How's everyone feel about Smokin' Joe Cronin now?

We did track.

 

Come on man…. He didn’t need to do that hit piece on the way out of town. That’s a new transgression.

 

Using an honest statement to embarrass a team that embarasses itself. Portland was asking for it. It wasn't just grumpy fans going after Lillard all summer. Team sponsored podcasts and paid broadcasting employees turned into Lillard bullies and said some horrible stuff.

 

What terrible things did a team sponsored podcast say?

Honestly asking so I don't accidentally support it.

 

To answer the question of the thread ...

The salary structure on the team is better.
The future looks hopeful.
The draft was good. A good forward was resigned in Grant and an excellent defender in Thybulle matched.
Nurkic + Lillard + two guys who have some promise (but dinged up) were traded with an elite defending PG to be traded later, the arrival of a better center in Ayton, plus a prospect and draft capital ... I'm in.
Joe's making some pretty good sausage and media water carriers are talking about how it reportedly and anonymously-sourced-types say it got made?

I never wanted Lillard gone. Still don't. Cronin is doing just fine.

 

If Dame got what he wanted from the tanking, would he have mentioned it to anyone?

I'd appreciate an honest answer.

 

Highkin ... "we should just bench Lillard until he retires" followed by a cackled laughter. That's not funny to go live with that on YouTube. Lillard worked his ass off in Portland, just so a skinny twerp that only reports what the team tells him to, can threaten to ruin Damian's illustrious career.

 

Lillard bullies? Lol

 

CP3 + Kuminga + ‘26 unprotected 1st is an okay deal, good deal if you’re in love with Kuminga. The problem is actually extracting any value out of CP3. If the Heat offered Lowry and the ‘26 unprotected Lakers 2nd, I would take it, but I don’t even know if if they’d rather clear Lowry’s salary or gamble on CP3’s health.

To me, PWill has the same kind of potential. So if we could extract more value in addition to PWill from the Bulls for Holiday and eating Lonzo’s contract, that’s definitely a better deal to me. Lonzo could be a contributor in ‘24-‘25 when he’s playing for another contract. A ‘28 and ‘30 unprotected 1st from them are extremely valuable, as they’ve already made one all in move and are still middle of the pack. They’re basically in the same position as the Blazers were a couple years ago, so at this point, it’s make the all in move again or rebuild.

The Clippers ‘28 and ‘30 unprotected 1sts + a ‘29 unprotected swap are also very valuable and trading Holiday there still can get us a valuable vets like Batum, who if nothing else would be a great mentor for Rupert.

I would also consider 2 1sts from Boston with Williams, Brogdon, and filler. Their 1sts aren’t as promising as ones from LAC or CHI which is why I have them behind LAC/CHI/BRK as favorite destinations, but Williams at backup C is a great rotation at the 5. Brogdon could also come back eventually, and a team like the Clippers could still want him.

 

Are people ignoring the Haynes article? I can’t find anyone talking about it.

 

Haynes can get fucked.

 

@SlyPokerDog and @BonesJones were both right when they heard that Joe Cronin is a liar and treated Dame disrespectfully. They essentially detailed exactly what Haynes wrote.

I was totally wrong and I apologize. It just seemed so conspiratorial to think that Cronin was being petty. But not only was he being pretty, he was being psychotically childish as well. He essentially pushed Dame to this point then pushed him out. Fuck that.

 

Regardless, it all fits perfectly together. And half the details are Dame quotes. Joe is an asshole and a sociopath.

 

You consider Haynes an impartial source?

 

What I was talking about was Joe saying he was building around Dame. The only one of the items above that is true to that goal was getting Grant. Everything else he has done has been rebuilding.

Over and over again he said he was building around Dame and over and over again he (or maybe Bert Kolde as I'm not sure how much authority Joe really has) made deals that were contrary to that stated goal.

 

No, but it’s not an opinion piece. It’s essentially Dame being Dame explaining about a fucked situation, which in turn, all makes perfect sense.

 

how about Jason Quick on Athletic podcast, saying Dame's trade request *hamstringed the organization. Then acting shocked and oblivious during several contradictive statements. Responding to a mole faced reporter asking fake questions why Lillard asked out. "Yaaa, i dunno why Lillard asked out. Cronin signed an armada of 10 rookies, you know. Yes, big surprise."

hamstringed... That's referring to a cut so deep it incapacitates someone from using that leg ever again. Harsh words for a legendary iconic Blazer who just got traded for an All-Star point guard Holiday, young player with potential, + 1st round draft pick & swaps.

 

Where's the other side of the story?

 

It may not technically be an opinion piece but it's full of opinions and insinuations and unanswered questions.

Such as, what was Miami's offer to Portland, knowing they were bidding against themselves?

 

Hamstringed just means to block the effectiveness of someone or something.

That's exactly what Dame's agent did.