I thought this article was funny in parts. The author has a good bit of dry humor, sarcasm, and honesty. http://www.kareemabduljablog.com/2015/04/13/an-ode-to-blazer-fans-2/ I thought the end paragraph was especially interesting: Basically, what the bold underlined part means, is that if we don't get rid of the dead players on our team, then we'll always be that #4 seed; good, but never great, and never able to handle it with Elite teams in the Finals. I kind of agree with that. As an example, the author pointed out Batum. He's popular, so management and the coaching staff put up with him; despite the fact that his offensive numbers have dropped significantly this season, and have probably been on the decline for the past two or three seasons. They (coaching/management) could be afraid of the "Angry Soccer Mom Mentality" of pulling a starter out of the game and benching them. Anyways, read the article in its entirety. It's worth the read.
Great points, as for Batum I would be willing to at least look this summer. BUT I hope the idea is that if we dont get a great player and I mean great player in return then there is no point in moving him. Even with his negatives I still like what he brings more than many many SF's out there.
I agree. Sure would be nice if OKC and/or Kevin Durant get sick of each other and part ways. It would give Paul Allen a chance to bury the hatchet for the Oden Fail, and offer him a good position here.
I don't think for the fans that it's the angry soccer mom mentality.(for the players maybe) Every team should try to upgrade their roster in the off season... But to get rid of Batum just to get rid of him is pretty silly. Would I like an upgrade? yes. But how many players in the NBA are an upgrade from Batum? LeBron/KD/Melo/Leonard/George? five? How attainable are those players? Can the Blazers get it done without giving up too much? Can really look @ that with every position on the Roster for every team. Go with the old statement "oh trade a star for draft picks." The draft is a crap shoot. Basically there comes a point in time that every team needs to let it grow and marinate. Could the Blazers use an upgrade at X position? possibly. But you could say that about every team in the NBA. TBH with people it gave me supreme confidence when I heard last year after the Blazers got smashed by the Spurs. That Allen sent Neil a text that said. "how do we get better?" If they maintain that I trust them.
The current process isn’t done, it’s a piece or two away, and may be permanently unfinished as long as the Soccer Moms don’t want little Johnny taken out of the game. Is he saying Neil Olshey is a soccer mom? Cuz Neil is the guy who makes the decisions. Not the fans who absolutely should root for the guys we have.
Kinda found this article to be a joke. Paints Blazer fans as snooty racists that don't know much about basketball. Fans cheered louder for Rudy Fernandez than for Brandon Roy ? WTF is he talking about. I hate when people make shit up just be controversial and this article really has that feeling to me. He says he follows the Blazers religiously but if he really thinks that this team couldn't compete for a championship if they were all healthy then he's a fucking liar.
The part quoted in the OP was very true, at least about specific players attributes, weaknesses. If Nico starts creating of the dribble, attack the basket, like he did for about a week this season, Damian plays better defense and Lamarcus does a better job of protecting the rim alongside Rolo we'd be championship caliber with this same team.
Article tried to hard to be funny and really offered little of value even the ending quote. This team wasn't a piece away from contending we were considered by many to be the second best team in the west before Mathews went down. So its not like we need a major overhall, we will have a shot at bringing everyone back who made this team a top 10 O/D team for much of the season. Not saying we shouldn't always be looking to improve our roster but there is no reason to try and make a "shake things up" type move.
