So: are we going to be TOO good?

I don't think we need to tank though. We need to stick to playing our young guys, let them grow and learn and develop, and during that process we will probably go through some rough patches. Sure, it's possible we'll shock the world, but more likely we'll see guys like CJ and Leonard go through slumps. We'll see Aminu struggle offensively. Some nights it just won't work out for us. We have a lot of unknown commodities on this roster, and it's really hard for anyone to say how it's all going to fit together. I highly doubt this is going to be the same roster next season. I anticipate a number of moves to acquire more talent and move us closer to contending.

 

I think it's way too early to say they lost. We haven't even played a single game yet. Russell could still end up being a stud.

 

Russell is turning out to be very underwhelming. Personally his lack of athleticism is going to kill him in this league. Hes a great passer though I'll give him that but so is Kendall Marshall. Russell will be considered a bust by the end of the season, hes a slightly better Kendall Marshall and thats about it.

 

I didn't say they lost. I said they are losing.

A team ten points down with 2 minutes left is losing, but can still win in the end.

 

We will be another incarnation of the Bucks from last year --- they did have a high pick in Jabari Parker, whom didn't play for them much and they were still successful.

You can never be 'too' good. Winning creates a culture. Especially if you're winning as a young, up and coming team, which is actually something GREG MONROE talks about as part of his decision to choose the Bucks over NY, LA. He states that he wanted to go there --- because thats where the best opporunity for him as a player and his skills to fit and win were. Not to mention that as a young team, you will continue to improve because no one is in their prime.

Y'all need to get over this free agent thing; we will get a free agent when we are a GOOD, YOUNG team that is fighting for a 7 or 8 seed. Can you imagine what the talk around the league is if we win 40+ games, fight for the 8th seed with a bunch of first year guys who are just coming together? Players WILL take notice. Young upstart team + winning + fighting for a playoff seed + already have a PG = Intriguing place for a free agent who wants to win with a window that is pretty large.

If we are looking at next years FA class, you could catch the eye of someone like DeMar DeRozan or Harrison Barnes, who could possibly seek a larger role. Or you could bank on the team improving after nearly grabbing the 8th seed based on youth (assuming that your premise that we are 'too good' happens) and could then target 2017 free agents, with similar attributes - need to fit our team, culture and general age window.

Build a fucking winning culture and players will come. We don't need to tank for anyone else, we have talent. If we got a top pick, what would we do? Wait 4 years for that person to develop into the person we need alongside Dame? Then what do you know? Dame is 30 years old. What if who we draft is a bust? Keep tanking?

I'll take my chances on building a culture of winning, trying to package some of our talent for superior talent, and realizing that winning teams attract higher caliber players (you know how much different this offseason would've been if LMA would've been all in? I guaran-fucking-tee that we wouldn't be a FA desert if LMA was pitching others on us instead of getting wined and dined.) I have faith DAME will lead us the right way, and recruit players to join us, in the right way. He is committed to Portland, unlike some people in the past as of now. I hope that stays true.

 

The real question for players like D'Angelo is not whether or not they will be a bust, but whether or not they are "game changers". The Laker fans and media all wanted a player who would "transcend the sport". (another Magic or Kobe)

They can always get a good player in FA, but for most teams, including even now the Lakers, the best way to get a great player is through the top of the draft. But even taking that route........it is an extreme long shot.

 

Post of the day right there...

 

Why do people care about getting a top pick? He wouldn't fit in Lillard's window. We already have top 10 picks in Aminu, CJ, and Vonleh who fit in Lillard's window. We are going to win games this season and get better as these young talents get more experience.

 

We're sooo good it's not even funny!

 

Not sure, for some it seems a top 5 pick = a shoe in to make the playoffs or something...

 

Well we can always get a top pick whose a 3-4 year guy from college who wont take no more than 2 seasons to become very good. Then of course we can always use the pick for a trade. Its very important imo we grab a top lottery pick so we can atleast trade it

 

When was the last top 5 pick

Well, it's not gonna happen. We're going to be at least .500. Probably better.

 

Don't know, but I didn't just mean for our team, I meant for any team. How many top 5 picks from the last 5 years are on a current championship contender? This might be a better assessment to the value of a top 5 pick.


Agreed.

 

okay, please name a 3 to 4 year guy in next year's draft that could be helping Dame within 2 years... There's no one that fits your criteria.

 

Yea you might have a point

 

I find the line of reasoning that we should only be concerned with Damian's "timeline" a little spurious.

 

Dame is 25 years old........ window?

 

Man you sure are so, black and white... when its really colorful.

That isn't the only concern, but it is a good thing to try to do. The long term thought is to have a core together for a decade. How else do you do that without building around the same age?

 

A core for a decade? Damian is what, 25-26? How many peak years do you think he has left exactly? So I'm not suggesting that Damian can't be part of a very good team that competes for a title, I'm just not sure he can be the best player on this team.

EDIT: to clarify, "be the best player on a team that is ready for serious contention in hopefully three or four years (which seems about the best case scenario for a rebuild if history is any guide).