Dame unfollows the Blazers on IG

[KingSpeed]

Joe was pretty loyal in terms of trading Norman Powell, CJ McCollum, and Gray Payton II where they wanted to be. But it's not about the team-building direction as much as it is about the way Cronin went about it (which is up for interpretation).

If Joe came out and said he wanted to go the youth route and took offers for Dame on draft night, I would've been mad but that would've been much more respectable to me than the way he's played it. He went the route that he knew (or should've known) would force Dame out but on June 26th was still saying he had a good dialogue with Dame and how he was committed to building around him. We're supposed to believe that was a true statement after an hours long meeting when Dame requested out less than a week later?

Sly had a tidbit about how Cronin was telling Dame he was working on deals for him that were actually long-dead. There's a few other things that are more than just simply choosing a direction that I think affects the viewpoints on this situation.
- Did Cronin tell Dame he'd trade the pick if it wasn't #1 to convince Dame to tank the rest of last season?
- Did Cronin actually want to trade the 3rd pick to build a winner around Dame? He said he was obligated to build a winner around Dame and said that's what he wanted.
- Did Cronin tell Dame he'd trade him where he wants to go if it ever came to this?
- Did Dame ask out privately on June 26th when he and Cronin had that long conversation? If so, did Cronin's statement afterwards force Dame to ask out publicly instead?

Some people think all these things are true including me. That's why I don't think Dame is breaking any sort of loyalty, because the way this situation was handled by the org was very bad.

Some people think they're all false and that Cronin's done nothing wrong and that Dame is screwing him.

Dame is under contract to play basketball for the Blazers. Period. Unless it says in his contract that we must trade our future for OG Anunoby and then didn’t, Dame is bound to be LOYAL to the contract. Trying to force his way out at the detriment of the team that is PAYING him GENERATIONAL WEALTH is about the most disloyal thing he could do. Personally, if it were me, I would NEVER bite the hand feeding me and my family and demand out. And that’s what you need to ask yourself, Bones. If your job was paying YOU $60 million a year, would YOU throw them under the bus? The problem is so many other players have demanded trades that Bones sees it as some sort of normal okay thing to do. It’s NOT. Most of us would be loyal to a company giving us this kind of a contract. Dame is being a dick. Problem is, there are so many dicks in the NBA that someone like Bones can’t even see it.

 

[BonesJones]

Dame is under contract to play basketball for the Blazers. Period. Unless it says in his contract that we must trade our future for OG Anunoby and then didn’t, Dame is bound to be LOYAL to the contract. Trying to force his way out at the detriment of the team that is PAYING him GENERATIONAL WEALTH is about the most disloyal thing he could do. Personally, if it were me, I would NEVER bite the hand feeding me and my family and demand out. And that’s what you need to ask yourself, Bones. If your job was paying YOU $60 million a year, would YOU throw them under the bus? The problem is so many other players have demanded trades that Bones sees it as some sort of normal okay thing to do. It’s NOT. Most of us would be loyal to a company giving us this kind of a contract. Dame is being a dick. Problem is, there are so many dicks in the NBA that someone like Bones can’t even see it.

Dame's situation has nothing to do with other players. You're the one making that connection.

Dame's made Portland tons of money. A contract is a two-way obligation. This organization signed him to a contract and now doesnt want him here. He signed that contact under the false pretenses that the Blazers would build around him.

 

[PCmor7]

Wait. Blazers weren’t loyal to Dame? Say what? They signed him to the Supermax, a contract that was designed so that teams (esp small market teams) could keep their stars from running off to greener pastures. Blazers signed Blevins, traded for Grant, but turned down an Ant/#3 for Giannis trade? Yeah right. And we DO know Dame’s side of the story: he wants to go to Miami and only Miami and is willing to hurt the Blazers organization to do it. Like it or not, that is his side of the story, make no mistake.

Like I said above. Bones has his position. Things we know that support that will be driven into the ground. Things that don't will not be discussed. Because.

He's got his villain and everything his villain does has to be villainous. Facts will be chosen based on value toward pushing this stilted narrative. Even if most of the facts lean the other way. Especially if most of the facts lead the other way.

 

[BonesJones]

Wait. Blazers weren’t loyal to Dame? Say what? They signed him to the Supermax, a contract that was designed so that teams (esp small market teams) could keep their stars from running off to greener pastures. Blazers signed Blevins, traded for Grant, but turned down an Ant/#3 for Giannis trade? Yeah right. And we DO know Dame’s side of the story: he wants to go to Miami and only Miami and is willing to hurt the Blazers organization to do it. Like it or not, that is his side of the story, make no mistake.

You think that's all there is to Dames side of the story? He just randomly decided to switch up for the hell of it and no other good reason at all? Just for fun?

Man.

 

[PCmor7]

A contract is a two-way obligation.

Thanks for admitting that.

See, Bones? It works both ways. You can do this.

 

[BonesJones]

Like I said above. Bones has his position. Things we know that support that will be driven into the ground. Things that don't will not be discussed. Because.

He's got his villain and everything his villain does has to be villainous. Facts will be chosen based on value toward pushing this stilted narrative. Even if most of the facts lean the other way. Especially if most of the facts lead the other way.

You have half the picture and think it's whole. So you claim that anything that you dont see directly in front of you is factually innacurate. You think everything Cronin says is true and fact.

Thanks for admitting that.

See, Bones? It works both ways. You can do this.

The Blazers went directly against the pretenses that Dame signed that contract under. See? Wait, no you don't.

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

Bill's departure was worse for me. Likely because we were at the mountaintop.

I was like 6 or something so he is a fairytale to me.

 

[BIG Q]

Dame is under contract to play basketball for the Blazers. Period. Unless it says in his contract that we must trade our future for OG Anunoby and then didn’t, Dame is bound to be LOYAL to the contract. Trying to force his way out at the detriment of the team that is PAYING him GENERATIONAL WEALTH is about the most disloyal thing he could do. Personally, if it were me, I would NEVER bite the hand feeding me and my family and demand out. And that’s what you need to ask yourself, Bones. If your job was paying YOU $60 million a year, would YOU throw them under the bus? The problem is so many other players have demanded trades that Bones sees it as some sort of normal okay thing to do. It’s NOT. Most of us would be loyal to a company giving us this kind of a contract. Dame is being a dick. Problem is, there are so many dicks in the NBA that someone like Bones can’t even see it.

And there it is! This demanding a trade BS should not be the norm but so many accept it as normal. At some point the NBA needs to address this. Dame demands a trade after signing a super max and Portland has to take on another teams trash just to match salaries as a minimum. Portland doesn't want to pay Herro, Robinson, Lowery or any other crap contract just for the privilege of accommodating Dame. Portland is not a free agent destination so they will not be hurt by Joe holding the line and demanding fair return. Players drafted will sign extensions in Portland because the system is set for the home team to offer the best deals. Portland has to maximize a players abilities in the first 8-9 seasons.

 

[julius]

If players want to demand trades, then their contracts should be non guaranteed.

 

[Strenuus]

Dame's situation has nothing to do with other players. You're the one making that connection.

Dame's made Portland tons of money. A contract is a two-way obligation. This organization signed him to a contract and now doesnt want him here. He signed that contact under the false pretenses that the Blazers would build around him.

I'm confused by the "the organization signed him to a contract and now doesn't want him here" line.

The team didn't ask to trade dame. Dame did.

 

[BlazerWookee]

This is just Bones taking only the part of the facts that suit his narrative. Again, he's capable of bringing some good things to the forum, but he gets too emotionally involved and LETS it cloud his judgment.

Then he's staked his claim to a position and can't deviate from it after getting more information. Every bit of incoming stimuli has to support his first assertion or it's meaningless.

He has info and he gets upset if we don't draw the same conclusions from what he's offering or trust it on its face, overlooking that too many times the man who does the podcast and claims to have solid inside info has put himself out there as an advocate rather than a reporter. It's not much different than having Canzano come in here and tell us what we should feel or believe.

It's a lot different. Bones isn't an unlikeable smarmy little balled-faced rabble-rouser.

 

[julius]

I'm confused by the "the organization signed him to a contract and now doesn't want him here" line.

The team didn't ask to trade dame. Dame did.

I believe it's based on the thought that they didn't (massively) over pay for a player by trading #3 and some combo of Simons and Sharpe for a player (that wouldn't end up putting the team in a better situation than they are currently).

As in, "they decided to go young" over Dame, which is something one could argue. Maybe not successfully, but still one could argue it.

 

[BlazerWookee]

Bill's departure was worse for me. Likely because we were at the mountaintop.

Plus his putting the blame for his brittle body on the team doctors instead of on his refusal to have a steak and a glass of milk once in a while..

 

[SharpesTriumph]

This organization signed him to a contract and now doesnt want him here. He signed that contact under the false pretenses that the Blazers would build around him.

The Blazers never said they don't want Dame here - Dame is the one who requested a trade.

Dame wasn't under any false pretenses - the Blazers have always failed to build a contender since Aldridge left in 2014. Dame signed those extensions with eye's wide open. Any "false pretense" are Dame not understanding how NBA teams functions.

If Dame wants to request a trade yes he can do that - but the Blazers have 100% met all obligations they had to Dame.

Its also totally fine if Blazer fans are disappointed in Dame, don't root for him, don't like him any more, or feel like he was fake in his comments. They are completely justified in those feelings as it is a direct result of Dame and Dame's official representatives comments.

 

[Strenuus]

I believe it's based on the thought that they didn't (massively) over pay for a player by trading #3 and some combo of Simons and Sharpe for a player (that wouldn't end up putting the team in a better situation than they are currently).

As in, "they decided to go young" over Dame, which is something one could argue. Maybe not successfully, but still one could argue it.

I mean I get that thinking but just in the optics and how it all transpired it doesn't really fit.

 

[PCmor7]

It's a lot different. Bones isn't an unlikeable smarmy little balled-faced rabble-rouser.

Even Canzano wasn't that at the start.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

You have half the picture and think it's whole. So you claim that anything that you dont see directly in front of you is factually innacurate. You think everything Cronin says is true and fact.

The Blazers went directly against the pretenses that Dame signed that contract under. See? Wait, no you don't.

You think you know 100% of the facts? Even if you have some intel from Dame's camp I highly doubt you or any of those people feeding you information were unbiased observers in the room. I'm sure people on Dame's camp can complain endlessly about the Blazers failures just as Cronin and the Blazers could complain endlessly about Dame's failures. This is exactly like a divorce or a very close personal partnership that breaks down. We could spend weeks discussing who is right and wrong but ultimately none of that old history matters going forward.

There are no pretenses to the contract - its a standard NBA contract that hundreds of players are signed under ever year. The player does not control their destination until the contract ends and they are a free agent. It's literally in the contract. Dame chose to lock up more long term money - he thus lost control of where he could play.

Maybe there were some informal casual agreements to take different actions. But those are all thrown out when the relationship breaks down. The Blazers don't have to honor informal agreements. The Blazers only have to honor the contract. If Dame wanted personal casual agreements to be in effect he should've maintained a personal positive relationship in confidentiality with the Blazers. If that relationship is gone by either party then you fall back on the contract. This also applies to all businesses and legal situations. If Dame and his agent didn't understand this its their failure, not the Blazers.

If I have a handshake verbal deal with my buddy I can't end that relationship and expect him to honor those verbal discussions. That's not how any business or professional relationship works. That is literally why we have contracts, so each side knows exactly what they are entitled to.

 

[Propagandist]

Dame's situation has nothing to do with other players. You're the one making that connection.

Dame's made Portland tons of money. A contract is a two-way obligation. This organization signed him to a contract and now doesnt want him here. He signed that contact under the false pretenses that the Blazers would build around him.

Dame is a player. Dame is doing what other players like James Harden, KD, and Kyrie do.

Dame has also made a lot of money, like Powerball money.

Also, even though I would like a championship team as well, the team is under zero obligation to do anything. Meanwhile, being under contract, the obligation for Dame is legal.

This false pretenses thing is such a hugely subjective thing to say, I'm not sure it even flies. It certainly seemed like--other than Jerami--they were not trying, but resigning Jerami indicates that it's less false pretenses and more an inability to get the other pieces for the right price. I mean, what are you going to do?

So Dame blasts his brand to smithereens and we have an exciting young team (which incidentally would probably be pretty good if Dame was truly a ride or die kind of guy and not a Florida man).

 

[kjironman1]

This organization signed him to a contract and now doesnt want him here. He signed that contact under the false pretenses that the Blazers would build around him.

These are statements that I would consider a giant stretch.
I don't think for a minute this organization "Doesn't want him here".
I don't think for a minute they didn't try to build around him.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

The notion that the Blazers would give Dame a ~$200 million plus contract but agree that at any time he could request a trade to any single team in the league and the Blazers would trade him there regardless of the assets or poor value they receive back in return is just unbelievable.

That would be total GM malpractice. If I'm an owner I'd override any such agreement. If I was the players agent I'd caution that it's such an outlandish verbal agreement if the time ever comes we might not be able to count on it being executed anyways. If Dame or his reps didn't understand this; that's on them.

Now the notion that the Blazers would say they would try to accommodate a Dame trade request to the team of his choosing as they did with Norm and CJ is totally different. I could see the Blazers saying this. But in those cases the player or his representatives did not make public trade demand statements, nor demand a single team. That again would make this entire situation much more of Dame's fault than the Blazers.

I just don't see any ways that Dame and his camp can avoid the bulk of the blame, as well as deserve most of the public wrath of Blazers fans in this situation. Happy to consider any good arguments to the contrary, but all I hear is juvenile name calling, the insistence of some insider knowledge nobody else has, or other conspiracy theory type arguments none of which hold any water.

 

[BIG Q]

Plus his putting the blame for his brittle body on the team doctors instead of on his refusal to have a steak and a glass of milk once in a while..

This is so very true. While it was hip to be a vegetarian in the 1970's, they paid no attention to vitamins and supplements and everything a body NEEDS, especially the body of a world class athlete. Now you can be a vegetarian and not actually look sickly. So much more in vitamin and supplement technology has taken place as well as the growing plant based food industry.

 

[PCmor7]

Dame is a player. Dame is doing what other players like James Harden, KD, and Kyrie do.

Dame has also made a lot of money, like Powerball money.

Also, even though I would like a championship team as well, the team is under zero obligation to do anything. Meanwhile, being under contract, the obligation for Dame is legal.

This false pretenses thing is such a hugely subjective thing to say, I'm not sure it even flies. It certainly seemed like--other than Jerami--they were not trying, but resigning Jerami indicates that it's less false pretenses and more an inability to get the other pieces for the right price. I mean, what are you going to do?

So Dame blasts his brand to smithereens and we have an exciting young team (which incidentally would probably be pretty good if Dame was truly a ride or die kind of guy and not a Florida man).

I think we can add trading for Jerami in the first place and signing GPII as other things that don't align with the "they lied to Dame about even trying" narrative. Surely, one can't say they weren't trying when they acquired a 20 PPG scorer in a reasonable trade and signed a rotation guy from a championship team, both with Dame's urging and blessing. Not trading the seventh pick two years ago didn't really turn out to be a bad thing, either, so I think we can pretty effectively squash the notion that the Blazers weren't trying even in the offseason following the 2021-22 season. Clearly, moves were made that without hindsight would have appeared to upgrade the roster, even upgrading it in the way Dame wanted.

 

[BIG Q]

You think you know 100% of the facts? Even if you have some intel from Dame's camp I highly doubt you or any of those people feeding you information were unbiased observers in the room. I'm sure people on Dame's camp can complain endlessly about the Blazers failures just as Cronin and the Blazers could complain endlessly about Dame's failures. This is exactly like a divorce or a very close personal partnership that breaks down. We could spend weeks discussing who is right and wrong but ultimately none of that old history matters going forward.

There are no pretenses to the contract - its a standard NBA contract that hundreds of players are signed under ever year. The player does not control their destination until the contract ends and they are a free agent. It's literally in the contract. Dame chose to lock up more long term money - he thus lost control of where he could play.

Maybe there were some informal casual agreements to take different actions. But those are all thrown out when the relationship breaks down. The Blazers don't have to honor informal agreements. The Blazers only have to honor the contract. If Dame wanted personal casual agreements to be in effect he should've maintained a personal positive relationship in confidentiality with the Blazers. If that relationship is gone by either party then you fall back on the contract. This also applies to all businesses and legal situations. If Dame and his agent didn't understand this its their failure, not the Blazers.

If I have a handshake verbal deal with my buddy I can't end that relationship and expect him to honor those verbal discussions. That's not how any business or professional relationship works. That is literally why we have contracts, so each side knows exactly what they are entitled to.

This is why I argued with some here weeks ago that Dame going on his world tour talking to anyone that put a microphone in front of him was the cue to me that this would not end well. It was obvious to me that Dame was sending a message despite having an incredible contract to rely upon. Dame wanted to be the GM, like Lebron. These things should never be discussed in public, and for those claiming Dame was just "keeping it real," how's that working for him now? He has tarnished his legacy and many consider him a fraud. Of course has has half a billion reasons not to be concerned with mine or your opinions. If I lived in Portland I certainly would not purchase a vehicle from his store. The way he is trying to bend the Blazers over. He would have no problem ripping off any of us on our trade in. But then that is Dame just being loyal to himself.

 

[BonesJones]

I'm confused by the "the organization signed him to a contract and now doesn't want him here" line.

The team didn't ask to trade dame. Dame did.

Things have changed since the extension.

 

[BonesJones]

Dame is a player. Dame is doing what other players like James Harden, KD, and Kyrie do.

Dame has also made a lot of money, like Powerball money.

Also, even though I would like a championship team as well, the team is under zero obligation to do anything. Meanwhile, being under contract, the obligation for Dame is legal.

This false pretenses thing is such a hugely subjective thing to say, I'm not sure it even flies. It certainly seemed like--other than Jerami--they were not trying, but resigning Jerami indicates that it's less false pretenses and more an inability to get the other pieces for the right price. I mean, what are you going to do?

So Dame blasts his brand to smithereens and we have an exciting young team (which incidentally would probably be pretty good if Dame was truly a ride or die kind of guy and not a Florida man).

Those players all left winning situations. Dame isn't. That's a big difference.

The team is under zero obligation, even though Cronin stated what they were obligated to do.

This whole thing is subjective. I don't see how adding a PG and no depth makes this team pretty good. They're still be a bottom 3-5 defense and even more undersized.

 

[BonesJones]

The notion that the Blazers would give Dame a ~$200 million plus contract but agree that at any time he could request a trade to any single team in the league and the Blazers would trade him there regardless of the assets or poor value they receive back in return is just unbelievable.

That would be total GM malpractice. If I'm an owner I'd override any such agreement. If I was the players agent I'd caution that it's such an outlandish verbal agreement if the time ever comes we might not be able to count on it being executed anyways. If Dame or his reps didn't understand this; that's on them.

Now the notion that the Blazers would say they would try to accommodate a Dame trade request to the team of his choosing as they did with Norm and CJ is totally different. I could see the Blazers saying this. But in those cases the player or his representatives did not make public trade demand statements, nor demand a single team. That again would make this entire situation much more of Dame's fault than the Blazers.

I just don't see any ways that Dame and his camp can avoid the bulk of the blame, as well as deserve most of the public wrath of Blazers fans in this situation. Happy to consider any good arguments to the contrary, but all I hear is juvenile name calling, the insistence of some insider knowledge nobody else has, or other conspiracy theory type arguments none of which hold any water.

I dont think Ive seen one person say the Blazers shouldn't hold out for a suitable offer from Miami. The problem is their best package was going to be harder to get better than across the market given what teams have and want.

If the Blazers told Dame they'd accommodate him if he wanted out, then there'd be no motive for Dame to publicly ask put whatsoever. But he felt a need to go public with it, the answer it why?

Also, what name-calling?

 

[Strenuus]

Things have changed since the extension.

But dame still asked out. That was my whole point. Dame wants to leave. I guess I'm confused and that's alright because I'm very tired lol

 

[Strenuus]

I dont think Ive seen one person say the Blazers shouldn't hold out for a suitable offer from Miami. The problem is their best package was going to be harder to get better than across the market given what teams have and want.

If the Blazers told Dame they'd accommodate him if he wanted out, then there'd be no motive for Dame to publicly ask put whatsoever. But he felt a need to go public with it, the answer it why?

Also, what name-calling?

For leverage because maybe the blazers said no to Miami and he tried putting the... For lack of a better word... Heat on them.

There's too many variables to put blame on so I put some blame on Dame and some blame on Cronin.

 

[THE HCP]

I’m just glad everyday I can come on here and read that “inside info”. Lucky for us we have so many with “sources”.

The only person on here that has the inside stuff is the guy who orders pizzas all the time. New guys GOOGLE it.

 

[julius]

I’m just glad everyday I can come on here and read that “inside info”. Lucky for us we have so many with “sources”.

The only person on here that has the inside stuff is the guy who orders pizzas all the time. New guys GOOGLE it.

you order pizzas?

newb!