How satisfied are you with this season?

[dviss1]

Kanter? Between us and a lakers team in disarray. Pretty darn easy choice.

Kanter also chose us over LA because of Damian Lillard and Neil Olshey

Give them their props. Regardless of how easy the choice was (In your opinion), he still CHOSE us:

Text from Lillard prompted Kanter to choose Blazers over Lakers

PORTLAND, Ore. — When Enes Kanter was deciding whether to sign with the Trail Blazers or Lakers — he said he got five or six offers but "it came down to [the Lakers] and Portland" — it was a text from star guard Damian Lillard that sealed the deal for Portland.

As for what Lillard said in the text, Kanter said that's between him and Lillard. But he said the text meant a lot to him.

"I saw how good of a teammate he was, that he would text me," he said.

Kanter had his first practice with the Blazers on Wednesday in New York. Portland plays the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday, the first of seven consecutive road games.

Kanter said his first practice with the Blazers was like the first day of school.

"I was just trying to get the sets, it was like smoke coming out of my head," he said. "A lot of plays, a lot of actions, but it was good. ... I was nervous, but they helped me a lot. Amazing locker [room]. From the first moment I stepped in, everyone was trying to help."

Kanter compared coming to Portland to his time in Oklahoma City. He played with the Thunder from 2015-2017, averaging 14.2 points and 8.0 rebounds off the bench for a team that averaged 51 wins and made a trip to the Western Conference Finals.

He said the Blazers are a great team and aren't missing a lot. He plans to focus on bringing energy and being a good teammate.

"How can I make others better? That's the one thing I'm looking for, because we're trying to get to the playoffs and go far there," he said.

Kanter said the fact that Portland wanted him four years ago, when he signed a four-year, $70 million offer sheet that Oklahoma City eventually matched, made a difference in his decision to choose the Blazers over the Lakers.

"When Neil [Olshey, Trail Blazers president of basketball operations] talked to me, it was emotional. ... They believed in me four years ago," he said.

 

[Dougnsalem]

Kanter also chose us over LA because of Damian Lillard and Neil Olshey

Give them their props. Regardless of how easy the choice was (In your opinion), he still CHOSE us:

Text from Lillard prompted Kanter to choose Blazers over Lakers

PORTLAND, Ore. — When Enes Kanter was deciding whether to sign with the Trail Blazers or Lakers — he said he got five or six offers but "it came down to [the Lakers] and Portland" — it was a text from star guard Damian Lillard that sealed the deal for Portland.

As for what Lillard said in the text, Kanter said that's between him and Lillard. But he said the text meant a lot to him.

"I saw how good of a teammate he was, that he would text me," he said.

Kanter had his first practice with the Blazers on Wednesday in New York. Portland plays the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday, the first of seven consecutive road games.

Kanter said his first practice with the Blazers was like the first day of school.

"I was just trying to get the sets, it was like smoke coming out of my head," he said. "A lot of plays, a lot of actions, but it was good. ... I was nervous, but they helped me a lot. Amazing locker [room]. From the first moment I stepped in, everyone was trying to help."

Kanter compared coming to Portland to his time in Oklahoma City. He played with the Thunder from 2015-2017, averaging 14.2 points and 8.0 rebounds off the bench for a team that averaged 51 wins and made a trip to the Western Conference Finals.

He said the Blazers are a great team and aren't missing a lot. He plans to focus on bringing energy and being a good teammate.

"How can I make others better? That's the one thing I'm looking for, because we're trying to get to the playoffs and go far there," he said.

Kanter said the fact that Portland wanted him four years ago, when he signed a four-year, $70 million offer sheet that Oklahoma City eventually matched, made a difference in his decision to choose the Blazers over the Lakers.

"When Neil [Olshey, Trail Blazers president of basketball operations] talked to me, it was emotional. ... They believed in me four years ago," he said.

That right there should be proof to anyone that he's not leaving us. Him and Nurk are going to be amazing together, for many years.

 

[stampedehero]

The word "expectations" is a better choice for my view point. I expect us to go into the WCF against Houston or GS. If not, I can always say 7 wins this playoff year is better than the last two seasons.

 

[PCmor7]

Considering coming into the season pretty much every analyst and pundit had the Blazers falling from third to probably out of the playoffs, I'm pretty happy. Granted, we should have won Game 4 and advanced by now, but to do what we've done and be missing Nurk in the playoffs ... if you'd have told me this before the season, I'd have been thrilled.

 

[Natebishop3]

Yes. Talent roster and depth wise during the regular season, I believe so.
And if we take into consideration injuries, RIGHT NOW, definitely yes.

I would have agreed with you.... but I'm not so sure anymore.

If you take away their top two players they've got

Millsap
Harris
Barton
Craig

If you take away our top two players we've got
Kanter
Hood
Zach
Harkless/Aminu

Obviously Millsap is the best of that bunch, but I would take Hood/Zach over Harris/Barton or Craig.

 

[Strenuus]

Kanter also chose us over LA because of Damian Lillard and Neil Olshey

Give them their props. Regardless of how easy the choice was (In your opinion), he still CHOSE us:

Text from Lillard prompted Kanter to choose Blazers over Lakers

PORTLAND, Ore. — When Enes Kanter was deciding whether to sign with the Trail Blazers or Lakers — he said he got five or six offers but "it came down to [the Lakers] and Portland" — it was a text from star guard Damian Lillard that sealed the deal for Portland.

As for what Lillard said in the text, Kanter said that's between him and Lillard. But he said the text meant a lot to him.

"I saw how good of a teammate he was, that he would text me," he said.

Kanter had his first practice with the Blazers on Wednesday in New York. Portland plays the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday, the first of seven consecutive road games.

Kanter said his first practice with the Blazers was like the first day of school.

"I was just trying to get the sets, it was like smoke coming out of my head," he said. "A lot of plays, a lot of actions, but it was good. ... I was nervous, but they helped me a lot. Amazing locker [room]. From the first moment I stepped in, everyone was trying to help."

Kanter compared coming to Portland to his time in Oklahoma City. He played with the Thunder from 2015-2017, averaging 14.2 points and 8.0 rebounds off the bench for a team that averaged 51 wins and made a trip to the Western Conference Finals.

He said the Blazers are a great team and aren't missing a lot. He plans to focus on bringing energy and being a good teammate.

"How can I make others better? That's the one thing I'm looking for, because we're trying to get to the playoffs and go far there," he said.

Kanter said the fact that Portland wanted him four years ago, when he signed a four-year, $70 million offer sheet that Oklahoma City eventually matched, made a difference in his decision to choose the Blazers over the Lakers.

"When Neil [Olshey, Trail Blazers president of basketball operations] talked to me, it was emotional. ... They believed in me four years ago," he said.

That's totally fair. Props to dame always!!

 

[Orion Bailey]

For me it’s black and white like a motherfucker. This team has done better than anybody could expect. Especially with Nurk and CJ going down the way they did. Proud of these guys no matter what happens Sunday!!!!! First the Summer League Championship and now pushing a higher seed to 7 games in the west semis? Doesn’t get any better!

Big picture. So many lose grasp of it.

I feel the same as you.

 

[borim69]

Going into this year I said one win in the playoffs is a vast improvement over last year. We got that win. This team has grown far better then what I had hoped. Without a doubt the Kanter, Hood and Curry acquisitions have determined our success in the post season. When Nurk went down not one person would have faulted us for folding and having a 1 round exit ...again... In fact they were betting on it. I would just like to win at least one game in the WCF

 

[riverman]

What free agents have signed here technically?

Kanter? Between us and a lakers team in disarray. Pretty darn easy choice.

Hood? Trade

Curry? Was out for an entire year and just needed one team to take him.

I really hope this run helps us in the future in terms of free agents, but to say they have already lined up free agents before is a bit misleading.

you can buzzkill the guys who came here all you want...they all want to be here across the board. ..Kanter had more options than the Lakers...he also chose to sign an offer with us before....what my point is...guys are gushing about Portland and it's showing on the court. I think this season has put the Blazers on the map as a destination...apparently you don't....all good

 

[andalusian]

This team has done better than anybody could expect.

Some of us nobodies believed harder, dude 43 wins was it?

 

[Chris Craig]

The Blazers have made me proud this season. They won the summer league championship. They won 53 games which I predicted. They overcame the injuries to Nurkic, CJ, an so far Kanter. They beat the Thunder in 5 games in rnd 1. They have taken Denver to seven games. If this is as far as they go, I'll be pretty statisfied.

I'll be a little disappointed of course. It comes with being a die hard fan. Being so close to the WCF's the loss would hurt. But of the season, I'd be proud. Paul would be proud.

 

[B-Roy]

I would have agreed with you.... but I'm not so sure anymore.

If you take away their top two players they've got

Millsap
Harris
Barton
Craig

If you take away our top two players we've got
Kanter
Hood
Zach
Harkless/Aminu

Obviously Millsap is the best of that bunch, but I would take Hood/Zach over Harris/Barton or Craig.

Not sure you can put Kanter there when he's been playing clearly hurt. His numbers since he's reinjured that shoulder in game 3 show it. Plus just watching the guy he's missing point blank layins.

 

[BoomChakaLaka]

Quite frankly I’m proud of this team! More so than any past Blazer team.

I was in the building back in 1977 and witnessed team basketball like I’ve never seen since. Until Dame wins a title, he will be second behind Walton as all-time best Blazer. And the 1976-77 team that won it all; they are the best all-time Blazer team. It’s logical. It’s based upon facts.

That said, this year’s 2018-19 Blazers represent the all-time team with the biggest heart. They lost Nurkic with weeks to go. So demoralizing. I did not expect the team to win more than a single game. But their hearts are huge and their conviction unparalleled in Blazer history.

Sunday night Dame, CJ, Harkless, Aminu, Kanter, Collins, Curry, Hood, Turner, Layman et al, will leave it on the court. This will not be a repeat of game 5. It very well may be a repeat of game 3. No matter win or lose, we will be proud of this team. More proud than at any time before.

Go Blazers. Fight!

 

[THE HCP]

Some of us nobodies believed harder, dude 43 wins was it?

Yessir. And stand by it. Thats is why I’m so proud of them. This roster up until big mid season additions, had 43 win talent.

 

[Natebishop3]

Not sure you can put Kanter there when he's been playing clearly hurt. His numbers since he's reinjured that shoulder in game 3 show it. Plus just watching the guy he's missing point blank layins.

He is still boarding though. Can't really take him off.

 

[B-Roy]

He is still boarding though. Can't really take him off.

Obviously love the guy, just saying he's not as effective right now as he could be.

Speaking of which, Kanter gets a ton of OREBs but I wonder what his ORB% would be if they counted the times where he forces an opponent to tap it out of bounds or foul him trying to box him out. He gave us so many extra possessions last night even if he blew a ton of them.

 

[kjironman1]

Not a good time for a thread like this.

Win game seven!

Go Blazers!

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

How could you be dissapointed? When you came into the season with 27 Million tied to Meyers/ET and are playing games in May, that is a success.

Whose fault is that though? Cannot congradulate how well they did with self inflicted wounds.

Agree with the original post. I do not think any GM or coach could have taken the assets this team had at the end of last any farther that where they have gotten.

 

[KingSpeed]

I'm sure some will see this as a jinx thread. I don't care.

I am stating outright, 2 days before game 7, that I am fully satisfied with what the Blazers have accomplished this season. Not saying I don't want a win Sunday; not saying I don't want a conference or league title, not saying I don't want the team to improve in the offseason--not saying any of that. What I am saying is that if the Blazers do lose on Sunday, I will look back on this season fondly, pleased with what they did, with how they performed, not disappointed at all.

However I know that there are many places on the spectrum for fans to fall, so I'm curious where the rest of y'all are at, at this moment, in regard to your feelings about the season.

I'm both. I've been disappointed after every season sincHe I started following the team in 1989 since the ultimate goal wasn't achieved. That said, once the season is over, I always count all the great things about the season. For instance...

1) Opening night win vs Lakers
2) Jake Layman's 20 point quarter
3) Dame's 10 threes vs Orlando
4) Blow out win over Warriors at home
5) Closing night comeback from 28 down
6) Game 5 vs OKC
7) The quadruple overtime win

Hope for the best, count the blessings. Go Blazers.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Yessir. And stand by it. Thats is why I’m so proud of them. This roster up until big mid season additions, had 43 win talent.

Didnt you say 40 wins?

 

[PCmor7]

I would have agreed with you.... but I'm not so sure anymore.

If you take away their top two players they've got

Millsap
Harris
Barton
Craig

If you take away our top two players we've got
Kanter
Hood
Zach
Harkless/Aminu

Obviously Millsap is the best of that bunch, but I would take Hood/Zach over Harris/Barton or Craig.

Personally, I take a healthy Kanter over Millsap.

 

[Natebishop3]

Personally, I take a healthy Kanter over Millsap.

Ehhhhhh Millsap is an excellent defender.

 

[James lamphear]

I am very pleased with this team this year. There times they could just shut it down during the season when things wasn't going well. But with the good leadership in Dame and give credit to the coaches to turn it around. Then when CJ and Nurk then thought we might end up 7 or 8th spot. But the team came together and really play well. I am satisfied with the 3 young players in Zach Simons Trent. But more less this been really good playoffs for and given a chance to make it to the WCF.

 

[SportsAndWhine]

Seth Curry makes one more free throw and we're already waiting for the winner of Warriors/Rockets... I'm very happy for this season as-is, but I'm so angry about that game I can't even think about directly for too long.

 

[Natebishop3]

Seth Curry makes one more free throw and we're already waiting for the winner of Warriors/Rockets... I'm very happy for this season as-is, but I'm so angry about that game I can't even think about directly for too long.

Our free throw shooting has definitely hurt us.

 

[swish3]

This season has encompassed several notable achievements, nicely noted by Kingspeed in the post above. Addition of Enes, Rod, and Seth have given a major boost, and the best season performance by Dame, CJ, Nurk, and Meyers has been notable, and can continue with WCF and NBA Championships. Coaching is now showing effective alternatives, more substitution, to allow the determination of the Blazers as a team to reach greater success.

While our bench includes impressive performances adding power that has a lot of promise for the future, this year is the one to win as we are only 1 game away. Rod and Seth have scored importantly, especially in DEN Game 6, and pose a large problem for DEN. The improving talent of Zach is notable. The additional swish3 scoring of Meyers is needed. In the 2 games this year that Meyers started (UTA and SAC), we won convincingly, with intensity of play that we need for DEN Game 7.

Both Zach and Meyers have developed impressively in this season, and have played well when on the floor together as they seem to facilitate improved talents in each other. Zach is now getting major playing time and playing some impressive defense while also scoring. Meyers can also be the additional scoring and defensive force that beats DEN and wins the WCF if the coaches will extend the progression of active game plans. To be satisfied, I think that Meyers should be replacing Enes in the 1st and 3rd Q when Enes is slowing down. With the scoring, screening, passes, and leadership (as noted by Dame) that Meyers can bring, we can win both the WCF and the NBA Championship of 2019.

 

[Titan]

This season has been a lot better than previous 2 and also I would put it as the best season so far in the Dame era. Think about this, even if we lose on Sunday we still finish this playoff season with a winning record, so I like our chances on building from now and going forward. Go RIPCITY!

 

[SportsAndWhine]

Our free throw shooting has definitely hurt us.

In Nurk’s case that’s literal

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Even if we lose game 7...

#FurtherThanCPBiotch
#FurtherThanTexasTurncoat

 

[SIeepwalker]

When Matthews went down in 2015 the team just folded. Aaron "it's championship time" Afflalo couldn't do shit in the starting line up and Aldridge was probably already making summer plans.

Nurk was probably even more important to this team and it's amazing how they have played since he got hurt. This team has heart.