The super Melo to Portland thread + The Big Blockbuster

I'd laugh so hard to see Melo step out of the PC in OKC and take a big whiff of those cattle stockyards and oil derricks!

 

collison just resigned this month so I don't think he can be traded till december

 

Until your best players contracts are almost ready to expire and you haven't down more than be the 7-8th seed every year and they want to be traded...

 

Prince's estate is going to be a hot night spot ....I heard they'll have concerts there and open it to the public...

 

I can't believe I said "hot night" while talking about Minneapolis

 

It's extremely frustrating to me that everyone seems to want to move here....... except NBA players.

 

Dame on The Dan Patrick show this AM:

“I think people talk about what it would be like in Portland or to play in Portland, but actually having lived here, I live here year-round, so I know it’s a great place to live. Some of the best food in the United States. You talk about loving the game of basketball, our team and the soccer team are all the city has, so we get a lot of support and our fans really back our team and are really passionate about our team. That type of environment, and that type of love and support around the city, what NBA player wouldn’t want to be a part of that?”

Well, Dame...... almost all of them, I suppose....

 

Come on. I know we love to play the pity card about our lack of significance in the NBA universe, but get real. Carmelo considering OKC instead of Portland has a lot less to do with the city than it does the fact that a big three of Westbrook, George and Melo would be seen as a lot more ready to contend than one that included him with Dame and CJ. Last I checked, flight times from OKC to NYC to see his son are a lot shorter than if he were flying from PDX.

All of that said, I don't see what the Thunder has to offer that would make this a real possibility.

 

Poor New York. The teams that Melo will go to, have nothing to trade. The teams with something to trade, Melo won't go to.

I love it.

 

I'm not even talking about the Melo situation specifically. There was no pity card being played. Dame's quote was a general quote, even if in some form of response to the Melo situation. I think Dame's assessment is spot on (though you can argue I am biased), but the fact remains that we do struggle to draw big names.

 

Dame's the best.

 

Hey, we lucked out with Dame and CJ. Both very good dudes. Committed to the craft. Love the game. Open, honest, well-spoken, engaging. Love Portland.

 

My post wasn't aimed at you specifically. There's a lot of the same sentiment expressed in other posts in this and other threads. Unfortunately, I think that the Blazers are likely a year or two away from being able to pull off a trade for a big name. The team needs to grow, achieve some more success, and most importantly, have a young player or two show sufficient promise that they are a good trading card in pulling off a big trade. We aren't going to have cap room any time soon, and haven't been real successful with it so far, but trades (at least ones without the rare no trade clause being involved) don't rely on getting the approval of the incoming player. We'll eventually build a big three (or four), either by internal growth or by pulling off a big trade. But I don't see it happening this year.

Prove me wrong, Neil.

 

I am officially on board with our players joining Team USA. Apparently, that's the only way to recruit super friends. Le Sigh.

 

They're so well spoken!!!?!!

I love that they are too. Listening to guys like Darius Miles made me want to smash my head up against a wall.

 

My thoughts on the best way to improve the attractiveness of the Blazers to free agents and players seeking trades:

1. Overachieve this year instead of underachieving.
2. Dame needs to make the All-Star team. Not easy given the depth in the West, but he's going to have to make the leap by such superior play and overall team success that there's no way to leave him off. CJ should be pushing at his heels for All-Star consideration.
3. Beat some of the top teams in the league, especially the Warriors, in a game or two this year.
4. The young guys have to grow up fast and make the Blazers' bench something to be feared (other than by cringing Blazers fans).
5. Play some damned defense! (Channeling my inner MM).
6. Make the top half of the Western playoff bracket and win a series against a healthy and legitimate playoff team.

Do all of that and the view of the Blazers as a rising team will be recognized around the league and the attraction as a great place to play will grow dramatically. Repeat last year's .500 season by barely getting 8th seed and then getting swept by the Warriors...forget about it.

 

They have great rhythm too. Well, Dame does, at least.

 

Bruh, CJ be feelin' it!