Ive seen several times that Joe is attached to Grant? Do you happen to know where and/or when he eluded to this? Thanks,
things could change dramatically if by some stretch of probabilities, the Blazer pick end up in the top 4. A lot more leverage with #2 & #9, than with #9 & #13
yeah, it really could. I'd wonder if the Blazers would keep it and use it to draft a player instead of trading it. Simons + #3 pick might very well be enough to get Brown
My biggest concern for the off season is Damian Lillard. Is he really a Chauncey-type player? Will he be willing to sacrifice his personal numbers for the betterment of the team? I ask because if Joe is building the team I think he is (think 2004 Pistons) than for maximum TEAM effectiveness I would see our leading scorer (Dame) averaging about 19-23 ppg, on a team who's identity will be ball sharing and in your face defense. Not exactly Lillard characteristics.
I think all that would be necessary is for Dame to be coach-able, which he is, and Billups to be adaptable, which is unknown by the way, I don't believe Dame averaging 19 points a game would make for the best Blazer team. The previous 2 seasons he posted a TS% of .625, and that's with him having assisted FG rates of 18% and 27%. Portland won't have anybody else at that level of efficiency. It wouldn't make a lot of sense to give those opportunities to less efficient players. Not unless they ratchet down his average minutes to the 3o-32 range
His willingness or ability to play defense is much more of a concerns that those things you listed. However, I do agree with you that there is at least some cause for concern.
I think Dame biggest issue is trusting his team mates. I think him see what these guys can do without him and CJ probably trust factor will probably go up a lot. Dame always good but the best I seen him play overall when CJ and Nurk was out last year his scoring was good but assist went up also that time frame. Yes he will to buy in on the defense side to able to reach a team goal.
Am I the only one not worried about Dame's place on this team? He's a mature leader who has always recognized even when he was a star that he could and needed to add things to his game and has done it. I think he's opening to advice and even criticism from people like Chauncey. I am sure playing through this injury has taught him about pacing himself, not always needing to be the hero. Yes, he's a chief competitor, but I don't believe he's a stupid one like Westbrook or a selfish one like I think Brandon Roy became when he pouted about having to share the ball with Andre Miller when it would have helped his game and maybe even have extended his career. Dame not only will adjust to the system Chauncey uses and the players around him, he'll accentuate it.
I hope you are right. I love Dame, but there is no denying he does have a little "I gotta get mine" to his offensive game. Perhaps that's come from not totally trusting his past teammates (roco, harkless, amino, etc; I am seeing guys like Hart and Winslow being more trustable to make the right plays, in the correct manner. Hopefully, Dame will too.
Just a quick overview… Draft: Chet Holmgren Johnny Davis/AJ Griffin/Walker Kessler FA: Re-Sign Anfernee Simons Re-Sign Josh Hart Partial(?) MLE: Mo Bamba Sign: Trendon Watford Trade Targets: Vet PF upgrade Backup PG
Most great players have that assertiveness, but Dame's not that kind of ballhog. He's not that prideful. He'll be fine.
Probably. But I still don't want to do it. Much like Clyde, I doubt the Blazers would send him somewhere he would not like going to. Which would narrow our options. My guess is they will at least wait until the trade deadline to see how it is working out.
