Dame all but demanding vet roster

Don't make me insult you again... I commit to the facts (except when i misremember them)!

There appear to be way too many licensed psychologists and telepathist on this board for me to get into the how players/coaches feel, think, and try.

 

How about that mid-season tournament?

 

I’m definitely not a psychologist but I have dealt with people professionally for 20+ years and it’s not too hard to read people. You can tell when someone is mad right? Or sad? Or dead serious? I don’t think it really takes some kind empath.

 

I've read enough data based studies that suggest we greatly over-estimate how good we are at driving, reading other people, etc. for me to give into how good of a read I have on people.

I know I've thought that people here undoubtedly were being sarcastic or tongue in cheek when making a wild point, only to find out, I was wrong, and they were being serious!

Obvoiusly if someone I know is crying. laughing, etc, then I feel like I have plenty of info to make a conclusion. When people I don't know, give conflicting information, that's where I stay out of it unless the situation forces me to make a determination. Luckily, with basketball, I don't need to decide if Whiteside is trying hard on defense, I've got data base indicators to tell me if he's being a productive defender.

 

I agree that it’s not always easy to interpret subtext from written words. That requires some prior knowledge about the person, and I think people tend to read in their own inner voice. So if it’s something that they would say with sarcasm, they would tend to read it in a sarcastic tone of voice.

But we have the advantage of actually hearing and seeing Dame speak these words. Dame is very much a genuine and honest dude. He got pretty annoyed when Dwight Jaynes asked a follow up question and repeatedly said he thought he was clear.

 

How many times has this got to be said ---

Ayton is NOT the answer for the Blazers and unless he wakes up and starts to act more mature he will be OUT of the league by the end of his new deal.

Please stop it with any deal that has the blazers landing that damn headcase.

 

lol Athletic 24 year old big who averages 18/10 is not going to be out the league in couple of years. He’s 24 I know lots of 24 years who matured as they got older including myself.

 

Out of the league by the end of his new deal while averaging 18 and 10? Are you insane? Hyperbole much?

Nobody is suggesting he is THE answer. What some of us are suggesting is that if you can get him for Nurk and pieces than that's an absolute win for a 24 year old former #1 pick.

 

And his 35 mil contract?

 

I agree... I hope Dame saying he wants to win and retire in Portland is what happens!

 

The issue is that if he's not THE answer, his contract will likely prevent the Blazers from even attempting to address the problem.

 

Paying Grant 30 mil a year would be a bigger mistake than trading for Ayton.

 

I just don’t think it’s that simple. Dame is laying out the parameters of how he wants to try to win. Not really unlike any other job, although most of us don’t have a massive contract backing us up lol.

I had my manager leave back in January and they dumped some of her responsibilities on me. I asked for more money or a promotion, so like Dame I attempted to put some conditions on my changing environment. Unfortunately for me they didn’t cave and I had to choose if I wanted to leave because they didn’t respect my requests. I chickened out because I didn’t feel like finding a new job right now. So the question that none of us know for sure is what Dame will do if they don’t cave.

 

Could be a similar experience with Dame, who knows! Sorry you didn't get the extra cash at work, that sucks!

 

Yeah… I’m getting some good experience but not really happy about it.

 

can we sign and trade grant for Ayton, use Ant/Nurk for another deal

 

Dame knows that feeling!

 

As with most players, especially young ones, it comes down to their attitude and work ethic, both of which we have to rely on others to inform us about. But it sounds like that is a problem for Ayton. If he were dedicated to getting better and if his teammates actually liked playing with him, then I could see rolling the dice on him.

As for Grant yeah 30 million per is a lot for him. His 3 pt shooting for a guy with a 7'3 inch wings span can be really beneficial for the right team. His ability to catch it high and shoot without bringing the ball down is a huge asset. He also is a good finisher when cutting to the basket. However, I don't think he is a great fit for every team. He needs to be paired with a more physical forward. Miller and he would not be a good duo.

I know others disagree but IMO Grant and Siakam would be a great tandem since Jerami's strength is spreading the floor and Siakam is good with the ball in his hands. I assume we are not going to get Pascal so who else can be paired with Grant that will justify re-signing him for anything close to that amount?

 

I bet…. Although I wish I was collecting his paycheck while being unhappy