right....geeeezuzzz you guys champions the last 30 years: Bulls - Jordan & Pippen Bulls - Jordan & Pippen Bulls - Jordan & Pippen Spurs - Duncan & Robinson Lakers - Shaq & Kobe Lakers - Shaq & Kobe Lakers - Shaq & Kobe Spurs - Duncan & Parker Pistons - Wallace & Billups (exception?....but the starters combined for 16 all-star games, 12 All-NBA awards, 13 All-NBA-Defense awards, and had a 4 time DPOY) Spurs - Duncan & Parker Miami - DWade & Shaq Spurs - Duncan & Parker Boston - KG & Pierce Lakers - Kobe & Pau Lakers - Kobe & Pau Dallas - Dirk Miami - Lebron & DWade Miami - Lebron & DWade Spurs - Duncan & Kawhi Warriors - Curry & Klay Cavs - Lebron & Kyrie Warriors - Curry & Durant Warriors - Curry & Durant Toronto - Kawhi Lakers - Lebron & AD Bucks - Giannis Warriors - Curry & Klay Denver - Jokic Boston - Tatum & Brown 29 out of 30 champions not only had one dominant player, several had two. The one 'kind-of-exception', Detroit, 21 years and 4 CBA's ago had 4 all-stars in their starting lineup this notion that a team can actually contend, rather than just pretend, without a superstar, is pretty loopy. If it was that possible, the list above would look a lot different
I don’t know, but go find that footage of him destroying Team USA last early summer in camp prepping for Paris. He was holding his own in my opinion.
I think if we get Flagg and maybe even if we get Bailey that it will be Scoot coming off the bench. Both Shae and Deni initiate the offense very well. The kind of size and athleticism you could put on the court would be overwhelming to opponents. Shae Tou Flagg or Ace Deni DC
Yes, for a 17-year-old old he looked amazing, but do you see any NBA-type defense being played in this scrimmage? No doubt he will be a star in the NBA, but my point was that everyone seems to think the only way the Blazers can compete for a title is if we draft a wing who can take over games and dominate offensively. I am not sure that he is that type of star. As Stomp said, he is "the ultimate connector".
On D, Flagg knows what he’s doing. On O, against college players — against good teams — Flagg will decide time to shoot a 3 and make it … feels like a spin move to the hoop … drive and dish … BUT there will be plenty of work to do that against NBA players. He’s a dude. A sure-thing kind of guy. Harper looks like an NBA guy. Everyone else? Skills, abilities, potential … and a good to excellent class with some guys not drafted in the top 4 who will hit and make some GM looks good (and bad for passing on them). That’s what I expect. Keep the pick unless it’s a needle moving trade. Like the results of the Deni trade. Build around Deni and Shaedon? Yes and no. Add-in the names Toumani and Donovan as keepers and the answer is yes. Scoot, too? I think so. It doesn’t mean putting Shaedon on the no-trade list, but that trade would be big.
I think Duncan was absolutely a dominant player, one of the top 10 difference makers/winners I've ever seen. That I'm comparing Flagg to him is high praise. It seems we may have different defintions of what a dominant player is. As far as Portland becoming a contender, internal improvement from the current roster could get them there as well. I see lots of upside from the 3 lotto picks and promise from the roster. Time will tell if Shaedon's handle & shot become money, Scoot evolves into a Bball savant & how far Clingan gets above this baby giraffe physical stage. This season has been very encouraging... next season should be telling STOMP
Just to clarify. I do not think this. I think we need to have as much or more talent than other championship contenders. Once you have that much talent you can then set about balancing your team. But you first need to have the excess talent.
it's as if you don't think posters have grasped your point the previous hundreds of times you've stated it. The season went this way because they traded for Deni who has made a huge difference and gives them real hope. Tanking for a single player is always a longshot at best and the actions of a desperately undermanned team. STOMP
How is that an actual problem for Portland? If any smaller market evolves into a contender network honks won't be pleased, but whatever... part of me will enjoy the whining if Cleveland and OKC make the finals STOMP
You clearly do not grasp what I'm saying because I've never suggested tanking for a single player... Posts like that encourage me to keep restating my position to clarify that dealing for Deni likely cost us at least two very high draft picks and possibly a 3rd very high pick via trade, which is only protected if it's the #1 pick.. As well as any other value we could have gotten out of the mid first and MB. Now. On the face that is a good trade. If we have enough talent to give up that kind of haul then that's good. The question is, do we have enough? That remains to be seen. That's why I don't say it was a bad deal and why I make sure to say I'm happy about having Deni. It's why I don't hold it against Cronin and am happy the team extended him. But it is worth considering, IMO.
to want to get maxed out? I do expect that to likely be a much higher priority for anyone Portland might draft then appeasing Screamin A who I view as completely irrelevant in their career path STOMP
I disagree. You obviously don't grasp the point. I'm sorry I don't have the communication skills to get it across in a way you can understand.
