I just think it's stupid to see it as a failed demo because Portland didn't purposely sign 5th grade level talent in an attempt to win the lotto. Fast forward 6 years, and they're right back where they started. Struggling to be a .500 club in the weaker conference.
Good points, but my only argument is that basing a 50 point game as a measurement of value is off. Andre Miller scored 50 once. CJ is talented, but is one dimensional in my mind. And anyone that has played or coached knows that talent alone doesn't win, chemistry and fit play just as much of a part or more sometimes. I think it is a fit problem and not a talent problem. They need to trade him for a better fit which may be for a player of less talent. Unless you can create the superteam, fit is your best chance.
We're on pace to win 47. Based upon their last 10, we'd be on pace to win 57. The Raptors, Celtics, and Warriors are the team's only 3 games against teams with winning records, for February (10 games). We might be looking at a really good season after all. Note that March isn't going to be as easy
This tired ass argument. 'Lillard and CJ don't fit together, they can't play together, they're duplicates offensively'! 15-16 'Lillard and CJ don't fit together, they're both too small, they don't play enough defense'! 16-17 'Lillard and CJ don't fit together, they're both too small.. Wait they're 8th defensively? wtf? Oh see! I told you they were duplicates offensively. Portland's rated 13th offensively. Talk about shit, trade em'! 17-18
There’s no way Olshey is that short sighted. And yeah we can only play who’s on the schedule, but the reality is still that we’ve beaten teams we should’ve beaten. That’s not a knock, but I definitely wouldn’t alter plans because of it either. We’ve pretty much had the same roster for at least two seasons. We have the same surplus in the front court we had last year at the same time. We need a starting SF, or a bench scorer. We have a bunch of pending FAs, and we need to get under the tax. If Olshey goes without making any moves, he should be fired before the sun rises next Friday. It’s time.
Actually if there’s one thing I’m afraid of is that Neil pulls another Afflalo and trades a first for Evans.
Well, we also beat OKC and SAS without Dame. So, it works both ways. It's not just POR's recent record that shows the team is playing better, there are several stats that show a significant improvement. For example both Dame and C.J. went through shooting slumps in November (Dame) and December (CJ.). When one, or both, of your best players aren't making their shots, you're not going to have much success. Both have turned it around in January. You can argue they are shooting better because the competition hasn't been as good, but it's not like they went all November and December without getting any open looks. They just weren't making them when they did. November: Dame = .311 3FG% on 37 made 3FGs C.J. = .442 3FG on 42 made 3FGs Combined = .369 on 79 made 3FGs December: Dame = .386 3FG% on 32 made 3FGs C.J. = .294 3FG on 20 made 3FGs Combined = .344 on 52 made 3FGs January: Dame = .429 3FG% on 45 made 3FGs C.J. = .471 3FG on 49 made 3FGs Combined = .450 on 94 made 3FGs January was the first month that both or our leading scorers shot the ball well. That tends to lead to more wins, regardless of the competition. The whole can Dame and C.J. coexist debate seems to resurface every time one of them is in a shooting slump. It becomes much less of an issue when both are shooting > .400 3FG%. I really don't think we're trading either of them within the next week. So, it will be interesting to see if January was just a fluke, or their continued hot shooting will continue for the remainder of the season. If not, it strengthens a case for splitting them up this summer. If they both continue to play as well as they have recently, you probably keep them together and look for help elsewhere (like the SF position). BNM
Great post! Yeah, it's hard. The last few months before the winning streak, here in the forum, we have been talking about trades, about who should go, and about the unbalance of the team. Now the Blazers are winning, the chemistry looks sharp. Do we still make trades? Will it destroy the chemistry? Further unbalance the team? The winning streak doesn't change the fact that Damian Lillard just sat down with Paul Allen and told him to find help, to upgrade the roster. A trade is coming, its imminent. Its just going to be tougher to see guys go. You can bet Neil is busy manning the phones and actively looking for deals. His job depends on it. He has a series of screw ups in the Turner and Leonard contracts. He kind of made up for the Crabbe screw up by trading Crabbe this summer, but the Blazers have several stretched contracts taking up a chunk of salary for the next few seasons. The Blazers have one of the largest team salaries and their are no easy answers. I have heard a few rumors surrounding a hand full of players, but nothing serious Mirotic (Who was traded to the Pelicans and is off the table) Julius Randle Skal Labissiere Wes Mathews Kevin Love (Who broke his hand) Deandre Jordan
I haven't read all through the posts here so someone might have mentioned it but.....winning builds trade value for the guys out there winning...harder to make trades when you're losing and players can't win a game
Dame wants us to keep Ed. Dame wants improved supporting cast. That adds up to just one thing... We will make a trade, and our 1st rounder will be involved. #BookIt
I agree, but my opinion is that is imperative for this team to shed some bad contracts, and this will likely only happen if a pick is involved.
Really loving all the new voices around here. Great to see some new takes on the team. What other site can Sly take down?
I don't know the reference, but Sly's logs indicate he's spending a lot of time chatting on PORnba.com, so I think he's scouting for other Blazer basketball fans...
