Doesn't this part of the year just suck when the Rockets don't make the playoffs? Hopefully I wont have to say this next year.
Yep, the Blazers are a sad, sad case. As for the Rockets acquiring anyone on Portland, I say no way!!! Nothing would kill a team's chemistry more than a Blazer. And that especially goes for you Steve Kerr!!! I'm not a big Phil Jackson fan, but I thought the quote that he made about Portland was pretty funny.. I can't remember it so I'll paraprase it. "With the players they have, I don't even know how Portland fans can cheer for this team but they somehow manage." It seems like every team that the Lakers play gets a little bit of verbal abuse from Phil at some point in the series. I can remember what he said about the Kings last season. "They're a bunch of guys who like to party." And then he referred something about them being stopped and searched for drugs at the airport.
Blazers are going to be blown up big time this year. If we wanted, we could probably get Rashed Wallace for Griffin +#15? I don't thinik so. Griff is a lock to become at least like Wallace without the temper problems. But they should start dealing everyone they can. Of course, there are the unmovables: Pippen 20M Kemp 20M Stoudamire 13M They need some MAJOR rebuilding.
you really think thats all it would take? If so, Id do that in a second. I love Eddie but Sheed is an all star and would give us a 4 that can match up with any 4 in the west conf.
Griffin will be better than Rasheed...mark my word. And would you really want to overlook his schizophrenic ways? I wouldn't. His attitude would ruin any team chemistry we have.
I think Griffin will be an all star too...whether its as a 3 or 4 remains to be seen...as far as Sheed's attitude..apparently, its an 'on court' only attitude. Supposedly, he is a completely different person in the locker room and doesnt cause a lot of trouble. He will never be able to shake his on court reputation and all that comes with it but I think he would be an asset to anyone in the western conference given the calibur of 4's you have to play against
That's what I kept hearing, but then there was that whole incident where he threw a towel in Sabonis' face, which kind of makes me wonder. He really is just about the biggest underachiever in the league and his on-court antics disrupt games all the time. I wouldn't want any Blazer on the Rockets, and definitely not for Griffin who I think will be a better defender, rebounder, and outside threat than Wallace.
I never really saw Sheed as an underachiever. Either way, Im sure its a moot point since I cant see the Blazers getting rid of him anyway.
I don't know. I think talent-wise he's probably in the top ten. Production-wise, he's barely in the top 25.
Say what you want about Wallace, DAMN THAT DUDE CAN PLAY! (when he's focused and not arguing every call) Anyone notice the drives baseline and finishing on the other side of the hoop? Granted, Dream was doing that move when Wallace was in grade school, but Wallace was making that move anytime he wanted! Actually, he was pretty much doing anything he wanted yesterday, and against some solid defenders, too. I've always thought that Wallace needs a strong-minded vocal leader, someone who can reign him in and get in his face. Think of what an in-his-prime Magic Johnson could've done with this guy!
I have my doubts on that one. I'm not saying that Eddie can't develop a low post game, but Rasheed's post game is incredible. He can go baseline or to the middle; to the turnaround or the jump hook. His elevation makes the shots almost impossible to block as well. While Eddie may develop a couple of go-to moves down low over time, that's still a far cry from Rasheed Wallace, who's probably among the top 5 in the league in that category. There's too many variables not to do that trade. If Eddie can develop a low post game, if he can bulk up without losing his quickness, if he can develop a shot off a fake and dribble, etc., then he'd be better, but the chances of all of those happening are slim. Also, I used to not believe in this, but it's possible that some of his attitude/anger problems during games can be attributed to the teammates and clubhouse around him. Remember, this is the same team that called Nick Van Exel before his trade to Dallas and said something to the effect that he "couldn't win a title with all those white guys". This is the same team that also called NVE by phone before a game to talk trash. This is the same team led by Scottie Pippen, one of the biggest chokers in recent memory. This is the same team with Dale Davis (kicking balls into the stands, kicking Rick Fox in the head yesterday), Bonzi Wells (threatening to physically hurt Jeff Hornacek after a game several years back), Ruben Patterson (Kobe-stopper), and so on. There have actually been several times in recent weeks that Rasheed has been the mediator between his teammates and the officials. Remember, he's just 27, and in a positive and more upbeat lockerroom, who knows what could happen? Considering our desperate need for a low post game, I'd take him in a heartbeat...
If you think this time of year is boring, wait until the draft is over and the free agent signing period is still over a month away. That is the WORST!
True. I don't see Eddie developing a better post game than Rasheed. However, I do see him being a better rebounder, defender, and three-point shooter. But even with Rasheed's great post game, he doesn't use it enough. He settles too much for the outside shot. As far as Rasheed's on court antics, I don't ever see them changing too much. He truly believes the refs are out to get him. And when he gets a call against him he loses his composure, starts playing stupid, gives the other team a free shot, and sometimes leaves the game early. I don't see any reason why Eddie can't be a 19ppg, 8rpg, 1.3bpg type of player. Those are about as good as Rasheed's numbers have gotten during his career.
Griffin has a LOOOOONG way to go to be better than Sheed. Sheed's post-up game is as good as anyone's in the NBA. And Sheed is pretty good at taking the ball to the hole for a PF. I can't remember one instance this year where EG took the ball to the hole from the perimeter. I don't doubt that EG could do it, but it will take 5 years or so to reach Sheed's level. I will say EG is a better rebounder and shotblocker. EG must work on getting stronger, getting a post-up game, and working on his handling/passing skills. Getting a post-up game doesn't mean crap, if you can't pass out of a double team.
Sheed is the premiere forward in my mind. If you haven't noticed he really tries to get his team mates involved and suffers as a result. And in his match-ups with other power forwards he takes them to task including Duncan (Spurs always have Robinson guard Sheed). Griff will be awesome in two years or maybe this year, but a totally different player from Sheed because of his bulk. That being said I would not trade Griff for anyone there is too much potential there. Trust me he will be at least as good as KG.
A power forward is suppose to shoot more than 5ft's a game. Don't get me wrong, Rasheed is a good player, but in the west he's probably behind Duncan,Webber,Garnett, and even mailman with Brand right behind him and a healthy mcdyess. He's an incredible athlete, but he like most of these new power forwards settle for shooting long jumpers. I hope Griffin doesn't turn out to be like that, but he's had a bad first yr into becoming a presesnce down low. Speaking of the Blazers, the do need to get rid of some of their players and even though some have large contracts, they have players other teams want, i'll give you a simple example. Rasheed Wallace and Damon for Mourning and their pick? Riley hates young players,but he doesn't give zo away for nothing. Riley gets a pg and a 4 move Grant to the 5 and they'll be ready to win the east. Portland gets freedom and stability with Zo,Pippen,Davis,and Kemp all coming off the books after next season. They have a more low post player in Zo and with that pick they could pick Pippens successor. Also they could resign Wells and trade Anderson and that pick for maybe Miller or someone. They have options and quite a few, its just a matter of them willing to trade their most talented/mentally fragile player.
This time of year does suck.....until the conference finals that is. The playoff match-ups right now are way too boring, and too long. Plus there is no football, and all of the other major sports on right now include: golf, nascar, and boring baseball.....yuk! baseball's cool sometimes.
