traslate Roy's match to cover these weaknesses by having:

1. Potential to be great on-ball Defender

2. Considered freakishly athletic

3. Efficient 3-point shooter

4. Great in Transition, running the break

5. Good court movement, can slash

6. Good Speed

Those would be the base criteria for players who would be that good fit for Portland... but what made Brandon Roy such a good draft pick? What are the elements that made Roy an instant success and a player who is a star in the league, who DOESN'T possess that "freakish" athleticism?

1. Maturity: coming into league with a complete game, upper classman

2. Control; low turnovers high efficiency

3. Confidence of physicality: BRoy is always talking about how playing his older brother is what made him good, BRoy has confidence in his physicality against bigger stronger players.

4. Toughness: Ability to absorb contact and still be successful

5.) Desire to win

So when we are looking at prospects in the draft or players KP could sign or trade for, ask yourself these questions... How does this player do with the 6 Skills Needed list? and Does this player have any of the Top 5 skills that helped Brandon Roy to be an instant NBA success?

What do you guys think? How would you define Brandon Roy's game? How do you define the NEED to HAVE's of B-Roy's future Running Mate?

Also, where do you bet that next seasons starting point guard for the Blazers comes from? It could be from the draft, free agent, a trade, or someone Portland already has... please vote on poll and discuss on forum.

Poll

Where do you bet that next season's starting Blazers point guard come's from?

The current Roster

54 votes

The 2009 NBA Draft

6 votes

Free Agency baby!

16 votes

KP's Trade Magic

118 votes

194 votes | Poll has closed