Apparently, the Blazers didn't get the memos you tankers have been sending them: http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2012/03/portland_97_memphis_93_nicolas_batum_scores_24_as.html
What are they supposed to say? "Tank tank tank baby," said Batum. "It's time to stink this mother up so we can get the best lottery pick possible."
Wow, you should really see a counselor about that grouch. Thanks for admitting that. The past is the past and for how bad he's been it doesn't define him going forward. He has the capability of being a solid PG, and would not be surprised at all if he's a Blazer next year. It's for losers. Period.
The goals of the front office and the goals of the players are 2 different things. In this case, that's a very good thing. Players should never try to tank. However, it may be prudent for front offices to sometimes. The front office had a chance to give Felton away for nothing. They chose not to. The "tanking" decision has been made. Really, that's the end of the story.
Tunnel vision much? You really think that getting the 11th pick vs the 16th or so is going to make a hill of beans difference in the Blazers' rebuild? Draft history is replete with 11th pick busts and 16th pick bargains. After the first 4 or so picks, it's a crap shoot as to whether a player will pan out. There's also the ability to make draft day deals to move up to get a player you want. I'll take LA and Nic making some major strides in their evolution as the Blazers' leaders by trying to win games the rest of the way out over the demoralizing process of playing to lose in order to gain a few spots in a draft. If/when the Blazers get to the point where they're mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, sure play the the young guys and let the vets eat popcorn. Until then, play to win.
The best example of a tank was when Gregg Popovich fired Bob Hill during the season they lost David Robinson, and took over as coach himself. I mean, how obvious can you get in a tank job? The idea was to get Tim Duncan, and Popovich, the GM, named the one coach he knew would go along with a tank job ... HIMSELF!! It was brilliant, and look what became of San Antonio's franchise after that season. Problem is, Paul Allen's organization is so fucked up, they can't even properly tank, because nobody is on the same page, everybody wants to keep their job, and everybody has their own agenda.
They did properly tank.... in 2004, when KP took over as coach in a move similar to Pop. Unfortunately this time they promoted a hungry young guy who is determined to win games. The fool! He'll ruin everything...
That's funny. Again, this organization is so fucked up, they can't even properly tank. They should have put Buck Williams in charge, steered him to his chair before the game, and let him just roll a ball out on the floor and pick names out of a hat for playing time.
We don't need to consciously lose. Just let it happen by itself, or if we win, be happy. Someone said that we need to lose to move up our 2 picks. But tanking changes only one of those picks, since we have no control over the New Jersey pick. This. After 3-4 years of experience when the new guy finally makes our rotation, we'll have made so many trades and signings (probably including trading him), that the slight difference in draft position 3-4 years earlier won't matter in the big picture of our comeback. Besides, we still continue to draft like Pritchard did. We still target one player in the whole draft, who if not for us, would be drafted several spots lower. So we'll draft the same guy even if we move up a few spots, and the tank will have been for naught.
The RG was pretty full last night and we still have ten more home games. The draft position gained is pretty small compared to the damage tanking now would cause among season ticket holders. My vote is to keep playing hard.
Yep. We don't need Ray Felton realizing he needs a contract and messing up this tank job by playing well.
Btw, Nate, the answer to your question is a championship. If we make the playoffs, we will be hot and confident. I think we have to go 15-4. So let's do it!
IMO playin Felton probably helps the tanking as he is so shitty. But there is no excuse for not playing the young guys a lot, simply stupid not to.
