Grim news
Pro basketball trade rumors are usually so much hot air, but the current story -- that the Blazers are packaging Jarrett Jack with Zach Randolph for a trade -- sounds bleak enough to be true. Jack's a solid NBA point guard, and he could still turn into a Terry Porter-type playmaker with all the talent that Portland is stockpiling. But if throwing him into the trade helps move Zach and get the right value in return, I'll bet the team would go for it.
| Posted at 9:49 AM | Permalink |
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Comments (13)
For me, it would depend on who we got in return. I have no problem with trading Zach. And I think the future of our guards is in Roy and Sergio. Jarrett is good, but we may be able to get better.
Posted by hilsy | June 2, 2007 10:51 AM
Mike Conley, Jr. will be better than Jack or Sergio. And that appears to be the whole point of the trade.
Posted by Steve | June 2, 2007 11:08 AM
will be better
Complete conjecture at this point.
Posted by Jack Bog | June 2, 2007 12:05 PM
"Complete conjecture"
What about the future isn't? Why have a draft? Why not trade the number one pick for a veteran? Because people who evaluate talent for a living can see that Oden is a special talent. Just like people who evaluate talent can see that Conley will be better than Jack or Sergio.
As a Big Ten alum, I tend to watch alot of Big Ten basketball and did so this year. Conley's poise was impressive and his decision making was impeccable for a freshman. Plus, he plays fabulous defense (in the tourney, ball handlers of opposing teams were actually scared of him--it was funny to see them pass the ball as soon as he approached). Conley is a true point guard in that he looks to get his teammates involved but has the smarts and the ability to take over a game when it's needed (much like Isaiah Thomas used to do). Portland would be lucky to get him (especially if that leads to Randolph's exit.
Unfortunately, after the debacle of Atlanta's draft history when the passed on Williams and Paul, I just don't see them having the guts to pass on Conley. I don't think this will happen.
Posted by Steve | June 2, 2007 12:50 PM
people who evaluate talent can see that Conley will be better than Jack or Sergio
Far from unanimous.
They all loved Telfair, too.
Posted by Jack Bog | June 2, 2007 12:53 PM
I'm afraid hindsight is clouding your memory. Telfair was widely considered a project and a bit of a gamble, though I don't think people thought he'd be as bad as he turned out to be.
Conley is considered by the overwhelming majority of people in the know to be NBA ready right now and is likely to be a future star. He's proven that he can shoot, play defense and lead a team--none of which Telfair had done.
I understand that nothing in life is certain. But if Atlanta is stupid enough to make this deal for Jack rather than Aldridge, Portland will jump on it in a nanosecond, as well they should.
Okay, sorry to keep posting. I've bothered you enough and I think you can see how excited I am by this.
Posted by Steve | June 2, 2007 1:04 PM
I hope and pray it doesn't happen.
Posted by Jack Bog | June 2, 2007 1:09 PM
Conley Jr. "can shoot" in the NBA? Who is saying that? Most of what I have seen says he really shouldn't be picked in even the top 5...he's just a kid that has rode Oden's coat tails for years now and a kid who has a very "pushy" Dad who is now an "agent" who according to many sources is the one spreading the Blazer trade rumours. The Blazers would be stupid to go for this kid, and Roy is the point guard of the future for the Blazers anyways...and J. Jack and Sergio have huge potential...and I agree with Jack Bog about J. Jack possibly turning into a Terry Porter type player.
Posted by expdx | June 2, 2007 1:55 PM
The last thing the Blazers need right now is another inexperienced point guard. They need a monster three-point threat -- maybe a couple of those.
Posted by Jack Bog | June 2, 2007 2:04 PM
Funny, I had this conversation last night with another fan. We both agreed that it seems like other than possible depth, Jack would be our potential achilles heel. I think he can run the offense fine, but he seems below average on D. Maybe if Tony Parker were as old as Nash, I wouldn't worry about Jack getting owned by decent PGs in the West.
I like JJack, but I won't be bummed if we need to move him to get Zach outta here for better than .25 on the dollar. And yeah, I'm not ready to annoit Conley yet either...the hype sorta reminds me of how everyone felt about Jamaal Tinsley a few years back.
Posted by Sebastian | June 2, 2007 2:56 PM
Here's hoping all the Conley, Jr hype is simply a move to placate Conley, Sr.
Posted by daveg | June 2, 2007 3:38 PM
one prominent rumor is trading those two to the Celtics for their pick and a contract.
Posted by ecohuman.com | June 2, 2007 4:35 PM
"Mike Conley, Jr. will be better than Jack or Sergio."
These are the same guys that thought Adam Morrison was going to be the second coming. When you have someone with success in the pros, you can't ever assume someone straight from college can make it.
Besides, how can you tell if all he played was in the Big 10, heck, I wasnt that impressed with Oden's performance(yes, he was the best guy there anyways in spite of his mental toughness - I know he is only 20) once the final rounds started happening. In addition, Conley is getting short (6-1) for a point guard in this league.
I'd think the talent pool at PG in the NBA is deep enough we could take a chance losing Jack/Randolph if it got a consistent inside defender.
Posted by Original Steve | June 2, 2007 4:53 PM