Rumors have run wild that Orlando Magic free agent Hedo Turkoglu is the main target of the Portland Trail Blazers this free-agent season. The Blazers are in need of veteran leadership and help at the small forward position, but I'm not sure that Turkoglu is the answer. Turkoglu was extremely effective with the Magic this postseason, but that doesn't mean he's the right piece for the Blazers. If I were the Blazers, I would target Lakers free-agent small forward Trevor Ariza.
Turkoglu had an amazing postseason, showcasing his ball-handling and playmaking skills from the small forward position. As well, he hit a ton of clutch shots throughout the playoffs. These are great attributes that any team would be happy to have on board, but it's not necessarily what the Blazers need.
Turkoglu needs the ball in his hands to thrive. Everyone knows that the Blazers offense is going to run through Brandon Roy. Turk is not the kind of guy who can just sit behind the three-point line and wait for the ball to come to him. Turk is also on the wrong side of 30. I've never been a fan of giving long term deals to non-elite perimeter players over the age of 30.
In contrast, Trevor Ariza does not need the ball in his hands to be effective. On offense he gets his points by slashing to the bucket, picking up garbage put-backs around the rim and hitting spot-up 3s. Also, he's an absolute defensive stud that would help the Blazers in their struggles of guarding some of the league's quicker PGs. He's also only 24 years old.
On top of that, stealing Ariza away from the Lakers would weaken the Blazers' toughest conference foe.
On Wednesday, Ariza's agent came out saying something about Ariza bleeding purple and gold. We all know that this is just agent speak for "show me the money." No matter how much Ariza prefers to play in L.A., a Turkoglu-type offer from the Blazers would make Ariza and his agent think twice about all of that purple and gold talk.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
what's being missed and may be overlooked by Ariza's agent is that Trevor thrived in the system he was in. With the team that was on the floor, with Kobe creating the open shots by being double teamed, with Phil's tutelage and the chemistry around him...yes Trevor stepped up, but it's an illusion to think that Trevor stepped up on his own...to miss the collective factors that contributed to his success is naive and a sure setup for disappointment when he doesn't look like the stud he was on the Lakers when there was no expectation on him. It's a different story for those with a bigger contract, more is expected and if the system doesn't match your gifts? well....we've seen far too many people who looked gifted (think Marion while in Phoenix) and then went to someone else's system and crashed or at best were just average...they themselves get deluded into thinking they're all that...they're not. Very few are genuine difference makes on their own, for most, it's a wonderful concordance of synchronicity of events and to assume singular ownership is asking to be exposed. I hope both Trevor and his agent are smarter than that...anyone hear much about Rony Turiaf this season? I didn't think so...
I second what Michael gifford said.
I would argue that Ariza could fit in Portland. I would say that our (gifford) points are similar. Ariza going to a team where he would be counted on to be a second or third scoring option might be too much for him. I would argue that in Portland he would have a similar role to LA, play finisher, rather than play creator. Ariza is also an upgrade in perimeter defense and rebounding than anyone Portland has at the 3 right now.
Leave Trevor alone! He is ours.
Don't you remember, he nearly decapitated Rudy Fernandes. then the portlanders went on to boo him profusley the next game which resulted in one of trevor's worst games to date.
That's right, we don't want the cheapshot artist! Keep him in LA with the rest of the low moral characters.
Michael gifford,
Turiaf's numbers were actually all up from his career numbers, and he was 4th in the league in Blocks per game........just cause he wasn't on Kobe's team was the reason you didn't hear about him.
Instead of Ariza, I would go for Odom. Odom is a proven contributor even from the time he was in LA( even though he goofs off from time to time) Ariza is too similar to Batum and Batum is about 5 years younger.
Odom can work both off the ball when Roy is in and be the primary play maker when Roy is on the bench. He can slide to the four spot to let Outlaw, Webster and Batum get some playing time. Think about this, we can put Roy, Fernandez, Odom, LA, and Oden all at the same time. Imagine the length we would have on the floor.
The only problem I see is character issues but I think he has bounced back from his problems when he was with the clippers and college.
I don't know. I'm just a Laker fan, therefore biased, but I sure think that Ariza should stay, if the Lakers are even close on the money issue. You can only live in so many nice houses, own so many nice cars and toys, and eat so much good food. After that it's about being satisfied in your life's work. It's aimply a lot more fun to be a champion.