Trail Blazers at midseason, and All-Star reserves http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php/option=com_altcaster/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=417d3b762c/height=//width= Mon, 21 Jan 2013 19:54:17 GMT Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:43:29 GMT 1 en-us <![CDATA[11:55 The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 19:55:19 GMT We'll get started in a few minutes. Mike Tokito will be with us to talk Blazers at the midway point, All-Star reserves and whatever other NBA topics might be on your mind. ]]> <![CDATA[11:55 Comment From Choong Huh]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 19:55:24 GMT <![CDATA[11:58 Mike Tokito, The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 19:58:12 GMT Is this sucker working? ]]> <![CDATA[11:58 The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 19:58:46 GMT It is indeed. ]]> <![CDATA[11:59 The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 19:59:46 GMT OK, let's get the questions rolling ... ]]> <![CDATA[11:59 Comment From Jared]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 19:59:48 GMT <![CDATA[12:00 Mike Tokito, The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:00:57 GMT OK, let's. Jared -- I do think they are a little tired, but that's pretty much the case for any starter during the season. ]]> <![CDATA[12:01 The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:01:52 GMT What's been the biggest surprise to you in the first half of the Blazers' season, Mike? ]]> <![CDATA[12:03 Mike Tokito, The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:03:22 GMT I frankly surprised at the record. It's a weird one as the Blazers have lost to a lot of subpar teams (Washington, Cleveland, Detroit, Sac twice, Toronto) but have gotten some quality wins over Spurs, Heat, Nuggets. ]]> <![CDATA[12:04 Comment From NewEraBlazer]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:04:17 GMT <![CDATA[12:05 Mike Tokito, The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:05:20 GMT New -- The West is surprisingly weak, especially with the Lakers and Mavericks way down, so 44 wins might do it. ]]> <![CDATA[12:05 Comment From Shelby]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:05:38 GMT <![CDATA[12:05 Mike Tokito, The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:05:45 GMT Some years, it takes 50 wins to make playoffs out of West, but that won't be the case. ]]> <![CDATA[12:06 Mike Tokito, The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:06:59 GMT Yeah, I think Aldridge is fine. He's under contract through 2014-15, so no big rush to extend him. They do have to get him some help inside and get his minutes down, though. ]]> <![CDATA[12:07 Comment From Choong Huh]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:07:15 GMT <![CDATA[12:09 Mike Tokito, The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:09:06 GMT Choong -- Hickson is tricky because under a provision in the CBA, Blazers cannot trade him without his permission, and I'm not sure he would go anywhere without securing an extension first. I think Hickson might have more value in July, when Blazers can sign-and-trade him after taking care of their own free agency needs. ]]> <![CDATA[12:09 Comment From Johnny]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:09:26 GMT <![CDATA[12:10 Mike Tokito, The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:10:39 GMT Al Jefferson would be a extremely hard to get during the season as he is making $15 million this season. He'll become an unrestricted free agent after the season, though. ]]> <![CDATA[12:11 Comment From NewEraBlazer]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:11:23 GMT <![CDATA[12:13 Mike Tokito, The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:13:07 GMT New -- The problem the Blazers face is that they traded this year's first-round pick to Charlotte as part of Gerald Wallace deal, top-12 protected. So if they make playoffs or just miss, they would have to give their pick to Charlotte. ]]> <![CDATA[12:13 Comment From Johnny]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:13:32 GMT <![CDATA[12:14 Comment From NewEraBlazer]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:14:07 GMT <![CDATA[12:14 Mike Tokito, The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:14:50 GMT Johnny -- Olshey was guessing about $13 million cap space for next summer, but they're trying to fill more than one need. I'd guess Jefferson is a little out of reach. ]]> <![CDATA[12:15 Comment From Choong Huh]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:15:08 GMT <![CDATA[12:15 Comment From Shelby]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:15:27 GMT <![CDATA[12:16 Mike Tokito, The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:16:04 GMT Choong -- That's just a listing thing. They switch assignments all the time, get switched by other team. You could almost list both guys as posts and it would be the same. ]]> <![CDATA[12:17 Mike Tokito, The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:17:09 GMT Shelby -- Redick would be exactly the kind of guy they want -- great vet shooter off the bench. He's making $6.1 million this season, so might be affordable. ]]> <![CDATA[12:17 Comment From Jared]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:17:20 GMT <![CDATA[12:18 Mike Tokito, The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:18:31 GMT Jared -- Aldridge is a no-brainer. You could make a case for either Batum or Lillard, but coaches don't like to vote for more than one guy off a non-elite team. ]]> <![CDATA[12:18 Comment From LaGrandeFan]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:18:49 GMT <![CDATA[12:20 Mike Tokito, The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:20:57 GMT LaGrande -- Blazers run way more plays than isos, so Lillard is more making reads than anything else. I think where he really needs to assert himself is when subs come in, and he remains on floor. ]]> <![CDATA[12:21 Comment From Shelby]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:21:15 GMT <![CDATA[12:21 Comment From Choong Huh]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:21:28 GMT <![CDATA[12:21 Mike Tokito, The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:21:49 GMT Shelby -- I'm thinking 60-40 he stays pat. ]]> <![CDATA[12:23 Mike Tokito, The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:23:49 GMT Choong -- The bigger issue is they don't have a lot of attractive assets to entice deals. With the new luxury tax, expiring contracts aren't quite the assets that they used to be. ]]> <![CDATA[12:24 The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:24:40 GMT You mentioned that neither has too much of a chance to join Aldridge on the All-Star team, but who do you think deserves a look at a reserve spot more: Lillard or Batum? Also, does Batum have a good shot at the NBA's most improved award this season? ]]> <![CDATA[12:27 Mike Tokito, The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:27:36 GMT I'd say Batum based on his all-around play. Lillard is terrific, but gets burned a lot defensively. Most Improved Player is a weird award because it often goes to guys who were very good previously, and I think Batum was already considered pretty good around the league. For a while, Hickson was seen as a good candidate, though. ]]> <![CDATA[12:28 Comment From Shelby]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:28:00 GMT <![CDATA[12:28 Comment From Jordan]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:28:03 GMT <![CDATA[12:28 Comment From Jordan]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:28:57 GMT <![CDATA[12:30 Mike Tokito, The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:30:01 GMT Shelby -- Not necessarily. As I said before, Blazers cannot trade Hickson without his permission because he signed a one-year extension while having Bird rights (weird CBA provision). So they're a little handcuffed there. Also, you can try to get something for Hickson via sign-and-trade after Blazers sign the free agents they want. ]]> <![CDATA[12:31 Mike Tokito, The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:31:08 GMT Jordan -- If Blazers are in the top four in West, maybe two. Unless you're the Lakers or Knicks and get two via fan voting, it's hard to get coaches to vote for more than one guy off a non-elite team. Look at San Antonio. ]]> <![CDATA[12:31 Comment From Greg W.]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:31:32 GMT <![CDATA[12:32 Mike Tokito, The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:32:14 GMT Greg -- I think he's fine. Should play. ]]> <![CDATA[12:32 Comment From Rentasquid]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:32:44 GMT <![CDATA[12:32 Comment From Shelby]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:32:48 GMT <![CDATA[12:33 Mike Tokito, The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:33:52 GMT Squid -- Good call on that. But, the Blazers have to have Meyers Leonard develop into a starter or get another center in free agency if they let him go. ]]> <![CDATA[12:34 Comment From Johnny]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:34:20 GMT <![CDATA[12:35 Mike Tokito, The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:35:28 GMT Shelby -- Starters vs. starters, Blazers can keep up with most teams. Obviously, they need to get deeper as all the elite West teams -- Clips, Spurs, Thunder -- are really, really deep. ]]> <![CDATA[12:36 Comment From Mark]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:36:15 GMT <![CDATA[12:36 Mike Tokito, The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:36:39 GMT Johnny -- A lot of it is up to him, if he would be willing to accept that kind of role. I'm not sure he would. ]]> <![CDATA[12:38 Mike Tokito, The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:38:39 GMT Mark -- They need a backup point guard, shooting guard and another center if they don't keep Hickson. ]]> <![CDATA[12:39 Comment From Rentasquid]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:39:09 GMT <![CDATA[12:39 Mike Tokito, The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:39:39 GMT BTW, the two big available free agents this summer are Chris Paul and Dwight Howard. Not saying Blazers have any chance, but they will be there. ]]> <![CDATA[12:41 Mike Tokito, The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:41:15 GMT Squid -- No reason to unless you have a specific need or injuries. It's not as if there are great players in the D-League who can instantly fix your bench. ]]> <![CDATA[12:41 The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:41:39 GMT Folks, let's leave it there for now. Thanks for all the questions today. And thanks to Mike for taking the time. Final thoughts, Mike? ]]> <![CDATA[12:43 Mike Tokito, The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:43:11 GMT I would say don't forget what your expectations were for the season, don't forget how awful last season was and try to enjoy the ride. This team is entertaining, if nothing else. ]]> <![CDATA[12:43 The Oregonian]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:43:25 GMT Thanks, everyone. ]]> <![CDATA[12:43 ]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:43:29 GMT 
 
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