So like.... are we too good to tank now?

Good point. I do not live in the state so I don't go, but I have family who have been season ticket holders for decades.

They depend on selling some of those tickets to help offset the cost. They can't give them away when they tank. Interesting to hear their perspective vs those in this forum. No one wants to go when they lose every game, but they have been excited as of late.

 

It's not easy to build a winner. It takes sacrifice.

 

How many games have you attended this year?

 

Sure but there is a limit to it. If you are a season ticket holder then I applaud you for your sacrifice. If you rarely go to games, then you need to consider the toll it takes on
everyone else.

 

If Wins come because of the young stars ( Scoot , Sharpe , Deni etc ) then I am fine with it but if Ant , Grant or even Ayton are the main reason then I am not cause all three of the last bunch should be traded. Do not be fooled by Ayton he has these stretches every year then decides to not give a shit anymore so if anything hope another GM is like damn he looks good maybe we should try and get him. The other two in Grant and Ant both should be traded without question cause I think Grant slows this team down a little not to mention he sucks at rebounding for the most part and Ant might fit if we did not have Scoot and Sharpe but we do so he needs to go too.

I think after the AS break if any of the vets are still here then they need to be phased out and just hand the keys to the young guys and see what happens sans maybe Williams cause he kind of fits since DC can only go like 18 to 22 minutes before he is dog ass tired. This team SHOULD not be trying for the play in and maybe play hard for 3 quarters then take the foot off the gas specially on the road and hope for some losses and try to aim for the 7th to 9th and then pray for the lotto gods since they has denied the team the past couple years when they were just throwing games without even hiding it.

 

Not to mention builds a culture of TRYING TO WIN BASKETBALL GAMES.

 

Right. Sitting at most games the last few years, knowing I paid to sit there and watch absolute garbage posing as entertainment has been nightmare fuel. Can't make a game? You *might* be able to sell them for 50% of what you paid for them - and that's before ticketmaster takes their 10% cut. I get the strategy but man it has been rough, and the last few home games have been such a breath of fresh air.

 

You say Ant might fit in if we did not have Scoot or Shae, but since we do he needs to go. They have won 6 of 7 with all three, so I am not sure where the problem is. All three are completely different types of guards. Why does Ant "have to go"? Grant I understand. But Ant (25 years old) and Ayton (26) have short contracts and can fit in with the youngsters if they choose to. I understand trying to get value for them in a trade, but again why do they have to go?

 

I think the team knows, that most forum fans want the team to lose and they want to prove the opposite is in the best interest of the players.

 

Portland's average age is 24.0; they are on a pace for 32-33

last season, Orlando's average age was 24.0 and they won 47 games; OKC's average age was 23.4 and they won 57 games

this season, age-wins-projected wins

24.0 - Portland - 19 wins --> 32.5 wins
24.6 - OKC - 37 wins --> 66 wins
24.8 - Houston - 32 wins --> 56 wins
24.8 - Memphis - 32 wins --> 54.7 wins
24.9 - Orlando - 24 wins --> 30 wins
25.0 - Atlanta - 22 wins --> 37.6 wins

I'd imagine Orlando is considered legitimate and the Blazers are within range of the Magic. Orlando was a lot more more legitimate last season but have been really snake-bit by injuries this season

while Portland's average age is 24.0, three of the top 5 scorers have an average age of 27.0 when the average age in the NBA is 26. If the Blazers trade Grant their average age could drop a little...unless they trade for an older player or two (on expiring contracts)

 

I miss the days of being the best offense and worst defense at the same time. Those games were fun and we made the playoffs.

 

On a serious tip, I have been hearing,reading people talking about how exciting we could get into the play in……isn’t that why we FIRED Scotts? And now THAT is the goal for some? Help that make sense to me.

 

There’s a difference making the play in with one of the oldest teams vs the second youngest. One is seen as a disappointment and the other a sign of growth. For the record I don’t want to make the play in, I want one more high lotto pick.

 

Purgatory is usually how teams transition from bad to good.

Is a team expected to go straight from the lottery to the 3rd seed?

 

I think we fired a couple of Irishmen as well

 

If they traded Grant for older players on expiring contracts.....do we care how old they are? Sure it takes away from being "the youngest team", but again if they are not getting any minutes it does not make any difference.

Last night the top 3 scorers were Ayton, Sharpe, and Scoot. That is an average of 22.3
Sometimes Deni (24) will be in the top 3 and sometimes Ant will be in the top 3 (25)
Strictly from an age perspective........ that is pretty young.

That of course is if Grant is traded.

 

Orlando had a #1 pick, a #

Scoot, Sharpe, Deni, Camara, and Ayton. Make it happen Billups! It's Captain Obvious.

 

We often refer to purgatory around here as being stuck as a team good enough to make the playoffs, but not good enough to advance more than, maybe, one round. Teams can get stuck in draft lottery purgatory as well - draft picks that don't work out for whatever reason, players who never mesh well, injuries...whatever. I think that the Blazers accomplished the equivalent of five good drafts by drafting Sharpe, Scoot, and Clingan, and trading for both Deni and Toumani. Those guys all look to be long-term starters, with at least a couple having All-Star potential. Some will say that we don't have a superstar yet, but that remains to be seen. I'd love to snag someone in this current draft class with that potential, but it's looking less and less likely given how well the Blazers are playing. The Blazers may turn out to be one of those true teams who become contenders with a balanced roster instead of having role players around a superstar or two.