No. Five years, three all-star selections, and zero playoff series victories is not enough to warrant retiring his number, Houston 30 foot game winner and Dallas game 4 moments notwithstanding.
Limited Upside NBA podcast: Are the Blazers growing stale? Last year was a bit of a letdown for the Blazers, though Jusuf Nurkic’s arrival perked things up a bit. But with a bloated payroll, is this as good as it gets? by Mike Prada and Ben Epstein Sep 12, 2017, 4:05pm EDT TWEET Listen to Limited Upside’s Portland Trail Blazers preview here. This is the 17th of Limited Upside's 30 team previews leading up to next season. We're bringing together representatives from all 30 SB Nation team sites and other team-specific experts from the SB Nation/Limited Upside community to gauge the temperature of the fanbase heading into the season. Check ’em all out here. Blazers fans didn't have a ton to do this summer, giving them more time to think about the overall state of their franchise. Last year was mostly rough, but a great finish salvaged some hope. What now? Brian Freeman and Peter Sampson from Blazers Edge join us to discuss the following: Why fans are apprehensive about this year and the future despite having two core guards and plenty of stability. What happened last year before Jusuf Nurkic came aboard? Why was the same mix of players so much less effective? Lillard and McCollum. Dame and C.J. They're the stars of the team and they like each other, and they're great people. They also have similar games and may not be fully maximized next to each other. Is this a pairing that's built for the long haul? Is there a ceiling for the duo? How do fans feel about having them as the two best players? Lillard is the leader, but where does C.J. rank in that pecking order? Why was Nurkic so effective last year? Can it last? What's the level of trust in Terry Stotts and Neil Olshey right now? How badly did the franchise botch the summer of 2016? You've been gifted the magical powers to give one of Al-Farouq Aminu, Maurice Harkless, and Evan Turner a consistent, proficient three-point shot on high volume. Who are you bestowing the gift on and why? We spend some time reminiscing about Brandon Roy because he deserves it. Some tough choices were made for the all-time banana boat -- but there was one easy one. Why did the Blazers pick Zach Collins and Caleb Swanigan when they already were overloaded with bigs? Predictions, best/worst case scenarios, and much more. [/QUOTE] Why fans are apprehensive about this year and the future despite having two core guards and plenty of stability? Because the Blazers have continued to be unable to bring a big name free agent to Portland. Though Carmelo Anthony isn't exactly a free agent, he controls where he goes, and so far has not removed his no trade clause to be sent here. Too, fans are unsure of Evan Turner, and with the exodus of Allen Crabbe, there is a seemingly gaping hole at SG. Fans are unsure of Connaughton's ability to step up next season with more minutes and responsibility. Fans are unsure of Neil Olshey, whose sole summer transactions outside of the draft and the Crabbe trade, are signing CJ Wilcox and Archie Goodwin to a 2 way and a non guaranteed contract respectively. Fans are restless. They are waiting for Olshey to use the trade exception, pull off a Melo trade, the season to start....anything please. What happened last year before Jusuf Nurkic came aboard? Why was the same mix of players so much less effective? The Blazers didn't have Nurkic. Players didn't understand or weren't able to function in their roles. Allen Crabbe was over estimated and a large contract was wasted on him, Evan Turner had a difficult transition to Portland, having come from Boston where he was the main initiator of the offense off the bench, he touch the ball too few times, and couldn't get quite comfortable. Mason Plumlee was really a power forward playing undersized at center, and while he was a good passer and offered a mild offense, he lacked the size to help defensively. The Blazers offense was stagnant without a third scorer to keep opponents honest on defense. Nurkic opened up the offense with his movement, his passing, and his ability to score and pull down offensive rebounds. He took off the pressure and was a Juggernaut defensively. Lillard and McCollum. Dame and C.J. They're the stars of the team and they like each other, and they're great people. They also have similar games and may not be fully maximized next to each other. Is this a pairing that's built for the long haul? Is there a ceiling for the duo? How do fans feel about having them as the two best players? I think Lillard and CJ have different games, with some similar aspects. They are getting better and better, and with a healthy full year of Nurkic, look to see them to have their best year statistically. They re built for the long haul. Everyone has a ceiling, but Dame and CJ are still young and on the rise. Fans are ecstatic. Lillard is the leader, but where does C.J. rank in that pecking order? Second duh! This is Dame's team, but CJ plays a very important role. He is the Blazers second go to scorer. Why was Nurkic so effective last year? Can it last? Have you seen his dad? But, really Nurkic is a beast. He was horribly underutilized in Denver. The Nuggets were so stuck on Jokic they let Nurkic slip through their hands, and are sorry for it. Nurkic is the real deal, a big man who can do it all. Because of his size he is almost impossible to guard and will block the crap out of you on the other end if you look at him wrong. He draws players off of the perimeter opening the offense. I think not only will it last, he is going to better this year than last, if that is possible. He has slimmed down, gotten into great shape, and has been working on his game. What's the level of trust in Terry Stotts and Neil Olshey right now? How badly did the franchise botch the summer of 2016? There is a pretty high level of trust in Terry. He is an above average offensive coach, though he relies on a three point heavy system a bit to much.The Players love him, and the fans for the most part approve of him. The concerns begin on the defensive end. Stotts is not a defensive coach by any means of the word. The Blazers need to add a top notch defensive specialist Assistant coach to put next to Stotts and balance him out. Olshey, is a crafty GM whose slyness makes a fox look meek. He has fallen into the same trap as every other GM in Portland's history and hasn't been able to bring in big names, and is taking some blame from fans. Blazers fans are among if not the most passionate in the NBA, and are hungry for a championship, for sucess. When that doesn't happen as quick as is hoped the GM and coach take a beating. I'm pretty sure Neil has a few more years to make something happen before he is in the hot-seat. Stotts is safe for now. But, expectations will continue to build among fans. Where Neil probably messed up by matching Crabbe and panicking and offering Turner so much, he really messed up by resigning Meyers Leonoard. He spent a lot of money to keep guys, and get Turner. He did try to get Whiteside, among other big names. If could be worse, he got lucky that Parsons opted to sign with the Grizzlies. You've been gifted the magical powers to give one of Al-Farouq Aminu, Maurice Harkless, and Evan Turner a consistent, proficient three-point shot on high volume. Who are you bestowing the gift on and why? Aminu, Harkless and Turner already have one, or close to one. Aminu is in horrible need to keep opponents defense honest We spend some time reminiscing about Brandon Roy because he deserves it. Yes, Yes he does. He had a great career in Portland, and like Lillard is an Icon. Those Damned knees. But, regardless he made Portland proud and the fans will remember him. Some tough choices were made for the all-time banana boat -- but there was one easy one. I'll just assume you are thinking about Damian Lillard Why did the Blazers pick Zach Collins and Caleb Swanigan when they already were overloaded with bigs? Because as injury prone as big men are, you can never have to many. Too, the Blazers need a real backup for Nurkic and out looking for a possible future starting PF. Not to mention at first I was going to only answer this question with two words: Meyers Leonard. Predictions, best/worst case scenarios, and much more. Best: Blazers win 55+ games, make it to the western conference finals, further Worst: Blazers suffer massive injuries win 40 or less and miss the playoffs Realistically: Blazers win 45-50 wins, 5th in the west, make second round Predictions: Vonleh is the starting PF to begin the season, but is replaced by Swanigan before Christmas Nurkic remains a force to be dealt with, and improves on last years stats. Dame and CJ have their best year Carmelo Anthony comes to Portland, as a Knick to play against the Blazers Evan Turner picks it up, and has a good year Connaughton gets Crabbes minutes and plays better than Crabbe did with those minutes Meyers has a better year, then gets traded at the deadline. Davis returns to old form
Blazers make a lot of trades: "This instability is gonna crush us - we need to be more like the Spurs!" Blazers don't make a lot of trades: "The Blazers are growing stale!" Truth: It's a nonissue. You guys are just bored. The offseason needs to end, and soon.
Nurk actually plays a passing game and moves his ass to the basket. He reminds me of A. Sabonis. I still wonder why Meyers can't do it!
You can't teach that type of stuff. You can learn post moves and get better like Jermaine O'Neal did. You can shoot over and over coming off curls and become a better midrange shooter like we watched Travis Outlaw become. But when it comes to the feel of the game, the spaceing, or "courtvision" you either have it or you don't. Nash, Sabonis, Magic....born with it.
Yeah, I was just pointing out that Crabbe is the only player of any consequence who left. As much as I liked AC as a guy, I don't think his contributions on the court will be hard to replace. Nurk is still the Blazers big move. It happened last season, but we still haven't seen the full results. Other teams made splashy moves this offseason, but I think Nurkic will have as much impact as any of them.
We got the high draft picks, ended up with one superstar in Roy, a stud big in Aldridge, and a projected once in a generation big man in Oden, the makings of a dynasty, and it still didn't work out. That is what I meant. I don't fault anyone for wanting the blazers to tank for high draft picks, it totally makes sense, but I also don't fault anyone for wanting the team to consistently "put a good product on the field" either.
Players should have their numbers retired basrd on hire meaningful they were to the franchise, which isn't easily measured by raw career totals.
And I posit that his contributions to the franchise weren't really all that meaningful in the grand scheme. He had a few good years, but nothing on par with any of the guys whose numbers actually are in the rafters, of which there are already too many.
If he had the career he should have he would easily be up there. The dude already lost a career because of his knees, he shouldn't also lose the respect he deserves. He also put Portland basketball back on the map in Portland after the Jail Blazer era. Blazers #7 and Brandon Roy are synonymous. He deserves his number retired and it'd be nice to give him that tribute because he would've been a top 5 player in Blazer history.
