nikolokolus

Let me preface my idea before I get completely gutted.

I love Joel, he's a monster on the glass, gobbles up rebounds, is an excellent weak-side shot blocker, and is probably the quintessential definition of a defensive center -- the perfect backup. Having said that there's been a lot of debate about do we keep Frye or do we keep Outlaw when we know there is going to be a logjam in the froncourt at PF/C next year (assuming Trout doesn't slide over into a starting SF role). We've all seen how the offense can flow with Channing playing alongside LMA, especially now that he's developed this nose for getting inside and rebounding much better than he did in the first half of the season, and despite how much I love Joel's defensive presence, he's kind of an offensive liability.

What would people say to using Joel as a trade piece (along with Raef, and probably jarret) as a means of going out and trying to trade or sign-and-trade for a legit starting PG? If you think about it, what team wouldn't jump at the chance to get a lane stuffer like Joel? And with Greg coming in I think a front-court rotation of LMA, Travis, Frye, and GO could still be pretty formidable and would have the added benefit that each of those guys (hopefully Greg) is a threat to score while also being pretty solid at getting boards.

Granted I think Greg is going to be fighting foul trouble a fair amount, and Channing has shown that he can get pushed around by bigger centers at times, but for some reason I think this could work.

Feel free to throw your rotten tomatoes now ... *ducks*

MrJayremmie

I understnad where you are coming from. I don't do it though, if i was the GM. As i would want either Oden or Joel in at all times, as they are amazing at altering shots, and allowing nothing easy.

Frye really isn't good at that. He allows a lot of off. rebounds still, and gets silly fouls, and isn't the best at shot blocking or even altering shots. He might be a suffice backup, but i think he would be a great backup PF while playing with Joel.

Just what i think.

__________________

Jerryd Bayless

YardApe

If you think Joel is agressive this year, wait till he doesn't have to worry about fouling out! He'll be rested behind Oden, and our inside defense will be wicked!!!! Imagine having Lambeer backing up Russell? Frye we must keep incase LA gets hurt, and that very possible. I'd say Travis, Martell and Sergio will be moving on.

Jayps15

I'm not necessarily opposed to trading Joel, he gets paid very well for the kind of player he is. I wouldn't want to go into next season without bringing in another tough defensive/rebounding big for match ups where sliding Frye or Aldridge over to the 5, and Outlaw to the 4(he is not a good rebounder/defender at the 4) wouldn't be a good idea, and I think that could be done for cheaper than what we pay Joel.

But we would need to get back a lot in return, because a borderline starting defensive center on a reasonable contract is a rarity in this league and along with a good young player like Jack or Outlaw in trade should have a lot of value.

andalusian

The problem is that Frye is effective playing the #4 next to LaMarcus, but if we do not have Pryzbilla - he will basically play out of position as a backup 5 to Oden or as a 4 next to... who? Travis as center? McBob? Who is going to rebound in the 2nd unit? We already saw that the 2nd unit is often in trouble trying to rebound - keeping Joel would do wonders for that.

NateBishop3

I don't think I'd trade Joel. Frye is more of a power forward than he is a center. I'd rather keep Joel as a backup and spell Oden when he's either in foul trouble, or in need of a rest. Having a vet venter coming off your bench is really important in the playoffs.

__________________

nikolokolus

Granted I'm not a fan of my own idea ... it was just one of those thoughts that strike me from time to time.

In all honesty I'd rather see Travis slide over the starting 3 spot and trade Martell before I'd trade Joel.

PorterIn2004

Are you meaning Bill Laimbeer, the Piston? He was a much better offensive player than Oden is likely to be anytime soon, especially from range, and as for his defense, what I remember the most is the flopping. I do get your point that having Przybilla backing up Oden will be huge (presuming it happens) but I question the metaphor, if that's who you meant.

MrJayremmie

Yea, if we trade Joel, we really only have 1 enforcer, and 1 tough player down low. Low post scorer, shot changer type. And he has never played an NBA game, and we don't know about how he will do with fouls, or if he will get injured and so on.

Its pretty important and very very nice to have one on the starting and second unit.

The only bad part of Joel is his offensive liability, but he will be in the second unit, where it will be covered up, imo. He will be playing along scoreres like Rudy, Outlaw and Frye.

If we trade Joel, then we are putting all of our eggs into one basket. Our backup bigs are Frye abd Outlaw. Both finesse players. If Oden goes down we are screwed.

And when Frye's contract runs up, i don't see how he would want to re-sign a contract making backup money and being a backup when he would have a chance to go make starter money and be a starter in the nba, which he is capable of. So if he leaves then we really have no backup bigs.

Why not keep the team together? We have such a good thing going right now, why would we need to add Joel in a trade? We have lots of youth that needs to be trimmed... why fix what isn't broken?

edit - i'm just throwing the idea out there if Frye maybe goes to play else where once his contract is up. Joel already looked at the market and teams who wanted him and chose to stay with us.

__________________

Jerryd Bayless

mediocre man

I think it would be a great move. Joel is a hot comodity right now, and will most likely never have the same level of value he has right now. He is injured more times than not, and this year was more of an anomoly(SP?) than anything else. If the Blazers are conviced that Frye can play close to the way he did this past week then you absolutely do it.

Then again, for cap sakes Frye, Jack and Webster are the ones that should really look to be dealt unless the Bazers can offer up some sort of reasonable extension.

__________________
"SHOW ME THE BUFFET!!!"


Former Blazer Alaa Abdelnaby on being a student athlete at Duke. "The only way I could get 5 A's at Duke was to spell my name"


I'm Mediocre Man, and I approve this message.

BIG Q

I would not want to trade Joel unless he was the center piece of a trade getting us our PG. His value is under rated by fans on boards such as this. All they see is an injury prone center that it an offensive liability signed to a "long contract for lots of money." Other GM's know his value as a very good defender, rebounder, shot blocker and locker room leader. To get value for him he needs to be included in trades to teams that do not have a legit center such as ATL, MIA, MEM and MIN. More than likely to do this it would have to be a three way deal. We can always get a journeyman center.

__________________
BRANDON
ROOKIE
OF THE
YEAR

Dornado

I don't know if its even possible to have a "log jam" when you're referring to power forwards and centers, given how valuable big men are... If you move Pryzbilla you're thin up front immediately... trust me, teams would kill to have a solid defensive vet like Joel Pryzbilla backing up their young up and coming center.

Plus, imagine trying to score in the lane with both of those guys around, yikes.

__________________
White Sox fan? Come join the discussion and help build a community

MrJayremmie

^exactly...

__________________

Jerryd Bayless