I'll let this quote from Dwane Casey speak for itself: "Let's go out there and compete," Casey reiterated. "Let's play fundamental defense, transition defense, and if you don't want to play, let me know. I won't call you out or anything like that. I'll just play the guys that are gonna compete. If guys are hurt or tired or whatever, I understand, but let's come out and represent the NBA and play the right way - play competitive. And I don't want to get anybody hurt, but we need to change the narrative of what the NBA All-Star Game stands for - not just 'I'll let you drive in for the layup' or behind the back shot or behind the back pass, or whatever, and make it a circus."
Sore knee. Are some of you really "those fans" Move the fuck on. He told Neil he wanted to leave. Blame Neil, not Lamarcus
Buuuut. He also told us fan he wanted to be the greatest blazer ever. Just saying, if your gonna quote him ,quote him accurately from both sides. Not jsut for what fits your narrative.
Taken another way, he could've said "Thanks for the honor of being selected an all-star (still counts in my HoF resume, right?), but I'm going to rest up my gimpy knee. Bring in PG13 as an injury replacement. I'm good." Vice "I'm going to show up, you will announce me as an All-Star, and I will play so that I can say I played. Screw if you want to give that spot to someone else, or if my being on the team would help us win"
Oh god you are impossible Semantics dude. You said he told Neil something. Anyhow, You just said it. HE gave the fans lip service and you expect the fans to be cool with it? GIMME a break.
I blame Neil, but I also blame LaFucktard for putting us in a corner by never publicly saying he wanted to be traded. By telling the fans that he wanted to be the best Blazer of all time, he made it impossible to trade him without angering the fans. Hell, there were people who were absolutely convinced right up until the last second that he would come back.
I expect fans to get over it after 3 years. ESPECIALLY after several people with sources told everyone here for at least a year that he wanted out.
But playing devils advocate, wouldn't fans have bitched if he went public because it lowers his trade value? That answer is yes. For me, he did it the right way.