The cap is going up something like 14 MIL next year. That is about the increase Lillard's contract will have. So a wash. Would have as much cap room as this summer if we rolled it over.
I really respect Monroe for that decision. He really did just want to win. The Bucks are going to be a nice team.
You know what the Blazers should do, is get 10 high energy guys, play them 24 minutes each (except for Lillard), and just play hard, balls to the wall every game. Portland has the makings of a very athletic roster right now.
I am surprised more folks didn't interpret the Batum trade the same way I did, not saying I am some sort of genius or anything; far from it. But just that trade I immediately assumed that Neil had judged the LMA situation as something he could not salvage and decided that it was in the best interest of the team to go young and create a lot of flexibility. Much like being in management (if any of you are) there are a whole host of things that are entirely out of your control, to those of you that are arguing that Neo should have traded everyone at the end of last year or before this last seasons trade deadline I think you're fooling yourselves. After last years playoffs against Houston the team looked to be on the upswing, firing on nearly all cylinders, and had unbreakable chemistry after the teams first playoff series victory in like 14ish years. It would have been incredibly foolish to make any trades and break that team up, and prior to ROLO and especially Wes getting injured this year, it looked like a good decision not to do that. The Blazers were one of like 4 teams that was top 10 in O and D and the only team that was measurably better in both of those categories was the Warriors. I think we need more perspective and let the emotions drop a bit before we start really questioning Neo's competence in being a GM. I think Neo is doing what he can based on how the season developed, I am all but certain that no one here nor Neo predicted Rolo would break his wrist, LMA would tear his left wrist ligament, Wes would have a season ending Achilles rupture, Batum would get injured and regress to his worst season as a Trail Blazer, and Afflalo would not mesh well with the team. It was a tough season, but I distinctly remember the team making believers out of even the biggest haters for the first half of the season. It sucks, and if LMA does in fact leave, that would be tough to swallow, but I don't think it's entirely reasonable to place all of the blame on Neo when frankly so many catastrophes happened all in one season.
Now that I think of it I think Olshey is the one who told Monroe that he only signs with us if we bring LMA back. Olshey is a smart guy. He knows with just Monroe we are at best 8th seed in the west. Not a great place to be. I think he isn't going to spend any more money on big guns now. We are rebuilding (or retooling hopefully on the fly at deadline and next summer).
So the initial plan was to be a #8 seed? That doesn't seem like a "Plan". Well, I suppose it is but it's not a very good one.
LMAO 45 minutes. It takes 45 minutes to go from like 55 to Wicker park on I-94. 45 minutes.... as someone who sits through that traffic on a weekly basis, all I can do is laugh.
I don't necessarily advocate it (due to the injury) but we all know Wes wants a bigger role. Well he would sure get it with us next year...
Lot of teams/fans crying this morning about losing out on free agents, and there really isn't a correlation between any of them. It is not bigger markets, or better weather, or more playing time, or even best chance to win. (Although that will always be the #2 reason for choosing a team right behind money) No doubt getting top free agents is a long shot for everyone.
The Lakers won 48 wins combined in the last two years. We won 105. Apples to oranges, man. That is a rebuilding, lottery team. We were the 2nd best team in the West for much of the year this year. Just gutted right now at how our team is dismantling.
Is Milwaukee all that different from Portland? Sure it snows, but it's also a larger sports market (MLB, NBA). It's supposed to be gorgeous. Milwaukee is not Cleveland or Detroit.
