After a strong preseason, what should the Blazer's goal be this year?

Honestly, there probably a lot of guys that fit that demographic. We just don't know because we don't follow the ins and outs of every other team that closely and they were players who failed -- there are a lot more draft picks that bust or underachieve than hit, so none of us know the big reasons why they missed.

But I'm sure there are a number of players that stepped into situations where there was no veteran leadership or such dramatic roster turnover by incompetent management that it contributed to their detriment because they never learned the nuances needed to become a winner at this level where everyone is so gifted.

 

Something tells me they will probably move Grant but maybe keep Simons? I have absolutely no reason to think that other than just the way it appears to me.

 

in his first 5 seasons, he played on teams that won 35, 39, and 41 games

but do you believe he'd been a better player or had healthier knees if he'd played on teams that averaged 45 wins?

 

We've been pretty active wit the trade of Dame and also the drafting of Shae, Scoot and now Don. Two sevens and a three. And this year Im sure we will be in the lotto mix. Check out the last 10 years of #1 picks not one has been won a ship yet. Not saying they won't. Some damn good players and only one I deem generational.

 

And my problem with that is that is going to cost us some serious lotto odds... Which is unfortunate.

 

I think his whole attitude problem was part of the people he played with yes. I wonder if he had better leadership around him if he would have handled the rehab differently and extended his career?

 

ok...that's my point. It's an unproven theory that some people just suspect has to be true. Maybe it is, to some degree, but I am unconvinced

 

It's definitely a long-term thing. We won't win a championship probably in the next 10 years. But we could be incredibly competitive for 20 years on the strength of this rebuild if we do it right. And maybe get some championships along the way.

 

That could definitely be a Ricky Davis thing...

 

I think a lot of that depends on a couple of things: First, where are the Blazers and second, what's the market for Simons and Grant?

Trading off players who are playing well just for unknowns isn't the way to build a winning team. Don't presume if you have the worst record that you're going to have the first pick, don't presume that top pick is going to turn out to be measurably better than the seventh and don't presume any of them are going to be better players or better for your organization than the players you're jettisoning.

 

Two edged sword? Might get them the most back out of the trade in a very strong draft?

 

Simons & Grant don't have the potential to net us the potential difference between a 12 pick and a top three pick.

It would be nice if they could, but I just can't make that math work in my head.

 

you mean better leadership like Simons and Ayton?

by the way, I know you're not a big advocate for either player. But if they aren't winning type leading players, and evidence is they aren't even close, I don't understand why there is so much resistance to the arguments for organically tanking after trading them

 

But the odds of getting a better player in the top seven are far better than turning Grant or Simons into that kind of player.

These odds don't even compare. It's not close.

 

That's the way it appears to me as well. And that is pretty discouraging, honestly.

Hopefully having Great defenders at every other position will be enough to make up for his lack of defense... But he really needs to become a better playmaker as well...

Maybe his value will increase if it looks like we're on a winning team... Who knows.

Again, I'll enjoy the wins if we're able to win. But I'll always regret not taking the opportunity to dip deep into the draft one or two more times, if indeed that's what happens.

 

the Nuggets records in the first 7 full seasons Melo spent there:

2003-04 43-39
2004-05 49-33
2005-06 44-38
2006-07 45-37
2007-08 50-32
2008-09 54-28
2009-10 53-29

he was in the playoffs every one of those 7 seasons. And George Karl was his coach for 5 of those seasons. Karl was a pretty good coach

 

BTW, back to the players that failed because they landed in bad situations, I think it's fair to look at the inverse to that.

How many players do you think we look at as stars or at least very, very good players because they stepped into situations where they had good coaching, good FOs and some good mentorship on the team?

You easily could make a list of players that were terrific in winning seasons, parlayed that into a nice contract but went to a bad organization and never did anything there.

 

my perspective is that players show up in the NBA with the talent and character to succeed...or they don't.

and the people here advocating for good coaching (with good reason) as the key should be advocating for Billups to be fired

 

Tanking is for losers.