Dame all but demanding vet roster

[Phatguysrule]

Also, to be clear, I have never said that it's 100% a lock that he demands a trade. I have been saying that Dame has been clear on what he expects, and that he indicated that he would seek a conversation about potentially leaving the team if it's not possible or if the team doesn't use our assets to compete. I don't know what the outcome of that conversation will be, but that's the first time that he has actually said something that indicates that he would start a conversation about leaving the team.

I don't think the team has been in the position of resetting before with him, except when Aldridge left, so he's never had to say it.

And we were able to get back into the thick of things pretty quickly that time.

 

[Natebishop3]

I don't think the team has been in the position of resetting before with him, except when Aldridge left, so he's never had to say it.

And we were able to get back into the thick of things pretty quickly that time.

Definitely not while Dame has been here. I think Neil actually thought we were doing a hard reset the year after LMA left... and Dame had different ideas.

Last hard reset we had was really back during the Telfair era.

 

[RonBrewer]

Do you think Dame has been clear about what he wants?

Hmmm. Let's see. Been a Blazer his whole life. Selling a huge mansion in Portland because he's building a new Mansion/forever home. Started businesses. Signed an extension to take him into his late thirties..

Wait. What was the question again?

 

[Natebishop3]

Hmmm. Let's see. Been a Blazer his whole life. Selling a huge mansion in Portland because he's building a new Mansion/forever home. Started businesses. Signed an extension to take him into his late thirties..

Wait. What was the question again?

None of those things would preclude him from going somewhere else for a few years. I think it would be totally reasonable for Dame to retire and spend the rest of his days in Portland, even if he were to spend a few seasons in another city.

And that extension is something that anyone would do. Contracts can be traded. He needed to get that money.

 

[Tince]

That's a pretty damn low bar my man.

We have been a lottery team the past two years.

This is the part I guess baffles me about some of you guys. He comes out and makes some statements and you're like, "but we have no idea what Dame thinks!" It kinda feels like you're the clueless guy that has no idea that the girl likes him, and she has to strip down in your bedroom for you to finally think, "Oh maybe she likes me?"

You asked a question, I answered it. I don't spend time trying to get inside Dame's tone and headspace.

I will restate that I have not heard Dame say he will demand a trade this summer if the Blazers use the #3 pick. I have stated over and over, that it is a real possibility, but I don't know it's a certainty. I don't see any advantage to go around saying I know it's a certainty or state it as a fact, when I don't.

 

[Predator]

I think his leverage will depend on what Charlotte does. If Scoot falls to us I assume more teams will want him and thus a bidding war could occur on draft night. Right now they don't know who they are trading for, so unless they like multiple players at 3...they are holding off.

The issue with this is that it's very clear what we're looking for... a star-caliber SF.

How many teams have that?

Brooklyn, Toronto and Boston? Maybe I'm missing someone?

1) I'm not sold on Boston breaking up Tatum and Brown for an unproven rookie, but even if they were, I have a REAL hard time believing they're gonna be adding anything to Jaylen Brown.

2) Brooklyn would be better off holding our feet over the fire, asking for something crazy, and hoping Dame requests a trade. But assuming they LOVE Scoot we might be able to get them for Claxton and Bridges if these other teams are actually offering star level players for #3/Scoot, but frankly, we don't have that sort of leverage unless another team with a really high-level player gets involved.

3) Nothing in Ujiri's career suggests he will get in a bidding war, he is known to be stingy. Same with Boston above, I have a REAL hard time believing they'd add anything to Pascal Siakam.

What I'm getting at is: It's not just open season for #3 pick. We have a very clear outline of what we want to receive for that pick. We aren't gonna except a PG/SG/C + a million picks. We probably won't even accept "decent SF + picks". It was reported that if we move #3, we want a surefire star at wing, which who knows how accurate that is, but that sounds pretty reasonable.

So every team knows we want to move that pick + a clear outline for what we want to receive for that pick = minimal leverage.

But I sure hope you and others are right.

 

[Tince]

Likewise... if someone said "Dame all but promised he'll retire a Blazer", I would push back and ask for the quotes. If they said "well, he said he loves Portland, he owns a business, and just bought a new house... read the tone." I would push back despite many signs pointing towards Dame liking Portland and wanting to retire a Blazer.

 

[Natebishop3]

You asked a question, I answered it. I don't spend time trying to get inside Dame's tone and headspace.

I will restate that I have not heard Dame say he will demand a trade this summer if the Blazers use the #3 pick. I have stated over and over, that it is a real possibility, but I don't know it's a certainty. I don't see any advantage to go around saying I know it's a certainty or state it as a fact, when I don't.

Sure, but that's not what I asked you. I don't expect anyone to say with certainty that Dame will demand a trade this summer. I'm confused why people don't think that his comments about having a different conversation would seem to indicate that he would begin at least talking about potentially leaving the team, which would be a significant development.

But it feels like you're being extremely obtuse about what he DID say, or at least what he said that seemed pretty cut and dry.

 

[Natebishop3]

Likewise... if someone said "Dame all but promised he'll retire a Blazer", I would push back and ask for the quotes. If they said "well, he said he loves Portland, he owns a business, and just bought a new house... read the tone." I would push back despite many signs pointing towards Dame liking Portland and wanting to retire a Blazer.

But who said the opposite of that? Who said "Dame all but promised that he'll demand a trade?" I merely said that his comments indicated that he would start a conversation about leaving Portland, which is a new and significant development.

And how exactly does one infer tone from owning a business or buying a home the same way someone would infer tone from a video of them talking?

 

[Predator]

This thread is a wild ride now

 

[Tince]

Sure, but that's not what I asked you. I don't expect anyone to say with certainty that Dame will demand a trade this summer. I'm confused why people don't think that his comments about having a different conversation would seem to indicate that he would begin at least talking about potentially leaving the team, which would be a significant development.

But it feels like you're being extremely obtuse about what he DID say, or at least what he said that seemed pretty cut and dry.

Dame has been clear he wants the Blazers to put a better roster around him. I try to not be the guy who says I know how a person is feeling, how hard they are trying, etc. That stance only seems to be controversial with those who think they know those types of things.

I will repeat: The Blazers may use the #3 pick and Dame may end up getting traded. I'm not ruling that out, at all. I'm not sure anyone is.

 

[Tince]

But who said the opposite of that? Who said "Dame all but promised that he'll demand a trade?" I merely said that his comments indicated that he would start a conversation about leaving Portland, which is a new and significant development.

And how exactly does one infer tone from owning a business or buying a home the same way someone would infer tone from a video of them talking?

You haven't realized not everyone who has watched these interviews isn't taking the tone and inferring the same things? That's exactly what a lot of people have been telling you.

 

[TBpup]

The issue with this is that it's very clear what we're looking for... a star-caliber SF.

How many teams have that?

Brooklyn, Toronto and Boston? Maybe I'm missing someone?

1) I'm not sold on Boston breaking up Tatum and Brown for an unproven rookie, but even if they were, I have a REAL hard time believing they're gonna be adding anything to Jaylen Brown.

2) Brooklyn would be better off holding our feet over the fire, asking for something crazy, and hoping Dame requests a trade. But assuming they LOVE Scoot we might be able to get them for Claxton and Bridges if these other teams are actually offering star level players for #3/Scoot, but frankly, we don't have that sort of leverage unless another team with a really high-level player gets involved.

3) Nothing in Ujiri's career suggests he will get in a bidding war, he is known to be stingy. Same with Boston above, I have a REAL hard time believing they'd add anything to Pascal Siakam.

What I'm getting at is: It's not just open season for #3 pick. We have a very clear outline of what we want to receive for that pick. We aren't gonna except a PG/SG/C + a million picks. We probably won't even accept "decent SF + picks". It was reported that if we move #3, we want a surefire star at wing, which who knows how accurate that is, but that sounds pretty reasonable.

So every team knows we want to move that pick + a clear outline for what we want to receive for that pick = minimal leverage.

But I sure hope you and others are right.

Chris Haynes laughed at the idea of Dame going to Boston. He basically assured Dan Patrick that wasn't happening.

 

[LayneStaley]

When did Dame turn into a 15 year old girl with all the social media shit? That’s lame in my book. I’m starting to feel like he will be traded just because I don’t see the return for the 3rd pick that gets us over the hump. You can’t risk the next decade of the franchise to appease one player, no matter how good he is.

 

[LayneStaley]

If we traded Dame I’d want a young Big with all-star potential. Unfortunately no one trades those.

 

[Pinwheel1]

The issue with this is that it's very clear what we're looking for... a star-caliber SF.

How many teams have that?

Not that it really changes your point, but a PF who can score would also work. (Grant can play SF next to the right PF)
So let's just say "forward"

 

[Natebishop3]

You haven't realized not everyone who has watched these interviews isn't taking the tone and inferring the same things? That's exactly what a lot of people have been telling you.

But that's the whole point. I'm totally fine if people want to debate the vague comments..... but some of those comments didn't seem at all vague. You have actually been more vague than Dame was.

"I don't have much of an appetite for building and guys 2-3 years away from really going after it"

"I want a chance to go for it."

"If the route is to do that, well that's not my route."

"We got an opportunity asset wise to build a team that can compete."

"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."

Do you think that these comments are vague or unclear? And if so, why do you think they're vague or unclear?

 

[RonBrewer]

None of those things would preclude him from going somewhere else for a few years. I think it would be totally reasonable for Dame to retire and spend the rest of his days in Portland, even if he were to spend a few seasons in another city.

And that extension is something that anyone would do. Contracts can be traded. He needed to get that money.

LOL. Every post you make shows how badly you want Dame to be traded. Every. Single. One. You are trying to manifest it. His body language, his facial expressions, his tone. You see something nobody else sees.

Dame gonna be a Blazer next year, and the year after.

 

[Natebishop3]

LOL. Every post you make shows how badly you want Dame to be traded. Every. Single. One. You are trying to manifest it. His body language, his facial expressions, his tone. You see something nobody else sees.

Dame gonna be a Blazer next year, and the year after.

 

[Tince]

But that's the whole point. I'm totally fine if people want to debate the vague comments..... but some of those comments didn't seem at all vague. You have actually been more vague than Dame was.

"I don't have much of an appetite for building and guys 2-3 years away from really going after it"

"I want a chance to go for it."

"If the route is to do that, well that's not my route."

"We got an opportunity asset wise to build a team that can compete."

"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."

Do you think that these comments are vague or unclear? And if so, why do you think they're vague or unclear?

I took Dame at his word with all these things. Just like when he said he expects to be a Blazer in the fall and he wants to win a championship in Portland, I took him at his word. I'm trying to not pick and choose when I believe him and when I don't.

 

[Predator]

Chris Haynes laughed at the idea of Dame going to Boston. He basically assured Dan Patrick that wasn't happening.

I was referring to trading #3 + Filler for Jaylen Brown, which some people have suggested.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

This is also why I said I'm prepared for a really, really lopsided trade solely to make Dame happy because, in our own GM's words, he essentially stated that "we need to make a move to help now and not worry about what that player becomes in the future".

That would be very stupid - Dame will be happy for about as long as Harden was when he pushed to acquire Westbrook in Houston. Then the Blazers are stuck with a crappy veteran, no #3 pick, and Dame demanding a trade.

 

[wizenheimer]

You're still talking about Brooklyn and Miami.

I'm talking about his statements about what he expects from the team and what will happen if we don't do what he expects. Those are different topics. I don't think he minced his words at all about what he expects. If I'm wrong, I welcome some evidence to the contrary.

Actually, what I'm talking about is the human condition that makes people mince words, al the time. I can sit and think about what I'm going type in a post to this forum and still not convey my thoughts well, and sometimes convey them poorly. Dame, speaking off the cuff, is entitled to clarify what he said, and restate his position...which he just did. Not only that, his thinking two months ago might be his exact thinking now, and his thinking now might not be his thinking at the beginning of training camp

there is plenty of flux and uncertainty about this situation and it's entirely possible some of that uncertainty resides in Dame's thoughts

 

[Predator]

Not that it really changes your point, but a PF who can score would also work. (Grant can play SF next to the right PF)
So let's just say "forward"

Yeah, I was thinking about that when I was typing it since Siakam is a PF primarily (I believe). Figured people would get the point, you're correct, it should say "forward".

 

[Predator]

That would be very stupid - Dame will be happy for about as long as Harden was when he pushed to acquire Westbrook in Houston. Then the Blazers are stuck with a crappy veteran, no #3 pick, and Dame demanding a trade.

I agree

 

[SharpesTriumph]

LOL @ people "Tired of Dame" go find another team. Nobody gives a shit what you're tired of. He's prob tired of weak ass MF FANS

Blazer fans don't have to love every action of Dame more so than any other Blazer player that we've often criticized over the decades. We're all fans and can root for or against whatever players or whatever actions they do however we want.

Maybe you should go start a Dame message board and leave this Blazers site to the Blazer fans.

 

[Natebishop3]

I'm trying to not pick and choose when I believe him and when I don't.

But that's kinda what it feels like you're doing. Everything he said reinforced that Dame doesn't want a young team, and that he wants to chase a championship. That he feels we have the assets to go out and get the kind of talent we need to "go for it." And then he says that if that's not possible, or something that can't get done, then a different conversation will be had. So everything Dame said screams that he doesn't want to straddle the timeline anymore. He wants to go all-in and try to chase a championship.

But saying that he expects to be here in October seems to say that Dame is confident that we will do those things.

 

[Tince]

But that's kinda what it feels like you're doing. Everything he said reinforced that Dame doesn't want a young team, and that he wants to chase a championship. That he feels we have the assets to go out and get the kind of talent we need to "go for it." And then he says that if that's not possible, or something that can't get done, then a different conversation will be had. So everything Dame said screams that he doesn't want to straddle the timeline anymore. He wants to go all-in and try to chase a championship.

But saying that he expects to be here in October seems to say that Dame is confident that we will do those things.

Isn't that what I've been saying? That Dame wants to win now in Portland?

I glad Dame is confident and I hope the Blazers can put a championship roster around him, that would be awesome!

 

[Natebishop3]

Isn't that what I've been saying? That Dame wants to win now in Portland?

I hope Dame is confident and I hope the Blazers can put a championship roster around him, that would be awesome!

Okay, so we agree what he wants.

Are we disagreeing about how he feels if he doesn't get what he wants?

 

[Tince]

Okay, so we agree what he wants.

Are we disagreeing about how he feels if he doesn't get what he wants?

I'm disagreeing with anyone (not you) who says he's said he's demanding a trade if the #3 pick isn't used in a trade.

Again, I try to stay out of the business of how other people feel.

 

[Shaboid]