I would say that his best opportunity to improve is against high level competition. And that is what he will get with Team USA.
So if he was so much better than anyone else do you feel they would have left him off? I don't. He has work to do, that is what he should have taken away from it.
He's playing against the same high level talent 82 games a year at least. Doing it year around just wears him down and hurts the Blazers. I personally don't see the value to us.
It's a mini camp, after what happened last year during a practice game I don't think the competition will be going at is as high as you think. And do you know what is better than playing against high level competition in a mini camp? Playing in every fucking preseason, regular season and playoff game available to be played for the last 3 straight season. Playing against the best players in the world, full steam, in games that matter.
How did that work out for Dame last year? IIRC he got off to a shaky start last season and people were freaking out. Then he finished the year in a slump. The general consensus around these parts is he didn't have a very good year.
It all helps, def. By going to Team USA practices, it gives him an opportunity to be up close and personal with other guys. In areas he is weak on, he can pick their heads on what makes them great in areas in what he is weak on. Or gives him to work with coaches who can really help him in areas he needs help in. Like with Thibs on the defensive end for example. It's a good, valuable learning experience for him, IMO. And onethat helps him improve.
How did that work out for Dame last year? IIRC he got off to a shaky start last season and people were freaking out. Then he finished the year in a slump. The general consensus around these parts is he didn't have a very good year.[/QUOTE] The dude can use the rest.... Bottom line, I didn't like his reasoning for not going. He could used different talking points.
On that I can agree. He could have been more PC ("Publicity Correct"). But it doesn't really bother me. I interpreted his statement as giving them a well deserved middle finger.
So you think going to the FIBA games is more important than getting acquainted with his new teammates?
Exactly this. Like it's really an honor to play in some FIBA game... Give me a fucking break. He will play in the Olympics where earning a gold medal actually means something.
He showed up to the PF to workout and ran drills with them before summer league and then flew coach on SW to Vegas to be with them during summer league. He lives in Portland during the off season and regularly works out at the PF. Is that good enough or did you want him to go their houses and introduce himself? If his new teammates come to Portland he is with them.
I don't think that Dame benefits more from FIBA. He's not a young 19 year old that needs experience, he's an all star that will improve by focusing on fine tuning certain things in his game. He wouldn't be able to focus on such things if he was playing FIBA ball. If anything it'd just make it worse as he's going into a season where he'll get tons of defensive pressure and attention. He'll need to be as fresh as possible.
Same thing happened to me in high school. Beasted in the post in try outs, guarded guards and bigger guys. Dudes me and the boys use to destroy on the playground all got selected over us cause their parents played politics while our parents worked all day. I didnt try out the next year either and enjoyed watching the team suck.
I like that Dame has an edge. Not like that one guy who played for the Blazers who seemed to keep his genitals wrapped in Charmin.
