being a little skeptical that both Scoot and Sharpe will become top-15 players in the NBA is "ultra negativity"? Being skeptical that Portland not only has a Big-3 now, but a Big-3 that will be good enough to make the Blazers contenders is "ultra-negative"? When Portland has had a contender for 24 years? I've said several times I'm hopeful about both players, even though I've only seen about 20 minutes of Scoot in one game, in summer league. I'm even a bit hopeful about Ayton, with some reservations. But I guess that's not spewing enough unbridled optimism for some of you I just looked, in the wins predictions thread, out of about 17-18 predictions, 7 were lower than mine and 3 others were the same. I guess I have some company in the ultra-negative clubhouse.
going by his highlight reel, Rose does seem to be a good stylistic comp; that's why I mentioned him. I sure hope Scoot hits that mark, even though I'm an ultra-negative hater
I got to thinking about the part of your post where you say that without a transcendent player you need at least 2 top 15 players to have a true “big 3” that can contend. Are there any teams out there that are constructed that way? Maybe the Lakers if you consider LBJ to be post-transcendent and Davis to be still top-15. Boston? I don’t think Brown is top-15. Same with the Heat. Jimmy’s probably still top-15, but Bam’s more like top-25 to 30. Looking at past Blazers contenders: Walton probably was transcendental that championship year (in more ways than one). Clyde, Terry and Buck- Clyde was top-15, but Terry and Buck were more top-30. Sheed, Sabonis, Pippen, Smith - Sheed was top-15, the rest were a committee of slightly past-prime stars. I guess I would say that there are probably more ways to construct a big-3 and still compete than the 1 transcendent or two top-15 models. Although, I would certainly be thrilled if the Blazers grew into either of those.
transcendent was probably too hyperbolic a word. Maybe Top-5 would have been a little better; or MVP level and sure, there could be another template that might work in an exceptional year. Again though, when you look at past champions over the last 40-50 years, the templates for just about all champions have been that MVP level player with excellent support, or two top-15 players with excellent support. The only exception I see is the 2004 Pistons team. But that team would be nearly impossible to replicate under the newer CBA's
