104 replies to this topic

[BSLMikeLowe]

That's a tough blow. Big player for them. Saw his 31 point game vs. the Spurs last week.

 

Whatever shot they might have had at the finals is probably gone.

 

Feel awful for Matthews....was undrafted and willed his way to becoming a good player. He'll be a free agent this summer, but with the typical recovery time from a torn Achilles making it likely he won't be ready for the start of next season, who knows what will happen to him as far as getting a contract.

[Adam Wolff]

Real shame for Matthews and the Blazers. Makes acquiring Afflalo all the more important. He'll get most of those minutes and has the ability to make the drop off minimal. He's not having a great year, but is a really solid player. 

[mweb08]

Brutal. I agree that there chances at a ring just went out the window. Batum has been playing better and getting Afflalo and Gee helps, but I don't think teams can afford to lose players of the caliber of Matthews and still win with how competitive the top third of the league is. 

[BSLMikeLowe]

Real shame for Matthews and the Blazers. Makes acquiring Afflalo all the more important. He'll get most of those minutes and has the ability to make the drop off minimal. He's not having a great year, but is a really solid player. 

 

There'll be some drop-off from Matthews to Afflalo, but where it really hurts is losing Afflalo off the bench. The Blazers don't have anyone who can adequately replace him in the rotation.

[BSLMikeLowe]

Trail Blazers Contact Ray Allen About Playing: He's Not Interested

 

It was worth a call, at least.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Grantland: Should You Be Jealous of Arron Afflalo? The New Blazers Guard Tries to Fill Wes Matthews’s Shoes

http://grantland.com...atthewss-shoes/

[BSLMikeLowe]

The Oregonian: Terry Stotts has transformed Trail Blazers into an elite defensive team

[BSLChrisStoner]

Grantland: City of Black Roses: The Bright Spot in Portland’s Dark Season

http://grantland.com...ds-dark-season/

[BSLMikeLowe]

Now it sounds like Aaron Afflalo will be added to the list of Blazers' SGs done for the season. When it comes to this franchise and injuries, you couldn't even make this stuff up if you tried.

 

EDIT: Dodged a bullet, maybe. It's only a strained shoulder and he'll miss 1-2 weeks....but if it ends up being on the long end of that estimate the Blazers could be swept out of the 1st Round by the time he's ready to return.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Now it sounds like Aaron Afflolo will be added to the list of Blazers' SGs done for the season. When it comes to this franchise and injuries, you couldn't even make this stuff up if you tried.

 

Should get Drexler to come out of retirement lol.   Seriously though, that sucks. Saw a bit of the game last night...  Blake and Aldridge combined for a nice stretch.

[BSLChrisStoner]

CBS Sports: Report: Blazers, Lillard land 5-year, $120M deal

[BSLChrisStoner]

CBS Sports: Beyond Damian Lillard, depth is carrying the new-look Blazers
http://www.cbssports...ew-look-blazers

[BSLMikeLowe]

They agreed to a 3-year extension with Stotts. He had a 1-year team option remaining on his current deal. From what I understand the new deal kicks in after that, so he's essentially under contract for the next 4 seasons.

[BSLChrisStoner]

NBC Sports / PBT: Report: Trail Blazers signing C.J. McCollum to four-year max contract extension

[BSLMikeLowe]

They just gave Moe Harkless 4 years/$40 million. Since McCollum's extension doesn't kick in until 2017-18, the Blazers should be just under the luxury tax this season. But they will be deep into it the season after. They better hope a couple of these guys they paid this summer are tradeable assets next summer....Paul Allen has deep pockets, but I doubt he's gonna sign up for a big tax bill for a team whose ceiling is a 4-seed and 2nd Round exit.

 

EDIT: And for Terps fans, Harkless being back would seem to eliminate any possibility of there being meaningful minutes for Jake Layman.

[BSLChrisStoner]

The Ringer: At Home on the Midrange With Evan Turner

[BSLChrisStoner]

The Ringer: The Irrational Confidence of Damian Lillard

[BSLChrisStoner]

CBS Sports: How Damian Lillard and the Blazers stole a Nuggets win in 90 seconds
http://www.cbssports...-in-90-seconds/

[SBTarheel]

Terps fans, go look at what Jake Layman did last night. 

 

Enjoy.

[You Play to Win the Game]

Terps fans, go look at what Jake Layman did last night.    Enjoy.

In just 8 minutes... damn. Go Jake!