Hawk-Lock":v5ftamir said:
Atradees":v5ftamir said:
m0ng0":v5ftamir said:
So what does everyone think about the Blazers now? They are dangerously close to an 8th seed at this point, I know we are not even half way yet, but it begs the question do we start to look at deals to get better now and possibly get a little playoff expereince or get more long term talent and drop back into the lottery? A friend brought up the idea of trading McCollum for Nerlens Noel which assures a drop back to the lottery but could be a better long term move.
Kaman and Henderson need to be moved for whatever we can get as they walk next year anyway.
I gotta say I am quite entertained with this group.
m0ng0":v5ftamir said:
Yep this is going to be fun
Yes, I kinda got tired of the Alderidge fadeaway and Batum disappearance. Tonights game was pretty balanced
box score with Crabbe, Plumlee, CJ, Damien and gang. (I think Batum was his usual self) Vonleh had a nice dunk.
There have been some colapses this season for sure. And a modest win streak...
CJ is handling the rock well; nice acrobatic layup.
It does beg the question...who would be a great defensive presence we could add at that 2nd tier star level?
Well before Noah went down for the Bulls, there were rumors that they were trying to move one of their big men (probably Jokim Noah, Pau Gasol, or Taj Gibson) for a wing. That's likely off the table now that Noah is hurt. But there is still talk that Chicago would prefer to play smaller under coach Hoiberg. If Blazers could swing a trade for Gibson that would be a good trade. A frontcourt of Gibson and Plumlee would be very versatile.
Personally, I don't see the Blazers being to active at the deadline. Typically the most active teams at the deadline are contenders and the really bad teams. The Blazers are neither. Making moves to get the 7th or 8th seed in the West is not a smart move. They need to keep this team steered towards the big picture, the future.
I'm guessing the Blazers don't make major trades before the deadline. That said, it's fun to speculate. Bill Simmons has been banging the "trade CJ McCollum" drum the last couple of weeks, first suggesting that they trade CJ for Kevin Love, then suggesting they do a three-way trade that would send CJ to Cleveland, Love to LA, and Blake Griffin to Portland.
I think the second trade would be a slam dunk from Portland's perspective, but I can't see how either Cleveland or LA would be interested. I also have to admit that I'd hate seeing CJ go anywhere else, even if it was for an elite player, but that's probably just the "soccer mom" in me talking.