The Spurs somehow sign players at half what they're worth, like Duncan. For us, we'll have to eventually break up the best players because payroll will add up to too much.
The Spurs sign everyone to contracts that allow them to put these things in place. They were able to keep a winning culture in place without going through a lengthy rebuild, which kept the players wanting to be there. Once they finally put a team together which won a championship they kept the group together which constantly stayed competitive in the West, until eventually players in their prime from other teams are willing to take a pay cut to play there, because they want the stability and chance to win.
Tim Duncan and David West took huge paycuts to bring back teammates...Dirk did it.. when Parsons got overpaid..it's rare but it happens. Pops has an amazing knack for talking players into things like that
Getting into the playoffs is no good unless you make the WCF. Getting a pick in the draft is no good unless you can get the next Durant\Anthony Davis. etc etc...
Like jinxspeed said. I remember rooting for the warriors when the beat the top seeded Mavs. Don nelson was pure genius coaching wise. I think that is the big key if we face the warriors 1st round. Can stotts come up with a game plan that at least makes us competitive? Or do we just lay down and get steam rolled? If he can pull out 2 well executed wins and not get blown out in the 4 loses id be comfortable with him as head coach going forward. If we got blown out 4 in a row and make no adjustments id want new coach.
For anyone wanting to lure free agents, how great would it be to steam roll the warriors who are likely to beat the regular season record? Id like to see the media try to hide that shit and not talk about blazers then. Im sure refs would never allow it but I can dream.
Seriously haha.. Some dude said on this forum today that Lillards shot to beat Houston was fools gold and didn't mean anything...
Not sure I've seen anyone say that. However, I have advocated doing what it takes to be a contender.....which the Blazers have not been for 15 years and it was another 18 years before that when they were also a contender. So since 1993, one or perhaps two seasons was this team an actual contender let alone be in a position to win a title. Once in 22 years? I don't think it's unreasonable to hope for more often than that. Maybe the better assessment is, "some of you guys act like Cubs fans."
If you feel Blazer ownership and Administration is as bad as it was during Sterling's run, then perhaps they are in for the same road and none of this matter. My hope is that we are better than one of the worst NBA owners since Ted Stepien.
Just messing with you, TBpup. Of course I don't think that Blazers management is anything like what the Clippers had during Sterling's inglorious reign. The Clippers' lack of success was predominantly because Sterling wanted it that way. He made money by drawing crowds to see high draft picks play yet having a string of those guys on cheap contracts. Frankly, I'd say that I have more faith in Olshey's abilities than some of you tankers do. I think he can build a winning team with or without having a draft pick this year.
Yeah, Sterling treated that franchise like a money printing machine. He traded his lottery players before they became too expensive, kept qualifying for the lottery, rinse repeat, go the bank. The Blazers ain't about that.
It's not a lack of faith. It's just that Portland needs a lot of pieces still. In a 'normal' year, this wouldn't be an issue as Portland would be very far behind the Playoff race. It just happens that for the first time in a long time, the West overall has declined significantly thereby putting Portland near a Playoff spot that is almost at an embarrassing pace. Teams with a projected 35 wins need a Lottery pick a lot more than a pretty much undeserved Playoff spot IMO. If Portland were able to keep their pick, then I'd say it doesn't matter as much but in this case it is an Either/Or.
The Clippers sucked for as long as any team in the league... I blame it on not having their own arena...cheap ass Sterling and sharing the Lakers homecourt is like sleeping on your neighbors couch...they need to move to Seattle....the Seattle Clippers ...the name fits.
