2023 TRAIL BLAZERS TRAINING CAMP THREAD

[blazerfan11]

I’m gonna be annoyed if Scoot doesn’t start.

I wonder if they’re gonna start with Simons/Shaedon.

I will want Chauncey fired if Scoot doesn't start.

The hardest working guy on the team who'll push it to a new level. The guy who wants to run and share the ball.

Isn't that what Chauncey Ball is supposed to be all about? How many times did Simons dribble down the court like Josh Hart and score? Zero?

The one player I trust the most to play Chauncey Ball is Scoot. If Scoot doesn't start, Chauncey is full of shit.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I will want Chauncey fired if Scoot doesn't start.

The hardest working guy on the team who'll push it to a new level. The guy who wants to run and share the ball.

Isn't that what Chauncey Ball is supposed to be all about? How many times did Simons dribble down the court like Josh Hart and score? Zero?

The one player I trust the most to play Chauncey Ball is Scoot. If Scoot doesn't start, Chauncey is full of shit.

You do realize we have not seen him play in an NBA game yet? 21 minutes in the summer league does not count. I would not bet against him but can't we at least wait to see how they all look in pre-season before we fire Chauncy?

 

[Cugel]

Great Billups interview. Is it me or does he seem more relaxed and confident? I would imagine having the trades finalized was a welcome sight for him.

 

[Freshtown]

Great Billups interview. Is it me or does he seem more relaxed and confident? I would imagine having the trades finalized was a welcome sight for him.

Yeah bc there’s no pressure to win this season lol

 

[wizenheimer]

Chauncey with a firm NO on Rob starting next to Ayton. But he sees them playing together some.

Also getting the feeling that Shaedon might get the nod to start.

at SG or SF?

 

[Pinwheel1]

at SG or SF?

That was my question as well. My guess is if he does start then it is at SF.

 

[blazerfan11]

You do realize we have not seen him play in an NBA game yet? 21 minutes in the summer league does not count. I would not bet against him but can't we at least wait to see how they all look in pre-season before we fire Chauncy?

Sure, give Simons his chance. It's not about Simons being adequate or good. That's where I worry about Chauncey.

 

[wizenheimer]

You do realize we have not seen him play in an NBA game yet? 21 minutes in the summer league does not count. I would not bet against him but can't we at least wait to see how they all look in pre-season before we fire Chauncy?

I said essentially the same thing and was called ultra-negative

 

[blazerfan11]

I said essentially the same thing and was called ultra-negative

I don't want Steve Blake running our offense.

 

[STOMP]

Great Billups interview. Is it me or does he seem more relaxed and confident? I would imagine having the trades finalized was a welcome sight for him.

I'd hope he's excited about the upcoming season, I am. Lots for him to be thankful for and many good challenges up ahead on the horizon. His fate with the organization likely now hinges on bonding with and positively "developing" the young 2. If they're who we think (hope) they are, Chauncey's future looks bright.

STOMP

 

[Pinwheel1]

I just think keeping Brogdon changes things in terms of who starts. (if they do keep him)
Scoot coming off the bench with all his energy would be fun to see. He can start when they move Brogdon.

 

[wizenheimer]

I just think keeping Brogdon changes things in terms of who starts. (if they do keep him)
Scoot coming off the bench with all his energy would be fun to see. He can start when they move Brogdon.

only thing is that Brogdon was really good as a 6th man last year. Of course, if he's 6th man, one of Scoot/Sharpe would be 7th man. Unless of course the Blazers run a lot of Thybulle/Sharpe/Brogdon at SF. All are undersized at SF, but at least Thybulle and Brogdon have decent mass. I think Sharpe would get overpowered a lot as a SF

 

[blazerkor]

I fucking love Chaucey and this interview and all of his interviews can tell you why. He's just real and he understands what matters about the game. I don't know that he's the X's and O's guy we want when we're making championship runs (he may be or he may not), for sure he is a great big picture guy and with our current roster, that is what we need. Loved this interview and hope Chauncey's attitude and understanding is imprinted on these young guys.

 

[Pinwheel1]

only thing is that Brogdon was really good as a 6th man last year. Of course, if he's 6th man, one of Scoot/Sharpe would be 7th man. Unless of course the Blazers run a lot of Thybulle/Sharpe/Brogdon at SF. All are undersized at SF, but at least Thybulle and Brogdon have decent mass. I think Sharpe would get overpowered a lot as a SF

I agree about Brogdon's mass as he weighs in around 230. But I am not sure I see much difference between Sharpe and Thybulle in terms of mass. They both are listed at 6'5" and 200 lbs. Not saying that Thybulle is not a good option because he is because of his D, but if we prefer more mass at SF, then I would play Brogdon there on defense when the opposing team has an SF who likes to play physical in the paint. If the opposing 3 is more of a perimeter player then I am not sure it matters if it is Thybulle or Sharpe.

 

[julius]

I think Chauncey is probably happier/more excited about going into this season than any other. Partly because he has experience now, but also because Dame is gone.

Why would that matter? Dame was holding back his coaching reputation a bit, in that its not really easy for Chauncey to instill his coaching style on a proven vet like Damian. Damian isn't going to change his game to match what Chauncey (or any other coach) wants or demands (cept for a coach like Pop), especially if that change is a drastic change from his bread and butter.

Now that the team has only 1 player who has been on the team more than a year, and only 1 real "vet", Grant, and mostly younger players (I know Williams, Simons and Ayton aren't youth, but they're not really at a place where they can get away with playing the way they want, like Damian could), he can coach players without the "I'm a superstar/all star/all nba" type mentality as an issue.

I'm going under the assumption that Brogdon isn't staying on the team. So outside of Grant, no one on the team has played more than 5 years, and 8 *!* players have 1 or less years of experience. Also including 4 from the 18 draft (Simons 24th pick, Ayton 1st pick, Knox 9th pick and Williams 27th pick). All are moldable pieces, far more than CJ, Nurk and Dame were or are.

If after this season he still sucks ass as a coach, then he should be shit canned.

 

[MickZagger]

I haven’t been this excited coming into a season in a long time

 

[TheGoldRanger]

I haven’t been this excited coming into a season in a long time

I feel ya. Not saying it’s a similar situation but the last time I was similarly excited was probably beginning of Roy’s rookie season.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

I don't think starting Williams is a good idea. We need a backup center. However, there is no reason they can't both end games together when the situation calls for it.

I don't know. I know Blazers need more rebounding and I would like to see the best five out there. I don't think we have a really good choice at the 3 unless Grant moves there. I just want Billups to be open and try it.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

I fucking love Chaucey and this interview and all of his interviews can tell you why. He's just real and he understands what matters about the game. I don't know that he's the X's and O's guy we want when we're making championship runs (he may be or he may not), for sure he is a great big picture guy and with our current roster, that is what we need. Loved this interview and hope Chauncey's attitude and understanding is imprinted on these young guys.

Odd that we have different reactions to that video. I need to watch his media video and see if it clarifies my thoughts.. I loved Billups and the way he talked when he first came here but now I feel like something is lacking, not seeing any sharp insights.

 

[riverman]

I don't know. I know Blazers need more rebounding and I would like to see the best five out there. I don't think we have a really good choice at the 3 unless Grant moves there. I just want Billups to be open and try it.

Thybulle is a better 3 and D SF than Wes Mathews was in my view. We have our starting SF...we have a lot of guys who can slide to the 3 like Murray, Rupert is a natural 3. Camara can play 3 and Knox can too. We'll see but I don't see Grant playing much SF unless we trot out Williams and Ayton for a matchup problem but that's not going to happen often..the freak that we havw who is a natural SF is also our 7'1 John (Stringbean) Butler. We can now play 3 7ft players together if we want to. We have 4 legit centers on the roster as it is.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

I think Chauncey is probably happier/more excited about going into this season than any other. Partly because he has experience now, but also because Dame is gone.

Why would that matter? Dame was holding back his coaching reputation a bit, in that its not really easy for Chauncey to instill his coaching style on a proven vet like Damian. Damian isn't going to change his game to match what Chauncey (or any other coach) wants or demands (cept for a coach like Pop), especially if that change is a drastic change from his bread and butter.

Now that the team has only 1 player who has been on the team more than a year, and only 1 real "vet", Grant, and mostly younger players (I know Williams, Simons and Ayton aren't youth, but they're not really at a place where they can get away with playing the way they want, like Damian could), he can coach players without the "I'm a superstar/all star/all nba" type mentality as an issue.

I'm going under the assumption that Brogdon isn't staying on the team. So outside of Grant, no one on the team has played more than 5 years, and 8 *!* players have 1 or less years of experience. Also including 4 from the 18 draft (Simons 24th pick, Ayton 1st pick, Knox 9th pick and Williams 27th pick). All are moldable pieces, far more than CJ, Nurk and Dame were or are.

If after this season he still sucks ass as a coach, then he should be shit canned.

Agree that Lillard never really fully bought in. Not many excuses left for Billups. If he can't get to .500 with this crew I will be disappointed.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

thybulle is a better 3 and D SF than Wes Mathews was in my view. We have our starting SF...we have a lot of guys who can slide to the 3 like Murray, Rupert is a natural 3. Camara can play 3 and Knox can too. We'll see but I don't see Grant playing much SF unless we trot out Williams and Ayton for a matchup problem but that's not going to happen often

I think coach agrees with you.

 

[Kano John]

I feel ya. Not saying it’s a similar situation but the last time I was similarly excited was probably beginning of Roy’s rookie season.

I was super stoked when we drafted Oden and I thought that Oden, Roy & Aldridge were going to take us to the promised land. About 1/2 a season later the depression began and lasted several years. I'm hopeful that this young/new bunch can play some exciting basketball!

 

[TBpup]

I haven’t been this excited coming into a season in a long time

It is a bit odd to be exited about a team I know is going to lose a lot of games.....but that is where I'm at. This team has been in decline for some time, getting worse every year and it's fun to at least have some hope things might get better in the future.

 

[blazedanugz]

I just think keeping Brogdon changes things in terms of who starts. (if they do keep him)
Scoot coming off the bench with all his energy would be fun to see. He can start when they move Brogdon.

if scoot doesn’t start I will eat human shit
They’re not starting brogdon over him

 

[Wizard Mentor]

I don't know. I know Blazers need more rebounding and I would like to see the best five out there. I don't think we have a really good choice at the 3 unless Grant moves there. I just want Billups to be open and try it.

He said he's planning Grant at the 3, but not to start the game.

 

[riverman]

if scoot doesn’t start I will eat human shit
They’re not starting brogdon over him

better stalk up on mouthwash because rookie Scoot is going to be a bench sparkplug until at least the trade deadline. People got super excited about Bayless and Nolan Smith coming out of summer league too...the kid is not used to the NBA yet. He'll end up leading the team but he's going to need to study the competition before he gets to Brogdan's level as far as knowing tendencies, etc. I'll be shocked if the teenagers start the season. I won't be if they end the season..if he does start it'll be interesting to see how he handles it.

 

[Strenuus]

Agree that Lillard never really fully bought in. Not many excuses left for Billups. If he can't get to .500 with this crew I will be disappointed.

Bruh 41 wins? With this team? Vegas has us I think at 28? You'd say it's a disappointment if he went 12 games above a projection?

We will be lucky to get 30 wins and that'd be a successful year with this current iteration in this current timeline.

 

[blazedanugz]

better stalk up on mouthwash because rookie Scoot is going to be a bench sparkplug until at least the trade deadline. People got super excited about Bayless and Nolan Smith coming out of summer league too...the kid is not used to the NBA yet. He'll end up leading the team but he's going to need to study the competition before he gets to Brogdan's level as far as knowing tendencies, etc. I'll be shocked if the teenagers start the season. I won't be if they end the season..if he does start it'll be interesting to see how he handles it.

Uhhh you are comparing Scoot to Nolan smith and Jared bayless.
One is a generational PG who most say would’ve gone #1 in any other draft.
The other 2 fell in their drafts and did not even come close to Scoot.

We’re not trying to win

 

[julius]

Agree that Lillard never really fully bought in. Not many excuses left for Billups. If he can't get to .500 with this crew I will be disappointed.

I think .500 is a goal for next season (I really doubt they will be bad enough to "in the bag for flagg" it).