Game Thread Game #81 - BLAZERS @ MAVERICKS - APRIL 8, 2022 - FRIDAY - 5:30 PM (PDT) ROOT SPORTS

[Labinot41]

The tank is finaly over. From this one we are back in win mode

 

[wizenheimer]

The NBA should have a tournament with the 8 worst teams and the winner gets the number one pick in the draft.

it's opposite-world in the tankingverse....so if would have to be losers advance, not winners. Then, we could finally see some quality tanking

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

I need a Blazers tanking shirt to commemorate this season

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I need a Blazers tanking shirt to commemorate this season

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I need a Blazers tanking shirt to commemorate this season

https://www.trailblazersfanshop.com...xg1JiL_H7VLMIRBH6hsx71c5p1tDpAiBoCyksQAvD_BwE

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

https://www.trailblazersfanshop.com...466-1932770049?_ref=p-CLP:m-GRID:i-r4c2:po-14

 

[Fairly-Hard]

Enjoy the 6th pick. Looks like Bennidict Mathurin, AJ Griffin, Tari Eason, Ochai Agbaji type results. Unless they choose another guard. The only player in the top three that will make an impact immediately is Jabari Smith IMO.

Now you need to make a realistic decision. Are one of those guys going to make a difference within the next three years? Blazers better trade the pick and a player to get someone who makes a difference now or you can't expect much.

 

[wizenheimer]

Now you need to make a realistic decision. Are one of those guys going to make a difference within the next three years? Blazers better trade the pick and a player to get someone who makes a difference now or you can't expect much.

arguments like that have rarely made any sense to me...

if it's clear that a number 6 pick in a draft won't "make a difference" for 3-4 years (a crappy lottery pick then), why would any team trade a win now player for a crappy lottery pick? How is it that Portland would be the only team to correctly assess the value of #6 vs an established player?

you have been fairly clear about this 'tanking for a high lottery pick' plan....you don't like it. But in order to buttress your argument you seem to be setting extremely tight boundaries for success. I mean, WTH, no 6th pick in this lottery will make a difference for 3-4 years? Essentially for the duration of their rookie deals? Really?

let's go back a few drafts then, and count the players at #6 or later who have made a difference during their rookie deals:

(start in 2015)

Myles Turner
Devin Booker
Kelly Oubre Jr.
Terry Rozier
Bobby Portis
Montrezl Harrell
Josh Richardson
Norman Powell
Buddy Hield
Jamal Murray
Domantas Sabonis
Malik Beasley
Caris LeVert
Pascal Siakam
Dejounte Murray
Malcolm Brogdon
Lauri Markkanen
Donovan Mitchell
Bam Adebayo
John Collins
Jarrett Allen
OG Anunoby
Kyle Kuzma
Derrick White
Josh Hart
Thomas Bryant
Dillon Brooks

Collin Sexton
Mikal Bridges
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Miles Bridges
Michael Porter Jr.
Kevin Huerter
Anfernee Simons
Jalen Brunson
Devonte' Graham
Mitchell Robinson
Gary Trent Jr.

(only 3 seasons below)

Coby White
Jaxson Hayes
Rui Hachimura
Cameron Johnson
P.J. Washington
Tyler Herro
Brandon Clarke
Jordan Poole
Keldon Johnson

(2 seasons)

Jalen Smith
Devin Vassell
Tyrese Haliburton
Cole Anthony
Isaiah Stewart
Aleksej Pokusevski
Saddiq Bey
Tyrese Maxey
Immanuel Quickley
Desmond Bane

(rookies)

Josh Giddey
Franz Wagner
Davion Mitchell
Chris Duarte
Trey Murphy III
Tre Mann
Bones Hyland
Herbert Jones
Ayo Dosunmu

now, some of those were impact players as rookies, others took a little longer. But unless this draft is about the worst draft in 30 years there will be players available who can help a lot in that 3-4 year window

are the chances high? No, they aren't. Only a 32% of a top-4 pick and there will be plenty of busts mixed in with the gems at 6 and below. But the Blazers are not going to get better thru free-agent signings. We all know that. That leaves trades and draft picks, and draft picks are the best way for a team to get better in any 3-4 year window. That's how Phoenix went from 19 wins to 58 wins* and the NBA finals in 3 years, and 64 wins in 4 years. That's how Memphis went from the lottery & 34 wins to 55 wins and the 2nd best record in the league in 3 years.

several of you have been bitching a lot about what the Blazers are doing this season. What is the alternative? Staying with the status quo? Yeah, that would be fucking great. Keeping Olshey and going for the 8th reboot of the Dame/CJ team next season after another 1st round exit this season. Another season with three 6'3 or less starters who play shitty defense; but paying gobs of luxury tax because of having to re-sign Simons and Nurkic. Oh, and don't forget paying 120-125M (the entire salary cap) for four players under 6'4 who play shitty defense.....

to me, that would be a fuck of a lot worse than what we went thru this season...and even more fucking hopeless because we absolutely know that's a dead end street

could the dismantling had been handled better and yielded better results? probably...maybe. But that's almost entirely supposition. I'm not naive about the Blazer chances. Odds are probably in favor of more mediocrity. But at the very least, the results of the trade deadline and the tanking have left Portland with some paths toward hope and a better future, next season and beyond. They had none at all before olshey was fired

 

[Fairly-Hard]

The three year time line thing is pretty much what i would think for helping while this team has Dame.
Your rookie players are a questionable add because they might not work here in this situation. At least most of them.
Your second season players? Meh. Maybe?
The third season players look to have a few that could have made a good impact (By the third season) and that is few.

Lets hope they are really really lucky this draft.