And here we are again, with another rival acquiring a star player. Yet this time, it's even worse. Who knows how hard Portland tried, but it wasn't hard enough. Yet again, the closer we seem to be to swinging a trade to make us a contender, the further away we are. Of course, it has to be the fucking Lakers. Of course, New Orleans didn't offload Hill, and of course, New Orleans will wait to complete the deal in order to give LA a MAX slot for free agency. Just when Golden State falls apart, the Lakers are here to get free handouts and replace the Warriors. Despite terrible draft picks, ownership, management, and culture, they're still in position to have two superstars and another all-star. Meanwhile, Portland is the team that has a great culture. A great group of guys. Drafted reasonably well. Micromanaged their way into a WCF... And yet, here we are again, losing out to the smog-breathing assholes to the south. I don't even know if I blame Olshey. Apparently he was willing to put C.J. on the table, but who knows if that was true. Who knows what he tried to do, but once again our GM can't close on a trade to bring us to that next level. I don't blame the people who are frustrated with Olshey, and I don't blame the people who aren't. Both sides have solid reasoning for their opinions. But personally, I want a GM that can make magic happen, but maybe that's not realistic... With that being said, if we don't make something happen, we won't be noticeably better (and could easily be worse) than the Lakers, Warriors (once Klay returns), Rockets, Nuggets, and/or Jazz. If the Thunder are able to figure things out and improve, they could easily join that group. People can think that making the WCF automatically means we're a top 2 team in the West. Or that doing what we did without Nurk means we're a true contender. That's fine. I wish that was the case. I hope their right. But again, we head into the off-season with optimism for legitimate improvements that seems more and more hopeless every time a star gets traded to a rival. Portland is likely to lose two of our three key free agents. Who knows how long Nurkic is out next year. And that leaves me with this... If Portland can't make a legitimate upgrade this summer, we're not going to be a true contender. This team is built to have a chance at the WCF, it's not built to win a championship. I'm sure there are warriors out there that will blast me for not thinking this team is a true contender, and I wish I had that level of optimism. But looking at the way the roster is likely to shape up next season, I'm feeling somewhat hopeless right now. I'm pissed that LA gets gifted Davis and likely another free agent, but more-so... I have no confidence in Neil to do much more than dumpster dive. He's a great dumpster diver, and it helped us make a WCF last year. Hood, Kanter, and Curry were all great. But now that we're set to lose a couple of those guys, and the fact that our only free agency asset (the MLE) will have to be used to retain whichever one is kept, and Neil isn't in position to dumpster dive like he was in the past. Minimum level signings won't take this team to the next level. Collins and Simons aren't going to morph into all-star level players next season. There's one path to contention, and that's making a trade for a guy like Otto Porter Jr. That's making a trade for a risky guy like Blake Griffin and hoping he pans out. That's why it's so frustrating to see Portland continuously on the sidelines while their rivals are able to make the moves that would vault Portland into contention.
Karma will happen to these Fakers. Lebron has played as much Ball as a 45 years old. AD hasn't been the healthiest dude either. Other teams haven't yet put their chips on the table. If I were Portland, I would go about my business. Zach (or whoever plays that 4 spot for us) will have lots of work todo this year. He better gets in the Gym now. Now I hope Kawhi comes west. Even the F*&^ Suns might be competitive. The Mavericks won't be pushovers ... The West will be brutal once again next season. Looks like it might take 55 wins to make it to the playoffs.
You're thinking if everything goes well for the Lakers. Nobody would be surprised if injuries got in the way.
It's more-so about us. I want to contend, instead of being ecstatic to make the WCF and riding into the off-season as if we should hang up a banner for it. We can contend with one good trade. That's all it takes.
Already knew we wasn't getting Davis but let see who they put around them to declare them champions. Let see what other teams do in the off season before we declare who going to the playoffs next year.
Could you imagine being a New Orleans fan right now... Imagine this you find out the Blazers traded Dame for: Two non lotto picks, an injury riddled PG who can't shoot, a guy who has a blood condition, and a #4 pick in a class with only two guys that are even close to "for sure" type prospects.
How did everyone here feel with the L@kers got Malone and Payton? Looked pretty bad for us on paper. Ended up looking bad for them in the box score.
I get the frustration, but let’s be real. It’s not a matter of “try”. It’s a matter of having the right pieces that the Pelicans want more than what other teams are offering. There’s also the calculus about how many assets you’re willing to give up for what AD’s agent insisted would be a one year rental. The league got played by that asshat. It’s only the first move of the summer. Here’s hoping the Blazers have a plan for some serious upgrades.
Didn't they go to finals with that group and only lose because Kobe decided he wasn't going to pass to Shaq...?
