Exclusive Vote - If Dame is on the roster - where do you want him opening night?

Yeah, I just really hope we have a resolution to this situation that is at least approaching a fair outcome for our team before training camp starts. I don't know how realistic that hope is but it's what I want.

 

Everything to me depends on Dame's desire to play somewhere besides Miami.

What exactly has Dame told Cronin?

Did he tell him he only wants to go to Miami, and if it's not Miami, please don't trade me?

I am positive that Cronin would be fine with this request by Dame to not trade him somewhere else.
Of course it would mean both of them agreeing that Dame will fulfill his contract with the Trail Blazers if he doesn't go to Miami.

I don't understand the "Dame will stunt Scoot's
growth"argument.
The best complement to Scoot's game would be playing with a fantastic scorer, especially one with long-range 3-point shooting to make it even harder to defend Scoot when he attacks the hoop. Scoot is going to demand his share of having the ball in his hands, and he also has shown the ability to play off the ball just fine.
On offense, I can't see any downside for Scoot playing with Dame. And the same for Dame. Scoot's going to make the offense better for everyone.

 

If Dame is on the team and healthy, I expect him to start. It's his job.

 

• Would be a great person to show the youngsters the ropes.
• Would be a constant reminder to the other 29 teams exactly how good he is, potentially raising his trade value

 

If playing next to Dame might hurt Scoots development, then Scoot is a lost cause. Guys like Scoot should benefit from learning under a great like Dame. Scoot has stated he wants to play/learn from Dame, we should listen to him!

 

I can agree with the first part. The second part though, does he really need to? Dude dropped 71 just a little bit ago.

 

What is the point of Dame propping us up into the playin at this point?

 

Need to? No.

Could it help? Yes.

 

Dame playing sends a signal that this thing can drag out as long as possible.

 

Exactly. If Dame is leaving, surround him in bubble wrap and sit him.

 

Only one right answer.

Starting.

beginning to believe there are a lot of other fan bases on this site

 

He doesn’t want to be in Portland and we have to move on with Scoot’s development.

 

You know, that’s a good argument. I think maybe we should trade our players and sign a bunch of overseas players instead. Tank for the lottery for the next 5 seasons, then rinse and repeat. What’s the point in trying to win anyways? We’d be much more successful if we were unsuccessful.

 

If he can't go to Miami, where does he want to be, besides Portland?

If you give me an answer that is something other than "nowhere" or "I don't know," then I will say you are pulling it out of your butt.

 

Completely disagree. The job should go to whoever helps the team more. Dame, while most certainly the better player, might not be the best fit for a team trying to rebuild around Scoot and Sharpe, while also trying to move on from Dame

If the team wants long term success, then that’s not starting future Heat player, Dame Lillard and accidentally winning a game and potentially costing us draft slots

 

What if it's the 5th seed? Making the playoffs is not a bad thing. Only a bunch of losers want to lose for a third straight year.

 

I would sure like to sit and listen to what Chauncey (Who has been strangely silent) has to say on this? Are they going to try and lose again for his third straight year? Is that what Billups was brought here for?

 

The key is playing the young guys with potential and trying to win. You won’t, but it will make a huge difference next year

 

Thought that is what was happening the last two years? Now everyone wants to trade Simons?
Again. I would sure like to hear what Billups thinks about losing for his third straight year?