Without knocking any commenter or any young Blazers, I have a general irritation about a mindset that I’m seeing expressed here again and again. One person commented that it was worth killing a Gerald Wallace trade to keep Batum; others have talked about how wonderful Bayless is. On the radio, Antonio (I believe it was him) said that of course they kept Bayless – how could the organization have given up on him already?

I think Harvey’s comment most clearly misses the point. You don’t have to give up on a player to trade him. Who is offered for Bayless? If you turn that trade down, are you saying you’ve given up on the player being offered?

Regarding not trading a guy like Bayless or Batum because of all of their potential, I say this: the investment made in these guys has been almost nil so far. Yes they are nice prospects – but I could point to future draft picks, and they have potential as well. It seems odd (but endearing) that we fans, playing GM, seem to think that all of our rookies are such stars-in-the-making that trading them should be unthinkable.

Gerald Wallace, for example, already IS a star. He’s what we HOPE Batum will become.

It’s late and I’m not making my point well or concisely so I’ll end this. Let’s just say that if the Blazers had 3 first-rounders this summer, there would be a bunch of fans saying at mid-season that we absolutely cannot trade any of these promising star prospects. I can predict this without knowing who they are. There are always more to come.

Take a look at the slack everybody(not me)everyone gives to
Outlaw and he has played 6 years !
For pete’s sake let’s not set these kids up for failure so
quickly.

I don’t know of a soul who compares him to Chris Paul.
How about just letting him be Jerryd Bayless ??

What’s so great about him?

1. Lackluster FG%.
2. Inability to properly distribute.
3. Shoot-first point guard.
4. Height issues against other guards.
5. Mediocre defense.
6. No mid-range or long-range game.
7. Only two “coming out” games in a matter of a 14 game stretch – where he got playing time.

Portland seems so infatuated with him. I agree his speed and athletic moves are nice….. but why are we all looking at him like he is the next Chris Paul? I think he is just a short step up from JJ.

This young kid can take the floor and completely energize the entire team.He is lightening fast,and can flat out score when
asked to get to the basket.

He is an attractive young player,exciting dunker(understatement),
and I feel could be a very popular Blazer. There is just a buzz
when he takes the court.

Why are they not doing this ?

I am elated they didn’t trade him. I would loved to have traded
Sergio for another player and let Bayless thrive and learn.