Is it time we try and make a trade for a veteran point guard?

Andre Miller seems like the most logical solution. He can come in and be our starting PG for this year and continue the development of DJ Augustin.

Larry Brown (I think) has coached Andre Miller before so would know what he’s getting in return (and Larry Brown loves veteran PG’s).

Pro’s

1.       Miller’s a savvy proven performer (dropped 50 pts last year while never jumping off the floor!)

2.       Low cost 7 million this year with a team option for next year at 6.xx million

3.       Good mentor for DJ Augustin ….if we find that he’s (DJ) worth keeping (I still think there is hope with DJ)

4.       Portland seems to be looking in a different direction (Roy “I want the ball more” increasing his PG duties)

Con’s

1.       Miller has never proven himself to be a difference maker

2.       If they don’t want him, why do we?

3.       What does Portland want from us? They are solid at SG and SF (our best two players)

So can we work a three way trade with another team?

I love me some Capt. Jack, but with Stephen Jackson entering into his 11th season would it be wise to trade him now and get some value? (Not suggestion Stephen Jackson for Andre Miller straight up!!!)

As much as I hate to admit it if we make the playoffs (and that’s looking like a big if) where is this team headed over the next 1-3 years? Does anyone really see a light at the end of the tunnel?

Please take a moment to read through the following post and give it some thought....

We all know and (I think) can agree that Roy has been our best player. With that said is he doing enough to raise the level of play for our team? I read that Roy has looked "disinterested" and merely going through the motions during the recent pre-season games. Why is this? Looking at the recap of the games and it’s easy to see a less than stellar performance. I know, it’s only preseason, so I will slowiy step away from the ledge!

I have been a long time Blazer Fan and understand what the preseason is for. I seem to remember another player stating..”We are talking about practice? How am I suppose to make my team mates better in practice” Watch this.

Game 1, 4-10 shooting, 2 Rebs & 2 Ast; 

Game 2 1-6 shooting, 1 Rebs & 1 Ast;

Game 3 sits out entire game;

Game 4, 6-9 shooting, 0 Rebs & 1 Ast

Question to Coach McMillan; Are you getting enough from Brandon Roy? “It's hard to tell with these guys in preseason. They are trying to play themselves into shape.  I thought he got aggressive in the second half and started to provide some scoring.” Nate McMillan

Is Roy really trying to play himself into shape? This seems very concerning to me. Does he feel that his game and the Blazers are at the point that they can just turn it on? As much as I HATE the guy, have you ever heard that Kobe has come into the preseason out of shape?

This is the player that has given us such quotes like “I want to win a Championship” & “I will do everything possible to help this team win a Championship”…..We love Roy for making these statements, but are they hallow comments made by other polished professional athlete?  At least it’s the “Both teams played hard”….and  “CTC..Cut the Check”

He can’t get along with Miller (abet the reported “quite” & “moody”) in the back court. "Our relationship,“ Roy said, "is delicate." And… Roy said: "You know, last year I would say I was kind of spoiled and I wanted things to be my way, whereas now I'm a little more understanding that I have to help change on the court to help him fit more, too. It can't just be 'How can everybody help Brandon."' 

“We’re playing well in spots, but we’re not putting together a full game,” Roy said.

But are the Blazers really so established that we don’t need to try during the pre-season games? At some point we also need to hold the coaching staff responsible.

I have to ask the questions is this a product of Brandon Roy being treated like a spoiled star by management and the coaching staff? Or are we starting to get our own spoiled athlete? Are all of the accolades starting to go to his head?

As our undisputed team leader I expect that Roy is leading by example, and if he’s not trying during preseason games or trying to play himself into shape, then where is the accountability for the rest of the team?

As a huge Blazer fan I cross my fingers and hope that this is not the case. I love the players we’ve got on this team and really expect the team to win 50 games this year. Tell me you are not getting excited about Mathews, Batum, Camby (5 blks) and the rest of the team.

But I feel that the question is worth asking….Is Roy a Leader?

Hey as we make our rounds through the league looking for the next PG for our beloved Blazers, what about Monta Ellis? In 2007-08 he averaged 20.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game, and a solid perimeter defender in the league.

While he is still very young at 21 years of age he has 3 years of NBA experience and has played 30+ minutes per game the last 2 seasons. So he comes with some solid experience but young enough to be coached by Nate and his staff.

He is a restricted free agent this summer and Golden State will have several other players that may need to be resigned before Monta. Perhaps a trade evolving Channing Frye (a mobile big man who can shoot) would fit into Don Nelson's system?

Perhaps you think he's too much of a scorer? I think he's young enough to realize the potential of what this Blazer team could be to put his scoring needs aside.  I think that this may be my best point of this post; won’t other players want to be part of the Blazers as it appears that this team is on the cusp of something very special?