Fine, let's take the optimistic view. By his 4th or 5th season he will be able to crack the rotation. How is that relevant to retooling the team around Dame?
This kid can play. Doesn’t look as raw as I was hearing. The form on his jumper looks good. Will get better with more reps. Very aggressive at taking it to the rim and can finish well.
Johnson was part of the goddamn trade, and people who seem hell-bent on propping up the talent Portland got from the trade while dismissing the talent they traded away keep chattering about his value being set by having been the !!!21st pick in the draft!!! because it's been said here a hundred times in 40 hours. SO IT SURE SEEMS JUSTIFIED to point out that the team most able to judge his real NBA value has placed the 51st selection in the same draft above him in the rotation so maybe he doesn't have 21st pick talent if a late 2nd round pick is taking the minutes. And of course, that team just traded him away I decided on caps because they are so popular around here lately
"Sigh" As HCP has often pointed out, he could create a highlight reel that makes the worst scrub look like a lotto pick.
I think HCP has a his own highlight reel making him look like a great candidate for playing. I think he could even steal some of Blevins time - assuming Dame approves. Then again, as a Laker fan, perhaps he'd rather go play with Russy.
I disagree with that. Roco started the season very slowly but once he started coming off the bench and then later starting he played very well. And i would say that his play as a starter was better than Nance's when he started.
Does that mean we shouldn't expect GB3 to someday be better than Watford? Is it time to announce GB3 is a bust? Or maybe Johnson is on a development scale of Nas and Ant. Until the trade deadline passes I'm open to the idea that there were other factors in this trade than what's on the surface.
When putting it in context of this trade and this trade only, it's like we got a GB3.. And again, Keon 2 years from being 2 years away from being ready. So in dames timeline (and my opinion of when his prime will be done) it doesn't fit the window. So it's just a headscratcher. It did nothing to set us up for a run next year at all. We know how we attract FAs here. Lol. And now with the trepidation for Cronin to be smart about trades... It's not a good start in the belief department.
Will Keon (or Brown) contribute while Dame is still in his prime? If not, their value to the Blazers is essentially nil.
I honestly think Billups/Cronin want a complete rebuild their way. I would not be shocked if any remaining trades also just acquired young prospects, space, and picks. I also wouldn’t be shocked if after that Dame asked for a trade behind closed doors and actually think Cronin would be willing and happy to trade him to gain the final pieces for his young, reshaped, balanced roster of the future.
did you think Watford would contribute? Did you think Simons and Nas would make Powell and CJ expendable? I wouldn’t bet against this staff developing someone good enough to contribute during Dames prime, especially a guard.
I would submit that Ant and Nas are growing into contributors, but that has yet to be tested in a pressure situation like the Playoffs demands. They might get there, but don't believe they are there yet or maybe even next year. Dame needs high levels he can rely on now. None of Watford, Nas or Ant are at the place I would feel comfortable with Dame kicking to them off of a double team having to hit a clutch shot with a series on the line. Hopefully in time.
You wouldn’t feel comfortable with Dame kicking the ball to Simons? He’s our best shooter. How does one gain experience without opportunity?
Best shooter in games that mean nothing so far. As described above, I'm talking about pressure, big game situations. But you knew that....
