Friday, February 13, 2009

Kyle's Bid to Be a GM

More Trade Thoughts

ESPN just broke the news this morning that Toronto just traded Jermaine O’Neal and Jamario Moon to the Miami Heat for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks. This can be crowned as the first big trade before the trade deadline. I like this deal more for the Raptors, but for Miami it puts them in a position to be a major player in the summer of 2010 (O’Neal’s contract expires next year at $23 mil).

So what does this mean to the Blazers? Well I think it increases the value of Raef’s contract even more because with Marion being moved, it is one less big expiring contract on the market. Basic economics is supply and demand, so with less big expiring contracts on the market, Reaf’s value goes up.

Another plus for the Blazers is it is two less teams that are in the running for Amare. Before you come after me with torches and pitchforks, let me explain. It was believed that Miami could offer the most and were the front runners for Amare. With them out of the picture I would say Chicago pulls into first. But the one thing they are missing is a large expiring contract (Drew Gooden is expiring but only $7.1 mil).

That’s where the Blazers come in. I propose a 3-way trade involving Phoenix, Chicago, and Portland. I put it together in ESPN’s new trade machine. Check it out here, and tell me what you think. Who wouldn’t do this deal? Everybody wins, Portland fills the need at two positions, bolsters their perimeter defense without compromising on old guys or giving up a core guy. Phoenix gets cap flexibility and two young guys with some interesting potential, plus a much needed backup PG. The Bulls finally get their big man in Amare, and fill in the void left at SF with Outlaw. Also they secure Amare’s backup with Frye, a young player with potential. The only team I could see pausing on this is Chicago, due to the fact that Paxon is kind of a wuss (see Pau Gasol, Kevin Garnett) and overvalues his players. But I think the idea of getting Amare to run with Rose is just too appealing to pass up.

What do you guys think? Would you do it? If we make that move, do we jump into title contention this year? Does it guarantee a trip to the 2nd round of the playoffs at least?


Game Recap

Sorry guys, I wasn’t able to watch the game last night so I can’t really give a recap. If you want to read about it, check out this link from OregonLive.com.

Also, stay tuned I am going to attempt to record and post a podcast on here this weekend. If it doesn’t get up, it’s because I am having technical difficulties, but check back this weekend for an update and possibly a podcast so you can download it so you can carry around my Blazer thoughts in your pocket or listen to it streaming on this page.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

No Thanks, and Game Preview

Trade Rumors


First of all I know most of you have heard about the report from CBS Sports which says the Blazers offered Jerryd Bayless, LaMarcus Aldridge and Reaf Lafrentz for Amare Stoudemire. If not here is a link to the article. First, I highly doubt that the Blazer’s are interested in obtaining Amare because of his character issues (wants to be “the man” and take all the shots, while not playing D), and 2nd, why the hell would we give up Aldridge AND Bayless for him? Let’s put it this way, if the Blazers truly offered this, it would be a done deal by now. This is by far the best offer Phoenix could receive and Steve Kerr has been quoted as saying that they will not wait to make a trade if the right one becomes available. So rest easy my fellow Blazer Believers, I think we are ok here.


Game Preview


Tonight’s game versus the Warriors, is almost like a summer Friday afternoon before a three day weekend. It’s hard to get any work done, because all you are doing is looking forward to getting out of there to fire up the grill and crack a beer (in Goose’s case a Caribbean breeze wine cooler). With the all-star weekend right around the corner, you can bet that every single player (especially the young guys) are looking forward to the 5 days off. So I think tonight is less about our opponent and more about our own state of mind.


The Warriors have been playing good lately and are coming off back to back wins versus the Jazz and the Knicks. Stephen Jackson has been crushing lately averaging 28 points, 7 boards, 9 assists, and 2.5 steals a game over his last 5. Hopefully we can bring him off of his hot streak like we did last night with Durant. Golden State will be without their starting center Andris Biedrins, who is out until after the all-star break. That is huge for the Blazers and hopefully will inspire Oden to have an even bigger game then he did last time versus the Warriors (22/10/2). Here are my keys to the game.


Keys to the Game


1. We Must Control the Pace by Pounding the Ball Inside

How could you not want to go to Oden all night tonight after the games he had against teams like Milwaukee (without Bogut) and the Clippers (without Camby)?
2. Force Them to Take Tough Shots
The Warriors are not afraid to shoot, so we need to force them into taking bad shots and control the game with our defense. We need to make them play our game and not vice versa.
3. Focus Mentally
We need to be in the moment, and not looking forward to the days off.

If we do all of those things I think it will help break out 13 game losing streak in Golden State. This is a season of breaking losing streaks, so why stop here.

Gambler’s Corner


Blazers +3.5

Over/Under 216


I am going to take the Blazers and the Under. I think that the Blazers have much more to play for then the Warriors (playoffs), and this game means more to them then to Golden State. Also, the Blazers are 22-3 when the score over 100 points, so if they get there, odds are they will win.