Game Thread 2024-25 GAME #56 - BLAZERS VS LAKERS - FEB 20, 2025 - THUR - 7:00 PM - CHARGE - BLAZERVISION

I haven’t been this frustrated in a long time. Watching Grant and Ant log big minutes while shooting a combined 4 of 25 and playing terrible defense is mind boggling. Sharpe should be finishing games playing him 21 minutes is not developing him. Sure did a point need to get across that he needs to play defense yes, but I thought he played a lot better in 2nd half while Ant and Grant looked like shit. Im getting concerned that coach has lost Sharpe.

Preaching to Sharpe and Scoot that you don’t want to be that player that teams repeatedly attack in pick in roll. Then you watch as Ant is attacked over and over in pick in roll.

 

So the best team lost!

 

We got out-rebounded 48 to 33. You can see that Lakers made a wise choice getting Finney-Smith instead of Grant at a much cheaper price. I don't think Banton is a great player but would be happy to see him take all of Simon's minutes. At least teams can't pick on him every time defensively. Would rather see McGowan play than Simons.

 

If I put enough knee braces on and got a Hyaluronic Acid shot in each knee before the game, I think, yes, I could match him!

 

HE’S BACK! #BAM

 

It is. Teams just don’t tell you

 

You see that salary? Thats why he will never come off the bench

 

Who told YOU? You got that inside info son?

 

Toumani makes less than Rob, Scoot, Shaedon, Kris, Dalano, Duop and Bari... yet he starts.

 

Come on bro I mean your most expensive player or 2 is DEFINITELY going to start no matter how sorry he is

 

I think that's correct if you are still planning on trading them. I think your supposedly unwritten rule will be put to the test next season when I think Ayton will still be on the team and the highest paid player but I doubt he'll be starting, unless he makes marked improvements to his consistency when it comes to defensive effort.

 

sad part is instead of getting 1-2 1st round picks for him we may have to attach a 1st rounder or couple of 2nd rounders to dump him. I’m sure that’s why they are playing him, hoping he can get hot to create fools gold for some sucker team next year

 

Ayton is still our best center (RW would be but not healthy enough). Offensively he’s a good player and makes game easier for Scoot

 

This is just a really bad situation. He shouldn't be playing but if he is benched completely it would be a bad situation with a very unhappy player and also this unused player taking up a roster spot. If they buy him out, then his salary can no longer be used in trades but still is a drag on Portland's salary cap situation. Have I got any of this wrong and does anyone know what a solution would be?

 

Welcome to Tobias Harris ville -- that is now Grant maybe a touch better but not much

I do not blame the idiot for giving him a deal as much for what I have said trying to get more then he was worth.

 

I'm hoping next season is about more than just who is the best player at every spot. I hope the player with the most upside that embraces the system the most is the guy that starts. That shit makes sense to me. So if Ayton continues to bring it when he feels like it and dog it the rest of the time, then I really hope next season we sit his ass.

This team needs to be about culture and building the best habits for success with the youth on this team that will give us the best chance to win it all in the future. I just don't think that's Ayton. Now if Deandre buys in then I'm cool with him, sure I'd still like him to use all of his physical gifts to take it strong to the hoop more often and block shots at the rim but if he can just give consistent high effort that would be enough but he hasn't done that yet in his career across multiple coaches, Chauncey has already seen the "I don't give a shit" Ayton way too much.