The Blazers now have the right pieces to make a move for Garnett. Combination of Francis, Aldridge, Webster, and future 1st would work.
I know what he's capable of doing as soon as he gets his head straight - retiring. Do you not know the Blazers are hoping he'll retire so they can claim his salary on insurance? His knees are ruined.
They have the right pieces, but no need to do it unless it's part of a three team deal where Garnett goes elsewhere. They just successfully rebuilt their entire roster to a point that with all of the young talent they have, they can be competitive for the next ten to fifteen years if they keep it together. Why would they trade a large amount of that young talent for a guy who is 30 years old? Honestly, as good as their young guys are, I don't think they can contend for at least a few more years even if they acquire Garnett.
Concur. Look at Portland now: PG: Jarrett Jack, Sergio Rodriguez, Petteri Koponen. SG: Brandon Roy, Rudy Fernandez, Ime Udoka (FA). SF: Travis Outlaw, Martell Webster, Darius Miles. PF: LaMarcus Aldridge, Channing Frye, Josh McRoberts and Raef LaFrenz. C: Greg Oden, Joel Pryzbilla and Jamaal Magloire (FA).
Strengths. -Gobs of young talent -Potentially suffocating defense - 2 terrific all around players and likely all-stars. Weakness: -Major outside shooting concerns (PG, SF, back up SG). -Their best PF (Aldridge) is really a 5, and unless McR develops, all their top 4s seem a bit mobility challenged and better suited for the 5. -Really no beast offensively--their closest thing was Zach. We will see if -Oden or Roy becomes an elite offensive player, neither is close to a sure thing in this regard. I am not convinced of this future title BS at all. Not without a lot of things falling into place in the roster or Oden becoming a light years better offensive player than he is now. Oden will not have the immediate offensive impact of Shaq, DR, Duncan, and very well might never. Roy also I think will be a super all around player, but a Wade/Kobe/Lebron caliber offensive force, not sure about that.
I want to go on the record, right now, and say that T-Mac should be playing the 3 this year. I really think it's his natural position and he seems like he's wearing down every year at the 2. He's really not that great of a jump shooter. Just look at the numbers. If you can move T-Mac to the 3, either sign a PF or SG with the MLE; and or trade Battier and Head for a stud SG or PF, you have really helped yourself. Does anyone else see that Battier and T-mac really ought to be playing the same position, especially with Bonzi coming back?
How does playing the 2 wear down Mcgrady, especially with Battier on the team. Playing offense as a SG doesnt wear Mcgrady down. It allows him to shoot over guys easier cuz his release is so high, and SG are typically smaller then SF. He doesnt blow by them as easy, but again he can still get a step with the dribble and rise up and shoot. As for defense, Mcgrady rarely guarded a SG this year. Battier always took the hardest perimeter defensive assignment whether it was against quick shooters like Ray Allen or Ben Gordon, or strong players like Dwade or Lebron. Mcgrady isnt chasing players around the court and fighting through screens all night. That is what Shane does. I hope the Rox hang onto Battier, but understand trading him may be the only thing that truly helps this team land an impact player. But dont get carried away thinking suddenly this lightens Tmac's load. If anything, removing Shane and inserting Bonzi to start is going to make Tmac defend a lot harder.
