Dame Tweet

[RonBrewer]

I don't think anyone thinks that Dame made a commitment to stay in that meeting on Monday most likely it was just the tiniest bit short of the opposite. I think that Cronin didn't want to lose Grant for nothing and that's where the deal came from but this is all conjecture but it's also based on seeing how Dame has conducted himself for over a decade.

You're a good poster. We both like Dame but i am not as glued to him as you are.

He's thought about leaving before. These leaks over the last month have come from somewhere in Dames camp. I thank him for his time here and i'm ready to move on

 

[tykendo]

He's "always done right"?

Did you see the players that he advocated for? After butting his nose in, trying to play GM?

That was never his job and he was terrible at it. That's not doing right.

Awesome player, but definitely seems to overestimate his abilities off the court.

So in an interview with incoming prospects( Scoot) and free agents , does Joe ask, "How good are you at recruiting other players to join you". That wasn't Dame's job. I'm sure he tried though. The Nat'l Sports Media and others don't like Portland. I find their opinion on the Rose City dumb and misplaced. But it is what it is. Durant so good with his judgement he recruited, Kyrie & Harden. How'd that work out?

 

[Propagandist]

If we don't get this done quick the word disingenuous and Damian Lillard might turn into synonyms.

 

[tykendo]

You're a good poster. We both like Dame but i am not as glued to him as you are.

He's thought about leaving before. These leaks over the last month have come from somewhere in Dames camp. I thank him for his time here and i'm ready to move on

Now that's fair.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Have to know when you ask for trade you’re going to upset some fans. I hate to see him go but it’s a business and reality is this is absolutely the best time to trade him. Only problem I have is limiting it to 1 team. If he would have told Cronin I want Miami and kept it behind the scenes I don’t think it would have looked as bad.

You think someone in the FO wouldnt've leaked it?

 

[PCmor7]

I'm sorry, but this is sooo, sooo weak. It seems so needy.

This tweet is just weird. If you're happy with your decision and you thought it out, why the heck do you care that someone doesn't like it? And if you can't remember the "I don't run from the grind. I want to be the greatest Blazer ever. I want to play my whole career in Portland. I'm built different," then you've lost your mind.

Everything Dame's done in the last couple weeks has made him seem just the opposite of the terrific role model and leader who didn't follow the path of the masses, didn't judge, and went and did his own thing. He really needs to stop this now, go play for your new team, leave Portland alone. You're ruining your legacy every time you take a step, open your mouth, or post a tweet.

Like they say, it's not an airport, Dame. You don't need to announce your departure. Shut up and get on your flight. Your antics split Blazer fans and put team supporters through so much in the last couple of months. Just stop asking for validation and go to ... wherever Cronin sends you.

Good lord, this is like something I'd expect from an adolescent that just got dumped, except they were the dumper.

 

[PCmor7]

Fully expect Dame to change his Twitter handle to "I'm not the villain!" sometime tonight. What a waste of bandwidth.

 

[Ed O]

So in an interview with incoming prospects( Scoot) and free agents , does Joe ask, "How good are you at recruiting other players to join you". That wasn't Dame's job. I'm sure he tried though. The Nat'l Sports Media and others don't like Portland. I find their opinion on the Rose City dumb and misplaced. But it is what it is. Durant so good with his judgement he recruited, Kyrie & Harden. How'd that work out?

It wasn't his job, but he demanded a voice. He commanded a seat at the table.

I blame him for THAT, not for being bad at it. Being a basketball player is, like, a full-time job and to pretend like he could be an assistant GM, too, is ridiculous. Part of the blame, of course, goes to management for allowing him/conceding it to him, but if Dame didn't ask, they wouldn't have had a chance to say, "Yes."

And the paranoia about Portland is just that: paranoia. Some Blazers fans had their heads in the sand about Lillard, claiming he wouldn't ask out, he wouldn't be traded, etc., etc., and acting like the national media was off base when, in fact, the national media had a wider perspective and less emotion to cloud their judgment.

 

[blazerkor]

It wasn't his job, but he demanded a voice. He commanded a seat at the table.

I blame him for THAT, not for being bad at it. Being a basketball player is, like, a full-time job and to pretend like he could be an assistant GM, too, is ridiculous. Part of the blame, of course, goes to management for allowing him/conceding it to him, but if Dame didn't ask, they wouldn't have had a chance to say, "Yes."

And the paranoia about Portland is just that: paranoia. Some Blazers fans had their heads in the sand about Lillard, claiming he wouldn't ask out, he wouldn't be traded, etc., etc., and acting like the national media was off base when, in fact, the national media had a wider perspective and less emotion to cloud their judgment.

Link? Not for the basketball being a full time job shit, for the Dame commanding blah blah blah shit.

 

[Duckhook]

So Joe lying through his teeth gets more respect from you than what Dame has done. I can't believe what i'm seeing from you & River. It's Joe who should be getting all your venom. Joe freakin' drafted Dame's replacement. If you were as great at your job and your boss brought in your replacement , you'd just take it with a grain of salt?

Stepping back and thinking on the drafting of Scoot, I'd rather see 13 years of Scoot performing beyond our wildest expectations than watching Dame make the supermax as a player not worth what he is making 3 years from now. I realize his past play has earned him the supermax, but we can surround Scoot, Sharpe, and Grant with 2-3 solid starters for the price of one Lillard. To me, Joe is doing his job and looking at our 3-5-7 year future, not Damian's current state of emotion. Do any of you remember the turd of a lineup the Lakers surrounded Kobe with during the end of his supermax? They were hobbled since Kobe made the majority of the team's salary.

I love me some Lillard - don't get me wrong. I am looking at my signed Lillard jersey and signed rookie card hanging in my office right now and am thankful for all he gave Portland. But no one player is bigger than the team/franchise. he was paid HANSOMLY to play in Portland - I'd love to hear from someone else on S2 who could command that type of salary and also dictate where he wants to go if he doesn't like where he's working. Sometimes these stars' sense of reality is skewed having never holding down an 8-5 job.

I am big fan of karma and you reap what you sow. I expect Cronin to get the best possible deal for the franchise, not Lillard - even if it means sending Lillard to Minnesota, Memphis or Detroit.

 

[Strenuus]

When Dame said to bring back and pay Jerami Grant to keep him happy, I'd say that was misleading. When he said he wanted to bring free agents to Portland ...that was misleading...when he signed a super max to stay in Portland and keep the brand strong...that was misleading...other than that...I hope we get a franchise brand's worth of assets for trading you years before your contract was honored to conclusion. Your decision broke the hearts of most Blazer fans ...respect...pass it on...the letter "O" just became the letters "ME"..you will not find greater love or greener grass outside RipCity

When you've lost riverman you know you done pissed off some people!

 

[Natebishop3]

Link? Not for the basketball being a full time job shit, for the Dame commanding blah blah blah shit.

Quicks article (if you believe it)

 

[Ed O]

Link? Not for the basketball being a full time job shit, for the Dame commanding blah blah blah shit.

https://theathletic.com/4659350/2023/07/01/damian-lillard-trade-request-trail-blazers/

"That summer triggered a switch in Lillard. Suddenly, it seemed, an organization that did everything for him — his approval and opinion were sought on everything from player moves and coaching hires, to practice times and plane departures — wasn’t doing enough.

So he began to voice his displeasure, first internally and then publicly, albeit in ways that would allow Lillard to proclaim no one ever heard it from his mouth, thus protecting him from backlash. He felt the Blazers should have been giving him more help with the roster, a feeling that only heightened that summer as he watched P.J. Tucker win a ring with the Milwaukee Bucks in July 2021."​

 

[Ed O]

Quicks article (if you believe it)

Yep. I get that some people don't trust the media, especially when they're emotionally invested, but the reporting seems pretty consistent and Cronin had repeatedly said he'd had conversations with Dame in the last few months about the future of the team... presumably it was happening behind closed doors before it was discussed in press conferences.

 

[tykendo]

It wasn't his job, but he demanded a voice. He commanded a seat at the table.

I blame him for THAT, not for being bad at it. Being a basketball player is, like, a full-time job and to pretend like he could be an assistant GM, too, is ridiculous. Part of the blame, of course, goes to management for allowing him/conceding it to him, but if Dame didn't ask, they wouldn't have had a chance to say, "Yes."

And the paranoia about Portland is just that: paranoia. Some Blazers fans had their heads in the sand about Lillard, claiming he wouldn't ask out, he wouldn't be traded, etc., etc., and acting like the national media was off base when, in fact, the national media had a wider perspective and less emotion to cloud their judgment.

"Paranoia" . I get what you're saying. Fux News likes to say were on fire and under siege all the time. I deliver food all over the city, and while there are parts of neighborhoods that have issues, most also have tons of very nice houses and businesses that are doing well. Maybe Portland needs a public address announcement to the NBA that it's a pretty cool place to play, and a great place to live.

I don't think Dame asks out , if Joe had actually done what he said he would.

 

[blazerkor]

Quicks article (if you believe it)

Yeah I have a hard time believing anything Quick has to say since the team basically cut him off before Dame even got here... even though that article from Quick was less aggressive towards Dame than he has been in the past, it was still slanted towards slighting Dame. The media covering our team is a clown show.

 

[Natebishop3]

Yeah I have a hard time believing anything Quick has to say since the team basically cut him off before Dame even got here... even though that article from Quick was less aggressive towards Dame than he has been in the past, it was still slanted towards slighting Dame. The media covering our team is a clown show.

Quick essentially said that all free agents and trades were run past Dame before they were executed. That would align with everything else we have heard over the years. Dame has been heavily involved in the direction of the team.

That's why I thought it was a pretty glaring sign when Dame was less involved in the draft process this year. He was in the building, but he wasn't sitting with Joe. There was clear disconnect.

 

[blazerkor]

Yep. I get that some people don't trust the media, especially when they're emotionally invested, but the reporting seems pretty consistent and Cronin had repeatedly said he'd had conversations with Dame in the last few months about the future of the team... presumably it was happening behind closed doors before it was discussed in press conferences.

I think being kept in the loop is a little different than commanding a seat at the table or whatever the fuck you said. Being consulted is obviously not the same as making decisions because look where we are right now. Look where we were a year ago right now with Dame pissed that we took Shae instead of trading for OG... rumor has it. It's a lot of conjecture especially from Quick. That dude isn't allowed the same kind of access he once was but still writes like he is.

 

[blazerkor]

Quick essentially said that all free agents and trades were run past Dame before they were executed. That would align with everything else we have heard over the years. Dame has been heavily involved in the direction of the team.

That's why I thought it was a pretty glaring sign when Dame was less involved in the draft process this year. He was in the building, but he wasn't sitting with Joe. There was clear disconnect.

I buy that Dame gets consulted but I don't think for one second that he's in the room when decisions get made... not for the CJ trade, or the Clippers trade before that, not when we held onto the pick and took Shae last year... I think he pushed for Jerami but I don't know another move of consequence that really has Dame's fingerprints all over it.

 

[Natebishop3]

I buy that Dame gets consulted but I don't think for one second that he's in the room when decisions get made... not for the CJ trade, or the Clippers trade before that, not when we held onto the pick and took Shae last year... I think he pushed for Jerami but I don't know another move of consequence that really has Dame's fingerprints all over it.

I don't think the CJ trade or the Clippers trade were completed without Dame signing off.

 

[lamlor]

 

[BassPlaya]

Not sure what finger pointing and blame assessing accomplishes at this point.

I'll go there one last time...

Olshey made some good moves.....but finished his tenure with many moves that both weakened the roster, while pooch screwing the financials for the future. He is NOT responsible for failing to surround Dame with NBA Title level players, other than his unwillingness to draft them. No GM can force prime all-stars to come here. His massive contract to Dames Robin (CJ), was the fault of Olshey....and Dame's influence.

Cronin has worked wonders on fixing the financials given what he started with. He has however, made some painfully weak trades....and I would put that as his learning curve. He has more than made up for that with his drafting. He also is not responsible for failing to surround Dame with NBA Title level players. Ever hear of the old adage, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink..."? When it comes to the FA destination known as Portland, that adage should be changed to, "Sometimes, you can't even lead a horse to water...".

Dame is a one of a kind. His confidence is Alpha/Alpha. That said, underlying that, is arrogance. He doesn't often flaunt it, but it's there. For all that he is, and has done, I will always appreciate him. At the same time, I am ready for a new era, with the leader perhaps.......that feels different.

I don't give a rats ass who said what, who lied, who was mislead, and who didn't do what they should. Dame drew a line in the sand. For good or bad, that signaled the end. The only choice each of us has now, is whether or not we continue to support and believe. It is, and should be regarded.....as each fans choice. No one's actions or lack of actions, should be the cause of one's fan misery going forward. The lines have been hauled, and she's floating high....ready to depart for destinations unknown. If ye board, be of good heart and mind. There is a brave new future out there...........

 

[tykendo]

Stepping back and thinking on the drafting of Scoot, I'd rather see 13 years of Scoot performing beyond our wildest expectations than watching Dame make the supermax as a player not worth what he is making 3 years from now. I realize his past play has earned him the supermax, but we can surround Scoot, Sharpe, and Grant with 2-3 solid starters for the price of one Lillard. To me, Joe is doing his job and looking at our 3-5-7 year future, not Damian's current state of emotion. Do any of you remember the turd of a lineup the Lakers surrounded Kobe with during the end of his supermax? They were hobbled since Kobe made the majority of the team's salary.

I love me some Lillard - don't get me wrong. I am looking at my signed Lillard jersey and signed rookie card hanging in my office right now and am thankful for all he gave Portland. But no one player is bigger than the team/franchise. he was paid HANSOMLY to play in Portland - I'd love to hear from someone else on S2 who could command that type of salary and also dictate where he wants to go fi he doesn't like where he's working. Sometimes these stars' sense of reality is skewed having never holding down an 8-5 job.

I am big fan of karma and you reap what you sow. I expect Cronin to get the best possible deal for the franchise, not Lillard - even if it means sending Lillard to Minnesota, Memphis or Detroit.

Dame's supermax gets lesser by the minute with all the new deals. And i don't see supermaxes keeping Phoenix, LA, and Golden State from making moves.

As far as 13 years of Scoot. Could happen, but doubtful . There are no guaranty's he stays more than past his first big payday, if he hits.

But i know this much , Dame is an All NBA player now, who hasn't had his GM add new quality vets this offseason, at all. So we will probably never know, if this is a done deal, if the Blazers ,with added talent, could or couldn't have done something special. No more than we can say these youngsters will ever achieve anything as a team going forward.

I wanted to see what added quality veteran talent to this roster, with Dame on it, could have done. All anyone can say now is we don't know. There are no absolutes. Just assumptions.

 

[wizenheimer]

Were these reports just bullshit then?

not sure...but I think anything Windhorst says is probably bullshit

 

[STOMP]

So Joe lying through his teeth gets more respect from you than what Dame has done.

It's part of every GM's job to lie, it's expected. It's not part of Dame's job to do so, he choose to do it all on his own and throw the loyalty brand he built in the toilet. Told the fans what they wanted to hear, got the biggest cash possible and now one year later he wants to run off to low tax Fucking Florida to collect it and title chase with a team without resources to adequately compensate the franchise that he signed with and misled.

It's expected to see you trying to spin this as anything but a me-first selfish move, but you are failing

STOMP

 

[wizenheimer]

I normally agree with all of your posts. Do you think we would have Re-upped on Grant had we known Dame would ask out a day later?

I think that deal agreed to months ago. Between Grant and the Blazers guaranteeing that 5th season

so yes, I think it happens regardless of the dame situation

 

[EGame]

I'm still sad about this whole situation and still plan to cheer for Dame to get a ring (unless he starts doing something like saying portland fans suck or something like that), but damn this has become exhausting. I'm ready for this to be over so we can move on with Scoot and Sharpe.

 

[tykendo]

It's part of every GM's job to lie, it's expected. It's not part of Dame's job to do so, he choose to do it all on his own and throw the loyalty brand he built in the toilet. Told the fans what they wanted to hear, got the biggest cash possible and now one year later he wants to run off to low tax Fucking Florida to collect it and title chase with a team without resources to adequately compensate the franchise that he signed with and misled.

It's expected to see you trying to spin this as anything but a me-first selfish move, but you are failing

STOMP

And it's expected from you to spin your Anti Dame diatribe. STOMPPPPPP

 

[wizenheimer]

Quicks article (if you believe it)

I believe some of it

but there is obvious and long-simmering animus between Quick and Dame. And the way Quick constructed the narrative that Dame was leading Olshey around was not believable at all to me. Slanted agenda. Not from what I saw of Olshey. He did what he wanted and one thing he didn't care about was putting a roster around Dame that would support his strengths and cover his weaknesses

 

[riverman]

I think that deal agreed to months ago. Between Grant and the Blazers guaranteeing that 5th season

so yes, I think it happens regardless of the dame situation

I recall Grant saying he was close to Ant and Matisse particularly...he and Matisse are bookworms. I think Jerami played well off Ant in stretches.