Almost 15 games in and one thing is clear: Portland is a one-man team. Subtract that man (Lillard) and they have no chance. Denver exposed us in a big way tonight. Our bench can’t carry us when Lillard is out, and they can’t even make the score respectable.
I think this roster is about as poorly set up as possible. That being said, they laid an egg tonight and are capable of much better. That's not to say that without major changes by the trade deadline that we have any hope of getting out of the first round because we don't.
"It bothers me that people have such low opinions of Vulcans. However, in this case, that opinion is totally logical."
Total rebuild from the ground up seems like the only way forward. We need to get lucky in the draft until we get a mvp caliber talent. Either rebuild the team around lillard or completely blow it up and trade Lillard for a treasure trove of picks and young players.
why would a team that has a treasure trove of picks and young players trade for Dame? He's 31 and has looked bad this season, and he has 4 years left on his deal at 44M/year the only way Portland gets any high draft picks by trading Dame is by trading every other veteran they have for late firsts to add with the likely late firsts they'd get for Dame....and then suck so bad they'd have high picks in the lottery I'll say again, if the Blazer trade dame and try and build a team around CJ they are irrevocably stupid
well you would trade cj also it would be a complete rebuild.. that being said you never know what teams out there have made offers for dame around lots of picks we have not heard of. I personally want a rebuild top to bottom and just play the lottery until we have a superstar talent and go from there.. right now I think Memphis has a better outlook and future than us with Ja Morant and all their young players while we are filled with underperforming veterans and never any draft picks
So our last three first round picks went in trades for guys that cannot even play 50 minutes combined. Cool story
Funny, it's turning out just how Morey would want. The Blazers' organization is trash from top to bottom, especially the top. I say keep Ant, and Nas, and unload the rest for picks or young talent. Ben Simmons is not something to build around at this point either.
the 'tear it down and rebuild' moves can come this season, or next season, or the season following. On one hand I suppose 'the-quicker-the-better' is one way to go on the other, I think the Blazers owe it to Dame to actually spend some time in an attempt to build a contender around him. That has never happened. All that has happened is Portland has spent a major part of Dame's career servicing Olshey's fucking ego. Fire Olshey and at least make one or two attempts to build a win-now contender. There very well may not be any opportunities available, but the effort should at least be made. if Portland does turn to trading Dame, they are not going to be getting a significant rebuild package. Not for a 31 year old 6'2 PG who may have a chronic injury and is struggling a lot with the new foul rules and new basketball. it would have to be a 100% commitment to a rebuild; not a trade of the best player in franchise history followed by a bunch of fence-straddling and dumpster diving...which is exactly what Olshey would do
My take is its too late to build around Dame and my preference is to blow it up and move on. Dame has been fantastic and I'd try to trade him to a contender so he has a much better chance at a ring. I respect others views, this is mine.
maybe...but I'll repeat this: if Dame is traded and Olshey is the guy who trades him I'm out. I'll be done as a Blazer fan for a damn long time
I can't imagine that Billlups see the things differently. This bunch is totally opposite of jailblazers and I guess, that is what many people here wanted. Imagine what this bunch of "grown ass men" would do to Becky Hammon. Olshey being out of bounds doesn't help at all. He will probably take the money and leave this mess behind him. It is really early into the season and Billups most probably doesn't want to finish his coach carrier like this. He should bench whoever he needs. By benching players he will probably lower their value, but it not gonna grow if they continue to play like this. I would green light Billups to play youngsters I think, but idk really. I am pretty sure, that this team can play better, but I don't think work is their thing.
I held some hope that somebody could teach old dogs new tricks, but that's not gonna happen. Dame and CJ will never be ok on defense and especially CJ will never go away from his tunnel vision on offense. This is all they ve known to do for years. Never held accountable and only been praised. They won't change at 30-31 years old. This is impossible. I wonder if Olshey is hiding because of the investigation or because he is embarrassed that it was also the roster to blame. He was damn vocal all summer sharing his basketball expertise.
I don’t want another slow rebuild and I don’t think it would have to be. If the Blazers did go in a different direction I don’t think they would have to do a full rebuild. We have some nice prices work with. Definitely keep Little, Nance and maybe Ant around.
I also like Powel, Simons has potential to be good, Little has been very good. Starters are the problem saw little from CJ, Nurk and Roco last night. Afraid Billups is losing them he needs to rattle their cages
It doesn't take that long if smart moves are made. Who had the Wizards, the Bulls and the Cavs as 3 of the top 4 teams in the East? Of course it's early, but I'd much rather be where they are than where we are.
