Alonzo Gee More Than Just A Throw-In For Portland Trail Blazers
By Brian Brennan
@b2brennan
Bart Young – Getty Images
In the trade highlighted by Arron Afflalo going from the Denver Nuggets to the Portland Trail Blazers, one of the other pieces, Alonzo Gee, has flown under the radar. Now I won’t say Gee is now the key to the Trail Blazers’ championship hopes, but fans shouldn’t completely dismiss him as part of the trade.
Neil Olshey, the Trail Blazers general manager, is quoted saying:
“Alonzo is an elite athlete and defender who adds a unique element to our perimeter.”
Gee doesn’t have eye-popping numbers, averaging 5.0 PPG and 2.0 RPG in 13.0 MPG, but he’s another one of those players who brings an element to the game that doesn’t show up on the stat sheet. Like Olshey said, he is an athlete and defender. The Trail Blazers’ bench now has something they didn’t previously which will definitely help.
The bench on the Trail Blazers, along with Afflalo and Gee, now consists of Steve Blake, Chris Kaman, CJ McCollum, Joel Freeland, Meyers Leonard, Dorell Wright and Allen Crabbe. Gee will most likely take Crabbe’s spot and bring some veteran experience to the group. Wright hasn’t played much this season, and most people will think Gee is just another version of him. Wright is a better three-point shooter and usually comes in at the stretch four, where Gee will be able to substitute Nicolas Batum and still keep up the high level of defense.
Everyone knows Afflalo was the guy in this trade. He brings the bench scoring, defense, grit and veteran leadership to a team that needs exactly what he has to offer. I think Gee will be a solid contributor and could be another one of those guys who makes a big play in the playoff game just when the Trail Blazers need it. He’s not going to be some long-term star, but Gee has plenty to offer as the trade’s throw-in piece.
Brian Brennan is a Portland Trail Blazers writer for www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @b2brennan.
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