that's the giant disconnect... I think people advocating trading Dame because Portland can't build a contender around him in the next 3-4 years know that Portland couldn't build a contender around what they traded Dame for either
He has proven himself all the way to the finals. Ant has played well on a tanking team. Sure swap them and Ant could have done as well or better, especially with the ~best coaching in the league.
I think we could’ve traded him for pieces to build a young team in the Boston ilk with young stars. Simons and Sharpe are nice young pieces in the mold for a young foundation. I think we waited too long and won’t get the value back for him anymore. But I still think we should trade him because I’d rather be really bad instead of just treading water and hoping to make the playoffs. I’ve always felt that way with my pro sports teams. Especially in a team like the Blazers who essentially have to build through the draft to compete.
Yeah personally I'd like to see Dame on a real contender before he's too old. Would love to watch Dame while also watching our young guys get playing time and getting better. So long as it wasn't on the Lakers I'd be happy to cheer for Dame on a different team.
In other words, we should hang on to Dame because our front office can't be trusted to do their job? Not that I disagree with that! For the remainder of Dame's contract, this team will be mediocre to bad. With our current ownership/GM there is no alternative scenario that looks much better.
no...that's your interpretation mine says you don't trade the best, most loyal player in franchise history on fairy-dust speculation, that somehow someway, 5 or 6 or 7 years in the future you magically find a way to build a contender I think that's nonsense; at least it's nonsense if you don't allow for the same magic to work with Dame on the team. Magic is magic
You realize Phil is 84. Damn Straight! Let Cronin and his staff work this thing for a few years. Funny how some aren't willing to give this plan a few years, but are ready to blow it up for hope that 7 to 10 years from now it will be different. And a new owner doesn't guaranty anything either . I'm hoping with a little player development, and a few tweaks of the roster with some additions ,over the next couple of years, the plan works. If Ant, Nas, and Sharpe meet expectations, we will all be glad Dame is still here. Wanting him to win it all on a different team is ridiculous.
We haven’t even started the season with a healthy Dame a new power forward, Anf ready to bust out and possibly one of the best players in the resent draft. Couple that with Hart, GP2, Winslow, and a mix of good young talent , we could be a dangerous team. Plus there could be trade to improve. Someone tell me a Dame package that brings back equal value and guaranteed success?
This pro sports. Loyalty is neat and all and like I said it’s nothing personal with Lillard I think he’s awesome and a great ambassador for the team and city. But it’s all about winning baby.
We will scrape to make the playoffs. Sending Lillard away to make us dreadful to rebuild around our young guys would be a plus in my book I hope I’m wrong and we’re some kind of miracle Mets aberration. But I’m not seeing it.
lol...do you really believe Portland would be getting any top-6 picks for Dame in the next 3-4 years?
yeah if they trade, Nurk, Simons, Grant, & Hart too. even then: 13th pick - Sebastian Telfaire 3rd pick - Martell Webster 2nd pick - Aldridge 6th pick - Brandon Roy's knees 1st pick - Greg Oden 11th pick- Jerryd Bayless 6th pick - Dame 11th pick - Meyers Leonard 10th pick - CJ Dame was by far the best outcome of those 9 lottery picks and 5 top-6 picks. One top-20 player. And the two all-stars besides Dame showed no loyalty at all to Portland when they had the chance to
If you believe the current team/FO/ownership can get to the finals before Dame's current deal ends, I'm not the one snorting fairy-dust!
