I’ve never understood people coming in and basically saying I’m right you’re wrong my opinion matters and yours doesn’t. What’s the point of coming into a forum if your opinion is only opinion you want to listen to? I take the open minded approach and with a good argument can be swayed to your opinion.
Yes, he reportedly had some attitude problems at LSU. He did not play that hard. But in the NBA hasn't he basically been Kawai Leonard (minutes the two rings) He gives 100% when he plays, he just does not play unless he is 100% healthy. The guy is at the point where he is playing for his next contract. I think the reason he has been working out hard in the weight room is he knows it is now or never if he wants a big contract again. Again when he played last year, he had some good games. Not saying his back issues are not a worry, but I am not that worried about him giving 100 % when he is out on the floor. I would still rather roll the dice with Ben's bad contract for two years than take Lowry's bad contract and buy him out.
Trying to play psychologist isn't the way to build a team. Ben can be a great player and only has two years on his deal. In one year he'll be a valuable expiring deal. If you can get additional assets then it's worth to take him on. He's still young.
Very interesting. Dame, Nurk and Simons all mentioned either directly or indirectly. Duncan Robinson way up there, as was Kyle Lowry.
Chris Paul saved Ayton's career in Phoenix. I'm thinking Scoot could do the same for him in Portland. I see pick and rolls all day with those two.
If the Blazers reached an agreement with the Nets on a Dame trade before the Joe Harris trade is finalized then Harris' outgoing salary could count in our trade as part of a pseudo three team trade. We could send out Dame and Nurk and really only have to take back the salary of Claxton and O'Neal. Nurk would fit in the KD TPE. The trade could look like this maybe even with one more first. Oh and I don't buy it that Brooklyn wouldn't be interested in trading for Dame.
It would be nice if those players were signed to longer term deals. That is the downside I see. On the other hand, that may be what it takes for BKN to do it.
Brooklyn is just so logical, I can't believe it hasn't yet been done. We're one of the few teams that wouldn't gag over the Simmons contract, they have young length and tons of draft picks. Lillard would lift that team to the top of the Eastern Conference. Even better, Brooklyn would get to f*** Miami. So, what's going on? There must be something.
The something is that Cronin is bending over backwards trying to appease Dame and his agent. Both Boston and Brooklyn offer significantly superior returns to Miami.
I'd do that even if we got less picks back. Brooklyn would be pretty good too (even though losing Claxton hurts). This starting lineup seems top-5 to me. Lillard/Bridges/DFS/Johnson/Nurk Best defenders Dame has ever played with and he can go thermonuclear on offense with 4 guys that can hit an open three around him.
I just checked Spotrac and neither Clowney or Whitehead have signed with Brooklyn yet, according to Spotrac that's beginning to be pretty intriguing in light of the Dame situation
I believe a better offer (or two) was talked about before they did due diligence with Dame and his agent who promptly made it so those offers were never formally acceptable.
Sure... you're welcome to think no other team has been able to offer value more than Tyler Hero and a couple last first round picks for a top 75 guy of all time coming off his best season... Not sure if you're kidding.
why would anybody believe any team other than Miami has made an offer at this point? I'm sure Cronin is talking to other teams but when Dame's agent is doing everything he can to torpedo Dame's value outside of Miami, other GM's are not diving in the pool without knowing how deep the water is
So you're saying Cronin gave into Dame and his agent even though there were great offers on the table?
I like Simmons. I'd be happy with a deal that's essentially Dame for Simmons and few future first rounders. I think a lineup of Nurk, Simmons, Grant, Shaedon and Scoot would be a lot of fun to watch.
