RE: Why don't we all settle down a bit....

[Gregory Odegaard <grodeg@kalama.com>]

As many have said and talked about, all we need is a young, strong running, defensive minded shot blocker.  Someone who will be with the team, assuming we can sign them and continue to work wonders with the capology, for the next ten years and more than a couple championships.

The bottom line, working with reality; I mean the draft, off season moves or FA pick-ups, which single player fits this mold?  I am on record, in the last day, saying we should not move any of the current base of players, except maybe Ellison or Minor.  I say keep Barros and Brown for the time being.  Unless the right deal comes along for them too.  Who do we go after in one way or another?  Keep Knight for a split b/u Center/PF role.  Knight can excel in many roles against most opponents in the league, just not against the dominate centers in the game.

The candidates appear to be:

1.  Austin
2.  Stewart
3.  Wright
4.  Jayson Williams
5.  Geiger (too old, bad attitude?)
6.  Siekaly (too old?)
7.  Maybe Battie for the right deal


My votes are for Austin (at 5MM per year), Stewart (2-3MM per year) or find a way to get Kelvin Cato from Portland.  I have said I don't see Portland giving him up, but I think he is a possible second choice behind Austin.  Wright and Williams are injury prone, and Geiger and Siekaly are certainly past their prime.  Am I missing someone from the possible FA class?  At this rate of team success (I am all for that) we can't count on a valuable draft pick.  Maybe we should package it with a big contract dumping trade. 

Who is the one guy (no current superstars, remember reality bites) do you want for the next ten years at Center?

Happy New Year,
Greg