beav

You may be right... it does seem that portland does pretty well with that deal...and today's oregonian says that any trades until 2 days before the draft (if then) so we won't know for a while... A couple of things to clear up: Chicago has notified Portland that point guard Kirk Hinrich is "untouchable" in trade talks, so you can scratch off the list any of those Zach Randolph for Kirk Hinrich scenarios. The Blazers have not, and are not close to, making any trades. The Blazers are in discussions with several teams, but general manager Kevin Pritchard said most teams are in the "feeling out" process and are not ready to deal. Pritchard said if the Blazers do indeed make a deal, it wouldn't be announced until 48 hours before the draft at the earliest. The Blazers held their first draft workouts on Friday at the team's practice facility in Tualatin. The workout featured two guards - Virginia's Sean Singletary and Nevada's Ramon Sessions - and two small forwards, Michigan's Brent Petway and Fresno State's Dominic McGuire. Both Sessions and Singletary said they are wavering between returning to school and remaining in the draft. But both impressed coach Nate McMillan, particularly the shooting of Singletary. "An unbelievable player,'' McMillan said of Singletary. "He shot the ball well.'' McMillan was also impressed with Petway, who recorded a 42-inch vertical leap. "You should have seen it,'' McMillan said. "He was up there ... it was like he was hanging from the lights.'' Ime Udoka was at the facility going through some pretty intense rehabilitation with athletic trainer Jay Jensen. Darius Miles was also at the facility, but I didn't see him working out (he was in street clothes). --Quick

Hold on to your breaking unsubstantiated rumor! Category Portland Trail Blazers, NBA, 2007 Draft, Zach Randolph, Jarrett Jack, Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons | No Comments » The internet is ablaze with… well… white noise! The biggest white noise storm to hit the Pacific Northwest since the beginning of Tonya Harding’s boxing career! Terabytes of bandwidth being consumed by massive exchanges of… nothing! Now we can’t have the largest utter waste of bandwidth since William Hung videos hit YouTube go by without us jumping in and making it all that much worse, now can we? Here’s my completely unsubstantiated rumor straight from the mouth of my unnamed source in the Blazers front office (tab of the ESPN Trade Machine page) to you. Three way trade between Portland, Detroit, and Atlanta… Portland Going out: Zach Randolph, Jarrett Jack Coming in: Tayshaun Prince, Lorenzen Wright, ATL #11 (from IND), DET #15 (from ORL) Atlanta Going out: Salim Stoudamire, Lorenzen Wright, ATL #11 (from IND) Coming In: Jarrett Jack, Nazr Mohammed, Lindsey Hunter Detroit Going out: Tayshaun Prince, Nazr Mohammed, Lindsey Hunter, Detroit #15 (from ORL) Coming In: Zach Randolph, Salim Stoudamire That’s it. That’s the big deal that’s at the nexus of the white noise storm enveloping any/ all Trail Blazers net activity yesterday and today. My unnamed source swears it’s true!

Quote: The unmistakable need for any team, is a cohesive bond of players. It is necessary for Management as well, to invest faith in the organization as a whole. This Belkin situation may serve the Hawks to become a tighter organization that if these events had not. Sports are a bond that crosses all demographics and agendas. It reminded this as remember Josh Childress as he has spent much time in the Orient (particularly China) as an ambassador of the NBA and certainly the Hawks. Being from LA, surely he was at hand at the Yi workout. I believe it may be coming together, the Hawks as a team. Homegrown players Josh Smith, AJ (adopted), Zaza (Tbilisi is Atlanta's sister city) and hopefully Javaris. For sure it is a business but sometimes its more sport and camaraderie. Get Yi Get Javaris Excellent points. The best team to support your theory is San Antonio. They have built a core of players (duncan, ginobili, parker) with key solid character role players (kerr, horry, finley) to a lot of obvious success. The opposite would be Bob Whitsitt building the blazers. His infamous quote "I never studied chemistry in college" tells volumes.

Quote: Quote: If/when they trade Jack it will probably be for a draft choice from 10-18 as has been widely rumored and they would take one of many SFs that Pritchard likes. and pick a SF, are you comfortable with a Sergio/Roy combo at the point? A lot of people here (not me) say Roy can't play the point effectively. That is a very good question. I'm not quite comfortable with Sergio as a starter yet. However mgt here greatly wanted him to spend a year in Europe first last year, then it changed to wanting him to spend time in US in developmental league, to him making the team and looking very promising. I think that Sergio has a very bright future, but I don't think he will be there quite yet next year. As far as Roy I do see him logging minutes at PG but do not see him being the long-term starter because in my personal opinion great PGs are born not made (or at least made in hs/college!)

Quote: I know you have all been waiting so here it is. We are 7 million under the cap. We throw it all at Papaloukas and we end the speculation about drafting our pg. He is 6'7 can penetrate and dish. He is basically BK's dream guard. Since one of our needs is filled, we draft for talent at 3 and that means Yi. At 11 we draft Spencer Hawes as a backup center. We send Josh Childress to Portland for Jarrett Jack. We send Ty Lue to Cleveland for their first round pick next year. (after getting destroyed by the Spurs they will be begging for any type of PG) Later in the summer we use our MLE and pick up Magloire. So our lineup will look like this Papa/Jack/AJ JJ/Salim Smoove/Marvin Yi/Shelden Magloire/Zaza/Hawes Championship in 2009 I can't see any reason that portland would want Childress. They have Roy at SG and they also have outlaw and webster(who has been a disappointment so far...they'll need to give him some minutes to decide if he is a bust or not) at SG/SF. If/when they trade Jack it will probably be for a draft choice from 10-18 as has been widely rumored and they would take one of many SFs that Pritchard likes.

Quote: Quote: Your article was as usual fair and balanced. I could have sworn back on realgm when that went down that someone had another article linked about it that had Luke Jackson's camp complaining about "internet reports" that were "poisoning" his draft status or something along those lines. apparently luke poisoned himself because he's not playing anymore...where the hell is he anyway? That fall Cleveland traded Jackson, along with an undisclosed amount of cash, to the Boston Celtics in return for center Dwayne Jones, but was waived before the 2006-07 season started on October 27. Recovered from his injuries, Jackson signed with the Idaho Stampede of the NBADL. Jackson averaged 12.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 30.8 minutes in six games with Idaho, gaining attention of the injury rattled Los Angeles Clippers. He signed to a 10-day contract in January 2007 with the Clippers, but his stay in Los Angeles was brief, appearing in only three games. On March 25, 2007, Jackson was signed to a 10-day contract by the Toronto Raptors to provide bench depth. After performing well in limited minutes, he was signed to a second ten-day contract and then to a two year pact with Toronto for the rest of the 2006-2007 NBA season, and the 2007-08 season as well. On April 18, 2007, in Toronto's last game of the regular season, Jackson exploded for a career-high 30 points and 5 assists while logging a career maximum 39 minutes in a defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Quote: Quote: Quote: Hoping its Prz with some +/-. I have wanted Prz for a long time and i think he would be perfect with a forward combo of Smith/Yi. Smith/Yi would present matchup problems for the other team offensively but at times we would be vulnerable defensively. Having a 7'1" shotblocker in the middle would erase a lot of mistakes. Plus they have Oden/Aldride and Lafrentz who can play C now. I can't see how they can find minutes for Prz. I don't have the citations to prove it, but I know that I've read that the combination of Pryz not playing as well in 06-07 and his contract are making PTL fans very suspicious that finding a taker to relocate Pryz is second only to finding a taker to relocate Randolph. But as I've pointed out time-and-again here, that would be a sticking point for BK... he appears determined to not absorb bad contracts to make a deal work, and especially for someone who doesn't start. Nah I don't think that's accurate. Also recent reports are that he is rehabbing very well in the offseason. His money is not all that bad for possibly the best backup center in the league. Plus he won big points here for staying with PTL rather than signing with another team last year and is a fan favorite. If he is traded it won't be this year (and I seriously doubt he will be traded unless he requests it).

Quote: that song is awesome! Yeah it does kind of make the vid. It's kind of a Chinese version of Eye of the Tiger from the Rocky movie.

Was Doug Edwards before Babcock's time? I know that the great one Roy Marble was.

For every Randolph, there's a rumor Posted by Casey Holdahl June 06, 2007 15:14PM Categories: Trade rumors John Hollinger drops Zach Randolph's name all over the place during a text chat at ESPN.com today: Taylor (Tuscaloosa, AL): Not to go all Marc Stein on you here, but can you ever remember this many quality PFs allegedly being on the block at once? Randolph, R Wallace, Gasol, and Kirilenko all have at least one ASG under their belts (elastic waistbands?), and all have been rumored in usually-crazy deals. Do you think any of them will actually move this summer? SportsNation John Hollinger: Your absolutely correct, and no I can't remember this many quality PFs being out there. And you left out Jermaine O'Neal, Kevin Garnett, and Lamar Odom. As far as those who will move, I'd say Jermaine O'Neal and Gasol are the two most likely, followed by Randolph. Not really sure what's gonna happen with Sheed yet -- especially since it will be hard to find a taker. Randolph doesn't have an All-Star game under his belt, but I'm sure he wouldn't mind people thinking that he did. Steve (Chicago): Any realistic chance the Bulls can trade Ben Wallace to get a Randolph/J O'Neal/Gasol type player. I think Tyrus Thomas and drafting Noah would more than replace Big Ben's production. SportsNation John Hollinger: you're stuck with Wallace. Learn to live with it. The idea is to get an offensive-minded player like Randolph or Gasol to pair with him, because they'll offset each other's weaknesses. [snip] Joe (Macon): What type of "quality big" do you the Hawks can get with that 3rd pick? Are we talking decent starter or All-Star caliber? SportsNation John Hollinger: It would be part of a package to get a guy like Gasol or Randolph. That's my thought, anyway. Billy Knight doesn't call me for advice. [snip] Matt (Chicago): please rate the best (consolation-prize) PF 'fit' for the Bulls alongside Ben Wallace: Odom, Randolph, AK47. SportsNation John Hollinger: Well, AK is the worst, I don't think he fits them at all. Randolph would be the best, because he's a true low-post scorer but can also step out and hit from mid-range. Odom won't provide the post scoring, so I'm not sure how much he helps. So there you go. Seems like Zach's value is going up as the off-season progresses. If he ends up getting traded, I'd bet he nets the Blazers more than he would have at last year's trade deadline.

Quote: I know the Center postions is not as strong as it used to be.But it's not weak enough that Zaza is in the top 10 lol Here's about 20 guys that are better than Zaza. ((not in any kind of order)) AMARE YAO Shaq Howard Wallace Okur Curry camby Oden Dalendert Biendres Morning Big Z Brad Miller Mags Kaman Nenad Krstic J-Oneal Okafor Bosh Chandler Definitely agree for the most part but: Magloire is a shadow of his former self and is only suited at being a vets minimum 2nd-3rd stringer... Mourning is close to done for all practical purposes, he is very effective for about 12-15 minutes a game defensively and that's it. Kaman stunk last year after signing that massive contract and I'm not sure that Zaza isn't just about as good even without the contract. Jermaine is not a center(regardless of his size etc), he hates playing center which is why Foster always starts.

Quote: -Speaking of Javaris Crittenton,, it's interesting to note that he's scheduled to work out with the Portland Trailblazers the day before the draft, June 27th. He obviously won't be working out for the #1 pick, and can't be planning on Portland's next pick at #37 either. So what does that mean? Deductive reasoning tells us that his people have almost certainly been convinced that there is a very good chance that the Trailblazers will have a draft pick in his range, AND will have a need for another point guard besides the two very good ones they already have in Jarrett Jack and Sergio Rodríguez. It goes without saying that the day before the draft is a VERY valuable spot on the calendar of a player like Crittenton. A couple of quick calls made indicate that Crittenton isn't the only one who might feel that way. Two agents with draft prospects in the 5-15 draft range conveyed to DraftExpress that they feel that Portland is sending out messages implying that they may already have a late lottery pick locked up. The rumor emerging is that Portland can secure the #11 pick belonging to Atlanta, in return for Jarrett Jack if they so desire. Portland will also (tentatively) be hosting Nick Young and Al Thornton two days before the draft, on the 26th. The Young and Crittenton workout dates were released by a Portland beat writer, Not to break my arm patting myself on the back, but the 11th round pick plus a few of portland's 4 second rounders was exactly what I suggested would happen last week in the midst of the "never gonna happen" aldridge speculation. It makes a ton of sense for ATL and like you said Jack wants to be here (gee how many up and coming young players are saying that?)

Quote: You see Biedrins as untradeable, really? On paper, he looks to be a 10/9 guy who has a limited offensive game and is lousy at the stripe. He didn't even start every game (69 starts, 82 games played). But what he does bring, apparently, in defense, energy, and rebounding is exactly what the Hawks need from that position. I was more concerned that the #3 is too much for him. He is an absolutely uncanny shot-blocker. I believe that he had multiple games last year blocking 7-8 shots. He is a major disruptor with his arms and leaping ability. He also runs the floor extremely well. He was not used to the rigors of an 82 game season and ran out of gas towards the end of the season. No way would I trade this guy for the number 3 pick given the dearth of centers out there with his upside much less throwing in MOnta Ellis.

No way would GS do this trade, IMO. They will not let the 1st and 5th most improved players go particularly when they are so young. Add the fact that Biedrins had a great first half before running out of gas a bit due to conditioning, he is a bona-fide center which is rarer and rarer nowadays. NBA Most Improved Player Voting Monta Ellis Ellis Warriors guard Monta Ellis' averages in the 2006-07 season (16.5 points, 4.1 assists, and 3.2 rebounds) were significantly better than his numbers last year (6.8 ppg, 1.6 apg, and 3.1 rpg), and his scoring increase (+9.7) was the highest of any player in the NBA. Thursday's voting totals for the NBA's Most Improved Player: Votes Player 1st 2nd 3rd Points Monta Ellis, Warriors 47 34 15 352 Kevin Martin, Kings 44 38 15 349 Deron Williams, Jazz 13 6 18 101 Tyson Chandler, Hornets 6 11 9 72 Andris Biedrins, Warriors 8 4 12 64 Al Jefferson, Celtics 2 13 13 62 Luol Deng, Bulls 2 7 13 44 Leandro Barbosa, Suns 3 3 -- 24 Andre Iguodala, 76ers 1 2 3 14 David Lee, Knicks -- 3 3 12 Jason Kapono, Heat -- 1 7 10 Josh Howard, Mavericks 1 1 1 9

Quote: It looks like Joey D is on the phone with Isiah as we speak... Trying to nail down a deal for Rasheed. I've also read of rumblings of a Rip Halmilton for Zach Randolph trade although I can't see PTL needing Halmilton. However, the biggest news was what i read about Billups. He might go cheaply. The real question is, could Woody engineer it so that Billups wanted to come to Atlanta? If we could only get rid of Speedy! Supposedly Isiah has also offered Washington state natives Nate Robinson and Jamal Crawford to SEA for a sign and trade for Rashard Lewis (when it can become official).

Quote: Quote: Quote: Aldridge started all 15 games in March. The Trailblazers were 5 -10 in march. So how does this support that he is a legit center in the league? That's the weakest response I've ever seen on this board. Ever. Whatever, but the point is that Aldridge has done nothing that convinces me that he is a legit center in this league When the Blazers drafted LMA they said they saw him as a PF and eventually growing into a center within 2-3 years. The strength and conditioning coach for the team was quoted late last year as saying that aldridge and pryzbilla were the hardest working players on the team (no one else even close), and he saw aldridge putting on about another 10 pounds of muscle this offseason potentially.

He is a FA. PTL tried to trade his 8.5 million dollar contract before the trading deadline but there were no takers. He actually did not look that bad last year and would be a decent backup.

Quote: Quote: They will make every effort to trade Randolph, particularly now since he has had his career season. OMG... A response from a PTL fan... OK Beav, I agree, they will make every effort to trade Zebo... BUT after his latest run in with the Law and with his what 64 million dollars left on his deal... WhO... I said WHO...I SAY WHO will trade for Zach?? YOu were hoping that BK would be stupid enough to do it BUT BK countered your offer and said Aldridge, Jack, and the 08 first. So again.. WHO will trade for Baggage and 64 million dollars left? Wake up to reality Beav. Zach is going to be a Blazer until his blazer days are over. Get used to him. if you couldn't trade him during the last season when he had allstar buzz, he won't get traded. Beav, come up with a name? Who will you trade him to? Isiah doesn't want him? Philly doesn't want him. Hell, you can't get Golden State to trade you Foyle and Pietrus... Who? So you can get your clippings. Get the Oregonian and whatever other paper you want. The Lumberjack times... and show me 1 suitor for Zach. Who? Hey a wager is in order! Name your terms! Aldridge will *not* be traded to the Hawks was what I said. Also I said that trading randolph now is there number one concern. As I said before this year is now or never to trade him. I love how you like to shape these things! So let's make it two wagers what do you say Diesel? I say that aldridge doesn't get traded. And (admittedly it is no guarantee) I say that randolph will. What do you think? Name your terms?

Spurs in 5. CLE won that series with defense. The Spurs have a better defense and a hell of a lot better offense and an unbelievable amount of playoff experience.

Quote: I was getting my car washed yesterday and when I looked down to see who was cleaning my tires.........it was Priest Lauderdale!!!! He said that he was open to coming back to the Hawks and that his offensive game and defensive presence is just what we need. He said that he has more upside than anyone in the draft. I say we do it although he stated that he has to play with his own personal sg Ed Gray!! Hey Mark Eaton was "discovered" working on cars by Utah after his college career and signed on the cheap. Keep your eyes peeled maybe you can find another hidden gem!

Quote: The PTL braintrust are lying about a lot of stuff. #1. They want Conley Jr. If Oden wants Conley Jr, it's prolly a really good idea for them too. Before the draft, PTL was rumored to be the front runner for Steve Blake. That suggests to me that they are not really happy with what they have. From a coaching standpoint, Conley Jr. already knows Oden like the back of his hand. They play a lot of pick and roll. #2. For all the reports about trading Zebo, why would PTL now trade Zebo when they finally have a young running C to play along with Zebo. Remember Zach Randolph is a 24/10 player. That's a very rare commodity. Unless they can get back Lewis.. it makes no sense to trade Randolph... Moreover, it doesn't look like anybody in the league wants Randolph's contract. The only real suitor I see is Chicago and they are tied up with Phoenix. I mean, given the choice who would you take Randolph or Amare Stoudamire? #3. IF they were to get a Sf and the 3, like Marvin (who is from nearby Seattle) They could easily be structured for the future.. PTL has Miles who may be medically retired. They have Webster who is nothing but a BU SG. Marvin is a guy who could be a prototypical Sf that they could get and not miss getting a guy like Brewer or Green. I think PTL would do it. You've got it all figured out eh! ROTFLMAO! Please, besides me cutting and pasting a few things from the oregonian online you don't know a damn thing about portland bball. They will make every effort to trade Randolph, particularly now since he has had his career season. He just had his career season and with his contract ballooning to 15 million per year next year it is now or never! If they do not end up trading him it will not be due to lack of effort. And I just love the fact that you think so highly of Marvin all of a sudden in that you are packaging him in your ridiculous fantasy trades! Pritchard has a ton of options with a ton of players, and come draft day he may speak with the hawks again. May. But Aldridge is not being traded to the Hawks! Willing to make a little wager on this one Diesel?

Chad Ford reports today that (gasp!) GM have been throwing various offers at Kevin Pritchard in hopes of getting their hands on the No. 1 pick: No, he's not giving up the No. 1 pick in the draft, though I did hear from a good source that he's been offered two different All-Stars for the pick. It appears he's trying to find a way to move a player (read: Zach Randolph) or two off the roster while simultaneously acquiring another draft pick. His goal is most likely not point guard Mike Conley, but one of the draft's elite small forwards. Corey Brewer is at the top of the list, but Pritchard also likes Jeff Green, Julian Wright and Al Thornton. None of this surprises me and it probably doesn't surprise you either. I don't think Pritchard's credo of "best player available" changes after the first pick, and I'd be surprised if Conley Jr. was considered the BPA if either Brewer, Green, Wright or Thorton was still on the board. Portland again is not trading Aldridge. It ain't happening. But they might trade Jack and a bunch of their 4 2nd rounders for the number 11 pick.

Quote: Sergio doesn't play defense. Jack isn't flashy but he plays both ends. Yes that is accurate. They love Sergio for his penetration skills and ability to dish but he is never going to be a great defender and certainly never in Jack's league. Roy played PG for PTL all last summer league and did play PG some last year as well.

Quote: Your problem is that you have one of the few 20/10 players in the league who plays the same position and has a big contract that will be difficult to move. Plus Aldridge's game doesn't complement Odens game offensively. Zach has range on his shot and would be able to give Oden more space to work in the post. Shaq, Wilt and Kareem were all traded so there is no such thing as an untouchable player. Zach has just come off of his career year, and he is highly likely to be moved this offseason. The most likely destinations are NJ, CHI or WASH. Portland's number one priority is to get decent value for randolph and move him this offseason. They do not want Randolph playing with these young players. Aldridge is not untouchable, but I am telling you he is not going to be traded to the Hawks for the number 3 pick. He will not be moved this year and he will never play for the atlanta hawks.

Quote: According to a Yahoo sports reporter who has been in Orlando at the camp. Word is that BK thinks Aldridge has more upside than any player in the draft available to the Hawks. The Hawks are asking for Alrdidge and Jack for 3. The Blazers won't do that but if we sweeten the deal with a Shelden or Chill they may consider. Who knows? There was more talk in Orlando yesterday about Conley and Oden playing together. They both all say if it doesn't happen then fine. But, they continue to talk about it and I think all parties will make a big run at this before its all over. Its clear they want to stay together and the marketing of these two young friends to the PTL community is huge. If BK is high on Aldridge how high do you think that the team that traded up for him, drafted him and coached him all last year is? Aldridge is not being traded. You guys can still run through all of the permutations, computations whatever, but he will not be a Hawk.