Ok this is another thing I don’t get. Allegiances - so? Should we keep CJ then? He traded for Powell because he’s better than Trent and took the risk regarding the free agency status. Everyone wants Olshey to make moves, take risks, do what he can to improve the roster. The Powell move was approved by almost everyone. Now he’s an idiot.
Funny enough, I didn't say anything in my original post about how I felt at the time of the trade. In the second post I was agreeing with you that I haven't felt great about this trade since the beginning though.
I mean, unless he was the final piece (he was not, though I liked his addition), the deal itself made little sense.
He just really didn't live up to the hype in the playoffs. Not sure if it was scheme, or what, but he didn't play like a 20+ million player. Neither did CJ, and I'm not saying Norm played badly, but he missed some clutch shots and he wasn't the factor that I would have liked. Maybe it was him playing the three.... I don't know.
Chauncey will be the best evaluator of the strengths and weakness's of Norm's play and if he's worth a huge contract. He knows what else is out there that could take his place too.
I agree. I think Billups has the potential to have the biggest impact on personnel, a rookie coach has ever had. Because he has Championship cred, with a team filled with quality players, not just superstars, he knows what it takes. He will also, hopefully, get out the best efforts and abilities of a group of players, that just last year, were picked as a potential Finals participant my multiple people in the Nat'l Media. Because they failed to meet expectations, many have turned on them, & said they're , basically, sans Dame, a bunch of hacks. We shall see if that matters to many on this team, and they are made of the right stuff.
I think the only way not to miss clutch shots is not to take them. I watched a lot of players on other teams this year in the playoffs that we all raved about....... missing clutch shots. I probably should not mention Pat C in this conversation because he is just a role player, but damn in the last two minutes of the game last night he bricked two free throws and a wide-open 3. But yes I get it he was out there for his hustle, rebounding, and defense. But still Holiday 4-19, Booker 0-7 from deep, Crowder 2-9 from deep.....they all do it. Giannis played the best game of his career and was out of this world, but still, there were other games where he flat-out choked in crunch time.
yeah unless Olshey pulls a miracle out of his ass, our success next season will depend the most on Billups. That’s scary because he’s a rookie coach, but there is an upside there as well, especially if you believe in his abilities to connect/lead as much as you believed in Stotts’ ineptitude.
There was a lot of national praise for our offseason last year, but I don't remember anyone saying we were a potential finals team. We basically achieved our vegas over under which was similar to national forecasts.
Some are saying this is a good thing for the Blazers. They will offer more money for 2-3 years. Word is $16-18 million per year. Sounds like that would mean CJ is gone. I have no inside info and have no connection to the team. Just what i am reading.
Well we don't know what impact Billups will have as head coach. He might be great and then might just suck who knows. There been great players that got opportunity to coach and flat on there face.
Honestly isn't that crazy of an idea. With the length of his contract is it possible they've already told him to be ready to grab the reigns?
I mean Dumars assembled that team in Detroit that Billups was on that won it all. James Jones put together a great team that nearly won it all. I think players are better talent evaluators, they don’t buy into all the money ball type shit that has saturated pro sports. obviously he’d need a Tom Penn type salary cap guru. But I think he’d be an awesome replacement for the guy who just hired him. Maybe the Billups hiring might be the best move Olshey makes all along because it found us the guy that ultimately replaces him.
If Powell moves on for 20mil or less per year it's a major fail on Neil. Now if a team like the Knicks gives him a near max deal at $30ish million I'm fine letting him walk. It sucks but I dont think Norm brings value on that type of deal.
