I know we have a Dame appreciation thread, but this is more for what Dame says about himself and the team. I cannot respect this man enough. Truly. On a human to human scale, he has the drive and the right mindset that so few people have. No finger pointing, no ill-intended anger or rage. When asked if his performance was a subconscious response to not making the all star game, he said no. It was a conscious response. Then he went on to say(summarizing) that "you have to take it and use it in the right way". Meaning take that motivation and energy and place it into the team and trying to get better. Don't use that energy in a negative way. Capture it and let it lose for when it matters. for the right time. Then he said it was about time he elevated his game when it is needed. and there is nothing else to say. He just needs to be better. They need to be better. This is after a win. A good win. This video and his statements are the punctuation point on the FACT that we should never let this guy go because this type of mindset is TRULY once in a generation, regardless of numbers and stats. We will NOT be able to replace his leadership. Period. Trade anyone else on the roster but this guy has the "IT" factor and you don't let those guys go. http://www.nba.com/blazers/video/te...-64d13c22-d0f2-43ba-b743-26642858f487-1177084
His words are fine, and I agree that it's hard to find guys that have true leadership qualities, but guys who don't play both ends of the court can't be considered irreplaceable. Does that mean I want to get rid of him? Certainly not, but until he is able to produce at least average results on defense it's going to be awfully tough to envision him as the linchpin of a championship team.
Who says your leader has to be the best player? His leadership overshadows his defensive inefficiencies. He just needs to be surrounded by the right players, and yes. One or two of them probably need to be better than him stats wise on both ends ofthe court (Butler?) but you don't give up this type of leadership. What would the 2000 Blazers have been if they just had a leader like this guy on the team? It didn't have to be Pippen or Sheed or Sabonis, our best players. It could have been Steve Smith or any number of role playing vets that had an impact. But there was no leader. We will have to agree to disagree. I t think his leadership qualities trumps his lack of defense. Again, he just needs better defenders around him. Is Curry irreplaceable? Do you never trade Curry? What would Dame be if he was surrounded by the same type of defensive talent? Lillard is untradable.
In reguards to Dame's last game, he was i believe in foul trouble a little bit so got a long rest. Connaughton played for a good stretch to give Dame a long rest. Then coming in in the fourth he was fresh and destroyed their comeback. In a sense Conunaughton's play allowed Dame the rest needed to finish the game well. Dame needs more rest!
The only reason id trade Dame would be for the sadistic pleasure id recieve watching this forum go apeshit. Neil, we need to talk.
I tend to agree with this assessment, Chauncey Billups was not the best player on the 2004 Championship Detroit team, but he was certainly their leader. It helps when your best player is your leader, but I don't think it's a requirement at all.
