Game Thread 2024-25 GAME #75 - BLAZERS @ KNICKS - MAR 30, 2025 - SUN - 3:00 PM - CHARGE - BLAZERVISION

Yes, that's the gist of it.

I think Deni is always going to be a point of attack player, so he's a focal point of the team's direction and identity even if he doesn't end up being its best player. That's what I meant by relative ease of building around vs Dame.

 

Bro, Demi playing alongside Dame would have worked I truly believe.

 

I can't see how anyone could conclude that Dame was more difficult to build around since Olshey never tried. He only tried to build around CJ and Dame, not just Dame

building around Avdija would only make sense if he's a top-15 player, and he's a long ways from that tier.

 

How? Would Dame have played off the ball so Deni can push it, or would Deni have been primarily a spot-up shooter? Maybe Deni's slashing ability works in the PnR, but I'm not sure we've ever seen him in that role to know.

Or is this Demi person you speak of better suited to that pairing than Deni?

The Bucks haven't exactly bailed you out of that unwinnable argument.

 

Obviously, I was talking about Dame is his prime, as a Blazer. Not Dame at 34 with a major health issue, on the 2nd oldest roster in the league, a year after Giannis missed the playoffs

if we're talking about building a contender, you need at least one top-15 player plus another all-star. Dame in his prime was a top-15 player. You need to find another multi-year all-star, and still build the roster. But you have a leg up by having that elite player already

building a contender around Avdija means you need to find that top-15 player, like prime Dame, plus another all-star. That's a lot more difficult

 

Were any Pistons ranked in the top-15 when Billups' team won? (Were rankings like that even done back then?) That's the image this team is being built in. Sure, Rasheed had top-15 talent despite not being the star of the team, but his attitude always kept him from achieving that level of recognition. Ben, Billups, and Rip were borderline all-star types. Maybe Prince, as well.