Perfection

Think about when Allen Iverson switched conferences. He played for the West last year, although I think he was traded before the votes were finalized and the reserves were chosen.

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mook

ha. actually, there's a lot more than 4 big time players who moved this season. Kidd, Shaq, Gasol, Garnett, Ray Allen, Shawn Marion, Randolph. even Devin Harris may be cited in future years as one of the really big moves this season.

andalusian

Was Ha really moved this year? I know he was selected first in the Korean draft, but still...

Public Defender

How has this team proven they can "win now"? The 13-game winning streak was - I won't call it a "fluke" - but it was an aberration. This is a roughly .500 ball club, and while that's better than any of us anticipated at the beginning of the season, it's still not a "proven they can win now" situation. Also, the team is so young and so clearly improving, why upset things by dumping some of the team's best talent?

I have to admit, I don't know a great deal of Devin Harris' game, though he seems like a solid role player - the kind the Blazers could probably use handling the ball some of the time. But I like the chemistry that the team has developed, and am optimistic about how the team will come together in the next few seasons with a healthy Oden, and perhaps Rudy Fernandez. Missing out on Harris at this point doesn't disappoint me that much - especially considering the high price I'd been hearing of three young players.

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Next year...

Resume

Where is Ha?!?!?!

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ProfitByProphet

Wow, it shows how much I pay attention to the All Star game. The rookie game was my favorite part of the weekend. I lost a lot of interest when that was replaced.

ProfitByProphet

Because they have a winning record and have played well against or beaten the best teams in the west. You can call the winning streak a fluke and I can call the bad start a fluke so it evens out. The rest of the west changed and Portland didn't. Harris would have been an equalizer to keep Portland competitive.

No, this is an OVER .500 ball club, which is in fact PROOVES they can win now.

The team is actually slumping not improving and making a move could have had a significant impact on the rest of the season. The teams talent will have to be moved before next season begins. If you have a chance to get Harris now you take it. There are no promises as to who will be available later, but it is guaranteed that there isn't enough space to keep all that talent on the roster next season. At least two of the players won't be here next season: Martell, Outlaw, Jack, Sergio, Fernandez.

The pressure is now on Portland to make a move, that's not usually a good place to begin bargaining.

e_blazer1

There is no pressure on Portland to make a move before the deadline. Nobody expected them to be in the playoffs this year and everyone knows that the team is incomplete until Oden plays next year. My bet is that KP stands pat and then is active again around draft day.

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nikolokolus

The assertion that pieces needed to be moved NOW because the team is over-achieving is kind of myopic and ignores the fact that we've yet to see how this unit plays with GO in the mix (and Rudy to a lesser extent).

I have no doubt that KP will be making draft day moves, but the man has a plan and by all accounts he's sticking to it.

As for "proving" that we've beaten good teams, I think you have to look at when and where we beat them as much the simple fact that we did. I don't want to sell the team short for their amazing run in December and into January, but we beat a reeling Utah team that looks completely different now, we snuck up on the nuggets and when we "needed" the win the most they beat us in our own house.

Have patience young grasshopper.

ProfitByProphet

Not before the deadline, the upcoming off-season.

e_blazer1

I think the Blazers will make a trade or two this summer, but there's still no great pressure to do so, IMO. Presumably the Blazers will add Fernandez and a draft pick to the roster this summer. They could simply choose to waive McRoberts and Green, not re-sign Jones, or work a buyout with Miles in order to make room. Yeah, it would put Nate in a bit of a bind as to a playing rotation, but I don't see KP making a bad deal just to avoid that. In reality, though, I expect a 2-3 player for 1 play move this summer. Every GM has to deal with these kinds of decisions.

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MrJayremmie

wow, it is a sad day in P-town if this is true and portland isn't involved. If it takes Outlaw to get harris, i'd do it. Sergio, Jack, Outlaw and a 1st, first won't matter, what would we spend it on if we got Harris, Rudy and Oden comin' in...

i told my family and friends who are over to watch the game and the room went from a cheerful move to nobody saying a word in dissapointment. That is a deal KP has to make, it is what we needed. Oh well, life goes on. If KP doesn't upgrade our PG position with someone we can grow in the future with in the off season, chances are, we won't be a contender for maybe 5 years, til the laker run is up... and that is assuming we can resign oden, roy, aldridgde and get rudy over.

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Jerryd Bayless

MrJayremmie

And this team will be around a .500 team. We went what 17-1 in the middle? started 5-12 and are like 4-10 since or somethin' like that. I don't think we are bad by any means, but the west will be tough for years, and we will be fighting for the 10th spot with Sac-town this year now that they are healthy.

Oden by himself won't put a .500 ball club to a title contender. I still believe though, maybe NJ doesn't really want harris? maybe they are doin' that trade, and after they will trade straight with Portland for Sergio, Jack and Webster/frye/outlaw and our 1st round pick. They have Marcus Williams, and they would love a 9-11 pick in the draft if they are rebuilding, imo.

We will see, i would like to see if we can make a move for Connely, even though i'm not convinced he will be a stud in this league. Oh well, lets go blazers tonight vs. Dallas!!!

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