Going nowhere

[Bingo Bango]

Almost 15 games in and one thing is clear: Portland is a one-man team. Subtract that man (Lillard) and they have no chance. Denver exposed us in a big way tonight. Our bench can’t carry us when Lillard is out, and they can’t even make the score respectable.

 

[blazerkor]

Almost 15 games in and one thing is clear: Portland is a one-man team. Subtract that man (Lillard) and they have no chance. Denver exposed us in a big way tonight. Our bench can’t carry us when Lillard is out, and they can’t even make the score respectable.

I think this roster is about as poorly set up as possible. That being said, they laid an egg tonight and are capable of much better. That's not to say that without major changes by the trade deadline that we have any hope of getting out of the first round because we don't.

 

[wizenheimer]

Olshey is the worst. But the fact that he still has the job also makes the Vulcans the worst

 

[TBpup]

Olshey is the worst. But the fact that he still has the job also makes the Vulcans the worst

"It bothers me that people have such low opinions of Vulcans. However, in this case, that opinion is totally logical."

 

[FlashWad]

Total rebuild from the ground up seems like the only way forward. We need to get lucky in the draft until we get a mvp caliber talent. Either rebuild the team around lillard or completely blow it up and trade Lillard for a treasure trove of picks and young players.

 

[wizenheimer]

Total rebuild from the ground up seems like the only way forward. We need to get lucky in the draft until we get a mvp caliber talent. Either rebuild the team around lillard or completely blow it up and trade Lillard for a treasure trove of picks and young players.

why would a team that has a treasure trove of picks and young players trade for Dame? He's 31 and has looked bad this season, and he has 4 years left on his deal at 44M/year

the only way Portland gets any high draft picks by trading Dame is by trading every other veteran they have for late firsts to add with the likely late firsts they'd get for Dame....and then suck so bad they'd have high picks in the lottery

I'll say again, if the Blazer trade dame and try and build a team around CJ they are irrevocably stupid

 

[FlashWad]

why would a team that has a treasure trove of picks and young players trade for Dame? He's 31 and has looked bad this season, and he has 4 years left on his deal at 44M/year

the only way Portland gets any high draft picks by trading Dame is by trading every other veteran they have for late firsts to add with the likely late firsts they'd get for Dame....and then suck so bad they'd have high picks in the lottery

I'll say again, if the Blazer trade dame and try and build a team around CJ they are irrevocably stupid

well you would trade cj also it would be a complete rebuild.. that being said you never know what teams out there have made offers for dame around lots of picks we have not heard of. I personally want a rebuild top to bottom and just play the lottery until we have a superstar talent and go from there.. right now I think Memphis has a better outlook and future than us with Ja Morant and all their young players while we are filled with underperforming veterans and never any draft picks

 

[calvin natt]

I think Little is the only bright spot for this entire organization right now.

 

[GDiama]

So our last three first round picks went in trades for guys that cannot even play 50 minutes combined. Cool story

 

[THE HCP]

Almost 15 games in and one thing is clear: Portland is a one-man team. Subtract that man (Lillard) and they have no chance. Denver exposed us in a big way tonight. Our bench can’t carry us when Lillard is out, and they can’t even make the score respectable.

And you couldn’t see this Day 1 of training camp?

 

[Cugel]

Funny, it's turning out just how Morey would want. The Blazers' organization is trash from top to bottom, especially the top. I say keep Ant, and Nas, and unload the rest for picks or young talent. Ben Simmons is not something to build around at this point either.

 

[wizenheimer]

well you would trade cj also it would be a complete rebuild.. that being said you never know what teams out there have made offers for dame around lots of picks we have not heard of. I personally want a rebuild top to bottom and just play the lottery until we have a superstar talent and go from there.. right now I think Memphis has a better outlook and future than us with Ja Morant and all their young players while we are filled with underperforming veterans and never any draft picks

the 'tear it down and rebuild' moves can come this season, or next season, or the season following. On one hand I suppose 'the-quicker-the-better' is one way to go

on the other, I think the Blazers owe it to Dame to actually spend some time in an attempt to build a contender around him. That has never happened. All that has happened is Portland has spent a major part of Dame's career servicing Olshey's fucking ego. Fire Olshey and at least make one or two attempts to build a win-now contender. There very well may not be any opportunities available, but the effort should at least be made.

if Portland does turn to trading Dame, they are not going to be getting a significant rebuild package. Not for a 31 year old 6'2 PG who may have a chronic injury and is struggling a lot with the new foul rules and new basketball. it would have to be a 100% commitment to a rebuild; not a trade of the best player in franchise history followed by a bunch of fence-straddling and dumpster diving...which is exactly what Olshey would do

 

[Blazinaway]

the 'tear it down and rebuild' moves can come this season, or next season, or the season following. On one hand I suppose 'the-quicker-the-better' is one way to go

on the other, I think the Blazers owe it to Dame to actually spend some time in an attempt to build a contender around him. That has never happened. All that has happened is Portland has spent a major part of Dame's career servicing Olshey's fucking ego. Fire Olshey and at least make one or two attempts to build a win-now contender. There very well may not be any opportunities available, but the effort should at least be made.

if Portland does turn to trading Dame, they are not going to be getting a significant rebuild package. Not for a 31 year old 6'2 PG who may have a chronic injury and is struggling a lot with the new foul rules and new basketball. it would have to be a 100% commitment to a rebuild; not a trade of the best player in franchise history followed by a bunch of fence-straddling and dumpster diving...which is exactly what Olshey would do

My take is its too late to build around Dame and my preference is to blow it up and move on. Dame has been fantastic and I'd try to trade him to a contender so he has a much better chance at a ring. I respect others views, this is mine.

 

[wizenheimer]

My take is its too late to build around Dame and my preference is to blow it up and move on. Dame has been fantastic and I'd try to trade him to a contender so he has a much better chance at a ring. I respect others views, this is mine.

maybe...but I'll repeat this: if Dame is traded and Olshey is the guy who trades him I'm out. I'll be done as a Blazer fan for a damn long time

 

[Blazinaway]

maybe...but I'll repeat this: if Dame is traded and Olshey is the guy who trades him I'm out. I'll be done as a Blazer fan for a damn long time

no disagreement there, Olshey needs to go now and not do any trades for this franchise

 

[royo]

I can't imagine that Billlups see the things differently.
This bunch is totally opposite of jailblazers and I guess, that is what many people here wanted.
Imagine what this bunch of "grown ass men" would do to Becky Hammon.

Olshey being out of bounds doesn't help at all. He will probably take the money and leave this mess behind him.

It is really early into the season and Billups most probably doesn't want to finish his coach carrier like this.
He should bench whoever he needs. By benching players he will probably lower their value, but it not gonna grow if they continue to play like this.

I would green light Billups to play youngsters I think, but idk really. I am pretty sure, that this team can play better, but I don't think work is their thing.

 

[GDiama]

I held some hope that somebody could teach old dogs new tricks, but that's not gonna happen. Dame and CJ will never be ok on defense and especially CJ will never go away from his tunnel vision on offense. This is all they ve known to do for years. Never held accountable and only been praised. They won't change at 30-31 years old. This is impossible.
I wonder if Olshey is hiding because of the investigation or because he is embarrassed that it was also the roster to blame. He was damn vocal all summer sharing his basketball expertise.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Funny, it's turning out just how Morey would want. The Blazers' organization is trash from top to bottom, especially the top. I say keep Ant, and Nas, and unload the rest for picks or young talent. Ben Simmons is not something to build around at this point either.

I don’t want another slow rebuild and I don’t think it would have to be. If the Blazers did go in a different direction I don’t think they would have to do a full rebuild. We have some nice prices work with. Definitely keep Little, Nance and maybe Ant around.

 

[1 Eye Jack]

I think Little is the only bright spot for this entire organization right now.

I also like Powel, Simons has potential to be good, Little has been very good. Starters are the problem saw little from CJ, Nurk and Roco last night. Afraid Billups is losing them he needs to rattle their cages

 

[TBpup]

I don’t want another slow rebuild and I don’t think it would have to be. If the Blazers did go in a different direction I don’t think they would have to do a full rebuild. We have some nice prices work with. Definitely keep Little, Nance and maybe Ant around.

It doesn't take that long if smart moves are made. Who had the Wizards, the Bulls and the Cavs as 3 of the top 4 teams in the East? Of course it's early, but I'd much rather be where they are than where we are.

 

[1 Eye Jack]

It doesn't take that long if smart moves are made. Who had the Wizards, the Bulls and the Cavs as 3 of the top 4 teams in the East? Of course it's early, but I'd much rather be where they are than where we are.

agree 100% doesn’t need to be full rebuild. We have some pieces and to be honest if you could make a couple of changes to this team i still think we could be a very good team. I really felt like Nurk and CJ are the two pieces that make the most sense to trade now.

 

[Fairly-Hard]

Lets see how things are going after 15 more games? We know what we have now. This place has teetered between "Blazers Are Fucking Legit!" to " Blazers are a complete Embarrassment" and everywhere in between.

Halfway to knowing what we got and it will probably be around a .500 team. Which they are very close to now. With any luck they win tonight 7-8 at 15 games.
If they go 8-7 the next 15 they will be 15-15.
What if they turn it around a bit and go 9-6 the second 15? end up 16-14 at 30 games? That would actually be a fairly nice turnaround. 10-5 would be really nice.

What a difference a couple games can make?

 

[calvin natt]

Lets see how things are going after 15 more games? We know what we have now. This place has teetered between "Blazers Are Fucking Legit!" to " Blazers are a complete Embarrassment" and everywhere in between.

Halfway to knowing what we got and it will probably be around a .500 team. Which they are very close to now. With any luck they win tonight 7-8 at 15 games.
If they go 8-7 the next 15 they will be 15-15.
What if they turn it around a bit and go 9-6 the second 15? end up 16-14 at 30 games? That would actually be a fairly nice turnaround. 10-5 would be really nice.

What a difference a couple games can make?

This is why I posted a few days ago what Tom Thibodeaux said about his team. “Just been ten games. Ok it’s only been 20 games. Give it 30 games” and then your season is over.

 

[Hey]

Wasn’t it a pretty high-consensus opinion around here that we would likely struggle with consistency in the first third of the season? So what we predicted has come to pass and now we need to blow it up? I hate to be the “patience” guy but c’mon. New coach, new system, new bench, and a uncharacteristically bad Dame.

There’s still a few bright spots to hold onto.

• Dame has looked more like himself recently and hopefully with some rest, he can be even better. I can already see he’s starting to make adjustments to the new foul interpretation rules. Yeah, it’d be nice if he could adjust as easily as Stephen Curry, but remember that Steph has had to adjust to this type of whistle-swallowing for the past 6 years in the playoffs. Dame is still passing really well and seems to be taking less heat-checks when he knows he doesn’t have it. Perhaps these struggles are a blessing in disguise and will force him to be a better player come playoff time.
• CJ is CJ. We can’t bench him because it will surely tank his trade value. Trade him at the deadline for a above-average wing and I’ll be happy. However, he’s been shooting well from three and has had some good defensive moments.
• Our bench is the best it’s been in years.
• Our defense has looked amazing on some nights, especially at home. If you thought we would be the Billups Pistons from day one and play that way each night, of course you’re disappointed. We need time to get consistent on defense. I am personally amazed at the level of defense we’ve been able to see in the first few weeks compared to last year. With time and repetition, it can continue to to get better. How many times did we get up 100 points by the end of third quarter? Compare that to now and there’s a big difference and it passes the eye test.
• Nurk is actually playing pretty well if you lay off the all-star expectations. We’re definitely not better without him.
• Ant + Little are showing solid improvement.
• Our point differential shows we are capable of being really good. We just happen to suck on any given night. That’s the product of a new system… inconsistency.

If we can trade CJ + RoCo + draft compensation for someone like Tobias Harris, Harrison Barnes, or Brandon Ingram, we would be solid.

 

[tester551]

agree 100% doesn’t need to be full rebuild. We have some pieces and to be honest if you could make a couple of changes to this team i still think we could be a very good team. I really felt like Nurk and CJ are the two pieces that make the most sense to trade now.

CJ should have been traded 4-5 years ago

 

[Fairly-Hard]

This is why I posted a few days ago what Tom Thibodeaux said about his team. “Just been ten games. Ok it’s only been 20 games. Give it 30 games” and then your season is over.

We’ve been saying 30 games for quite some time.

 

[HailBlazers]

Wasn’t it a pretty high-consensus opinion around here that we would likely struggle with consistency in the first third of the season? So what we predicted has come to pass and now we need to blow it up? I hate to be the “patience” guy but c’mon. New coach, new system, new bench, and a uncharacteristically bad Dame.

There’s still a few bright spots to hold onto.

• Dame has looked more like himself recently and hopefully with some rest, he can be even better. I can already see he’s starting to make adjustments to the new foul interpretation rules. Yeah, it’d be nice if he could adjust as easily as Stephen Curry, but remember that Steph has had to adjust to this type of whistle-swallowing for the past 6 years in the playoffs. Dame is still passing really well and seems to be taking less heat-checks when he knows he doesn’t have it. Perhaps these struggles are a blessing in disguise and will force him to be a better player come playoff time.
• CJ is CJ. We can’t bench him because it will surely tank his trade value. Trade him at the deadline for a above-average wing and I’ll be happy. However, he’s been shooting well from three and has had some good defensive moments.
• Our bench is the best it’s been in years.
• Our defense has looked amazing on some nights, especially at home. If you thought we would be the Billups Pistons from day one and play that way each night, of course you’re disappointed. We need time to get consistent on defense. I am personally amazed at the level of defense we’ve been able to see in the first few weeks compared to last year. With time and repetition, it can continue to to get better. How many times did we get up 100 points by the end of third quarter? Compare that to now and there’s a big difference and it passes the eye test.
• Nurk is actually playing pretty well if you lay off the all-star expectations. We’re definitely not better without him.
• Ant + Little are showing solid improvement.
• Our point differential shows we are capable of being really good. We just happen to suck on any given night. That’s the product of a new system… inconsistency.

If we can trade CJ + RoCo + draft compensation for someone like Tobias Harris, Harrison Barnes, or Brandon Ingram, we would be solid.

Yes even the first half of the season considering our SOS. We obviously need a big move but I think we'll be much better after the AS break regardless.

 

[Hoopguru]

Olshey is the worst. But the fact that he still has the job also makes the Vulcans the worst

Thats right, they must have liked him enough to have kept him around.

 

[calvin natt]

We’ve been saying 30 games for quite some time.

30 seems generous. And while some things might not be perfect for 30 games (or more) some things don’t take that long. I’m more concerned with just the effort in some games.

 

[Fairly-Hard]

30 seems generous. And while some things might not be perfect for 30 games (or more) some things don’t take that long. I’m more concerned with just the effort in some games.

What seems like effort might be comfort and reaction times.
I’m sticking with 30 games. That leaves 52 to make the season. Some things will work out.