Aldridge to Spurs

http://www.sbnation.com/2015/7/4/8622117/lamarcus-aldridge-san-antonio-spurs-nba-free-agency-2015

Sorry Knicks and Lakers. And sorry rest of the league. Spurs are now your nightmare.

bobheckler wrote:And Portland is well and truly screwed.   No Aldridge, no Lopez, traded Batum.

Welcome to free fall.


bob


.

Don't forget no Matthews either.  Losing four fifths of their starting five from last year when it was considered one of the very best starting units in the league is a major shock to that franchise.  Not sure I can ever remember that happening to a team before.  Especially a playoff team.  2014-15 Blazers we hardly knew ye.  Lopez was a solid and underrated center for them for the most part, especially defensively and on the offensive boards but he pretty much disappeared in the playoff series against Memphis and at four years and $54 million I think the Knicks definitely overpaid for him.  Now the Blazers have Mason Plumlee who at times played very well for the Nets last year while Brook Lopez was injured paying him only $1.4 million (and a team option at $2.3 million the year after) to play center.  But whether he can do it effectively for 25-30 minutes a game for a whole season is a huge question.  Vonleh better live up to his high expectations for Portland and a lot of other players have to step it up but it sure looks like the lottery for Rip City next year.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/25232696/the-lakers-marketability-has-been-neutralized-by-a-lack-of-basketball?FTAG=YHF7e3228e

One thing's for sure.  The rabid Portland fans aren't likely to give up on their team.

Sam

Suns "find another reason to dislike the Spurs."

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/suns-another-reason-dislike-spurs-020039993--nba.html

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2015/07/lamarcus_aldridges_departure_from_trail_blazers_ma.html#incart_big-photo

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2015/07/lamarcus_aldridge_is_gone_and_now_the_trail_blazer.html#incart_big-photo

Blazers perspective from their two long-time beat writers.

http://www.blazersedge.com/2015/7/6/8897121/portland-trail-blazers-news-trade-free-agent-neil-olshey