from Chad Ford (espn insider) today

[Karma]

Swift has this reputation of a defensive force due to his flashy blocks. He couldn't crack a regular gig in Memphis with a defensive minded coach in Fratello. This has to send alarm bells. The same bells should have warned people off Dalembert as well, but he doesn't seem to be the same headcase as Swift. I would not understand the Cavaliers chasing Walker or Rahim. I'll use this comparison again. I'd rather support our core of Hughes, LeBron and Ilgauskas with role players like San Antonio rather then sign up as much talent as possible like Dallas. The results are there for all to see.

 

[aaronr]

A lot of people on this board are pushing a trade of Gooden for a point guard. I wouldn't have any problem with that, but would someone please tell us who the point guard is?

 

[Pioneer10]

A lot of people on this board are pushing a trade of Gooden for a point guard. I wouldn't have any problem with that, but would someone please tell us who the point guard is?

I've thought long and hard on this and haven't really come up with anything. I don't see Orlando giving up on Jameer Nelson although how ironic that as Howards get's bigger and becomes a defensive force that Gooden would be a nice offensive minded PF to put next to him.

Barbaso would have been a possiblity but when the Suns got Thomas no trade happens there.

Another would have been Duhon (Chicago would have to give up something else as well) but with the Hughes signing nix that idea right away

Troy Hudson? Don't think the contracts work and the Twolves likely want an insurance PG with Cassell's injury history

It would have to be for a 1st rounder which we then would use on a PG or the best situation I see is trading Gooden for Jarrett Jack. Why would Portland do this? Gooden contract which they could take off the books next year and save them Jacks' rookie deal as well. I dont' see why they got Jack in the first place as Telfair their PG of the future

 

[Glen Infante]

Offer Portland a sign and trade deal with Gooden for Damon Stoudamire.

Sign Stromile.

Game over.

 

[cdt]

works for me, Stro is sweet and D stoud will be rejuvenated after leaving the jail blazers...

 

[Glen Infante]

Zydruans Ilgauskas
Stromile Swift
LeBron James
Larry Hughes
Damon Stoudamire

Anyone have any problems with this roster? I think it's nicely balanced. Stro can offer great weak side defense, and would probably improve with an additional 10 minutes per night.

2 of the best penetrators in the league in Larry and LeBron with Damon and Z waiting 20 feet and beyond to cash in the jumper.

 

[Karma]

So much for getting good character guys. Swift and Stoudamire are both down my list of candidates. Word has that Swift will join Houston anyways.

 

[cdt]

Dang Karma is right, we do need talented yet good character guys, to keep the chemistry goin so if we're on a losing streak they don't add to the list of problems and stuff. I want Sarunas and SAR, SAR is a good guy but he is always stuck on problematic teams Grizzlies expansion, Hawks umm yeah nuff said, and the jailblazers with woods stoudemire randolph and etc. A good character team and a 2nd chance could work wonders with him.

 

[TheAdmin]

Offer Portland a sign and trade deal with Gooden for Damon Stoudamire.

Sign Stromile.

Game over.

Damon can be had for a few million. They need to pony up something a whole heck of a lot better then Stoudamire to get Gooden.

 

[Troy Wingate]

I'm not quite sold on Reggie Evans. He's a tenacious rebounder, that's awesome. But that's what he is. And while he'll benefit greatly from playing next to Z, someone else can do the same easily. Grabbing boards should be the easy part. Besides, we must remember that we have 8rpg from Z, 7 from LBJ, and 6 from Hughes. The PF will grab the rest. How much more will there be available for Evans to get than anyone else?

The main beef I will have with Reggie is his defense. I don't know if he'll really be that great of a defender here. Toughness in the paint, yes. But what about his foul trouble? It'll come out much more given starter minutes. Varejao will go through the same, but we're not spending big bucks on him just yet.

Also, I don't really see him being a cheap option. We are going to have 6, maybe 7 million to spend. We MUST get a point guard. If we want Reggie, we'll have to splash the bank to get him. Anything reasonable towards his talent, and Seattle will likely match. So that eliminates deals under 3 mil starting. Do we want to pay that much for him and go mediocre in the most important position? Or do we want to chase Sarunas Jasikevicius?

I think the glaring hole we have now is the point guard position. Snow could start, I wouldn't be against it at all. But that would reflect all the problems that we had last year and the year before... no outside shooting. It can be solved in the PG position, it actually is a must if we want a solid starting lineup.

You can never have enough rebounders.

 

[cdt]

I think we should sign James Thomas he can rebound with the best of them, he can provide releif when gooden is on the bench or av gets in foul trouble. Younger and more athletic then traylor he'll come cheaper too. Remember he get like 14 boards in 25 mins against the cavs last year.

 

[LyXo]

You can never have enough rebounders.

True. But not for 3 years, 20 mil like we would have to offer him to get him away from Seattle