that’s what I was thinking. I was surprised so many didn’t think that team could improve. GS was so dominating at that time and to have big leads in every game seems like we weren’t as bad as people thought.
not in game 1. Biggest Blazer lead was 5-0 Game 1: ************************************************************************************************ Game 2 was different. Looks like biggest Blazer lead was 17, early in 3rd Q Portland led 108-100 with 4:28 left in game: 4:16.0 D. Green makes 2-pt layup from 2 ft 3:54.0 C. McCollum misses 3-pt jump shot from 29 ft 3:34.0 K. Looney makes free throw 2 of 2 3:19.0 C. McCollum misses 3-pt jump shot from 26 ft 3:06.0 A. Iguodala makes 2-pt dunk from 1 ft (assist by D. Green) 2:42.0 C. McCollum misses 2-pt layup from 8 ft (block by D. Green) 2:30.0 K. Looney makes 2-pt layup from 1 ft (assist by D. Green) 2:09.0 M. Leonard misses 2-pt layup from 2 ft 2:01.0 S. Curry makes free throw 1 of 3 2:01.0 S. Curry makes free throw 2 of 3 2:01.0 S. Curry makes free throw 3 of 3 1:47.0 C. McCollum misses 3-pt jump shot from 25 ft 1:03.0 S. Curry makes 3-pt jump shot from 29 ft (assist by C. McCollum) 0:52.0 K. Looney makes 2-pt dunk from 1 ft (assist by D. Green) 0:32.0 C. McCollum misses 2-pt jump shot from 11 ft 0:12.0 D. Green makes 2-pt layup from 3 ft (assist by S. Curry) 0:04.0 D. Lillard misses 3-pt jump shot from 28 ft (block by A. Iguodala) 111-114 The Warriors, as usual, threw a blanket over Dame and insisted that CJ couldn't beat them. He proved them right by going 0-5 in the last 4 minutes ********************************************************************************************* Game 3 was similar....biggest Blazers lead looks like 18 points ************************************************************************************************* Game 4....biggest Blazer lead in 1st half looks like 12 points Meyers Leonard hit a 3 point basket with 32 seconds left in the 2nd Q giving Portland a 69-57 lead....then, disaster: 0:28.0 S. Curry makes 3-pt jump shot from 30 ft 0:09.0 S. Curry makes clear path free throw 1 of 2 0:09.0 S. Curry makes clear path free throw 2 of 2 0:02.0 S. Curry makes 3-pt jump shot from 31 ft 65-69 Blazers built back a 17 point in the 3rdQ, 95-78 with 1:55 left, then more disaster 1:42.0 S. Curry makes 3-pt jump shot from 30 ft 1:05.0 D. Green makes 2-pt layup from 2 ft (assist by S. Livingston) 0:35.0 S. Livingston makes 2-pt jump shot from 8 ft (assist by Q. Cook) 0:15.0 K. Looney makes free throw 1 of 2 0:15.0 K. Looney makes free throw 2 of 2 87-95 if you're keeping track, that Portland being outscored 17-0 in the last 2:23 of the 2nd and 3rd Q's game went to OT, but Warriors made plays, Portland didn't the noticeable number was that over the last 3 games Portland led for over 99 minutes; Warriors led for less than 37 minutes. But Warriors led when it mattered https://www.basketball-reference.co...ference-finals-trail-blazers-vs-warriors.html
Yeah I think it's probably too early for us to trade for Giannis. At least need to have a core make the playoffs before an all-star would want to join, let alone MVP candidate. Now if there was another way to get a Sabonis type of player first then also get Giannis yeah maybe that would make sense. Just don't think we have the assets for both. We're probably going to be the most discussed team for Giannis trades - but as the 3rd team.
The Athletic: I like that we're getting rid of Jerami but I'm not really a Sengun fan - I'd rather stick with Clingan.
So we give up that super 2029 pick and two swaps to flip Grant for Sengun. Id clearly rather keep the picks but I guess if someone thinks Sengun will be an allstar then there's the argument for it. Now if we get the 2027 Phoenix 1st Id consider it.
The more I think about it, it's become clear to me that when Cronin traded for Bucks, picks, his eye is on Giannis. - Giannis is the type of superstar that's ok with small market - He is a needle mover - He would want out should the Dame pairing not succeed - Having their future picks gives us a path to land him So yeah, Giannis to be a Blazer this summer.
Good points. Yeah I guess I just think of him as more of a role player or a guy that looks good on a team of equal level starters.
You can think of him as a role player if you want to but it doesn’t make it true. He hasn’t reached his ceiling yet. He has poor man’s Jokic potential. And when Jokic retires, he’ll be the best center in the league.
Hjs defense is poor. Clingan is someone we have needed for a long time and is a great rim defender and is still young himself. hard pass