This is what you posted... "Not just being able to get their own shot, but to be able to handle the ball and make plays. We have two and a half players that are playmaking threats. The rest can't really dribble at all." I commented on this and you call it semantics? *Palm to forehead* My point was that we have 2.5 today. Next year we might have 3.5 to 4. Let them progress. Be happy we have 2.5 and not one. Now your just wasting my time...
My question to you is, why does it bother you so much that some people decide to take a more critical approach to analyzing the team? In the end it doesn't make them less of a fan. I don't even think it makes Tunchi a less of a fan despite his incessant need to chime in every time the Blazers are playing poorly. The simple thing to do (imo) is to just ignore it, or don't comment. If you are just posting to tell people they should stop being critical (or "negative" as you like to call it), you are unlikely to get any takers. Frankly, I think some of the more interesting discussions arise from threads like this, rather than the constant circle jerks. It doesn't mean I dislike the team, or think that what they've done this season is anything short of amazing, it's just something to talk about as fans on a message board.
I think the meaning is pretty clear in the context of the sentence, and the posts that preceded. Taking everything literally is certainly arguing semantics.
I think it's also Dame's first season here as the true captain and leader of the team...Lamarcus was that and if I remember...Lamarcus took over two games for us in the playoffs...count em...two..against the Rockets...Dame is just getting started.
Because rarely does it read as a more critical approach, as more of a " lets dig until we uncover the numbers that make the team look bad, or not as good, or whatever" Most of the time it reads as only half a viewpoint. And too many threads only seem to provide the negative half of the viewpoint. So when I chime in and try to bring the positive side, I get told I'm annoying. I never said it makes anyone less of a fan, but as a fan, it gets old. Just like I've been told I get old. but I've been a posting member since 2015, but the negative, overly critical threads, without or little mention of good play, has been posted for years. Again, check thread history. If I ignored all of them, there would be VERY little to read, so I might as well delete my membership ( too some peoples chagrin).
But see, that's why I brought it up. I thought you were arguing semantics about not being able to dribble... since you posted it. Again, I get your point and don't disagree on the need, but I just think we have it internally already with continual development.(playmakers)
Look at the shooting stats on basketball-reference; guys who can and do create their own shot typically have low Assisted % on their shots. Dame and CJ are assisted only about 20-25% of the time. Every other player on our team is assisted more than half the time (except Montero and Roberts but honestly, they don't count). We need one more guy who can shoot effectively without needing an assist from a playmaker to do it. He should come off the bench.
Simple solution...start threads about good things and I recommend using the ignore button for threads or posters that make your experience unpleasant...balance is good. I think talking about the team is where common ground exists but talking about posters is always going to lead to the same place. A guy I put on ignore last season is now one of my favorite posters....now that Lamarcus is gone. Hang in there dude...crank the Marshall up to Spinal Tap levels and wail!
Great points. I just don't know if I'm the right guy to create these threads since so many see my Homerism as annoying.
Sometimes threads are meant to be critical, sometimes they are all positive. There were a lot of "Dame will be the best Blazer ever" type threads when he was on the 30 point hot streak. I think riverman gave the best advice. I don't think you're annoying, but I don't think telling people how to post helps your case.
He's still going to be the best Blazer ever, though. Clyde was lazy and predictable on offense. Walton was amazing but made mostly of balsa wood and Elmer's glue. Dame is streaky and still forces it a bit, but is a born leader AND the hardest worker on the team, which has never happened before.
No arguments here. Was just using that as an example that there have been lots of strictly positive threads.
How the hell did you quote me on that when I never said that? lol. Weird. I must have missed most of those thread,s Cause I think I saw one and thats it. Agreed though. Im still a newbie according to HCP anyhow. I need time to develop and improve.
Your 'homerism' ( and I wouldn't call your perspective that) is not annoying. It is usually followed by a reasonable explanation and thought. If everyone agreed on everything, how boring would this be. At the same time, there are some posters (both positive and negative) that abjectly refuse to see outside of their own vision. That is where things get a bit annoying. As for Dame, I will reiterate: This franchise is INCREDIBLY fortunate to have such a strong leader with the will to win, continually get better and who has taken to Portland in such a loyal fashion. He bided his time while LA was here but still brought us the one Playoff series win (in the most dramatic fashion possible) that this team has seen in over a decade. I think he is also a very good ambassador for this team and has good relationships with other players around the league that can only help bring FA talent here. If anyone takes a point I have made about Damian as bashing or overly negative, then either they clearly don't understand the point I'm trying to make or I am not communicating it in an effective manner. This teams best days are ahead of it and Dame is the foundation piece of the growth that has taken place this season and what we all hope is to come. (blue for old times sake and to make as clear of a point as possible)
I still think Dame is learning how to be the best player on this team. Sometimes he tries to do too much. Sometimes he tries to force it when his shot is off. Sometimes when the team is down, he will think that he needs to start taking over, which isn't necessarily wrong, but he'll start jacking bad shots instead of trying to get his teammates involved. It's all part of the learning process, in my opinion. He has grown quite a bit as the season goes on. I can't wait to see what he does in the playoffs.
