Are the Blazers better with Brogdon instead of Dame?

[Rastapopoulos]

I avoided this thread because it’s a pointless exercise the truth is that neither Dame or Malcolm matter. The future is Scoot. Period. End of story.

 

[Natebishop3]

And Shae.

True but Dame and Malcolm didn’t/don’t stand in the way or Shae’s development.

 

[TBpup]

A bit of a tacky analogy given his divorce...

Well, since it was a quote about strictly basketball and the reality of his time here, I doubt the divorce was front of mind. They happen. No reason to jog up the court on defense like that for over a decade. They are just calling him out on it when he got a free pass here for years.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Kind of surprised there was about 100x as much discussion of what I intended this thread to be than thought I put into initially making it.

I wasn't asking if the Dame trade was good or not or evaluating any other assets. I wasn't asking if the franchise is better now than before. I was only asking if Dame is switched out for just Malcolm are the Blazers better? I know this didn't happen and likely can't from a cap perspective but that was still the question I posed.

The idea to create this thread was from having a realization that a lot of the things the Blazers were doing well and that Brogdon contributed would not happen if Dame were here in his place. So it became an actual legit question in my mind if we are better served with Brogdon whereas previously I never would've considered it possible that Brogdon could help a team more than Dame.

Having a team with Dame crates a lot of challenges to build a winning group. I think we also saw with the trade market how few teams made sense as a Dame destination whereas Jrue and to a lesser extend Malcolm are highly desired by nearly every contending team in the league. In a sense this question is an extension of analyzing that dynamic.

1. Dame has enormous liabilities on defense, this is the largest point and cannot be overstated.

2. Dame requires a huge offensive role with very high usage, this takes away opportunities from many other teammates and for their growth. Also as a 10year team cornerstone we have players that might defer to Dame but without him have more potential to develop offensively.

3. Dame style of play is a slow ISO heavy pick and role offensive scheme with little ball movement. That often doesn't maximize the play of other players.

4. Dame can be trapped or have other defensive counters applied that greatly reduce his and the team effectiveness both in the regular season as well as the playoffs. A more diverse offense has fewer or none of these concerns.

5. Dame poor defense didn't allow the Blazers to utilize any other one way offensive players successfully. In particular I look at the possibility of the Blazers being able to successfully add Ants offense back to this team when he is recovered. The Blazers can scheme for one bad defender but not two. But this could apply to Melo, Kanter, CJ, or future Blazers.

 

[Whyachi]

Dame went 10-4 to start last season without nearly the Frontcourt defensive size & depth as this current Blazers roster. They even KO'd the world champ Nuggets in that opening season run.

I'll revisit this topic after ~15 games

my answer is No, the Blazers are not better with Brogdan instead of Lillard. Malcolm already missed a few games (hammy), and Portland is probably still a sub .500 team with Malcolm running point.

While Brogdon definitely helps Portland win, 99% of Blazer Land wants him traded for a draft pick. Winning is not helpful when the final goal is losing for the lottery.

We enjoy Brogdon's competitive edge and crafty ball control. But the timing just isn't right to keep a skilled veteran. If the Front Office gets a phone call from a playoff team looking to upgrade their backcourt, that super shiny future draft pick(s) will hypnotize Blazers management. Zombie rebuild... must ..get... picks.

 

[barfo]

Yes, and I shall provide geometrical proof.

Blazers
r
o
g
d
o
n

Perfect right angle there. Symmetry.

L
i
l
Blazers
a
r
d

What a mess. Any fool can see that Lillard would cross the Blazers.

barfo

 

[PDXFonz]

Yes, and I shall provide geometrical proof.

Blazers
r
o
g
d
o
n

Perfect right angle there. Symmetry.

L
i
l
Blazers
a
r
d

What a mess. Any fool can see that Lillard would cross the Blazers.

barfo

But you forgot…

B rogdon
L illard
A yton
Z anzibar
E xorcism
R ace Car
S ex