Exit Interviews

[Fairly-Hard]

They're gutless. There's a very very small chance we're able to actually build a contender around Dame at this point. It's not impossible, but it's highly improbable. Meanwhile, Simons looks like he could be the real deal and if we have two lottery picks this summer (fingers crossed) we could really build towards a bright future.

I didn't say you were wrong. Just that nobody would do that and doing it would more than likely be a bad move. Yes the chance is there that it could pay off big.

 

[Wade Garrett]

Those players suck except for Josh Hart. CJ, Norm, Roco were better (except Hart is better than Roco) even if Hart is a better fit.

I don't care if they are a glove/hand fit if they don't have success.

If we lose the Pelicans pick the deals go from not great to absolutely awful.

"Those players suck".....
NBA players do not suck. None of them. They are the best players in the world.Even the dudes at the end of the bench.
Except Covington, he sucked.

 

[SlyPokerCat]

I didn't say you were wrong. Just that nobody would do that and doing it would more than likely be a bad move. Yes the chance is there that it could pay off big.

I think a top tier gm would. And they would have that leeway since they are just starting to do so.

 

[Natebishop3]

NBA players do not suck. None of them.

 

[Mediocre Man]

So I said I would stop watching if drafted the next great white hope, but if we trade a high lottery pick for Jeremi Grant, that might do it as well

 

[SlyPokerCat]

"Those players suck".....
NBA players do not suck. None of them. They are the best players in the world.Even the dudes at the end of the bench.
Except Covington, he sucked.

Cool. So they can beat you or me 1 vs. 1. Can they lead us to the playoffs? To being contenders? In regards to the league, Keon and Didi are fringe players. People have them on rosters because they are cheap and have "potential." There is a very good chance they never reach their potential.

Roco scored 43 points the other night. Probably more than Winslow, didi or Keon will ever score in their careers. And roco isn't a scorer.

 

[Natebishop3]

Cool. So they can beat you or me 1 vs. 1. Can they lead us to the playoffs? To being contenders? In regards to the league, Keon and Didi are fringe players. People have them on rosters because they are cheap and have "potential." There is a very good chance they never reach their potential.

Roco scored 43 points the other night. Probably more than Winslow, didi or Keon will ever score in their careers. And roco isn't a scorer.

Can they beat me 1v1 if I never leave my mancave?

 

[B-Roy]

Did anyone say anything of consequence?

 

[Wade Garrett]

Cool. So they can beat you or me 1 vs. 1. Can they lead us to the playoffs? To being contenders? In regards to the league, Keon and Didi are fringe players. People have them on rosters because they are cheap and have "potential." There is a very good chance they never reach their potential.

Roco scored 43 points the other night. Probably more than Winslow, didi or Keon will ever score in their careers. And roco isn't a scorer.

In that 43 game.....
The amazing Amir Coffey also paced the Clippers with 32 pts, while constant all star type Jordan Nwora led Milwaukie with 28.
That was a summer league pickup game.
You or I coulda gone for 20 in that one.
I wouldn't hang a hat on rocos 43.

 

[Natebishop3]

You or I coulda gone for 20 in that one.

If pretty much anyone from this board could drop 20 in any NBA game, those players on the other team should be cut immediately.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

If they can pry a Bobby Portis type player, I give up both picks and Little.

Jesus Fuck No Thank YOU!

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I'm all for trading Dame and tanking. Start the process. I love Dame. Just don't see us putting a contender around him before his time is up. Might as well get some picks and young talent for him and just start with a fresh team and payroll. It took me years to get here, but that's where I'm at.

 

[wizenheimer]

CJ averaged 24 ppg, 6 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals and shot 49% from the field and 39% from three with the Pels.

CJ this season:

PER: For Portland 15.....For Pels 21.8
TS%: For Portland .532.....For Pels .580
FT Rate: For Portland .102.....For Pels .204
Assist Rate: For Portland 22.5%.....For Pels 31.3%
winshare/48: For Portland .040.....For Pels .140
BPM: For Portland 0.1.....For Pels 4.6

he has a career PER of 17.9 when his Pels mark was 21.8; a career TS% of .553 when his Pels mark was .580; a career assist rate of 18.5% when his Pels mark was 31.3%; a career BPM of 1.3 when his Pels mark was 4.6

there is no reason, at all, that he could not have significantly elevated his efficiency in Portland if he hadn't been so hooplocked. I know people want to blame that on Stotts, and there may be something to that, but CJ did not improve in 36 games for Billups; actually got worse

the Pels were 10 games under .500 when they got CJ; they finished the season at 10 games under .500. They were 12 games under .500 14 games into the season and 2 games over .500 over the next 38. In games CJ played the Pels were 13-13. They were 13-13 with CJ in the 26 games he played, but in the 26 games before CJ they were 14-12. It's not like he turned the season completely around for them.

the point isn't really to defend the trade. I think the Blazers could have secured better draft assets than they did. For instance, Portland might have been able to extract the better of the Lakers and Pels picks, both protected 1-4, and if not, then the Lakers 2024 pick

but all of that needs to be somehow gauged by what CJ's true value was/is, and I have seen no indication anywhere that it was actually higher than what the Pels paid. Further, there may actually be good value for Portland in the CJ trade in addition-by-subtraction terms. Clearing the way for Simons may be a big factor, like trading Zach Randolph cleared the way for Aldridge or trading Monta Ellis cleared the way for Klay

 

[SlyPokerCat]

In that 43 game.....
The amazing Amir Coffey also paced the Clippers with 32 pts, while constant all star type Jordan Nwora led Milwaukie with 28.
That was a summer league pickup game.
You or I coulda gone for 20 in that one.
I wouldn't hang a hat on rocos 43.

I'm not. I'm saying he is better than Winslow, Keon, Didi.

 

[Wade Garrett]

CJ this season:

PER: For Portland 15.....For Pels 21.8
TS%: For Portland .532.....For Pels .580
FT Rate: For Portland .102.....For Pels .204
Assist Rate: For Portland 22.5%.....For Pels 31.3%
winshare/48: For Portland .040.....For Pels .140
BPM: For Portland 0.1.....For Pels 4.6

he has a career PER of 17.9 when his Pels mark was 21.8; a career TS% of .553 when his Pels mark was .580; a career assist rate of 18.5% when his Pels mark was 31.3%; a career BPM of 1.3 when his Pels mark was 4.6

there is no reason, at all, that he could not have significantly elevated his efficiency in Portland if he hadn't been so hooplocked. I know people want to blame that on Stotts, and there may be something to that, but CJ did not improve in 36 games for Billups; actually got worse

the Pels were 10 games under .500 when they got CJ; they finished the season at 10 games under .500. They were 12 games under .500 14 games into the season and 2 games over .500 over the next 38. In games CJ played the Pels were 13-13. They were 13-13 with CJ in the 26 games he played, but in the 26 games before CJ they were 14-12. It's not like he turned the season completely around for them.

the point isn't really to defend the trade. I think the Blazers could have secured better draft assets than they did. For instance, Portland might have been able to extract the better of the Lakers and Pels picks, both protected 1-4, and if not, then the Lakers 2024 pick

but all of that needs to be somehow gauged by what CJ's true value was/is, and I have seen no indication anywhere that it was actually higher than what the Pels paid. Further, there may actually be good value for Portland in the CJ trade in addition-by-subtraction terms. Clearing the way for Simons may be a big factor, like trading Zach Randolph cleared the way for Aldridge or trading Monta Ellis cleared the way for Klay

Thank You for mentioning the "addition by subtraction" concept.
I guess to understand trades, one has to embrace this intelligent understanding, and not just look at numbers.

 

[wizenheimer]

Thank You for mentioning the "addition by subtraction" concept.
I guess to understand trades, one has to embrace this intelligent understanding, and not just look at numbers.

I've led the league in 'intelligent understanding' for 4 straight years and 7 of the last 8. I drank too much in 2018

 

[BlayZa]

we got a lot of potential $ coming off the books or being able to be used for trades. we need someone who can turn these chips into something

I still want Brandon Clarke, but a part of me worries for the player he'd end up being here. part is hopeful of what Billups could do with him.

 

[Ripcity4life77]

I do not expect anything note worthy from these interviews but ONE off topic thing someone brought up on the Lakers

IF Vogel does not get HC job for next season then the Blazers should hire him for the staff -- he is a good defensive coach that would help this team big time and it would prolly only be for a year.

 

[Freshtown]

Lol, clown show

 

[Ed O]

Getting Josh Hart....Justice Winslow......Keon Johnson....Didi....
Getting rid of CJ McCollum, Robert Covington and Norm Powell.
That's why.

That's Hart and a bunch of garbage for three starting-level players.

Why on earth would that be a GOOD reason to keep him at GM?

 

[blazerfan11]

" you are more likely to win with vets than young players. that will definitely be part of our decision making process."

You are more likely to win with more-talented players, regardless of age.

 

[Ed O]

In that 43 game.....
The amazing Amir Coffey also paced the Clippers with 32 pts, while constant all star type Jordan Nwora led Milwaukie with 28.
That was a summer league pickup game.
You or I coulda gone for 20 in that one.
I wouldn't hang a hat on rocos 43.

I know you're kidding (probably like you are about the trades the Blazers made to end this year), but if you (or anyone else) hasn't seen this... it's not brand new but talks about the Scallenge and is a good reminder of how flipping good NBA players are.

A great quote from him? "I may suck as an NBA player--those guys are pretty good--but I don't suck compared to YOU. Like, you suck, compared to ME."

Haha. So great and so true.

 

[Ed O]

I'm all for trading Dame and tanking. Start the process. I love Dame. Just don't see us putting a contender around him before his time is up. Might as well get some picks and young talent for him and just start with a fresh team and payroll. It took me years to get here, but that's where I'm at.

I agree. Dame is the best Blazer ever and I recognize how amazing Drexler and Walton were... he's been amazing. I love his loyalty to the team and the city.

BUT... we aren't in a position to have a good team around him any time soon. We should move him, get lots of good parts, and give us hope and excitement that the team can do more than tread water until Dame's career is over.

 

[Wade Garrett]

That's Hart and a bunch of garbage for three starting-level players.

Why on earth would that be a GOOD reason to keep him at GM?

Apparently the "addition by subtraction" theory has blown right past you.
That's Hart, more time for Anfernee (i don't ever call him "Ant"), ridding an undersized Powell, developing Watford, getting a dawg in Winslow as opposed to dont mess my new hairstyle covington, ...that..for me, is more than enough.....not to mention the money....
I honestly do not understand the "hate" on here for Cronin..
Maybe I share his vision, 'cos I can see what he wants to do and I am 100% in.
Build around Dame, add some size and defense, (something Blazers have not done with Dame)...
People waaaay overvalue covington....it almost makes me laugh.
Powell, is a decent player, but really never fit here.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Lol, clown show

As I recall that was on Paul, not Neil. I don't recall the specifics other than remembering it as a cost-saving mistake at the time. He elected to get rid of the team's international scouts and use some sort of an international scouting service that multiple teams also paid for. I could be totally wrong but I am sure others can chime in on it.

 

[Ed O]

Apparently the "addition by subtraction" theory has blown right past you.

Because it does not exist. I've been considering and rejecting that ridiculous stuff for years (decades).

Teams don't get better in the short run by getting less talented. It doesn't make sense, and it doesn't work.

The only reason to actively seek to get rid of talent is because you want to move your time horizon back: to clear up salary cap messiness and/or to get better draft position in the future.

So... if Cronin made those moves in order to get better for Dame next year, then he's really bad at his job. If he's trying to build for the future, then he may not be as bad, although I think it's hard to argue the value he's gotten back has been very impressive.

 

[Wade Garrett]

Because it does not exist. I've been considering and rejecting that ridiculous stuff for years (decades).

Teams don't get better in the short run by getting less talented. It doesn't make sense, and it doesn't work.

The only reason to actively seek to get rid of talent is because you want to move your time horizon back: to clear up salary cap messiness and/or to get better draft position in the future.

So... if Cronin made those moves in order to get better for Dame next year, then he's really bad at his job. If he's trying to build for the future, then he may not be as bad, although I think it's hard to argue the value he's gotten back has been very impressive.

We will see.
As for now, Mr. C and I will disagree with you. and hey, that's OK.
All I know, is Joe did everything I was praying for, ridding CJ, Norm, and roco., now, I am no GM, but at least I have that in common with him, and I never expected Simons or Hart, or Winslow to be this good!

 

[Phatguysrule]

Why would you hope that on our team? We need a top tier gm here.

Why would a top tier GM come here?

 

[blazerkor]

I agree. Dame is the best Blazer ever and I recognize how amazing Drexler and Walton were... he's been amazing. I love his loyalty to the team and the city.

BUT... we aren't in a position to have a good team around him any time soon. We should move him, get lots of good parts, and give us hope and excitement that the team can do more than tread water until Dame's career is over.

Let's see what things look like after May 17th. If there's a way to add Jerami Grant and Jabari Smith or Paolo Banchero as our starting forwards to Dame, Ant and Nurk with Nas, Hart, Winslow, an early second round pick and TPMLE off the bench then I would think we'd be doing better than treading water. Obviously it's more likely that we we move back one pick or stay at 6 than move up but let's just see what goes down before making statements about how certain we are that we can't contend with Dame.

Cronin seems way too inflexible when it comes to his goal of building an immediate contender around Dame. I would also like to see how the front office ends up before making any big conclusions, we might end up with a President of Basketball Operations as Cronin's boss that has a much bigger name and would be open to a lot more options than Joe has affixed himself to. There is also the possibility that just like when Joe said that he was committed to continuing to build around Dame and CJ he's full of shit. I personally just don't trust the guy when he couldn't get better back for Norm and RoCo and then couldn't get a more secure asset than this still iffy pick and Josh Hart for CJ and Larry.

So, let's see what we have to work with and who is working with it before we give up on Dame completely. I do acknowledge that if I were a GM with no vested interests in the current players on this roster and only thinking about basketball competition, I would likely want to gauge Dame's value and see if I could get a lot younger without taking too big of a step back from where the team was the previous two seasons before this one, by trading him. I do think there is a lot of value in having a very marketable/media savvy superstar on a small market team, so there's more to trading Dame than just a simple exchange of talent. Dame is both a business asset and roster asset. That has to be considered.

 

[Phatguysrule]

Because it does not exist. I've been considering and rejecting that ridiculous stuff for years (decades).

Teams don't get better in the short run by getting less talented. It doesn't make sense, and it doesn't work.

The only reason to actively seek to get rid of talent is because you want to move your time horizon back: to clear up salary cap messiness and/or to get better draft position in the future.

So... if Cronin made those moves in order to get better for Dame next year, then he's really bad at his job. If he's trying to build for the future, then he may not be as bad, although I think it's hard to argue the value he's gotten back has been very impressive.

I don't see any evidence that there was better value available for what we sent out. And make no mistake, he had to make moves if he wanted to get the job. Keeping those contracts was not an option. Keeping CJ was not an option.