Dame's supermax

[BonesJones]

And by letting Dame go we most likely end up right back in this position 8 years from now after having years of misery. No thanks.

 

[Blazers Roy]

You'll want future stars to be loyal to the organization when the organization wasnt loyal to the one star we had that represented Portland better than any of them and was likely better than any of them?

I'm not sure we doing him a favor by keeping him in this situation.
His game is Jordanesque at times, he deserves to win a championship and it won't happen in this mess.

I think you're looking at this from one perspective only which is the 'loyal fan' perspective.
If you were a GM you wouldn't tolerate this situation, you'd accept the fact that we missed this train and you would try to catch the next train, that's how it goes in the NBA. It's very rare to get the Dirk fairy-tale ending.

 

[BonesJones]

I'm not sure we doing him a favor by keeping him in this situation.
His game is Jordanesque at times, he deserves to win a championship and it won't happen in this mess.

I think you're looking at this from one perspective only which is the 'loyal fan' perspective.
If you were a GM you wouldn't tolerate this situation, you'd accept the fact that we missed this train and you would try to catch the next train, that's how it goes in the NBA. It's very rare to get the Dirk fairy-tale ending.

Lmao, so the team that'll sign him with max free agent money will win a championship huh? They wont be no better than us. Were talking about 2021. So tired of the "Dame deserves better than us" BS from people that also say stuff like "hes not a top 10 player". So top 15 players dont deserve to be where they want and instead, all deserve a top 4 team in the league? Why even have 30 teams then? Im sick of this narrative. Its stupid.

Ride and die for the guy who's willing to ride and die with us. Theres beauty in that.

 

[CupWizier]

Lmao, so the team that'll sign him with max free agent money will win a championship huh? They wont be no better than us. Were talking about 2021. So tired of the "Dame deserves better than us" BS from people that also say stuff like "hes not a top 10 player". So the top 15 players dont deserve to be where they want and instead, all deserve a top 4 team in the league? Why even have 30 teams then? Im sick of this narIt's stupid. Its stupid.

Ride and Die for the guy who's willing to Ride and Die with us. Theres beauty in that.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

There are two scenarios where its ok to trade Dame. A) He asks out. B) He’s 33-34ish still has trade value but it looks like the team doesnt have the talent to compete and you can get him somewhere that he can win a ring while bringing back pieces to rebuild.

Even in option B, you have a conversation with him and see what HE wants to do, if he’s willing to stick around maybe take less money like Dirk did and retire the best Blazer ever you let him do that. You know Players are very paranoid about places expecting their lotalty but organizations not being Loyal to them. If you prove you’ll treat your stars right and be loyal to them, that improves your future.

Basically dont trade Dame unless he wants to leave. Im cheering for him to play and stay in Portland his whole career and hopefully win a championship here but if not, we will all know he gave everything he had to try to win.

 

[LayneStaley]

I don't believe a player's value is 'championship or bust.' I enjoy watching Dame play. He represents the team and city well. He's the type of player that doesn't come around very often.

View attachment 23876

Pay the man.

God Clyde was a BEAST

 

[BrianFromWA]

Dame is a Top 5 player in the league. If we got the #1 draft pick in 4 straight drafts, we would have less than a coin-flip chance of getting someone as good.
Dame wants to be here.
Dame is one of the few who deserve the SuperMax (I mean, duh, he qualified for it, by definition he "deserves" it)
And let's be frank...Dame's game is not one that is predicated on explosion, quick-twitch or extreme athleticism. Good shooters stay good. Great shooters stay amazing.

Now, would I say "we'll offer it to you, but really, paying you only $35M per for 5 years gives us a lot more flexibility"? Sure. If he says "nope, I wanna buy a franchise someday and need every dollar?" Give it.

 

[Blazers Roy]

Lmao, so the team that'll sign him with max free agent money will win a championship huh? They wont be no better than us. Were talking about 2021. So tired of the "Dame deserves better than us" BS from people that also say stuff like "hes not a top 10 player". So top 15 players dont deserve to be where they want and instead, all deserve a top 4 team in the league? Why even have 30 teams then? Im sick of this narrative. Its stupid.

Ride and die for the guy who's willing to ride and die with us. Theres beauty in that.

I don't understand your conclusions from what i wrote.
I view this whole thing as a package deal, i don't think Lillard is a problem in any way\shape\form, but i do believe that a complete rebuild is a logical option in this point in time and i don't believe you can have optimal results with him around nor do i think that it's fair to put him through this process.

 

[WillG]

I voted no.
Dame is not worth the supermax, it is not worth tying down the teams salary when we are not competing in at least the WCF.

We need to trade him for value (some return) before he requests the supermax or requests a trade.

Personally I think he is vastly over-rated - a one way player with some of the worst defense I've seen in the NBA for a long while.
His leadership is overrated too. What is the characteristic of this team? it folds when confronted in the playoffs - can't maintain leads or finish off opponents; this is a reflection of the leaders (Stotts too).

We should pool our resources and rebuild properly.

 

[BonesJones]

I voted no.
Dame is not worth the supermax, it is not worth tying down the teams salary when we are not competing in at least the WCF.

We need to trade him for value (some return) before he requests the supermax or requests a trade.

Personally I think he is vastly over-rated - a one way player with some of the worst defense I've seen in the NBA for a long while.
His leadership is overrated too. What is the characteristic of this team? it folds when confronted in the playoffs - can't maintain leads or finish off opponents; this is a reflection of the leaders (Stotts too).

We should pool our resources and rebuild properly.

This post is a joke, right?

 

[BrianFromWA]

The Ringer, Sports Illustrated and Zach Lowe, among others, have praised Dame's defensive improvements over the last 2 years. I feel like the "Dame doesn't play D" line has jumped the shark a bit.

Now CJ...

 

[calvin natt]

Dame is a Top 5 player in the league. If we got the #1 draft pick in 4 straight drafts, we would have less than a coin-flip chance of getting someone as good.
Dame wants to be here.
Dame is one of the few who deserve the SuperMax (I mean, duh, he qualified for it, by definition he "deserves" it)
And let's be frank...Dame's game is not one that is predicated on explosion, quick-twitch or extreme athleticism. Good shooters stay good. Great shooters stay amazing.

Now, would I say "we'll offer it to you, but really, paying you only $35M per for 5 years gives us a lot more flexibility"? Sure. If he says "nope, I wanna buy a franchise someday and need every dollar?" Give it.

Top 5 (he isn’t) is a real stretch but yes he’s great.
Also I think his game very much depends on athleticism and explosion. Maybe I’m watching a different player.

 

[Strenuus]

I voted no.
Dame is not worth the supermax, it is not worth tying down the teams salary when we are not competing in at least the WCF.

We need to trade him for value (some return) before he requests the supermax or requests a trade.

Personally I think he is vastly over-rated - a one way player with some of the worst defense I've seen in the NBA for a long while.
His leadership is overrated too. What is the characteristic of this team? it folds when confronted in the playoffs - can't maintain leads or finish off opponents; this is a reflection of the leaders (Stotts too).

We should pool our resources and rebuild properly.

Thanks for the comedy.

 

[BonesJones]

Top 5 (he isn’t) is a real stretch but yes he’s great.
Also I think his game very much depends on athleticism and explosion. Maybe I’m watching a different player.

Meh, hes great at things that age well. He changes pace well, he sells his moves, has good footwork, hits 3s well, is great in pick n roll...

 

[blazerkor]

This is thankfully redundant but I want Dame on the super max and then his last contract can be more manageable like Dirk or Duncan. We can win a championship with Dame as our best player but we need an entirely different supporting cast. We shouldn't be gauging interest in Dame, Neil should be shopping CJ seriously. Our second best player should complement Dame not hurt him on D and be redundant on O.

 

[Hobbesarable]

It'll be interesting revisiting this thread again if and when our team is sold to new ownership.

However, I believe there won't be massive changes until new ownership takes over the team.

In the end, it's all entertainment. Enjoy what you can when you can.

Some enjoy Dame, and some enjoy the process of building a contender. I don't see either side as being completely right or wrong. And I don't see it as a "no-brainer" when you involve possible new ownership within the next two years. Priorities may change. Be ready to change with them when the time comes.

 

[handiman]

Personally I think he is vastly over-rated - a one way player with some of the worst defense I've seen in the NBA for a long while.
His leadership is overrated too. What is the characteristic of this team? it folds when confronted in the playoffs - can't maintain leads or finish off opponents; this is a reflection of the leaders (Stotts too).

This is a sticking point for me, too. Either Dame is unwilling/incapable of adjusting his game for pressure defenses, or it's all on the coaches and Dame isn't as much of a leader as he's given credit for, because he keeps letting the same thing happen year after year after year. Other than Harden, who is all about the regular season foul game, I can't think of anyone else who fits that bill that's given superstar consideration by the fan base. Dame needs to outplay his opponent(s) in the playoffs before this discussion should even have legs.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

It has more to do with what Dame wants - not so much loyalty.

Bad signings and lack of assets will be the reason Dame requests a trade - something Quick alluded to re: Dame's meeting with Paul and the Vulcans last summer.

He wants to win and Neil's poor management has made it impossible to vault this team into contenders via trades.

 

[hoopsjock]

Dame is one of the few who deserve the SuperMax (I mean, duh, he qualified for it, by definition he "deserves" it)

It may be just a technicality but Dame has not yet qualified for the Super Max yet. He has to make one of the All-NBA teams this season or he would be ineligible this summer.

 

[Orion Bailey]

There should be a maybe with the option to explain.

Yes. Tou offer it to hom. But presented in such a way thst its glaringly clear if he takes it the blazers aont win because of finances. Provide another contract, similir to the one he has now with the explanation thst the savings will be used to put better players around him to win.
If there is one player that i think will sign for less to make that happen, its him.

If he says “no, i want the money”, then you pay him.

 

[Orion Bailey]

It may be just a technicality but Dame has not yet qualified for the Super Max yet. He has to make one of the All-NBA teams this season or he would be ineligible this summer.

Soo all this talk in all these threads may be wasted time?

 

[Blazers Roy]

It may be just a technicality but Dame has not yet qualified for the Super Max yet. He has to make one of the All-NBA teams this season or he would be ineligible this summer.

Gooooooo Kemba!

 

[TBpup]

The Ringer, Sports Illustrated and Zach Lowe, among others, have praised Dame's defensive improvements over the last 2 years. I feel like the "Dame doesn't play D" line has jumped the shark a bit.

Now CJ...

Dame's defense certainly has improved but still only to around average at best... and I can live with that. Combine 'average at best' with MeeJay's defense and now you have a serious problem though.