Bogus! We are quietly doing Philly's lame "process"

I'm interested too. And I fully admit the path to keeping Dame and being able to acquire another top talent didn't have great odds. From there, as you point out, nothing is a sure thing.

As I saw (see) it, the paths to contend without Dame and with Dame were both ones with very slim margins for error. The path without Dame provides more chances to get lucky, but you also have to do more things right, something I've been skeptical of this organization being able to pull off. My theory was getting lucky once was going to be easier than getting lucky twice. And of course, being halfway decent vs been terrible was appealing to me.

 

I get people wanting the rebuild, I'm just surprised people didn't think this was how it was going to go. What has happened seemed far more likely than them nailing the 2022 draft pick and getting Wemby in 2023, and competing with young guys right away. The odds of this being the Detroit Pistons/Charolette Bobacat(Hornets) rebuild always seem far more likely than it turning into what OKC is doing; and even that took a bit.

 

Many people wanted a rebuild prior to Dame asking for a trade citing the rebuild would be better than watching a mid-tier team. My stance was made prior to Dame wanting a trade and was made to the folks on this board as my warning to what may be ahead. I'm not blaming Cronin (or Dame) that the rebuild is now happening, My post is for the folks who continually bang the drum for change and grossly over-estimate the probability said change will produce a positive result.

Sometimes it's better to appreciate things being good instead of complaining things aren't great.

 

This.

 

Well I dumped my Timbers tickets so I understand. I like my money too much to pay for a dogshit product.

 

that's kind of similar to what I was saying

I especially pushed back against those saying, and there were several, that it would be a quick turn-around for Portland after trading Dame. What was nuts was that several posters were expecting the Blazers to get some massive haul in the Dame trade.

as you said, the chances Portland could build a contender around Dame were small; but they were better than the alternative...which we're seeing right now

Minnesota was in the WCF in 2004. After that, they spent 13 consecutive seasons in the lottery; and 16 of the next 17 seasons in the lottery. In 20 years they have won 4 playoff games. They may finally be a contender after 2 decades though. They better because they mortgaged their future for Gobert

the Kings spent 16 consecutive seasons in the lottery; and they don't look like a contender yet

Portland fired Olshey less that 2.5 years ago; Cronin didn't start dismantling Olshey's roster till a little over 2 years ago; Dame was traded 8 months ago. The Blazers are at the beginning of a process that will likely take several more years. They don't get the 'good' draft assets from the Dame trade till 2028 & 2029, and those assets might not be that good by then. Blazers are saddled with ownership that sure appears more focused on cash flow and executor management fees than in building a winner. And they have a GM who has signaled he may be happy trotting out rosters that have Ant/Grant/Ayton jockeying to be the best player. This is not a formula for a quick turnaround. It might be a formula for perpetual play-in teams, over the cap while dodging the tax line, and lousy draft picks

 

I wanted that because I think the haul would have been better... but maybe not?

 

I thought we got a pretty good haul for Dame. I can't imagine how we would have gotten more, honestly.

 

Impossible to say but Dame would have been two years younger and he was fresh off that insane series against Denver.

 

He did not ask to rescind his trade request. He just wanted to play for Portland while waiting for a Miami trade.

 

I’m 50 in August and I can absolutely be patient. I see the long game clear as day. Look at OKC. They SUCKED three years ago. Trailed Memphis by 80 in a game. Now they are battling for #1 seed. Give this plan 3 or 4 more years before giving up on it. It’s the right way to go.

 

And I think you're right to feel that way. I tend to agree.

 

I think the OKC comp is the scariest one any Blazer fan can make. OKC had multiple 1st team All-NBA players in their prime to trade away. Kawhi levereged his desire to get PG13 allowing OKC to get a haul. OKC has also shown the ability to assess draft talent really well.

Portland never had the level of assets OKC had. There was never leverage for Dame like PG13. We don't have another HOF player to trade after trading Dame. We didn't get an SGA to start our rebuild. The Blazers don't have the draft capital OKC had, nor do they have the assets to realistic obtain said draft capital.

The Sacramento, Charolette, Pistons rebuilds have far more similarities to where Portland is at than the OKC one.

 

From a fan base standpoint, I don't think we've even hit the bottom of the rebuild. I anticipate it's going to get worse before it gets better.

 

I have 3 kids. They love basketball. They get bored watching these guys. We'll be out being productive rather than wasting our time watching a team try not to be competitive.

If I sit around and watch this garbage my kids will wind up hating the Blazers. They like competitive basketball. Losing by 60 twice in a season doesn't qualify. I didn't make that choice, Jody did. Hopefully she gets her shit together soon.

 

It almost has to.