With tourney time here, it got me thinking, who in the tournament could help the Blazers next year? Well, first of all I think you need to look at our needs first. What do the Blazers need?
1. A Physical Backup Power Forward
2. A Savvy Wing Defender Who Can Shoot 3’s
3. A Solid Backup Point Guard Who Can Shoot 3’s and Defend
So now that we established what the Blazers need, which one do we need the most? I personally lean towards a backup PF. I think these guys are easier to find later in drafts, and it’s a little different when you are drafting for a backup rather then drafting to find a long term starter.
On a side note, I think this year’s draft will be very interesting. Will Pritchard break his own credo of drafting the best player available, regardless of postion? Or will he address the needs/weaknesses of the team. I have to believe at some point you have to start drafting for need and fill in holes rather then pickup another SG (Roy and Rudy). But who knows. It’ll be fun to watch.
Do you agree with me? What position would you like to see addressed? Throw out some suggestions! I am going to try to do this is 4 parts total, this as the intro, and then 3 more detailing players who the Blazers should look at to address the previously stated 3 needs above. Stay tuned for that.
1. A Physical Backup Power Forward
I think we need someone in the mold of Paul Milsap or Carl Landry (sans the gun shot wound to the leg). We need our generations Buck Williams. A guy who can rebound, play tough, and guard players like Nene and Carlos Boozer. I think everyone and their Mom know’s that Frye is gone after this season, so we will need someone to replace him as our backup PF.
2. A Savvy Wing Defender Who Can Shoot 3’s
You could argue that Nicolas Batum is this player in the making, and I would have a hard time coming up with good reasons why he is not. However, this feels more like a need that needs to be addressed through free agency rather then the draft. And that is not even mentioning the fact that Martell Webster is coming back soon, and the minutes that Travis Outlaw takes off the bench. It will be interesting to see what the Blazers decide to do this offseason
3. A Solid Backup Point Guard Who Can Shoot 3’s and Defend
While Steve Blake has done an admirable job this year, and Bayless and Sergio have had their moments, wouldn’t it be nice to have a PG come into the game and not make you nervous? Maybe we already have this player in Jerryd Bayless, but as you can see, he is still a ways off from being a consistent contributor. I think with the recent demotion, the writing is on the wall for Sergio, and he will be gone after this season. Are you comfortable with Bayless as your backup point guard full time? I know Nate probably isn’t, but would a rookie PG be any better? Would that just stunt Bayless’ growth even more? Would this be better addressed via free agency? Those are tough questions that I do not have the answers for.
So now that we established what the Blazers need, which one do we need the most? I personally lean towards a backup PF. I think these guys are easier to find later in drafts, and it’s a little different when you are drafting for a backup rather then drafting to find a long term starter.
On a side note, I think this year’s draft will be very interesting. Will Pritchard break his own credo of drafting the best player available, regardless of postion? Or will he address the needs/weaknesses of the team. I have to believe at some point you have to start drafting for need and fill in holes rather then pickup another SG (Roy and Rudy). But who knows. It’ll be fun to watch.
Do you agree with me? What position would you like to see addressed? Throw out some suggestions! I am going to try to do this is 4 parts total, this as the intro, and then 3 more detailing players who the Blazers should look at to address the previously stated 3 needs above. Stay tuned for that.
