This franchise owes Dame everything to give him a second star for the rest of his prime

And Norm Powell had +11 in Game 5, and yet is being shit on for missing shots. Thank you for making my point for me.

 

and Dame only had a +2

just maybe, +/- for a game is kind of meaningless

 

We give up way too many easy buckets, period. Not just 3s, but layups, particularly when Nurk isn’t in the game. The one thing I did say Stotts did that I liked was playing Jokic straight up. When you double him he finds people for wide open layups most of the time. This gets his role players in rhythm then they start canning 3s. And frankly 3pt defense starts with dribble penetration as well. So not sure how people can complain about corner 3s and not acknowledge that as a result of an entirely garbage defensive system. It’s not like we give up 3s cuz we totally shutdown the paint. Or give up layups cuz we totally shutdown the 3. We give up EVERYTHING.

I do not care about the “standard” take around here. And frankly, I see more people saying our defense is “ass” in general rather than “oh we give up too many 3s.”

And, like I said, I don’t care if it’s a *good* shot by the numbers. Over the course of a game I like the results of continually attacking the rim rather than jacking up 3s. (More easy buckets for us {something Charles Barkley has been saying for YEARS and he’s not exactly some genius. Same with Shaq. “They get no easy baskets.”}, more free throws, causes foul trouble for the other team which would be a welcome surprise). It’s not all about “oh this is a better shot.” Over the course of 48 there is a lot more to it than meets the eye. Oh and then they’ll be more hesitant to close out quickly at risk of a blow by.

oh and guess what. When you’re missing shots but decide to attack the basket, good things happen.

 

"Go get a second superstar". Cool, wonder why the Blazers havent thought of this already? Dummies.

 

I can understand people feeling this way, but basketball doesn’t work that way right? Back to back processions down the stretch, Rico played fabulous defense on Jokic..... CJ made a HUGE break 3 late. We wouldn’t be in the position to win without those plays, right? Let’s hope Dame gets a HELL of a lot more help tonight though.

 

Maybe... just maybe.... because Neil has been unwilling to trade CJ?

 

Look for Carmelo to have a big game tonight. He was missing a lot of shots he normally hits.




Also look for whoever he’s supposed to be guarding to have a huge game as well

 

I hear you... don't agree on everything, but get where you're coming from.

We give up to many easy baskets, yes. The why is the bigger question.

I do not think simply attacking the basket all games would result in more points, I actually suspect it would be the opposite. What's the perfect balance? That's the tough question.

 

The Blazers have given Dame the reigns to the franchise since he was a rookie plus max deals and extensions....they've signed his cousin to the bench...kept his closest friends on the roster with the exception of Barton, Frasier and Ed Davis...
etc......Dame couldn't ask for a franchise to treat him any better than he has already been treated by the organization.....as far as winning...he's the captain....he has the ear of his teammates...there's no "poor Dame" scenario in his life.....he's a success story. Pure and simple. He also has the ear of the front office....I'm sure he's content unlike a contingency of disgruntled forum members. I think he's just getting started on his ring quest....he's actually taking defense more seriously since Norm joined the team...Gary Trent wasn't teaching that to Dame. When your best player and coach are on the same page, it's a good thing. I doubt he has unrealistic expectations about the journey to a championship that some here seem to have...thinking a small market team would dominate the league from the first game to the finals. A lot of things need to fall into place for a championship....we have a shot but I'd probably put money on the Nets to win this season given how stacked they are.

 

Damn all this for a short handed Nuggets team. Imagine what the next round would be like. If we even get there... Lmao

 

First - No team, outside of a few select teams (LAL, Mia, etc), gets a star player through FA. It's a reality of supply/demand. The majority of teams feel that way.

Secondly - there were MULTIPLE opportunities to trade CJ for an upgrade in the last 5+ years. Some of the more significant missed opportunities are:
+ PG13 traded from Indiana for Oladipo & Sabonis (Olshey wasn't willing to include CJ)
+ Jimmy Butler traded from Chicago for Dunn, LaVine, & Markkanen (Olshey wasn't willing to include CJ)
+ Jimmy Bulter traded from Minny for Bayless, RoCo, Saric, & Second Rndr (Olshey wasn't willing to include CJ)
+ Kawhi traded from Spurs for DeRozan, Poltl & Pick (Olshey wasn't willing to include CJ)

However, at this point - I'm more of an advocate to trade CJ for a comparable talent (Christian Wood) who has a salary that would allow Portland significantly more flexibility (bringing in a backup PG using a TPE).

 

How much money would we need to move to be able to offer Kawhi a max deal?

 

figure on the 1st year being around 40M, so, 35M. This summer, CJ + Simons would hit that mark but I don't see any reason for LAC to cooperate

 

They wouldn't have to cooperate. I'm talking clear cap space to make an offer.

 

oh!

well, if the salary cap is 110M and Kawhi's max is 40M, Blazers would have to be at 70M in guarantees

Dame and Nicholson's ghost will be 46.6M. RoCo and Nurkic add 25M so Blazrs are already over the margin but maybe Kawhi would sign for cheaper than the max. BUT, that's only 3 players so you have to add 9M for 9 roster charges

so, in order to make the space it would have to be Dame, one of RoCo/Nurkic, Simons, Little and Elleby

Blazers would have to waive Zach; hope Jones opts out; renounce rights to Powell; and trade CJ and one of Nurk/RoCo for TPE's with no salary coming back

snowball meet hell

 

How the hell are we still on the books for Nicholson

I know we bought him out and stretched the contract but Jesus. Are we still paying varajao too

 

Allan Crabbe
Mason Plumlee
Mo Harkless
Al Farouq Aminu
Meyers Leonad
Ed Davis
Gerald Henderson
Noah Vonleh
Pat Connaughton
Jusuf Nurkic
Evan Turner
Shabazz Napier
Jake Layman
Zach Collins
Caleb Swanigan
Rodney Hood
Nick Stauskas
Enes Kanter
Seth Curry
Gary Trent Jr.
Hassan Whiteside
Kent Bazemore
Mario Hezonja
Anthony Tolliver
Anfernee Simons
Carmelo Anthony
Trevor Ariza
Nassir Little
Robert Covington
Derrick Jones Jr.
Norman Powell

since Olshey achieved his wet dream of being able to build a contender around Dame AND CJ, it's been a revolving door of role players. Dozens of role players. And Portland appears no closer to contending than they were 6 years ago. All those changing faces in the 2nd and 3rd row and Olshey has found no magic beans

maybe it's time he realized the issue isn't with the supporting cast, it's with his co-star

 

Yes. After this season Varejao will be off the books. We have until '24 before Nicholson is off the books

 

Here is the issue guys....Unless the other star is a number one option....We will continue to get the same result.....