Cronin deserves to be fired for not taking the New Orleans pick. (4 Viewers)

[SlyPokerDog]

I like Homelander.

 

[THE HCP]

I like Homelander.

Is that the movie with Sean Connery??? Loved that one!

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Is that the movie with Sean Connery??? Loved that one!

 

[sheed30]

Being critical of something doesn't mean it has to be negative. Some people just view it as so because they can't handle criticism.

Ya that can happen too. But I think it’s more the latter IMO

 

[julius]

sure....but it's impossible to gauge by won/loss records because of the blatant tanking. Eyeball test says yes though

I just didn't agree that the 'rebuild started when Dame was traded. It started well before even though the Blazers never leaned all the way in. Bet-hedging and fence-straddling is a blazer way of life

If they didn't lean in, then by definition it wasn't a rebuild.

They basically tore the team down to the studs.

And that wasn't until they got rid of Damian. Before that it was trying to tinker. You could argue, successfully I might add, that they SHOULD have started it sooner, not that doesn't change when they finally thru in the towel.

Like look at the Bucks. They haven't started their rebuild yet, even tho this year was atrocious. It won't start till they jettison Giannis, otherwise it's not a true rebuild but just moving the chairs on the lido deck as the boat angles towards an iceberg.

 

[Idog1976]

One of New owners (possibly the Panda Express guy) specifically mentions China and Hansen Yang in the introductory press conference. I think there is a good chance ownership looks at this very differently than some fans do.

Purely for money reasons. Also, Cronin and/or Splitter should for SURE be fired for not losing that game to LAC.

 

[wizenheimer]

If they didn't lean in, then by definition it wasn't a rebuild.

it was a rebuild....I know it, so do you though you won't admit it now

that Portland was half-assing their way thru a rebuild doesn't make it 'not-a-rebuild'

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Cronin let Nickeil Alexander Walker go for nothing; he has turned out to be a better than average two way player. He drafted Scoot over Amen Thompson, who I noticed is claimed to be the best rebounder in the league if you count how he limits the rebounds of the guy he is guarding. I'm really kind of freaked by the game that Rayan Rupert had. He is playing 30 minutes a night and appears that his floor is average NBA starter. Let him go for nothing even though his 3 pt shooting was trending up quite nicely. If he didn't like who was available at 13 last year , why didn't he trade for a 2026 pick? And yeh, one can quibble with every one of these; didn't have enough information, coaches didn't think the guy had much potential, Scoot pick was what everyone thought was a no-brainer....... But the fact is; they all turned out bad in hindsight.

 

[1 Eye Jack]

Solid guess. I have a gut feeling Cronin stays and Splitter goes

I think Cronin has done a great job. Although he had some misses It took some balls to dump some bloated contracts and move on from players. Also was time to move on from Dame we couldn’t rebuild with him here we needed to blow it up and start over and Dame was our easiest tool to make that happen. He didn’t settle for what Dame wanted he did what was best for the franchise and not what was best for Dame even though it was still decent move for Dame. It’s the type of move that our new owner should respect.

 

[BBert]

Cutting Rupert was asinine. He's 21 years old, he improved from unplayable to good in less than one season, and his base skill set is everything. Literally the only move I'm pissed at Cronin for. He's not close to his ceiling. If he washes out I'll take my board beating but based on this season's improvement, his physical ability, and his age, I would have found a way to keep him.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

Cutting Rupert was asinine. He's 21 years old, he improved from unplayable to good in less than one season, and his base skill set is everything. Literally the only move I'm pissed at Cronin for. He's not close to his ceiling. If he washes out I'll take my board beating but based on this season's improvement, his physical ability, and his age, I would have found a way to keep him.

We chose Cissoko over Rupert. Look at Cissokos box score the last 10 games. Rupert has always had potential and I hate that we cut him. Wish we would have just let Cissoko go.

They straight up drafted Rupert over Camara so at one point they must've believed in him.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

If he was so good why did he play like ass when he was in for us?

He is 21 and rarely got opportunities. There is a reason they took him over Cissoko and Toumani in the draft.

At least we are playing Murray more than Cissoko nowadays. Thats been an improvement.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

He is 21 and rarely got opportunities. There is a reason they took him over Cissoko and Toumani in the draft.

At least we are playing Murray more than Cissoko nowadays. Thats been an improvement.

Cissoko has literally won the Blazers games. Rupert looked terrible this season until shortly before getting cut. Sidy clearly outplayed Rupert. Unfortunately Sidy's play has kind of gone downhill since getting the guaranteed deal.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

Cissoko has literally won the Blazers games. Rupert looked terrible this season until shortly before getting cut. Sidy clearly outplayed Rupert. Unfortunately Sidy's play has kind of gone downhill since getting the guaranteed deal.

I understand that. I haven't been a fan of Sidy's game though. And I've always thought Rupert had more potential. We aren't close to being contenders. I would have kept the guy with the potential that we already had graded above Sidy during the draft. I also wouldn't have cared if we cut Thybulle. He is a free agent this offseason and I don't think we resign him anyways.

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

I understand that. I haven't been a fan of Sidy's game though. And I've always thought Rupert had more potential. We aren't close to being contenders. I would have kept the guy with the potential that we already had graded above Sidy during the draft. I also wouldn't have cared if we cut Thybulle. He is a free agent this offseason and I don't think we resign him anyways.

Wait. Are you mad we drafted Hansen for potential and also mad we didn't keep Rupert for potential?

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

Wait. Are you mad we drafted Hansen for potential and also mad we didn't keep Rupert for potential?

I don't see a NBA player when I watch Yang. I'd love to be proven wrong but I think he is one of those light up the rec league/g league guys that just won't translate to the NBA.

I'm not mad at Yang. I think Coward is going to be a really great player.

I think Rupert has the skills/body/athleticism to translate to the NBA.

 

[GrandpaBlaze]

I don't see a NBA player when I watch Yang. I'd love to be proven wrong but I think he is one of those light up the rec league/g league guys that just won't translate to the NBA.

I'm not mad at Yang. I think Coward is going to be a really great player.

I think Rupert has the skills/body/athleticism to translate to the NBA.

To be fair, Rupert often didn't look like an NBA player in his first year either yet some bemoan the fact we let him go. Others, like me generally, are thinking we ought to cut the strings with Yang as he doesn't really look like a player most of the time either but perhaps we just need to give him a bit more time as well. Not Meyers Leonard type time but a little more at least.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

To be fair, Rupert often didn't look like an NBA player in his first year either yet some bemoan the fact we let him go. Others, like me generally, are thinking we ought to cut the strings with Yang as he doesn't really look like a player most of the time either but perhaps we just need to give him a bit more time as well. Not Meyers Leonard type time but a little more at least.

I could see how some thought Rupert didn't look like an NBA player, but not on the same stratosphere as Yang. I don't see it. At all.

I could always see the Rupert potential. He probably won't become a star but I definitely can see him becoming an above average starter.

I think Yangs best case scenario is a backup center. And he was taken with pick 16. Rupert was taken in the 2nd round.

 

[THE HCP]

Ya that can happen too. But I think it’s more the latter IMO

The unrealistic optimism and then nightly crash from having those said expectations is much more annoying than ANY type of criticism I read on here.

 

[THE HCP]

Curious if we could go down the list of GMs around the league and have multiple examples of them dropping the ball on draft picks and trades, or is it just OUR GM that’s has a history of said travesties?

 

[julius]

Curious if we could go down the list of GMs around the league and have multiple examples of them dropping the ball on draft picks and trades, or is it just OUR GM that’s has a history of said travesties?

Just ours.

 

[THE HCP]

Just ours.

Good glad we got that straight.

 

[e_blazer]

I don't see a NBA player when I watch Yang. I'd love to be proven wrong but I think he is one of those light up the rec league/g league guys that just won't translate to the NBA.

I'm not mad at Yang. I think Coward is going to be a really great player.

I think Rupert has the skills/body/athleticism to translate to the NBA.

In addition to Yang, you need to consider Orlando’s 2028 1st round pick and a couple of 2nd rounders that the Blazers acquired in the trade with Memphis. Yang is definitely a bit of a flyer, but there is more coming Portland’s way that could make the deal a plus even if Yang is never more than a backup.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

In addition to Yang, you need to consider Orlando’s 2028 1st round pick and a couple of 2nd rounders that the Blazers acquired in the trade with Memphis. Yang is definitely a bit of a flyer, but there is more coming Portland’s way that could make the deal a plus even if Yang is never more than a backup.

Folks, ya'll keep saying this in response to me. Go back and look at my posts. I know that we have the Magic pick. I've mentioned it over and over and over
That may or may not turn into something. I'd rather have Coward.

 

[BBert]

Yang is definitely a bit of a flyer, but there is more coming Portland’s way that could make the deal a plus even if Yang is never more than a backup.

I hate to say it but it looks to me like NBA backup is Yang's ceiling. He has the tools to be a nice player but I don't see him dominating anyone.

 

[kjironman1]

Just ours.

This one the last one and the last coach didn't play those bad choices right.

You gotta work on your "Total Picture". Then you got to add the idea the current head coach who replaced the last one is now dealing with federal gambling charges. Of course now they gotta fired the the interim coach because he doesn't play the bad picks and missed opportunities the right way also.

It's really very simple. It's right there in front of you for all to see.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

I understand that. I haven't been a fan of Sidy's game though. And I've always thought Rupert had more potential. We aren't close to being contenders. I would have kept the guy with the potential that we already had graded above Sidy during the draft. I also wouldn't have cared if we cut Thybulle. He is a free agent this offseason and I don't think we resign him anyways.

I think we should re-sign Matisse. He can be a game changer when healthy.

 

[e_blazer]

Folks, ya'll keep saying this in response to me. Go back and look at my posts. I know that we have the Magic pick. I've mentioned it over and over and over
That may or may not turn into something. I'd rather have Coward.

Sorry, I looked back a couple of pages and didn’t see that point.

Coward looks solid, but not spectacular. 13.6 ppg on 47% shooting and 34% from 3 doesn’t scream future star to me. Missing 20 games with a bad back is worrying. I think he’d be pretty easy to replace with the 2028 draft pick. Obviously, you’re entitled to your own opinions.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

Sorry, I looked back a couple of pages and didn’t see that point.

Coward looks solid, but not spectacular. 13.6 ppg on 47% shooting and 34% from 3 doesn’t scream future star to me. Missing 20 games with a bad back is worrying. I think he’d be pretty easy to replace with the 2028 draft pick. Obviously, you’re entitled to your own opinions.

1st rounders don't often put up those numbers in their first year. You forgot to mention that is in 25.8 minutes per game.

I'll be ecstatic if we draft someone in 2028 that is as good. I won't hold my breath on that one.