Camden0916 wrote:That's not a terrible idea, and Okafor is my No. 2 player, but adding Russell would give us another potential perimeter star in a league where perimeter guys dominate. He'd be a tremendous help to our three-point shooting and we'd be back to having a scoring point guard.
Russell
LaVine
Wiggins
Dieng
Towns
Could also use Rubio's money to go after a PF free agent.
There are no free agents that really excite me. You will have to overpay to get an average guy. Since I don't see us being a playoff team next year I think we should see if Dieng, Payne, Bennett can emerge as a decent PF.
Or you could continue to groom LaVine at point guard next season with Martin/Wiggins/Towns/Okafor around him. Use next year's top-seven pick on a point guard. Beat the shit out teams in the paint and have two good catch-and-shoot players on the perimeter and Wiggins.
Im just intrigued with what direction (game play, offensive set, defensive play) that Flip has in mind for the future. I really like the way some teams play in the league, but feel the teams that live and die by the 3 like the Blazers is not good enough to win it all. Golden State is just an enigma...and 2nd round picks like Green is once in a decade player. Love to have either Russell or Okafor.
slimcalhoun27 wrote:Im just intrigued with what direction (game play, offensive set, defensive play) that Flip has in mind for the future. I really like the way some teams play in the league, but feel the teams that live and die by the 3 like the Blazers is not good enough to win it all. Golden State is just an enigma...and 2nd round picks like Green is once in a decade player. Love to have either Russell or Okafor.
Don't the Blazers live and die by the 3... and 2 point jump shots?
I thought I saw somewhere that L. Aldridge shoots more mid-range jumpers than any other NBA player.
Camden0916 wrote:Or you could continue to groom LaVine at point guard next season with Martin/Wiggins/Towns/Okafor around him. Use next year's top-seven pick on a point guard. Beat the shit out teams in the paint and have two good catch-and-shoot players on the perimeter and Wiggins.
As much as I like Russell that would be the move. Having such a dominating front court in a small ball league would be lethal.
You are right....The Blazers shoot way way too much from the arch, or extended 15-20"ers. The issue with them is depth, and injury this past year. Wes Matthews for me is the Key player on that team, and when he went down...not only did they lose a defensive player, but the glue guy that sets the pace. Lillard is a stud, LA is a top 10 player...but neither is an attacker and rely way to much on the outside game. Absolutely zero presence on the block, and thats why I like this two way player that Flip has mentioned....both Bazz and Wiggins both are solid at posting up and exteding the floor. Now....is Towns or Okafor going to be the direction. If its Okafor, then I believe both Bazz and Wiggins get hamstringed a bit. Towns by what people mention can play more of a KG (used loosely) type inside outside game. I like teams like that.
kekgeek1 wrote:I don't trade rubio, he is a top 5 point gaurd in everything besides shooting. We focus to much on the thing he can't do instead of what he can do. IMO
I agree that trading Ricky isn't going to help us. His health is his main concern and we should get a decent veteran backup like Jarret Jack, DJ Augustin, Chalmers, Livingston etc. and draft a rookie PG in the second round that has nice potential (perhaps the Brazilian phenom Georginho). But when he's healthy he helps the offense with his playmaking and plays good defense. I think Ricky's game will improve if he stays healthy and while he'll never be a great scorer I think he can improve it enough to keep the defense honest. If we have a rim protector like Towns, I see Ricky's defense being better as the risk reward of gambling for steals improves. I also think Towns, Wiggins and an improving LaVine give Ricky more targets.
Having scorers around Ricky is a great thing, but having a defender sink off of him, basically challenging him to shoot only clogs the mobility of a team. He has to be able to hit the Sam Cassell 15" runner or jumper...shooting just is not something players find in a Summer. Add his health...I just have very little confidence in his development. I love me a healthy Ricky, but if Russell can be drafted or a Ty Lawson type can be had in a trade....Im in.
You don't trade a core asset when its value is at its lowest. You'd be trading him for pennies on the dollar now. I agree with bringing in another player who can play point, but realistically if we ever trade Ricky it should be when he's healthy and can command a decent trade return. No need to do a panic trade after all we are building for the future which will be at least a year away to give Towns/Okafor Wiggins and Lavine time to develop. Lets revisit the Rubio trade talk next year.
