NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Bryant Knox is back today to weigh in on the two options the Blazers have with LaMarcus Aldridge. Of course the best case scenario would be building around him and winning the NBA title, but this is reality, not fairytale land. They either trade him and recoup what they can, or they can wait it out and hope for the best. Either way it will be a challenge for the fans.
NWSB Writer Jonathan Irwin debates whether or not Nicholas Batum is the solution to all of Portland’s woes or if they should think about trading him. Nicolas Batum—the current incumbent—is sitting on a four year, $45-$50 million, offer from Minnesota. Portland seems fully prepared to match. However, Minnesota is determined, reportedly exploring multiple sign-and-trade opportunities.
NWSB Insider and Northwest basketball blogger Steve Lee brings us his thoughts on his beloved LA Lakers getting his favorite NBA player Steve Nash, also a BC – Canada boy. One season removed from being outted early in their playoff run, the Lakers in one swift move have put themselves back in the thick of the championship hunt. Steve says the Lakers and Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant is the greatest combination since peanut butter and jelly.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trailblazers blogger Blair Thomas talks about RIP City’s GM Neil Olshey’s possible interest in bringing in Chauncey Billups to Portland for Jamal Crawford. What could be a struggle for Olshey is trying to convince Billups to take a secondary role for a team that failed to make the playoffs in 2012.
Should the Blazers trade one of their top-12 picks? NWSB insider and writer Steve Lee lists the pros and cons of past draft-day trades. Analysis includes Brandon Roy, Rudy Fernandez, James Jones, Deron Williams, and LaMarcus Aldridge. With two picks in the top twelve this summer, there is a good chance that the Blazers might be able to restock the shelves.
NWSB Insider Bryant Knox brings us reason to hope next year in Portland. With Steve Nash being a free agent, Portland Trail Blazers fans are hoping to see Nash in RIP City next season. Despite his age, he still brings lots to the table. Enough to give the Blazers a serious push at playoff contention. Nash is arguably the best pick-and-roll point guard in the NBA today.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trailblazers blogger Rick Stella examines the week that was in Rip City. After a weekend spent drowning away my sorrows for the loss of Gerald Wallace and Marcus Camby, its time to try to figure out what the new guys actually bring to the team. Jonny Flynn, Hasheem Thabeet, and Mehmet Okur (Sort of), and Shawne Williams (Sort of) welcome to the Northwest.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trailblazers blogger Rick Stella tells us the Trail Blazers have made the decision to part ways with Nate McMillan, it was announced today by Team President Larry Miller. McMillan will no longer serve as Portland’s head coach. Assistant Coach Kaleb Canales has been named interim head coach. Also Gerald Wallace and Marcus Camby were moved to New Jersey and Houston.
NWSB insider Steve Lee brings us news of deadline day trade between the Portland Trail Blazers and the New Jersey Nets. The Blazers receive Mehmet Okur, Shawne Williams and the Nets first round pick. The Blazers gave up Gerald Wallace for that, uh, haul. The first rounder is projected to be a lottery pick, does that count for anything?
NWSB Insider and Portland Trailblazers blogger Blair Thomas tells us keeping Jamal Crawford and Raymond Felton indicates that the team will go point guard shopping in the off-season after their contracts come off the books. Marcus Camby was already looking ahead to a Caribbean vacation at this point in the season. He was traded for Hasheem Thabeet and Jonny Flynn the Houston Rockets.
NWSB Insider and resident northwest hoops blogger Steve Lee weighs in on the 2012 NBA trade deadline fast approaching and the nba rumors surrounding favorite northwest son Steve Nash. He pieces together five Ideal Relocation Plans for Nash (these trades are done with helping both teams to some degree), what do you think?
NWSB Portland Trail Blazers insider Rick Stella weighs in with his five trades the Blazers should be looking at making in 2012. Its a fun take using the NBA trade machine. Portland moving Raymond Felton, Wesley Matthews, or Nicolas Batum for starters, getting back Steve Nash, D.J. Augustin, Jrue Holiday, Lou Williams, and James Harden. Here are the five best trade options for Portland.
