Blazers have talked to San Antonio about Kawhi

[Scalma]

You're right, I've never actually checked where he grew up, just hearing erroneous reports he's from LA to base it on. Still, why do you feel Portland would have a growing appeal on him, where it really hasn't on the last 2-3 generations of players that have come through here?

Because he’s not into the bright lights lifestyle and everything that comes with it. The media,etc. That’s why he doesn’t live in LA, even though he’s from there. He’s settled in his personal life. Portland would fit him, as would the culture Lillard has created within the team.

And I don’t agree that Portland hasn’t had an appeal on players. Many former blazers still maintain homes in Portland. Dame lives there full time. Not every NBA player is into the NBA lifestyle. Some prefer a more laid back atmosphere. Kawhi is one of those.

 

[tykendo]

What make you think I disagree with you? I just posted a pic saying it wouldn't surprise me if Hailblazers wasn't surprised that BigGameDamian wouldn't be surprised if the Blazers don't make the playoffs.

Isn't that clear?

I'm older, it took too much thinking.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Because he’s not into the bright lights lifestyle and everything that comes with it. The media,etc. That’s why he doesn’t live in LA, even though he’s from there. He’s settled in his personal life. Portland would fit him, as would the culture Lillard has created within the team.

And I don’t agree that Portland hasn’t had an appeal on players. Many former blazers still maintain homes in Portland. Dame lives there full time. Not every NBA player is into the NBA lifestyle. Some prefer a more laid back atmosphere. Kawhi is one of those.

Sometimes I think @jlprk is a little crazy, but one point he makes frequently is about the Portland media, most of the sport personalities here are jerks... They’re constantly tearing down the players, constantly trying to start crap and I think that does wear on guys. From my experience (which isn’t a lot I know) with other media markets they’re critical sure, but they at least pretend to what their teams to succeed. Portland has a bunch of guys who seem to get pleasure out of tearing them down.
The Portland media is worse about perpetuating the story that no one wants to be here than the national media, who literally ONLY cheers for big markets.

I think the media plays a huge role in the Blazers ability to keep and get players. It’s also played a huge role in the type of team the Blazers have constructed since the early 2000’s.

 

[Scalma]

Sometimes I think @jlprk is a little crazy, but one point he makes frequently is about the Portland media, most of the sport personalities here are jerks... They’re constantly tearing down the players, constantly trying to start crap and I think that does wear on guys. From my experience (which isn’t a lot I know) with other media markets they’re critical sure, but they at least pretend to what their teams to succeed. Portland has a bunch of guys who seem to get pleasure out of tearing them down.
The Portland media is worse about perpetuating the story that no one wants to be here than the national media, who literally ONLY cheers for big markets.

I think the media plays a huge role in the Blazers ability to keep and get players. It’s also played a huge role in the type of team the Blazers have constructed since the early 2000’s.

You’re giving those dorks too much credit. I personally don’t think the players give a fuck. There are multiple Canzanos in the bigger markets.

 

[BonesJones]

Yeah, but they have Murray, White, and Mills already. I'm not sure they are looking for PGs.

Murray can be a SG

 

[Orion Bailey]

You’re giving those dorks too much credit. I personally don’t think the players give a fuck. There are multiple Canzanos in the bigger markets.

Let’s get real, the biggest detractor is our taxes.

 

[hoopsjock]

Murray can be a SG

I like my shooting guard to be able to shoot.

 

[e_blazer]

Let’s get real, the biggest detractor is our taxes.

Nah. People say that a lot but I think it’s bull. Half of the games are played out of state, so Oregon taxes don’t come into hit that income. Most states have income taxes. Oregon’s top rate is 9.9%. California taxes incomes over $1,000,000 at a whopping 13.3% and that doesn’t stop players from wanting to go to the Lakers or Clippers. Besides, when guys buy their Porsches and Land Rovers, there’s no sales tax here and licensing fees are dirt cheap.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

You’re giving those dorks too much credit. I personally don’t think the players give a fuck. There are multiple Canzanos in the bigger markets.

Bigger Markets also have other things to talk about.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Nah. People say that a lot but I think it’s bull. Half of the games are played out of state, so Oregon taxes don’t come into hit that income. Most states have income taxes. Oregon’s top rate is 9.9%. California taxes incomes over $1,000,000 at a whopping 13.3% and that doesn’t stop players from wanting to go to the Lakers or Clippers. Besides, when guys buy their Porsches and Land Rovers, there’s no sales tax here and licensing fees are dirt cheap.

Right. All of that is temp life though. but as far as wanting to live here? Our property taxes are large.

Lakers and la will be la. Just like ny. I’m talking about competing with the Miami’s and San Antonio’s and Minnesota’s. The biggest factor for players choosing them over us I think is taxation. Or the lack of. Texas is known to save players millions.

 

[oldmangrouch]

It would shock the heck out of me, unless, God Forbid, an injury to a key player happens. Blazers are heading on a path to success. Doubters gonna doubt.

The West is such a brawl, every team is one key injury away from being knocked out of the playoffs. Outside of GSW and Houston, no one has much margin for error.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Right. All of that is temp life though. but as far as wanting to live here? Our property taxes are large.

Lakers and la will be la. Just like ny. I’m talking about competing with the Miami’s and San Antonio’s and Minnesota’s. The biggest foscror for players choosing them over us I thin is taxation. Or the lack of. Texas is known to save players millions.

But players like to spend money - and we have no sales tax. As for the property tax, land/houses are still cheaper than in Cali, or Denver, or any big city on the east coast.

 

[Orion Bailey]

But players like to spend money - and we have no sales tax. As for the property tax, land/houses are still cheaper than in Cali, or Denver, or any big city on the east coast.

True on the spending but housing here is actually fairly spendy now. No not nyc, San Francisco’s spendy but there isn’t near the gap there once was. Portland average house value is actually pretty high.

 

[BonesJones]

I like my shooting guard to be able to shoot.

Wright can shoot. They're high 6'5, skilled, good playmakers, and lockdown defenders.

 

[CupWizier]

Trade ticker says that trade is awful for the Blazers. Funny how trade ticker formulates it's predictions.

Hollinger's analysis must be based a lot on last years numbers

 

[DameLill379]

Get Jimmy Butler and put him at SF. He isnt signing back with Minny. They would be stupid to let him walk.

 

[KingSpeed]

The West is such a brawl, every team is one key injury away from being knocked out of the playoffs. Outside of GSW and Houston, no one has much margin for error.

In March, Portland built a huge margin for error for 3 seed and then fell apart and still got 3 seed and get no credit for it.

 

[DameLill379]

In March, Portland built a huge margin for error for 3 seed and then fell apart and still got 3 seed and get no credit for it.

I mean it was good they kept 3rd and shit but dude....it’s no accomplishment that they had to battle for 3rd seed in the final game of the year. We dropped a few games that we shouldn’t have dropped and I still say we coulda’ stole one against Houston ...but neither Houston game is what I’m concerned about. They flat out showed why they haven’t gone far in the playoffs despite having success...inconsistent

 

[KingSpeed]

Isn't it obvious?

We're going to be the first seed.

Good point. Respect.

 

[KingSpeed]

I mean it was good they kept 3rd and shit but dude....it’s no accomplishment that they had to battle for 3rd seed in the final game of the year. We dropped a few games that we shouldn’t have dropped and I still say we coulda’ stole one against Houston ...but neither Houston game is what I’m concerned about. They flat out showed why they haven’t gone far in the playoffs despite having success...inconsistent

It's NO ACCOMPLISHMENT we battled for 3 seed in last game of season? What did you think last year at this time? That we would get 3 seed by at least 3 games or better??

 

[illmatic99]

Well so much for that. Ugh

Kawhi to Toronto.

 

[Natebishop3]

Well so much for that. Ugh

Kawhi to Toronto.

It's not done yet, is my understanding.

 

[LeeRC]

Toronto has got to be dumb as fuck to make this deal.

If their goal is to win or get to the Finals, Kawhi for Demar and OG is such a lateral move that I can't see them doing that much better than last season. A healthy Boston and healthy Philly is still better than them. Meanwhile, Kawhi certainly doesn't have any intention on staying (if he plays at all).

If their goal is rebuilding, giving up OG for a one year rental is a dumb move.

 

[Natebishop3]

Toronto has got to be dumb as fuck to make this deal.

If their goal is to win or get to the Finals, Kawhi for Demar and OG is such a lateral move that I can't see them doing that much better than last season. A healthy Boston and healthy Philly is still better than them. Meanwhile, Kawhi certainly doesn't have any intention on staying (if he plays at all).

If their goal is rebuilding, giving up OG for a one year rental is a dumb move.

I disagree. Kawhi is a top 5 player if he's healthy and invested. The Raptors are pretty hardstuck right now. It's a pretty awesome move for them if it works out. This could be the kind of move that puts them in the Finals. It probably won't win them the chip, but it could get them there. DeRozan is extremely overrated. Who knows what kind of bloodbath is going to happen in the West playoffs, whereas the East is going to be a cakewalk.

 

[Scalma]

So Kawhi doesn’t want to play for Toronto and Derozan feels betrayed.

Cool!

 

[BonesJones]

So Kawhi doesn’t want to play for Toronto and Derozan feels betrayed.

Cool!

Toronto is stupid for this.

 

[illmatic99]

You don't win championships without a top 10 player on your team.

Toronto just got one who is top 5 when healthy.

Derozan was getting benched in the playoffs as his team was getting swept, and at his ceiling is maybe a top 25 player. It's a risky move, but one that is a no brainer.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Well so much for that. Ugh

Kawhi to Toronto.

So much for what? It's not like we were getting him

 

[Blazers Roy]

-Raptors realize they won't make the finals or be a top tier team with Lowry and DeRozan at the helm.
-Raptors trade one of them dudes for the 3rd best player in the world (when healthy).
-Raptors understand that if all fails they'll trade Kawai for Lakers' assets and then get rid of Lowry and start rebuilding around their young players.

We should actually relate to their line of thinking. Maybe they should have traded DeRozan for high draft picks, maybe it wasn't on the table, we don't know.

 

[Labinot41]

And we still have CJ...