If he doesn't know what's wrong, why is he coaching? Did he design the first possession of last night's game? The first possession where Simons passes to Ayton and Grant and back to each other and Sharpe never touches the ball? That was stupid as hell. Ayton should not be touching the ball unless it's him cutting to the hoop for a dunk. If Ayton at this stage in his career cannot catch a pass on the move, he shouldn't be in the starting unit. If Billups cannot draw up plays where Ayton catches the ball on the move, he should be fired. Should have been fired last season really.
THIS is how Ayton should be used in an offense, for as many possession as possible. No, we don't have Chris Paul. However, there must be someone who can work non-stop with Ayton (like Avdija , Simons, Sharpe, Banton,) to get it done. No excuse for what we see game in and game out. Ayton should be on the move constantly working for these types of buckets, being a problem for the defense and a target for the offense.
We used to see a lob for Ayton and a lob for Sharpe maybe once a game last season and in Sharpe's rookie season. What the hell happened to even that, pathetically limited as it was? What a joke.
Im not real confident that the Blazers destiny is here in Portland. The bridge agreement is a mirage.
I suspect Billups is more sick of saying that than you are of hearing it. He didn't agree to join a 4 year tank job when Olshey hired him. He's a pro, just gutting it out but I'd suspect he's more inclined to walk away than the Blazers are to dump him at season end. Jody doesn't want to fire Billups as she'd have to pay two coaches.
Watch that first possession again, Sharpe literally walks for 10 seconds of it. No way Billups drew up a play for Sharpe to slowly walk the first 10 seconds of the game.
When Ant and Ayton were out most of the time, we were actually a good team. Went 5-5 over a 10 game stretch. Scoot played well with an improved shot, Grant deferred to Sharpe who played like an All Star and team defense was good with elite play from Camara, RW, Clingan, Deni on that end. Clingan had a near triple double. It was fun. I’m hoping Simons and Ayton are traded soon so we can get back to it. The great thing about this season for me is I root for them to win and if we do, hooray but if we don’t, it doesn’t hurt me like losses did in years past because it helps our draft standing. A 36-46 record like Hawks had last year would be outstanding and the Hawks won the lottery. I mean, didn’t everyone enjoy Dame’s rookie year even though we went 33-49?
Didn't Jody sign an agreement with the city of Portland to get the arena upgraded and the team stay awhile?
Old habits die hard. Seriously though, I’ll always root on my Blazers and the great thing about sport is there’s always hope. I think we have some good young pieces, but really not enough to think we’re a couple years away. I just want to see a shift to focusing more on the youth. It’s absolutely nothing personal against Grant, Simons or Ayton as people. I’ve cheered on assholes (the jailblazers). Just win, baby.
Iso ball We need to be feeding Ayton in the paint. Some of it is on Ayton though. Too much hanging out at the three point line. Also, when he gets inside and gets the ball it's often not a good outcome. His hands are terrible and he seems to lack confidence. Dude double pumped in the paint yesterday with nobody within 10 feet. He could be a beast, but there seems to be some mental block.
We may not have 33 wins combined in the last two years (yes, this is hyperbole, no i don't need to look up that we are pretty much at 33 wins in a season and change lol). It's fine to root for wins, but I tend to look long term and if we don't trade the vets for our future then who cares if we win games. Ant brings nothing to the table beyond one skill. CJ. Sharpe has 2 good games in a calendar month. No consistency. Clingan is okay. Intriguing to build around. Just do this around cligan, Camara, and MAYBE Sharpe, though if he left it'd be better for the team most likely. I just want it to look like we care about the future, because if the present is getting our ass kicked by 40+ at home to the 2nd worst team in the league without its best player, then why the fuck cheer for the team until they change? Also, don't go to games and give as little money to the team as possible. They have billions they are fine without your money. So don't show up, don't watch, and don't pay for anything that directly goes to the team. Force them to change.
I went to the game against Dallas last weekend. That’s the only Blazers game I’ve watched this season. They suck.
I'm not a fair weather fan - I've been a Blazer fan since day 1 and will continue to be through thick or thin.
Yeah, Thinks its through 2030 with Moda being handed over to city for upgrades. I've been told that a bridge agreement could be easy to get out of? And after 2030 a new owners could relocate. The city /blazers better follow through with upgrades, I believe they are responsible for 50%. Thats will be an indictor of sort in my mind. Could be when Jody sells the team?
