Post in response to Mike Barrett's Blog:
As if it needs to be stated, has anyone told you lately that you have the coolest job on the planet?? Talking trades poolside with a former NBA GM when the rest of us hoops junkies are trying to figure out how to stream summer league games at our desks. It hardly seems fair but good for you for getting it done. Let me know if you're hiring ;-)
Frankly, I was never crazy about the Millsap deal. After Hedo this trade had significantly less upside, but I love the fact that KP forced Utah's hand and made a division rival sweat. It just goes to show you that the off-court game is equally as important as what goes on between the lines. Canzano had it right this morning when he said that both players owe the Blazers huge for driving up their value and making them a boatload of cash in the process.
When Boozer fell to injury last year, it was clear that Utah was counting on Millsap for the future, and for good reason. Millsap played well in Boozer's absence. But that deal's done so let's move on.
You may remember I was pleading the case for Luis Scola a few weeks back (KP has still not returned my calls BTW). The Blazer fans are still recovering from the beat-down he personally inflicted on us in the first (and only) round of the playoffs. I can accept that Houston won’t want to part with Scola for cash especially now since they have lost Yao and Artest. I am willing to move on but only because Odom has entered into the discussion. Was anyone else paying attention to Lakers run-up to the title? When Odom was not hampered by a sore back they won consistently and even when he was playing hurt, he was still a difference-maker. Odom is a nightmare match-up for any team and can still perform at a high level deep into the playoffs. That fact was confirmed at least a hundred times during the playoffs by coaches, commentators and anyone else who took more than a casual interest in the game.
If you happen to see Odom’s agent in line at Starbucks, be sure to slip him a bag of M&M’s compliments of the Blazers. And let him know there is plenty more where that came from. Paul Allen will make sure of that.
Keep up the good work. It’s a tough job but someone needs to do it.
