I don't see Nurkic's contract being a deterrent though as it is very team friendly. In Porzingis case, it may have been his rookie contract but they traded for him knowing he likely wouldn't play and now has a large long term contract and is out injured again. Nurkic is very near ready to play compared to when Dallas traded for Porzingis.
Davis made the playoffs multiple times. Even swept some team, can’t think of who they were right now.
Regardless the ironic thing in all this? What if "the wave" truly was the beginning of the end for Portland instead of OKC?
That doesn't make sense. Besides you're the one who's been saying they'll be good next year all season. Nothing has changed from that.
a lot of things going on in this thread.... * IMO, Portland doesn't have the assets to land KAT unless they include Dame, and then, what's the point? --------------------------------------------------------- * Nurkic injuries: 1): the current major left leg fracture(s). That was a significant injury from just jumping and landing; I don't think he even stepped on anybody's foot; that's concerning. It's not like PG13 crashing into the basket stanchion 2): two years ago he fractured his right leg; fortunately it was a non-displaced fracture 3): three years ago he had surgery to repair a torn left patellar tendon (knee) and missed 50 games 3 major injuries in 3 seasons including fractures of both legs and a knee surgery. Nobody should feel comfortable with that history. Especially not when viewed thru the lens of 7' players and injuries ------------------------------------------------------------ it's loony to try and dismiss AD's talent and impact because of the recent playoff histories of New Orleans. Portland and New Orleans have been completely different teams over the tenures of Dame and AD.
You're probably right about Portland not having the assets. I would hope we'd offer all the young guys and 3 1st round picks but that's probably not enough. With Nurkic you're missing a year in which he played 79 games for the Blazers and was healthy all year, so it's 3 out of 4 years not 3 out of 3. The two injuries with the Blazers took place towards the end of the season. The last one was in a game he played heavy minutes. Maybe he should be on some sort of load management? It is concerning though but there are plenty of examples of players that either were injury prone their whole careers or who had some injuries early in their career but have been relatively healthy since. Injuries can be a fluky thing so it's difficult to speculate. AD's comparison to not making the playoffs was originally in comparison to KAT and his struggles to win in Minnesota. However, I think it is a valid question why Dame has made the playoffs 6 of his 7 years with a "crap roster" while AD and KAT have very little playoff appearances over that same time frame. That isn't a statement that Dame is better than those guys but it is a legit conversation that shouldn't be dismissed. It's fine if your stance is that bigs can't effect the game a guard or wing can in terms of winning.
yeah, I knew that....I just hit 3 instead of 4 when I typed. Didn't proofread...but why would I when I'm so close to perfect... so then 3 out of 4 seasons with an injury; however, that means he's only had 1 healthy season out of the last 5. All depends on how you parse it, but that's a worrisome perspective as far as 'load management'....maybe. But he hasn't had hamstring problems or plantar issues. He's had fractures.... and fragile bones on 7' players is a real thing, a structural problem. Walton & Bowie of course. Greg Oden. Brad Daugherty & Andrew Bynum. Ilgauskas had a long relatively healthy career after some early injury problems, but IIRC, it was only one injury and it was a broken foot he just couldn't heal for about 3 years. Might have that wrong though. There have been plenty of 7' players that stay healthy, but I can't recall any of them that have had so many issues over their first 5 seasons as Nurkic has. I may be forgetting some though, but as we know, exceptions don't really disprove the rule Dame has had Aldridge, Matthews, Batum, Lopez, CJ, Nurkic, Aminu, Kanter as teammates. KAT has had Butler (for 59 games), Wiggins, Teague, & Rubio. And if you think Portland's injuries this year are a thing, you should tally up the missed games by KAT's teammates over his tenure there. AD has had Jrue Holiday and Eric Gordon for some seasons, but those guys were injury magnets themselves. Same for Ryan Anderson and he really wasn't that good. When AD got a healthy season from Jrue and Rondo, they made the playoffs and swept Portland. The Dame vs AD narrative didn't work out well for Dame in that direct confrontation, and Nurkic was healthy that year
Starting over with a younger player with a different ceiling. Some people may not like it\agree with it, yet it is a route any GM should think of.
that's valid of course, Dame has a super-max deal because of the value Portland places on his loyalty. That's a giant contract and a team like Minny wouldn't view that contract with the same perspective
That franchise is shaky AF. His leadership alone is what they've been missing ever since KG left them.
