Don't Scoot and Sharpe both fit in that category though? They're below average. Dame was a below average defender, and I'm not sure he held the franchise back. He wasn't the reason why we couldn't get past the WCF. I'd actually say it was our above average defending forwards that held us back.
We definitely lost some playoff series in part because of Dame's terrible defense. But no, I don't expect first and second year players to be average NBA defenders. If they are, that's great. They have both shown far better defensive abilities than Simons. So I'm willing to give them five or six years just like I was willing to give Simons 5 or 6 years. Now that we've given Simons six years, we know that he's not going to be a capable defender. And he doesn't make his teammates better. Dame was great at making his teammates better. And even Lillard's defense was far better than Simons'.
The series where Dame's defense was a negative (not the only reason we lost), were often series we never would've been in without Dame, so it's hard for me to put that on him.
True. Dame was definitely a bigger positive than his defense was a negative. But I don't think Simons is the same way. I think he can help a competitive team, but I don't think he can be one of the pillers you build around. And I don't think he'll be able to accept a back seat here. In fact, I don't think it's really fair to ask him to take a back seat.
Agreed on Dame. I wouldn't build around Ant either. I don't think any team in the league will build around him. There is no evidence to suggest that he would be unwilling to be a role player if surrounded by better talent, so that isn't a concern of mine in the least.
I think if we wait long enough for there to be evidence we will have doomed ourself to receiving less value in return for him. I think that more than likely would be the case for the vast majority of people. He is our best guard (at this point). That is pretty well understood. I don't think there's any way you can build a team around him (intentionally or not) without him being one of the pillars. I'd rather not do that.
Funny that the Bucks won a championship with Jrue "Defense" Holiday and were a major disappointment with Damian "Offense" Lillard...
Certainly Antetokounmpo and Dame being hurt had nothing to do with the lack of playoff success. Oh, and two awful head coaches.
Lmao, you clearly are blinding by your Ant hate. Another week, another week of your rambling about you hate for Ant lol.
If you can’t see like everyone else your hate for Ant and just pulling stupid statements out your ass then I don’t know what to tell you. I saw your talking about defense. And how you are willing to give people 5 to 6 years to be a good defender clearly shows you have no clue what you’re talking about. defense is mainly 90% hustle and heart, and the other 10% is if you are gifted to be long and lanky.. look at Draymond Green as a example. That’s all heart and hustle while being undersized. Now, you don’t make sense since Sharpe and Scoot hasn’t yet show to be a good defender you think they can become a good one? GTFO, your logic makes zero sense look at Camera, he is a dog in there and busts his ass and knows how to play a role. You just try to spin it to make Ant look bad yet make excuses for others, it’s so silly I don’t know when you will stop with your Ant hate
So you expect a huge jump in year 7 from Simons? Enough to make us a competitor with this roster? Otherwise I don't see what you have to disagree with in my post. Or what makes me some kind of "hater". I have nothing against Simons. He's just not good enough to get us where I want to go, and his value is likely as high as it ever will be. I would expect his value to drop if Portland is a losing team for the next 2 years. Which is exactly what we need to be. For at least 2 years.
This whole post is garbage. I give guys 5 or 6 years but somehow I'm a hater for wanting to give Sharpe and Scoot 5 or 6 years? Be better.
If one isn’t going to be a good defender from the jump, demonstrated by their heart and grit, and pride to not let anyone score of them, they ain’t going to magically develop it in year 2,3,5.6. that’s complete nonsense and your trying to make a point when in hindsight you are looking silly. You didn’t address defense being mainly heart, grit and pride. and if we talking about that, Sharpe is the complete opposite lmao. Dude is laid back, chill and at times lacks fires in there. Billups has had to get on him many times about being lackadaisical. You think with that mentality Sharpe can be a good defender? what about Camara? A rookie who came in and was probably one of, if not our best defender and that’s because he has a dog in him, it’s nothing more than that. your in for a rude awakening and need to chill on your criticism of Ant while giving others a pass because they haven’t been in the league long enough is the most silliest things you have said and shows your Ant hate and tunnel vision more than anything. Other than Any might take some mins from Scoot and Scoot should play as many mins as possible is the only logic argument you have said about getting rid of Ant. Everything else seems laughable to me when the same thing that applies to Ant doesn’t apply to others.
He can become more effective, yes mainly due to who is around him. Why was he more effective last season with Dame next to him then he was on this team? Lack of talent around him, the best player means he had to much on his shoulders, ineffective players offensively around him. Now lets talk about Sharpe, since you're always talking about Ant. Why did Sharpe stats and ineffective get a lot worse last year? Explain why! Did he regress as a player and not improve, or did he have more responsibility on this shoulders, more defense geared towards stopping him? Lets see how you can spin this one. Sharpe first year stats. 10PPG - 2pt % 47.2 3pt %- 36.0 Last year : 16ppg. 2pt % - 40.6 -3pt% 33.3 Those are horrible stats man, his FG and 3pt dropped badly and those are below normal for a avenge NBA player. Explain why he regressed? or did he?
Dame makes everybody better. Sharpe was a 2nd year player who had some injuries. And he had to play with Simons a lot of the time he played. And Simons tends to subtract from his teammates rather than make them better. A lot of Sharpe's opportunities were because Grant or Simons were hogging the ball and putting their teammates in bad situations. Scoot also didn't play well with Simons. Neither did Ayton...
