I don't know if anyone else posted this. This is the letter from Mason to Portland and the fans. Contrast that with LaMarcus' letter to fans and the city. Mason wasn't even here 2 years...
Earlier this week someone was bitching "why isn't Neil doing anything" someone replied "Neil's deals always come out of nowhere"... well called in that one! (dviss I believe) Something else I've been pondering is if the unconventional nature of Plumlee's game is actually a negative overall impact on the teams play. Don't get me wrong he has been one of my favorite guys, but when your starting center is one of your primary ball handlers but has zero range at all, is the offensive flow out of wack? In honesty if Plumlee isn't handling the ball what production does he provide? He has to handle the ball in the midrange territory to adequately hit open players, but can't hit a jumper if need be. We also haven't had a post for him to realistically dump to. We need our center on the block fighting for boards and put backs. If we would force Meyers to play on the block we would be moving in a better direction. Having Nurkic is going to be more valuable than we know especially at his age.
I could tell you what it was like in the late sixties and seventies but there are knowledgeable guys in here that can do the same (if they can remember those days). I grew up in South Trenton, NJ where many Cray Brother beings developed their skillsets. One guy who we all knew was certifiable would use mental cruelty and long term fear to pancake guys. He would walk up to them, invade their three foot parameter space, look them in the eye without blinking and say I'll break your face but it won't be until Thursday, leaving the desperate teenager in awestruck fear with the vapor of MD 20/20 breath lingering in the air. This barbarian is the only guy in Trenton to steal a garbage truck and side ram cars on a one way street doing a LMAO as the cops tagged behind.
Nice portrait. ...... Like the glasses, 80 lb. printer, smoke in the hand and obligatory wood paneling.
Another part of Nurkic' game that could take a jump in Portland are his assists. He averaged more apg than Plumlee did in Brooklyn and flashed good vision in Denver. With more freedom and minutes, there's no reason why he couldn't supplant Plumlee in that area. Just a little taste, from his rookie season. That second one is pretty much Plumlees specialty. No reason why that play can't stay in the playbook.
Happy with this deal. If we were playing great this season, I'm sure Paul Allen would've been willing to pay Plumle but since we're having an off year, it doesn't make sense. I'm loving all the Nurkic videos. I remember at the beginning of the season saying "I wouldn't mind having one of Denver's two big white guys" and now we got one! Plus we get a pick. People were saying we could maybe turn our picks and Crabbe interest Jimmy Butler? Holy cow that would be amazing. Now, what do we do tomorrow vs Atlanta? We were heavily depending on Turner and Plumlee to share ballhandling duties with our back court and tomorrow, we'll have neither of them. This profoundly affects our offense. Stotts has work to do.
Chicago would be mad to let Butler go for our picks and Crabbe. If he moves here we'll be a playoffs team this year which means all three picks will be non-lottery. Memphis and Cleveland are basically guaranteed to be non-lottery.
This is gonna be Rolo esque move. Understated at first, but it will be a big deal. We don't have any big bodies. He's gonna help our defense immensely. I'll really miss Plums' bball instincts but this is a trade we could not pass up.
I like Nurkic but I hope this fresh start will get his head on straight like it Wasnt in Denver this year. Stotts has to use him in the right way too. This guy has offense skills from o- 16ft out. No Stotts he not 3 point shooter so dont try to make him one.Use him to his strengths in the offense.
Vonleh is an irritating player. He looks like he has tremendous physical tools and skill but it has never translated onto the court. Dude shoots under .500 from 0-3, that is absolutely pathetic.
Olshey should reassure Stotts he's ok job wise and have him start Dame, CJ, Harkless, Noah, Nurkic the rest of the way to see what we have, and what we need.
Meyers.....what happens when you get way more than what is 'yours' and are performing way under your contract?
