Yep. I read a couple comments and I was like... "But the guy you are bashing responds the same way you are right now, and you bash him for it. LOL some people dont have mirrors or something.....Must be all that JAQing off. LOL.
As a rapper, poet, performer and musician he is vastly overrated in my view....as a basketball player and franchise leader who's broken NBA records and is listed with the best of the best he's underrated. He's also banged up right now...if he doesn't score 50 a game don't let that fool you into thinking he's any less special. He does not have to put every game on his back to prove it either. When I think about Dame this thread title doesn't even cross my mind.
Dame is diplomatic enough to influence, he’s already been doing it, imo with regards to coach and CJ.
Technically you are right on and I agree that employee’s / players should just do their job. Thats the old taylorism closed door management way, now days key employees wt all levels are asked to provide ways to improve a process or product/service.
His NBA records are an amazing thing. It seems like the question is, how can some of that translate to the post-season, and can the team grow with him as the franchise player. Right now, they are fighting for their non-play in game lives at #6. That would be fine if this was Dame's 3rd or 4th season but in season 9, it seems not out of line to ask why it hasn't become better?
It's good to ask Lillard's opinion. The players, especially the ones who are the main drivers of success, should have some input on the people they have to work with to create that success. Player-coach is a partnership, so it's not at all unreasonable that player opinion should be solicited. But ultimately, the buck on that decision stops with the GM, not the player.
If anyone wants to sell their Lillard swag, merch, jerseys, memorabilia, etc, at a substantial discount I would be interested in buying!
Guys, I don't blame anyone for asking a question and this is an easy opinion to fall into but I do not think he's overrated. In fact, given the right coaching and complementary teammates, I think he'd be better than just an all nba second teamer. I think he'd win an MVP or a few. Leading through positivity and by example as a peer is a very effective leadership style, especially when you have people above you who have the leverage to hold people accountable in ways that are far less humiliating. This is LeBron James's leadership style and has served him well. (Edit: It was also Magic's leadership style and went well for him too) The fact that Dame has undying loyalty to everyone around him is the only reason we're able to hold onto him. The narrative that he is compelling the franchise to keep the GM, the coach and players that don't fit with him is where it gets interesting. If that is the case, then yes he's not just overrated, he's the problem and a valuable problem that should be cashed in through trade. I just don't have the evidence and don't think that's the case. There are two scenarios why I don't think that's the case. One is that you're right and Dame does throw his weight around and keep things from moving along but that isn't compelling or making the team do anything. This is still on the ownership/management. It's their job to say that this isn't working and that they will no longer be letting him run the show. You ask him if that will result in a trade and make it clear that you won't put out a false narrative that the team abandoned him. The other and most likely possibility is that Dame is just loyal and like he has with so many other moves, he would be sad to see his friends go, talk about how it's a business, think about his "letter O" brand and everything that means, and then get in line and work his ass off for a new coach and new teammates being put together by a new GM.
This team's star is all about loyalty so he will not flex his influence to institute personnel change at any level. That is going to have to come from above and if he is flexing his influence to absolutely stop change then that's the only time his loyalty is a problem and the organization should move on from him. If he sees his role as the ultimate team guy that has the back of everyone around him until ownership/management moves them and then moves on to having the back of everyone else that has played with or coached him (like he's shown over and over again)... that's a strength and a rare one. It never has to fall on Dame to be a catalyst for coaching changes or player movement... he can be the best in the game by leading through his example and supporting those around him. He doesn't have to diagnose roster problems or problems with coaching strategy, that's just not in his job description.
If Dame has done things to keep Stotts just because he is comfortable with him despite how overmatched he seems at times and unable to make adjustments, it seems fair to question if that is in the best interest of the team overall. If Dame has let it be known he doesn't want his BFF CJ moved because he is comfortable and likes him, I get it, but it seems again, fair to question how that helps the team in the long run. If another player was available that had a more well rounded game and more length and Dame offered a dissentig opinion, of course the GM can still make the move....but it is a players league. Players like LeBron, Kobe, MJ, etc have made their opinions known when it came to coaches, players, and trades and often didn't give a rat's but about friends. It's why Jordan was such a success. Maybe a bit of an ass, but few winners haven't pissed off someone along the way.
