"Pritch-slapped".... lmao
I wish that were possible, but it's not even gonna have a chance to happen unless Utah matches Millsap's offer sheet... and I don't think that's very likely.
'Dice > 'Sheed
better PER, more double-doubles, better in regular season, better in playoffs, better team player, better at Center, better on D.
Dice was even drafted ahead of Sheed in 1995.
Sheed is on the way down, Dice is not, just look at their stats.
I think Utah matches Millsap's offer sheet from Portland because it is a very reasonable offer for him, keeps both Boozer and Millsap this year, and lets Boozer walk next summer as a UFA.
Then, Portland, in it's desperation, chases Odom, HARD.
I hope you're right.... I think Utah needs Millsap too
He had a wealth of first round draft picks the past couple of years and made some great picks, and also packaged some to create cap room, etc. He was labeled a shining star.
But his rep the past year so has been that he won't let himself 'lose' a trade, i.e., unless it makes Portland better and you worse, he ain't doing it, even if it makes financial/strategic sense for him to do so.
People around the league are tired of it apparently. Pretty funny.
Oh, and he's also obviously a dumbass for not going after Odom when the guy fulfills Portland's most glaring need.
It's this simple:
the Lakers don't beat the newly stacked Spurs without Odom.
Odom keeps that horrible bench from being EXPOSED.
And with Odom's athleticism, height, ability, being able to play positions 1-5, he's IRREPLACEABLE FOR THE LAKERS.
Assuming both teams are healthy, the Lakers without Odom don't beat the Spurs, because they lose their big man versatility. If there is one player that is the poster child for the triangle, it's Odom.
Again, I think Utah matches that salary for Millsap. They'd be foolish not too: it's a real deal for what he is worth. That way, next summer they let Boozer walk, and can be SERIOUS PLAYERS in the 2010 free agency.
And based on what I'm seeing, Portland should easily be desperate enough to pursue Odom, and either get him or make the Lakers overpay.
Don't forget, that asking a semi-injury prone player like Odom to take a 1 year deal, even for 7m a year, is a HUGE RISK. Maybe he has another year like last year, and it's not a problem. Or maybe get's injured substantially, and can't even sniff a long term deal with the Lakers or anyone else.
If I were Odom, I'd have to leave my team, even it were the Spurs, for 1 year versus 4 years. It's not just about the money, it's the security.
So, I think Odom could definitely be enticed away because no one wants to gamble and lose it all.
Yea, I agree with all of that... and I know losing Odom hurts the Lakers bad... That's why I hate Portland right now for not going after him yet.
Yeah, I don't know what Pritchard is thinking. With all of the athleticism Portland has, Odom for only 4 years and 40m would be GREAT FOR THEM. He's very unselfish and get's teammates involved, doesn't need to score a lot, but he's a instant mismatch as soon as he steps on the floor.
Coupled with the fact that he's ONLY 29, and already proven himself as a NBA champion, it's a no brainer.
This could be the piece that puts the Blazers into contention, or worse case scenario gets them one piece away from contention.
With the overload of talent they have in Portland, Pritchard could easily trade away whatever he doesn't need for what he does, be it a point guard, or whatever.
So Pritchard is really showing how he loves to build up a great poker hand, but doesn't ever want to lay his cards on the table.
Hopefully Utah does both teams a favor and matches Millsap, and Pritchard wises up and get's Odom, and that would redeem all his prior mistakes.
Clearly his decision not to go after Odom plus giving Roy a hard time for wanting a 5 year contract underscores his inability to truly be a great GM. You think Roy is going to be real happy with this guy even if he gest his 5 year deal? These mistakes are glaring and undercut many of the positive perceptions people once had of him. He has been overestimated as a GM in my book.
Hopefully Utah matches Milsap's offer. Then this idiot would have no alternative but to go after Odom which is the player he should have gone after in the first place.
Since when is Odom a PG?
Odom doesn't fit with the Blazers at all, as I've been saying for weeks here..
Interesting that Odom's against is seeking s&t's. Mason, Finley and Bonner for Odom?
Brandon Roy to Blazers: "I've done everything I can."
by John Canzano, The Oregonian
Friday July 10, 2009, 2:25 PM
Brandon Roy told KJR radio in Seattle today that he's frustrated and disappointed with the Trail Blazers handling of his contract extension negotiations. He talked a lot about the hard work he's put in, and all he's done to make his dreams come true, and about being patient as he watches the good days and bad days come down the pipeline.
He wants to get a deal done and is confused as the rest of us as to why the left brainers in the organization are standing in the way.
I wrote about the Vulcan influence we're seeing on the Blazers operating procedure in today's column. I have the interview and will replay a portion of Roy's interview today on the Bald-Faced Truth radio show at 3:05 p.m. and we will discuss, but here's a couple of quotes from Roy.
On watching the negotiations: "I sit back and think about all the hard work I've put into my dream... excited about the opportunity to provide for my family. I go in... knowing that I've come into the league and I've done everything I can do to get a max contract."
On how he feels about the negotiations: "It's 50-50 right now... I'd love for something to get done so I can move forward and meet free agents..."
On whether he was involved in the Hedo Turkoglu recruitment: "Not playing much of any role. It's hard for me to go out and recruit Hedo for five years when I have only one year on my deal."
Well played by Roy's camp. It's absurd that the organization is misplaying this negotiation so badly. Sign the guy already.
You can also trace part of this league-wide disdain for Pritchard back to last year with the Darius Miles fiasco. You may recall, Miles had suffered what appeared to be a series of chronic knee injuries. Several operations later, he was merely a s of his former self. He had several operations over the period, which caused him to miss the better part of his last 2+ seasons with the Blazers. Blazers team doctors and other medical experts officially pronounced Miles' injuries as "career-ending". The Blazers later cut Miles a check and released him. As a benefit, the Blazers were allowed to reclaim about 9mil in salary cap room, resulting from an injury exception. Apparently, one of the conditions of the injury exception was if another NBA team picked him up, within a certain amount of time, and provided Miles passed the physicals and played a certain percentage of playing time with his new club, then the Blazers would be reassessed the 9mil salary cap charge.
The genius boy Pritichard decided to be the bully and go on the offensive by sending an email to all NBA teams and GMs warning them of consequences if any team electing to sign Miles to a contract. The threatening emails scared no one, yet the NBA office stepped in and reprimanded Pritchard. The Grizzlies signed Miles to a 10-day contract. Miles played well enough during those 10 days, that, at the conclusion of the 10-day contract, the Grizz signed him for the rest of the season. Though he only played sparingly the rest of the season, he played in enough games to allow the Blazers to be reassessed the 9mil cap charge.
Many around the NBA and on this forum were quite amused by that turn of events. It couldn't have happened to a nicer prick.
+1 - in the end it is still a business
Odom's agent is seeking sign and trades?
Even if he is though, the Lakers would rather suffer imprisonment and torture than trade him to the Spurs.
Lest he becomes another Horry helping the Spurs win more championships.
I don't get Portland's refusal to go after Odom. Maybe they think a Oden/Odom lineup will be confusing for announcers?
He can play all three frontcourt positions, depending on lineup. And yes, despite what chicken Lakers fans around here say, he sure as can play the SF. He often does. He ameliorates their glaring need for a playmaking/above average poing guard with his own facilitation abilities. All else besides, it absolutely kills the Lakers. Since when are they such suckers about the team down south?
Odom can't play SF, he hasn't played there successfully since his early Miami days..he's much bigger now..his shooting is way too inconsistent to play the 3..I don't think I saw Jackson play him there even once this year..
I understand going for Odom instead of Millsapp, since they'd be acquiring either guy to play the backup 4, but I wouldn't go after Odom otherwise if I'm Portland..the rumor is that they wanna flip Millsapp, so it seems like that's what will happen..
Welcome to SpursTalk.
I totally agree with the article's slant on Pritch. If Pritchard had gone to Lamar with 30mi/3yrs, 4th year partially guarunteed, Lamar would have jumped at it (he wants 10mil per), he would have filled a need for the Blazers and severely weakened the Lakers all in one shot. Instead, he's ed it all up.
How do these NBA execs so often overlook the obvious course of action????
The Odom thing, and the reticence to sign Roy, suggest to me that, for whatever reason, Paul Allen doesn't want to spend... WTF???
Some people overlook that some GMs don't go after Odom because of the drug issues. Sure, it was a long time ago, but he's got enough violations that it scares off some teams.
Interesting point, especially as Portland is in the Pacific North-West, an area known for its fine cannabinoids!
It's also hilarious that society has such a double standard where THC and alcohol are concerned, but that's another matter entirely and I will now shut my trap.
You don't ever let someone like a Boozer "walk". Even if you get the bad end of a deal you go get SOMETHING!
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