People were saying Fire Olshey only just a few short weeks ago. Then he pulls off a trade that not only got the team the center they needed but also got them another draft pick to go with the other two they had. Portland came out so far ahead with that trade that the table has turned completely around. Now the score is a win on Lillard. A win on CJ. With the way Meyers Leonard has responded to having a true center to practice against it even looks like he was a win also. They log a win with Nurkic. They also seem to have got a pretty good piece in Turner. Who would really say Neil Olshey at this point has not been successful in Portland? Not I... Not I. This 3 year rebuild seems to be on schedule and i for one want them to make the playoffs this year.
My needle went from quivering to moving with this trade....for me..since the trade, we now have a team identity. If Crabbe could play like he did tonight and Leonard as well...we'd win a lot of games
I have absolutely been critical of Meyers this year. I honestly started losing all hope he would get better. Then i watched his game after this trade. The very style that the team is playing seems to fit him better. Not just that but i am sure he is getting practice against a true center and that is having a huge effect on his overall game. Then with the move putting Aminu off the bench he has played much much better. These are simple changes from finally getting a solid rim protector that can score and distribute. It's made a huge difference.
@kjironman1 is a fan!!! Missed you big dog. Totally agree. It's like people think the trade machine is realistic.
I am going to try and get back into solid posts again. Been teaching for the last few months. Very busy. But this team might just make the playoffs and we got to support that so here i am back at it.
I see ML gaining confidence out there due to he knows he going to play every night. But him just watching Nurk I think help him get more aggressive. Same as Vonleh in his game.
He shoots a variety of shots very well. Maybe it is time for Terry to encourage that. Less 3 pt shots and a few more mid range.
The only point I'll contest so far is that how many practices with Nurk does Meyers have? Unless you meant something different, that kind of confused me. Regardless, it's good to see we finally have a team.
He did have a week of All-Star break and then they have had a few days off while at home. I just see a different player. Some of that i attest to practice but most due to the change in the way plays are being called and what the team is looking for in general. Bottom line is Meyers Leonard seems to be one of the biggest winners with the addition of Nurkic. Very small sample size. Just my personal eye test.
If Olshey can convince one GM that Meyers is worth trading for, this would be his biggest win. A real magic trick
Not going to happen at this point but it might at a later date. Also you might rethink that if he keeps playing well. 10 million is a steal for a 7 footer than can shoot and back up Nurkic.
This is a quote from Stotts last night. "There's no question he's had an impact," Stotts said of Nurkic. "I don't want to undersell that. But I do think everybody is playing well off of him. But I think he has infused some energy and a different look. His style of play is obviously different than Mason (Plumlee). The way he's been able to integrate with our team on both ends of the court has made a huge difference." This is what i am talking about. It's not just Nurkic. It's what the team is doing as a whole.
How good the trade might turn out is tempered by the fact that NeO was put in a position of his own doing that he HAD to make a deal. It's fortunate it worked out as well as it has but if the Salary Cap wasn't pushed right up to the Luxury Tax and there was room to re-sign Plumlee, would they have moved him? Remember how much everyone liked Plums, his hustle, his passing his demeanor.....and it was only because of where they were on the Salary Cap that everyone knew he would have to be moved. Credit due for pulling off what looks like a good trade form a position of having no leverage. But what would have occurred if the Blazers weren't in a HAVE TO place to start with?
