Dame all but demanding vet roster (2 Viewers)

[Pinwheel1]

Cool.

I think you’re suffering from good old fashioned denial. I saw plenty of it leading up to LMA bailing on us. Funny enough, I got the same kind of abuse back then as well.

Remind me again what the trade scenarios back then were for LMA? I don't remember them being that good. So trying to keep him until the bitter end was not that bad IMO. Either way, we still have not replaced his skill level.

 

[Natebishop3]

Remind me again what the trade scenarios back then were for LMA? I don't remember them being that good. So trying to keep him until the bitter end was not that bad IMO. Either way, we still have not replaced his skill level.

Supposedly the Warriors made an offer. Not sure how true that was. But losing LMA for nothing massively set us back.

 

[Predator]

Cool.

I think you’re suffering from good old fashioned denial. I saw plenty of it leading up to LMA bailing on us. Funny enough, I got the same kind of abuse back then as well.

Damian is also under contract for years.

LMA was a free agent-to-be.

So the situations aren't all that similar.

Now if the situation was the same, sure, I could see your perspective.

But it's not even close.

And also, LMA was a tool.

 

[Predator]

Supposedly the Warriors made an offer. Not sure how true that was. But losing LMA for nothing massively set us back.

It was David Lee I believe

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Remind me again what the trade scenarios back then were for LMA? I don't remember them being that good. So trying to keep him until the bitter end was not that bad IMO. Either way, we still have not replaced his skill level.

Here's one last of proposals from the summer of 2013.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/syndic...trail-blazers-would-have-to-consider.amp.html

 

[BIG Q]

Here's one last of proposals from the summer of 2013.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/syndic...trail-blazers-would-have-to-consider.amp.html

The Cleveland deal would have been good if the incoming contracts were manageable, I have no idea if they were.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Here's one last of proposals from the summer of 2013.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/syndic...trail-blazers-would-have-to-consider.amp.html

Yeah as I recall that 2014 draft was crap. Embiid was the one exception but he was injured at the time. Would the Blazers have gambled on another injured center? And that is only if LMA didn't make the Cavs better enough to not get a top pick. (and if it was unprotected) It is all a gamble, and I would prefer to have gambled on keeping LMA. The cap space we saved could have helped but that was on Neil.

As for Dame, sure if someone offers us a difference maker you consider it. But getting back 45 million in contracts for a player that can be duplicated through other means does not excite me either. I would rather gamble on Dame.

 

[Natebishop3]

Yeah as I recall that 2014 draft was crap. Embiid was the one exception but he was injured at the time. Would the Blazers have gambled on another injured center? And that is only if LMA didn't make the Cavs better enough to not get a top pick. (and if it was unprotected) It is all a gamble, and I would prefer to have gambled on keeping LMA. The cap space we saved could have helped but that was on Neil.

As for Dame, sure if someone offers us a difference maker you consider it. But getting back 45 million in contracts for a player that can be duplicated through other means does not excite me either. I would rather gamble on Dame.

I wanted to push the Warriors for Klay instead of Barnes. This was before Klay blew up.

 

[wizenheimer]

I haven’t called you any names, unlike some others in this thread. I just disagree with you. I have told you in the past that I think your point of view is reasonable. I just think it’s wrong. Why do I need to lighten up?

because you're responding to my post and I was obviously joking?

I think you’re suffering from good old fashioned denial. I saw plenty of it leading up to LMA bailing on us. Funny enough, I got the same kind of abuse back then as well.

remind me again how I am in denial...I'll refresh you memory of the positions I've had and stated pretty consistently for months, including the time since the season ended

* I do not believe Portland will trade Dame unless he demands to be traded

* I have never believed Dame was very close to asking for a trade. I think the odds have been against it and have only increased since Portland landed on 3rd in the lottery

* If the Blazers use the pick on a rookie, and Dame is OK with it, I don't believe it would matter if it was Scoot, Miller, or Amen

* I think the asking price for the often named trade targets will be too high and that Portland has cost-acquisition thresholds they will not cross, as was the case with OG

* my hunch is that the Blazers will kind of traverse a middle ground between adding less expensive vets and using the 3rd pick

* I do not believe the quote or tweet from Dame a couple of months ago are his unyielding position. There are no absolutes in this situation

* I think Cronin and Dame have fairly consistent discussions about the proposals and offers the Blazers are receiving for the 3rd pick and for some of Dame's teammates

* if Dame does ultimately ask to be traded I don't think it will happen in July. I think it would be closer to training camp and the season

* Sharpe won't be traded

so again, what exactly am I in denial about?

 

[Cugel]

don't overlook the fact that Dame has sort of painted himself into a corner by saying he is not leaving portland and wanting to win here. More than a few would give him shit for essentially, so they would claim, going back on his word if he were to join stars somewhere else. And come on Orlando? GMAFB. They are on the Banchero timeline plain and simple. They blow their wad on a 50m/year 32 year old when their own future MVP candidate is at least few years away from reaching his ceiling????

 

[Natebishop3]

because you're responding to my post and I was obviously joking?

Dude your joke post was the longest joke post in the history of joke posts.

And in that post you dropped actual opinions. So yes, I responded to the content of your post.

remind me again how I am in denial...I'll refresh you memory of the positions I've had and stated pretty consistently for months, including the time since the season ended

* I do not believe Portland will trade Dame unless he demands to be traded

* I have never believed Dame was very close to asking for a trade. I think the odds have been against it and have only increased since Portland landed on 3rd in the lottery

* If the Blazers use the pick on a rookie, and Dame is OK with it, I don't believe it would matter if it was Scoot, Miller, or Amen

* I think the asking price for the often named trade targets will be too high and that Portland has cost-acquisition thresholds they will not cross, as was the case with OG

* my hunch is that the Blazers will kind of traverse a middle ground between adding less expensive vets and using the 3rd pick

* I do not believe the quote or tweet from Dame a couple of months ago are his unyielding position. There are no absolutes in this situation

* I think Cronin and Dame have fairly consistent discussions about the proposals and offers the Blazers are receiving for the 3rd pick and for some of Dame's teammates

* if Dame does ultimately ask to be traded I don't think it will happen in July. I think it would be closer to training camp and the season

* Sharpe won't be traded

so again, what exactly am I in denial about?

You’re in denial if you think drafting Scoot will mean the same thing to Lillard as drafting Miller.

I think if we go into next season with the same core components as last season, I think Dame is going to be pissed. How could he not be? That’s two years after the initial rumors of Dame being frustrated and our team is no better off than they were after the Nuggets series.

But hey, maybe Joe will hit some homers and put us into contention.

 

[wizenheimer]

Dude your joke post was the longest joke post in the history of joke posts.

I was on a roll...don't deny the roll

You’re in denial if you think drafting Scoot will mean the same thing to Lillard as drafting Miller.

how do you know what the choice will mean to Dame? you're just guessing like everybody else while claiming somebody with a different guess is in denial

I think if we go into next season with the same core components as last season, I think Dame is going to be pissed.
.

maybe...but, Portland has the 3rd pick; and the 23rd pick plus the 43rd pick; and 5 free agents. And we can confidently surmise Cronin has the phones burning. They won't have the same components and it's unlikely they will have the same core components.

my take is you hope Dame will be pissed, mainly because you want him pissed enough he demands a trade; and you know if he doesn't, Portland won't trade him. And that hope is informing your opinions. And yes, my hope is informing mine...but I'm righter

 

[Natebishop3]

I was on a roll...don't deny the roll



how do you know what the choice will mean to Dame? you're just guessing like everybody else while claiming somebody with a different guess is in denial



maybe...but, Portland has the 3rd pick; and the 23rd pick plus the 43rd pick; and 5 free agents. And we can confidently surmise Cronin has the phones burning. They won't have the same components and it's unlikely they will have the same core components.

my take is you hope Dame will be pissed, mainly because you want him pissed enough he demands a trade; and you know if he doesn't, Portland won't trade him. And that hope is informing your opinions. And yes, my hope is informing mine...but I'm righter

You’d be wrong. My only hope is that the team picks a road. Either rebuild and trade Dame or try to put a contender around Dame. Pick a direction. I’d be perfectly happy if Joe can actually build a contender. I just don’t think it will happen. Demanding a trade hurts his value. I don't want him to demand a trade.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Whatever happens hopefully we get a big time player that can make some bang bang plays!

 

[Natebishop3]

"We got an opportunity asset wise to build a team that can compete. That would be the number one thing, but if we can't do that, obviously like I said for months now, then there would be a separate conversation that we would have to have. We have to let things take their course."

"I'm not a fool. I'm not crazy. I love the organization that I play for, I love the city that I live in, and I'm going to give them every opportunity to give me... give us what we need to have a true chance to compete for that. If that's something that isn't possible, or something that can't get done, then we got a different conversation to be had."

It sure doesn't sound like Dame has changed his mind since he made that statement at the end of the season.

 

[Natebishop3]

Interesting.

October 24th when the NBA tips off the new season, do you think Dame Lillard will be in Portland?

Dame: "I do"

 

[wizenheimer]

Interesting.

October 24th when the NBA tips off the new season, do you think Dame Lillard will be in Portland?

Dame: "I do"

I'd wonder if it means he believes, right now, that Cronin can thread the needle for veteran help AND keep the pick

I've been beating this horse, it's not dead, may be in a coma, but if the veteran target level is lowered, like to DDR level, a lot of options may be possible

and, if Dame does eventually ask out it likely wouldn't be till the fall and approaching the trade deadline...yeah, I'm a broken record

 

[Natebishop3]

I'd wonder if it means he believes, right now, that Cronin can thread the needle for veteran help AND keep the pick

I've been beating this horse, it's not dead, may be in a coma, but if the veteran target level is lowered, like to DDR level, a lot of options may be possible

and, if Dame does eventually ask out it likely wouldn't be till the fall and approaching the trade deadline...yeah, I'm a broken record

Yeah.... it was a rapid fire question so he didn't expand on it. But I guess if you put it with the other team quotes that I posted, I would tend to think that Dame is confident that some trades will happen.

 

[Idog1976]

The Suns new owner in his first week traded their ip and coming super star and another very solid young wing and some for KD. If the Suns win a cship this year or next or even get close, those fans that didn’t want to mortgage the future for a contend now will see it differently.
Would you have traded for Durant if you were a Suns fan?

Uh obviously! I would have even considered trading Sharpe for Durant, but probably not. Bridges though we know who he is, a very solid borderline all-star two-way player. Sharpe **could** be a superstar. I would trade anyone not named Dame or Sharpe on the roster and same with any and all draft picks if it put us within striking distance as a Durant trade where you kept Booker and Ayton did.

Edit: Whoops I didn't realize this was a Zombie thread. Summer doldrums.

 

[JDC]

 

[Natebishop3]

Uh obviously! I would have even considered trading Sharpe for Durant, but probably not. Bridges though we know who he is, a very solid borderline all-star two-way player. Sharpe **could** be a superstar. I would trade anyone not named Dame or Sharpe on the roster and same with any and all draft picks if it put us within striking distance as a Durant trade where you kept Booker and Ayton did.

Edit: Whoops I didn't realize this was a Zombie thread. Summer doldrums.

This isn't a zombie thread. It has been active.

 

[BBert]

They’re saying Dame was at Scoots workout, but he isn’t in the photos like with the Thompson twins or Shaedon. So it’s like he made an appearance but he wasn’t sitting with management like before. Super sketchy to me.

I was thinking about that. In Scoot's post workout interview, he said he had not spoken with Dame. Maybe they spoke after? Shouldn't Dame sort of interview someone like Scoot before the draft? Is that something he just doesn't do? If he didn't talk to him at all, is that an indication he doesn't think we're keeping him?

 

[Natebishop3]

I was thinking about that. In Scoot's post workout interview, he said he had not spoken with Dame. Maybe they spoke after? Shouldn't Dame sort of interview someone like Scoot before the draft? Is that something he just doesn't do? If he didn't talk to him at all, is that an indication he doesn't think we're keeping him?

I'm pretty sure Scoot said that he saw Dame when he first got to the workout and they dapped each up. But I just thought it was odd that you can't see Dame in any of the photos during the workout.

But we have the highest rated prospect since Durant and Oden to come to our practice facility, and Dame is nowhere to be found. Just thought it was weird. But multiple sources said he was in the room.

 

[BBert]

Scoot said they dapped, but did not talk. I have no idea whether they did after. Or whether they should. Or whether it would mean anything either way. Unless Scoot had a plane to catch, I would think it might be beneficial for Dame to take the young man out to dinner and feel him out. Or maybe that's something that just doesn't happen at this stage. IDK

Can I nominate my post for most worthless post of the day?

 

[B-Roy]

I'm pretty sure Scoot said that he saw Dame when he first got to the workout and they dapped each up. But I just thought it was odd that you can't see Dame in any of the photos during the workout.

But we have the highest rated prospect since Durant and Oden to come to our practice facility, and Dame is nowhere to be found. Just thought it was weird. But multiple sources said he was in the room.

May have been there for his morning workout, and then left early. AFAIK, reporters are not allowed into the room during the warmup so no one really knows for sure how long Dame was there.

EDIT: Sharpe's workout was super interesting: https://www.nba.com/blazers/gallery/photos-shaedon-sharpe-draft-workout-trail-blazers.
1. I never noticed he wore 17 during the workout, and he ended up choosing 17 after he got drafted because (in his own words), round 1 - pick 7.
2. Jake Fischer reported that Dalen Terry outplayed Sharpe in that Portland workout: https://www.blazersedge.com/2022/7/...tland-trail-blazers-draft-dalen-terry-workout and that Portland wasn't super impressed.

Did Sharpe know already/was there same gamesmanship going on here?

Also John Butler Jr. is in that workout.

 

[Hoopguru]

Just watched it, was interesting and confirming to me that Joe better get something done.

 

[blazerkor]

I'm pretty sure Scoot said that he saw Dame when he first got to the workout and they dapped each up. But I just thought it was odd that you can't see Dame in any of the photos during the workout.

But we have the highest rated prospect since Durant and Oden to come to our practice facility, and Dame is nowhere to be found. Just thought it was weird. But multiple sources said he was in the room.

I'd say it's because I'm sure Dame is cool with Scoot the person but is not at all down with Scoot as a teammate. I think Dame was ready to say bye to Ant and finally have a guy in the back court that suited his game in Shae. Scoot represents the end of Dame in Portland. People in here are talking about maybe Dame could mentor him for two years or some shit. Dame doesn't think he only has two more years left in him.

If the team drafts a scoring PG with the best asset they've had since Dame has been here and keeps that scoring PG. Dame will be traded the first day he's eligible to be traded. That's why I don't think he was seen at Scoot's workout. Not because he doesn't like Scoot but because he knows if Scoot is here, he won't be.

 

[Hoopguru]

Interesting that CJ predicts Dame is traded this summer.

 

[bemac]

"What is it going to cost for me to get there?" That is the question many of us are asking...What is it going to cost to keep him here? And I agree, there are no guarantees. The sure thing at this moment is that the Blazers have the potential of being an exciting team for years to come, and the only thing that may change this, is keeping Damian Lillard happy.

 

[tykendo]

I'd say it's because I'm sure Dame is cool with Scoot the person but is not at all down with Scoot as a teammate. I think Dame was ready to say bye to Ant and finally have a guy in the back court that suited his game in Shae. Scoot represents the end of Dame in Portland. People in here are talking about maybe Dame could mentor him for two years or some shit. Dame doesn't think he only has two more years left in him.

If the team drafts a scoring PG with the best asset they've had since Dame has been here and keeps that scoring PG. Dame will be traded the first day he's eligible to be traded. That's why I don't think he was seen at Scoot's workout. Not because he doesn't like Scoot but because he knows if Scoot is here, he won't be.

To me, Scoot doesn't make any sense at all. We've got a top 10 player, at the height of his abilities, on a team that needs "size" and skills at the wing position. I'm cool with drafting Miller, or moving back and drafting Whitmore + getting another pick, or picks in the deal if Siakam, or Bridges can't be acquired. I get some in here are blown away by dunks. We have Sharpe for that. I want to keep the guy who's one of the top shooters in the game, a flat out assassin who can carry the team to a win, and is the best closer in the game, in his prime. Underrated facilitator too. It's not time to change our PG, it's time to put more talent around him. In a year where you have the most collateral , to acquire said talent , for the 1st time in a long while.