Lillard makes for an intriguing trade asset--discuss

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by OneSport3, Feb 21, 2017.

  1. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    And to build on that, is Giannis another Kevin Durant, or is he a longer/more athletic Draymond Green? I get it, the guy can do a lot of great things and he throws down sick jams, but is he someone that can be your #1? Can he drop 30 points in a playoff game? I just don't see it. He's a REALLY good player, but to be successful in the NBA you have to have a go-to-guy. Someone who can just kill the other team. That used to be Dame. It seems like people have zero tolerance for injuries.
     
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  2. PtldPlatypus

    PtldPlatypus Let's go Baby Blazers! Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

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    Wade, Rondo, and Parker have all met that criteria (all-star wing, under 28% from 3) in the past 10 years.

    http://bkref.com/tiny/KMSi1

    So, as long as he can play alongside a couple other hall-of-famers, he could be a secondary piece on a title team.
     
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  3. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    That's just it though. A secondary piece. Who is the main piece? Where will they get that main piece if they don't have him already? It's the equivalent of Draymond going somewhere else to be "The Man" and trying to lead a team as the primary option on offense. I just don't see it happening.
     
  4. PtldPlatypus

    PtldPlatypus Let's go Baby Blazers! Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

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    Yep--I intended to find somebody to use to argue with you, and all I got was support for your point.
     
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  5. Minstrel

    Minstrel Top Of The Pops Global Moderator

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    Hello darkness, my old friend
    Was a prime Jason Kidd a secondary piece? How about Bill Russell (even in the era he played in, with far less sophisticated defensive schemes and less size in general, he wasn't a dominant scorer)? And, personally, I don't consider Green a "secondary piece." Yes, it's great to have a dominant scorer, but value comes in a variety of ways. Green, as a guy who can defend every position, protect the rim, rebound, pass like a guard and shoot, is one of the most valuable players in basketball.

    Antetokounmpo isn't the perfect player, obviously, since he can't shoot, but he does so many things well, he's definitely one of the most valuable players in basketball. Not to mention, he's averaging 23 PPG and he's only 22--he may have some upside left.
     
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  6. riverman

    riverman Writing Team

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    I personally think he's going to be the next Kevin Durant...the kid has mad skills
     
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  7. BoBoBREWSKI

    BoBoBREWSKI BURP!

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    The title of this thread should be Teams Are Calling Trail Blazers About Trading Lillard
     
  8. Pinwheel1

    Pinwheel1 Well-Known Member

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    Technically I said a 10 x allstar. In other words a hall of famer which basically what chzbrgr is projecting for him.

    Tony Parker had years where he shot over 40% from 3 pt range.
    Rondo has only made it 4 times. Wade however is a pretty good exception, but he still is a good outside shooter in the clutch.

    I get that Giannis is still young and his 3 ball could improve. But until it does he will be good, just not great.
     
  9. Minstrel

    Minstrel Top Of The Pops Global Moderator

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    Trying to use historical precedent for Antetokounmpo doesn't work, in my opinion, because he's historically unique. If he continues at this pace, let alone gets better (which I think is most likely), I think he'll be an easy Hall of Famer. If he actually develops a good three-point shot, he'll likely be the best player in basketball. He can certainly be great without it.
     
  10. Pinwheel1

    Pinwheel1 Well-Known Member

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    He is young and can get better, but this year he is shooting (I rounded up)

    41% from 3-10'
    34% 11-15 '
    37 % 16-23'

    To be great you have to be great in the playoffs. He will not be dunking as much in the playoffs. His shooting has to improve to be considered great IMO. Lebron was the same way for about a year or two. He was getting criticized until his outside shot started to fall.
     
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2017
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  11. Minstrel

    Minstrel Top Of The Pops Global Moderator

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    To be considered an all-time top-ten player you have to be great at everything. James would have been a Hall of Famer even if his outside shot had never been great. Jason Kidd was considered great even though he didn't have a consistent outside shot until his 30s.
     
  12. Fez Hammersticks

    Fez Hammersticks スーパーバッド Zero Cool

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    A healthy Middleton/Brogdon/1st is tempting.

    IF Neil is considering moving Lillard there has to be a red flag somewhere - ankle issues?
     
  13. Strenuus

    Strenuus Global Moderator Staff Member Global Moderator

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    Did Neil say he was considering it? He's just taking phone calls - like any good GM would do for any player.
     
  14. Rastapopoulos

    Rastapopoulos Well-Known Member

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    How about Tracy McGrady as a historical precursor of Giannis? Giannis is bigger but McGrady was even more athletic.
     
  15. Rastapopoulos

    Rastapopoulos Well-Known Member

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    I dunno if Durant is a good comp. Durant is an unbelievable shooter, which Antetokounmpo definitely is not. However Giannis is a more well-rounded player and a much better defender. It's like comparing Reggie Miller with Clyde Drexler.
     
  16. Rastapopoulos

    Rastapopoulos Well-Known Member

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  17. Minstrel

    Minstrel Top Of The Pops Global Moderator

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    McGrady (who was actually a very good defender before he was forced to carry the entire offensive load in Orlando) couldn't guard all five positions. I think the best comparisons would be players like Kevin Garnett and Draymond Green--guys who have completely outlier defensive flexibility and guard skills.
     
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  18. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    I think it could be argued that Jason Kidd was never good enough to be a prime piece. He bounced around the league. Didn't do anything with Dallas or Phoenix. Got the Nets to the Finals, but that was when the East was a huge dumpster fire. He didn't win a championship until he was a role player in Dallas AND he had improved his outside shot. So if Giannis' future is bouncing around the league five or six times until he finally wins a championship as a role player, well..... I'm not sure if that's the comparison you were going for.
     
  19. TBpup

    TBpup Writing Team

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    I don't think fans want him gone. They would just like him more 'vested' on the defensive side of the ball. Same with CJ.
     
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  20. riverman

    riverman Writing Team

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    he won a championship with Dallas
     

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