Blazers have talked to San Antonio about Kawhi

Because he’s not into the bright lights lifestyle and everything that comes with it. The media,etc. That’s why he doesn’t live in LA, even though he’s from there. He’s settled in his personal life. Portland would fit him, as would the culture Lillard has created within the team.

And I don’t agree that Portland hasn’t had an appeal on players. Many former blazers still maintain homes in Portland. Dame lives there full time. Not every NBA player is into the NBA lifestyle. Some prefer a more laid back atmosphere. Kawhi is one of those.

 

I'm older, it took too much thinking.

 

Sometimes I think @jlprk is a little crazy, but one point he makes frequently is about the Portland media, most of the sport personalities here are jerks... They’re constantly tearing down the players, constantly trying to start crap and I think that does wear on guys. From my experience (which isn’t a lot I know) with other media markets they’re critical sure, but they at least pretend to what their teams to succeed. Portland has a bunch of guys who seem to get pleasure out of tearing them down.
The Portland media is worse about perpetuating the story that no one wants to be here than the national media, who literally ONLY cheers for big markets.

I think the media plays a huge role in the Blazers ability to keep and get players. It’s also played a huge role in the type of team the Blazers have constructed since the early 2000’s.

 

You’re giving those dorks too much credit. I personally don’t think the players give a fuck. There are multiple Canzanos in the bigger markets.

 

Murray can be a SG

 

Let’s get real, the biggest detractor is our taxes.

 

I like my shooting guard to be able to shoot.

 

Nah. People say that a lot but I think it’s bull. Half of the games are played out of state, so Oregon taxes don’t come into hit that income. Most states have income taxes. Oregon’s top rate is 9.9%. California taxes incomes over $1,000,000 at a whopping 13.3% and that doesn’t stop players from wanting to go to the Lakers or Clippers. Besides, when guys buy their Porsches and Land Rovers, there’s no sales tax here and licensing fees are dirt cheap.

 

Bigger Markets also have other things to talk about.

 

Right. All of that is temp life though. but as far as wanting to live here? Our property taxes are large.

Lakers and la will be la. Just like ny. I’m talking about competing with the Miami’s and San Antonio’s and Minnesota’s. The biggest factor for players choosing them over us I think is taxation. Or the lack of. Texas is known to save players millions.

 

The West is such a brawl, every team is one key injury away from being knocked out of the playoffs. Outside of GSW and Houston, no one has much margin for error.

 

But players like to spend money - and we have no sales tax. As for the property tax, land/houses are still cheaper than in Cali, or Denver, or any big city on the east coast.

 

True on the spending but housing here is actually fairly spendy now. No not nyc, San Francisco’s spendy but there isn’t near the gap there once was. Portland average house value is actually pretty high.

 

Wright can shoot. They're high 6'5, skilled, good playmakers, and lockdown defenders.

 

Hollinger's analysis must be based a lot on last years numbers

 

Get Jimmy Butler and put him at SF. He isnt signing back with Minny. They would be stupid to let him walk.

 

In March, Portland built a huge margin for error for 3 seed and then fell apart and still got 3 seed and get no credit for it.

 

I mean it was good they kept 3rd and shit but dude....it’s no accomplishment that they had to battle for 3rd seed in the final game of the year. We dropped a few games that we shouldn’t have dropped and I still say we coulda’ stole one against Houston ...but neither Houston game is what I’m concerned about. They flat out showed why they haven’t gone far in the playoffs despite having success...inconsistent

 

Good point. Respect.

 

It's NO ACCOMPLISHMENT we battled for 3 seed in last game of season? What did you think last year at this time? That we would get 3 seed by at least 3 games or better??