It is that time again where the Blazers need to start tanking and picking up players with potential. Perhaps another Brandon Roy type? We need to start it over, no point in going to the playoffs to lose again. Call me fake or whatever, but when you get basically blown out to the T-Wolves at home (who aren't a bad team by any means, but not great either), then you know it is time to rebuild. WHOSE WITH ME!?!?
Picking up players with potential only works if you have scouts who know what they're doing. Chad B. and his crew have proven, at least since the Babbitt draft, that they are completely and utterly clueless.
I don't know how you can call yourself a fan of a team if you want them to lose on purpose..... amazing!
Step back for a sec and think about it. We have to get worse to get better. No one would really want to tank now if there's no hope in sight for the future.
I can understand that way of thinking, but I grew up with a team that made the playoffs 20+ years in a row......... Look at all the teams that suck year after year after year. Once you get in that losing mode, it's tough to break out of it. I could never wish my team to tank....... just can't do it!
John, the eras that we grew up with the Blazers and today are as different as night and day. The game isn't played like that anymore, not for the small market teams.
Lets look at this together. We have a team right now that is just mediocre. Even if they make the playoffs have they shown signs in any way, shape, or form that they can get past the first round? They haven't to me and it starts with them not being able to win a road game to save their life. Now add to the fact they can barely win at home now and days and it just doesn't look good. Plus, you have players that are getting older and may not be here next year (such as Camby, Felton, Wallace, Pryzbilla, Crawford). Then you have players in Greg Oden and Batum who may not be here either. Oden most likely won't Batum maybe will depending on the kind of offers he gets. If this team had some young talent to look forward to in the future then that would be great making playoffs, but this team does not have that with the exception of Aldridge, Batum, and maybe Elliot Williams? Their is nothing that suggests this team will win a title now or sometime in the near future, so lets try and get some nice players in the upcoming drafts. It really blows not having our 2013 pick, but what can you do. Sadly, it is time to tear it down.
I don't think any of us do, but thats what happens in sports (especially for the small market teams in the NBA). You have periods where you have a lot of success (which means Championships or just constant playoff appearances) and you have periods of sucking and rebuilding. I honestly think we are headed there. I don't want it to happen, but this team as is, has no future and I think we can all agree on that. May as well start tanking and getting some decent prospects to try and build around. Just my opinion on the Blazers situation some may agree with me, most may not.
Semi rebuild is different then a tank. Of course I want us to get better and losing is the quickest way....... but I want my team to bring it every night.
If we're going to tank. Now is the time to do it. This draft is one of the best in recent history. I think it can rival 2009 in terms of impact players.
Making agressive trades with an eye to next season rather than this season doesn't meet my definition of tanking. At the beginning of the season, I was opposed to moving Wallace just for questionable draft picks. Now that competing this season is clearly out the window, and Wallace has shown he is aging badly, I am willing to pull the trigger. It may cost us a few wins down the stretch, but that is now an acceptable trade-off. Circumstances change, and plans have to change with them.
I favor the balanced approach. Trade Camby, Wallace and Crawford right now for draft picks (and while you're at it try to trade Babbit for a 2nd round pick). If Deron Williams is available at the deadline try to get him with those picks plus Elliot Williams and Felton. If he isn't available, trade Felton at the deadline for another pick and you won't have to tank because we will have a very thin team and gravity will happen naturally.