Can the Blazers realistically contend in the next 3 years?

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by SharpesTriumph, May 24, 2022.

?

3 years contend?

  1. Yes

    32 vote(s)
    57.1%

  2. No

    24 vote(s)
    42.9%
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  1. STOMP

    STOMP mere fan

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    Unfortunately Portland is only returning one future HoFer from injury, not three. Golden State also made some quality strategic moves to build around their core studs, but mostly their return to relevance is because of Curry, Klay & Draymond. Also having Looney return from a myriad of health issues has been key to their D and rebounding.

    STOMP
     
    STOMP, May 24, 2022
    #21
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  2. julius

    julius I wonder if there's beer on the sun Staff Member Global Moderator

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    Please note that even with what I posted above, I still voted no.
     
    julius, May 24, 2022
    #22
  3. julius

    julius I wonder if there's beer on the sun Staff Member Global Moderator

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    I don't know, it's not like Dame doesn't have the track record of taking untalented teams to the playoffs.

    Think about it this way, with an injured Dame, and him missing well over half the season, CJ got hurt, Nurk got hurt and they threw in the towel over the last what, 23 games, they were *still* only like 10-14 games out of playoff contention.

    If there's no Dame next year, yeah, they're a top 5 pick. But add in healthy Dame, Simons, Nurk (the biggest if of the roster, imho), Hart, and maybe a decent PF signing, and they could be a playoff team again.
     
    julius, May 24, 2022
    #23
  4. illmatic99

    illmatic99 formerly yuyuza1

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    with the dearth of superteams, it's becoming far easier to achieve contender status than has been any other time in Dame's career. The template is there.

    Build a strong defensive team that can shoot threes. And hope and pray for injury luck.

    I think the road to a title is more open than it has ever been in recent history.
     
    illmatic99, May 24, 2022
    #24
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  5. julius

    julius I wonder if there's beer on the sun Staff Member Global Moderator

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    I just realized something, Hart is probably the best wing option this team has had since Dame's like 3rd year in the league, with maybe only Batum being a better overall fit.
     
    julius, May 24, 2022
    #25
  6. wizenheimer

    wizenheimer Well-Known Member

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    I don't know if the poll is going the direction the OP thought it would

    "realistically" is certainly a subjective word in this context
     
    wizenheimer, May 24, 2022
    #26
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  7. blazerkor

    blazerkor Well-Known Member

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    I actually think that if you can make Dame and Ant the actual sum of their parts on offense and not a liability on defense then that's the first step and that could be a reality under Chauncey. I think the deal I've talked about a little too much where we send 7 to Houston for Wood and 17, then 17 and hopefully not too much future draft capital but probably too much for Grant would make us a contender immediately. Not a title favorite but just a team that could beat any other team that I see in the league in a seven game series if things broke the right way for us.

    Dame, Ant, Grant, Wood, Nurk, Hart, Nas, Justise, backup big with pick 36, Trendon, Keon, Greg, Didi and pick 57.
     
    blazerkor, May 24, 2022
    #27
  8. SharpeScooterShooter

    SharpeScooterShooter SharpeShooter

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    Hello. This post far exceeds mediocrity. Couldn't agree with this more.
     
    SharpeScooterShooter, May 24, 2022
    #28
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  9. Mediocre Man

    Mediocre Man Mr. SportsTwo

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    And the playoffs? Totally different defenses in the playoffs
     
    Mediocre Man, May 24, 2022
    #29
  10. julius

    julius I wonder if there's beer on the sun Staff Member Global Moderator

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    1-1 in the playoffs when he scores over 50.

    Over 40? 2-2.

    2 of those losses came against Denver, when while the Blazers were "supposed" to win, that Blazers team was shit on a shingle.
     
    julius, May 24, 2022
    #30
  11. Mediocre Man

    Mediocre Man Mr. SportsTwo

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    You just backed up my argument….I think? Dame is fantastic, but Dame dropping 55 isn’t great for our team
     
    Mediocre Man, May 24, 2022
    #31
  12. oldmangrouch

    oldmangrouch persona non grata

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    There is one way the Blazers might contend in the next 3 years - keep the 7th pick and find a player as good as Dame and as NBA ready as he was.
     
    oldmangrouch, May 24, 2022
    #32
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  13. THE HCP

    THE HCP NorthEastPortland'sFinest

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    I love it! That is basically what the one kid try telling me was going to happen….sigh
     
    THE HCP, May 24, 2022
    #33
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  14. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    Natebishop3, May 24, 2022
    #34
  15. Tince

    Tince Well-Known Member

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    I'm still betting on teams with two 2 stars or a top 3-5ish player in the NBA. Sure there can be a fluke result every couple decades, but planning for the fluke route seems like a poor strategy.
     
    Tince, May 24, 2022
    #35
  16. beast blazer

    beast blazer Well-Known Member

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    We'd have to strike gold in the draft. Possible, but not likely.
     
    beast blazer, May 24, 2022
    #36
  17. Predator

    Predator The Godfather

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    They could realistically contend in 3 years if they hit a home run in the draft.

    They will have no shot at contending if:

    They trade #7 for Jerami Grant (straight up).

    OR

    They trade for DeAndre Ayton and pay him 30+ million.
     
    Predator, May 24, 2022
    #37
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  18. Phatguysrule

    Phatguysrule Well-Known Member

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    Sure, I think if we can pick up a couple of borderline all stars with length who can defend (Randle and Jeremi Grant?) we'll have a better shot at winning than Dame has ever had here...
     
    Phatguysrule, May 24, 2022
    #38
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  19. Idog1976

    Idog1976 Well-Known Member

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    If we are (PUKE!) trading the #7 (unless it's down or up for pick(s)) then we need to go for Ayton (only if he can be had for a reasonable price) and trade Nurkic+ for a wing.
     
    Last edited: May 24, 2022
    Idog1976, May 24, 2022
    #39
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  20. KSF-ERIC

    KSF-ERIC Well-Known Member

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    Do the Warriors have 2 stars or a top 3 player with height and length? Klay is a good player but not a star.
     
    Last edited: May 24, 2022
    KSF-ERIC, May 24, 2022
    #40
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