wut? you can only do one and not the other? I really think it's possible to "root" for the team, and think about what comes next. In fact, I know it's possible because I'm doing it. Pretty sure if Portland somehow had a top-10 pick in the draft, there wouldn't be people virtue-signalling by telling people not to think about draft prospects
The start of both your paragraphs kinda contradict each other. I think most of us should have a very good idea of what this roster is capable. Under Stotts this duo has been a 1st/2nd round team with the one WCF run. Without a major change in it's #2/#3 options, I would bet anyone, the results will be in that exact same range under a new coach. Haven't met anyone who strongly believes otherwise and is willing to put something behind it. We know, some just don't want to admit it.
If I asked Taylor Swift for a date she would probably say no...... but I have never asked, so how do I know for sure??????
we likely disagree on this, but I think Stotts should be fired. 9 years is long enough; actually 6 years was long enough but we may agree that Stotts gets too much blame for Portland's mediocrity, however above average that mediocrity is. Simply replacing Stotts will NOT make Portland a contender. Thinking otherwise is blind homerism....IMO of course Portland has a poorly balanced roster; that's obvious. A well-balanced roster would not be down to the Nuggets right now. And the worst balance for Portland is between high level talent and role-playing talent. Portland does not have enough of the former.
I strongly disagree that his (or any) contract is irrelevant. But you saying he getting paid the minimum but getting played like he makes $10m could easily be pointed to as a player who is a net positive. I care more about what someone is getting paid and comparing it to their production. I'm not a Melo guy, but I think it would be real hard to make a strong, fact based case, that he's producing negative value based on his contract compared to other people on this roster. Should he be the 6th man on a contending roster? Heck no... but the roster failure isn't his fault.
Hopefully, yes, but as you point out, it may take more than a season to alter the "defense is optional" culture.
Not if he's being played over someone who is a better fit long term and would actually play both ends of the court..... someone like Little.
We might disagree on the word "should", but in general I don't feel Stotts getting let go is a big deal, good or bad. My concern is that Olshey is able to hold on a couple more years using Stotts has the reason the team wasn't contending, and he'll get to a point where he's gone 10 years w/out adding a new all-star to the roster. That would be far more criminal in my opinion.
I hear you. I don't get the feeling Portland is thinking long term right now. Stotts certainly can't be thinking long term, with his job on the line.
Would love a link to the Beverly video. I totally believe you, but in this link, Bevs compliments Stotts.
Next Year's rotation if MKS are gone (and Powell is re-signed, and a vet point guard is signed): Dame, CJ, Powell, RoCo, Nurk vetPG, Ant, Nas, Rondae/DJJ*, Collins *if DJJ opts in, DJJ, if not, re-sign Rondae IMHO, this is easily a top 10 defensive team with a top 5 offense. Yes, that translates to WCF, which, for a small market team is a championship.
After Game 5, I am now convinced Stotts is 100% gone after this season. The magnitude of Dame’s performance put a national spotlight on Portland like never before. All the national sports shows talked about how Dame had no help and how ill-prepared the Blazers were to start such a pivotal game. I think Olshey will get rid of Stotts to deflect the attention from himself and he will be forced to make some difficult moves (moving CJ) knowing that he will be occupying the hot seat that Stotts vacated.
I agree. If he doesn't make a serious move, like trading CJ, and we still suck..... he should be next.
