Meanwhile At Power Forward

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Meanwhile At Power Forward

Written by wendell maxey

Thursday, 16 July 2009 01:11

ben

While Dante Cunningham, Jeff Pendergraph and Jerryd Bayless are busy losing in Las Vegas, Portland is still searching for a hot hand in free agency.

I'm not implying summer league is meaningless. I just can't help but think about the bigger picture in Portland right now.

Here we are in mid-July. The offseason is slowly nearing the halfway point.

The mid-summer classic wrapped with another American League victory. Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo broke-up over a text message. Tiger Woods is predicted to win the British Open – maybe, and I’m still trying to figure out why there are 15 unwatched episodes of “John and Kate Plus 8” on my DVR.

Didn’t they seperate already?

But even with everything going on in the news these days, the one headline I’m failing to read is, “Blazers Finally Land A Free Agent”.

Maybe we won’t see that banner in the next few months. Maybe we won’t read it at all.

Is that okay? Let’s say Cunningham and Pendergraph impress enough in Vegas and share time backing up LaMarcus Aldridge next season – are you down with that move? Because that Paul Millsap contract match should be coming any second now from Utah.

No wonder the Blazers worked out Sean May in Las Vegas on Tuesday. Can you blame them?

I know the guy has knee troubles and it’s been said he can’t play, but what’s the alternative here at power forward….because it’s not Millsap or David Lee (although the New York Knicks may plan to halt negotiations by Friday) or Brandon Bass.

Here’s what the Blazers have to work with – that is, if they decide to continue shopping:

Marvin Williams – Atlanta and Williams are said to be nearing a multi-year deal. Good for Williams, not for Portland.

Glen “Big Baby” Davis – Boston would be taxed to bring him back, and the Detroit Pistons were interested. Denver may be in the mix. I'm a bit iffy about anyone nicknamed "Baby".

Linas Kleiza – George Karl wants him back. Money may say otherwise. But if Denver brings in “Big Baby”, then Linas goes bye-bye. Sure, Kleiza is more of a three, but at 245 pounds the guy is a scrapper.

Drew Gooden - Some don’t care for Gooden, but he’s played for some winners in Cleveland and San Antonio (let’s just forget that day with Sacramento or his time with Chicago) and isn't afraid to collect floorburns right along with his rebounds. Gotta like that.

Ben Wallace – Phoenix paid him $10 million to go away. He may sign in Detroit, and he’s only looking for a one-year deal before choosing to retire.....at 35-years-old.

Am I missing anyone?

The Blazers certainly are.

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Comments (6) Add Comment

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written by hg, July 16, 2009

We don't need anyone else. Linas Kleiza or Drew Gooden may help, but we are great without them.

hg

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written by wmaxey, July 16, 2009

thanks for the line hg....

so that's one vote to stand pat. appears that may be the game plan, although they'll have a couple roster spots to fill even if jeff and dante are in camp.

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written by Will, July 16, 2009

No question, we need a banger at the 4. Milsap would fit that role perfectly, but I think Gooden wouldn't be a bad fit either. Should we make a move? Well, look around the west. Everyone that was good has gotten better. Absent a huge increase in production from GO and our point guard duo (or trio?) we are in for a rude awakening this year if we stand pat.

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written by hg, July 16, 2009

We are still young and haven't reached our potential yet.
The team won many more games than expected and improved every week. Nate played the four rookies as rookies on a rookie learning curve. This year I think he will unleash them and let them blossom. I hope so anyway.

I don't know as of yet what the four rookies all by them selves will produce, but in fairness to them and the rest of the team, for the hard fight they gave us last year.we should find out before we trade away excellent parts.

Just because teams are changing parts doesn't necessarily make them better. In fact Imo, the Lakers and Houston just exchanged pawns.

I think we got better replacing Frye with Cunningham and Pendergraph. We now may need a third stringer to replace Mills. That is just tweaking our line-up not replacing key parts.

It is said that Hinrich would be better for the team then Blake; that may or may not be true. But, have you taken a close look at Rudy. If you played Rudy at pt, he could be every bit as good as Hinrich and we already have him. He can shoot, dribble and finish with both hands, has great court vision, he can create for himself and others. He can dish off and make Greg a better player as he did the Gasol bothers. He has already proved he can play with BRoy and they can both be combo guards playing one or two. Therefore when Blake or BRoy go out he can play either place. He can play with Jerryd as pt or the 2. In fact IMO Rudy should play pt and let Jerryd play the two which is more of his natural.

You would be surprised how well this team can fly; we won't win the championship next year no matter who we get because it takes the whole team to win and the whole team is not gelled yet. The more time we exchange expensive parts is that much longer before we get the ring

hg

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written by Will Wiens, July 17, 2009

A Poser Will!!! Not the real Willa!!!!
Didn't Marvin the Martian get a deal with ATL?
And two words (one name) Lamar Odom. Boom!

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written by wmaxey, July 17, 2009

yo will.....you really think odom is the answer?

been getting calls, emails and comments about lamar and i'm just not buying it. and lamar is a great guy. don't get me wrong. it's not the right fit in my eyes. think the lakers felt slighted that he shunned their offer, hence them pulling it off the table.

just heard miami offered him a five year deal for.....$35 million....i think. don't quote me on that one. but i know it was a five year deal.

as for marvin, still no deal. they are in talks however.