Lakers dodge a bullett with Turkoglu signing?
 

Turkoglu signing with Portland would have made the Blazers a legit threat in the West. Now that he is headed to Toronto, I don't see a true threat in the West other than the Spurs and Nuggets.

Re: Lakers dodge a bullett with Turkoglu signing?
 

I wouldnt say they dodged a bullet bc I honestly feel this team matches up well against any team in the league but Turk certainly would have made the Blazers dangerous. Finals experience, proven scorer, and great playmaker. He would have made them a legitimate threat but Lakers have the personnel to match up.

Re: Lakers dodge a bullett with Turkoglu signing?
 

even if turk would have gone to portland the spurs still would have been the bigger thread.

Re: Lakers dodge a bullett with Turkoglu signing?
 

If he would have went there they would have been one of the favorites. Think about the length they would have had with him, Aldridge, and Oden on the front line.... Add Roy into the mix and that team would have gotten past the first round for sure. They would have probably been in the top 3 or 4 in the west (besides the Spurs of course). They would have been a match up nightmare for teams. Of course the Lakers would have a little more fire power, especially if they can work out something with Lamar, but when things are that close who can really predict it. I think it makes things in the West a little easier.

Like I posted in some thread before, I don't think there is going to be as much parity in the NBA next year. The top teams will be significantly better than the crappy teams. Thanks to this happening Portland will not be in that mix.

Re: Lakers dodge a bullett with Turkoglu signing?
 

Depends where he ends up lol. Lets hope he doesnt pull an Ariza and get pissed at both teams and head to the Spurs!

Really though, I'd much rather have him in Toronto than in POR. That is a monster blow to POR as this is the last season they will have cap space for quite a long time. Hedo was probably the best fit for them of all the FAs.

It will be interesting to see if they reel in a big fish here.

Re: Lakers dodge a bullett with Turkoglu signing?
 

I think the blazers sort of dodged a bullet with him pulling out. And I like Hedo. I just think they are better off growing as a unit more organically.

Re: Lakers dodge a bullett with Turkoglu signing?
 

You can only grow organganicly so long. Players are going to want their pay days and that means the Blazers will have to start investing money. Not sure they have the money or desire to do that.?

Re: Lakers dodge a bullett with Turkoglu signing?
 

no bullet to dodge. lakers are the better team.

Re: Lakers dodge a bullett with Turkoglu signing?
 

My concern now is the Blazers turning their attention to Lamar.

Re: Lakers dodge a bullett with Turkoglu signing?
 

AGREED. I am concerned about this too.

Re: Lakers dodge a bullett with Turkoglu signing?
 

damn I never thought of this

Re: Lakers dodge a bullett with Turkoglu signing?
 

I wish the Blazer signed him for 5/$50m
In two years, they would have been "stuck" with him and an ugly contract.

Re: Lakers dodge a bullett with Turkoglu signing?
 

Right now value wise, Hedo > Lamar.

Portland won't offer Lamar that contract. What worries me is them signing Shawn Marion.

Re: Lakers dodge a bullett with Turkoglu signing?
 

Yup, they will probably get Shawn Marion now (or they will throw everything they have at Odom with money going up each of the next few seasons - dum move tho). They can offer Marion the most money for a championship contending team. IMO, I think Portland will be almost as good with Marion as they would have been with Hedo (only advantage Hedo has is better 3pt shot + better ball-handling skills).

Also for other doods - don't be underrating Portland now. Just because the Lakers have a better team doesn't mean anything. The Lakers usually have LOTS and LOTS of trouble against Portland in Portland. In the playoffs, anything is possible. All Portland has to do is win one game in LA, and they have a shot at taking over the entire series.. A lot of it comes down to matchups in the playoffs (and even regular season a lot of times) so just because LA is better team means little. I mean lets just look at the Lakers/Bobcats matchup - Lakers are a much better team than Bobcats, yet they beat us pretty bad last season (even tho it was reg season).

Anyways, Portland will be one of those teams that will give the Lakers a scare for the next few seasons as they get better and better. I think the Lakers have a very good chance of forming a rivalry with them. Actually, there might already be a small rivalry since Portland usually play really hard against the Lakers when they roll into town, and the crowd gets pretty insane. Yeah, you can say the same for other teams too, but there is just something that I see when Portland/Lakers play each-other that I see in rivalries (I dunno what - maybe just the hype and lots of hustle plays by each teams).

Re: Lakers dodge a bullett with Turkoglu signing?
 

I don't mind them getting Marion.

Guys, we are better than Portland at nearly every position, we are a more cohesive unit, better coach, better bench....we kill them in a 7 game series.

It would be hilarious if the Cavs got none of Artest, Charlie V, Ariza, or Marion.