Paul Pierce, Gerald Green, Chris Paul and why I am uncoordinated.

Before I start this blog entry on basketball related themes, I thought I would share a story with you to give you an idea on how frickin' clumsy (or incredibly unaware regarding some things) I am.

As I was preparing to take my shower last night, I removed my shirt and swung it around behind me to place on the sink.

However, it seems I am unable to judge distance without actually looking in a particular direction..

Because my shirt LANDED IN THE OPEN TOLIET.

Anyways, on to basketball topics.

In my previous entry, a Blazer fan left a few comments wondering about my views on acquiring Paul Pierce for the third pick and NvE, as well as news regarding possible Blazer (With the third pick) Gerald Green.

Paul Pierce:

For the last week or so, there have been many articles coming out that there have been talks between Portland and Boston regarding all-star guard/forward Paul Pierce, the third pick in this years draft, along with the non-guaranteed contract of Nick VanExel.

This trade has actually been discussed even before the articles started coming out, mainly on the http://www.realgm.com forums between Blazer and Celtic fans.

Let me start out by saying, Paul Pierce is a good basketball player. Obviously, I don't watch a alot of Celtic games but what I've seen I've -generally- liked. He draws alot of fouls, gets to the line, is clutch at the end of the game (game six meltdown aside.)

However, one thing I did notice that stood out to me in a Derek Anderson fashion, during the Pacers-Celtics round one match, is..

He wasn't moving without the ball. He'd linger around in one spot at the top of the perimeter, just waiting.

We can't have that here in Portland. We need tons of movement without the ball, Rip Hamiliton and Reggie Miller style.

It was also brought to my attention by somewhat crazy Celtic fans, that apparently Pierce is not a hard runner. They say the reason they wish to trade him is they are trying to make the transition to a uptempo style of play.

Well, last I was aware, so are we.

So with these things brought to my attention, along with the fact that I can only imagine Pierce getting us to the seventh or eighth seed and a first round exit, I would pass on trading two very valuable assests for him.

People are going to ponder now, "You wouldn't want to trade for someone who would put us back in the playoffs, Cajun?"

Well, it depends. I'd easily trade for someone who could put us in the top four/five and move us into contenders. However, putting us in position for just one of the last two seeds, and an annual first round exit won't bring the crowds back again. Fans will get angry if they don't see Paul hustling, and it will turn into Sheed Part 2.

Now, onto...

Gerald Green:

The commenter who also asked about Paul Pierce, asked for some information on Gerald Green.

I am here to give it to you, although many of you are probably aware of who he is, where he's from, etc.

Gerald Green is a 6'7" (in shoes), 192 pound shooting guard/small forward from Gulf Shores Academy (prep school, I believe. Although it could be a normal highschool.) in Houston, Texas.

He has a 6'9 ¾" wing span, and a 8'8" standing reach.

Most of the scouting reports originally had him listed as 6'8 (in shoes.) but the pre-draft Chicago camp official measurements put it to rest.

It is said he has a 44" vertical, which is of course, very very impressive.

Here is the McDonalds all-american report on him:

"Gerald is one of the best shooters in the 2005 class. He uses his height and athleticism to get his shot off at will. Lethal from three-point range, Gerald can also put the ball on the floor and get to the basket. He possesses a solid mid-range jumper, which will make him a force at the next level. Gerald is active on the defensive end, using his athleticism to create steals and block shots. He has drawn favorable comparisons to NBA star Kobe Bryant. As a junior he averaged 28 points, 13 rebounds and an incredible six blocked shots"

His 2005 senior statistics were:
PPG 33.0 - RPG 12.0 - APG 7.0

He also shot an amazing 60% from three point land.

He's also rail thin. Think Travis Outlaw from two years ago. Green has supposedly been working out and hitting the weights with his father in Houstin, in preperation for the draft.

I hope this gives you some information you were wanting, commenter.

Other Stuff:


In today's article from The Oregonian, Jason Quick talks about John Nash's disappointment with Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Gerald Green refusing to do two on two, or one on one workouts.

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/1118743039287040.xml&coll=7

"Houston high schooler Gerald Green -- one of the prospects on the Blazers' board for the third overall pick in the June 28 draft -- said he will work out with the Blazers only if he doesn't have to compete against other players.
The Blazers' response: Don't bother coming. "

"They wanted to have Green included in those workouts, but his agent has informed the Blazers that he will only work out by himself.
Illinois point guard Deron Williams and Wake Forest point guard Chris Paul also have made the same request to work out only by themselves. "

""I'm frustrated today because it seems like a number of players at the top are unwilling to showcase themselves, saying they don't want to work out one-on-one or two-on-two," Nash said. "But that makes it hard for me, because if they don't want to compete for the third pick in the draft, then it's hard for me to envision them competing 82 times a season." "

I have to agree with John Nash on this one.

I understand why Gerald Green doesn't want to do one on ones, or two on two's. He's rail thin, and he could probably be pushed around by the more NBA ready (body, at least) that Martell Webster has. (6'7 in shoes, 229 pounds, with both a 6'10 wing span, and 8'10 standing reach, better then Green's.) If he had a poor workout, he could fall and lose tons of money.

But on the other hand..

Martell Webster has alot to lose too. Except, he has more to gain then Green. Green is basically guaranteed a top seven spot with only doing individual workouts. Webster could move up into the top ten with good one on ones, and two on twos. He could also move down, if he doesn't show quickness or great athleticism. Or his shots aren't falling.

Which brings us back to last year's draft.

Telfair had alot to lose too. He was thin (160ish, which I think he still is. He may be up to 170's though) and had a suspect shot, but he still did one on one drills against Duhon and Nelson. This shows his desire to keep trying to move up and show he belongs.

Concerning measurements, Chris Paul measured in at 6'1 in shoes. This is great for Portland. Why, you ask? Well, originally it was thought that Chris Paul would barely hit 6'0 in shoes, which may have caused Atlanta to shy away a bit. So maybe Atlanta will end up taking Paul with the two, then Portland could take Marvin Williams (Who ended up measuring in at 6' 8¼" in shoes, not 6'9) at the 3#. Or Portland could offer the number 3 and the 35# for 2, which wouldn't be unreasonable. Charlotte moved up last year, two spots, with their four, their second round pick, and a future second. Perhaps Portland could offer 3, 35 and a future second. I don't forsee Charlotte offering up both it's first round picks. They can still get a great player at 5 (Gerald Green, Deron Williams, Raymond Felton) and a good player at 13. That is what a young franchise, with only four players under contract next year, needs.

If we can't get Marvin Williams, and with these reports about Gerald Green not wanting to show what he can do one on one, or two on two, I'd like to move down to 7/16 and maybe we could get future second/1st thrown in (although unlikely.). This however, should only be done if Martell Webster greatly impresses in his drills against other top prospects. Here is the McDonalds all-american report on him:

"Martell is a big, strong shooting guard with a consistent three-point shot and NBA range. He complements his perimeter shooting with the ability to post up, which makes him a very difficult match-up. He is a solid ball handler and passer and when combined with his quick first step, he can be unstoppable. Martell also has a smooth mid-range shot, which he creates with his quick first-step. His combination of size and athleticism gives him the ability to guard several positions."

Here are his senior statistics:
PPG 27.1 - RPG 10.0 - APG 2.0

He is also a local Pacific Northwest product, as well.

Nbadraft.net compared him to Glen Rice, along with this:

"Strengths: The total package ... Has the ability to score from anywhere on the court against any defender ... Unstoppable mid-range pull up J off the bounce ... Acrobatic finisher on the break ... Unlimited arsenal of offensive moves that allow him to tear through opposing defenses ... Threat from both inside and out ... Very active on the boards ... Tight handles, effortless drives to the hole, and an overall ease to which he plays the game ... 20 and 10 capabilities every time he plays ... At 6-6 and a rock solid 215 pounds has the size and versatility to play any position at the next level. "

Or maybe Antoine Wright (who draftexpress compares to Ray Allen).
"Offensively, Wright is a true talent and can score in many different ways. His athletic ability makes him an outstanding slashing threat, but what makes him truly unique and dangerous is how he combines that with a deadly perimeter shot. His stroke is beautiful, with nice mechanics, and he hits it at a very accurate clip (about 45% on a large number of attempts). He can shoot it with a man in his face or off the dribble, and he uses just the threat of shooting very nicely as a decoy to catch his man off balance with a head or shot fake and drive towards the lane. He loves to put the ball on the floor and pull-up from the mid-range area (NBA style), usually from 14-16 feet out, and is pretty accurate from here as well. His shot selection is outstanding, as you may have guessed by the fact that despite the fact that he's a star on a small team, he shoots slightly over 50% from the field. "

All in all, I look forward to the workouts this week. It will be quite interesting.