From the source that I have, Olshey and Dame talked A LOT near the deadline and Dame specifically told him he didn't want any moves to mess up the chemistry. Dame says this team is over-achieving and that Olshey should just focus on improving us long-term but to let this season ride and see where these guys can go. With a franchise player like Dame, I think only good things are ahead for us. He realizes what's going on, and while we could've possibly made a piece to make us a more competitive playoff team; Dame realizes its a marathon not a race. EDIT: I don't mean to come across as if I'm breaking news, simply confirming what what many of us have said and thought on this board is what the Blazers are thinking as well.
You can defend Myers all you want but in my opinion he's garbage and I can't wait until he doesn't play for my favorite team.
Again, I don't think there's any need to defend him if the statement is 'he's garbage'. As Pinwheel said, he may not be in our longterm plans, but compared to some of the crap on NBA rosters these days, he's better than garbage. He was a project when we drafted him and he's turning into at least a serviceable player.
It sure feels like Meyers and Hark have flipped positions on the team. Stotts rightfully will still try Meyers when the matchup calls for it, but he sure didn't wait too long last night in swapping him out for Harkless. I have liked both and hoped we could keep both. But, I'm starting to move into the camp that says don't overpay for Meyers this summer.
I believe it. Dame was pretty open about his opinion that the team should stay intact, and Neil has shown in the past to take the input of his star very seriously.
The thing about Myers really not all his fault. I also, blame Stotts too. Myers is not 4 he is a 5 period. Myers cannot guard 4 and there been 5 that shoot the 3 ball but that don't make them 4. What make them 4 if they can guard the 4 and same as the 5. Myers can guard 5 most of the time. So that make him a 5 on this team. Stotts mess up trying to make him a 4 and that has fail. Problems is now he is the 3 center on this team and if they continue to be stupid trying make him 4 he also 3rd there too. What Myers is a 5 that can stretch the floor.
My biggest concern with Harkless is: Can he keep this up? He's capable of doing what he did against the Jazz and Houston on any given night, provided he works hard and hustles his ass off. The problem is that he goes through stretches of games where he is completely invisible. It's not a coincidence that his stats per 36 are a measly 12/7. Playing time may have something to do with that, but Harkless was getting consistent rotation minutes for most of the season. It seems that dropping out of the rotation for 5 games lit a fire under him so hopefully he uses that as motivation to continue his solid play. He's a difference maker as long as he continues to do the things he does well: hustle, crash the glass, play defense, make nice cuts on offense, and hit open shots.
I'll add to that, he also seems like a quality human being and good teammate and has contributed on an above average team for most of his career.
He can absolutely keep up the hustle and rebounding. He isn't going to score double digits every game though (he is on a 5 game streak). Mo is one player on our team (outside of possibly Vonleh) who you have to keep playing even if he makes a mistake here and there. It will pay off big time down the road.
We don't need him the score, we just need him to be active out there, be noticeable. He averaged 3.6 points and 1.7 rebounds in 14 minutes per game in Janauary. For a player with his athletic ability, it was like he wasn't even playing.
Harkless being benched for five games was his equivalent of the team's beatdown in Philadelphia--wake-up calls for both. I believe both can "keep it up".
That's what I want to believe as well. Versatile wings that can shoot and defend multiple positions are at a premium right now and the Blazers are possibly sitting on three of them (Crabbe, Aminu and Harkless). Even if these guys aren't here in the long term they are great assets you can use to get other players.
