the annual survey of 30 NBA GM's is out and Portland was pretty much dismissed (except for Dame): I wonder which GM voted for Portland landing Nance got some kudo's speaking of defense: https://www.nba.com/news/2021-22-gmsurvey
outside the annual overrating of Dallas (seriously, they got worse this offseason and yet keep getting rated higher than us), i don't see anything egregious. What do you think is particularly disrespectful?
I was thinking that diss was more dismissal than disrespect at first, I though Dame dropping way down as a leader was off, but he did make noise about demanding a trade Portland was rated 5th in the West in last season's survey, but 8th this season. I guess other GM's didn't agree that the roster wasn't a problem
Taking this at face value, it seems Udoka is the pick to be the best rookie HC. No disrespect to Billups, but I can't say I disagree. I wonder if he had no interest in Portland, or if Olshey had no interest in him?
How is this a diss? Portland is pretty much mentioned everywhere. Western Conference Rankings Best Point Guard Best overall moves Most underrated off-season acquisition Head coach most likely to make a difference Best assistant Best home court Best leader Who you want taking a shot. we weren’t mentioned in: Best defensive player Best perimeter defensive player Most versatile defender Fun team to watch The first list is much, much longer than the second. Not sure how that counts as a diss or even dismissal. The highlighted aren’t Dame centric either.
I’m sure there was mutual interest. I bet Idoka didn’t want to wait for the hiring process to play out knowing Billups was the favorite. Why wait when the Celtics are ready to hire ASAP. kinda funny how ppl say the blazers had a fake hiring process when other teams hired a coach in like a day
Dame got a lot of shouts but the shouts weren't as loud as last year. For instance last season, Curry only won the PG debate 30-22; this season it was 57-17 but mainly I was looking at how they ranked the teams. Last season, Portland was picked to finish 5th. They got 4% of the votes for 2nd; 4% for 3rd; and 26% for 4th. This season it was just 7% for 4th. That's quite a drop for a team that supposedly has upgraded their bench as well as added Powell
Who is the best defensive player in the NBA? 1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 47% 2. Rudy Gobert, Utah – 17% 3. Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee – 10% Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers – 10% 4. Ben Simmons, Philadelphia – 7% > Also receiving votes: Jimmy Butler, Miami; Anthony Davis, L.A. Lakers; Draymond Green, Golden State > Last year: Giannis Antetokounmpo – 46% Who is the best perimeter defender in the NBA? 1. Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee – 50% 2. Ben Simmons, Philadelphia – 17% 3. Jimmy Butler, Miami – 10% Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers – 10% 5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 7% > Also receiving votes: Patrick Beverley, Minnesota; Marcus Smart, Boston Who is the most versatile defender in the NBA? 1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 40% 2. Ben Simmons, Philadelphia – 27% 3. LeBron James, L.A. Lakers – 10% 4. Draymond Green, Golden State – 7% Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers – 7% > Also receiving votes: Bam Adebayo, Miami; Jimmy Butler, Miami; Paul George, LA Clippers > Last year: N/A Which player is the most athletic? 1. Zion Williamson, New Orleans – 27% 2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 20% 3. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota – 17% 4. Zach LaVine, Chicago – 13% 5. Ja Morant, Memphis – 10% > Also receiving votes: Hamidou Diallo, Detroit; LeBron James, L.A. Lakers; Derrick Jones Jr., Chicago; Ben Simmons, Philadelphia > Last year: N/A
Yep, because it wasn’t just the coach, Nor the bench. We need an upgrade at Forward. If only there was one available...although I’m coming around on the blame lies squarely on Morey’s shoulders.
Thats just it bro. Only people on HERE think we upgraded our bench. They didn’t, it got worse. And they have us right where this team should be. Battling it out for that last playoff spot.
The only thing I’m looking forward to this season is Nance. He intrigues me. Of course our backcourt as well.
If the Blazers are healthy and only battling it out for the last playoff spot at the trade deadline we should either make a huge trade addition such as an allstar, or consider trading Dame and rebuilding. I'm all for first seeing how this roster looks healthy, see them with a full camp, and see how a new coaching performs. But if it clearly doesn't work, its time to move on.
well, it might be that Morey believes CJ won't make Portland a contender any more than he made Portland a contender or it might be that Olshey never really offered CJ buy yeah, it's believable that Morey is a nutjob. Or maybe, that he's been so butthurt by Simmons he's determined to punish him
I don't think the bench got worse. But I'm not sold on it being an upgrade, either. I think our bench is significantly better defensively.
