A heretical thought / And something about Orlando

I think the goal for this summer is to add one more veteran impact player to the core of Dame and Grant, beef up the bench with a couple of vets and, as you say, be in a position to be in the mix. I think truly contending is going to take Sharpe developing into the player we all hope he can become, and perhaps another summer of tweaking the roster.

 

I agree, Again, not saying I want Dame traded, but if Ant can bring in the 6, 11, Harris and another player you have to do it. Is it possible? I have no real idea what Ants value in. But if all of a sudden Portland has the 3, 6, 11, 23, 43. Damn. Dame would not like it, but if picks are available instead of difference maker vets, you've got to pivot. Now I wholly subscribe to the theory that too much youth is never good. You just can't develop 5 players all at once. They need room to grow their games and make mistakes and have a couple vets (Juwon Howard) sprinkled in to teach and help them get through rough patches.

 

Yep, I think so too. If Sharpe and whatever we get at #3 can become consistent impact players by Jan 2025, and we can add a legit vet or two, we could be in position to seriously contend after this season. Depending on Lillard's longevity...

 

I’m not holding my breath for that Magic trade to happen. Certain Magic fans may be dumb, but their management aren’t.

 

"Dwindling credibility" implies having some to begin with...

 

but what's your ceiling?

 

If he’s like most of us around here, a tinfoil hat.

 

only in your Gazebo when you are chugging Martinis. Or should I say, your wife's Gazebo because that's how it works around my place

 

They aren’t 19, so no objection from Dame

STOMP

 

IIrc, Grant measured 6’6.5. Miller skipped the pre draft so we’ve no idea how tall he is but everyone knows he’s a finesse player or not a rebounder.

STOMP

 

I will be very unhappy if they deal away their future for slightly elevated mediocrity just to appease Dame. If that’s what happens it will absolutely tarnish his legacy as I know I’ve plenty of company with this view

STOMP

 

No it needs to be a second star. It needs to be aggressive. It needs to put the best team around Dame that he's had or we need to move Dame then build around Shaedon, pick 3 and what we get for Dame.

 

I don't think he expects the Blazers to trade away the future. Otherwise he would have bolted after we drafted Sharpe.

 

He had good reason not to. One month after Portland drafted Sharpe, Dame signed the max extension with Portland 2 years 122M. Now with fat long term money assured he’s making roster demands…

STOMP

 

I thought he signed that because he was loyal???

 

"I don't have much of an appetite for building and guys 2-3 years away from really going after it. I think we get Shaedon at 19 and he's just different. I think just being around him, his disposition, how he listens, his frame, his natural talent and his ability... that's enough 19 year olds. And you probably won't find one that will come along the way he has. I'm just not interested in that. This is not a secret. I want a chance to go for it. If the route is to do that, well that's not my route. I think we're all in line with doing what we gotta do to put a team together that we can actually go out there and get something done."

This doesn't sound like a guy who has any interest in another rookie, especially one who plays the same position. Dwight Jaynes asked him a follow up if that meant a trade, and Dame said he thought he was very clear on how he feels. I find it highly unlikely that Dame has changed his mind in the past couple months. Dame wants to win now.

Watch this whole interview. Dame isn't emotional. This is a very clear and concise explanation of how he feels going into this offseason.

 

People are acting like there was some ambiguity or this was cryptic. This shit was straight forward. I think Cronin will either come through with a big trade around draft day or he will move Dame. I think this interview is proof that the two guys have an agreement about that. Maybe I'm not seeing the nuance but I just don't think Dame leaves a lot of wiggle room.

 

Dame even says, repeatedly, "I thought I was very clear about what I said."

He also said earlier when Quick asks him what the difference is between now and two years ago after the Nuggets series, Dame said he's not emotional about how he feels. He said whatever will be, will be. So I think Dame has drawn a line in the sand. He wants to try to win now. Drafting another 19 year old rookie is not part of that plan. He literally said it.