Skip Bayless says that RC Buford is going to Seattle

[Kori Ellis]

I still can't believe it. It must be similar to how Spurs' fans felt when they got the #1 pick for Robinson or Duncan.

What's funny is that LJ and I were talking that Portland would be a monster team if they got Oden. And we were rooting hard against Boston getting in the top 3. We were dying laughing when it happened.

[tlongII]

Randolph is gone, Aldridge will be at that pf spot next year. My question is what are they going to do with Pryzbilla. They just gave him a new contract, and are paying him to much to be a backup, so does that mean he is gone as well?

Przybilla's contract is not that bad. It's a bit high for a backup, but that's what he is now. I think this will work out well considering Przybilla's durability issues.

[mardigan]

Przybilla's contract is not that bad. It's a bit high for a backup, but that's what he is now. I think this will work out well considering Przybilla's durability issues.

I dont know, paying 6 plus million a year for a backup is a little pricey imo

[tlongII]

What's funny is that LJ and I were talking that Portland would be a monster team if they got Oden. And we were rooting hard against Boston getting in the top 3. We were dying laughing when it happened.

I hate the Celtics! It was pretty funny to see their fans' reactions to the lottery.

[tlongII]

I dont know, paying 6 plus million a year for a backup is a little pricey imo

Fortunately our owner can afford it.

[Kori Ellis]

Fortunately our owner can afford it.

Plus you have Magloire and LaFrentz coming off the books, right?

[mardigan]

Plus you have Magloire and LaFrentz coming off the books, right?

Raef has a player option next year according to hoopshype

[Kermit]

no, lafrentz has a player option for $12 million. i think he's staying.

[T Park]

With Oden, and others improving, the Blazers make the playoffs easily next year.

[Kori Ellis]

no, lafrentz has a player option for $12 million. i think he's staying.

Oh, I thought I heard they were buying him out of that at a reduced rate.

[Kermit]

Oh, I thought I heard they were buying him out of that at a reduced rate.

they might. still counts against the cap, right?

[SenorSpur]

I'd say Randolph is gone. There's a true lack of post scorers in some areas of the league (Chicago), who will pay the cost for him. Portland could definitely keep him, but his value is high.

My first thought when Portland won the pick is that Zach Randolph's days are now numbered. He's got a HUGE price tag, but there are a lot of teams that can use a post scorer of his type - DAL, CHI, ATL, BOS - all come to mind. There should be some definite interest. Either way the Blazers are in a very enviable position.

[Kori Ellis]

I think Zach would be almost impossible to trade - it's the max (or close to it).

Why wouldn't the Blazers just keep an incredible 3-man front court rotation in Oden/Aldridge/Randolph?

[ChumpDumper]

For some reason, Randolph for Richard Jefferson keeps popping in my head.

[Mr. Body]

I didn't realize Randolph had such an ungodly contract - thru 2011. They have to trade him if they can, or else he could threaten to derail plans down the road.

Randolph for Jefferson sounds about right. Both injury prone but one a better citizen.

[tmtcsc]

Portland had the #2 pick, not number 1.

Hakeem went #1 that year to Houston

hmmmm, who was the 1st guard drafted that year ? I think he went third and now owns about 6 rings.

[tmtcsc]

My first thought when Portland won the pick is that Zach Randolph's days are now numbered. He's got a HUGE price tag, but there are a lot of teams that can use a post scorer of his type - DAL, CHI, ATL, BOS - all come to mind. There should be some definite interest. Either way the Blazers are in a very enviable position.

I imagine the Lakers might be interested.

[tlongII]

Plus you have Magloire and LaFrentz coming off the books, right?

LaFrentz will come off after next season I believe.

[mardigan]

LaFrentz will come off after next season I believe.

Hes on the books till 08/09, makes about 13 mill his last season

[Jimcs50]

hmmmm, who was the 1st guard drafted that year ? I think he went third and now owns about 6 rings.

Quote:
Originally Posted by tsb2000




Well, if there's a franchise out there capable of boning the #1 pick, it's Portland!

Sam Bowie, anyone?

I was correcting his post about Portland blowing the #1 pick...they and the #2 pick that year. And in all fairness, MJ was not that much better than Bowie if at all at that point in their careers. Bowie was great at Kentucky and his career was cut short becauser of injuries to his legs....not his fault. Nobody knew that MJ would be as good as he turned out. Portland's pick at the time was really not scrutinized at all.

[Kermit]

I was correcting his post about Portland blowing the #1 pick...they and the #2 pick that year. And in all fairness, MJ was not that much better than Bowie if at all at that point in their careers. Bowie was great at Kentucky and his career was cut short becauser of injuries to his legs....not his fault. Nobody knew that MJ would be as good as he turned out. Portland's pick at the time was really not scrutinized at all.

and why should it be. drexler was a beast and they needed frontcourt help.

[mardigan]

and why should it be. drexler was a beast and they needed frontcourt help.

If Bowie hadnt been so injury prone, his career would have been looked at much more favorably. Your right, they had just drafted Drexler the year before, and they needed a big. Bowie averaged 10 points, 9 boards and 3 blocks his rookie year, not to bad at all. If he hadnt been hurt his next 3 years, who knows

[TheTruth]

The Brandon Roy/Greg Oden duo is going to be scary for the next decade plus. Throw in Aldridge and they've got one of the best young cores ever. Damn.

[ajh18]

In Ford's blog, he wondered about a sign and trade of Lewis for Randolph. That might work out wel for both teams, if Portland threw in a little incentive.

[50 cent]

What's funny is that LJ and I were talking that Portland would be a monster team if they got Oden. And we were rooting hard against Boston getting in the top 3. We were dying laughing when it happened.

I said and was doing the exact same thing when the Boston card came up at #5.