KP looks like a genius for snagging Batum (via the Rockets) right under the Spurs' noses. He just turned 20 in December and looks like a great long-term prospect. After the "Big 3" + Rudy and Przybilla, Batum may be the most untouchable Blazer. He's not an impact player yet but his growth and maturation over this season has been a pleasure to watch. Martell's injury may end up being a blessing in disguise for them. Obviously in retrospect the Rockets would take Batum over Shane.
I guess the question then is, in retrospect, would the Rockets sacrifice acquiring Artest to get Batum? That is, looking at it from the current perspective... no McGrady, 3rd in the West, etc... Either way, Batum has the potential to be one of the best role players in the league. You need guys like that and he seems to have the tools and the personality to become one of the best.
So, the Cavs play no defense and outrun two running teams on b2b nights. I wonder how Coach Brown feels about the situation. I know he loves the wins but the lack of attention to defense must drive him crazy.
Biedrins sprained his ankle. I just heard it from the GS broadcasters. Don't know if it's the same ankle or not.
The Cavs were lucky to win these last 3 games with such lackluster effort. They need to re-focus. 8 of their next 9 are at home and the rest of their schedule for the season can be described as "creampuff". If they right the ship, don't be surprised if they win ~15 of their final 17 to close the season. Unless injuries bite, you can pencil in the Cavs as finishing with the league's best record. I doubt the Lakers keep up with them.
Another random question... don't flame me. Ronny Turiaf makes no sense in GS. He's a 6'10 defensive powerhouse. Carl Landry is an undersized, athletic PF with a good offensive game. If the Warriros were willing to do a deal centered around Turiaf for Landry next season, would you be interested? I love Landry and I'm not sure I'd do it but a frontcourt rotation of Yao, Scola and Turiaf would help us a lot on the defensive end. We could easily play Turiaf as the 5 with Scola at the 4 or as the 4 alongside Yao.
It's worth thinking about. Landry's contract is MUCH better but Turiaf makes impact plays on defense, no doubt about it, and he can play backup at C. Most people on this forum dislike (some seem to hate) Turiaf and refuse to give him any credit. It's so nutty that some here have argued Chuck Hayes is equal to or even better than Turiaf.
I would consider it. Having a defensive,athletic 4/5 would help us a lot. Turiaf is also capable of scoring some points, although naturally not as much as Landry.
I haven't gone out of my way to watch GSW games other then when they play the Rockets, but remembering from his Laker days, I thought Ronny was one just one of those hustle energy guys in the Varejao/Oberto mold. "Defensive powerhouse" isn't what I thought of him. I had no idea he would be a shotblocking force (#4 in NBA right now). I do know that Brian Cook's 3.5 mill contract that expires next year is ripe for a trade, whether alone or combined. If we can scrounge up another mill to match Turiaf's contract, maybe GSW would be enticed to unload Turiaf's contract for an expiring contract. Than again, GSW doesn't have too many bigs and Ronny's contract is pretty decent, I don't see them too eager to part with Ronny anytime soon.
This really makes me mad.. I mean Portland wasn't even winning for most of the game.. Their biggest lead, until that 3 made by Batum at the end, was 3 points.. it's games like these that really tick me off.. I mean New Orleans and Portland both have been doing it lately, I guess it just shows their resiliency.
All Turiaf would bring us is a little inside presence defensively when Yao sits down. Everything else he does is very subpar in comparison to Scola or Landry. He just doesn't have the talent. He's a bit better than Chuck, but a hell of a lot more expensive.
