Science Ant is legit and we need to really wrap our minds around what that means

[SharpesTriumph]

Cant imagine the noise when he becomes inconsistent again.

Trade Ant at his highest.

So you are certain now is Ant's highest?

If not, and if he has significant improvements coming, trading him now may be far worse than the Jermaine O'Neal trade.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

This entire thread is based on some of us having minds.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Gary trent never came close to doing what ant has done.

 

[Natebishop3]

I'm just gonna say that Simons having Dame and CJ to look up to, and Stotts as his coach for his first three years did not set the young man up for success on defense.

 

[HailBlazers]

I'm bullish on Ants continued success/growth. He seems to be a student of the game like Dame. The biggest question for me is can he be reliably clutch? That is what seperates good from great. Great players are ones you hold onto.

 

[KSF-ERIC]

Ant and Dame can coexist. First Dame is in his 30's, he isn't going to want the minutes, games, and shot loads that he had in his mid 20's. He will be happy to stand in the corner some and let Ant shine, or rest an extra 10 minutes on a back to back.

The issue is really the remainder of the roster. It doesn't make any sense to have CJ with this duo, and even Powell has questionable value. The team needs big defensive forwards to go with such a backcourt. Roco is good, and Nas and Nance are nice although their 3 point shooting is a concern. They need another big forward that can defend and hit threes.

Now depending on the trade haul from a CJ/Powell trades compared to a massive Dame trade haul it might not make the most strategic sense to build around Dame+Simons. Cashing in the haul for Dame might give the team the most assets to contend.

But if the franchise is set on a hard no to Dame trades, there are ways to build around Dame and Ant, so no I don't believe they each must have their own team. We've seen Curry and Klay win multiple titles along with MVP usage Durant. Harden has fit with other high usage scorers. MVP Wade and LeBron fit. There is some give and take, its a process, but those pairs can be dominant.

However; the focus of building the team needs to be around maximizing the units with Dame and Ant, and not maximizing CJ or Norm's roles.

Curry, Klay, and KD are all completely different players. Ant and Dame are similar to each other. Wade never won MVP but they were different too. Harden is a good example playing with Chris Paul and winning 65 games.

 

[TBpup]

But if the franchise is set on a hard no to Dame trades, there are ways to build around Dame and Ant, so no I don't believe they each must have their own team. We've seen Curry and Klay win multiple titles along with MVP usage Durant. Harden has fit with other high usage scorers. MVP Wade and LeBron fit. There is some give and take, its a process, but those pairs can be dominant.

However; the focus of building the team needs to be around maximizing the units with Dame and Ant, and not maximizing CJ or Norm's roles.

Klay is/was a completely different type of player than anyone Dame has played with in years. Also, the teammates around Curry/LeBron/Harden had much more in terms of length and defense to compliment them. Agreed with maximizing the pieces around Dame and Ant if those are the 2 guards left standing.

IMO, there were two major problems with the Dame/CJ pairing. One was that they never developed any synergy. The best they built was an 'it's-my-turn-it's-your-turn-it's-my-turn-again' rapport that only looked great the few times both were hitting all their shots and seeing the floor well. They were too redundant in style and usage demand. I think Dame developed a better synergy with Matthews in his first season than he ever has with CJ in 7 seasons...

...the other problem was that the Dame/CJ pairing really needed an all-star level 2-way player at one of the forward positions. Going from Aminu/Harkless to RoCo/Powell was 7 years of a flawed front-courts. Powell is obviously the best offensive player they had at forward, but he's not 2-way and he's playing out of position

just rebooting from Dame/CJ to Dame/Simons doesn't seem to address the first big issue about fit and synergy, while leaving in place the defensive holes. And unless Blazer management can somehow land an all-star level wing/forward in trade, they won't be fixing the 2nd issue

Wouldn't someone with the versatility of Simmons potentially be a great fit if you are going to go with a Dame/Ant backcourt?

 

[TBpup]

we don't know that yet...Trent was huge in winning the playin' series in the bubble and the whole league was talking about him....then a couple months later he cooled off.....Ant might not ever cool off but he's not been great all season...just really over this last road trip....if he comes back to where he was then he might very well be Trent like ....right now, just like Gary....you can sell high on him. I'm not saying they will but the deadline is coming up and he's the hot ticket on a cheap deal right now for trading value....we need length...CJ doesn't have a tradeable contract...Norm and Ant do...you get a 6'8 3 and D guy for him and you help the team in an area of weakness provided the guy is a rotational talent....it'll be interesting to see how Cronin plays this

Trent NEVER passed the ball like Ant has been doing. Also, if Trent was huge in the bubble and then a couple months later cooled off, wouldn't that have been the off-season? Or the start of the next season? Please clarify.

 

[Orion Bailey]

we don't know that yet...Trent was huge in winning the playin' series in the bubble and the whole league was talking about him....then a couple months later he cooled off.....Ant might not ever cool off but he's not been great all season...just really over this last road trip....if he comes back to where he was then he might very well be Trent like ....right now, just like Gary....you can sell high on him. I'm not saying they will but the deadline is coming up and he's the hot ticket on a cheap deal right now for trading value....we need length...CJ doesn't have a tradeable contract...Norm and Ant do...you get a 6'8 3 and D guy for him and you help the team in an area of weakness provided the guy is a rotational talent....it'll be interesting to see how Cronin plays this

huh? You said become our Trent. Trent is no longer with us. The numbers he put up in the bubble you reference are not changeable. Ant has already done more in the last month then trent did in all his tome on our roster.

and this created a much bigger buzz for him than trent ever had.

 

[Hoopguru]

IMO, I trade Ant now if the right front court player is on the table. Include him is a package. Powell and Dame at the guard positions is formidable and Powell is the better defending guard we have now. He's also tough as Nails and gets to the hoop and FTL.

 

[wizenheimer]

Wouldn't someone with the versatility of Simmons potentially be a great fit if you are going to go with a Dame/Ant backcourt?

how much more versatile is he than CJ? Just being a little better facilitator isn't really adding versatility when Dame is the starting PG

 

[Orion Bailey]

We disagree and I clarified my comparison...become our Trent means a guy coming off a rookie deal that has built value come the trade deadline because he's getting paid next summer and you need help in another area of the roster......Ant sucked passing most of this season until recently...he also was turnover prone and sketchy on defense.....he's made a huge leap given more minutes...which Gary also did his last year here.....there's a clear comparison concerning both guys contract situation, built value as trade assets and lack of size at their position.....Ant was block practice at the rim most of the season this year....he's figured that out for now. It's a puzzle...I've stated nobody knows if this is sustainable or a hot streak. Same as last season trading for Norm. As I said ....I think Chauncey , Joe and Dame will vote somebody off the island....we have too many 6'3 guards. Ant might very well be the keeper but Norm has to go if that happens

okay i understand better now. You are comparing the situation. Not the players.

 

[boredinsalem]

how much more versatile is he than CJ? Just being a little better facilitator isn't really adding versatility when Dame is the starting PG

It would help with breaking doubles on Dame, that's for sure. CJ hasn't been able to take advantage of those 4 on 3s going downhill.

 

[TBpup]

how much more versatile is he than CJ? Just being a little better facilitator isn't really adding versatility when Dame is the starting PG

Seriously? Completely more versatile because of all the defensive positions he can guard and multiple positions he can play on offense....even if he can't shoot. He would help cover up a lot of Dame/Ant's defensive 'short'comings in a big way and be the ultimate roll guy in a PnR with either player.

 

[wizenheimer]

Seriously? Completely more versatile because of all the defensive positions he can guard and multiple positions he can play on offense....even if he can't shoot. He would help cover up a lot of Dame/Ant's defensive 'short'comings in a big way and be the ultimate roll guy in a PnR with either player.

sorry man....I misread your post. Missed the extra 'm' and thought you were talking about just Simons

I think we have to use Simons for Ant, and Simmmmmmmmons for Ben so simple minds like mine aren't befuddled.

 

[TBpup]

sorry man....I misread your post. Missed the extra 'm' and thought you were talking about just Simons

I think we have to use Simons for Ant, and Simmmmmmmmons for Ben so simple minds like mine aren't befuddled.

...or perhaps, Simons and siMMons. It can be confusing when you are ready fast, especially on a smaller screen.

 

[Phatguysrule]

...or perhaps, Simons and siMMons. It can be confusing when you are ready fast, especially on a smaller screen.

AS and BS. Perfect

 

[Idog1976]

Ya, I know what it means. Still not sure it fits. Then again I’m a dumbass

I’ve seen it used this way in several books. Perhaps it’s incorrect. It felt natural when I wrote it, but perhaps I’m wrong.

 

[GriLtCheeZ]

Yeah, he prefers to be called Penny.

Nice!

...it bugs him so much he's centered his entire brand around it. Just look at his website logo for example:
View attachment 44392

I was just going for the pun bro.

Here's another: Penny is money!

I'll be here all week...

 

[Orion Bailey]

AS and BS. Perfect

FT





(Fuck that, lol)

 

[bobf]

I expect Ant to continue to improve a lot given his age and the rate at which he’s already improved and the room he has to grow in certain areas, primarily D and finishing.

 

[bobf]

sorry man....I misread your post. Missed the extra 'm' and thought you were talking about just Simons

I think we have to use Simons for Ant, and Simmmmmmmmons for Ben so simple minds like mine aren't befuddled.

At least if we ever got Simmons other announcers might learn to pronounce Simons.

 

[Idog1976]

Trading Ant right now is like trading a very high pick in the draft. He's got buzz.

There is a reason for that Buzz. We don't want to be on the receiving end. We have a burgeoning second star on the team.

 

[PCmor7]

I just don't feel Norm is an ideal fit for this team. Not disparaging him as a player, but I think both our other small guards play better with Dame than Norm does. I'll be interested to see how he fits tonight. I think the best lineup the Blazers can put on the floor right now has Nas at the 3, not Norm, but Norm is a starting quality 2 for a lot of teams and could bring the Blazers back value at the 3 or 4.

The next thing is watching Ant continue to develop his identity playing next to CJ. Because of his contract and age, CJ becomes more and more expendable if you think Ant continues to be an explosive starting 2G playing next to Dame and not a guy who gets overawed and passive starting with a HOF PG. If you think Ant is anywhere near CJ you deal CJ because you get out of that contract, bolster your team at a position of need and you maintain your scoring advantage in the backcourt.

McLemore has a role on this team. However, if either or both of the hypothetical trades happen above, RoCo and Nance either become chips to sweeten the pot for a really top-level 3 or 4 and/or depth at guard.

 

[Strenuus]

So you are certain now is Ant's highest?

If not, and if he has significant improvements coming, trading him now may be far worse than the Jermaine O'Neal trade.

Trade him.

 

[KSF-ERIC]

Trade him.

Mistake.

 

[bobf]

Forget all your BB analysis. Ant is cool. You don’t trade cool.

 

[Fairly-Hard]

Forget all your BB analysis. Ant is cool. You don’t trade cool.

Post of the Day!

 

[BoomChakaLaka]

Simons is real.

real good!

rebuild the team around Ant. I’m 1000% serious. He’s this good.

 

[Strenuus]

Simons is real.

real good!

rebuild the team around Ant. I’m 1000% serious. He’s this good.

Don't rebuild around a guy who has a good month. If he does good the rest of the year then taking the risk is meh at best. But after a month. No. Foolish.

It's like Dame gets surgery and people are like "LEAVE HIM. HES DONE. FINISHED. MOVE ON".

like bro, we have a top 15 player coming back from an injury he played with for years and BEASTED until this year with, and who still has 3 prime years left AFTER the injury.

Like seriously. Think for a second how foolish that sounds. Ant is doing a GREAT job but to rebuild around him after one month is asinine at best.