Let's not overreact to this.

[KingSpeed]

I keep hearing people saying "we need a third scorer" but that was not the problem tonight. Aminu had 16, Crabbe had 20. Those guys score and they will get better. Neither has reached their prime and every champion must get punked a few times before winning the whole thing. So we got punked because we couldn't guard a 73-9 team. Let's just grow naturally from this as opposed to throwing in some random players like Ryan Anderson or DeRozen. We don't need those guys. Obviously, you offer Durant a contract and maybe Horford but otherwise, give these guys another season and another chance to go further.

 

[Strenuus]

We do need a rim protector. That much is for sure.

And, to be honest, I think people want a 3rd scorer more so to give relief to dame and CJ more than anything. I still think (and sometimes rightfully so) they have to score that 45 a game to win.

No shame in getting a piece or two. Golden State had to.

 

[SheedSoNasty]

We could really use an interior scorer. Plumlee and Davis certainly aren't going to be that.

 

[KingSpeed]

We do need a rim protector. That much is for sure.

And, to be honest, I think people want a 3rd scorer more so to give relief to dame and CJ more than anything. I still think (and sometimes rightfully so) they have to score that 45 a game to win.

No shame in getting a piece or two. Golden State had to.

We have 3rd and 4th scorers.

 

[Strenuus]

We have 3rd and 4th scorers.

Enough to get the double off Dame and/or CJ?

 

[KingSpeed]

Barkley saying the same thing. This was their first year together. We will get better and he pointed out that we missed Meyers who he really likes.

 

[KingSpeed]

Enough to get the double off Dame and/or CJ?

If the double is there, those guys feast.

 

[B-Roy]

The most obvious need to me is a big man that can play defense and finish at the rim. Don't know how many damn bunnies this team misses at the rim.

 

[Strenuus]

If the double is there, those guys feast.

Okay. Again, I'm not agreeing or disagreeing.

I'm more interested in the interior than the shooters, like you. I was just probing.

We need D and interior scoring/rim protector #1... #2, #3, and #4.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

I'm not going to argue with you. I'm afraid you'd get angry and leave the forum for 2 or 3 hours.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

We do need a guy who can finish inside, Plumlee and Davis just can't do it consistently. Also, we need a Livingston type player on the bench to help CJ. Maybe Vasquez?

 

[Strenuus]

We do need a guy who can finish inside, Plumlee and Davis just can't do it consistently. Also, we need a Livingston type player on the bench to help CJ. Maybe Vasquez?

Olshey does have his work cut out for him, that is for sure. He may not sleep the last two weeks before FA.

 

[TBpup]

More efficient scorers. Dame scored a lot but in his last two games was 16-54. No, that is not Dame hate...just what he shot. Many of those shots were not good shots and he's got to trust his teammates that are hitting like Crabbe and Aminu more. Shaq, Barkley, all the Talkin' Ball guys, the nation broadcasters have all intimated the same thing. You can't doubt his heart...just become more efficient.

 

[Denny Crane]

We do need a guy who can finish inside, Plumlee and Davis just can't do it consistently. Also, we need a Livingston type player on the bench to help CJ. Maybe Vasquez?

Exactly this. Plus make FREE throws.

 

[KingSpeed]

I admit Durant would be nice. We would be the favorites for the title if we kept this team and replaced Kaman with Kevin Durant.

 

[Strenuus]

I admit Durant would be nice. We would be the favorites for the title if we kept this team and replaced Kaman with Kevin Durant.

lol.

 

[KingSpeed]

More efficient scorers. Dame scored a lot but in his last two games was 16-54. No, that is not Dame hate...just what he shot. Many of those shots were not good shots and he's got to trust his teammates that are hitting like Crabbe and Aminu more. Shaq, Barkley, all the Talkin' Ball guys, the nation broadcasters have all intimated the same thing. You can't doubt his heart...just become more efficient.

It's hard because when "stars" don't take the big shots, people criticize them like they did with LeBron. Dame trusts those guys throughout the game but he feels it's his responsibility to take the big shot. If Harkless took the shot and missed, everyone would say WHY DIDNT LILLARD TAKE THE SHOT?

 

[TBpup]

It's hard because when "stars" don't take the big shots, people criticize them like they did with LeBron. Dame trusts those guys throughout the game but he feels it's his responsibility to take the big shot. If Harkless took the shot and missed, everyone would say WHY DIDNT LILLARD TAKE THE SHOT?

True...when the star is having a good night. When that star is shooting under 30% the last two games and Aminu and Crabbe are over 50% from '3', people will say it was the right decision instead of shooting against the double team.

Jordan to Kerr
Jordan to Paxson

 

[BlazerCaravan]

More efficient scorers. Dame scored a lot but in his last two games was 16-54. No, that is not Dame hate...just what he shot. Many of those shots were not good shots and he's got to trust his teammates that are hitting like Crabbe and Aminu more. Shaq, Barkley, all the Talkin' Ball guys, the nation broadcasters have all intimated the same thing. You can't doubt his heart...just become more efficient.

Agreed; I think he was genuinely exhausted after Game 3, and that plantar fasciitis doesn't just go away. We need better options around him (whether that's the same guys more grown up or new guys) so he doesn't have to work SO HARD to grind out wins for us.

 

[KingSpeed]

True...when the star is having a good night. When that star is shooting under 30% the last two games and Aminu and Crabbe are over 50% from '3', people will say it was the right decision instead of shooting against the double team.

Jordan to Kerr
Jordan to Paxson

Good point.

 

[BonesJones]

I keep hearing people saying "we need a third scorer" but that was not the problem tonight. Aminu had 16, Crabbe had 20. Those guys score and they will get better. Neither has reached their prime and every champion must get punked a few times before winning the whole thing. So we got punked because we couldn't guard a 73-9 team. Let's just grow naturally from this as opposed to throwing in some random players like Ryan Anderson or DeRozen. We don't need those guys. Obviously, you offer Durant a contract and maybe Horford but otherwise, give these guys another season and another chance to go further.

There's 3 different types of players that would drastically improve this team, starting with the most important:

1.) An interior defender and interior scorer (Horford, Whiteside, Gasol)
2.) A defensive stretch 4 (Marvin Williams, Millsap)
3.) A 3rd ball handler that can create for others (Vasquez, Lin, Batum)

We don't have the cap space to address all those things but if we could address one or two it'd definitely help us.

 

[Strenuus]

There's 3 different types of players that would drastically improve this team, starting with the most important:

1.) An interior defender and interior scorer (Horford, Whiteside, Gasol)
2.) A defensive stretch 4 (Marvin Williams, Millsap)
3.) A 3rd ball handler that can create for others (Vasquez, Lin, Batum)

We don't have the cap space to address all those things but if we could address one or two it'd definitely help us.

I haven't been this excited for an offseason in a long time... if ever.

This is literally a make or break offseason! LETS GO.

 

[TBpup]

What is GREAT about Dame is that even though he didn't shoot well and you like to see him take better shots at times and play better D, you have no question about his leadership or his heart. Portland is so fortunate to have someone like that as their cornerstone.

 

[Hey]

Let's not underreact. Without any big additions to improve our defense and add consistent interior scoring, we have a better chance at becoming the next Denver Nuggets from the previous few years: A fun underdog 50-win team that will get to the second round occasionally, but thats the ceiling.

 

[Sinobas]

The irony is that in this series, the Blazers supporting cast played really well. But Damian had some aweful shooting nights. If he had just hit his average we'd have won the last 2 games.

 

[Hey]

The irony is that in this series, the Blazers supporting cast played really well. But Damian had some aweful shooting nights. If he had just hit his average we'd have won the last 2 games.

Maybe due to the fact that the opposing defense from the Clippers and Warriors have been designed to stop Lillard which has led to many wide open jumpshots/lanes for Harkless, Crabbe, and Aminu?

 

[Sinobas]

Maybe due to the fact that the opposing defense from the Clippers and Warriors have been designed to stop Lillard which has led to many wide open jumpshots/lanes for Harkless, Crabbe, and Aminu?

Of course, Crabbe and Aminu are role players that get their shots off the offense rather than creating their own, but Lillard is now doing some of what made LaMarcus annoying, in that he's putting up a volume of bad contested shots.

On Talking Ball, they mentioned how exhausted he was after the game. Maybe the Blazers need to find a way to help him save energy.

 

[B-Roy]

Of course, Crabbe and Aminu are role players that get their shots off the offense rather than creating their own, but Lillard is now doing some of what made LaMarcus annoying, in that he's putting up a volume of bad contested shots.

On Talking Ball, they mentioned how exhausted he was after the game. Maybe the Blazers need to find a way to help him save energy.

How about having guys that can create for Lillard, rather than the other way around? Lillard gets exhausted because he creates his own offense AND he creates everyone elses. Someone has to be able to take the pressure off him handling the ball all the time.

 

[TBpup]

How about having guys that can create for Lillard, rather than the other way around? Lillard gets exhausted because he creates his own offense AND he creates everyone elses. Someone has to be able to take the pressure off him handling the ball all the time.

One BIG advantage the Warriors have is that they have bigger players that can create. Livingston and Green cause matchup problems because they are creating and aren't 6'3". If Aminu could develop into that, it would be a big step forward for the roster.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

One BIG advantage the Warriors have is that they have bigger players that can create. Livingston and Green cause matchup problems because they are creating and aren't 6'3". If Aminu could develop into that, it would be a big step forward for the roster.

That's a big ask; I love Aminu's hustle and heart, but he makes The People's Champ look like John Stockton.