Pelicans to meet with Oden {EDIT-Oden chooses Miami,P.61}

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Originally Posted by Delko

I'm worried about why we are the only one saying how much we offer to him, looks like we only there to increase his value...

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Dell probably leaked it to let him know that we are serious... Hopefully the rest of the teams low-balled or vet-min'd him, and he walks away thinking that we aren't just buying a lottery ticket and hoping it pans out.

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Originally Posted by jaxmc1023

Dell probably leaked it to let him know that we are serious... Hopefully the rest of the teams low-balled or vet-min'd him, and he walks away thinking that we aren't just buying a lottery ticket and hoping it pans out.

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According to McNamara, Oden's agent made our offer public to drive up price... But this could mean he's about to sign with us if Spurs and Heat can't/won't give him more.

Yeah, if the money's close, I'm not sure he walks away from the chance at a ring in Miami. But a guy in his situation also realistically needs to make as much as possible on this contract, and the money might not be close here.

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Originally Posted by MonsterMash

a guy in his situation also realistically needs to make as much as possible on this contract

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He already earned $23,295,444 "playing" for the Blazers, I hope that's not enough to him so he choose money over a shot at a ring. But he might also think his career could stop whenever his knees want it to, maybe he rather getting a ring than taking money.

Interesting read:

http://www.atthehive.com/2013/7/18/4...the-salary-cap

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Originally Posted by Delko

He already earned $23,295,444 "playing" for the Blazers, I hope that's not enough to him so he choose money over a shot at a ring. But he might also think his career could stop whenever his knees want it to, maybe he rather getting a ring than taking money.

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Ah, good call. I wasn't aware that he got all of that money. Well then he might be flexible here.

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Originally Posted by AUSSIE_PELICAN

Interesting read:

http://www.atthehive.com/2013/7/18/4...the-salary-cap

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Bad link (on my end anyway)

The suspense is killing me

What do you guys expect Oden to be in this league? Chance of him becoming his old self?

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Originally Posted by Trell

What do you guys expect Oden to be in this league? Chance of him becoming his old self?

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I don't think he will ever be his old self. That is just too many surgeries to come back from. Like I've said before I really don't care if he can do anything offensively, for this team we just need him to be able to defend and rebound. He was the #1 overall pick for a reason (not saying it shouldn't have been Durant, just saying)

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Originally Posted by Trell

What do you guys expect Oden to be in this league? Chance of him becoming his old self?

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1%?

I would love to sign Oden. If healthy he's the prefect fit for the team. Especially at around 3 mil a year.

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Originally Posted by Trell

What do you guys expect Oden to be in this league? Chance of him becoming his old self?

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He was hurt so much that it's impossible for him to have an "old self".

I don't think you'll see the same explosion in his jump. That's where his knees will really show IMO. But I think he could get to the point of being able to run the court the same way, and he's still a big 7 footer with good skill and timing.

Not the once in a generation #1 overall pick ahead of Kevin Durant. But a capable, defensive oriented, starting NBA center that is still only 25 years old. That's what I hope for.

If he can be a poor man's Tyson Chandler it helps us tremendously. Essentially, if he actually plays a lot of games, I have no doubts he'll benefit our team greatly. Too big and strong to just fizzle out when on the floor.

But I just don't know if he'll be on the floor. I have less confidence in Oden's health than I do in Gordon's.

Think about that.

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Originally Posted by Spaniard

I don't think you'll see the same explosion in his jump. That's where his knees will really show IMO. But I think he could get to the point of being able to run the court the same way, and he's still a big 7 footer with good skill and timing.

Not the once in a generation #1 overall pick ahead of Kevin Durant. But a capable, defensive oriented, starting NBA center that is still only 25 years old. That's what I hope for.

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I don't know if he loses his explosiveness. A'mare didn't lose much athleticism if any from all his knee issues. He just can't stay healthy.

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Originally Posted by Eman5805

If he can be a poor man's Tyson Chandler it helps us tremendously. Essentially, if he actually plays a lot of games, I have no doubts he'll benefit our team greatly. Too big and strong to just fizzle out when on the floor.

But I just don't know if he'll be on the floor. I have less confidence in Oden's health than I do in Gordon's.

Think about that.

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I agree 100%. But that lack of confidence is still worth the risk.

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Originally Posted by Eman5805

If he can be a poor man's Tyson Chandler it helps us tremendously. Essentially, if he actually plays a lot of games, I have no doubts he'll benefit our team greatly. Too big and strong to just fizzle out when on the floor.

But I just don't know if he'll be on the floor. I have less confidence in Oden's health than I do in Gordon's.

Think about that.

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I think the Oden vs. Gordon injury debate is really no debate. However the thing that makes Oden more attractive is 3mil vs. 14mil

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Originally Posted by da ThRONe

I don't know if he loses his explosiveness. A'mare didn't lose much athleticism if any from all his knee issues. He just can't stay healthy.

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I don't know. Obviously Amare got past that early knee injury pretty well. But he definitely doesn't move around like he used to now. He's also had a lot of back problems that contribute to that.

It's possible. But to me, that would be the first thing I would look to suffer. Running straight line I don't see as huge issues. But actually pushing on the floor and jumping is putting a lot of pressure on that joint. And all of those muscles and tendons have been through a lot.

Now for all I know, he's done so much rehab that those muscles and tendons are even stronger than before. You just never know.

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Originally Posted by Spaniard

I don't know. Obviously Amare got past that early knee injury pretty well. But he definitely doesn't move around like he used to now. He's also had a lot of back problems that contribute to that.

It's possible. But to me, that would be the first thing I would look to suffer. Running straight line I don't see as huge issues. But actually pushing on the floor and jumping is putting a lot of pressure on that joint. And all of those muscles and tendons have been through a lot.

Now for all I know, he's done so much rehab that those muscles and tendons are even stronger than before. You just never know.

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I think because he's still young that I don't think it's a given he's lost a step or two (maybe a half step). It's one of those situations where you just have to see it yourself. It's not like Oden was a dynamic athlete and that was it. He was the prefect combo of size, strength, length, mobility, and skill. Which means even if he lost a step or two he could still help us moving forward(I know that's the consensus on this board).

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Originally Posted by da ThRONe

I think because he's still young that I don't think it's a given he's lost a step or two (maybe a half step). It's one of those situations where you just have to see it yourself. It's not like Oden was a dynamic athlete and that was it. He was the prefect combo of size, strength, length, mobility, and skill. Which means even if he lost a step or two he could still help us moving forward(I know that's the consensus on this board).

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It's such a crazy match with Davis. Oden at his best was essentially Anthony Davis in a true center's body. Davis being a little more guard like with his handles, but Oden having all of the big man qualities you could want. The way the both of them cover the floor and protect the rim, and the ability to switch and matchup against different positions, it really would be something to see. It's a lottery ticket, but with the chances of hitting more like scratch off odds than power ball odds IMO. While the payoff is still in the powerball range.

ESPN just talked about the Pelicans' pursuit of Oden. Basically saying the extra year could lure him here, showed their potential starting lineup Attachment 5186

Sill domt see evans starting at SF

:1drool: <--- that's what I'm doing at that line up

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Originally Posted by Smow-

Sill domt see evans starting at SF

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I don't either people are just putting the best 5 out there it seems like. If we signed Oden it'd be
Holliday
Gordon
Aminu
Davis
Smith
With Oden and Evans coming off the bench. Only way Oden starts if he proves he's healthy enough to play now. I think he should be eased into the lineup like how we did Gordon

That lineup is pure sex

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Originally Posted by SnowofSX2

I don't either people are just putting the best 5 out there it seems like. If we signed Oden it'd be
Holliday
Gordon
Aminu
Davis
Smith
With Oden and Evans coming off the bench. Only way Oden starts if he proves he's healthy enough to play now. I think he should be eased into the lineup like how we did Gordon

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I would hope Oden would eventually start. Not starter minutes, but like Schwann said, someone to play the Lopez roll.

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Originally Posted by Smow-

I would hope Oden would eventually start. Not starter minutes, but like Schwann said, someone to play the Lopez roll.

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I hope so too! Really hope he signs with us

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Originally Posted by bojangles837

That lineup is pure sex

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You can say that again.

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Originally Posted by SnowofSX2

I don't either people are just putting the best 5 out there it seems like. If we signed Oden it'd be
Holliday
Gordon
Aminu
Davis
Smith
With Oden and Evans coming off the bench. Only way Oden starts if he proves he's healthy enough to play now. I think he should be eased into the lineup like how we did Gordon

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I really don't want him to start because we need somebody that can drive and finish or dish to Ryno in the second unit. Rivers would be another good option to drive and dish with Ryno but I don't feel comfortable with him yet to put it all on him. As far as Oden, I would like to bring him along slowly and only play him 15 minutes a game or maybe even 20 if all goes well. But I like Holiday, Gordon, Aminu, Davis, and Smith starting with Evans, Rivers, Ryno, and Oden coming off the bench. To me that seems assuming everybody stays healthy is a top 5 team in the Western Conference.

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Originally Posted by Topdawg26

I really don't want him to start because we need somebody that can drive and finish or dish to Ryno in the second unit. Rivers would be another good option to drive and dish with Ryno but I don't feel comfortable with him yet to put it all on him. As far as Oden, I would like to bring him along slowly and only play him 15 minutes a game or maybe even 20 if all goes well. But I like Holiday, Gordon, Aminu, Davis, and Smith starting with Evans, Rivers, Ryno, and Oden coming off the bench. To me that seems assuming everybody stays healthy is a top 5 team in the Western Conference.

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Top 5? I think you had a typo. You mean #1!

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Originally Posted by Smow-

Sill domt see evans starting at SF

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Why? If Jrue Holiday brings the ball up, what is Evans doing that Gordon isn't doing? Does Evans have to shoot 3s more cuz he's a SF?

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Originally Posted by Eman5805

Why? If Jrue Holiday brings the ball up, what is Evans doing that Gordon isn't doing? Does Evans have to shoot 3s more cuz he's a SF?

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Coach said he wants to bring him in as a super sub like Manu. Plus we need bench depth

What is the % that oden signs with pelicans or are we just daydreaming ?

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Originally Posted by Jackaveli

What is the % that oden signs with pelicans or are we just daydreaming ?

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I think it's higher than people think because Oden and Monty already have a relationship. He also doesn't want to be in the lime light at all. Another thing is he wants a team to be patient with him and we've already shown to be patient with a player (Gordon). I think it's possible

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Originally Posted by Jackaveli

What is the % that oden signs with pelicans or are we just daydreaming ?

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33% us, 33% Heat, and 33% SA.

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Originally Posted by Jackaveli

What is the % that oden signs with pelicans or are we just daydreaming ?

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Technically 33% but I say more like 50

Has he met up with us yet? Has he met up with any other teams? I think I heard he met with the Mavs and Kings already? Wonder when he'll announce where he wants to go

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Originally Posted by SnowofSX2

Coach said he wants to bring him in as a super sub like Manu. Plus we need bench depth

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Let's say he plays Evans with Rivers, Aminu, Ryno, and Withey.

Does it really matter if Rivers brings the ball up most of the time if Aminu gets called the SF or not?

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Originally Posted by Eman5805

Let's say he plays Evans with Rivers, Aminu, Ryno, and Withey.

Does it really matter if Rivers brings the ball up most of the time if Aminu gets called the SF or not?

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Honestly I'm not too worried of who will start or be on the bench. I just want the final line up in the final minutes to be Jrue, Eric, Tyreke, Ryan, and Anthony

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Originally Posted by SnowofSX2

Honestly I'm not too worried of who will start or be on the bench. I just want the final line up in the final minutes to be Jrue, Eric, Tyreke, Ryan, and Anthony

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That's pretty much what I was gonna post.

Evans style of play benifits him to come off the bench. He can save his gas for the end of the game and lead the second unit as a do-it-all 6th man. When the end of the game comes and we need a bucket, then put him and Ryno on the floor with Holiday, Gordon, and Davis.

I am assuming we are thinking Aminu starting only because of his defensive abilities, right?

Really hope this happens. Even if it's only for a few games I wanna see Oden and Davis hit the floor together, ha

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Originally Posted by jrdbrn

I am assuming we are thinking Aminu starting only because of his defensive abilities, right?

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I think Aminu's fine as a starter. Such a good rebounder and a strong defender ... his lack of offensive game is a pretty big weakness, but this season he'll have the complimentary guys in Evans and Morrow that can play SF and give us what he can't when it suits us.

Last season Monty said he liked playing Aminu with Gordon, and I can understand why. Gordon is a high-usage guy that takes the pressure off Aminu to need to score, while Aminu's such a good rebounder that it plays well with Gordon, who's biggest on-court weakness is rebounding.

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Originally Posted by Pelican Tech

33% us, 33% Heat, and 33% SA.

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1% bobcats?

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Originally Posted by cgrand

1% Mavericks

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There ya go lol

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Originally Posted by MonsterMash

I think Aminu's fine as a starter. Such a good rebounder and a strong defender ... his lack of offensive game is a pretty big weakness, but this season he'll have the complimentary guys in Evans and Morrow that can play SF and give us what he can't when it suits us.

Last season Monty said he liked playing Aminu with Gordon, and I can understand why. Gordon is a high-usage guy that takes the pressure off Aminu to need to score, while Aminu's such a good rebounder that it plays well with Gordon, who's biggest on-court weakness is rebounding.

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I think we have enough scoring with the 1st unit even with Aminu's lack of an offensive game he can get the transition buckets. We'll really need his defense and rebounding with the 1st unit.

I really want to see who Monty sends out there with the 2nd unit at the 3, or I should say the "other wing players along with Reke" since we don't really have "positions". I'm thinking Austin will run the point with Reke on one wing. Ryno at the 4 and either Steimsma or Withey at the 5. Candidates are Morrow and Miller.

If we sign Oden (and he's healthy) we can plug him into the 2nd unit. How much P/R will Oden be able to do? So many ??'s.

Like the idea of splitting ball handling duties with Austin and Tyreke for the second unit. Both can create, but both need to learn how to score without the ball in their hands.

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Originally Posted by DroopyDawg

I think we have enough scoring with the 1st unit even with Aminu's lack of an offensive game he can get the transition buckets. We'll really need his defense and rebounding with the 1st unit.

I really want to see who Monty sends out there with the 2nd unit at the 3, or I should say the "other wing players along with Reke" since we don't really have "positions". I'm thinking Austin will run the point with Reke on one wing. Ryno at the 4 and either Steimsma or Withey at the 5. Candidates are Morrow and Miller.

If we sign Oden (and he's healthy) we can plug him into the 2nd unit. How much P/R will Oden be able to do? So many ??'s.

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I actually really like Aminu with this bunch. Guys like AFA are exactly the guys you want and need to uncover if you have a collection of scorers. He pretty much does all of his damage without taking shots away from the other guys.

One of Monty's first challenges is going to be to figure out the optimal rotation for some of these guys. Evans, Aminu and Rivers are all wings who - to this point - don't have reliable jumpers, and playing 2 or more of them together could lead to some ugly ball. Seeing as we might be looking at Rivers/Evans on the "early second quarter" team together, it'll be interesting to see if we go with that or if we juggle a little bit.

I think one of the main reasons Reke will come off the bench is so he can be the lead guard. He's said he see's himself as a point. Aminu starts to help the rebounding and defense in the starting lineup.