Post by nybombers3 on Sept 8, 2005 0:25:29 GMT -5
Last season was a very interesting season indeed. The Blazers had a very young core and were making a playoff push at one point even. They ended the season with the 9th pick, around 15 mil in cap and alot of talented young players. What happened during the offseason is something every fan in Portland will remember.
Trade 1:
ubl1.proboards50.com/index.cgi?board=complete&action=display&thread=1125874750
LeBron James. The man many consider the future of the UBL was aquired in what might go down as the biggest trade for years to come. The big thinking behind this deal was, while everything that was traded could become nice, the Blazers wanted to build around a player that could be a MVP type for years to come.
Free Agency:
LeBron James really wanted to play with his ex teammate Micheal Finley. The Blazers made him a offer that would be hard to turn down and he accepted. Micheal Finley gives the Blazers a solid 2nd go to guy that they can rely on to score. Considering how good LeBron is at getting other players involved, Finley was very happy to play next to Bron. The other player signed in FA was Damon Stoudamire. While LeBron himself is a good ball handler and passer, Damon was brought in to handle the actual PG role. He was happy to do it, especially for a team featuring LeBron.
Now the Blazers had a backcourt. They went out to look for a frontcourt but first...
ubl1.proboards50.com/index.cgi?board=complete&action=display&thread=1126070022
The Blazers felt that Damon wasent going to be able to handle the PG duties as well as they would really like the PG to, so they brought in someone who many considered a upgrade. Chauncey Billups was apperently very happy and ready to play along side Bron and Finley. Billups can handle the ball and score better then Damon. Not to mention, he's been to the big games and brings leadership, just like Finley.
The Blazers then went on to look for a big man and then, it happened. The recived an offer they were very willing to do.
ubl1.proboards50.com/index.cgi?board=complete&action=display&thread=1126073314
Another former member of last years Cavs join the Blazers. Big Z fills a big role for the Blazers, alowing Theo to play the PF position. The Blazers were a bit sad to see Damon go so quickly but considering Big Z filled a hole for them and considering they already had Billups, the Blazers were fine with dealing Damon.
So that's basicly where we are now. Before we end this, we were able to catch up for LeBron and get some questions answered. Let's get to that.
Q1. So LeBron, how does it feel being in Portland now?
Bron: It really felt weird at first. I thought I was going to spend my whole career in Cleveland but I guess not. That's just how things go though. I'm very happy to be here. I've been told that more then likely, i'm going to retire here so we'll see. I've been treated great so I would have no problems with that.
Q2. How do you feel about the division?
Bron. It's great. There are a nice amount of solid teams in the division. Really though, I see it between us and the Lakers. It should be a great rivary for the season and maybe for years to come. It seems like we're an under the radar team and that's fine with us. I think we'd really rather have it that way.
Q3. Speaking of the Lakers, how do you feel going up aganist Kobe? and what about the other SF's in the league?
Bron. Aganist Kobe, it should be great. We're gunna tear it up every single game. Expect some classics from both of us. There are alot of other really great SF's in this league that can really do the damn thing out there. I'm just gunna go out there and do the best I can.
Q4. How do you feel about playing with Finley and Z again?
Bron. It's great. I loved playing with these guys last season. We ended up in the 2nd round I belive last season so we're hoping to go farther this season. We're all a bit older, more experienced. We're hoping we can click like we did last season. We know it's going to be harder but hopefully we can do it.
So there it is. Alot of what will happen this season will rest on the shoulders of the young LeBron but he seems ready for it.
Trade 1:
ubl1.proboards50.com/index.cgi?board=complete&action=display&thread=1125874750
LeBron James. The man many consider the future of the UBL was aquired in what might go down as the biggest trade for years to come. The big thinking behind this deal was, while everything that was traded could become nice, the Blazers wanted to build around a player that could be a MVP type for years to come.
Free Agency:
LeBron James really wanted to play with his ex teammate Micheal Finley. The Blazers made him a offer that would be hard to turn down and he accepted. Micheal Finley gives the Blazers a solid 2nd go to guy that they can rely on to score. Considering how good LeBron is at getting other players involved, Finley was very happy to play next to Bron. The other player signed in FA was Damon Stoudamire. While LeBron himself is a good ball handler and passer, Damon was brought in to handle the actual PG role. He was happy to do it, especially for a team featuring LeBron.
Now the Blazers had a backcourt. They went out to look for a frontcourt but first...
ubl1.proboards50.com/index.cgi?board=complete&action=display&thread=1126070022
The Blazers felt that Damon wasent going to be able to handle the PG duties as well as they would really like the PG to, so they brought in someone who many considered a upgrade. Chauncey Billups was apperently very happy and ready to play along side Bron and Finley. Billups can handle the ball and score better then Damon. Not to mention, he's been to the big games and brings leadership, just like Finley.
The Blazers then went on to look for a big man and then, it happened. The recived an offer they were very willing to do.
ubl1.proboards50.com/index.cgi?board=complete&action=display&thread=1126073314
Another former member of last years Cavs join the Blazers. Big Z fills a big role for the Blazers, alowing Theo to play the PF position. The Blazers were a bit sad to see Damon go so quickly but considering Big Z filled a hole for them and considering they already had Billups, the Blazers were fine with dealing Damon.
So that's basicly where we are now. Before we end this, we were able to catch up for LeBron and get some questions answered. Let's get to that.
Q1. So LeBron, how does it feel being in Portland now?
Bron: It really felt weird at first. I thought I was going to spend my whole career in Cleveland but I guess not. That's just how things go though. I'm very happy to be here. I've been told that more then likely, i'm going to retire here so we'll see. I've been treated great so I would have no problems with that.
Q2. How do you feel about the division?
Bron. It's great. There are a nice amount of solid teams in the division. Really though, I see it between us and the Lakers. It should be a great rivary for the season and maybe for years to come. It seems like we're an under the radar team and that's fine with us. I think we'd really rather have it that way.
Q3. Speaking of the Lakers, how do you feel going up aganist Kobe? and what about the other SF's in the league?
Bron. Aganist Kobe, it should be great. We're gunna tear it up every single game. Expect some classics from both of us. There are alot of other really great SF's in this league that can really do the damn thing out there. I'm just gunna go out there and do the best I can.
Q4. How do you feel about playing with Finley and Z again?
Bron. It's great. I loved playing with these guys last season. We ended up in the 2nd round I belive last season so we're hoping to go farther this season. We're all a bit older, more experienced. We're hoping we can click like we did last season. We know it's going to be harder but hopefully we can do it.
So there it is. Alot of what will happen this season will rest on the shoulders of the young LeBron but he seems ready for it.
