I was praying for a 0.8 Then in the playoffs v. Houston Dame would have to go for a 0.7 to regain his crown
We just played Houston to the wire, twice. I'm going semi-KingSpeed here: I don't fear Houston in the playoffs.
Gasol seems like a prick too. Got his coach fired then acted surprised. Baldwin wasn’t innocent either, but at least he owned up to it. I didn’t watch him in Memphis but it didn’t really seem like he got a fair chance to play. It’s like Nurk. Nurk knew his worth and wasn’t afraid to express it. Coming from a young, unproven player, that could rub some people the wrong way. That’s what separates Dame. When Harkless was expressing his frustrations earlier in the year, Dame didn’t get defensive. He empowers his teammates.
Playoffs are going to be very competitive this year and if a team blinks they can find themself knocked out real quick. Should make for some great games.
I think we need to see if he can continue this play in the final 3 games. He's gonna get scouted eventually but we need to ride this until they do. Think he can warrant about 10-15 mpg in the playoffs depending on the matchup.
Unlike, say, Portland fans and journalists chasing off the remnants of a successful roster because of character issues?
It's got to be frustrating when you know you can play but don't get a real opportunity because the franchise is trying to appease vets. It can be difficult to toe the line between being passionate/caring and feeling slighted. I'm glad our team seems to welcome guys with a chip on their shoulder especially if their humbling experiences leads to them working even harder to prove themselves. Can you imagine being as talented as Nurk and getting multiple DNP-Coaches Decision in your 3rd season with a team that hasn't made the playoffs in several years? I don't think I'd handle that situation very well either, especially when I was younger.
Huge difference between guys like Nurk and Baldwin who aren't bad guys they just were frustrated with not playing and guys like Rueben Patterson (nanny raper), Qyntel Woods (dog fighting ring), Z-Bo (multiple incidents with his entourage), Stoudamire (dumb enough to try and take weed wrapped in tin foil through the airport), JR Rider (dumb enough to smoke weed out of a soda can on the side of the road), and Bonzi (said he didn't care about the fans or what they think). Do you want to continue this discussion or do you realize how silly that sounds to compare those guys?
Lineups I wanna see: Dame CJ Baldwin Aminu Nurkic Dame Baldwin Harkless Aminu Nurkic Dame Baldwin Aminu Collins Nurkic
JR is pissed that you didn't mention that he, as a millionaire, was illegally selling cell phones on the side.
I didn't say what the character issues are, just that our franchise isn't above giving up on players for the same reason. Then again, the average Portland fan is convinced that every other fan in the league knows nothing about basketball.
I think that is a rather big over generalization of the average Portland fan. Can you really not see the difference between doing illegal activity while being bad human beings compared to a guy who is simply upset with playing time? Since Olshey took over he's been pretty steadfast about only bringing in guys who fit in the culture.
Man, so much stuff happened during that era! I just quickly typed what came to mind. Didn't Rider also kidnap someone? Maybe even two different incidents of it? I once saw Rider and Gary Trent at a 7-11 buying Visine. Their eyes were both super red and they were stumbling all around.
I think you are confusing the terms character flaw and criminal activity. Baldwin and Nurk were both upset by their roles and lack of playing time. You could stretch that a bit and say they had character issues. Qyntel Woods plead guilty to dog fighting, Ruben Patterson plead guilty to sexual assault, Rider was convicted of assault for kicking a woman in the back. Do you not see the differences? BNM
There’s a difference. Guys like Nurkic and Baldwin were talented players buried on the bench. It’d be like if Blazers fans got bitter about Barton getting an opportunity elsewhere and running with narratives (that may not even be completely true) that don’t involve basketball instead of just being happy for the guy. “Our management could never make a mistake, so let’s blame the player it’s much easier.”
Yeah, that new arena must be really dope, or the ticket prices really low, or something. Cause it sure ain't the product on the floor that's putting butts in the seats. BNM
